sucks that love is so controversial

so for the past couple of weeks i have been hearing a bunch of nonsense surrounding rob bell and the controversy his new book is causing. i was definitely interested in what all the talk was about, as i am a huge rob bell fan and have loved his books, his nooma videos, and his live presence. i hopped on his website to hear what he himself had to say after getting a brief synopsis of the controversy from my dad. there i found that he was scheduled to speak in my fair city so i decided to go. i can't tell you how amazing it was.

for those of you who got to watch it live streaming - can i get an amen on lisa miller being a defensive B? thank you. also - can i get an amen on rob bell being a total boss? thank you.

like he states in the beginning of his book, nothing he is conversing about is a new idea. he just has an amazing way of communicating. and the heart of his message is something i am convinced every believer needs to hear and own.

his talk and the book (although i'm not finished with it - so it may delve way more into this) touches on a lot of what the conversation is when my family comes together: the kingdom of God/the kingdom of heaven/on earth as it is in heaven, etc..

this book and the conversation it has started has really encouraged me to think about how i can work towards being a true example of someone who is dancing in the struggle. someone who is open to change, and someone who carries the knowledge that love really does win.

and that God is so encouraging of freedom. in my favorite mumford song, they say, "lend me your eyes i can change what you see, but your soul you must keep, totally free."

reminds me of how God is more than willing to jump into your situation and point out all the things you were never able to see without him - but that in the end, it is still your choice as to whether or not you want him to take up residency there or jump out when he's done showing you how much better life can be with a surrendered heart and a willingness to be plucked out of comfortability.

so i don't want to just lend him my eyes. he can keep them.