rain drops are falling on my head [silly Becca]
Right now I'm a happy girl. I rejoice in my Savior's work, and I refuse to believe the lies of the evil one. I am eating dark chocolate for lunch, don't tell me mom, and I am drinking lots of coffee. Some may say that considering my consumption of caffiene my attitude is being effected by outside sorces. Well, maybe that's true, but I know that it is surely the case that my attitude is effected by Christ, because without Him I would be miserable beyond comprehension, so I'm thankful.
Let's keep our eyes on Him. When finals pile up and things look bleak it's easy to freak out and forget to trust Him. Let's trust Him.
Alright, I'm glad that it's almost Christmas.
Thank you for listening, and if you are my friend, thanks for being my friend. If you're not, maybe we should be friends.
School?
Young people attending school everyday (or living at school) is a new phenomena. It used the be a rare case that the average young person would have the time and money to get an eduacation. We live in an age that idolizes eduacation. People my age are so familiar with it that it is no longer considered a rare treat, in fact many of us dread school.
It's an interesting thing to compare our lives with the lives of those our own age 200 years ago. Girls my age were married, and probably expecting their first child. She would run the family garden, and take care of making meals from scratch (literally.) She would make all their clothes, and do all the cleaning. It wasn't easy. The guys would have a small farm to care for, or a cottage in the woods. The children would be put to hard labor from very young years. If they were fortunate they would get a bit of an education and learn the basics of reading and math. The people worked hard yet they found joy in life. They had a more serious view of life and death. It was common for people to die, and so there was a severity in life that we don't understand.
Education? Is it really as great as we think it is?
What do you think?
What is it that we all must learn?
This world is so packed with pain.
I wanted to be ready...
but I can't be.
God wants to purify me.
My faith must made strong.
He knows that in the pleasant days
I often forget to cling to Him.
He knows I must be bent.
Praise the Lord.
His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
"Pease forgive me. I can't stop loving you"
Thankful? Yes. God is so worthy of thanks, also, there are several people who I am thankful for.
Flo came home with us after Thanksgiving which was wonderful. I am so blessed to be her cousin. Last night we got to go witness of the Saving Love of Christ to thousands of people downtown. It was awesome to talk with people about Jesus.
Marge, David and I just watched Forrest Gump together. It was good to hang out again, and Margaret hadn't seen the movie. We had coffee too;-)
I have homework to finish up before break ends. I am feeling rather old around here because I am the only one that had homework to do, or perhaps the only one that worked on the homework that I had to do. *
thankful sigh... shrugs*
I miss the James Faris family, but I am thankful that God is working out His plan.
I am about to finish the worst book I have every read
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. You may have watched one of the three movies out about the book, or you may heard of the story because it's a nonfiction novel. The book is about the mass murder of a family in the beds for no reason. 384 pages about a murder is enough to make me sick. I hate it. It's for class, as soon as the paper is done I won't ever have think about the Clutter murder again.
I still love logic class =)
I got to see the Etheridges this week. It was wonderful. I can't wait until Winter Conference.
Sometimes it's hard to give up the way things used to be. It's ok, because that's the way God intended it, (until
HEAVEN) and growing up and such is part of our spiritual walk.
what did you say?
I've been recently pondering what it is that I admire in people. I've stumbled upon a truth, and that is that when a person truly listens, that person is admirable. For example when I walk down the street and someone looks up from the sidewalk and says "how are you?" but than stops and looks into my eyes eagerly anticipating the answer, that’s a small act of virtue. Or when a person asks rather obscure questions about a habit or conviction of mine and then draws out a philosophical insight, it is obvious to me that they truly care.
When a Christian truly masters how to listen it is often that they have first mastered how to love. Listening then, is simply the physical implications of their love.
Jesus listens.
I confess that I do not listen the way I should. So very often I will ask a question and then get lost in my own train of thought instead of hearing the answer. It's selfish to be so absorbed in my own thoughts.
Truly there is nothing so empowering and edifying than being convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt that a person is listening. I know that when someone has their eyes gently set on my face that they are listening, and that they care.
To listening is a vital form of compassion, but one that has been almost entirely lost in our culture today. In our effort to be tolerant listening has been cheapened. Now to listen means hearing, or not interrupting someone. Yet, there is so much more to it. Listening can also mean asking a question and then hearing the answer.
I've found that I am more apt to submit to authority when that authority takes the time and care to listen to me. I feel loved and understood, even though I may not agree with the discussion made. I have also found that people are more apt to listen to me, if I set the example and listen to them first. It's a gentle persuasion, but one of the most powerful. It's something that I must grow in.
There is humility in it as well. In a way you are saying, "What you have to say is more important than what I have to say right now." Also, to listen is an act of respect, and the one who listens before he speaks will grow in understanding.
"A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion." Pro. 18:2
Lord, may I grow in understanding. May I love others as I love myself.
In Cold Blood:
A nonfiction novel by Truman Capote. My English professor at Marian is having us read a true story about a murder. I haven't read a murder book since; well I just don't read them. For the same reason I don't watch shows like CSI. I hate being afraid of evil. When I read a book that allows me to meet a lovely family who I know will be killed in the next 70 pages, I just don't handle it well. They are murdered in Kansas by men who are agree at their happiness. Reading it makes me terrified. I don't breath properly, my bodies lies tense, and I continuously glace out our Family Room door to see if any suspicious men are approaching. I hate being overcome with fear of evil. I don't read this stuff.
Ever since I was little I've had an over active fear senses, but unlike most people mine really haven't lessened. I just don't get scared easily because when I focus on lovely things, and when I abide in Jesus there is no need to fear, but when I dwell wickedness the Devil has a door to enter my mind and mess around. I honestly couldn't walk up the stairs last night until I began to pray out loud and obsessively turn every light on. I had a few panic attaches before safely falling asleep last night, but... I hate books like this.
There is a reason that our Savior instructed us to think about good things, and to renew our minds like Christ Jesus. The material that our minds dwell on becomes our attitude, and emotions. It we dwell on Him, than we will grow in His likeness, and when we dwell on murder novels we become paralyzed and have to remind ourselves of His power. (At least I do.) As far as interesting stories go In Cold Blood is fascinating. I just hate the effect it has on me.
I rejoice in
A mug of coffee
A silky scarf
A chilly morning
A completed lab
A singing Andrew
A careful friend
A upcoming break
A finished application
A decision awaiting
A lesson learned
A glorious God
A lonely time
A present Savior
A good week
REJOICE IN ALL THINGS! AGAIN I SAY REJOICE!
Have I told you lately that I love you...
I go on living and learning,
Why don't I tell you?
Why don't I say words that mean so much.
Is it because I forget?
No.
Is it because I am afraid?
Maybe.
Is it our dreadful enemy hating love?
Yes.
I love you.
I don't always say the words when I see you.
But if you look into my eyes, you'll see.
Please forgive my hesitance.
I love you.
What is this love?
What is this power?
How can it be that His love has paid the price for me?
And, then.
I love you.
I don't always do or care the way I should
I need you to know that I am sorry.
Just know now, that it's true.
I love you.
I've learned something:
Don't do things because you aught.
Do them in love.
Respond to Him, and enjoy His glory.
Love because Jesus loves.
Serve, because Jesus serves.
Give, because Jesus gives.
Care, because Jesus cares,
And we want to be like Him.
I love you.
The power of love, how can it be?
Yet, He in His love, has saved we.
good morning
How are you? I'm well, thanks. This morning I am excited:
-It's Friday.
-I get to spend the night with Valerie and Alissa.
-I have some time to finish some important school projects.
-I get to go to class.
-I get to be here with my family.
-Tomorrow I am going to visit my 95-year-old great-grand mother.
-We have the church hayride, and I get to go spend time with the people I love.
-Last night I learned a lot about singing Psalms exclusively.
-I got a good night's rest.
-I am reading the book of Esther.
Yeah, I don't think I need any more reasons then that. I am just happy to be alive today. It may be our last day. Let's live it well for the King!
For His Name's Sake
"Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,
to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. " Jude 24-25
May God bless you.
May He craddle you.
May His love shelter you.
May He sustain you.
May He give you peace.
May He be your rock.
May His grace enable you.
May He lead you.
May His staff comfort you.
May He make you to lie down.
May He restore your soul.
May He,
for His name's sake.
something he said...
Last night we said goodbye to our beloved pastor and friend James Faris. Second RP is going to miss James. When he preached his last sermon last night he said something I had never thought about before, and something that I will never forget. He was talking about how 2RP won't miss the work of the Lord, but we will miss James' work. The thought dawned on me: I will never have to miss my Lord. All the goodbye tears that I have shed over the last year, none of that will ever happen over Jesus. He is with me. He will never leave me. He will always be my intimate friend.
Last night I was wrapped in the arms of my church, and blessed. I thank God for our congregation. We are facing hard times, and yet through it all we will praise the One who has saved us. We will praise the One who will never leave us. We will praise the Who loves us with an everlasting love. We will grow in love, because this is His way.
thinking...
Again I sit starring at a blank screen hoping that some brilliant thought will come to my mind. Why is it so hard to formulate my thoughts? How amazing will it be when my mind is renewed and I will be given the full breadth of understanding. Until then I must strive to perfect my thinking by renewing my mind in Christ.
I am encouraged by my logic class. Professor Kelly has done an excellent job of inspiring me to understand. He would say that “one of the greatest joys in life is catching oneself in the act of understanding.” I believe he is right. Well, my logic should come in handy as I formulate the flow of thoughts.
Have a wonderful evening.
