Wow. I can't believe my last post was Sept. 6th. It seems like it was yesterday. Anyway I feel the need to blog about something because I haven't for so long. Soooo....
8 Things I'm excited about:
1. I just finished Firefly and it's absolutely amazing. I'm soo happy Drew talked me into watching it. I can't wait to watch Serenity!
2. The Lovedrug concert at Geneva on Friday. I really like what I've heard of them so far, plus I get to see a certain someone. :)
3. R is coming home for bible study tomorrow night.
4. Heroes on Monday!!!!!!!!!!!
5. My computer is some what back to normal. Finally! Not having full access to all my pictures and music was terrible!
6. My music theory course. Because I'm a nerd.
7. Finally having furniture in my room!
8. Getting Edy's Loaded Peanut Butter ice cream in about 5 minutes.
5 Things I'm Sad About:
1. The future lack of JonDoddness in the Stuart house. :(
2. The fact that my room isn't completely clean yet and there are still piles of junk everywhere.
3. 80 degree weather in the fall. I can't wear scarves yet!
4. LOST doesn't start til January.
5. I have to read Sir Gawan by next week and I don't even have it yet. (I just ordered it from the library so we're good now.)
Anyway. Hopefully I can find time to post a more meaningful blog in the near future.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Thursday, September 6, 2007
With One Hand In a Pot of Gold...
My pastor said something very interesting in Sunday School last week that's been on my mind a lot. He was discussing the very touchy subject of God's hatred toward sinners. This concept, I believe, is very biblical, but conveniently ignored by the modern church. The idea that is taught is that God hates sin, but loves all sinners. This is plain heresy. God hates sinners. And we don't want to accept this. God has never sent a sin to Hell, but he does send un-repentant sinners to Hell. But what we also have to accept is that we, as sinners, hate God. This is a really difficult thing to understand and believe.
Here are some verses expressing this concept:
"The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence."
--Psalm 11: 5
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."
--John 3:36
"If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb."
--Rev. 14:9-10
"They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them."
--Rom. 1:29-32
"For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God."
--Rom. 8:7-8
But we can find peace in knowing that we are not of the flesh, we are of the Spirit. Paul continues in Rom. 8:9, "You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you." And this is just the set-up for my main topic. haha. Anyway, the actual comment made by Pastor Cadman that I want to focus on has to do with worship music. We were discussing this attribute of God and he commented that we have lost this in our worship music particularly. I had never thought about that before. When we think of worshiping God we think of his love, grace, faithfulness, patience, and goodness. We completely ignore his {righteous} anger, justice, and hatred toward sin and sinners. These attributes are just as important as his love and faithfulness. If God has no hatred for sinners and no need for justice, then what is the purpose of salvation? If God is nothing but love, then why do we need a savior? You clearly cannot have one without the other. God's love is pointless without his justice and vice-versa. So if God's wrath is necessary in the story of redemption then why do we leave it out {particularly in our music}? That's the main question I'm asking. After he made this comment, I sat back a minute and tried to think of a song I knew about God's wrath and I couldn't think of one. But what I could think of was the Psalms. The Psalms repeatedly praise God for his wrath towards sinners and even plead with God to bring justice to the wicked. Of course the book of Psalms is not the only book that describes God's wrath, but is a clear example of praising God for his wrath.
Examples:
" Arise, O LORD!
Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
you break the teeth of the wicked." -- Ps. 3:7
"Arise, O LORD, in your anger;
lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies;
awake for me; you have appointed a judgment.
Let the assembly of the peoples be gathered about you;
over it return on high.
he has bent and readied his bow;
he has prepared for him his deadly weapons,
making his arrows fiery shafts." -- Ps. 7:6-13
"The LORD tests the righteous,
but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.
Let him rain coals on the wicked;
fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup." -- Ps. 11:5-6
"But to the wicked God says:
"What right have you to recite my statutes
or take my covenant on your lips?
For you hate discipline,
and you cast my words behind you.
If you see a thief, you are pleased with him,
and you keep company with adulterers.
You give your mouth free rein for evil,
and your tongue frames deceit.
"Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone;
for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.
Everyone utters lies to his neighbor;
with flattering lips and a double heart they speak." -- Psalm 12:1-2
Here are some verses expressing this concept:
"The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence."
--Psalm 11: 5
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."
--John 3:36
"If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb."
--Rev. 14:9-10
"They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them."
--Rom. 1:29-32
"For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God."
--Rom. 8:7-8
But we can find peace in knowing that we are not of the flesh, we are of the Spirit. Paul continues in Rom. 8:9, "You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you." And this is just the set-up for my main topic. haha. Anyway, the actual comment made by Pastor Cadman that I want to focus on has to do with worship music. We were discussing this attribute of God and he commented that we have lost this in our worship music particularly. I had never thought about that before. When we think of worshiping God we think of his love, grace, faithfulness, patience, and goodness. We completely ignore his {righteous} anger, justice, and hatred toward sin and sinners. These attributes are just as important as his love and faithfulness. If God has no hatred for sinners and no need for justice, then what is the purpose of salvation? If God is nothing but love, then why do we need a savior? You clearly cannot have one without the other. God's love is pointless without his justice and vice-versa. So if God's wrath is necessary in the story of redemption then why do we leave it out {particularly in our music}? That's the main question I'm asking. After he made this comment, I sat back a minute and tried to think of a song I knew about God's wrath and I couldn't think of one. But what I could think of was the Psalms. The Psalms repeatedly praise God for his wrath towards sinners and even plead with God to bring justice to the wicked. Of course the book of Psalms is not the only book that describes God's wrath, but is a clear example of praising God for his wrath.
Examples:
" Arise, O LORD!
Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
you break the teeth of the wicked." -- Ps. 3:7
"Arise, O LORD, in your anger;
lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies;
awake for me; you have appointed a judgment.
Let the assembly of the peoples be gathered about you;
over it return on high.
The LORD judges the peoples;
judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness
and according to the integrity that is in me.
Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end,
and may you establish the righteous—
you who test the minds and hearts,
O righteous God!
My shield is with God,
who saves the upright in heart.
God is a righteous judge,
and a God who feels indignation every day.
he has bent and readied his bow;
he has prepared for him his deadly weapons,
making his arrows fiery shafts." -- Ps. 7:6-13
"The LORD tests the righteous,
but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.
Let him rain coals on the wicked;
fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup." -- Ps. 11:5-6
"But to the wicked God says:
"What right have you to recite my statutes
or take my covenant on your lips?
For you hate discipline,
and you cast my words behind you.
If you see a thief, you are pleased with him,
and you keep company with adulterers.
You give your mouth free rein for evil,
and your tongue frames deceit.
You sit and speak against your brother;
you slander your own mother’s son.
These things you have done, and I have been silent;
you thought that I was one like yourself.
But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you." -- Ps. 50:16-21
"Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone;
for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.
Everyone utters lies to his neighbor;
with flattering lips and a double heart they speak." -- Psalm 12:1-2
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Light Starts In A Dark Place
I just made an exceedingly exciting mix (for Drew)!! Yay! I haven't made a good mix in awhile. I'm pretty psyched about it. The theme of it is Darkness & Light. Here's the track list:
Darkness & Light
1. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out- Anberlin
2. Light Gives Heat- Jars of Clay
3. I Will Follow You Into the Dark- Death Cab for Cutie
4. Hold the Light- Caedmon's Call
5. Headlights on Dark Roads- Snow Patrol
6. The Lighthouse's Tale- Nickel Creek
7. Limelight- Rush
8. Crawling Towards the Sun- The Hush Sound
9. Bright Lights- Matchbox 20
10. The Sun and The Moon- Mae
11. What Light- Wilco
12. Through the Dark- KT Tunstall
13. Lightness- Death Cab for Cutie
14. Into the Sun- Lifehouse
15. Black Balloon- The Goo Goo Dolls
16. Daylight- Coldplay
17. You Are the Moon- The Hush Sound
woot. I'm happy with it.
I have an interesting topic to discuss...but no time now...so, coming soon: modern praise & worship music vs. the psalms...
Darkness & Light
1. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out- Anberlin
2. Light Gives Heat- Jars of Clay
3. I Will Follow You Into the Dark- Death Cab for Cutie
4. Hold the Light- Caedmon's Call
5. Headlights on Dark Roads- Snow Patrol
6. The Lighthouse's Tale- Nickel Creek
7. Limelight- Rush
8. Crawling Towards the Sun- The Hush Sound
9. Bright Lights- Matchbox 20
10. The Sun and The Moon- Mae
11. What Light- Wilco
12. Through the Dark- KT Tunstall
13. Lightness- Death Cab for Cutie
14. Into the Sun- Lifehouse
15. Black Balloon- The Goo Goo Dolls
16. Daylight- Coldplay
17. You Are the Moon- The Hush Sound
woot. I'm happy with it.
I have an interesting topic to discuss...but no time now...so, coming soon: modern praise & worship music vs. the psalms...
Friday, August 31, 2007
As Surely As The Rising Sun ... You Will Be Set Free
So I am currently in love with Derek Webb and I thought I'd share some exciting facts about his 4 solo albums {from Wikipedia}...
1. On his national tour for She Must and Shall Go Free, he played his concerts in the living rooms of fans. He made a live album from this tour called "The House Show".
2. Wikipedia compares I See Things Upside Down to Wilco. :)
3. Over 80,000 free copies of Mockingbird were downloaded from Sept. 1, 2006 to Dec. 8, 2006.
4. Before its release, The Ringing Bell was available online in a deluxe edition which included a 96 pg. graphic novel inspired by the album {how cool is that?}.
I also discovered 2 other exciting things he is involved with!
1. Square Peg Alliance--is a group of 9 singers/song writers who joined together to cross promote each other's music. Andrew Osenga is also a member. :)
2. Noise Trade--is a site that allows users to download music for free from independent artists in exchange for sending emails to friends telling them about the artist. Derek got involved with this project after the success of Mockingbird.
My favorite song right now is "Lover" from She Must and Shall Go Free.
"Like a man comes to an alter I came into this town
with the world upon my shoulders and promises passed down
and I went into the water and my father, he was pleased
I built it and I’ll tear it down so you will be set free
but I found thieves and salesmen living in my father’s house
I know how they got in here and I know how to get ‘em out
I’m turning this place over from floor to balcony
and then just like these doves and sheep you will be set free
I’ve always been a lover from before I drew a breath
some things I loved easy and some I loved to death
because love’s no politician, it listens carefully
of those who come I can’t lose one, so you will be set free
but go on and take my picture, go on and make me up
I’ll still be your defender, you’ll be my missing son
and I’ll send out an army just to bring you back to me
because regardless of your brother’s lies you will be set free
I am my beloveds and my beloved’s mine
so you bring all your history and I’ll bring the bread and wine
and we’ll have us a party where all the drinks are on me
then as surely as the rising sun you will be set free"
I just love how he ties so many stories about Christ into this one song. One of my favorite lines is "I'll send out an army just to bring you back to me". How amazing is that? It gives me shivers. I also love the reoccurring theme of being set free. It's crazy how people have the idea that Christianity is going to tie them down and take away their freedom and it's the exact opposite. We are completely weighed down by our sin and it is only through Jesus that we can be set free.
"...then as surely as the rising sun you will be set free..."
1. On his national tour for She Must and Shall Go Free, he played his concerts in the living rooms of fans. He made a live album from this tour called "The House Show".
2. Wikipedia compares I See Things Upside Down to Wilco. :)
3. Over 80,000 free copies of Mockingbird were downloaded from Sept. 1, 2006 to Dec. 8, 2006.
4. Before its release, The Ringing Bell was available online in a deluxe edition which included a 96 pg. graphic novel inspired by the album {how cool is that?}.
I also discovered 2 other exciting things he is involved with!
1. Square Peg Alliance--is a group of 9 singers/song writers who joined together to cross promote each other's music. Andrew Osenga is also a member. :)
2. Noise Trade--is a site that allows users to download music for free from independent artists in exchange for sending emails to friends telling them about the artist. Derek got involved with this project after the success of Mockingbird.
My favorite song right now is "Lover" from She Must and Shall Go Free.
"Like a man comes to an alter I came into this town
with the world upon my shoulders and promises passed down
and I went into the water and my father, he was pleased
I built it and I’ll tear it down so you will be set free
but I found thieves and salesmen living in my father’s house
I know how they got in here and I know how to get ‘em out
I’m turning this place over from floor to balcony
and then just like these doves and sheep you will be set free
I’ve always been a lover from before I drew a breath
some things I loved easy and some I loved to death
because love’s no politician, it listens carefully
of those who come I can’t lose one, so you will be set free
but go on and take my picture, go on and make me up
I’ll still be your defender, you’ll be my missing son
and I’ll send out an army just to bring you back to me
because regardless of your brother’s lies you will be set free
I am my beloveds and my beloved’s mine
so you bring all your history and I’ll bring the bread and wine
and we’ll have us a party where all the drinks are on me
then as surely as the rising sun you will be set free"
I just love how he ties so many stories about Christ into this one song. One of my favorite lines is "I'll send out an army just to bring you back to me". How amazing is that? It gives me shivers. I also love the reoccurring theme of being set free. It's crazy how people have the idea that Christianity is going to tie them down and take away their freedom and it's the exact opposite. We are completely weighed down by our sin and it is only through Jesus that we can be set free.
"...then as surely as the rising sun you will be set free..."
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
This Is Your Life... Are You Who You Want To Be?
Now that I'm in a slightly better state-of-mind, it's time for my end of the summer analysis. So here is an overview of what I learned this summer...
1. Even though I am changing, everything else isn't necessarily changing with me. -- School was so bizarre today. I felt like there was this wall between me and almost everyone else there. This is probably due to the fact that I haven't seen anyone from school this summer except RGar. I've changed a lot over the past year or so, but I've also changed a lot this summer. I didn't know what to say to anyone or what to talk about. No one there knows about or shares my new found interest in Sweden, Miyazaki, The Hush Sound, understanding people, missions, Firefly, understanding cultures, traveling, good cheese, blogging, photography, Wilco, scrabble, exploring Pittsburgh, nerdyness in general, sharing ideas, movies, indie music, etc.... I don't really know how to mesh the two sides. I think adjusting over the next few weeks is going to be a challenge, one that I'm not entirely sure I'm ready to handle. Despite my worries about all of this, I can still rest in the promise that, no matter how separate I feel from everyone else, nothing can separate me from Christ's love (Rom. 8:38-39).
2. I need to take more chances and talk to people! -- This is something I've been thinking about over the past week. I realized that I knew absolutely nothing about Mrs. Balderose or Eric's family in general and we traveled across the world together! She sounds like such an amazing woman and I really regret passing up the many opportunities I had to talk to her. There are so many people out there ready and willing to share stories and experiences that I know I would love to hear, I just don't open up the opportunity. Opening up to people I don't know is something that doesn't come naturally to me, but I'm determined to try! It's funny because I love listening/talking to people and sharing ideas but I have such trouble starting simple conversation with other people! Plus, talking to people is one of the most fundamental ways to share Christ's love with them! The most exciting part is that you don't know what will happen. Who knows what you might be able to learn or share?
3. I have a passion for missions. -- This statement still seems so crazy to me. I never considered myself someone that was interested in missions. I always felt like it wasn't my gift and that I would be content with a much more passive role in the Kingdom. I don't feel that way anymore. I realized (thanks to the counsel of many friends) that all of the things I'm passionate about are missions related {adoption, youth ministry/missions, etc.}. The Lord worked in my life over the past year and took away so many of my fears about traveling, being away from family, and inadequacy to serve. I know that he did this to prepare me for the trip to Sweden. I was able to serve uninhibited and unafraid. It was so eye-opening to me. I realized that I can do it and I want to do it. I still don't feel called to serve as a full time missionary, but a strong desire to serve in short term missions remains. I'd love to intern somewhere for a few months or even go somewhere for a year or two after I'm married. Going to Sweden also sparked my interest in traveling. There are so many interesting places I want to go. And think of how many people I could meet that share a common bond with me in Christ! This is the perfect example of how much greater God's plans are than ours! "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."-Jer. 29:11
4. The importance of community. -- I think pretty much everyone on Team Sweden learned about this during our trip. The bond within the church at Sweden was incredible. The consistency and accountability within the church was so strong. They were such a witness and encouragement to me and everyone else. Now more than ever I'm longing for community. My whole "community" of friends is physically gone and I think that's why I'm having such a hard time. I established myself within a strong community of friends during the summer that is no longer there. Of course I still have my friends but not in the same way that I did. But this is making me so incredibly thankful for the time I have with them! It's like the song " Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got till it's gone".
5. I really truly am a nerd. -- This doesn't really need an explanation.
6. Being spontaneous and crazy can be wonderful. -- Running in the rain, trying exotic foods, randomly going to Eat n Park at midnight, tubing, dying my hair red, watching movies late at night, sailing with R as the captain, ... all thing I did this summer that I probably would not have done a year or two ago.
7. I need to memorize more scripture. -- The kids in Sweden had huge passages memorized...in English, their 2nd language! I barely have any memorized in my 1st language, let along my 2nd!
8. Details don't always matter. -- Basically I learned that I wasted a lot of time trying to perfectly pack and prepare for Sweden. RGar was perfectly fine without her luggage.
That's all I can think of for the moment. But I'll talk about the title. Those words have repeated in my head sooo many times over the past year. I think it's a really simply stated, but very powerful reminder. You only have one life and this is it. Be the person you want to be. Be the person God is calling you to be.
"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God." -- 2 Cor. 2:14-17
1. Even though I am changing, everything else isn't necessarily changing with me. -- School was so bizarre today. I felt like there was this wall between me and almost everyone else there. This is probably due to the fact that I haven't seen anyone from school this summer except RGar. I've changed a lot over the past year or so, but I've also changed a lot this summer. I didn't know what to say to anyone or what to talk about. No one there knows about or shares my new found interest in Sweden, Miyazaki, The Hush Sound, understanding people, missions, Firefly, understanding cultures, traveling, good cheese, blogging, photography, Wilco, scrabble, exploring Pittsburgh, nerdyness in general, sharing ideas, movies, indie music, etc.... I don't really know how to mesh the two sides. I think adjusting over the next few weeks is going to be a challenge, one that I'm not entirely sure I'm ready to handle. Despite my worries about all of this, I can still rest in the promise that, no matter how separate I feel from everyone else, nothing can separate me from Christ's love (Rom. 8:38-39).
2. I need to take more chances and talk to people! -- This is something I've been thinking about over the past week. I realized that I knew absolutely nothing about Mrs. Balderose or Eric's family in general and we traveled across the world together! She sounds like such an amazing woman and I really regret passing up the many opportunities I had to talk to her. There are so many people out there ready and willing to share stories and experiences that I know I would love to hear, I just don't open up the opportunity. Opening up to people I don't know is something that doesn't come naturally to me, but I'm determined to try! It's funny because I love listening/talking to people and sharing ideas but I have such trouble starting simple conversation with other people! Plus, talking to people is one of the most fundamental ways to share Christ's love with them! The most exciting part is that you don't know what will happen. Who knows what you might be able to learn or share?
3. I have a passion for missions. -- This statement still seems so crazy to me. I never considered myself someone that was interested in missions. I always felt like it wasn't my gift and that I would be content with a much more passive role in the Kingdom. I don't feel that way anymore. I realized (thanks to the counsel of many friends) that all of the things I'm passionate about are missions related {adoption, youth ministry/missions, etc.}. The Lord worked in my life over the past year and took away so many of my fears about traveling, being away from family, and inadequacy to serve. I know that he did this to prepare me for the trip to Sweden. I was able to serve uninhibited and unafraid. It was so eye-opening to me. I realized that I can do it and I want to do it. I still don't feel called to serve as a full time missionary, but a strong desire to serve in short term missions remains. I'd love to intern somewhere for a few months or even go somewhere for a year or two after I'm married. Going to Sweden also sparked my interest in traveling. There are so many interesting places I want to go. And think of how many people I could meet that share a common bond with me in Christ! This is the perfect example of how much greater God's plans are than ours! "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."-Jer. 29:11
4. The importance of community. -- I think pretty much everyone on Team Sweden learned about this during our trip. The bond within the church at Sweden was incredible. The consistency and accountability within the church was so strong. They were such a witness and encouragement to me and everyone else. Now more than ever I'm longing for community. My whole "community" of friends is physically gone and I think that's why I'm having such a hard time. I established myself within a strong community of friends during the summer that is no longer there. Of course I still have my friends but not in the same way that I did. But this is making me so incredibly thankful for the time I have with them! It's like the song " Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got till it's gone".
5. I really truly am a nerd. -- This doesn't really need an explanation.
6. Being spontaneous and crazy can be wonderful. -- Running in the rain, trying exotic foods, randomly going to Eat n Park at midnight, tubing, dying my hair red, watching movies late at night, sailing with R as the captain, ... all thing I did this summer that I probably would not have done a year or two ago.
7. I need to memorize more scripture. -- The kids in Sweden had huge passages memorized...in English, their 2nd language! I barely have any memorized in my 1st language, let along my 2nd!
8. Details don't always matter. -- Basically I learned that I wasted a lot of time trying to perfectly pack and prepare for Sweden. RGar was perfectly fine without her luggage.
That's all I can think of for the moment. But I'll talk about the title. Those words have repeated in my head sooo many times over the past year. I think it's a really simply stated, but very powerful reminder. You only have one life and this is it. Be the person you want to be. Be the person God is calling you to be.
"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God." -- 2 Cor. 2:14-17
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
It's Been One Week...
...One really terrible week. Which is very sad because this has been one of the best summers EVER. I've had so much fun. I guess I needed a bad week to keep me in check. The main events of the week: everyone left or is leaving, RGar's car, Eric's mom, my illness, etc. Tomorrow {day} will probably be really hard because of the funeral. *sigh* RGar and I decided that tomorrow night is going to be the start of a new wonderful week.
I'm kind of excited for school. I'm just ready to do something. Hopefully I'll be really busy this year. I'm excited for the fun stuff too (esp. with RGar! :)). I just finished my summer reading/journals. I absolutely loved King Lear. It was so amazing. I think it was my favorite of the summer followed by Mayor of Casterbridge, then Lord of the Flies.
I'm been trying to think of some goals for this year. Here's what I have so far:
1. To read as much as possible.
2. To continue watching movies.
3. I want to start writing letters. I think letters are wonderful. They're so personal and something you can keep forever. I'm going to try and write to a few people at least once a month. I'm just going to write about things I'm thinking about. Kind of like blogging. Or notes of encouragement. I'm not sure what it'll look like exactly. We shall find out. Anyone else want to join me in this endeavor?
4. Get a job.
5. Get my license.
6. To continue keeping a journal {not just a blog}.
7. I desperately need to spend more time in prayer. It's something that I toss so easily to the side. I'm very consistent with my Bible reading, but I fall so short on the prayer side. I need to start praying on the bus and in the shower like I did last year. Accountability needed!
Well that's all I can think of right now and 7 is completion anyway. I'll probably add more later. I really should go to bed. I have to get up for school tomorrow. =/ I have so much more to say but I'm too tired to formulate it into coherent thoughts. So I'm off for now... and I'll finish my summer analysis/thoughts/memories etc. later. Night!
I'm kind of excited for school. I'm just ready to do something. Hopefully I'll be really busy this year. I'm excited for the fun stuff too (esp. with RGar! :)). I just finished my summer reading/journals. I absolutely loved King Lear. It was so amazing. I think it was my favorite of the summer followed by Mayor of Casterbridge, then Lord of the Flies.
I'm been trying to think of some goals for this year. Here's what I have so far:
1. To read as much as possible.
2. To continue watching movies.
3. I want to start writing letters. I think letters are wonderful. They're so personal and something you can keep forever. I'm going to try and write to a few people at least once a month. I'm just going to write about things I'm thinking about. Kind of like blogging. Or notes of encouragement. I'm not sure what it'll look like exactly. We shall find out. Anyone else want to join me in this endeavor?
4. Get a job.
5. Get my license.
6. To continue keeping a journal {not just a blog}.
7. I desperately need to spend more time in prayer. It's something that I toss so easily to the side. I'm very consistent with my Bible reading, but I fall so short on the prayer side. I need to start praying on the bus and in the shower like I did last year. Accountability needed!
Well that's all I can think of right now and 7 is completion anyway. I'll probably add more later. I really should go to bed. I have to get up for school tomorrow. =/ I have so much more to say but I'm too tired to formulate it into coherent thoughts. So I'm off for now... and I'll finish my summer analysis/thoughts/memories etc. later. Night!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
And We Will Sing Out As We Go On, "Our God is Faithful."
It amazes me how I always think that I'm so strong and that I can easily handle anything. I can't. I'm going through a lot of difficult changes right now. Probably more changes than I have ever had to deal with in my life. What amazes me even more is how faithful our God is. I was having a rough night so I logged in to check my email before going to bed and there was an email from Mr. Moser about choir starting up this fall. He announced that we would be performing "Messiah" for the winter cantata. Words can't even express how excited I am about this. Singing in a performance of Messiah is on my goal list. It's one of my absolute favorite works. Anyway, I was starting to break down and I found myself crying out "Lord, thank you for Messiah!!" I was so thankful to have something exciting and good happen today. And then it hit me. Thank you Lord for my Messiah. My Messiah sent just what I needed exactly when I needed it. He gave me the simple reminder I needed that He will never leave me or forsake me, no matter how absolutely alone I feel. He alone is my refuge and strength.
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
Selah
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
"Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!"
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
~Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
"Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!"
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
~Psalm 46
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