Arrested in triplicate.

Something that snagged my attention like a knitted sweater passing briers:

"Come now, let us settle the matter,"
  says the Lord.
"Though your sins are like scarlet,
  they shall be white as snow;
though they are crimson,
  they shall be like wool.

It's the eighteenth verse of the first chapter of Isaiah. The other seventeen verses are piles of charge and condemnation and judgment perfectly deserved. And then this. Though you are hopeless and dead, I will revive you and make you beautiful. He's that guy.


Something that chilled me to my core like witnessing a violent head injury:

The rulers and nations in Psalm 2 try to throw off the rule of the One who sits enthroned in heaven. Yesterday it was preached that, "this attempt to pull God off the throne is exactly like what happened with Jesus. The very first time rebellious people can get their hands on God, they kill Him."

[I can't find the words to make comment.]


Something that got me in a truly new and beautiful way, like that sunset which makes you do a double-take and hold your breath:

As rebels, it's mercy that we're given the opportunity to surrender. It's mercy that we aren't made slaves or otherwise treated poorly. It's grace that we get dignity... it's incalculable grace and mercy and love that we are restored to right relationship with the King. It's unreal!