#13 - Learning.
Ah, this one encompasses so much! I love learning new things, whether that involves becoming acquainted with a new culture, listening to a new style of music, going back to school (I may regret saying that later this fall! ha ha), participating in a new activity, listening to a person's story (see #14), reading a book (see #16), or sitting at the feet of someone much smarter than me and absorbing every grain of substance that I can. Most importantly though, I love when God allows me to go through trials and tough situations so that I can learn more about who he is and who he wants me to be. It's a bold statement, I know. I cringe a little as I write it, knowing some of the tough things I've experienced and things that have yet to come if I truly seek growth and refinement. But in the most difficult of circumstances, God has always (Thank you God for such grace!!!) allowed me the insight to know that good will come from them, and that I will be a stronger person for having been through them. "...we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:3-5
So what's my most recent lesson? It's been a two part lesson in prayer and the sovereignty of God (with topical emphasis on hope thrown in to mix things up). It's funny how inextricably these concepts have been linked for me these past few months. In learning the value of prayer, God has allowed me to see how in control he really is. Therefore, talking to him (or begging him at times) is really the only way to hope for change! And what about getting our hopes up? Is that a good thing or a bad thing? The only answer I've come to so far is this... Hope is always a good thing when we're putting our hope in the only One who does not disappoint us.
These are things that I will never learn fully, but I pray I will never stop learning them. God, let me always be willing to learn, and please, never stop teaching me.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The 14th Thing I Love.
#14 - A Great Story.
Whether hungrily devouring it in the pages of a memoir, listening to NPR, or sitting across from a friend (or stranger) with a cup of coffee, I cannot get enough of people's stories. I love the way that God works tiny, intricate details together into the greater picture of our lives, and of humanity. I love the seemingly insignificant decisions that in actuality lead a person down an entirely new path in life (well, when it's a good new direction at least). I'm usually sad when a book is over, because I know that the story doesn't end there. I want to continue to walk with the people through the rest of the story. I love journaling so that I don't miss these sorts of things in my own life. It's incredible to look back and see things that I'd forgotten, prayers that God has answered, decisions that fleshed out in a totally different way than I could ever have expected.
Isaiah 26:3 has been stuck in my head the last month or two. It says, "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." It's incredible to look back at horrendous situations in our lives and see how God worked it all out for his glory (Romans 8:28). It gives us hope in the new situations we encounter. The more we can look back and make sense of the stories of our lives (and the stories of the people we encounter), the easier it is to see that he truly is in control. It becomes easier to have faith in the tough times, and to find peace in the midst of trials, because we know that he is working. It might not ever make complete sense, but we trust in him, knowing that he will see us through.
Don't believe me? Read Daniel (or many other stories in the Bible... or the whole Bible itself for that matter) and look for illustrations of God's sovereignty. Incredible.
Whether hungrily devouring it in the pages of a memoir, listening to NPR, or sitting across from a friend (or stranger) with a cup of coffee, I cannot get enough of people's stories. I love the way that God works tiny, intricate details together into the greater picture of our lives, and of humanity. I love the seemingly insignificant decisions that in actuality lead a person down an entirely new path in life (well, when it's a good new direction at least). I'm usually sad when a book is over, because I know that the story doesn't end there. I want to continue to walk with the people through the rest of the story. I love journaling so that I don't miss these sorts of things in my own life. It's incredible to look back and see things that I'd forgotten, prayers that God has answered, decisions that fleshed out in a totally different way than I could ever have expected.
Isaiah 26:3 has been stuck in my head the last month or two. It says, "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." It's incredible to look back at horrendous situations in our lives and see how God worked it all out for his glory (Romans 8:28). It gives us hope in the new situations we encounter. The more we can look back and make sense of the stories of our lives (and the stories of the people we encounter), the easier it is to see that he truly is in control. It becomes easier to have faith in the tough times, and to find peace in the midst of trials, because we know that he is working. It might not ever make complete sense, but we trust in him, knowing that he will see us through.
Don't believe me? Read Daniel (or many other stories in the Bible... or the whole Bible itself for that matter) and look for illustrations of God's sovereignty. Incredible.
Friday, March 6, 2009
The 15th Thing I Love.
#15 - Sales (and coupons).
I love sales. Not the occupation. Not that at all. Rather, the process of finding something at a great price. I am the princess of coupons (the queen, if you're wondering, is Lindsay McKaig). I orchestrate trips so that I'll be completely out of gas when I'm closest to the cheapest gas station. I sign up for mailing lists and sort through hundreds of spam messages so that I get the coupons and sale notices. Once it starts getting close to August, I basically refuse to go anywhere that I can't use a school coupon (that's when they expire, if you're wondering).
I don't think I've ever paid more than $20 for an article of clothing (except bridesmaid dresses, which are unfortunately not negotiable), including shoes and my high school prom dress. It was $20 and I wore it four times. I would typically rather go hungry than spend money on food. I can be easily pressured into something if you convince me that it's a good deal. I don't have a pantry, and the inability to stock up on food items when they're at their lowest cost physically pains me sometimes. I use gift cards and store credit cards to get "points" that may or may not save me money. I carry around a wallet full of frequent shoppers cards and coffee punch cards, and I get giddy when I get to redeem one of them (which is not very often, due to the fact that I usually go without in order not to spend money).
So, if anyone ever knows of good deals, coupons, or sales, pass them along! I get excited just knowing about them, even if I don't have the money to shop. :-)
I love sales. Not the occupation. Not that at all. Rather, the process of finding something at a great price. I am the princess of coupons (the queen, if you're wondering, is Lindsay McKaig). I orchestrate trips so that I'll be completely out of gas when I'm closest to the cheapest gas station. I sign up for mailing lists and sort through hundreds of spam messages so that I get the coupons and sale notices. Once it starts getting close to August, I basically refuse to go anywhere that I can't use a school coupon (that's when they expire, if you're wondering).
I don't think I've ever paid more than $20 for an article of clothing (except bridesmaid dresses, which are unfortunately not negotiable), including shoes and my high school prom dress. It was $20 and I wore it four times. I would typically rather go hungry than spend money on food. I can be easily pressured into something if you convince me that it's a good deal. I don't have a pantry, and the inability to stock up on food items when they're at their lowest cost physically pains me sometimes. I use gift cards and store credit cards to get "points" that may or may not save me money. I carry around a wallet full of frequent shoppers cards and coffee punch cards, and I get giddy when I get to redeem one of them (which is not very often, due to the fact that I usually go without in order not to spend money).
So, if anyone ever knows of good deals, coupons, or sales, pass them along! I get excited just knowing about them, even if I don't have the money to shop. :-)
Saturday, January 24, 2009
The 16th Thing I Love.
#16 - Books.
I LOVE reading, and I LOVE books. You might not know, but those are not in fact the same thing. People who love to read might love reading anything - magazines, captions, street signs, who knows. But then there are people who love books. I am one of those people. I love their smell, their feel, their sound. Yes, their sound. When you open a new book and the pages come apart for the first time, there is a sound. I judge books by their covers (sorry), and I get practically giddy when I have time to wander aimlessly around a book store (comfortable shoes and clothes you can sit on the floor in are a must for this to be a truly worthwhile experience).
I love books so much that my sister has forbidden me from buying more until I have the room (and the money) for additional book shelves. I own dozens of books that I haven't read and I've read dozens of books that I don't own. My favorite kind of book is probably a memoir. I love reading true stories of people's lives and cultures. I love learning from the way they deal with and analyze their experiences and emotions. I feel connected to the people I read about (whether real people or just really well written fiction).
Some of my favorites, you ask? I'll give you a couple from each section. Yes, my bookshelves have categorized sections. Go ahead and make fun.
Memoirs/Biographies - The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, Wild Swans by Jung Chang, Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela, When Invisible Children Sing by Huang Tang, Mother Teresa by Kathryn Spink, Night by Elie Wiesel, Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski
Christian Living - The Chase by Jerry Bridges, Boundaries by Cloud & Townsend, Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot, The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning, Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller, The Wounded Spirit by Frank Peretti, Let the Nations Be Glad by John Piper, God's Big Picture by Vaughn Roberts, The Externally Focused Church by Russaw & Swanson, No Future without Forgiveness by Desmond Tutu, The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey
Fiction - Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux, The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling, Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
I have other favorites listed under "favorite books" on my Facebook profile, as well as a list of what I'm currently reading, just in case you are interested.
I LOVE reading, and I LOVE books. You might not know, but those are not in fact the same thing. People who love to read might love reading anything - magazines, captions, street signs, who knows. But then there are people who love books. I am one of those people. I love their smell, their feel, their sound. Yes, their sound. When you open a new book and the pages come apart for the first time, there is a sound. I judge books by their covers (sorry), and I get practically giddy when I have time to wander aimlessly around a book store (comfortable shoes and clothes you can sit on the floor in are a must for this to be a truly worthwhile experience).
I love books so much that my sister has forbidden me from buying more until I have the room (and the money) for additional book shelves. I own dozens of books that I haven't read and I've read dozens of books that I don't own. My favorite kind of book is probably a memoir. I love reading true stories of people's lives and cultures. I love learning from the way they deal with and analyze their experiences and emotions. I feel connected to the people I read about (whether real people or just really well written fiction).
Some of my favorites, you ask? I'll give you a couple from each section. Yes, my bookshelves have categorized sections. Go ahead and make fun.
Memoirs/Biographies - The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, Wild Swans by Jung Chang, Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela, When Invisible Children Sing by Huang Tang, Mother Teresa by Kathryn Spink, Night by Elie Wiesel, Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski
Christian Living - The Chase by Jerry Bridges, Boundaries by Cloud & Townsend, Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot, The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning, Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller, The Wounded Spirit by Frank Peretti, Let the Nations Be Glad by John Piper, God's Big Picture by Vaughn Roberts, The Externally Focused Church by Russaw & Swanson, No Future without Forgiveness by Desmond Tutu, The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey
Fiction - Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux, The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling, Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
I have other favorites listed under "favorite books" on my Facebook profile, as well as a list of what I'm currently reading, just in case you are interested.
Monday, January 19, 2009
The 17th Thing I Love.
#17 - Snow!!!
Oh my goodness, I LOVE snow. There is such magical excitement in the air when it snows. It's like being a small child on Christmas morning all over again. I look up in the air and just feel pure joy and magic as the flakes fall on my face, clothes, and hair. And if we're lucky enough to get any accumulation whatsoever, it is impossible not to be struck by the way snow changes things.
I never cease to be amazed at the profundity of Christ's illustration that he will make our sins as white as snow. Everything is beautiful when it snows - even things that have no beauty by themselves. When snow falls, the ugly structure it falls upon is still there. It still exists. It is still ugly. But under a blanket of pure, white, perfect snow, it is made beautiful. It has no inherent beauty in itself, but because the snow covers it, it becomes beautiful.
Today I am thankful for not only the snow falling outside, but the snow of Christ's blood that makes us beautiful in him. Snow changes things. Christ's love changes things. I hope you experience that life changing love in a new, deeper way today.
Oh my goodness, I LOVE snow. There is such magical excitement in the air when it snows. It's like being a small child on Christmas morning all over again. I look up in the air and just feel pure joy and magic as the flakes fall on my face, clothes, and hair. And if we're lucky enough to get any accumulation whatsoever, it is impossible not to be struck by the way snow changes things.
I never cease to be amazed at the profundity of Christ's illustration that he will make our sins as white as snow. Everything is beautiful when it snows - even things that have no beauty by themselves. When snow falls, the ugly structure it falls upon is still there. It still exists. It is still ugly. But under a blanket of pure, white, perfect snow, it is made beautiful. It has no inherent beauty in itself, but because the snow covers it, it becomes beautiful.
Today I am thankful for not only the snow falling outside, but the snow of Christ's blood that makes us beautiful in him. Snow changes things. Christ's love changes things. I hope you experience that life changing love in a new, deeper way today.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Just for fun...
This might drive you crazy, or you might love it. But someone gave it to me and it drove me crazy, so I thought I'd pass along the fun! :-)
Find 15 books of the Bible in the paragraph below. Don't let punctuation or word separation distract you. Good luck!
I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu - kept people looking so hard for facts. To others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books were not capitalized. But the truth finally struck home to numbers of our readers. To others it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you. Yes, there will be some really easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help them. I will quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of them, and there will be lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so she can concentrate better. See how well you can compete. Relax now, there really are fifteen names of books of the Bible in this paragraph.
Let me know when you get stuck and need a hint! :-)
Find 15 books of the Bible in the paragraph below. Don't let punctuation or word separation distract you. Good luck!
I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu - kept people looking so hard for facts. To others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books were not capitalized. But the truth finally struck home to numbers of our readers. To others it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you. Yes, there will be some really easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help them. I will quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of them, and there will be lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so she can concentrate better. See how well you can compete. Relax now, there really are fifteen names of books of the Bible in this paragraph.
Let me know when you get stuck and need a hint! :-)
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
December Newsletter.
We interrupt this sporadic blog series to bring you the link to the most recent One Vision International newsletter. http://freepdfhosting.com/bee064e62e.pdf Merry Christmas!!!
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