Last week was very rough for me. It was probably the most difficult week I have had in college, and the roughness is not even school related.
A friend of mine, a person I know better than anyone else on campus besides my roommates, moved away. I knew that he was planning to transfer for two or three months prior to his actual leaving, but the departure and resulting absence have been harder to deal with than I ever anticipated.
Before he left, I gave him a small gift--small in size and possibly (but hopefully not) in significance but not small in the time and money spent--that included a three-page letter. In this letter I attempted to share some "last" words of encouragement and instruction in the faith (for I had been discipling him throughout this school year) and convey my thoughts on and feelings toward him. I wanted him to know that at least one person on this college campus cared enough for him to diligently pursue him in Christian fellowship and take the initiative in matters regarding him, such as keeping up with his business, and that one person is me.
He did not perceive himself as being skilled in making friends or as being well-liked by most. I think, and I could be wrong, he thought he was, in a sense, invisible--a topic on which I will elaborate further in a future post. He was never invisible to me. I am not trying to sound arrogant when I say that I took the time, went out of my way, and quite frankly did things for him that I currently would NEVER do for ANYONE else. God laid him on my heart early in the fall '06 semester, and I have carried a deep burden for his spiritual growth. I do not view myself as being as servant-hearted as people like my sister (who is amazing), but I truly enjoy serving him. I can just sit around content thinking of ways to serve him.
You can probably understand now why his departure from this campus and this city is so painful for me. I made random trips to the restroom throughout Wednesday to release my emotions and left work early. I kept telling my sister that I needed a vacation, that I needed out of St. Louis for a while. I wanted to go home to the country--a nice change of scenery and a scenery I love. Over time I am sure that I will adjust to his absence and think less of him (as extended absences always cause), but last week I felt as though a part inside me was dying, and I prayed for God's strength and His enabling me to focus my thoughts on other things and eventually get over this. Since that prayer in the women's restroom of the Field building, God has shown me His care and faithfulness in helping me think of other things and giving me His strength to continue every day without the destructive apathy I had developed last week. Praise God, and glory in the highest!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Please Pray for MH
As my long-time readers know, sometimes I ask for prayer in my blog. It's that time again. This prayer request, however, is not for an individual's health problem as my requests usually are. My home church, Meadow Heights Baptist Church, is under either spiritual attack or is in preparation for what is to come. Whichever, we have been since the beginning of this year. God has been doing amazing things among and through us, and we believe He has much more in store in the coming months. Perhaps partially because of this we have been enduring severe health crises churchwide.
Please pray for the physical health and spiritual endurance of MH as a whole.
These crises are bazaar. For example, early this year, my pastor had to have surgery on his vocal chord because of an hemorrhaging polyp. He could not talk for a while and had to undergo voice therapy. Members of the leadership staff stood in the pulpit each week on a rotating basis, and I think our church grew closer together and to God throughout it all.
Another example: A family took their four-year-old daughter to the hospital to treat her broken leg, and in the process of treatment, someone discovered she had an autoimmune disease called Takayasu Arteritis that attacks her blood vessels. She has already experienced Stage 1, so some damage to her aorta has already occurred. Prednisone and Methotrexate were prescribed for treatment. (My mom has had to take these medications for rheumatoid arthritis, so we know the effects they can have. Having to take them at such a young age, before full development, is sad.) She is also taking blood pressure medicine.
The young child's family says she is the youngest person her doctors have seen with this disease and are praising God for her broken leg. The family has had an amazing attitude throughout all this, trusting God and knowing that His hand is on the girl's life. They said in an email that they have given her to Him and are "continuing in His strength and for His glory." I truly admire them and are thankful for people like them in the Church.
One last example: Our youth coordinator/worship leader was diagnosed with walking pneumonia a few weeks ago. He was feeling better before last Friday night, when he woke up with severe pains. He was transported to Parkland Hospital in Farmington, MO, and was put into isolation. His many visitors had to suit up and wear masks before seeing him. For a while, the doctors did not know what was wrong with him, but I was informed today that his colon had ruptured from a bubble behind his chestbone. The burst released gas into his body cavity, and he became infected. As far as I know, he is so supposed to stay in the hospital untl at least tomorrow.
These examples and many deaths/life-threating illnesses (like a man's wife suddenly collapsed and died at a gas station and a boy was paralyzed from the chest down from a serious auto accident) have afflicted MH, and I ask for you prayers in regards to strength, endurance, perseverance in believing, patience, comfort, and God's healing. Most importantly, I ask that you pray that God would be glorified throughout all this.
Thank you so much!
Please pray for the physical health and spiritual endurance of MH as a whole.
These crises are bazaar. For example, early this year, my pastor had to have surgery on his vocal chord because of an hemorrhaging polyp. He could not talk for a while and had to undergo voice therapy. Members of the leadership staff stood in the pulpit each week on a rotating basis, and I think our church grew closer together and to God throughout it all.
Another example: A family took their four-year-old daughter to the hospital to treat her broken leg, and in the process of treatment, someone discovered she had an autoimmune disease called Takayasu Arteritis that attacks her blood vessels. She has already experienced Stage 1, so some damage to her aorta has already occurred. Prednisone and Methotrexate were prescribed for treatment. (My mom has had to take these medications for rheumatoid arthritis, so we know the effects they can have. Having to take them at such a young age, before full development, is sad.) She is also taking blood pressure medicine.
The young child's family says she is the youngest person her doctors have seen with this disease and are praising God for her broken leg. The family has had an amazing attitude throughout all this, trusting God and knowing that His hand is on the girl's life. They said in an email that they have given her to Him and are "continuing in His strength and for His glory." I truly admire them and are thankful for people like them in the Church.
One last example: Our youth coordinator/worship leader was diagnosed with walking pneumonia a few weeks ago. He was feeling better before last Friday night, when he woke up with severe pains. He was transported to Parkland Hospital in Farmington, MO, and was put into isolation. His many visitors had to suit up and wear masks before seeing him. For a while, the doctors did not know what was wrong with him, but I was informed today that his colon had ruptured from a bubble behind his chestbone. The burst released gas into his body cavity, and he became infected. As far as I know, he is so supposed to stay in the hospital untl at least tomorrow.
These examples and many deaths/life-threating illnesses (like a man's wife suddenly collapsed and died at a gas station and a boy was paralyzed from the chest down from a serious auto accident) have afflicted MH, and I ask for you prayers in regards to strength, endurance, perseverance in believing, patience, comfort, and God's healing. Most importantly, I ask that you pray that God would be glorified throughout all this.
Thank you so much!
Monday, April 16, 2007
Insight from Jonathan Edwards
Last Saturday, something pivotal in my life took place... and it hurt.
I was hurrying to the sofa at the apartment, and I somehow managed to strike my toe on a random staple under the sofa. How in the heck?!
Yes, it was pivotal. Hee, hee...
Every moment in time is pivotal based on the laws of action and reaction. I have a quote for you from Jonathan Edwards that I found on the Facebook wall of the group Dead Theologians Society:
"Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can."
I was hurrying to the sofa at the apartment, and I somehow managed to strike my toe on a random staple under the sofa. How in the heck?!
Yes, it was pivotal. Hee, hee...
Every moment in time is pivotal based on the laws of action and reaction. I have a quote for you from Jonathan Edwards that I found on the Facebook wall of the group Dead Theologians Society:
"Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can."
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Ol' Sup
Last October, my roommates and I went to Thei's Farm where one can buy pumpkins from a pumpkin patch as well as goods from a little shop and explore hay mazes and a cornfield maze. One can also take a guided tour through the pumpkin patch, fields, and orchards.
Anyway, about that pumpkin... my roommate spotted a beauty, and it was the winner. I named it Sup after former Cardinals pitcher Jeff Suppan. I bought the pumpkin for my dad and I to carve as we sometimes do around Halloween time. I go home about every weekend for church and to see my parents, and every weekend did not seem like the right time to carve the pumpkin. My dad and I kept procrastinating. Soon Thanksgiving came and went. (If you view my Thanskgiving photo album on Facebook, you can see a picture or two with the pumpkin in the foreground.) Then Christmas came and went--I think by this time I was urging my dad to get cracking on the pumpkin--and the New Year along with Passion07 came and went. Valentine's Day... Martin Luther King Day... St. Patrick's Day... Easter. Over the weekend, my mom, sister, and aunt forced me to put the infested pumpkin outside by the garbage can. I did so reluctantly. For one thing, I did not want to touch it. I will admit, ol' Sup is pretty nasty.
My dad said he was going to cut it open to see the inside. I really hope he does. My mom and sister would rather Sup take a ride off the roof.
By the way, that picture of the bird feeder is still in the works.
Anyway, about that pumpkin... my roommate spotted a beauty, and it was the winner. I named it Sup after former Cardinals pitcher Jeff Suppan. I bought the pumpkin for my dad and I to carve as we sometimes do around Halloween time. I go home about every weekend for church and to see my parents, and every weekend did not seem like the right time to carve the pumpkin. My dad and I kept procrastinating. Soon Thanksgiving came and went. (If you view my Thanskgiving photo album on Facebook, you can see a picture or two with the pumpkin in the foreground.) Then Christmas came and went--I think by this time I was urging my dad to get cracking on the pumpkin--and the New Year along with Passion07 came and went. Valentine's Day... Martin Luther King Day... St. Patrick's Day... Easter. Over the weekend, my mom, sister, and aunt forced me to put the infested pumpkin outside by the garbage can. I did so reluctantly. For one thing, I did not want to touch it. I will admit, ol' Sup is pretty nasty.
My dad said he was going to cut it open to see the inside. I really hope he does. My mom and sister would rather Sup take a ride off the roof.
By the way, that picture of the bird feeder is still in the works.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Amusing Events
I love my parents. Recent amusing events have plagued them. Let me elaborate...
Amusing Event #1
My parents had just parked in front of the Hallmark store in Farmington, MO. Since my dad wanted to help my arthritic mom out of the car, and my mom had a second set of keys for the car, my dad decided to leave the keys in the ignition. My mom didn't want to take her big boat of a purse into the store, so she left it in the car and locked the doors, naturally so no one would steal it. They then went on with their shopping. When my parents returned to the car, my dad wanted my mom's set of keys to unlock the car, and she, of course, did not have them because they were in her big boat of a purse, which was, of course, in the car. My parents had to call a locksmith and pay $35 to have the car unlocked.
Amusing Event #2
Some time ago, my dad went to Lowe's to return a defective Shop-Vac. The Lowe's employee gave him a Lowe's card worth $85 to use to buy a new Shop-Vac. My dad didn't know he was supposed to use the card to make the exchange, so he left the store with the $85 card--thinking it wasn't worth anything (i.e., a dead card)--and a new Shop-Vac. My mom recently persuaded him to have the card checked, and lo and behold, he found out that $85 was on the card. He knew it wasn't right to use the $85 (nor legal), but the woman servicing him insisted that he use the "free" money because, after all, it was Lowe's mistake. They should not have given him the card. My parents now have a new $100 Moen faucet in their kitchen.
Amusing Event #3
My dad was having some car trouble recently, so he was driving his '90 Chevy truck to work while the car was out of commission. While working on his car, he decided to leave the battery going to listen to music. After a snag or sure (I cannot remember how many), the project wound up taking a little longer than anticipated. As most of you know, if you leave a car battery pulling juice for too long, the car will not have enough battery power left to start. Needless to say, when my dad tried to start the car, it was 100 percent dead. He thought to himself, "It's okay. I'll just use the truck." When he turned the key in the ignition the truck wouldn't fire either! "What is going on around here?!" he wondered. He told my mom the situation, and my mom asked if he had left his lights on. My dad is very careful about things like that and thought the idea ridiculous but went ahead and checked it out. Sure enough, he had left his headlights on all day!... Hilarity.
Amusing Event #4
I've saved the best for last. My dad has been in a war against some squirrels in our backyard for a very long time. They like to climb the pole to the bird feeder and eat the bird seed. My dad has tried a funnel, a piece of wood I think, a strip of plastic, a strip of plastic with sides, and maybe even oiling up the pole. No matter what my dad has tried, the squirrel(s) end up on top (no pun intended). Recently, my dad has had to make revisions on his strip of plastic with sides and has formed it into a plastic box of sorts. For a week the squirrel was stumped (yes, the other squirrel gave up a while ago, so there is only one still fighting), then it finally happened. I was in the kitchen as my dad was walking into the dining room looking out the sliding glass doors. Suddenly he gasped. I looked out the window and saw the varment atop the plastic box, eating to his mischievous delight. For probably a good ten minutes, my dad, sister, and I stared outside the sliding glass doors, trying to figure out the seemingly genius animal's strategy. We laughed at the thought that my dad was being outsmarted by a squirrel. Make no doubt about it, we have seen these squirrels in action and know that they do actually think things through and study different angles--at least when it comes to getting on a bird feeder. For some added humor, know that the birds are particularly attracted to the squirrels' food when my dad puts it out on the ground. I will try to provide a picture of the bird feeder with its ridiculous contraption soon.
In case I do not write for a while, God bless your celebration of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection!
Amusing Event #1
My parents had just parked in front of the Hallmark store in Farmington, MO. Since my dad wanted to help my arthritic mom out of the car, and my mom had a second set of keys for the car, my dad decided to leave the keys in the ignition. My mom didn't want to take her big boat of a purse into the store, so she left it in the car and locked the doors, naturally so no one would steal it. They then went on with their shopping. When my parents returned to the car, my dad wanted my mom's set of keys to unlock the car, and she, of course, did not have them because they were in her big boat of a purse, which was, of course, in the car. My parents had to call a locksmith and pay $35 to have the car unlocked.
Amusing Event #2
Some time ago, my dad went to Lowe's to return a defective Shop-Vac. The Lowe's employee gave him a Lowe's card worth $85 to use to buy a new Shop-Vac. My dad didn't know he was supposed to use the card to make the exchange, so he left the store with the $85 card--thinking it wasn't worth anything (i.e., a dead card)--and a new Shop-Vac. My mom recently persuaded him to have the card checked, and lo and behold, he found out that $85 was on the card. He knew it wasn't right to use the $85 (nor legal), but the woman servicing him insisted that he use the "free" money because, after all, it was Lowe's mistake. They should not have given him the card. My parents now have a new $100 Moen faucet in their kitchen.
Amusing Event #3
My dad was having some car trouble recently, so he was driving his '90 Chevy truck to work while the car was out of commission. While working on his car, he decided to leave the battery going to listen to music. After a snag or sure (I cannot remember how many), the project wound up taking a little longer than anticipated. As most of you know, if you leave a car battery pulling juice for too long, the car will not have enough battery power left to start. Needless to say, when my dad tried to start the car, it was 100 percent dead. He thought to himself, "It's okay. I'll just use the truck." When he turned the key in the ignition the truck wouldn't fire either! "What is going on around here?!" he wondered. He told my mom the situation, and my mom asked if he had left his lights on. My dad is very careful about things like that and thought the idea ridiculous but went ahead and checked it out. Sure enough, he had left his headlights on all day!... Hilarity.
Amusing Event #4
I've saved the best for last. My dad has been in a war against some squirrels in our backyard for a very long time. They like to climb the pole to the bird feeder and eat the bird seed. My dad has tried a funnel, a piece of wood I think, a strip of plastic, a strip of plastic with sides, and maybe even oiling up the pole. No matter what my dad has tried, the squirrel(s) end up on top (no pun intended). Recently, my dad has had to make revisions on his strip of plastic with sides and has formed it into a plastic box of sorts. For a week the squirrel was stumped (yes, the other squirrel gave up a while ago, so there is only one still fighting), then it finally happened. I was in the kitchen as my dad was walking into the dining room looking out the sliding glass doors. Suddenly he gasped. I looked out the window and saw the varment atop the plastic box, eating to his mischievous delight. For probably a good ten minutes, my dad, sister, and I stared outside the sliding glass doors, trying to figure out the seemingly genius animal's strategy. We laughed at the thought that my dad was being outsmarted by a squirrel. Make no doubt about it, we have seen these squirrels in action and know that they do actually think things through and study different angles--at least when it comes to getting on a bird feeder. For some added humor, know that the birds are particularly attracted to the squirrels' food when my dad puts it out on the ground. I will try to provide a picture of the bird feeder with its ridiculous contraption soon.
In case I do not write for a while, God bless your celebration of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection!
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
The Power of the Spirit When Given Opportunity to Move in Corporate Worship
What was amazing? Chapel! I know the last time I blogged about Chapel I said it was the best, but seriously this time, this was THE best.
Going into Chapel I was carrying some emotional, mental, and spiritual baggage that were hindering my worship to God. Preoccupations seemed to rule me, especially my mind. When praising God I really wasn't praising Him at all because I was not even focused on Him. God was working with my will during the service, and after students were dismissed, I stayed fixed on the bleacher and prayed to God. I finally broke during my prayer when a girl came down from the bleachers above me and wrapped her arm around me. I began to cry and let it all go--I unloaded my baggage and gave it all to Him.
I was finally able to wholeheartedly praise God! I was so filled with and surrounded by the Holy Spirit that I was shaking and single-minded. My attention and affection was on God, and the experience was incredible! Worshipping in Spirit and in Truth is how God wants us to worship Him, and that was what I was doing.
My time of worshipping privately before God staring at the wooden cross erected in the gym and in community with that girl who was so filled with the Spirit was like the Passion conference in that I got a glimpse of heaven.
I cannot express to the full the measure of joy I experienced in my relationship with God. I was very happy, very fulfilled, and very thankful to my God... Never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit when it is released like it was in Chapel 3/22/07 when chains were broken.
Thank you to whoever God pressed on to give us students the opportunity to participate in this kind of Chapel. From everyone I talked to I can say that we very much want more of this and desperately need more of this.
Going into Chapel I was carrying some emotional, mental, and spiritual baggage that were hindering my worship to God. Preoccupations seemed to rule me, especially my mind. When praising God I really wasn't praising Him at all because I was not even focused on Him. God was working with my will during the service, and after students were dismissed, I stayed fixed on the bleacher and prayed to God. I finally broke during my prayer when a girl came down from the bleachers above me and wrapped her arm around me. I began to cry and let it all go--I unloaded my baggage and gave it all to Him.
I was finally able to wholeheartedly praise God! I was so filled with and surrounded by the Holy Spirit that I was shaking and single-minded. My attention and affection was on God, and the experience was incredible! Worshipping in Spirit and in Truth is how God wants us to worship Him, and that was what I was doing.
My time of worshipping privately before God staring at the wooden cross erected in the gym and in community with that girl who was so filled with the Spirit was like the Passion conference in that I got a glimpse of heaven.
I cannot express to the full the measure of joy I experienced in my relationship with God. I was very happy, very fulfilled, and very thankful to my God... Never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit when it is released like it was in Chapel 3/22/07 when chains were broken.
Thank you to whoever God pressed on to give us students the opportunity to participate in this kind of Chapel. From everyone I talked to I can say that we very much want more of this and desperately need more of this.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Wow...
Something AMAZING happened today. I cannot wait to tell you about it!
I'll fill you in on the incredible day when I gain time to go further down on my priority list to the blog slot... Don't worry; it's not too far down.
I'll fill you in on the incredible day when I gain time to go further down on my priority list to the blog slot... Don't worry; it's not too far down.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Spring Break Thus Far
I've already talked about visiting my high school, so let me skip ahead to my trip to Louisville. I left yesterday morning and returned this evening. Quick trip, huh? My sister needed to take care of some business at SBTS, and we had to return promptly. My dad went with us, which was good besides some unnecessary--better put, unwanted--comments on the way back. The commute to and from, as with our trip last year, had its hilarious signs, including the following:
- "Don't Get Plowed" (IL)
- River names (IL & IN) like Little Wabash, Beaver Creek Pond, Little Crooked Creek, etc.
- "Entering Hoosier National Forest" and "Leaving Hoosier National Forest" (IN)
- Town/area names like Sulphur, English, Santa Claus (home of Holiday World amusement park), Birdseye, etc.
- My personal favorite: "No Stopping, Standing, or Parking" along I-64 (IN)
A noticeable difference between this year's and last year's was the gross smells of sour feed and other things through Illinois and Indiana.
SBTS was as great as ever. Rachel and I sat in on the class Personal Spiritual Disciplines, in which the class had read Donald S. Whitney's Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Awesome! I've already read that book in Discipleship and Evangelism, so I could easily get into the discussion. At the beginning of the class period, the prof had us form a group of two to three (or in our case five) and pray for each other, asking that God would make us blameless and holy. We got to meet three nice gentlemen Brad, Phil, and David as a result.
My dad joined us for Chapel. The chapel building at SBTS is beautiful! My eyes were closed for more time than they were open but not because the service was boring. I had stayed up a little late the night before watching Escape from Alcatraz on AMC with Rachel and Dad.
I also nodded off a few times during our lunch with the admissions rep. Oops...
I cannot tell you enough how beautiful Southern Seminary's campus is! All the buildings match, some of the sidewalks are brick walkways, the place is well-maintained, and it is mostly secluded. Combine these attributes wtih the amazing people and the incredible faculty there, and you have one awesome seminary.
Oh, one more thing: The seminary's students are mostly guys. In the class I sat in, I think there were four girls including Rachel and me. In Chapel, the singing congregation had a strong low tone. That part of seminary was particularly enjoyable. :)
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Note the Time I Posted
I just realized that beginning with my post "I Wore a Visitor's Tag" the time of which I post will be one hour behind because of the new Daylight Savings Time schedule.
Monday, March 12, 2007
I Wore a Visitor's Tag
Today was the first official day of Spring Break. I had a doctor's appointment for the stye/cyst/whatever on my eye, and then I visited some former teachers at my high school. I also volunteered to help out an MBU admissions rep. who visited the high school today. A couple students were interested, and that was cool because it is always exciting when a person is interested in enrolling at MBU, I actually knew the names of these two prospective students since they are from my high school, and I am currently the only person from my hometown who is going to MBU--FHS graduates are definitely welcome! Also, I know of another person from my hometown who is interested but did not come talk to the student ambassador and myself.
Two seniors and one junior from FHS interested in MBU? Hooray! It's a nice boost for me since possibly five people I know affiliated with MBU (mostly staff) will not be returning next fall. I was kind of down because of that for a while. Though some close friends may leave, could new ones come to fill their shoes? I hope so.
Two seniors and one junior from FHS interested in MBU? Hooray! It's a nice boost for me since possibly five people I know affiliated with MBU (mostly staff) will not be returning next fall. I was kind of down because of that for a while. Though some close friends may leave, could new ones come to fill their shoes? I hope so.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Our Many Dimensions
My sister, Rachel, and I have come to realize that we are variety. This past week is a prime example. Wednesday night, we went to the Charlie Hall concert at school (MBU). Thursday night, we ate stove-roasted marshmallows and walked to the fitness center vending machine in our slippers/flip flops and loungewear to buy some chocolate. After returning to our apartment, we watched Cinderella and ate the chocolate. Last night, we went to Powell Symphony Hall in our sophisticated attire and listened to the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra.
If a stranger observed us Thursday night, and a different stranger observed us Friday night, these two strangers would have two very different accounts of what we were like. Do we even make sense? We have many dimensions.
Our trip to the fitness center for some chocolate proved to us that we are indeed addicted. We blame it on the Passion07 conference. It was there in Atlanta where we rediscovered our love for the Snickers bar, and ever since then we have settled for anything close to it--anything chocolate. We crave it. We'll make evening journeys across the apartment complex lot in slippers/flips flops, athletic pants/P.J.'s, and hoodies. We are addicted, and we are the same girls who will enjoy a violin concerto, a Christian rock concert, and Cinderella.
We are not unique in the fact that our interests vary, but this is simply a recent analysis of ourselves that we have made.
If a stranger observed us Thursday night, and a different stranger observed us Friday night, these two strangers would have two very different accounts of what we were like. Do we even make sense? We have many dimensions.
Our trip to the fitness center for some chocolate proved to us that we are indeed addicted. We blame it on the Passion07 conference. It was there in Atlanta where we rediscovered our love for the Snickers bar, and ever since then we have settled for anything close to it--anything chocolate. We crave it. We'll make evening journeys across the apartment complex lot in slippers/flips flops, athletic pants/P.J.'s, and hoodies. We are addicted, and we are the same girls who will enjoy a violin concerto, a Christian rock concert, and Cinderella.
We are not unique in the fact that our interests vary, but this is simply a recent analysis of ourselves that we have made.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Correction Box
I must recant the statement I made in my post "Oh, Yeah" in which I said that Sean Hannity is my hero. With the aid of a friend, I have come to realize that my failure to explain myself may have caused some confusion, and people may have actually taken me seriously.
I did not intend for you to take the statement literally. Sometimes conservative talk radio hosts like Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh can flat out tell it like it is, or how it should be, and I get a little excited. In the heat of the moment, I may embellish my emotions a bit. Though in this case I did post such a thing a while after I thought it.
Sean Hannity is not my hero. Neither is Rush Limbaugh or Bill O'Reilly or any other conservative voice, so I hope when you read that Sean Hannity is my hero you picked up on my randomness. Christ is supreme.
I did not intend for you to take the statement literally. Sometimes conservative talk radio hosts like Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh can flat out tell it like it is, or how it should be, and I get a little excited. In the heat of the moment, I may embellish my emotions a bit. Though in this case I did post such a thing a while after I thought it.
Sean Hannity is not my hero. Neither is Rush Limbaugh or Bill O'Reilly or any other conservative voice, so I hope when you read that Sean Hannity is my hero you picked up on my randomness. Christ is supreme.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
A Perk of Going to MBU (And I'm Not Talking About Coffee)
You know what's great about going to a Christian university like MBU that has an awesome Chapel auditorium? You get awesome worship leaders like Charlie Hall to come put on a concert. Charlie Hall, you may have heard of him from the Passion conferences, is coming to MBU during his Falling Into Daybreak tour tomorrow night (technically tonight) at 7 p.m. I'm so excited! If you want to go but do not have tickets, you can still get tickets from the MBU Box Office (314-392-2345) for $5. If you're not able to go, I'll let you know how it went, or I could just tell you right now: It was great; God moved. To Him be the glory!
Monday, March 05, 2007
Praise for Mom
As you may have read in previous posts, my mom has been enduring a foot wound since September 30, 2005. She had her third surgery last week, and we are really encouraged. What makes this surgery different from the other two? First, the surgeon "cleaned out" her foot completely. Second, she is using a vac in her foot that is sucking up all the fluid and moisture (as opposed to her foot draining and soaking her bandages which can hinder healing and lead to infection).
Mom has absolutely no infection in her foot now--not staph, not strep... nothing! We consider this surgery a blessing from God and an answer to everyone's prayers.
She is recovering nicely. She uses a knee walker to get around. It is like a regular walker except it has a cushion for her to rest her knee on, so she is not walking at all on her foot.
My mom is up-beat and looking forward to being able to walk on both feet again. Thank you all again for your faithful prayers. You guys have helped us so much by letting us know you're praying and checking up on her progress from time to time. You guys are awesome and great examples of prayer warriors!
Mom has absolutely no infection in her foot now--not staph, not strep... nothing! We consider this surgery a blessing from God and an answer to everyone's prayers.
She is recovering nicely. She uses a knee walker to get around. It is like a regular walker except it has a cushion for her to rest her knee on, so she is not walking at all on her foot.
My mom is up-beat and looking forward to being able to walk on both feet again. Thank you all again for your faithful prayers. You guys have helped us so much by letting us know you're praying and checking up on her progress from time to time. You guys are awesome and great examples of prayer warriors!
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Something New!
"Don't panic. Seriously don't panic."
I've tinkered with my page layout, and I'm sure some of you are having convulsions now, but please don't panic. I'm just testing it out and seeing how I like the new look. Be aware that you may see various major or minor alterations to the page's design in the upcoming weeks.
What do you think? Are you feelin' it?
Like I said, it's tentative.
I've tinkered with my page layout, and I'm sure some of you are having convulsions now, but please don't panic. I'm just testing it out and seeing how I like the new look. Be aware that you may see various major or minor alterations to the page's design in the upcoming weeks.
What do you think? Are you feelin' it?
Like I said, it's tentative.
Friday, March 02, 2007
A Word from the Fool
For all you future students out there, let me offer you some wisdom that will come in handy in your college years and maybe even your career.
When you have a calm week with abnormal downtime, take advantage of it, and I don't mean have a leisurely week. Bust your butt like it was any weekly grind of exams and deadlines. I have learned my lesson this week. Trust me, if you don't take advantage of your season of calmness, you'll want to kick yourself later.
Last night I slept for approximately three hours and forty-five minutes. The nights before, I averaged four and a half to five and a half hours of sleep. I am so worn! Why? I've been pushing myself to get A LOAD of schoolwork done on time and do well on a couple tests this week. Last week was the same way but not at the same scale.
Three weeks ago I could have "got ahead" on some of this work and didn't. Instead, I hung out with friends, watched music videos on YouTube with my sister, spent too much time on the Internet, etc.
Note that most people who know me know that I am a classic night owl. Last semester, I stayed up late almost all the time. You would think I'd be used to weeks like these, but on the contrary, my body has become less tolerant this semester. Plus, it seems like there's a big difference between going to bed at three and going to bed at one or two. A psychological difference maybe? All I know is that I can't handle doing homework all hours of the night anymore. Though my addiction to staying up late isn't broken, it has been at least temporarily injured. Seize the day, my friends.
Take it from me, you upcoming scholars, work first and play later. You'll be less stressful, much happier, and much more alert later. (I was so tired yesterday that I couldn't open my eyes all the way without them hurting and, thus, had slits most of the day; my eyes have gone blurry while trying to do algebra at around twelve or one o'clock in the morning; my limbs have felt really fatigued in New Testament history--an awesome class in which I was also falling asleep; I've been getting my words backwards when talking; I've gotten swimmy headed; I'm 100-percent delirious; etc.) The benefits of taking the wise action of nipping homework and studying in the bud surpasses those of some instantaneous pleasure of leisure time tremendously.
When you have a calm week with abnormal downtime, take advantage of it, and I don't mean have a leisurely week. Bust your butt like it was any weekly grind of exams and deadlines. I have learned my lesson this week. Trust me, if you don't take advantage of your season of calmness, you'll want to kick yourself later.
Last night I slept for approximately three hours and forty-five minutes. The nights before, I averaged four and a half to five and a half hours of sleep. I am so worn! Why? I've been pushing myself to get A LOAD of schoolwork done on time and do well on a couple tests this week. Last week was the same way but not at the same scale.
Three weeks ago I could have "got ahead" on some of this work and didn't. Instead, I hung out with friends, watched music videos on YouTube with my sister, spent too much time on the Internet, etc.
Note that most people who know me know that I am a classic night owl. Last semester, I stayed up late almost all the time. You would think I'd be used to weeks like these, but on the contrary, my body has become less tolerant this semester. Plus, it seems like there's a big difference between going to bed at three and going to bed at one or two. A psychological difference maybe? All I know is that I can't handle doing homework all hours of the night anymore. Though my addiction to staying up late isn't broken, it has been at least temporarily injured. Seize the day, my friends.
Take it from me, you upcoming scholars, work first and play later. You'll be less stressful, much happier, and much more alert later. (I was so tired yesterday that I couldn't open my eyes all the way without them hurting and, thus, had slits most of the day; my eyes have gone blurry while trying to do algebra at around twelve or one o'clock in the morning; my limbs have felt really fatigued in New Testament history--an awesome class in which I was also falling asleep; I've been getting my words backwards when talking; I've gotten swimmy headed; I'm 100-percent delirious; etc.) The benefits of taking the wise action of nipping homework and studying in the bud surpasses those of some instantaneous pleasure of leisure time tremendously.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
"All Who Gather Here by Grace Draw Near..."
This past Chapel may have been the best one all year ('06-'07 year, that is). Campus Pastor Jonathan White spoke about suffering. If that wasn't enough, the Chapel Praise Band sung/played "The Wonderful Cross"--not once but twice. The second time was after Jonathan's message, and let's just say I left the Chapel auditorium a mess, tears streaked down my face and my nose running. God was doing something in my heart during that service. I went to the women's restroom and prayed a very personal prayer to God. God is working through Pastor Jonathan, the Chapel Praise Band, and everyone behind the scenes--I konw at least in the depths of my heart and soul. Praise God, the One who formed the mountains and seas and formed this heart in me! He is Most Excellent and worthy of praise!
"When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of Glory died. My richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. [Chorus:] O, the Wonderful Cross! O, the Wonderful Cross bids me come and die to find that I may truly live. O, the Wonderful Cross! O, the Wonderful Cross! All who gather here by grace draw near and bless Your name. [End Chorus] See from His head, His hands, His feet sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e'er such love and sorrow meet? or thorns compose so rich a crown? [Chorus] Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all." Lyrics from "The Wonderful Cross"
"When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of Glory died. My richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. [Chorus:] O, the Wonderful Cross! O, the Wonderful Cross bids me come and die to find that I may truly live. O, the Wonderful Cross! O, the Wonderful Cross! All who gather here by grace draw near and bless Your name. [End Chorus] See from His head, His hands, His feet sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e'er such love and sorrow meet? or thorns compose so rich a crown? [Chorus] Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all." Lyrics from "The Wonderful Cross"
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
My Version of Romans 7:15-17
I am kind of blue today. I am discontent, frustrated, and impatient. When I am like this, it usually means that I need to get back into the Word and/or into a ceaseless fellowship with God. What I mean is I need to live out the day with a continual conversation with God going on in my head. My pastor likes to use the simile that it is like having a headset on with one ear tuned into what is going on around us and the other ear tuned into God. I need to listen and expect, acknowledge, and obey God's (Holy Spirit's) promptings.
Now that I have strayed from my original topic, allow me to indulge in one more pressing facet of my life right now: I am struggling with a personal sin, which may or may not be the cause of my inner toil, that has been weighing on me heavily in light of my class Discipleship and Evanglism (D&E) and the baptisms in church. God is using D&E to change me, and He is using my church family to deal with a paritcular sin: my pride (to put it generally). I will not give you the many details of how my struggle has come about--for if I did I fear it would greatly prolong the length of this web page--but let me just say that deep down I know the answer, the solution to my problem, but my shallow exterior (my flesh, my sinful nature) is in denial and is fighting with vigor to maintian its pride. This may sound crazy, but I needed to confess this and let this out.
14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. Romans 7:14-25 (copied from http://www.bible.com)
Now that I have strayed from my original topic, allow me to indulge in one more pressing facet of my life right now: I am struggling with a personal sin, which may or may not be the cause of my inner toil, that has been weighing on me heavily in light of my class Discipleship and Evanglism (D&E) and the baptisms in church. God is using D&E to change me, and He is using my church family to deal with a paritcular sin: my pride (to put it generally). I will not give you the many details of how my struggle has come about--for if I did I fear it would greatly prolong the length of this web page--but let me just say that deep down I know the answer, the solution to my problem, but my shallow exterior (my flesh, my sinful nature) is in denial and is fighting with vigor to maintian its pride. This may sound crazy, but I needed to confess this and let this out.
14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. Romans 7:14-25 (copied from http://www.bible.com)
Monday, February 05, 2007
Passion07: Days 3-1 (In a Nutshell)
Okay, so I intended to post one entry per day of Passion, but I didn't. Let me give you just a few highlights:
Day 3: All 24- or 25,000 of us gathered outside in downtown Atlanta at around 11:00 p.m. in silence. We were instructed to say NOTHING. The folks at Passion surprised us just like they said they would. After everyone was gathered with his candle, we lit our candles, and music started. Imagine a huge crowd of college students assembled in one place lifting up the name of Jesus for all of Atlanta to hear! It was incredible, and needless to say, God's presence was unmistakable. After the late show was over, Atlanta kindly block off the streets for us to return to our hotels as quickly and safely as possible. I thought of Martin Luther King, Jr., and his supporters marching for freedom when we were all filling the roads and sidewalks, singing and shouting and waving at those who honked their horns in agreement. Wow! What a night!
Day 2: This day went much smoother than Day 1 because we had a better idea of what we were doing and where we were going. It was the first day of the breakout sessions. I chose to go to David Crowder's Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven but Nobody Wants to Die session (named from his book). It was great as I expected. We had a brief "hoedown" in which we sung "I Saw the Light" and a verse or two from "I'll Fly Away." The rest of time, Crowder and the band talked about the book--sort of. Crowder gave his story of what led up to the writing of the book, which had me at the least grinning most of the time. At the end, he answered questions from the audience. This breakout session may have been the final seal on the David Crowder*Band making my No. 1 list. Also, just to mention, Francis Chan spoke on Day 2, and it was amazing! God definitely anointed him to speak to us.
Day 1: I've saved this day for last because it holds the best highlight regardng me. I went to Passion with pride. I was stale, spiritually cold. I had let pride creep up from the depths of my naturally deprave heart without my even realizing it. I did, however, detect something was wrong either the first night or the morning of Day 2. Great things were happening around me, and I was numb. I couldn't feel anything! I wasn't moved by God's presence in the Philips Arena, I was distracted during prayer, and my attitude toward Passion as a whole was corrupt. What is wrong with me? This should feel like heaven. God revealed to me that I was proud and needed to humble myself. Then He continued to help me work it out, and I'm not sure when (definitely by Day 4), but eventually Passion did seem like a glimpse of heaven, and it has sparked a change in my life.
God is using my class Discipleship and Evangelism: Leading in Spiritual Formation to grow this spark into a flame for sanctification (the process of changing from a deprave sinner to a person like Christ). He has to continually humble me, and His preferred way of doing so right now seems to be via this class.
This has been the 2007 Passion conference in a nutshell. Plenty of personal experiences and amazing large group experiences I have left out, but simply too much to tell exists.
Day 3: All 24- or 25,000 of us gathered outside in downtown Atlanta at around 11:00 p.m. in silence. We were instructed to say NOTHING. The folks at Passion surprised us just like they said they would. After everyone was gathered with his candle, we lit our candles, and music started. Imagine a huge crowd of college students assembled in one place lifting up the name of Jesus for all of Atlanta to hear! It was incredible, and needless to say, God's presence was unmistakable. After the late show was over, Atlanta kindly block off the streets for us to return to our hotels as quickly and safely as possible. I thought of Martin Luther King, Jr., and his supporters marching for freedom when we were all filling the roads and sidewalks, singing and shouting and waving at those who honked their horns in agreement. Wow! What a night!
Day 2: This day went much smoother than Day 1 because we had a better idea of what we were doing and where we were going. It was the first day of the breakout sessions. I chose to go to David Crowder's Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven but Nobody Wants to Die session (named from his book). It was great as I expected. We had a brief "hoedown" in which we sung "I Saw the Light" and a verse or two from "I'll Fly Away." The rest of time, Crowder and the band talked about the book--sort of. Crowder gave his story of what led up to the writing of the book, which had me at the least grinning most of the time. At the end, he answered questions from the audience. This breakout session may have been the final seal on the David Crowder*Band making my No. 1 list. Also, just to mention, Francis Chan spoke on Day 2, and it was amazing! God definitely anointed him to speak to us.
Day 1: I've saved this day for last because it holds the best highlight regardng me. I went to Passion with pride. I was stale, spiritually cold. I had let pride creep up from the depths of my naturally deprave heart without my even realizing it. I did, however, detect something was wrong either the first night or the morning of Day 2. Great things were happening around me, and I was numb. I couldn't feel anything! I wasn't moved by God's presence in the Philips Arena, I was distracted during prayer, and my attitude toward Passion as a whole was corrupt. What is wrong with me? This should feel like heaven. God revealed to me that I was proud and needed to humble myself. Then He continued to help me work it out, and I'm not sure when (definitely by Day 4), but eventually Passion did seem like a glimpse of heaven, and it has sparked a change in my life.
God is using my class Discipleship and Evangelism: Leading in Spiritual Formation to grow this spark into a flame for sanctification (the process of changing from a deprave sinner to a person like Christ). He has to continually humble me, and His preferred way of doing so right now seems to be via this class.
This has been the 2007 Passion conference in a nutshell. Plenty of personal experiences and amazing large group experiences I have left out, but simply too much to tell exists.
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