Its that time of year again...

No, not Christmas. It's finals time. You can tell by the sleep deprived, over-caffeinated people walking around muttering under their breath something about their least favorite professor being demon possessed.

I cannot complain too much about this semester. I have one presentation and a few odds and ends for my grad assistantship to wrap up this year. It has been a long semester, in some ways, but it has gone all too fast in others.

Since school is not really kicking my butt, God is. I'm loving it. Wednesday night at Navs the last couple of weeks, JG has challenged us all big time. Last week, he talked about training versus trying. Are we training for Godliness or just expecting it to happen? This week, he taught from Isaiah 9:1-7 about who Jesus is and how it was prophesied about long before Jesus came. The point that really hit home was that the peace did not come when Jesus was born, we could only receive peace after Jesus died and reconciled us to God.

I have been loving hanging out on campus. I was sitting next two a couple of girls the other day. One I recognized and had met once. They were talking about some escapades they had drinking. Whether they knew it or not, they were admitting to being chained to it, and also I could hear the desire that they wanted something more. I prayed for those two young women, and I prayed that God would show me the opportunities to share His love.

I once was lost. I was dead. Now, in Christ, I am alive!

Not Me! Monday

Free therapy time. Here are some of the things I did not do this week.

• My roommate and I did not run out the door to go to Arby's after seeing their commercial on TV. We are not so lazy or unhealthy.

• I did not regift a pair of adult sized winnie the poo overalls as a white elephant gift.

• I did not throw myself a pity party when things weren't going my way in the love life department.

• I did not swear under my breath when the latch on the cambro I was opening snapped back and bruised my palm. There was not a 10 year old looking over my shoulder at the time.

• I did not start a game of four square with a group of mentors and mentees only to step away when I didn't understand the rules they were playing by. I would not be that childish.

• Finally, I did not have to confess and repent big time this weekend to God. I had not allowed myself to be bitter with people in my life, and I definitely hadn't let a barrier creep up between me and God. I am not thankful for a loving and merciful God, and am not thankful for the friend who kicked me in the behind.

Outside the computer

I was thinking how easy it is through a blog, to give a perception of yourself that is so far from your real self. If anyone is actually reading this, I really have no clue. This week has been another roller coaster. I really, really wanted to punch someone the other day. I have been moody and emotional. I have lacked motivation.

I'm not perfect...okay so you knew that already.

I was listening in on a conversation, yesterday. Right or wrong, we'll just go back to the statement that I am not perfect, and I am pretty sure they knew I was listening. Two passionate young men were discussing with wise counsel about their plans for a new venture. Am I a bad person for praying against it? I am not against change. I have already been hit with that this semester. I do see God at work in the place these young men want to go. I hesitate at the way the want to do this. (I know I am being vague.) They asked for prayer, and so I am.


I'll be more clear with this next thought that has been rolling around. I am looking at 2-3 different options for what happens after I graduate. One is doing full-time ministry for a year or two. I like this option, but the thing is, my family is not for it. They are asking me to really consider if this is the best thing for me, especially in light of college loans and the economy. This would require me to fundraise around $30,000 for a salary. The next thing I am considering is to look for a job in at a camp. Most camps operate year-round and need staff. I have a backround in physical education, which I think would be awesome to use as a program director or adventure camping staff. Of the three, this is the least likely for me to pursue. I don't know if these opportunities exist. The most logical option is to teach. I love teaching. I am fairly sure I could find a job and it would be stable. The part that gets me is that teaching in a public school seems like I won't have the opportunities to meet with and disciple young women, which is something I love and am passionate about.

As I was praying yesterday, I asked God to reveal which one is His will. To which He replied, " I will bless you." I ask for specifics and He asks me to trust. I wanted to be frustrated and annoyed but how can I be when He has said that He will bless me, that He is giving me His divine favor? This is hard. I am likely to write many times over about this process. Walking with God is simple, hide in Him and trust, but it is not easy.

Well

Practicing...

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God.

To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love, He predestined us to adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ in accordance with His pleasure and will, to the praise of His glorious grace which He has freely given us in the One He loves. In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect, when the times times will have reached their fullfillment, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

In Him, we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him , who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we who were the first to hope in Christ will be fore the praise of His glory. And you were also included Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with seal, the promised Holy Spirit. Who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession, to the praise of His glory.

I'm a terrible blogger and tis the season

Well, I was away at my parents who only have a dial-up connection (with only one line) that is frustratingly slow, so I did not get a chance to blog. That and I was busy, cooking, playing with little ones, eating, shopping and playing cards, leaving little time to type out my thoughts.

I absolutely love that it is snowing outside right now. It truely makes me excited for Christmas. On my five hour drive, I was thinking about the state of the world and the up coming holidays. Did anyone else notice that every store skipped Thanksgiving and went straight from Halloween to Christmas? I realize this is part of the economic situation, and retailers are trying to get people thinking about gifts and spending money.

Yes the economy, and reading about the attacks in India, the world seems lost in darkness. The beauty of anticipating Christmas is that we are waiting for the celebration of the Greatest Light, Jesus, entering into this dark world. The world is looking for hope, when the man-made institutions fail us. There is Hope. There is Christ and the eternal security and inheritance He offers.

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I will admit to being one of the people who went shopping on black Friday. Not so crazy to leave the house before 8:00am, but enough to brave the crowds. Got some great deals and have most of my Christmas shopping done. My brother and I, shopping separately, bought the same thing for my dad. We decided it would be easier to split the cost and he got sent back to return his. At least we figured that out sooner than later.

Enjoying one another

Its late on a blustery fall afternoon and already getting dark. A few flakes of snow are in the air. On the stove spaghetti sauce simmers away, next to a pot of boiling water, ready for the pasta. An ice cream dessert stays frozen outside on the deck (There was no freezer space). A dozen and a half sets of plates and sit on the counter. There is a welcoming sense of calm, but also anticipation for several car loads of beautiful women.

As each car pulls up and empties out, the joy, along with the sounds of talking and laughter, builds within the walls of the once quiet home. The call comes to eat and ladies fill plates with food. After a loud shout, a prayer of thanks is given for the food, but more for the surrounding company. Then taking places all over the living room, these women who come from different places and families, share the beauty of friendship and life bonded together by Christ.

I was one of the last to sit down that night. As I glanced around the room, I fought back tears. I been blessed by them in ways I cannot describe. There was such an undescribable joy thinking about conversations, prayers, laughter, tears, and mostly for how I have seen God work in and through them. They love Jesus and it shows in their lives. They are a delight to my heart and I know even more a delight to the heart of God.

A poet once described friends as 'the sunshine of my life.' I myself
have found that the day is certainly brighterwhen I'm sharing it with my
friends. Enjoying fellowship is once of life's sweetest blessings and
joys. What would we do without people and the many shadings of
companionship and camaraderie?
We need friends in out lives, friends with whom we discuss
'deep' issues and confide our secrets, fears or sorrows--- and with whom we can
laugh, play and even cry. The best times in life are made a thousand times
better when shared with a dear friend

Luci Swindoll

Wordless Wednesday