Thursday, March 30, 2006
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Monday, March 27, 2006
Favorite Moments...
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Refreshing Weekend
After returning to campus from our retreat, Jessica and I decided to go and see Chronicles of Narnia in the $3.50 theater. Though it was my 2nd time to view it, I still found myself in tears through certain parts. Jess and I talked about a quote from the movie on the way home, "He cannot be tamed, but He is good." How true that statement is concerning God. His ways cannot be known or "tamed," yet He is always good....
To cap off my Saturday night, one of my best friends called who is currently doing missions work with her family in New Zealand. Her calls are rare, and it was so encouraging to get to speak with her. I asked her how tomorrow is going to be, and she in turn asked me how yesterday is going.....Weird, huh?
Friday, March 24, 2006
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
A Deep Well
~Verses from Psalm 16
I was talking with one of my good friends yesterday and we were pondering the future and some of the uncertainties it holds. She gave me the greatest example of how to view each day. To put Christ directly in front of you and to keep your eyes focused on Him. Do not turn to the right or to the left, but by focusing straight ahead on Christ, He will place what He has for you in front of you.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Salvation & Starbucks
As I was praying I looked up, and to my amazement the man was standing next to me. Jaw falling open, I proceeded to listen as he introduced himself and asked what I was doing. Offering him a seat beside me, I began telling him that I was praying to God. Without missing a beat the man began telling me that he had lost everything--a beautiful wife, child, family, job, and had started on drugs--Continuing on in his story he told me he had reached a point where he called out to God and needed help. Taking hold of this amazing opportunity, I began to share with him about how God helped me in sending Jesus. After presenting the Gospel, I asked him about his relationship with Jesus. He told me that yes, he had put his trust in Him, but still just tried to focus on the day and pray for Heaven. After a bit more conversing I encouraged him in that Jesus has paid for all of our sins and that He has promised Heaven to those who put their trust in Him. You could tell the pieces were beginning to come together...
As he left my table, joy welled up in my heart. I wanted to stand up in Starbucks and yell, "God Rocks!!!!".....But decided to instead listen to Hillsongs United proclaim, "Tell the world that Jesus lives..."
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Friday, March 17, 2006
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
A Midterm
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Monday, March 13, 2006
God's Will
How easy it is to pray, "Your will be done today," but not truly ponder those words as they leave my lips. Throughout my day I will sometimes find myself asking God why something has occurred in the way it has or why it is not panning out the way I expected it to. At times it can feel like a fog has completely engulfed me, and the future appears a bit out of focus. Today I picked up one of my favorite books, The Mystery of God's Will, by Charles Swindoll. Throughout the past couple of years I have found myself returning to this familiar writing and pondering its pages when I face a new season of life. I love what he says, "As the Spirit of God within you engages in various ways of leading you, working out God's will in you, you come to accept it, regardless of the challenges the future brings...Though you don't understand how, you trust it's part of the plan." I have found that God works in the most extraordinary ways in my life when I am faced with fully giving Him my plans and ways. Later in the book Dr. Swindoll quotes John Henry Jowett, "Ministry that costs nothing, accomplishes nothing." At times that can be a hard sentence to bite into...
Sunday, March 12, 2006
A Thought
Wow, that came out sounding more like a fortune cookie...
*Thanks, Editor CAM
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Random Ramblings
"Save the Earth. It's the only planet with chocolate."
-My Dad
Friday, March 10, 2006
Book Reviews
Thursday, March 09, 2006
See Squid?
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
A Satisfied Single...
A couple of months ago I claimed the verse (somewhere in the Bible) that states, "whatever state I am to therein be content." How that verse has come alive in my heart and life! He has taught me that He provides enough joy, peace, satisfaction, & strength for the day. I was telling someone recently that if I dwell on the future too much I can become flustered and impatient. (ie- where is my knight in shining armor, I've been waiting all 20 years of my existence...) But how beautiful & calming it was to realize that I am only to focus on today. Not even ponder tomorrow. Christ provides all that I could possibly need for today. How that simple thought has overwhelmed my heart....
I love to think that God appoints
My portion day by day;
Events of life are in His hand,
And I would only say,
Appoint them in Thine own good time,
And in Thine own best way.--A. L. Waring
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Trash Bags & Cell Phones
I awoke this morning ready to have a great day. The sun was lighting up my room, I was meeting my Mom at Starbucks-Life was good. In the first few moments of my "awakeness," I quickly came to the realization that my cell phone was not receiving calls or giving the desired calls I was trying to make. In frustration I drove to breakfast & together my Mom & I came to the disaster that my cell phone was beyond help. After an hour or so, my Mom managed to order a new phone (which is in route as you read by FedEx) & hopefully will arrive by Saturday. I feel alone in this world without a cellular connection to others...
Feeling distraught, I decided to take out my trash (hence room checks tonight), when I went to throw my trash in the dumpster, I took a little too much frustration out from the cell phone escapade and heaved the bag on top of the dumpster. I stared at the white bag mounted triumphantly on top of the dumpster and pondered for a few moments about whether to proceed in climbing up the side to retrieve my trash. After musing over the idea of falling in to the beloved dumpster, I walked away laughing at how it is only 11:05 AM and my day is off to a very interesting start....God must have a laugh hinting at His mouth right now.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Quotes....
Randomness from Random People and Movies.....
"Think of a happy valley filled with dancing Lepricons."
"If we were pagans...."
"I don't even understand that sentence. Ok, let's try. No wait, I just can't."
'I will not yield!' 'Then you don't deserve her.'
"It's like a bitter nut."
"I love potential."
"Oh look, people!"
"For some reason I just can't stop laughing...."
"Bless his heart."
"Meebers."
"Put that thing down or so help me. So help me!"
"Natashaaaaa......"
"Oh, I would have had you over. I had 6 college boys at my house last night...."
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Concert
"Sleep tight & cling to Jesus..."
"Oh- We made our own directions & still got here."
"Which way is North?" "This way is West." "This way is North..."
"I've got the Swiss Army knife-suspect everyone- Make Mom proud."
"ooooo I'm fast-whoosh-like a bullet."
"Our brains are joined at the hip."
"What's a Gomer?"
"Wow, we're wordy tonight."
"I call it the Go Go Gadget neck."
"The Windmill...."