I wish I had some prefound thought on the subject but I'm only bringing it up in order to start thinking. This subject has been popping up in my world for the past 2 weeks...
It all started or at least me really starting to think about it...some friends of my roommate (luckly not best friends) stopped by to see our dormroom and then while there began to plan what would be done next, drinking of course because that is the only way to have in this world, right! I was only mildly disgusted with their idea to have "fun" because lets face it that is what most college students do, sadly:( But when 2 of them openly shared that they were Christians that is when my heart stopped and I had to fight back the urge to cry a lake or lock them in the room until they come to their senses. Neither of the 2 happened, I even tried to find a verse against drunkness but my eyes would not see the references in my concordence. Why did God not reveal to me verses? I don't say this as anger to him but wanting to know why that wasn't the right time. After they left I looked again and they were as clear as day to read. I wanted to yell at God for not stopping them and for not changing their hearts but all I could do was cry. Their words hurt me..."Following Jesus all the way to the keg"...it still hurts. How can God take this when his children sin...my heart felt it for those 2...God feels it for everybody...every second...every sin! That is when I really broke down...I sin...I was sinning that night with my hate and judging...I'm sinning right now with my pride and fear..."For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God" (romans 3:23)
Where am I going with this? I don't know because I don't understand.
Moving on to another conversation I had with 2 girls on my hall. We talked about how non-christians watch us like hawks when we claim to be "Christians" they watch our lives and that is when we must come to God everyday and call to him to fill us with the Spirit. That is why we strive to be Christ like, that is why we die to ourselves and surrender our lives at the cross. But that isn't why! We don't live for them, but by living for God we show the world what it means to live as a christian.
Next...A fellow sister was telling me last night that she was disgusted with some of her friends from high school who all want to become pastors but yet their facebook pictures are covered with drinking and playing beer-pong. I don't want to spread gossip but just show that yet again this subject came up in my world. What does this world think of when they think of christians? Hiprocrites or lights? What am I? Do I go about my day speaking of God and how amazing he is when the whole day my heart is being proud, I'm not forgiving people in my life, I'm judging and basically my thoughts are on myself and my heart is cold. Am I a hypocrite?
...Wow! God is amazing because at this very moment 2 saints walked into the engineering lab. Hi's and verses shared...Wow this is the verse given to me, which just goes to show that God is working in our lives when we don't expect it: "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, 'I know him,' but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did." (1 John 2:1-6)
I'm just going to let God speak for himself as he has, for here is a verse from our small group's bible study last night, yet another verse that I didn't think of myself: "Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:1-6)
Summary: If you are Christian walk as Jesus did and when you stumble and fall, remember Christ died on the cross for everyone of your sins, so live in his victory and in God's Grace.
Friday, September 08, 2006
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Morning Prayer
I don't want to mess up my life, I want a listening heart and a tamed flesh so that I can hear your voice and feel your Spirit move instead of me. I want to act like your Queen, be as humble as your servant and as trusting as a child. O LORD, King and Father. You transcend all time...let me be patient and wait...give me strength to beat my flesh...teach me to guard my heart...guide me to walk straight...walk in faith trusting in who you are, imitating you in grace and love and by doing so find peace and rest in you Almighty and that is where my hope will be found in your return and may you find faith in your saints...my life let it be all for your glory henceforth that is my joy and let it not fade in the waves of struggle...finding complete satisfaction in you may that be my contentment...For you are Good!
"Call on me and I will answer and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" - Jeremiah 33:3
May I focus my thoughts and gaze on you. You are my first true love...that is why on my finger lies your ring, eternally. May everything I am, do and say be pleasing to you in light of Jesus' death for only by your grace...do I stand before your throne. Thanks and Praises go to you who is faithful, loving and good to all your children. Hear the cries of all the saints to you today, may their prayers be from sincere hearts...incenses in heaven rise this morning. All Honor and Praise and Glory to you..."Holy, Holy, Holy"...forever may we sing...
"Call on me and I will answer and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" - Jeremiah 33:3
May I focus my thoughts and gaze on you. You are my first true love...that is why on my finger lies your ring, eternally. May everything I am, do and say be pleasing to you in light of Jesus' death for only by your grace...do I stand before your throne. Thanks and Praises go to you who is faithful, loving and good to all your children. Hear the cries of all the saints to you today, may their prayers be from sincere hearts...incenses in heaven rise this morning. All Honor and Praise and Glory to you..."Holy, Holy, Holy"...forever may we sing...
Friday, September 01, 2006
Oh sweet rain!
Yesterday I was tired and in pain and so I laid down to take a nap in my high rising dorm loft, oh how sweet. Midway through such said nap the rain began to pour. I smelled it with joy, felt little droplets squeeze through the screen of my window and tap my face and hand, I felt the breeze of the cool light wind, I heard the tap of rain drops on the window pane and the loud crack of lightening. Oh what a glorious nap. God knows I love the rain so thank you dear sweet lover. He is so good to us and so loving. I can't deny it. Thinking back on my honors seminar and it's search for self, asking questions about what is real and what we can trust. I don't know anything but the only thing that matters, God is real and loves me. His son died for each one of my sins and now I can stand with courage before my God, my King, my Lover. Oh what joyous resting truth.
'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' - Jeremiah 33:3
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
'Not much scares us'
Oh the truth, even though the author of this quote was referring to horror movies, there is truth in it. Where is the fear of God? Maybe God will bring back the days of the old testement stories when God would just strick somebody dead like Uzzah, they were made an example of. "The LORD's anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God." - 1 Chronicles 13:10 You knew what things were wrong, you knew what God hated but now what? Godlessness is everywhere but nobody has been struck dead. Might I get struck dead? Do I have the fear of God in me?
"...but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." - Proverbs 31:30 For us women we are called to have the fear of Lord in us, do I?
"...but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." - Proverbs 31:30 For us women we are called to have the fear of Lord in us, do I?
Sunday, August 27, 2006
forever never?
a poem of hope
i wish to write
of joy and love
but only a poem
of terrible end
sorrow and love
i can create
i read revalation
and call you
how can i deny
that if you die
forever and never
shall be
goodbye one last
i hope God will
change your cold heart
repent of your past
present and future
come to your Lord
knees and tears
my poem, my pray
I died and my life
is in him
onlyy a God could
explain where i've come
only God can change
your heart
no word of mine
not me but him
and open arms
he waits
waited for me
and now you
i will continue
to write and call
and visit
as serious as death
you stand
if death came near
would forever
not be never
written july 2006
i wish to write
of joy and love
but only a poem
of terrible end
sorrow and love
i can create
i read revalation
and call you
how can i deny
that if you die
forever and never
shall be
goodbye one last
i hope God will
change your cold heart
repent of your past
present and future
come to your Lord
knees and tears
my poem, my pray
I died and my life
is in him
onlyy a God could
explain where i've come
only God can change
your heart
no word of mine
not me but him
and open arms
he waits
waited for me
and now you
i will continue
to write and call
and visit
as serious as death
you stand
if death came near
would forever
not be never
written july 2006
Thursday, August 24, 2006
"Who am I"
I was born on April 1st, 1986 and yes that is April fool’s Day, which is part of me because on this day people make extra effort to laugh and to make others laugh. This is a goal of mine, well maybe not a goal but it just kind of happens. Maybe because I try to embrace life, enjoy life! When you enjoy life you can’t help but smile and can’t help but not care what others think. That is why I’m often found in funny situations, like when cleaning my room or whenever I do any kind of clean up I always end up wearing what I find. If it just be a big hat, belt and cape so be it or maybe it is Mardi Gras decorations, or maybe crepe paper, or whatever, I try to have fun in times that often we don’t, like cleaning or waiting in line or before class or walking somewhere or hanging out with friends. I’m the girl that is often found dancing in the rain, singing in the shower, skipping to class, chasing squirrels, laughing in the Cafeteria when she is found shouting out “Abra – Ham” while holding up a piece of ham, and so the laughter goes on. But it isn’t all about laughing for laughter is too much of an attention getter and that is why I really like to smile even more. Smiling at people everywhere and attempting to have a moment with a random stranger as we smile at each other. Changing a person’s frown to a smile or even just a grin makes me smile more. It isn’t about me it is about the smile and the joy of life, if it be me or somebody else or both, that is what I love. I love children when they are just glowing with that innocent smile, they love life. I love seeing older couples smiling at each other because you know, that smile isn’t fake, that smile comes from hardship and struggles and a genuine love of life together! That leads me to the other part of me the hearty and more deep part, I too have gone through hard times. Those times when you just can’t smile for real and you just don’t have to. The times when all I can do is cry myself to sleep, the times when even the love of a dog when it licks my hand doesn’t lift my heart, these are the times when I think I really grow as an individual. I have to chose to lift my head, seek help in whatever form it maybe (doctors, therapy, medication or the hug of a friend) and see the hope. Joy! Not instantly but from every struggle and trial comes joy, not to be confused with the word “happy” because from my point of view Joy doesn’t mean laughter and smiles, it means embracing life, being thankful. Every second here is a gift of grace from God.
I was born again September 24, 2004. That day my “Who am I” story changed. My identity is now in Him. I am a daughter of God, I’m promised an eternal life with my creator, savior, king and father. I’m promised a life that will never be apart from his love, even during the hard times. I’m promised purpose in life because he has a good plan for me. I’m promised an ever-present helper and the list goes on. My passions are even deeper and my enjoyments in life are more satisfying because I enjoy them with Him. I love running even more because I can pray and talk to him every time and in the mornings I can look at His sunrises. I love the outdoors everything from wind and rain to the grass and trees to the eagle and the grasshopper. I love just going for hikes and bike rides or just sit out and look at the clouds and rustle of the leaves by day and the stars and moon by night. Before I go to bed ever since I was a little girl I would just stare out my window it has always been calming and a comfort as though somebody is watching over me and now I know it to be true. I love movies with friends that make you cry and/or laugh hysterically. I love music that makes me dance or calms me to a peace that leaves me reflecting upon my king. I love hugs from a friend you haven’t seen in a long time. I love driving to the airport to drop off/pick up a friend. I love to look into people’s eyes especially when they are sharing a passion because you can see the joy in their eyes. I love road trips with friends across the country; the past 2 years I have gone to Iowa City twice, New Mexico, Missouri and Louisiana twice. I love bugs and am excited to take entomology in the spring. I am currently colleting playing cards one card at a time until I have a full 52 card deck of random cards and random stories of where they were found. My middle toe is longer than all the rest which always reminds me that I am an unique individual so embrace it. We are all different and that is beautiful. We are all a story that should be read but right now we are writing it…
I was born again September 24, 2004. That day my “Who am I” story changed. My identity is now in Him. I am a daughter of God, I’m promised an eternal life with my creator, savior, king and father. I’m promised a life that will never be apart from his love, even during the hard times. I’m promised purpose in life because he has a good plan for me. I’m promised an ever-present helper and the list goes on. My passions are even deeper and my enjoyments in life are more satisfying because I enjoy them with Him. I love running even more because I can pray and talk to him every time and in the mornings I can look at His sunrises. I love the outdoors everything from wind and rain to the grass and trees to the eagle and the grasshopper. I love just going for hikes and bike rides or just sit out and look at the clouds and rustle of the leaves by day and the stars and moon by night. Before I go to bed ever since I was a little girl I would just stare out my window it has always been calming and a comfort as though somebody is watching over me and now I know it to be true. I love movies with friends that make you cry and/or laugh hysterically. I love music that makes me dance or calms me to a peace that leaves me reflecting upon my king. I love hugs from a friend you haven’t seen in a long time. I love driving to the airport to drop off/pick up a friend. I love to look into people’s eyes especially when they are sharing a passion because you can see the joy in their eyes. I love road trips with friends across the country; the past 2 years I have gone to Iowa City twice, New Mexico, Missouri and Louisiana twice. I love bugs and am excited to take entomology in the spring. I am currently colleting playing cards one card at a time until I have a full 52 card deck of random cards and random stories of where they were found. My middle toe is longer than all the rest which always reminds me that I am an unique individual so embrace it. We are all different and that is beautiful. We are all a story that should be read but right now we are writing it…
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Pray for Randy
Thank you God for a story that one can clearly say was from you. Only through your power and bigness could it have happened. Last night I was tired and sore but part of me thought I should go distribute papers for the student voice, so I went. Prayer, assignments, go!
Our team got a map and a list, but wait one of the buildings wasn't on the map but it was on the list, odd! I was sent off to the animal sciences building and the the microbology (not on the map so I had no idea where to go) I thought maybe it was next to the animal sciences building but it wasn't. Now it is night so nobody is around and there are no maps. But by God's will there was this man in the distance and so I asked and sure enough he knew! Since it was on the way to his car he walked with me.
He told me that is baby daughter just went of to college and I told him that I have an idea how it feels because when I left it was hard on my dad as well, for I was the baby girl in the family as well. Instantly he was grateful. He told me alot, especially about his website, which I'll post on here at the bottom. It is a art site, graphic art. It's purpose is to encourage especially those who have lost a loved one. He started it 2 years ago without any knowledge of technical art, but he was burdened to put together this site. He was a man of passion to help those in pain.
To top it off he is a Christian and shared his gratitude for the cross. Seeing this as an hour that was planned by God I asked him for prayer request. Pray that Randy keeps up this sort of ministry for though he knows it has helped many it is hard to do it and he often gets discouraged. Pray for his son, Ben, that he would return to the Lord.
Thank you God for Randy and for the opportunity to be used by you to encourage a brother.
www.desertsnow.org
Our team got a map and a list, but wait one of the buildings wasn't on the map but it was on the list, odd! I was sent off to the animal sciences building and the the microbology (not on the map so I had no idea where to go) I thought maybe it was next to the animal sciences building but it wasn't. Now it is night so nobody is around and there are no maps. But by God's will there was this man in the distance and so I asked and sure enough he knew! Since it was on the way to his car he walked with me.
He told me that is baby daughter just went of to college and I told him that I have an idea how it feels because when I left it was hard on my dad as well, for I was the baby girl in the family as well. Instantly he was grateful. He told me alot, especially about his website, which I'll post on here at the bottom. It is a art site, graphic art. It's purpose is to encourage especially those who have lost a loved one. He started it 2 years ago without any knowledge of technical art, but he was burdened to put together this site. He was a man of passion to help those in pain.
To top it off he is a Christian and shared his gratitude for the cross. Seeing this as an hour that was planned by God I asked him for prayer request. Pray that Randy keeps up this sort of ministry for though he knows it has helped many it is hard to do it and he often gets discouraged. Pray for his son, Ben, that he would return to the Lord.
Thank you God for Randy and for the opportunity to be used by you to encourage a brother.
www.desertsnow.org
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Our Maker and Lover
I'm not much of a creationist or much of a romantic but one doesn't have to be one to see God's glory all around. What started out as a sort of depressing walk because I began to feel as though my world was slowly crumbling and during the summer I didn't notice. But wait I told myself as I found myself slowly slipping from the truth of God's power and goodness, but wait...don't let Satan have a foot hold on you or those you love...hold to your Rock!...Okay God I'm speechless but you know my heart you know where I'm taking my mind...stop me, help oh merciful and loving God, I choose you...I Love You and You Love Me! The two metal bands around my finger remind me of this...There is victory in you, I've seen it, I know it, I really know and believe...Your Cross! My sins are forgiven, you bought me, you died for me...The cross around my neck oh as a reminder of this truth, there is, there is victory in you...Oh and there is more, for the Godhead is three...Holy Spirit I know you are there, I feel you moving inside, sometimes very faintly and sometimes very strongly, you are there I know! Guide me oh God!
And so as I was walking from my dorm to the forest that so many times before has been a place for me to meet God. The mist in the air to some was an odd sort of thing but it has always been a favorite, so I know it was no coincidence. I love to walk in mist and rain for I feel more connected with God. Getting to the forest I just stopped and started feeling the pine needles of this one tree. Odd sort of thing if you grab for it you get pricked and don't successfully grab a hold of it but if you sweep your hand the direction of the needles it flattens out and you find your self holding and petting this branch. On to a different pine tree, it had different needles and they were more stiff but the same idea. I began touching every leave as I looped my self through the forest. Each tree was different and each leaf was different. It was amazing to think that God made each different like that. He determined the size of the leaf, the feel, the type, the number of ripples(veins), what else was on the tree(fruit, flowers, cotton). God did this and even greater still is he made each of us even more complex than these trees, wow...my creator...every mole on my skin known, every vein, every hair, every wrinkly crease, every cell...WOW!
Even more amazing to me is not so much that he knows how many hairs are on my head but that he knows every tear that I shed, he knows every time my heart sinks, he knows every sorrow, every pain, every struggle...every joy, every smile, oh every smile, every sunny moment, every laugh, every love...he knows all and loves all. He is as gentle as a leaf that catches a raindrop and as patient as a hand that waits for every raindrop/tear that falls. He is gently waiting for his children, each one to run to him...Oh what a resting and peaceful thought. Just stop and rest in that peace...(run home)...stop and smell him in the rain, hear him in the birds and the rustle of the wind, taste him in the cold air and the sweet honey of a comb, and see him in the shades of color all around, feel him in the leaves and the raindrops that fall to your skin...Kisses! Close your eyes and feel each drop touch your face...God is in control of each rain drop...kisses from God...if that doesn't brighten your day then ask God to reveal himself to you because he will...really...For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:20) God is all around even during the darkest nights.
And so as I was walking from my dorm to the forest that so many times before has been a place for me to meet God. The mist in the air to some was an odd sort of thing but it has always been a favorite, so I know it was no coincidence. I love to walk in mist and rain for I feel more connected with God. Getting to the forest I just stopped and started feeling the pine needles of this one tree. Odd sort of thing if you grab for it you get pricked and don't successfully grab a hold of it but if you sweep your hand the direction of the needles it flattens out and you find your self holding and petting this branch. On to a different pine tree, it had different needles and they were more stiff but the same idea. I began touching every leave as I looped my self through the forest. Each tree was different and each leaf was different. It was amazing to think that God made each different like that. He determined the size of the leaf, the feel, the type, the number of ripples(veins), what else was on the tree(fruit, flowers, cotton). God did this and even greater still is he made each of us even more complex than these trees, wow...my creator...every mole on my skin known, every vein, every hair, every wrinkly crease, every cell...WOW!
Even more amazing to me is not so much that he knows how many hairs are on my head but that he knows every tear that I shed, he knows every time my heart sinks, he knows every sorrow, every pain, every struggle...every joy, every smile, oh every smile, every sunny moment, every laugh, every love...he knows all and loves all. He is as gentle as a leaf that catches a raindrop and as patient as a hand that waits for every raindrop/tear that falls. He is gently waiting for his children, each one to run to him...Oh what a resting and peaceful thought. Just stop and rest in that peace...(run home)...stop and smell him in the rain, hear him in the birds and the rustle of the wind, taste him in the cold air and the sweet honey of a comb, and see him in the shades of color all around, feel him in the leaves and the raindrops that fall to your skin...Kisses! Close your eyes and feel each drop touch your face...God is in control of each rain drop...kisses from God...if that doesn't brighten your day then ask God to reveal himself to you because he will...really...For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:20) God is all around even during the darkest nights.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Are you awake?
I reread my blog entry about train whistles this night because right before I shut my eyes for bed I heard that faint but near sound of the train whistle. I instantly thought of my entry about train whistles and how it for me was a sound of fear of God because something in my life wasn't right. But this not the whistle had a different effect, still a sound of fear of God but this time I thought of being on the verge of seeing something glorious. Maybe I'm still on a spiritual high from the summer or maybe the Holy spirit within me is causing my soul to excite for what is to come. "Jesus said to her, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?'" - John 11:40 we will see the glory of God...SEE THE GLORY OF GOD!
the train whistle was like God awaking me, my soul to the idea of his great plan, Oh to see this plan unfold, to be in this plan, to be used by God. It is like God unrolls the map to plan the attack and begins to shout out orders, you go here, you do this...Abra I want you to be here...be on your guard my warriors. "But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them." - Mark 13:9
Work hard, battling for him, give your all to him, and don't find yourself sleeping and missing it all, I don't want to miss it. "For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." - 1 Thess 5:2 This very night he could come...Are you awake?
the train whistle was like God awaking me, my soul to the idea of his great plan, Oh to see this plan unfold, to be in this plan, to be used by God. It is like God unrolls the map to plan the attack and begins to shout out orders, you go here, you do this...Abra I want you to be here...be on your guard my warriors. "But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them." - Mark 13:9
Work hard, battling for him, give your all to him, and don't find yourself sleeping and missing it all, I don't want to miss it. "For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." - 1 Thess 5:2 This very night he could come...Are you awake?
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Are you to be pitied or just disappointed?
"If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men" - 1 Corinthians 15:19
I never claimed to be much of a writer but when thoughts in verses constantly repeat in my head or when I read something that just leaves me in that moment of speechless ness and awe because your little world was just turned upside down and the containts of your box was dumped on the floor, I just have to write.
Well if you think your box is not very well organized or your world seems a little too plain...give it to God...Oh there is no turning back after that at least I hope. I never heard of amusment park rides going backwards or people driving backwards on a freeway. Once you give your life to GOd be prepared to let go of the stearing wheel and the gas pedal.
Any who, that above verse and John Piper's words in "Desiring God" (A must read) about suffering and pretty mch everything else awoke me, or at least was the poke right before God dumps the bucket of ice water on my head, I can't really tell. But I do know that I'm having to rearrange my box and put everything back in, or not. I guess I'm getting around to throwing away all the trash that was cluttered in my heart and my head.
That leads me to giving up that fleshly part of me that just wants to fit into the world, some don't see me as one who has problems standing out well your wrong, we all do. We all want to fit in, have newest fashion, the newest techno thing, the newest car, the best job, the newest this and that, the best this, the best that...Conforming to the world ( what we shouldn't be doing according to Romans 12) is hard work...but that is what our flesh wants to do...really it is us trying to satisfy that desire God put in us, which we don't realize that he is the piece. We are like the kid trying to put the square block in the circle hole, it doesn't work to well, so then we try the triangle block, still don't work...we need the circle...we need God...Why that seems easy!
That leads me to what poked at my head last night what Travis said during worship night at the Rock, we sometimes wake up forgetting God until much later in the day. When he said that I just thought he was silly and proudly thought to myself I could never forget God...but wait!...we do...I do. So often I just forget about him and I forget about the time it was revealed to me that the circle block goes in the circle hole...that God satisfies us completely!
John 3:29 - Joy complete
1 Thess 5:23 - Sanctify completely
James 1:4 - be complete
What trully brought me to the point of writing my thoughts was this quote in the book I' currently reading (The Burden is Light by Eugenia Price)
"I am either stumbling onto Reality or I'm on my way to a padded cell. It has to be one or the other." She was on the verge of excepting God at this point, she recgnized that if she was going to become a Christian she would have to be a full out disciple not some luke warm only go to church on sundays dead christian. She recognized that God was not just another accessory in our closet, oh no he is the center, the foundation, the core, the rock, where our heart should be beating for, our bones ache for, our souls thirst for, our feet run to, and our voices sing to..."As long as I live I will live for you"..."It all for you, I'm letting go, I'm letting go"..."Jesus You are the reason I live"...The worships songs to ring in me today from last night and so does Paul's words "If only for this life we have hopein Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men."
Brothers and sisters what are you living for?
Are you living a life that is to be pitied more than all men if the resurrection wasn't true, if Christ wasn't real?
Do others see God in you? (without the cross around your neck, the ring on your finger, the christiany shirt, the bible verses adorning your room, the bible in your hand) Is your very life reflecting God's Glory?
I never claimed to be much of a writer but when thoughts in verses constantly repeat in my head or when I read something that just leaves me in that moment of speechless ness and awe because your little world was just turned upside down and the containts of your box was dumped on the floor, I just have to write.
Well if you think your box is not very well organized or your world seems a little too plain...give it to God...Oh there is no turning back after that at least I hope. I never heard of amusment park rides going backwards or people driving backwards on a freeway. Once you give your life to GOd be prepared to let go of the stearing wheel and the gas pedal.
Any who, that above verse and John Piper's words in "Desiring God" (A must read) about suffering and pretty mch everything else awoke me, or at least was the poke right before God dumps the bucket of ice water on my head, I can't really tell. But I do know that I'm having to rearrange my box and put everything back in, or not. I guess I'm getting around to throwing away all the trash that was cluttered in my heart and my head.
That leads me to giving up that fleshly part of me that just wants to fit into the world, some don't see me as one who has problems standing out well your wrong, we all do. We all want to fit in, have newest fashion, the newest techno thing, the newest car, the best job, the newest this and that, the best this, the best that...Conforming to the world ( what we shouldn't be doing according to Romans 12) is hard work...but that is what our flesh wants to do...really it is us trying to satisfy that desire God put in us, which we don't realize that he is the piece. We are like the kid trying to put the square block in the circle hole, it doesn't work to well, so then we try the triangle block, still don't work...we need the circle...we need God...Why that seems easy!
That leads me to what poked at my head last night what Travis said during worship night at the Rock, we sometimes wake up forgetting God until much later in the day. When he said that I just thought he was silly and proudly thought to myself I could never forget God...but wait!...we do...I do. So often I just forget about him and I forget about the time it was revealed to me that the circle block goes in the circle hole...that God satisfies us completely!
John 3:29 - Joy complete
1 Thess 5:23 - Sanctify completely
James 1:4 - be complete
What trully brought me to the point of writing my thoughts was this quote in the book I' currently reading (The Burden is Light by Eugenia Price)
"I am either stumbling onto Reality or I'm on my way to a padded cell. It has to be one or the other." She was on the verge of excepting God at this point, she recgnized that if she was going to become a Christian she would have to be a full out disciple not some luke warm only go to church on sundays dead christian. She recognized that God was not just another accessory in our closet, oh no he is the center, the foundation, the core, the rock, where our heart should be beating for, our bones ache for, our souls thirst for, our feet run to, and our voices sing to..."As long as I live I will live for you"..."It all for you, I'm letting go, I'm letting go"..."Jesus You are the reason I live"...The worships songs to ring in me today from last night and so does Paul's words "If only for this life we have hopein Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men."
Brothers and sisters what are you living for?
Are you living a life that is to be pitied more than all men if the resurrection wasn't true, if Christ wasn't real?
Do others see God in you? (without the cross around your neck, the ring on your finger, the christiany shirt, the bible verses adorning your room, the bible in your hand) Is your very life reflecting God's Glory?
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
God be the center
Whenever I go into a store, coffee shop, somebody's house and pretty much any where I find myself envisioning destruction. I see fire engulf items, I see things floating in ten feet high flood waters, I see people left with only the clothes on their back, I see everything destroyed. I can't help it, Going to New Orleans awoke me to the matrialism of this world, of those around me and of my very self. And just like those I met in New Orleans they continue to collect those burnable items, those worldly idols that prevent us from standing before our God with confidence. The whole concept of "It won't happen to me" and "it won't happen again" There is no fear in any of us. I have no fear! I envision destruction all around me but yet I have no fear. I read verses telling me to sell all I have, give up all of me, give up my life, etc. I read about missionaries who God used to do amazing things and all the sacrifices they made and yet they said "I made no sacrifice". I recall my summer and which I lived in a run down B and B, endured the daily hot and humid weather, had to share a room and a bed, eat with plastic siverware, walked to work, had only enough clothes to last me a week and a half, I was rarely allowed to go off by myself, worked until my arms ached, ate the same thing every week and so on. THe kicker is I miss that life I miss how in sense it was easy to trust God because it was your only option. I had to find joy in him because there wasn't much that my flesh found fun, I had to find love in him so I could stand living with that many people for 10 weeks, I had to find contentment in him because my flesh was never going to find it. I had to trust in him, but now I'm back..."cultural shock" some might say..yeah! Because like that believer from China said about America we can get by without God...in a sense it is harder to trust God when at home I can eat all I want, I can sleep in my own room, I can watch whatever I want on tv or whatever movie, I can go shopping and get any clothes I want, I can just turn up AC when I get hot, I can sit on my bum all day, I can do and go anywhere I want without God! That is scary! The temptations are so close and the devil is trying hard to bring us along in life not realizing until we get to the moment before God when he judges all we have done and all we have to bring to him is a closet full of clothes, a fast red sports car, a fridge of tasty delights, a bank account full of numbers and a heart of stone.
You read this and your bones shake but then what, you listen to the revival hymn finding your breath quicken then what, you see the world and the lost in the eyes of God then what, you stop your sinning for 30 minutes or maybe a couple hours and then forget how your heart ached for what God's heart aches for then what? Then what? God I pray that our hearts change, that you move in us for only you God can mold my heart.
You read this and your bones shake but then what, you listen to the revival hymn finding your breath quicken then what, you see the world and the lost in the eyes of God then what, you stop your sinning for 30 minutes or maybe a couple hours and then forget how your heart ached for what God's heart aches for then what? Then what? God I pray that our hearts change, that you move in us for only you God can mold my heart.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
More Churches on Overland, not Franklin
Have you ever found yourself on the course of Romans 7, stuck in that rut of wanting to follow God but your flesh powerfully is preventing you? Your mind is constantly wandering and your heart is tangled in sin, you just want to shout out "Victory!". This road is not a good one to be travelling down. Unless you let go and give God the wheel and get back on track you will only find yourself traveling farther and farther away from him and his real victory. Read on to Romans 8 and God's unseen brillant "Good" plan for your life. I don't know if I spoke clearly but I didn't hold this truth back, this revelation that may not be as important to you as it was to me. We all struggle with sin and trusting God with our lives.
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. - John 14:6 (Carved into a wooden plague at my grandma's house, who knows how many times I saw it and read it but until God touched my heart it remained just another grandmaish decoration. It still remains another grandmish decoration but at the right moment in time it reminded me the truth of the cross. Check with God that you are still on the "good" road)
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. - John 14:6 (Carved into a wooden plague at my grandma's house, who knows how many times I saw it and read it but until God touched my heart it remained just another grandmaish decoration. It still remains another grandmish decoration but at the right moment in time it reminded me the truth of the cross. Check with God that you are still on the "good" road)
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
The day Germany lost to Texas in soccer
Today started with a ring on my doorbell, an odd sort of thing when you are mid-dream. My eyes open on the way to the door to find one of the cutest girls in my world. The next door neighbor Carissa, 7 years blonde blue eye aka 'Munchkin', greets me with much excitement to weed the garden. Quickly getting dressed and grabbing breakfast I pray a quick prayer for the day. I don't know how the next 5 hours glorified God but I know they did. We weeded, drank water, swung on a swing where I won the game, ate popsicles, rode bikes to the depot to look at orange fish and climb rocks, we rode back, played soccer where I(Germany in honor of Chris and Dave and their soccer tournaments) lost to a 7 year old Carissa and a 8 year old boy (They were Texas because I guess that is another country!), ate another popsicle, played baseball, played massive neighborhood hide and seek, played chase the new neighbor dog around a tree and the day ended with me staring at the tv for that instant satisfication that I once got before but now brought me not even an ounce of enjoyment. THat wasn't my whole day but it was the main chunck of it because when I come home, I come home to serve and love my family but also to spend time with and love on my 2 little neighbor girls. THey are apart of my life, a blessing from God.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Just a thought
'No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us' - 1 John 4:12
That connects with 1 Peter 1:8 that we memorized yesterday. The love for God when we don't see hi. This 1 John opens up that idea of glimpses of heaven, glimpses of God. We all so desperately want to see him and that is a godly, biblical desire but let us not miss out on what God has for us in the mean time. His love is made complete in us. He has given us each other not so much as a substitute but as a part of him. God is here with us, we in a sense can see, touch, hear...His love is around us, in us, and with us. Awe...It is like when my dad us to bake cakes and to make sure the layers were the same and everything was smooth he would cut of pieces of cake. And of course we could eat these pieces. We enjoyed them very much, we still got cake later and the cake later was the best because there was more and icing. But those scrapes were so good. It's like God's love, its not time for us to go home yet and enjoy all of God face to face. But he cuts off those pieces of himself to let us enjoy until we get to the full thing. He wants us to enjoy all of him. Let us not throw those scraps away. We can enjoy both, aka all of Him...'God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.'
That connects with 1 Peter 1:8 that we memorized yesterday. The love for God when we don't see hi. This 1 John opens up that idea of glimpses of heaven, glimpses of God. We all so desperately want to see him and that is a godly, biblical desire but let us not miss out on what God has for us in the mean time. His love is made complete in us. He has given us each other not so much as a substitute but as a part of him. God is here with us, we in a sense can see, touch, hear...His love is around us, in us, and with us. Awe...It is like when my dad us to bake cakes and to make sure the layers were the same and everything was smooth he would cut of pieces of cake. And of course we could eat these pieces. We enjoyed them very much, we still got cake later and the cake later was the best because there was more and icing. But those scrapes were so good. It's like God's love, its not time for us to go home yet and enjoy all of God face to face. But he cuts off those pieces of himself to let us enjoy until we get to the full thing. He wants us to enjoy all of him. Let us not throw those scraps away. We can enjoy both, aka all of Him...'God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.'
Sunday, July 30, 2006
God Love, Love God
What do cotton balls, snow, cotton candy and flour have in common?
It's not a joke, its the only way I can explain the beauty that God just blessed me with. I have been praying and striving so much to love God and see his love for me. So on my flight from Denver to Salt Lake I was half concious but I know it wasn't a dream. The plane flew through a cloud and not just one little one, a mass of cloud, a city/ kingdom of clouds. I thought I was in Heaven or atleast on the way. It was dark in spots at first but then we would break through and you could see the sun and the light stretched forever. THe city of clouds was just like those four things above. Imagine a hill land covered in snow (covered to the point where you can't see anything else). Now cover that with the shape of a million giant cotton balls. Imagine seeing parts of the city look like mounds of flour like when you pile it up for baking(or playing!) Toss into the sky of this city strips of white stuff like when you pull of chunks of cotton candy. It is all the purest white you can imagine and the light of the sun touches it all with that warm heavenly light. It was a gift from God that I hope I never forget. On top of that he gave a glimpse of a sunset from above, think about it because I can't even explain it.
Witnessing this brought so much joy and peace to my heart. I sat and thought about his love for us, for me. The verse that John and I talked about and then memorized came to mind. "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." - 1 Peter 1:8 He gave me this gift but yet I still have yet to see him. I thought about some of the best gifts I've gotten and how I know which gift was given by whom. The best gifts aren't as important as the person that gave it to me. It's my love for them that I cerish most. So stop and imagine and think about how much we enjoy and delight in the gifts God gives us. Clouds, sunsets, stars, mountains, grass, breezes, lighting, rain, etc. See it, we cherish God more! Do you see it? I love all these things so much and have spent so much time just looking and staring and aweing over them. "...let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.'" - Heb 12:28-29 I love this God of mine, I REALLY DO!
It's not a joke, its the only way I can explain the beauty that God just blessed me with. I have been praying and striving so much to love God and see his love for me. So on my flight from Denver to Salt Lake I was half concious but I know it wasn't a dream. The plane flew through a cloud and not just one little one, a mass of cloud, a city/ kingdom of clouds. I thought I was in Heaven or atleast on the way. It was dark in spots at first but then we would break through and you could see the sun and the light stretched forever. THe city of clouds was just like those four things above. Imagine a hill land covered in snow (covered to the point where you can't see anything else). Now cover that with the shape of a million giant cotton balls. Imagine seeing parts of the city look like mounds of flour like when you pile it up for baking(or playing!) Toss into the sky of this city strips of white stuff like when you pull of chunks of cotton candy. It is all the purest white you can imagine and the light of the sun touches it all with that warm heavenly light. It was a gift from God that I hope I never forget. On top of that he gave a glimpse of a sunset from above, think about it because I can't even explain it.
Witnessing this brought so much joy and peace to my heart. I sat and thought about his love for us, for me. The verse that John and I talked about and then memorized came to mind. "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." - 1 Peter 1:8 He gave me this gift but yet I still have yet to see him. I thought about some of the best gifts I've gotten and how I know which gift was given by whom. The best gifts aren't as important as the person that gave it to me. It's my love for them that I cerish most. So stop and imagine and think about how much we enjoy and delight in the gifts God gives us. Clouds, sunsets, stars, mountains, grass, breezes, lighting, rain, etc. See it, we cherish God more! Do you see it? I love all these things so much and have spent so much time just looking and staring and aweing over them. "...let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.'" - Heb 12:28-29 I love this God of mine, I REALLY DO!
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
An older male version of myself 2 years ago
We went out sharing for the 4th of July last night.
The first and only man we talked to was me! Yes?
He was this nice man, about 50's I would guess, from California but he had sort of an Irish accent. I asked him who Jesus Christ is to him and he replied that he didn’t believe in God. He said he wasn’t a religious man and has never been to church. More questions later found out that his mom was very religious and made him pray, he never liked it. His beliefs are only in what he sees in the since that you can’t see God so he doesn’t exist. He believed that when we die we die just like the trees and just go back into the dirt. There seemed to be a lot of hurt and anger. Because he asked how a loving God could allow the hurricane to happen and allow all the deaths in Iraq. But when we asked what he thought about a just God he didn’t respond. He mentioned that this world was hell and so we asked him where was heaven then and he instantly stopped talking to us. So we said goodbye and wished him the best.
He reminded me of myself because I use to think that the idea of a God was silly and that people devoted so much time to something that you couldn’t see. I also thought that there was no afterlife and like this man said we just die like a tree dies. My heart just really went out to this man. And our God is a faithful and loving God so I know this man will be in heaven! God changed my heart and so I know he will change this man’s heart.
The first and only man we talked to was me! Yes?
He was this nice man, about 50's I would guess, from California but he had sort of an Irish accent. I asked him who Jesus Christ is to him and he replied that he didn’t believe in God. He said he wasn’t a religious man and has never been to church. More questions later found out that his mom was very religious and made him pray, he never liked it. His beliefs are only in what he sees in the since that you can’t see God so he doesn’t exist. He believed that when we die we die just like the trees and just go back into the dirt. There seemed to be a lot of hurt and anger. Because he asked how a loving God could allow the hurricane to happen and allow all the deaths in Iraq. But when we asked what he thought about a just God he didn’t respond. He mentioned that this world was hell and so we asked him where was heaven then and he instantly stopped talking to us. So we said goodbye and wished him the best.
He reminded me of myself because I use to think that the idea of a God was silly and that people devoted so much time to something that you couldn’t see. I also thought that there was no afterlife and like this man said we just die like a tree dies. My heart just really went out to this man. And our God is a faithful and loving God so I know this man will be in heaven! God changed my heart and so I know he will change this man’s heart.
Our faithful God
Yesterday was a wonderful day. I gave it to God in the morning and made it a point to keep him in my day and sure enough he did, showing himself to me when I asked. THe first answer to prayer was when a few of us prayed in the morning one of the girls here prayed that her family's tv would break so that when she would go home at the end of summer, she would beable to talk to her parents. Sure enough her dad talked to her an hour later and his tv broke. I jumped a foot when I heard because God showed us that he is faithful!
So before I left for work I prayed that I would be done by 5:30 because that is when our shift ends, but lately we have had work loads that keep us later and it is my first day back from being sick. It was a request that could only happen by God's hand. I got my board, all checkouts and vacants!(=hard) But I gave it to God. It started as a discouraging day because I didn't seem to be getting much done. But I knew God would be faithful to me. Lunch didn't sit to well in my stomach but I knew God wanted me to work the whole day because I prayed for that the night before and so I prayed for the pain to go away, he was faithful.
Around 2:30 a suprivisor came and told me Amy was sick and so for some of her occupies they crossed out some of my vacants! Yes because occupies take less time. But they were on different floors so I thought it would be more of a hassle. I didn't have keys to them so I called down and had to wait a few minutes for somebody to tell me to go to security to get them, only for them to direct me to my suprivisors. There I couldn't find anybody but The keys were there. It was discouraging but I knew what seemed like a waste of time was going to work out in the end. Sure enough God was faithful. The first occupy was a do not disturb, the next one all they wanted was bed made and more towels (oh and that was a suite which are bigger and so normally take longer!) I went to the next floor for the last of the rooms I got from Amy. On the landing GOd blessed me with face towels that I needed all day! and that room was an easy clean and had left a tip (a little gift from God) So I got back to my floor and worked by faith.
About 5:00 I started my second to last room. I prayed to God that he was a faithful God and I trust him that I will be done by 5:30 I don't know how but I know he is faithful (it normally takes an half hour a room) I went to drop off the laundry from that room and 2 of my sisters appeared, what a blessing from God) So the 3 of us cranked out those 2 rooms and I was done by 5:30! God worked in other little ways but I just had to share that story because all praises go to him and we all need to be reminded that our God is a faithful God!
So before I left for work I prayed that I would be done by 5:30 because that is when our shift ends, but lately we have had work loads that keep us later and it is my first day back from being sick. It was a request that could only happen by God's hand. I got my board, all checkouts and vacants!(=hard) But I gave it to God. It started as a discouraging day because I didn't seem to be getting much done. But I knew God would be faithful to me. Lunch didn't sit to well in my stomach but I knew God wanted me to work the whole day because I prayed for that the night before and so I prayed for the pain to go away, he was faithful.
Around 2:30 a suprivisor came and told me Amy was sick and so for some of her occupies they crossed out some of my vacants! Yes because occupies take less time. But they were on different floors so I thought it would be more of a hassle. I didn't have keys to them so I called down and had to wait a few minutes for somebody to tell me to go to security to get them, only for them to direct me to my suprivisors. There I couldn't find anybody but The keys were there. It was discouraging but I knew what seemed like a waste of time was going to work out in the end. Sure enough God was faithful. The first occupy was a do not disturb, the next one all they wanted was bed made and more towels (oh and that was a suite which are bigger and so normally take longer!) I went to the next floor for the last of the rooms I got from Amy. On the landing GOd blessed me with face towels that I needed all day! and that room was an easy clean and had left a tip (a little gift from God) So I got back to my floor and worked by faith.
About 5:00 I started my second to last room. I prayed to God that he was a faithful God and I trust him that I will be done by 5:30 I don't know how but I know he is faithful (it normally takes an half hour a room) I went to drop off the laundry from that room and 2 of my sisters appeared, what a blessing from God) So the 3 of us cranked out those 2 rooms and I was done by 5:30! God worked in other little ways but I just had to share that story because all praises go to him and we all need to be reminded that our God is a faithful God!
Monday, July 03, 2006
A Letter to my fellow Saints
I'm writing to you an update on how we are doing in New Orleans. Physically we are on a rise after a major fall here. The neuro virus, at least that is what we have decided it is, hit us pretty bad. It started with one girl bringing it back from her workplace and it quickly spread in a matter of days half of us that is 30 people were sick with stomach pains and diarrhea! Now there are only about 15 or so that just have minor aches but are unable to eat other foods then what is on the BRAT diet, mmmm!!! Pray that the sicknesses completely die and we regain complete strength.
Emotionally it was way exciting for the Smith D-Team here because Chris, Eddie and Liz arrived. Great fun has been had but Liz only stayed for a little more than a week but being honoring to your parents was calling her back to Wyoming. She was actually very lucky because the next week was the sick week! And just 2 nights ago Lesley arrived for the week. It's like a Dream! That is what I said because her walking around here is like one of those dreams where somethings just don't seem to fit, but wait all dreams are like that! Anyway it is way encouraging for her to be here along with a bunch of folks from Brandon Pullen's small group.
Spiritually we need a blast of Holy Spirit to reunite us and an get us back on track on what God has planned for us here. There are many conversations to come, BBQs to put on, houses to gut, workplaces to outreach to, teachings to come, and many prayers to go out. With all of them we need from God the faith to believe that they will all be glorifying to God.
Keep us in your prayers, for you are in ours.
Emotionally it was way exciting for the Smith D-Team here because Chris, Eddie and Liz arrived. Great fun has been had but Liz only stayed for a little more than a week but being honoring to your parents was calling her back to Wyoming. She was actually very lucky because the next week was the sick week! And just 2 nights ago Lesley arrived for the week. It's like a Dream! That is what I said because her walking around here is like one of those dreams where somethings just don't seem to fit, but wait all dreams are like that! Anyway it is way encouraging for her to be here along with a bunch of folks from Brandon Pullen's small group.
Spiritually we need a blast of Holy Spirit to reunite us and an get us back on track on what God has planned for us here. There are many conversations to come, BBQs to put on, houses to gut, workplaces to outreach to, teachings to come, and many prayers to go out. With all of them we need from God the faith to believe that they will all be glorifying to God.
Keep us in your prayers, for you are in ours.
Friday, May 26, 2006
New Orleans Update
I thought I would write a New Orleans update.
We left in 3 plutons on Saturday to get to New Orleans and all arrived Sunday safely, except one deer how was hit and killed. It was an encouraging ride for me, I got to know others quite well and better than my greyhound ride I actually got to drive, YES! 8 more people arriived last night and there ares still a few to come.
We eat our meals under a tent that only seats 30 or so, there are 61 of us. But it all works out because we don't all eat at the same time. The food has been great and the 2 girls in charge of it has just made a wonderful schedule, and are providing for those with special diatary restrictions. Cheap, healthy and good meals.
THe weather is hot, but not hot. All day the temperature is roughly the same, it is the humitity that makes it feel so much hotter. A little sweat didn't kill nobody.
Like any warm humide day the mosquitos are out. Every day one gets new red spotted friends somewhere on them, it is sort of like an adventure finding them all. Yesterday God taught me a lesson of not being prideful. I was talking to somebody about mosquito bites and they were telling me about a couple they had on their feet. I pridefully said that I never get them on my feet. That day I got 12 on my feet alone, God smacked me with a hammer!
THe girls are taking over on building, which is only qwo floors with 2-3 girls in each room and 2 bathrooms for each floor. Each room is complete with a queen size bed and if necessary a cot.
THe boys are scattered about three different floors, I tihnk. At first they didn't have air conditioning and were sleeping on the floor or a cot. I'm not exactly sure what their living situation is but the joy that flows out of them is a blessing.
That leads me to my next point, Complaining once again the spirit of God is working through everybody here because I have not heard one complaint. For me living here has been a blast.
We left in 3 plutons on Saturday to get to New Orleans and all arrived Sunday safely, except one deer how was hit and killed. It was an encouraging ride for me, I got to know others quite well and better than my greyhound ride I actually got to drive, YES! 8 more people arriived last night and there ares still a few to come.
We eat our meals under a tent that only seats 30 or so, there are 61 of us. But it all works out because we don't all eat at the same time. The food has been great and the 2 girls in charge of it has just made a wonderful schedule, and are providing for those with special diatary restrictions. Cheap, healthy and good meals.
THe weather is hot, but not hot. All day the temperature is roughly the same, it is the humitity that makes it feel so much hotter. A little sweat didn't kill nobody.
Like any warm humide day the mosquitos are out. Every day one gets new red spotted friends somewhere on them, it is sort of like an adventure finding them all. Yesterday God taught me a lesson of not being prideful. I was talking to somebody about mosquito bites and they were telling me about a couple they had on their feet. I pridefully said that I never get them on my feet. That day I got 12 on my feet alone, God smacked me with a hammer!
THe girls are taking over on building, which is only qwo floors with 2-3 girls in each room and 2 bathrooms for each floor. Each room is complete with a queen size bed and if necessary a cot.
THe boys are scattered about three different floors, I tihnk. At first they didn't have air conditioning and were sleeping on the floor or a cot. I'm not exactly sure what their living situation is but the joy that flows out of them is a blessing.
That leads me to my next point, Complaining once again the spirit of God is working through everybody here because I have not heard one complaint. For me living here has been a blast.
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