The Garden was a place of rest. Work. Yes. Kinda. Keeping and cultivating and loving and enjoying paradise was life. It is mind-boggling how those two people, in perfect paradise, with perfect freedom, knowing perfect provision, enjoying a shame-less, guilt-less, sin-less life with God and each other --- would have chosen sin. But, they did. No doubt.
The Garden is gone. Or at least inaccessible to man.
Now, cities are filled with shame, guilt, and sin. Cities around the world are epicenters of invented gods and counterfeit glory. Now, people go to cities to find themselves, make a life for themselves, forge an identity for themselves, make a name for themselves, on a quest to satisfy themselves.
Interestingly, one can observe this phenomenon at work: the larger the city - the less eye contact. Walk down the street of small town America and people look you in the eye. Walk down a dirt road in Mexico - and everyone is looking at you. Hop on the subway in NYC, and you will be hard-pressed for eye-contact. Something about being around a lot of people, actually makes people appear less interested in other people.
Yet -- as image-bearers of our God -- We need to place value on the image we bear.
Hello. We are made in the image of God. So, all the more, as the redeemed sons and daughters, beloved ones, forgiven ones, purchased ones, grace-changed ones -- as we fix our eyes on the Author and Perfecter of our faith - can we look people in the eyes in the hope they will see "the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2 Cor 4:6b)
Image bearers. Eyes reflect. Eyes receive.
What do people see when they see your eyes?
What do you see in the eyes of the redeemed?
What do you see in the eyes of those still searching?
Our beloved, Kimberly Smith is engaged! She is one of our original "Basmentees." She has been here since the VERY beginning when the Basement was still meeting in the bottom of Matt's house. She is a HUGE blessings to all of us who have the priviledge of serving together with her through this ministry. Kimbo has pour much of her time and heart into all of our lives and into the many of lives that have walked through the door at the Basement every Tuesday night. Kimbo, you are so beautiful and we love so much! We thank God for you and for allowing us the honor to know you and learn so much from you. Congratulations! We cant wait to share this special day with you. 
