Lord -
Today was pretty much two things: church (big church) + homework (lots of homework). But it was good because I met some people at church and enjoyed the sermon. I saw many people I knew at church also. Lately that has been something I've missed, not having anyone to sit by in service or talk briefly to afterward. I'm hoping this new church works out.
Also the snow this morning was a surprise. I really was not expecting a blanket of white to be covering my car this morning. I was so very happy to have my scrapper with brush on the end. You know that I am very excited about this (but it is probably only really because of being from a warmer place).
Anyway today was good. I really enjoyed continuing to read Emotional Purity (see entry below) and process some ideas that I shared with a friend yesterday.
Thank you for friends (new and old). I will be going to sleep soon because I have a long day tomorrow with class and work almost all day.
Praise to you.
In your name,
Amen
Monday, March 30, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
A Personal Retreat Day
Lord-
Today was very good. Thank you for your goodness and mercy. I spent today walking around downtown. I went to some tea houses and drank white tea (my favorite) and spent the day with you, Lord. Our time together was really good. You really taught me a lot and had me process some lies that I have believed for a long time. Thank you for your truth and how you dispel the lies that Satan whispers to us.
It was a little too cold for me today, but even as I walked I felt you warm me from the inside out as I walked every moment with you today. A day of listening was so cleansing. I deal with noise all day long, and you know that I needed to listen to what you had to tell me today.
You used a small book that I found last week called Emotional Purity by Heather Paulson (shown below -- this image is also a blink to the blog that she writes). In here she writes about how we (as seekers of you Lord) need to guard our hearts for a relationship with you and the one you provide for us. This book is not geared toward the junior high and senior high crowd, as are most "purity" books. Lord, this one is what I have been looking for for years.
Lord, today as I read this I wrote on almost every page. It is such an easy read. I wrote prayers to you Lord and also just comments of amazement as the author seemed at times to be writing the book in response to what I was thinking. Lord thank you for the insights that you give people that you then use to spread to other people.
Lord I bought this for a friend and I pray that it will encourage her as it encouraged me. I am halfway through it (as I read it for most of the day and did not do any homework today), and I am so looking forward to reading the rest of the book.
Thank you for your word and how Paulson has your words sprinkled throughout the book.
Thank you Lord for friends. They are a blessing.
Also thank you for your word and sacrifice.
In your name,
Amen
Here are some songs that I ended my day with: (the second is by a newer artist -- Kari Jobe and second song -not video- is by Sara Groves)
Today was very good. Thank you for your goodness and mercy. I spent today walking around downtown. I went to some tea houses and drank white tea (my favorite) and spent the day with you, Lord. Our time together was really good. You really taught me a lot and had me process some lies that I have believed for a long time. Thank you for your truth and how you dispel the lies that Satan whispers to us.
It was a little too cold for me today, but even as I walked I felt you warm me from the inside out as I walked every moment with you today. A day of listening was so cleansing. I deal with noise all day long, and you know that I needed to listen to what you had to tell me today.
You used a small book that I found last week called Emotional Purity by Heather Paulson (shown below -- this image is also a blink to the blog that she writes). In here she writes about how we (as seekers of you Lord) need to guard our hearts for a relationship with you and the one you provide for us. This book is not geared toward the junior high and senior high crowd, as are most "purity" books. Lord, this one is what I have been looking for for years.
Lord, today as I read this I wrote on almost every page. It is such an easy read. I wrote prayers to you Lord and also just comments of amazement as the author seemed at times to be writing the book in response to what I was thinking. Lord thank you for the insights that you give people that you then use to spread to other people.
Lord I bought this for a friend and I pray that it will encourage her as it encouraged me. I am halfway through it (as I read it for most of the day and did not do any homework today), and I am so looking forward to reading the rest of the book.
Thank you for your word and how Paulson has your words sprinkled throughout the book.
Thank you Lord for friends. They are a blessing.
Also thank you for your word and sacrifice.
In your name,
Amen
Here are some songs that I ended my day with: (the second is by a newer artist -- Kari Jobe and second song -not video- is by Sara Groves)
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Some Just Funny Videos
Lord -
Thank you for laughter. Thank you for giving us that gift.
Start with this one...
This last weekend was one to remember...
Funny Just Funny...
These are just bust out laughing videos by adolescents and teens. They make me smile.
Funny for Thursday.
Thank you Lord again for laughter.
In your name,
Amen
Thank you for laughter. Thank you for giving us that gift.
Start with this one...
This last weekend was one to remember...
Funny Just Funny...
These are just bust out laughing videos by adolescents and teens. They make me smile.
Funny for Thursday.
Thank you Lord again for laughter.
In your name,
Amen
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Wednesday...a time to sleep
Lord-
Today...the word is tired. Weariness is probably better because I just am dragging some this week. I balanced my checkbook and couldn't remember doing it. (I really should go back over that again when I'm more awake.
Last night meeting with my small group of girls we were reading out of Ecclesiastes chapter 3...aka the "time" chapter.
Ecclesiastes 3: A Time for Everything
Today...the word is tired. Weariness is probably better because I just am dragging some this week. I balanced my checkbook and couldn't remember doing it. (I really should go back over that again when I'm more awake.
Last night meeting with my small group of girls we were reading out of Ecclesiastes chapter 3...aka the "time" chapter.
Ecclesiastes 3: A Time for Everything
1For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
2a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
We laughed last night as we read the different "times" and applied them to our lives. We thanked You Lord for our sense of humor. We also decided that there are some many different "times" here that we can actively relate to. Also we decided that we are going to update our Facebook status from now on with "times" from this passage. :-)
Thank you Lord for your gift of laughter and time. May I use my time today for more than just accomplishing earthly tasks.
Thank you, Lord for your sacrifice. I pray that I never forget it or diminish it's effect on me.
In your name,
Amen
Thank you Lord for your gift of laughter and time. May I use my time today for more than just accomplishing earthly tasks.
Thank you, Lord for your sacrifice. I pray that I never forget it or diminish it's effect on me.
In your name,
Amen
Friday, March 20, 2009
Friday What a Friday
Lord-
I was reading your Word over the last week or so and here are a few verses that really stuck out to me:
Jeremiah 29:11 -- [a promise] -- "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
This is always one to hang onto as we are nearing the end or having to think about the ending of chapters in our life.
John 14:26 -- "But the Counselor [Holy Spirit], whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
When we are bearing witness with words to other people I always keep this verse in mind because God is the one who give the words. This was true with Moses and Aaron, and it is true today. The Holy Spirit will speak to our hearts about what to say.
Deuteronomy 31:8 -- "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Sometimes when I am nervous with being somewhere new or with new people, I think about this verse and how the Lord goes before and all we have to do is retrace his steps and watch for him working in front of us.
Genesis 28:15 -- "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."
God is faithful to his promises. He is perfect, therefore his promises will always be kept. When we see promises in scripture he keeps them.
Thank you Lord for your faithfulness to us. Please guide my weekend as I work with kids, and make the experience a sweet sound to your ear.
In your name,
Amen
I was reading your Word over the last week or so and here are a few verses that really stuck out to me:
Jeremiah 29:11 -- [a promise] -- "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
This is always one to hang onto as we are nearing the end or having to think about the ending of chapters in our life.
John 14:26 -- "But the Counselor [Holy Spirit], whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
When we are bearing witness with words to other people I always keep this verse in mind because God is the one who give the words. This was true with Moses and Aaron, and it is true today. The Holy Spirit will speak to our hearts about what to say.
Deuteronomy 31:8 -- "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Sometimes when I am nervous with being somewhere new or with new people, I think about this verse and how the Lord goes before and all we have to do is retrace his steps and watch for him working in front of us.
Genesis 28:15 -- "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."
God is faithful to his promises. He is perfect, therefore his promises will always be kept. When we see promises in scripture he keeps them.
Thank you Lord for your faithfulness to us. Please guide my weekend as I work with kids, and make the experience a sweet sound to your ear.
In your name,
Amen
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Check out the new show on NBC
The premiere was good. I'm looking forward to seeing how this show is portrayed in the future with the skeletal story of David and Saul. Right now this is available as a free download on iTunes. I recommend watching it.
Thoughts from a School Assignment
Lord-
Wow. A professor had us read an entire book in less than two days (not just a small paper back, but a 193 page book). Skimming though was allowed. Anyway I didn't really like not being able to process it as I went, so I went back over the book and looked at what I had underlined and starred. For every starred comment I folded a page, and for every multiple starred comment I made a big fold on the page. Looking over the binding of the book there are many folded pages implying I did get some things out of my cursory read of the book.
The book, The New Faces of Christianity by Jenkins, is a book looking at, and at times, comparing the "global south" to the "global north." Below are some of my "big fold" quotes from the book:
1) "'...Western theologians, liberal and conservative, have been addressing the faith to an age of doubt and secularity, and to the competing salvific claims of secular ideologies.' Global South Christians, in contrast, do not live in an age of doubt, but must instead deal with competing claims to faith." (page 5)
--> I have to wonder about this myself. How much do I have to deal with claims that compete with my faith? Many times in western culture, pluralism is accepted saying that anything I believe is okay (including that eating cheese will get me to heaven) as long as I don't force this frame of thinking on anyone else. This makes me sad that I sometimes feel complacent in my faith because I am not challenging the pluralism that I see. I say I don't willingly participate in it, but isn't silence omission and surrendering without a fight like concession?
2) [looking especially at Africa's pagan religions] "Pagan and primal religions teach the existence of spiritual menaces facing society, but they also provide means to combat those dangers. A crucial flaw of early white missionary activity in Africa and Asia was that it forbade these solutions, whether amulets, fetishes, spells, charms, or ceremonies, since all were conspicuous symbols of pagan practice. At the same time, though, missionaries rarely offered plausible spiritual resources to combat what were still universally seen as pressing menaces." (page 103)
--> Goodness, I agree with this. I never really thought about it before, but how does this translate to our culture as we also work with youth? What are we equipping youth with in the churches to combat the temptations, habits, and influence of things such as sexuality, that students face every day? We often lay out the rules saying that when you are a Christian you act like this.... or you don't do this..... But how are we equipping students to deal with the things they see, hear, and feel? Is the church getting into the messiness of kids' lives? Are we doing discipleship where we get into life with one another as people struggle with self image issues and addictions (physical, emotional, and sensitory)? Why are we afraid, or better yet, WHY AM I afraid to deal with these issues and combat them as real forces? They are real. We, including myself, deal with them on a daily basis. Lord, you know that I do not have the answers and do not discount the struggles I have and see. Please Lord bring your peace and conviction.
The last quote that really summed up what I got from the book was:
3) "Perhaps most important, the experience of the emerging churches must make us rethink the role of the Old Testament." (page 189)
--> Lord how true this is because of the hardship and social issues that face the "global south" today seem to, at times, directly correlate with what happened in the Old Testament. Sometimes the Western church can have New Testament answers for everything, but what does your WHOLE word have to offer? This book by Jenkins also mentioned books of the Bible, from the old and new that seem to resonate with people currently following other incomplete walks of faith. Your WHOLE word is useful for rebuking foreign ways, teaching THE WAY, and admonishing your followers (as the verse seems to say).
Overall Lord thank you for having me read this book. I wasn't very excited about the time line, but your truth has no time line. It always was, and will always be.
Thank you for my busy days and my days of blessing. Please forgive me if at times I am not slow to speak but instead say too much. Please forgive me for that. You are the Lord of the Lord, the King of Kings, and the Prince of Peace. Thank you for all you promise.
In your holy name, Amen
Wow. A professor had us read an entire book in less than two days (not just a small paper back, but a 193 page book). Skimming though was allowed. Anyway I didn't really like not being able to process it as I went, so I went back over the book and looked at what I had underlined and starred. For every starred comment I folded a page, and for every multiple starred comment I made a big fold on the page. Looking over the binding of the book there are many folded pages implying I did get some things out of my cursory read of the book.
The book, The New Faces of Christianity by Jenkins, is a book looking at, and at times, comparing the "global south" to the "global north." Below are some of my "big fold" quotes from the book:1) "'...Western theologians, liberal and conservative, have been addressing the faith to an age of doubt and secularity, and to the competing salvific claims of secular ideologies.' Global South Christians, in contrast, do not live in an age of doubt, but must instead deal with competing claims to faith." (page 5)
--> I have to wonder about this myself. How much do I have to deal with claims that compete with my faith? Many times in western culture, pluralism is accepted saying that anything I believe is okay (including that eating cheese will get me to heaven) as long as I don't force this frame of thinking on anyone else. This makes me sad that I sometimes feel complacent in my faith because I am not challenging the pluralism that I see. I say I don't willingly participate in it, but isn't silence omission and surrendering without a fight like concession?
2) [looking especially at Africa's pagan religions] "Pagan and primal religions teach the existence of spiritual menaces facing society, but they also provide means to combat those dangers. A crucial flaw of early white missionary activity in Africa and Asia was that it forbade these solutions, whether amulets, fetishes, spells, charms, or ceremonies, since all were conspicuous symbols of pagan practice. At the same time, though, missionaries rarely offered plausible spiritual resources to combat what were still universally seen as pressing menaces." (page 103)
--> Goodness, I agree with this. I never really thought about it before, but how does this translate to our culture as we also work with youth? What are we equipping youth with in the churches to combat the temptations, habits, and influence of things such as sexuality, that students face every day? We often lay out the rules saying that when you are a Christian you act like this.... or you don't do this..... But how are we equipping students to deal with the things they see, hear, and feel? Is the church getting into the messiness of kids' lives? Are we doing discipleship where we get into life with one another as people struggle with self image issues and addictions (physical, emotional, and sensitory)? Why are we afraid, or better yet, WHY AM I afraid to deal with these issues and combat them as real forces? They are real. We, including myself, deal with them on a daily basis. Lord, you know that I do not have the answers and do not discount the struggles I have and see. Please Lord bring your peace and conviction.
The last quote that really summed up what I got from the book was:
3) "Perhaps most important, the experience of the emerging churches must make us rethink the role of the Old Testament." (page 189)
--> Lord how true this is because of the hardship and social issues that face the "global south" today seem to, at times, directly correlate with what happened in the Old Testament. Sometimes the Western church can have New Testament answers for everything, but what does your WHOLE word have to offer? This book by Jenkins also mentioned books of the Bible, from the old and new that seem to resonate with people currently following other incomplete walks of faith. Your WHOLE word is useful for rebuking foreign ways, teaching THE WAY, and admonishing your followers (as the verse seems to say).
Overall Lord thank you for having me read this book. I wasn't very excited about the time line, but your truth has no time line. It always was, and will always be.
Thank you for my busy days and my days of blessing. Please forgive me if at times I am not slow to speak but instead say too much. Please forgive me for that. You are the Lord of the Lord, the King of Kings, and the Prince of Peace. Thank you for all you promise.
In your holy name, Amen
Monday, March 16, 2009
In Honor of St. Patrick's Day
Lord-
Today has been a busy day, and I thought I needed to post today before it became tomorrow. Which it will in three minutes!!
Lord you are the giver and the sustainer of life. Thank you for your promise, like you promised to Jacob at Bethel, that you will not leave us until your promise and covenant with us is finished.
Genesis 28:15 - "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."
I love this promise Lord, especially because it is St. Patrick's Day tomorrow/today (by the time this is posted). St. Patrick's Day, at least in my experience, has always been equated with luck, but we as Christians need to equate it with thanking you, Lord Jesus, for your blessings to us. You created within us a journey that you are being faithful to complete. Thank you for promising not to leave us and to watch over us.
Lord thank you for your promise through sacrifice. Thank you for friends and encouragement they provide. You are great Lord. Thank you for your calling and journey in our hearts. I pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ who are walking along that journey to completion. Thank you Jesus for being faithful even when we fall and skin our knees fighting our flesh. You are great Lord, and we are like a clover -- one of many, but one of a kind to you.
May you have all the glory forever and ever, Amen. In your name.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Before Church
Lord-
This weekend has been rough. It is the end of Spring Break, and I really don't want to go back to class tomorrow. I love school and learning, but I don't know if I will ever like leaving my weekends. Please forgive me because lately my heart has been adrift. Growing up has never been easy. I'm sorry that sometimes I clutter my heart and emotions with things other than you. For this I am truly sorry. Lord please be my roots to keep me firmly planted in you. But also I pray for the right pair of wings to carry me into what you have planned for me. The song "Roots Before Branches" gets stuck in my head when I think about this.
Lord I know that I need not move from this place till you are finished with me. A very wise classmate once said that "This world doesn't need any more empty vessels; therefore don't be in a hurry to go from this place." This place is currently a place of healing and sustainment. Lord you have brought me to a place where my heart needs to rest for a while. Please restore and strengthen it so that I can be more of an adventurer for you and go into the places that others sometimes fear going. Lord you hold our hands as we walk into the valleys and sometimes fall down the mountains of our lives. Please continue to hold my hand.
Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice so that you could be my Savior and my sustainer. Please fight for that place in my heart. Thank you.
In your name,
Amen
This weekend has been rough. It is the end of Spring Break, and I really don't want to go back to class tomorrow. I love school and learning, but I don't know if I will ever like leaving my weekends. Please forgive me because lately my heart has been adrift. Growing up has never been easy. I'm sorry that sometimes I clutter my heart and emotions with things other than you. For this I am truly sorry. Lord please be my roots to keep me firmly planted in you. But also I pray for the right pair of wings to carry me into what you have planned for me. The song "Roots Before Branches" gets stuck in my head when I think about this.
Lord I know that I need not move from this place till you are finished with me. A very wise classmate once said that "This world doesn't need any more empty vessels; therefore don't be in a hurry to go from this place." This place is currently a place of healing and sustainment. Lord you have brought me to a place where my heart needs to rest for a while. Please restore and strengthen it so that I can be more of an adventurer for you and go into the places that others sometimes fear going. Lord you hold our hands as we walk into the valleys and sometimes fall down the mountains of our lives. Please continue to hold my hand.
Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice so that you could be my Savior and my sustainer. Please fight for that place in my heart. Thank you.
In your name,
Amen
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