Back in Austin with our hearts in Paris:

Back in Austin, our neighborhood is all out planting trees in public spaces together today. Gotta love this city. Not in denial of global tragedies (more than aware, we had many french officials here doing a sister city tour yesterday; and did a co-blessing ceremony last night with our french friends at our capital; i think, if anything America is re-traumatized by this event, which may be necessary as I’m not sure we fully healed or dealt with 911 all the way as a nation; reacting and healing are two different processes), But planting new life as a sign feels right today. Plant life in the place of death. I may take one of these trees and plant it in my favorite park in Paris for New Years. ( to be specific, Luxembourg Park—love that one, near St Michael’s; many films have been shot in this park, and it touches me)

Feels like we are doing that with our personal land here as well. Buying land in Anathoth like Jeremiah did even as the nation was being taken over (as a sign of hope), or in a serious leadership crisis as was true in his times and ours.

Anyway, it’s like a clearing in the forest here today, beneath a light cool rain, which must’ve traveled from a distance, judging from its scent. Austin, nice to see you again old friend.

In prayer this morning, saw so many angels of all stripes and colors descending into Paris today-this vision was comforting. Maybe we should pray for the angels serving, as they seem less interrupted than us.

I think I’ll go make art with the elderly people across the street today for fun, and listen to some records-that generation loves vinyl and un-ironically! They get bored, as do I. Might as well live each day, in the midst and while bearing the global tumult!

Of course, still praying for Paris, specifically that she would feel comforted, cared about, and have wisdom not just reaction, spiritual intelligence in how to address the complexity of un-healed generational wounds between people groups and members of our family which are clearly acting out in our global village these days.

Old issues, all seemingly coming to the surface at once in that symbolizing city. Requires love on all sides. Yet clearly, we cannot earn Grace (or heavenly rewards) by killing one another, even verbally. We win nothing, even in eternity by killing one another down here! Teach us to love our family, and to be kind to one another! And to father and mother those in need.