My Christmas List

That's right, its that time of the year again. My dad called the other night to ask what i wanted for Christmas this year. My response was very simple, "Not that much, i mean i would like some stuff for the apartment (coming in May) but i dont need anything." its something i had been thinking about for a few weeks... i have more than i could ever ask for. a great family and wonderful friends, the opportuntity to get a good education, and to make a difference. not to mention all the material things that become more and more useless everyday. So what do I really want this Christmas? I still dont know- but im thinking more about it than ever before. maybe i want to give a couple the opportunity to adopt the child they cant have.. or maybe i want to help a young woman in kenya go to school... or maybe just be able to drink water. This has really been on my heart lately and God is teaching me so much about sacrifice (especially financially) and the blessings that he pours out when I put others first. still pondering.

quote, acts 5, Ruth, and DNOW... all together

I have been thinking a lot about something i read not too long ago... it said that Christian is a great noun but a poor adjective. hmm. i wasn't so sure about this at first because i use Christian as an adjective all the time. maybe i shouldn't. the point being that as a follower of Christ, i should ALWAYS be doing his work and striving to be more like him. in following this recently i have come to agree with the statement above. especially after the focus of DNOW being Identity. all through my prepareation this was working in me. point being, I am no longer an adjective, i am striving to be noun!! and so should you!

Have you read the story of Ananias and Sapphira?
acts 5:1-11
you should check it out. it is either the only or one of very few times God imediately causes death in the New Testiment.

I''m studying Ruth at the moment (shes one of the 12 extraordinary women). Shes constantly refered to as the moabitess and i never before knew the weight that such a description held. See Moab is near Isreal but is viewed as a evil place. the city worshipped idols, the women were known for suducing Isrealite men, they were pagans, and the Irsrealites shunned them. I cant decide if people refered to her as such as a way of complimenting her (wow shes broken the stereotype) or as a judgement (i wont give her any of my time b/c shes from Moab). i hope to figure this one out soon.

Lastly, there are many things i could say about my 2nd experiance leading DNOW but i will keep it brief. Check out Jeremy Kingsly, and here's just a a teaser, " dont read the Bible to finish, read it to change." Then, I had several challanges with my group- the first being a had a girl who did not speak any English, i know God had a reason but all i ahve to say is Lord, i dont understand your reasons but you do Great things. secondly, i encountered several very hard 12 yr old hearts. when i tried to get one-on-one with my girls, two told me "i dont talk to other people about what God is doing in my life." can i jsut say, my heart broke in two pieces both times... join with my in praying for these girls and all those involved in the weekend.

My Own Psalm

My Own Psalm...
At CCF this semester we have been studying the Psalms on Sundays, and this week we got to write out own. We have broken them down in orientation, disorientation, and new orientation psalms and at this point im not sure where mine lies. But I thought I would share it with you. Its not very beautiful sounding but it's from my heart.

Lord...Father...Daddy
The way that name rolls off my tongue sooths my soul.
I come too often heavyladen and overwhelmed,
but You, Daddy,
You take all the worries and burdens away.
In You, and You alone do I find rest.
May I remember Your promises all the days you grant me.

Father, remind me of what great faith looks like.
Women like Sarah and Rahab have demonstareated great, tansforming faith.
Help me to follow in the same way.
But Daddy, I'm weak and I need you to hold my hand, to give me strength.

Your presence, is encouragment for me to continue.
You stand with open arms, let me be enveloped by them.
May my small, weak, fragil, sinful body be covered by Your grace.

Lord... Father... Daddy
Your Reign forever!
And I will Love you and Praise You everyday you grant.

I encourage you to go write a Psalm of your own, not matter if it is one of orientation, disorientation, or new orientation. The Lod, our God is mighty and he will restore your heart.

I love the weather!

This time of the semester is always really difficult for me... im trying to bring up my grades and stay afloat with all the work professors are assigning, im at the point that i need a break, i am ready to see my family, i am sick of dorm food, i want to be able to spend an entire day reading a good book... the worst is that typically it is cold, rainy or snowy, windy and just yuck! but Not this year! It has been sunny and in the 70s for the past week! I cannot tell you have wonderful this has been, especially on those days that all I want to do is scream! i raked leaves the other day, in shorts and a t-shirt- whats up with that? point being the weather has been an encouragement to me this past week! Thanks to our wonderful father for such a glorious blessing.

one another note: this is the conclusion i came to this morning while praying about today's election. God reminded me as i was praying for voters to have wisdom, that no matter the outcome today, GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL AND HE RULES SUPREMELY OVER THIS NATION, THIS EARTH, AND THIS UNIVERSE! he will watch over us and guide us in the way we should go.