the trees will clap their hands
Today we register for classes next year. I am praying that the process goes smoothly and that I get into all the classes I need to take. I’m certain God is going make it happen.
I’m so excited that Valerie is coming today. She is leaving for Wyoming at the end of May. We don’t see each other much now, but it’s only going to be harder to get together. I can’t wait to see her. God is so good.
It’s is a glorious day and we serve a glorious God! Jesus said if we do not praise Him the trees will clap their hands and the rocks will cry out. It would be sorta cool to witness creation so obviously praising God’s name, but it would be terribly embarrassing. We are God’s people, Jesus died for us, and we don’t take time to praise Him.
Live a worshipful life today and catch yourself truly believing God’s promises. I pray that God will increase our faith. Let’s call on the angels, the heavenly spheres, creatures of the deep, and the storms “fulfilling His Word.” May the young men and maidens praise His name together!
148:1 Praise the LORD!Praise the LORD from the heavens;praise him in the heights!
2 Praise him, all his angels;praise him, all his hosts!3 Praise him, sun and moon,praise him, all you shining stars!
4 Praise him, you highest heavens,and you waters above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of the LORD!For he commanded and they were created.
6 And he established them forever and ever;he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.
7 Praise the LORD from the earth,you great sea creatures and all deeps,
8 fire and hail, snow and mist,stormy wind fulfilling his word!
9 Mountains and all hills,fruit trees and all cedars!
10 Beasts and all livestock,creeping things and flying birds!
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples,princes and all rulers of the earth!
12 Young men and maidens together,old men and children!
13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,for his name alone is exalted;his majesty is above earth and heaven.
14 He has raised up a horn for his people,praise for all his saints,for the people of Israel who are near to him.Praise the LORD!
some of the truth
I love learning how to throw a Frisbee with Kate.
I love watching Beauty and the Beast with Lisa and Gretchen.
I love eating a sandwich in the sunshine.
I love looking up at the moon.
I love being reminded of God’s love.
I love studying in the evenings.
I love smiling just because.
I love sending packages.
I love learning how to trust Jesus.
I love talking on the phone in my stairwell.
I love remembering good things.
Intoxicated
Walking back from HAL (the Hall of Arts and Letters) my steps were anything but straight. My eyes couldn’t focus on one thing first they gazed up to the heavens, and then at the numerous daffodils. My cheeks hurt from the smile that wouldn’t leave my face. I hummed a little tune which was frequently interrupted by laughter.
I called my friend Gretchen to set up a study date. The conversation was choppy due partly to my random comments about the glorious sky and partly to the giggles that couldn’t be silenced. I wasn’t making sense. I hung up the phone and realized that I sounded drunk, and it was a wonderful thought.I was walking back from a Psalm sing. Truly, nothing fills the longings of the human heart like the Psalms. Nothing brings joy like the word of God sung back to Him. The Lord reminded me tonight that His Psalms are intoxicating:
“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Ephesians 5:18-21
Then there was a rainbow...
Yesterday I enjoyed a lovely "fun day" with my girls. We went to the outlets and I got presents for my siblings. Lisa found $5 on the sidewalk so we decided God wanted us to stop and get icecream on the way back. We were even more convinced of the divine intervention when we discovered that Gretchen had never been to Dairy Queen.
After sharing a tin roof and a cheesequake blizzard we were happy girls. But it was still raining, and I mentioned that I wanted to see a rainbow. Lisa saw several when she was in Hawaii over Christmas break. *Sigh* I would love to go to Hawaii, maybe God has that in store.
Anyways, we got to the dorm and we decorated for the party. Dinner was rather uneventful, but on our way back to the room there was a rainbow. It was a huge bow of color arching through the sky boldly declaring that He loves us. I have never seen such a gorgeous display of promise. The rainbow was so bright that we could see it even against the clear blue sky. Needless to say the Lord took my breath away. He heard my request for a rainbow, and He decided to give us another reason to praise His holy name.
We walked back singing and enjoying the day that He had made. The party was a blast. We played Imagineiff, which is an excellent game. I discovered that I think too hard about things, and if I just step back and play the game I would not be behind all the time. That's ok.
We watched August Rush which I highly recommend. It's a very sweet movie. When I got back to my room I talked to Mom and sorta cleaned up my stuff. My thoughts turned back to the lovely rainbow in the sky. God keeps His promises. He's taken care of all the creatures. He has provided a Redeemer. The rainbow reminded me that Jesus Christ is King, and I have nothing to fear.
Rebekah got caught in the rain
Rebekah’s skirt danced around her legs as she packed up her books and materials to take to the Hall of Arts and Letters. She drew in a deep breath of Cinnamon Vanilla nut coffee, and a smile played across her lips because the scent brought back memories of Christmas break and Scrabble with Margaret. She had noticed the dark clouds in the sky from her dormitory window but she didn’t grab her umbrella. She didn’t see the rain. In her bulging flower bag she carried various folders and envelopes along with her computer. In the hall a few girls commented that their class was canceled due to wet weather. Rebekah laughed on the inside at the thought of class being called off on the account of spring rain. How lovely! As she approached the door she realized God was watering His earth. The question, “should I run for it?” played with her adventurous side and she decided to dash to class. Within a fraction of a second she was drenched. Her right hand gathered the flowing skirt and held it up. In her left hand was the precious coffee mug while her left arm she tried to protect the contents her open bag. The rain fell and quickly ran through her hair and down her cheeks. Rebekah smiled up at heaven and thanked her Father for the mini adventure to class. People sorta laughed as they incountered the running girl with a huge skirt, stuffed flower purse, and well balanced coffee mug. It’s ok for people to laugh at her. She was in love and she was enjoying the special attention that Jesus was giving her today. He knows she loves the rain. He likes fill her heart with love for Him. She got to class and the teacher asked if it was raining outside. Rebekah smiled, “yes, it was. Because He is taking care of me along with His beautiful world.”Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyer!He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rian for the earth; he makes grass gorw on the hills. Psalm 147:7-8
He's Calling
It’s a gorgeous day, and as many of you can testify, it is a whole lot easier to love God on a beautiful day. He made us from the earth, it’s no wonder that the weather impacts us. Hey, I’ve got a question for you. What’s your calling? Now, you may be thinking that you have yet to figure that out, and believe me I totally understand that. The question wasn’t necessarily directed at the people in the mid-fifties who have finally resorted themselves to that fact that they are done growing up and the work that God has given them is their life calling. The question is for them yes, but it was also for everyone. Even little Jerusha has a calling, and honestly, I think she fulfills her better than many of us.
To answer my own question, my calling is to love God with all of my heart, soul, strength, and mind. My calling entails spending time with God every moment of everyday. It also requires me to give myself to my studies. I am a student, for now this is my calling. There is more to a calling than an occupation. My calling is one of service. I am called to love those around me. I am to die to myself and live for Christ by living for others. My calling is to glorify Him. The opportunities to fulfill my calling today are endless.
Ok, so now that we are on the same page with what we mean by calling. Exactly how are your decisions going to reflect your calling? In what ways are you going to say “I want to glorify God today, and this is how I’m going to do that”? Life is more spiritual than we realize. Every moment we either choose to love God or to hate Him. There is no neutral ground. Today, how are you going to purpose to love Him?
Don’t think that I’ve got this figured out. It’s true that I’m a daughter of the King, but I’m adopted so this stuff doesn’t come naturally to me. It’s a hard process of sanctification, and from what gather it’s on going.
My parting thoughts: God doesn’t ever ask too much of us. Whatever it is that He has called you to today, He will sustain you. He is a big God and He has a big plan. We are simple minded creatures with limited plans. God has given His life for you, so don’t think that He is going to sit back and let you live yours exactly how you want. He is asking for everything, and expects nothing less.
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”Romans 12:9-13
Questions
Why is it that I can read the Bible for the 178
th time and all the sudden my heart is
wrenched with its power as if it were brand new?
How do I tell tearful
Keziah, "yes, I wish I could hold you too Baby, but I can't" over the phone, 400 miles away?
Lord do you have a patterns for the clouds or do the angels come up with new designs every morning?
Why does
Cinnamon Vanilla Nut coffee remind me of good things?
When do you know... and what is that like?
Does faith ever get easier?
Before the Fall were there seasons or did things just grow randomly all year round?
Why is it that fruit is such a sensory over load: taste, texture/touch, smell, color/sight, and yeah it can sound sort funky too?
What is this love that Jesus has for me and will I ever understand?
How does the heart work, and who can know it?
Does a growing up always mean so much pressure?
Lord, what are the names of the stars, and do we get to see the in heaven?
Could Adam and Eve cry, and if so why did you make them that way before there was pain?
What language will we speak in heaven?
Why is water clear?
How is it that I grew up with some of the best basketball players in the great city of Indianapolis and I still miss 80% of my attempted shots?
Could flowers be more any more exciting?
Can we look a life
objectively, really?
Is fresh air fresh?
Why does God invite us into His presence?
*so many more questions*
