break every chain

We're coming for you, New York City.

do what hurts

Let's do on purpose those things that make us run and hide, that make the heart gallop like willd horses. I will not overcome by my weaknesses. In fact, what if I decided to do each day the thing that makes me the most uncomfortable? After all, there is no overcoming if I don't face my fears. He has already promised that His plans are to prosper us and never to harm us. So what's the big deal?

ease

How is it possible to be absolutely at ease when the pressure is rising and nothing is yet concrete? How am I completely satisfied at work to the degree that my confidence level is higher than ever and nothing really bothers me? I'm not wishing the days away. I'm not begging for anything. This must be the contentment I've been asking for.

glamour cooking

Yesterday I fell in love with Debi Mazar, and added her to my growing collection of beyond-normal women who live a lush life/style. Debi, and her Italian husband, Gabriele, are a throwback combination of classic Tuscany and New York City. Debi is a complete pin-up glamour wife, and Gabriele is a richly accented, master class chef, having learned all his cooking secrets from his Italian father and grandfather. Their home in Los Angeles is classic 1950s chic with chickens and a pizza oven in the backyard. I can only hope I look at good as she does after two daughters. Their show is Extra Virgin on The Cooking Channel. Now a new favorite.

the sustainability of your dreams

Great thoughts die in wrong places. Environments determine what grows. Or dies.

social equity

A clarion moment brought me a foretaste of belonging and equality. Strength to match strength, and beauty to attract beauty. Within the collection, tucked down in the middle of the power, talent, and perspective of valiant women. Completely safe and supported, completely unleashed.

radical in Babylon

I'm inspired by Radical Homemakers; those who have made the choice to live free from the constraints of this present age of consumerism. I love the idea of my home being a place that produces instead of consumes. I hope to grow my own food and apprentice my children, enrich my community, work less and enjoy life more. I want to leave this realm without tarnishing it more than it already is.

But I'm not sure this is radical enough. It's an amazing start to the Calling of the Kingdom. This realm has already been given over into our hands to subdue. We're ruling and reigning; Radical Homemakers are correctly reminding me of how I should be living. But I can't stop there. There is a richer calling that goes deeper than Genesis and the Garden of Eden. I've been called to go into all the world to proclaim freedom for the captives. My legacy is not just for me and mine. I want to possess the land, not be satisfied on a small plot of land for my family. The nations are calling our for their salvation. God is transitioning the wealth of the world into the hands of the righteous.

celebrating freedom

River rich and mercy beckon. Everyone who thirsts is welcome. All who hunger freely come. Bread of life for everyone. Free for all. Free for all. Over every limitation, free for all. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom, free for all. We're proclaiming freedom to the nations. Stand and see your full salvation. Rivers in the desert...clouds are forming. Celebrate this free out-pouring. Whom the Son sets free, is free indeed.

I'm savoring freedom today. Celebrating that I don't have to be tied down by the weight of my expectations, of being what I'm not supposed to be. I've found freedom in letting go, in the decrease and increase of myself in new ways, and the ability to see things for what they are. Earth, Wind, Water, Fire. I was created to give, and give freely.

you

Every time I think of you, my stomach is filled with butterflies. I'm enjoying even the thought of you and the days before you arrive. I'm starting off in complete contentment.

close

Some things just need to be held close to the chest before they reveal themselves. There's something to be said about timing, gestation and nuturing.

roots

I'm going back. Way back to a time when my thoughts flowed more freely and I understood the exhiliration and satisfaction of redeeming the forsaken and searching out that which can be renewed, what can be made whole again. There is no question that old can be made modern. I'm rediscoving what I used to love and live by. There exists somewhere within me the reality of chic sustainability. The framework is coming together. All along the mystery of my purpose has been so obvious.

"I cannot wait to see your balcony garden! The image of you in a Michael Kors sun hat and gardening gloves is priceless." Oh, when friends can see the things you're imagining yourself!

waiting

What you're working on shows God what you're waiting for.

identity

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.

Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.

For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed.

I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.

These verses saved my life yesterday. In exchange for my brokenness and ashes, He gave me a crown of beauty.

ten year predictions

LA and NYC based Opening Ceremony have given their 10-year predictions, and I love what they're thinking. I've literally been taken on a journey into some of these very thoughts as I think about my family and future. Let me share my favorites:

Fashion Classics
"But we see [fashion classics] becoming even more of a focus in fashion. Ideal silhouettes will be perfected to a tee. Designers will make the absolute gray flannel pleated pant, black cashmere cardigan, navy peacoat. Instead of just remaking the black cigarette pant worn by Audrey Hepburn or the YSL tuxedo made famous by Betty Catroux, classic pieces will be re-established for a new generation."

Eat Smart
"The food world has embraced local, slow food in a major way recently. We see this evolving (or devolving!) even more, with medieval-style feasts and undiscovered root vegetables coming back. We'd love to see milkmen everywhere in New York, and seltzer delivery with those glass spray bottles. For the future, these delivery services would take the template from the past and re-create it with full-scale farm deliveries from hydroponic organic farms! Bakeries with fresh bread on every corner. No one really wants to eat wasabi cotton candy, do they?"

Draftmanship
"Art will hopefully return to traditional, labor-intensive drawing and painting. We have seen this with artists like Aurel Schmidt and John Currin in recent years, but it will expand: We would love to see super-detailed Michelangelo-style fresco painting in 2020!"

New Talent
"Countries known for their fashion history and integrity will return to prominence. Places like Belgium, France, and Austria, with true savoir faire and classical training paired with a real commitment to innovation, will come back in a major way. Opening Ceremony is coming to find you. Farther east, China has long been an integral part of the fashion industry in the production sector. But in the next ten years, we see this paradigm shifting as the Chinese develop their creative capabilities. It's only a matter of time before there is an onslaught of Chinese designers, and O.C. is looking at them.
 
Music
"Music will become analog to the extreme, revisiting the intensity and drama of opera and symphony in a completely modern way. Young people will discover the sublimity of these updated institutions. And wouldn't it be amazing to see a fashion show accompanied by a full orchestra, or a sole harp like Joanna Newsom instead of the ubiquitous electronic beat? Think Owen Pallett or Hahn-Bin."
 
Craftsmanship
"Craftsmanship will be appreciated more and more. We're talking truly archival craftsmanship, like chains sewn into hems and hidden satin pockets. Also, we see American houses employing the kind of artisanal specialists like the ateliers of France. In the vein of Rodarte's hand-knit sweaters, we will increasingly see artisanal qualities in American fashion houses."

Tom Ford Spring 2011

the door

The word January in Latin means "the door." I like it. In many ways I sense the opening of many doors in this moment. Some more obvious than others. The one I'm most intrigued with is the opening of my heart's door to strengthen my identity in Christ, my trust in Him, and in the one He's entrusted me to. I'm open to new ideas, thoughts, dreams and environments. I'm opened wide to surrender and freedom. This place has held me captive long enough, and now it's time to walk through the open door.

new year

She served God's Purpose in her generation.

Today I sacrifice fear and uncertainty and the inferior that has to this point consumed me. I let them go, out of my control and comfort. I reach toward and pursue the superiority of the One who holds me together. No amount of money or success or career or persona or element of beauty that I may possess will sustain me. My arms are opened wide to the people You will bring me. Your list is mine. Take my talents and multiple them over and over again. This is the year of the Lord's favor.