ahoraattempting to slow down and take in a bit more of my life and what's going on around me |
Happy Birthday...Tuesday, October 24, 2006 ...to my brother Mike.I am so thankful for this man who married my sister over 11 years ago and has been a loving and encouraging brother to me since I was 5. Another thing about Mike...he has been cancer-free for 6 years now. God is so good... Have a great day, Mike - I hope you know how much you are loved and how glad I am that you are a part of our family. On Doubt and LamentMonday, October 23, 2006 Last night at LOFT, Prof. Jamie Smith spoke on Thomas' encounter with Jesus from John 20:24-31. He said a lot of things, but the thing that stuck out to me the most was the fact that, when Thomas doubted that Jesus had risen and declared that he would not believe until he could see the wounds and put his finger in the wounds in Jesus' hands and put his hand in Jesus' side, Jesus did not chastise him or condemn him, but he met Thomas where he was at. He told him (I imagine with a look of compassion on his face): "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." I mean, Jesus was standing right there in front of Thomas so you'd think that'd be proof enough for him...but obviously it wasn't (would I have believed him?). Yet God, in his mercy, met Thomas in his doubt to answer his questions with compassion and grace. He gave Thomas the room he needed to question.I have seen God do some amazing things in my life. I could name at least 5 situations that he turned from sorrow into great joy. Because of that, I find that it is easier to trust God when hard times come because I know he provided in the past and will provide in these situations. I know and trust that God has and has had my best in mind and that he will always "work for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purposes," (Romans 8:28)...yet so often I look around at the situations I see others (as well as myself) going through and wonder what the heck God has in mind, you know? I lament the fact that there are millions of people around the world who live on less than a dollar a day. I lament the fact that millions of people are dying in wars. I lament the fact that millions of people are wondering what they are going to do for food tomorrow while we at home worry about what we're going to wear to school or work. I lament the fact that people make vows that they intentially break for selfish reasons and that others are left in pain, heartach, anger and saddness. I lament the fact that thousands upon thousands of people are dealing with various health issues that are out of their hands.  Sometimes I wonder where God is in all of this and doubt that God is going to come through and bring blessing out of pain. Sometimes I feel like God is so distant and struggle to understand his presence when I know that I or someone I care about is dealing with a situation that I know sorrows God.God, I believe in your sovereignty and your goodness, but how am I to live with my doubt? How am I to live with my lamentations? How am I to live in a broken world that is in such need of reconciliation? How am I to be a light and arms of comfort to this broken world when I myself am a broken human being? It is in these times that I am especially thankful for the incarnation - the fact that our Creator humbled himself to be born as a baby - he emptied himself to become a flesh and blood human being who experienced all areas of life as we do...yet somehow was still mysteriously God at the same time...Jesus Christ endured hardships of every kind so he would know from experience what we deal with day after day. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, met us where we were at...and what's more, he became broken for us. His body was broken on the cross on our behalf so that one day, when he comes again, all of our pain, confusion and heartache will be no more and we will forever glory with him in eternity. I look forward to that day.... Lord I believe...help me in my unbelief... The Joy of Sharing GiftsWednesday, October 18, 2006 Here's a quote that I read in one of my homework assignments for my Philosophy of Education class that I thought was worth posting: "Do not grieve what talents God did not give you, but recognize and rejoice in the worth of others. Discover your particular gifts and develop your unique potential....When you find joy and laughter in your life, give others your joy, 'the gift you have recieved give as a gift.'" ~Dunn 1985, 14-15~ (From: A Vision with a Task: Christian Schooling for Responsive Discipleship; Ed. Gloria Stronks, Doug Blomberg, 1993) The Tag Game ContinuesMonday, October 09, 2006Alright, Sonny...you tagged me a while back, so here it goes... Here are 5 of my quirks: (1) I don't like close-toed shoes...I wear sandals until the last possible moment. I usually start wearing close-toed shoes when there's about 2 inches of snow on the ground and I can't walk over it anymore. (2) I have to wear a tank top underneath all of my shirts - I enjoy having the extra layer. It's usually warmer and more modest. (3) Whenever I talk to my dog, a different voice comes out of my mouth...I guess she is that special. :) (4) I HATE SPIDERS *shudder* - I am convinced that they are a product of the Fall (5) I get really giddy when people start talking about worship or anything to do with Mexico. You want to get me excited? Bring up either of those topics - I can guarantee they will bring a smile to my face. Alright Nathan and Bethany, I'm tagging you...what are your fun little quirks? Do tell, do tell.... :) A Holy MomentWednesday, October 04, 2006I had a really cool experience the other day. With all the storms we've been getting in Michigan lately, I've seen and experienced lots of rain, lightening, and thunder. As I was driving to school on Monday on an overpass, windshield wipers going constantly, a huge bolt of lightening streaked across the sky in three directions right in front of me. After a brief moment of terror, I was in awe. Then I noticed the lyrics to the chorus of the song that was playing on my radio: Holy is the Lord God Almighty, the earth is filled with his glory Holy is the Lord God Almighty, the earth is filled with his glory the earth is filled with his glory And I worshiped. |
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