So I finally finished a blog I started on July 29 and it posted to my July blogs instead of today when I actually posted it, so go check out the blog titled 'your stomach growls when it needs something, but what does your heart sound like when it needs something...a heart growl?'
Thanks for bearing with the technical c-razzziness. And I also posted a blog today that showed up today...look below this one! :) Love y'all!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
tree huggers existed B.C...not so sure about the comic strip though.
This morning while eating breakfast I read Jeremiah 2. I'll be honest, when I flipped open my Bible, I was headed to the gospels where I could find something 'more relevant,' as we so often hear the New Testament tagged...but I felt like God had something to show me in this chapter, so I read it (and in fact it was very relevant). The point of this blog is not about how important the Old Testament is, but let's not write off the Old Testament as pointless. It is still very much so inspired by God and chock-full of life lessons for us (hello Ten Commandments). Just because some of the laws were fulfilled in Christ and are not as applicable to our life now, that doesn't mean there isn't something to learn from them, and that the prophecies and other stories aren't valuable as well...they are.
So, welcome to Jeremiah 2. We're traveling back thousands upon thousands of years to learn that--people were as much sinners then as they are now. Crazy, huh...pride is both an old and new sin (and we all thought we were clever...). So the Hippies didn't invent anything new. Generation X: I'm sorry, but you didn't think of anything new either. And Generation Y...well, you get the point. First off, maybe you should take a second to read Jeremiah 2. It's God speaking through Jeremiah to Jerusalem. Here's my street lingo breakdown of the chapter:
1st: God reflects on the good times--remember when you used to love me and all was good? (2:1-4)
2nd: God's like--what were you thinking?!?! Your grandaddies all up and left me...and for what? What have I ever done but good for you? God points out He saved their little hineys from slavery in Egypt, and yet it just wasn't enough for them to stick with Him. [From a distance, we probably think they're crazy, but what has God done in your life? Have you always been faithful to Him since?] (2:5-9)
3rd: God talks about people taking matters into their own hands. This is what I really want to reflect on today...God is living water--He's what keeps us alive Spiritually, emotionally, physically. In verses 13-19, God speaks to how He is the spring of living water--the supply that we need--and how people tried to build their own cisterns and went elsewhere to get water instead of turning to Him.
God is the ultimate supplier. Of breath, of life, of living water, of protection, and so on. There is no other spring of Living Water outside of the Trinity. I'm sorry Buddha, but you didn't make the cut. Muhammad, you seem like a nice guy, but you're not a spring of living water either. Witchcraft...that's not going to get you any Living Water. Worshipping the animals and the earth? Nope. This is where I say the Hippies and recent generations haven't thought of anything new. Woven into Jeremiah 2 quite frequently is God speaking about manmade idols and gods. There is a movement that has become more prevalent recently that says you can get to Heaven through Buddha, hugging a tree, etc...basically however you want. So is not the case, and may Christianity never be lumped into that assumption. Spirituality was originally intended to worship God, and nowhere in the Bible does it say anything pointing to acceptance into Heaven via other routes. In fact, quite the opposite. John 14:6, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father except through me." God wants you all sold out for Him, not for just anyone or just a system of beliefs, "So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:16)." This tells us that God wants you on fire for Him. Don't just be a church goer to ease your conscience, don't think that by meditating 3 hours a day you're going to get any closer to Him if you're not speaking directly to Him (and not some group of gods). And there are many other verses pointing the same direction.
Back to Jeremiah 2, we see rebellion that seems so popular. Don't just believe what your parents believe. I get that. In fact, I think it's smart to try to figure out what you believe and why. I've done it. But, don't be so hasty to assume that just because your parents believe it, it automatically is false. That's silly and completely untrue. "'I had planted you like a choice vine of sound and reliable stock. How then did you turn against me into a corrupt, wild vine? Although you wash yourself with soda and use an abundance of soap, the stain of your guilt is still before me,' declares the Sovereign Lord." (Jeremiah 2:21-22). P.S. Sovereign means supreme authority.
Verses 27-28 are what really opened my eyes:, "They say to wood, 'You are my father,' and to stone, 'You gave me birth.' They have turned their backs to me and not their faces; yet, when they are in trouble, they say, 'Come and save us!' Where then are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them come if they can save you when you are in trouble! For you have as many gods as you have towns, O Judah." How true is it that people who reject God draw nearer to Him in trouble? And even I am guilty of drawing nearer to God when I am in trouble, but just think of the tragedies we've seen recently. Before September 11 happened, people were content to slack off, do their own thing, pursue their own interests...but when the terrorist attacks hit and things were unsure the churches filled up. Now, I am in no way saying that I don't want people in churches...I absolutely do. And a lukewarm person isn't going to heat up for God as easily if they don't go to church, so yes, come one come all. I'm pointing out that deep within at least our subconcious, we seem to know that God is in control and all powerful--it's just we are hard headed and rebellious and don't want to listen to what His commands are...until we REALLY need something. My thought is this though: if I am the least bit convinced that God is real and the Bible is true, then I should fear what God can do. He is so merciful, but He is also incredible, and He will put us in situations to draw us closer to Him--He knows how to break stubborness. So draw close to Him, reap the benefits, but do not think you will be under the shadow of His protection if you keep running after everything has struck. It's a love relationship...quit cheating.
On that note, enjoy your cereal, and while you're at it, pick up the Word of God. (multitasking is just dandy).
So, welcome to Jeremiah 2. We're traveling back thousands upon thousands of years to learn that--people were as much sinners then as they are now. Crazy, huh...pride is both an old and new sin (and we all thought we were clever...). So the Hippies didn't invent anything new. Generation X: I'm sorry, but you didn't think of anything new either. And Generation Y...well, you get the point. First off, maybe you should take a second to read Jeremiah 2. It's God speaking through Jeremiah to Jerusalem. Here's my street lingo breakdown of the chapter:
1st: God reflects on the good times--remember when you used to love me and all was good? (2:1-4)
2nd: God's like--what were you thinking?!?! Your grandaddies all up and left me...and for what? What have I ever done but good for you? God points out He saved their little hineys from slavery in Egypt, and yet it just wasn't enough for them to stick with Him. [From a distance, we probably think they're crazy, but what has God done in your life? Have you always been faithful to Him since?] (2:5-9)
3rd: God talks about people taking matters into their own hands. This is what I really want to reflect on today...God is living water--He's what keeps us alive Spiritually, emotionally, physically. In verses 13-19, God speaks to how He is the spring of living water--the supply that we need--and how people tried to build their own cisterns and went elsewhere to get water instead of turning to Him.
God is the ultimate supplier. Of breath, of life, of living water, of protection, and so on. There is no other spring of Living Water outside of the Trinity. I'm sorry Buddha, but you didn't make the cut. Muhammad, you seem like a nice guy, but you're not a spring of living water either. Witchcraft...that's not going to get you any Living Water. Worshipping the animals and the earth? Nope. This is where I say the Hippies and recent generations haven't thought of anything new. Woven into Jeremiah 2 quite frequently is God speaking about manmade idols and gods. There is a movement that has become more prevalent recently that says you can get to Heaven through Buddha, hugging a tree, etc...basically however you want. So is not the case, and may Christianity never be lumped into that assumption. Spirituality was originally intended to worship God, and nowhere in the Bible does it say anything pointing to acceptance into Heaven via other routes. In fact, quite the opposite. John 14:6, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father except through me." God wants you all sold out for Him, not for just anyone or just a system of beliefs, "So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:16)." This tells us that God wants you on fire for Him. Don't just be a church goer to ease your conscience, don't think that by meditating 3 hours a day you're going to get any closer to Him if you're not speaking directly to Him (and not some group of gods). And there are many other verses pointing the same direction.
Back to Jeremiah 2, we see rebellion that seems so popular. Don't just believe what your parents believe. I get that. In fact, I think it's smart to try to figure out what you believe and why. I've done it. But, don't be so hasty to assume that just because your parents believe it, it automatically is false. That's silly and completely untrue. "'I had planted you like a choice vine of sound and reliable stock. How then did you turn against me into a corrupt, wild vine? Although you wash yourself with soda and use an abundance of soap, the stain of your guilt is still before me,' declares the Sovereign Lord." (Jeremiah 2:21-22). P.S. Sovereign means supreme authority.
Verses 27-28 are what really opened my eyes:, "They say to wood, 'You are my father,' and to stone, 'You gave me birth.' They have turned their backs to me and not their faces; yet, when they are in trouble, they say, 'Come and save us!' Where then are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them come if they can save you when you are in trouble! For you have as many gods as you have towns, O Judah." How true is it that people who reject God draw nearer to Him in trouble? And even I am guilty of drawing nearer to God when I am in trouble, but just think of the tragedies we've seen recently. Before September 11 happened, people were content to slack off, do their own thing, pursue their own interests...but when the terrorist attacks hit and things were unsure the churches filled up. Now, I am in no way saying that I don't want people in churches...I absolutely do. And a lukewarm person isn't going to heat up for God as easily if they don't go to church, so yes, come one come all. I'm pointing out that deep within at least our subconcious, we seem to know that God is in control and all powerful--it's just we are hard headed and rebellious and don't want to listen to what His commands are...until we REALLY need something. My thought is this though: if I am the least bit convinced that God is real and the Bible is true, then I should fear what God can do. He is so merciful, but He is also incredible, and He will put us in situations to draw us closer to Him--He knows how to break stubborness. So draw close to Him, reap the benefits, but do not think you will be under the shadow of His protection if you keep running after everything has struck. It's a love relationship...quit cheating.
On that note, enjoy your cereal, and while you're at it, pick up the Word of God. (multitasking is just dandy).
Sunday, August 22, 2010
no wisdom teeth should not mean no wisdom
Tonight I made the best batch of sweet iced tea I've made in a good while. You see, I work at a coffee shop and last week while my fellow barista was making a fresh batch of our phenomenal teas, my boss informed him that squeezing/wringing out the tea bags makes the tea bitter. I had never heard this before, but recently successful delicious sweet tea making has not made its home at our household. The tea always seemed to have a weird after taste. Now, I assume I know why...and tonight's tea was a refreshing success, much needed for the last night before school starts and to energize my much procrastinated China paper writing.
So, what wisdom can she pull out of this example, you ask?
Well, I got to thinking about how if my boss had never told me this fact, I would probably be destined to bitter tea at my house and continue to make tea incorrectly at work. What I should have done when I initially noticed that the tea was tasting bitter was to search out what was wrong and how to fix it...how would I do this? By asking someone with the knowledge on the issue. This is kind of like our spiritual lives in that we are always growing and attempting to get one step closer to that understanding and perfection that is Jesus Christ. Along the way, sometimes we get stuck in ruts and routines, and we may see negative consequences like people getting angry with us more often, marriage problems, children rebelling, etc. Maybe you have a question about a certain topic or decision you deliberating on...or perhaps the problems are not with humans at all, but you just feel stale in your faith. So you wonder--why am I like this, and what is the problem? Notice any similarities?...this is you at the drinking bitter tea stage. This is the point where you should step up and seek wisdom.
First choice would be praying about it--talk to God, the source of all wisdom and knowledge. Second, (which can happen in conjunction with the first or after the first) ask other Christan authorities, your elders/people with experience in your situation. There's no need to dwell in the bitter when a solution can be found...and it's our duty as Christians to do so.
Proverbs 12:15 tells us, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but who heeds counsel is wise."
Also, Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding."
Proverbs is chock-full of reinforcing 'seek wisdom, seek wisdom, seek wisdom,' and the rewards that follow. Chapter 2:2-5 tells us, 'making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.'
Finally, Proverbs 3:15 describes wisdom (in this case in the female tense), 'she is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.'
So why aren't we seeking wisdom more--before the situation arises, while the situation is brewing, after a situation is over? Seek wisdom at all times. Seek the treasure and you will find it. None of us humans are perfect, but there are plenty of people with lifetimes of knowledge--gold mines--just waiting for you to dig, to ask, to give them the time to talk. The more counsel we seek, the more prepared we are to approach future situations in our own lives. It seems to me less bitter tea is a good thing--less bitter days of life are an even greater thing.
For those of you that have gained wisdom over the years, share! I'm not saying be boastful or rub your experience in other's faces, but rather use it to help youth and even those that aren't youth that may be younger than you. What have you learned? Plant a seed in someone's mind today that will be an investment for their future. For example, a couple I know recently adopted--they have learned soooo much in the process: the pros, the cons, what to watch for, what to do, etc. That is wisdom, and I know they share it.
So here's where you ask yourself--1)what problems do I have in my life? Have I prayed about it? Am I actually listening and willing to learn? Who might have the wisdom to teach me how to get out of it/fix it/prevent it in the future?
2)What wisdom do I have/situations have I been through that I can use to help others better their lives and further their walk with Christ? Who might need this wisdom? How do I best go about sharing it? Have I prayed about it?
So there you go. Don't wring your tea bags. Do brush your teeth twice a day. Don't read this and walk away and not apply it--having wasted at least 1 very valuable minute of your life. Do seek to help, and to help yourself.
Now go get 'em tiger (or cardinal, or volunteer, or whatever else you may be--so long as it's not that nasty wildcat stuff...ok just kidding, those too. we're all on a team here :))
So, what wisdom can she pull out of this example, you ask?
Well, I got to thinking about how if my boss had never told me this fact, I would probably be destined to bitter tea at my house and continue to make tea incorrectly at work. What I should have done when I initially noticed that the tea was tasting bitter was to search out what was wrong and how to fix it...how would I do this? By asking someone with the knowledge on the issue. This is kind of like our spiritual lives in that we are always growing and attempting to get one step closer to that understanding and perfection that is Jesus Christ. Along the way, sometimes we get stuck in ruts and routines, and we may see negative consequences like people getting angry with us more often, marriage problems, children rebelling, etc. Maybe you have a question about a certain topic or decision you deliberating on...or perhaps the problems are not with humans at all, but you just feel stale in your faith. So you wonder--why am I like this, and what is the problem? Notice any similarities?...this is you at the drinking bitter tea stage. This is the point where you should step up and seek wisdom.
First choice would be praying about it--talk to God, the source of all wisdom and knowledge. Second, (which can happen in conjunction with the first or after the first) ask other Christan authorities, your elders/people with experience in your situation. There's no need to dwell in the bitter when a solution can be found...and it's our duty as Christians to do so.
Proverbs 12:15 tells us, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but who heeds counsel is wise."
Also, Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding."
Proverbs is chock-full of reinforcing 'seek wisdom, seek wisdom, seek wisdom,' and the rewards that follow. Chapter 2:2-5 tells us, 'making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.'
Finally, Proverbs 3:15 describes wisdom (in this case in the female tense), 'she is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.'
So why aren't we seeking wisdom more--before the situation arises, while the situation is brewing, after a situation is over? Seek wisdom at all times. Seek the treasure and you will find it. None of us humans are perfect, but there are plenty of people with lifetimes of knowledge--gold mines--just waiting for you to dig, to ask, to give them the time to talk. The more counsel we seek, the more prepared we are to approach future situations in our own lives. It seems to me less bitter tea is a good thing--less bitter days of life are an even greater thing.
For those of you that have gained wisdom over the years, share! I'm not saying be boastful or rub your experience in other's faces, but rather use it to help youth and even those that aren't youth that may be younger than you. What have you learned? Plant a seed in someone's mind today that will be an investment for their future. For example, a couple I know recently adopted--they have learned soooo much in the process: the pros, the cons, what to watch for, what to do, etc. That is wisdom, and I know they share it.
So here's where you ask yourself--1)what problems do I have in my life? Have I prayed about it? Am I actually listening and willing to learn? Who might have the wisdom to teach me how to get out of it/fix it/prevent it in the future?
2)What wisdom do I have/situations have I been through that I can use to help others better their lives and further their walk with Christ? Who might need this wisdom? How do I best go about sharing it? Have I prayed about it?
So there you go. Don't wring your tea bags. Do brush your teeth twice a day. Don't read this and walk away and not apply it--having wasted at least 1 very valuable minute of your life. Do seek to help, and to help yourself.
Now go get 'em tiger (or cardinal, or volunteer, or whatever else you may be--so long as it's not that nasty wildcat stuff...ok just kidding, those too. we're all on a team here :))
Thursday, August 19, 2010
without two left feet, you'd be footless :)
So I'm swinging in and writing a blog in 5 minutes before work here, but check this out. Yes, it is in fact one of those forwarded links that drive most ppl insane (including myself), but I caught my dad watching it and wanted to share. Look at this! It's people excited about Jesus! It's people in Budapest, Hungary on Resurrection Sunday dancing for the glory of God. Oh how I love when we strip away social expectations, barriers between us and Christ, worries, concerns, etc. and we just gather as our sinning, mistake-prone, plenty-of-faults-in-our-pockets human selves together and praise God, glorifying Him as One body. This is beautiful--it makes me want to dance, I hope it makes you want to dance...so do, get up in your room and dance (I'm kind of hoping someone is in a library with ear buds in and will be dancing in their chair...hahaha). Make some noise, people of God, we've got the best gift in the world (salvation and enduring unrelentless love) and the best gift yet to come (a home in Heaven with the One who loves us most--and who we should love most)!! So dance, sing, clap, cry, hug a chair...I don't care, but love on God and his people today, and do it as one. www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5dSIL358NM
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Touchdown Egly
Today I had a conversation with someone about churches...and the problems of someone standing on the outside looking in. I believe this is a great piece to add to the discussion, from a church planter, friend of mine, and former HS math teacher. Don't be decieved by the first part about sports team though...you must read through that, he's got a great point. Check it out: www.chroniclesofaplanter.com/2010/08/gators-vols-tigers-and-church-unity.html
Monday, August 16, 2010
opportunity is knocking, and this time it has nothing to do with Honda
Today I was walking down the road outside my house, when it hit me, I don't really live on a hill. You see, growing up I used to always tell people that I lived on a hill when giving them directions, describing where I live, etc. This was to some degree true because it does slightly incline, so I wasn't lying, but today as I walked down the same path that I've taken for years upon years, I realized it wasn't so much of a hill after all. Now you must understand that as a skin and bones child, going up even the smallest of hills on a bicycle made it seem like a mountain. And this made me think.
No, I'm not going to spin the cliche 'making a mountain out of a molehill' as a lesson--we all have put up a wall to that cliche and probably wouldn't learn much from it if I tried. Instead, what I realized as I walked this morning was how the hill was both literally and figuratively bigger when I was smaller, but now that I've grown it is hardly a hill at all. I think that's how life is: we face situations, problems, and pain that at first take the wind out of our sails, but as we face them more often, they seem less of an issue and we are more capable to handle them.
The scripture that backs this up, James 1, was interestingly enough on my mind this morning. My cousin was telling me about James 1 yesterday, and it came up in a sermon I was listening to on the radio this morning as well. Coincidence? I think not. So the first couple of verses in James 1 go like this (starting at v.2-v.8), "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will recieve anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."
What I gather from that scripture is this--first off, life sometimes sucks. We all agree on that, we've all had bad days...stuff happens. But what God's telling us is that when we feel like life sucks and all is going wrong, there is good in that. You see, the things we are confronted with will grow us in to better people if we allow them to--that is to say, the stuff you are facing is opportunity. We read books left and right on self-help, becoming a better me, etc, and I'm not saying those are bad, but just by praying for wisdom and seeking God in your negative situations, that is self-help! yay! God is trying to make us the most complete, most prepared children of His that are possible, but we have to be on His page because He gave us this awesome thing called free will where we have to let Him grow in our lives. Don't we want to become more complete/more in the direction perfect though?
So back to my image of the hill. When I was younger, I hadn't conquered the hill enough times, I didn't have mountains to compare it to, my endurance wasn't built up. Now that I have grown (in this case physically), the hill is not as big. The hill, the situation, the problem doesn't change--it's your perspective, your strength and endurance, your wisdom, and your mindset that has to change. If you'd like to become bigger than your hill, let God in your life, pray and trust for the wisdom He freely gives. Most people like free t-shirts...just think what great thing free wisdom would be. I pray you find out.
No, I'm not going to spin the cliche 'making a mountain out of a molehill' as a lesson--we all have put up a wall to that cliche and probably wouldn't learn much from it if I tried. Instead, what I realized as I walked this morning was how the hill was both literally and figuratively bigger when I was smaller, but now that I've grown it is hardly a hill at all. I think that's how life is: we face situations, problems, and pain that at first take the wind out of our sails, but as we face them more often, they seem less of an issue and we are more capable to handle them.
The scripture that backs this up, James 1, was interestingly enough on my mind this morning. My cousin was telling me about James 1 yesterday, and it came up in a sermon I was listening to on the radio this morning as well. Coincidence? I think not. So the first couple of verses in James 1 go like this (starting at v.2-v.8), "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will recieve anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."
What I gather from that scripture is this--first off, life sometimes sucks. We all agree on that, we've all had bad days...stuff happens. But what God's telling us is that when we feel like life sucks and all is going wrong, there is good in that. You see, the things we are confronted with will grow us in to better people if we allow them to--that is to say, the stuff you are facing is opportunity. We read books left and right on self-help, becoming a better me, etc, and I'm not saying those are bad, but just by praying for wisdom and seeking God in your negative situations, that is self-help! yay! God is trying to make us the most complete, most prepared children of His that are possible, but we have to be on His page because He gave us this awesome thing called free will where we have to let Him grow in our lives. Don't we want to become more complete/more in the direction perfect though?
So back to my image of the hill. When I was younger, I hadn't conquered the hill enough times, I didn't have mountains to compare it to, my endurance wasn't built up. Now that I have grown (in this case physically), the hill is not as big. The hill, the situation, the problem doesn't change--it's your perspective, your strength and endurance, your wisdom, and your mindset that has to change. If you'd like to become bigger than your hill, let God in your life, pray and trust for the wisdom He freely gives. Most people like free t-shirts...just think what great thing free wisdom would be. I pray you find out.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
in the eeny meeny miney moes of life, you may in fact catch a tiger by his toe.
So I'm not sure how I feel about growing up. I'm not sure how I feel about having a blank slate. In China, they'd go crazy about this and snatch it up...freedom of choice for their life story!?!? They would so trade. Instead they are assigned majors IF they are accepted into college. Their story is planned, mine is not. They struggle in the life someone else gave them because their dreams are never fulfilled. I'm struggling to figure out just which dream I'm going to try to fulfill. It's silly really. I live in the best country in the world, and I'm stressing about what I'll be doing in a year. I'm applying to teach English in another country far worse off than my own home. In the back of my mind I'm thinking--is this what God wants me to do? Is this the best decision for my family--what about leaving my grandparents here lonely--they didn't take me being gone 6 weeks very well? Will I get homesick living by myself for a year without being fluent in the native language? Perhaps I'm not listening to what God is telling me?...does He want me elsewhere and I've clouded my view of His will with my own vision?...Questions. questions. questions.
I believe that good intentions can carry us far, and that they can certainly bless others in the process. I also believe, though, that if we align our good intentions with God's plan for our life then it will bless many, many more. It's kind of like walking into your backyard and planting a tree in the first place you find...it will grow, but may be weak and have a faded color because the soil isn't super rich. But if you plant the tree in pre-tilled, Miracle Grow treated soil, where the sun and rain hit just right the tree will grow stronger, healthier and more vibrant--perhaps even multiplying. That's like when we do good on our own time versus doing good in God's place and timing.
God's place and timing is something I've been faced with more recently. I've made some decisions hastily that looking back I wish I would have prayed about more and that I could change. Sometimes it's hard to accept His timing on things, and I just pray "why?" But I always come out on the other side saying, "Oh. Got it."...hind sight is 20/20 after all. Sometimes I get to a point where I'm impatient with waiting on God...I'm like 'move already'...and He's on the other end saying 'why don't you trust me and just sit still already?'
This morning was a rough morning. I woke up and faced again a tough decision I made concerning my future. I honestly have no idea where this decision will take me, how it will pan out, etc., but I didn't make it out of my wants, but out of what I thought was best for every party involved. Sometimes being selfless absolutely sucks. This was one of those times. Deep inside, I hope this decision (which I know I'm being very vague about) will pan out to bless both others and myself down the road. And that's what I'm pulling for--in the present to bless others and in the future to at least understand. I have decided I want to be as productive as possible with whatever number of days I have here on this earth--and being that I have no idea what that number is, I want to strive to make the most of EACH day. So when it comes down to productivity, wants often take a back seat....That leads me to another neat discussion though about adapting our wants to those of God.
John 14:13 says,'And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.' This doesn't say just asking, but asking in the name of Jesus. To me, it seems like it's pointing out that if it's important enough to attached Christ's name to, and you truly believe it's what would honor Him, THEN He'll make it happen. When we adjust our wants to those of our Father, or our desires so circulate around glorifying Him and showing others love through Him, then we have less wants that don't get accomplished, and we can more easily see His will and His plan for us. ...I'm working on this.
So I would appreciate you helping me pray through this year of tough decisions. Yes, I am very blessed with the freedom to decide and so many possibilities, but I want to make sure that I am doing what God wants me to so that I can glorify His name most, bless the most lives in the process, and in the back of my mind--yes--I'm still pulling for a happy me in the end. Seek God in your life and what He's trying to tell you...and help others along the way...many of the less fortunate have taught me greater life lessons than I ever learned in a sermon (even though sermons are great too). May He bless you richly.
I believe that good intentions can carry us far, and that they can certainly bless others in the process. I also believe, though, that if we align our good intentions with God's plan for our life then it will bless many, many more. It's kind of like walking into your backyard and planting a tree in the first place you find...it will grow, but may be weak and have a faded color because the soil isn't super rich. But if you plant the tree in pre-tilled, Miracle Grow treated soil, where the sun and rain hit just right the tree will grow stronger, healthier and more vibrant--perhaps even multiplying. That's like when we do good on our own time versus doing good in God's place and timing.
God's place and timing is something I've been faced with more recently. I've made some decisions hastily that looking back I wish I would have prayed about more and that I could change. Sometimes it's hard to accept His timing on things, and I just pray "why?" But I always come out on the other side saying, "Oh. Got it."...hind sight is 20/20 after all. Sometimes I get to a point where I'm impatient with waiting on God...I'm like 'move already'...and He's on the other end saying 'why don't you trust me and just sit still already?'
This morning was a rough morning. I woke up and faced again a tough decision I made concerning my future. I honestly have no idea where this decision will take me, how it will pan out, etc., but I didn't make it out of my wants, but out of what I thought was best for every party involved. Sometimes being selfless absolutely sucks. This was one of those times. Deep inside, I hope this decision (which I know I'm being very vague about) will pan out to bless both others and myself down the road. And that's what I'm pulling for--in the present to bless others and in the future to at least understand. I have decided I want to be as productive as possible with whatever number of days I have here on this earth--and being that I have no idea what that number is, I want to strive to make the most of EACH day. So when it comes down to productivity, wants often take a back seat....That leads me to another neat discussion though about adapting our wants to those of God.
John 14:13 says,'And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.' This doesn't say just asking, but asking in the name of Jesus. To me, it seems like it's pointing out that if it's important enough to attached Christ's name to, and you truly believe it's what would honor Him, THEN He'll make it happen. When we adjust our wants to those of our Father, or our desires so circulate around glorifying Him and showing others love through Him, then we have less wants that don't get accomplished, and we can more easily see His will and His plan for us. ...I'm working on this.
So I would appreciate you helping me pray through this year of tough decisions. Yes, I am very blessed with the freedom to decide and so many possibilities, but I want to make sure that I am doing what God wants me to so that I can glorify His name most, bless the most lives in the process, and in the back of my mind--yes--I'm still pulling for a happy me in the end. Seek God in your life and what He's trying to tell you...and help others along the way...many of the less fortunate have taught me greater life lessons than I ever learned in a sermon (even though sermons are great too). May He bless you richly.
Friday, August 13, 2010
what is the past tense of teacher?
Sometimes I find the greatest lessons come when I least expect them. Today, make an effort not to put people, objects, or conversations in a box. Learn on. While you're at it, here are some inspiring quotes I stumbled upon: www.globalone.tv/group/gratitude/forum/topics/100-most-inspirational-quotes
Thursday, August 12, 2010
life should be like the game Hide and Seek...minus the hide
"Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person."--Mother Teresa.The words and works of Mother Teresa are almost unanimously respected as those worthy of listening to, gleaning from, and aspiring toward. Perhaps it's because she did not live for herself, but for others--particularly those that had the greatest needs. What is interesting to reflect on is the fact that most of the people we make into heroes in our society are those that give of their all in order to help someone else--that is to say, they were selfless. Though many of us grow up aspiring to be heroes (like firefighters, policeman, etc.), when it comes down to the reality of letting go of our wants, 'needs,' hopes, dreams, etc., we often do not carry out such aspirations. Why is this? Why is it that the eyes of a child want to change the world, and so often as adults, we want to create, save, and protect OUR own little world? We often begin to seek stability, comfort, social standing, etc. rather than seeking change.
I had an interesting conversation with a friend tonight on this very topic. He hinted at the fact that many people see him as crazy or radical because he has come to the point in his life where he understands he has a responsibility to give back. ...and he's right that people will see this as a very foreign idea. But should it be? Should it be counter culture to NOT seek after everything you want, and instead help others get what they need? Or to serve those that cannot give anything in return?
These attempts to give back do not necessarily need to be huge endevors either. Although missions and travels abroad, etc. are certainly honorable and awesome, start with what means you have. As Mother Teresa said--start person to person making change. So often we can more easily accomplish a vision if we look at it in bite size portions--day to day, person to person versus 50 years down the road. Accomplish what you can, pray about what you can't, and hope for your 'can' to be expanded.
On my ride home tonight, I was noticing bumper stickers for a radio station on the back of a van from Ohio. Those drivers will almost certainly never know I saw their bumper sticker or what impact it may have had on me. This particular sticker did not have an impact on me, but made me realize how often we can influence people's lives without even knowing.
Life is opportunity given by God to think not of ourselves, but to endure this beastly trip most effectively by helping others, and in turn helping ourselves.
Right now, I look to God more than ever on what is to come in this upcoming year and beyond. The 'real world' awaits, and I can no longer expect someone else's dreams for me to cut it, but I must step up and seek His calling and purpose for me. What can I give back? How can I leave a lasting impression on generations to come? Who/how many lives can I change simply by deciding my wants are not the most important?
I leave you with a scripture I opened today while at Panera. Psalm 130:5-6, "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning." I wait on the Lord for His guidance, His answers, and His plans, and in the meantime I do His works I know to do. Help someone today. Don't let your culture hold you back.
I had an interesting conversation with a friend tonight on this very topic. He hinted at the fact that many people see him as crazy or radical because he has come to the point in his life where he understands he has a responsibility to give back. ...and he's right that people will see this as a very foreign idea. But should it be? Should it be counter culture to NOT seek after everything you want, and instead help others get what they need? Or to serve those that cannot give anything in return?
These attempts to give back do not necessarily need to be huge endevors either. Although missions and travels abroad, etc. are certainly honorable and awesome, start with what means you have. As Mother Teresa said--start person to person making change. So often we can more easily accomplish a vision if we look at it in bite size portions--day to day, person to person versus 50 years down the road. Accomplish what you can, pray about what you can't, and hope for your 'can' to be expanded.
On my ride home tonight, I was noticing bumper stickers for a radio station on the back of a van from Ohio. Those drivers will almost certainly never know I saw their bumper sticker or what impact it may have had on me. This particular sticker did not have an impact on me, but made me realize how often we can influence people's lives without even knowing.
Life is opportunity given by God to think not of ourselves, but to endure this beastly trip most effectively by helping others, and in turn helping ourselves.
Right now, I look to God more than ever on what is to come in this upcoming year and beyond. The 'real world' awaits, and I can no longer expect someone else's dreams for me to cut it, but I must step up and seek His calling and purpose for me. What can I give back? How can I leave a lasting impression on generations to come? Who/how many lives can I change simply by deciding my wants are not the most important?
I leave you with a scripture I opened today while at Panera. Psalm 130:5-6, "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning." I wait on the Lord for His guidance, His answers, and His plans, and in the meantime I do His works I know to do. Help someone today. Don't let your culture hold you back.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
a moving business that doesn't need trucks
Sometimes God just works. He doesn't have to tell me...He just does. When I seek Him, He blesses me many fold in ways I may not even realize at the time. Wow. Today is a wow. Currently I am pursuing a Fulbright Scholarship--something I never really thought I would be doing. But God is like that. He puts people and things in your life to make fantastical things happen. Step one, many moons ago I 'happened' to feel called to politics....actually...scratch that, I'm not giving you the brief story...let me share my testimony with you.
So like I was saying, freshman year of high school, I feel like God is saying 'pursue politics.'..I'm thinking 'what?!?!'...politics was so not on my agenda. So I fight the idea for a while (ohhh, I was stubborn and He wasn't going to tell me what to do...but that didn't last long.) When I finally accepted the fact that He wanted me to go into politics, then it was that I needed to go to UL. Now for some reason I despised the idea of going to UL. I had this completely incorrect theory that it was a school for people who had no goals or accomplishment, as if I were settling. So my junior year of High School, my brother was looking at colleges and my parents drug me along to the 'silly' tour of UL. I told them straight up I was not going there and there was no sense in me looking...but I was required to go anyway. God's lining things up here... So I went to this tour and it just so happens that our guide was dating a McConnell Scholar--a Political Science scholarship--and he mentioned it to our group (not knowing my interest of course). And it was like God was telling me to apply to that. 'Fine, fine, God, but that doesn't mean I'm coming here.' was my thinking pattern.
Time passed and my senior year arrived. I'd planned on co-oping with IU half day for my senior year since my school offered it. Everything was pretty much in order until last minute out of the blue my dad decides I'm not driving that far every day, and that I'll have to go to-you guessed it--UL. Uhhhhggg, I thought. So I signed up for a Public Speaking class and drug my way onto campus with a bad attitude, andddddd I fell in love. Everything changed once I quit judging the book [or campus] by this cover I had in my mind. I still had not decided to go to UL though, in fact I had applied to about 5 schools. When people asked me where I was going, I would tell them whichever gave me the most money. I had the wrong motivation, and God knew it.
I had applied to this McConnell Scholar Program I mentioned earlier, which was a scholarship in Political Science...it was a very competitive process, and I made it past the first round into the final interviews. The interviews happened, I made a friend named Charley, and life moved on for a couple months. Then I got a letter from the program saying that I had not made it, but I was high on the list of alternates in the case someone turned down this amazing opportunity--ha, like that would happen. So money could no longer be my motivation at this point--had I gotten the scholarship, UL would have been offering me the most money and I would have chosen there based on my initial horrible motivation of dollar signs. God had taken money out of the picture, and I would have to listen and decide what He wanted me to do and what was really best for me. So I chose UL (imagine that).
A couple weeks later, I was offered the McConnell Scholarship (imagine that). God works His will when you let Him, and it is always for our best, even if we can't see it at that point.
Since then, I've become good friends with this Charley character I met at interviews. He leads into the next part of the story--not what I call my original testimony, but what inspires the blog today nonetheless. This is what I like to call my life of 'God-incidences' (not coincidences). So Charley and I had been good friends, and there was one semester where I was taking only 12 hours and he convinced me to take a language course since I had such a light load. Although the idea of upping my load seemed silly at first, since I was going to China, I took Chinese (and continued it the following semester)--something more about myself, but still would not have happened had it not been for his suggestion....so just remember from this part--I took Chinese.
Last semester I felt like helping out--I really love helping people, so one day I was reading through a UL mass email (which no one really reads through the whole thing...but this time I read it) and something caught my eye. There was a volunteering opportunity to tutor elementary students in reading...random, out of the blue, and I did it. So remember from this part that I tutored students.
I have this amazing Christian friend Lydia who I don't get to see much of, but who generally has a lot of valuable ideas and input. One day, I finally caught her online after not having talked to her for a while, and she told me about this thing she was doing with her church where you immeresed in Muslim culture for a day to understand their culture better in order to better love, serve, and help them. She told me that the sign ups were pretty much closed, but to email this guy in charge. Sure enough, I did it that night and though I shouldn't have been able to, he said he still had a spot. So I reached out to another culture.
Today, I had an interview for a scholarship that will allow me to teach English in another country. Now, mind you the process is just beginning, and I don't know yet if I will get this extremely competitive scholarship, etc., but as of yet, it seems God is lining things up---at least something is going to come out of it. I didn't originally think I would apply for this scholarship, but after going to China, I fell in love with culture, travel, etc.--and Charley once again encouraged me to pursue something. (Just think, if I hadn't pursued God's plan with the McConnell Center and UL and so on, I would have perhaps not met him, perhaps not taken Chinese, etc...it works when you do God's works). ...So I talked to the advisor and she was excited and thought I could really use to my advantage in my application that 1)I had taken some Chinese, 2)that I had tutoring experience in some form of teaching English, 3) that I had reached out to another culture and religion. Once again...imagine that. God-incidences.
Now, I don't know if I will get this scholarship, I really don't. Perhaps it's God's plan for my life, perhaps it's not, but I want to stop and praise Him for the people in my life. The moments that make it mine with His blessing. I want to thank and praise God for always surprising me and keeping me on my toes. What life holds at this point, I can only hope for and plan, but am not certain about. I only pray for His wisdom in the process, and His understanding if I do or don't take this particular path. I want to thank God for people who I've crossed paths with along the way like Lydia, Charley, and so many more who have helped me broaden my horizons. I ask for your prayers in this process. I also ask that you take a step back and look at your life...what in your life is God doing that you may not have realized? God-incidences? What decisions have/should you made/be making that will change your course or better prepare you for the future He has in store for you. I believe Romans 8:28 which tells us that ALL things work to the good of the called in Christ Jesus. Seek out His good for your life today and what part of His plan you should be pursuing now. I love you all.
May God bless and keep you is my prayer.
So like I was saying, freshman year of high school, I feel like God is saying 'pursue politics.'..I'm thinking 'what?!?!'...politics was so not on my agenda. So I fight the idea for a while (ohhh, I was stubborn and He wasn't going to tell me what to do...but that didn't last long.) When I finally accepted the fact that He wanted me to go into politics, then it was that I needed to go to UL. Now for some reason I despised the idea of going to UL. I had this completely incorrect theory that it was a school for people who had no goals or accomplishment, as if I were settling. So my junior year of High School, my brother was looking at colleges and my parents drug me along to the 'silly' tour of UL. I told them straight up I was not going there and there was no sense in me looking...but I was required to go anyway. God's lining things up here... So I went to this tour and it just so happens that our guide was dating a McConnell Scholar--a Political Science scholarship--and he mentioned it to our group (not knowing my interest of course). And it was like God was telling me to apply to that. 'Fine, fine, God, but that doesn't mean I'm coming here.' was my thinking pattern.
Time passed and my senior year arrived. I'd planned on co-oping with IU half day for my senior year since my school offered it. Everything was pretty much in order until last minute out of the blue my dad decides I'm not driving that far every day, and that I'll have to go to-you guessed it--UL. Uhhhhggg, I thought. So I signed up for a Public Speaking class and drug my way onto campus with a bad attitude, andddddd I fell in love. Everything changed once I quit judging the book [or campus] by this cover I had in my mind. I still had not decided to go to UL though, in fact I had applied to about 5 schools. When people asked me where I was going, I would tell them whichever gave me the most money. I had the wrong motivation, and God knew it.
I had applied to this McConnell Scholar Program I mentioned earlier, which was a scholarship in Political Science...it was a very competitive process, and I made it past the first round into the final interviews. The interviews happened, I made a friend named Charley, and life moved on for a couple months. Then I got a letter from the program saying that I had not made it, but I was high on the list of alternates in the case someone turned down this amazing opportunity--ha, like that would happen. So money could no longer be my motivation at this point--had I gotten the scholarship, UL would have been offering me the most money and I would have chosen there based on my initial horrible motivation of dollar signs. God had taken money out of the picture, and I would have to listen and decide what He wanted me to do and what was really best for me. So I chose UL (imagine that).
A couple weeks later, I was offered the McConnell Scholarship (imagine that). God works His will when you let Him, and it is always for our best, even if we can't see it at that point.
Since then, I've become good friends with this Charley character I met at interviews. He leads into the next part of the story--not what I call my original testimony, but what inspires the blog today nonetheless. This is what I like to call my life of 'God-incidences' (not coincidences). So Charley and I had been good friends, and there was one semester where I was taking only 12 hours and he convinced me to take a language course since I had such a light load. Although the idea of upping my load seemed silly at first, since I was going to China, I took Chinese (and continued it the following semester)--something more about myself, but still would not have happened had it not been for his suggestion....so just remember from this part--I took Chinese.
Last semester I felt like helping out--I really love helping people, so one day I was reading through a UL mass email (which no one really reads through the whole thing...but this time I read it) and something caught my eye. There was a volunteering opportunity to tutor elementary students in reading...random, out of the blue, and I did it. So remember from this part that I tutored students.
I have this amazing Christian friend Lydia who I don't get to see much of, but who generally has a lot of valuable ideas and input. One day, I finally caught her online after not having talked to her for a while, and she told me about this thing she was doing with her church where you immeresed in Muslim culture for a day to understand their culture better in order to better love, serve, and help them. She told me that the sign ups were pretty much closed, but to email this guy in charge. Sure enough, I did it that night and though I shouldn't have been able to, he said he still had a spot. So I reached out to another culture.
Today, I had an interview for a scholarship that will allow me to teach English in another country. Now, mind you the process is just beginning, and I don't know yet if I will get this extremely competitive scholarship, etc., but as of yet, it seems God is lining things up---at least something is going to come out of it. I didn't originally think I would apply for this scholarship, but after going to China, I fell in love with culture, travel, etc.--and Charley once again encouraged me to pursue something. (Just think, if I hadn't pursued God's plan with the McConnell Center and UL and so on, I would have perhaps not met him, perhaps not taken Chinese, etc...it works when you do God's works). ...So I talked to the advisor and she was excited and thought I could really use to my advantage in my application that 1)I had taken some Chinese, 2)that I had tutoring experience in some form of teaching English, 3) that I had reached out to another culture and religion. Once again...imagine that. God-incidences.
Now, I don't know if I will get this scholarship, I really don't. Perhaps it's God's plan for my life, perhaps it's not, but I want to stop and praise Him for the people in my life. The moments that make it mine with His blessing. I want to thank and praise God for always surprising me and keeping me on my toes. What life holds at this point, I can only hope for and plan, but am not certain about. I only pray for His wisdom in the process, and His understanding if I do or don't take this particular path. I want to thank God for people who I've crossed paths with along the way like Lydia, Charley, and so many more who have helped me broaden my horizons. I ask for your prayers in this process. I also ask that you take a step back and look at your life...what in your life is God doing that you may not have realized? God-incidences? What decisions have/should you made/be making that will change your course or better prepare you for the future He has in store for you. I believe Romans 8:28 which tells us that ALL things work to the good of the called in Christ Jesus. Seek out His good for your life today and what part of His plan you should be pursuing now. I love you all.
May God bless and keep you is my prayer.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
the weight of the wait
When I was little, my grandfather had a little jingle he used to sing that went, 'take an old cold tater and wait.' Although this song never made the Billboard charts, it has a lesson that we all could hear more often: be patient. Throughout the Bible we see over and over stories where God moves at His timing and according to His will (for example, Job), where He tells us not to be anxious about anything but to pray about everything (Philippians 4:6), and where He promises us that those that wait on the Lord will rise up, not grow faint or weary (Isaiah 40:31). Yet, as often as the Lord repeats Himself to this subject, we still act like little kids in a candy store--making a ruckus, reaching where we're not supposed to, and throwing a fit if/when we don't get what we want. Although I think that God is certainly in the 'wants' business--that is to say, He sometimes blesses us with what we want-- more often it seems He is in the 'needs' business. In reality, with hindsight being 20/20, what we want is not always what we need. And that's where the patience comes in: waiting for His perfect plan.
The topic of patience and waiting on God has been the story of my life recently. I'm entering into my senior year of undergraduate studies and I have a lot of options on my plate. Do I go to graduate school, do I travel the world, do I do missions, etc., etc.?...so the topic stays in my mind. Today specifically though--proving that patience is not my biggest strength--I was painting a lamp and picked it up too quickly, getting paint on my shirt and arms and almost ruining what I had put so much effort into. That's how I think life can be too--moving too quickly can destroy a lot of time investment and work on both your and God's part. If we move early and don't wait for the paint to dry, we can quickly see the evidence of our fault, but with life it is not always as immediately evident. If we are impatient in raising children, that may later on in life have consequences. If God tells us to live a life of singleness for a while, and we get impatient and get married, that could certainly have consequences. Maybe a loved one is sick or in trouble with the law...perhaps we have family problems, and we move into panic mode instead of sitting back and praying for wisdom on what to do, healing, etc., we can do irreversible damage that sometimes makes the situation worse.
So as I watch and wait and pray for what God would have me to do in the next year, I will try to have patience. I encourage you to also do so in whatever stage of life you may be going through, or whatever problems you may be facing. God has a plan for this. There is a purpose. Seek it.
I leave you with this--Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." If you are a Christian, this is the fruit you should be bearing...are you?
The topic of patience and waiting on God has been the story of my life recently. I'm entering into my senior year of undergraduate studies and I have a lot of options on my plate. Do I go to graduate school, do I travel the world, do I do missions, etc., etc.?...so the topic stays in my mind. Today specifically though--proving that patience is not my biggest strength--I was painting a lamp and picked it up too quickly, getting paint on my shirt and arms and almost ruining what I had put so much effort into. That's how I think life can be too--moving too quickly can destroy a lot of time investment and work on both your and God's part. If we move early and don't wait for the paint to dry, we can quickly see the evidence of our fault, but with life it is not always as immediately evident. If we are impatient in raising children, that may later on in life have consequences. If God tells us to live a life of singleness for a while, and we get impatient and get married, that could certainly have consequences. Maybe a loved one is sick or in trouble with the law...perhaps we have family problems, and we move into panic mode instead of sitting back and praying for wisdom on what to do, healing, etc., we can do irreversible damage that sometimes makes the situation worse.
So as I watch and wait and pray for what God would have me to do in the next year, I will try to have patience. I encourage you to also do so in whatever stage of life you may be going through, or whatever problems you may be facing. God has a plan for this. There is a purpose. Seek it.
I leave you with this--Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." If you are a Christian, this is the fruit you should be bearing...are you?
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