The God of the good times is still God in the bad times
It's really interesting isn't it --one day I feel on top of the world. I feel cute like there's possibilities in my life and that any of them are possible. The only thing that changes is one sleep cycle and the next day all is forgotten.
Today was a blah day. I'm a bit swamped with work at school and I received my needles for Africa today (maybe that's why I'm a bit "cranky").
I may have made a mistake on Friday that might offend someone that I greatly respect, even though I rarely see them. Part of the whole mission experience is raising support. I sent out a letter to someone and my dad (who I respect even more) hopes that it gets lost in the mail. I sent out this support letter because I knew that they were a Christian and really wanted to inform them of my experience. It wasn't for money (truthfully my income tax return will probably pay for it all anyway) but I really wanted them to hear about my experience that I am so proud to be a part of. To justify it further my father and I do not share a similar faith, so I'm hoping that he's not right simply because of our difference in beliefs. As you can tell I'm feeling pretty guilty about it mostly because I haven't seen them in a long time and they're old (and by old I mean 90+). So, I am going to be praying the rest of the week that God prepares his heart for the letter. (Which I prayed before I sent them but realize its urgency even more now!)
I also may have offended a guy I really respect simply over a lack of priorities. I hate confrontation and know what I should do, but I'd really rather avoid it. We'll see how that goes.
In church something really stuck to me was this
When you dwell on your thoughts they become emotions and eventually they become attitudes. I'm really struggling with this right now but I have to believe that with God I will be victorious.
Thanks for listening blogdom. Not sure if anyone even reads this any more
Blog Updated!
Woah, it's been a long time.
So I just wanted to share with you the God moments that I've been having.
I live in a place where as long as you don't do the three "cardinal sins" (drink, drugs, sex) and tell people (and include in your facebook status) that you are a Christian then you're covered. Faith is rarely talked about among friends and decisions are rarely ever made with biblical council and prayer.
After being in Moncton for a few years now I've really noticed my downfall in this area. For instance, speeding. I LOVE SPEEDING. I love the thrill of going fast. I love when everything is rushing by you. I love the thrill of almost being caught. I love the feeling of cheating death. I LOVE SPEEDING. After a brief discussion with a friend God used him to remind me that being a Christian is more than "loving God and loving people." Although I still stand by my original statement that being a Christian is not about following a list of rules there
should come a point in our Christian walks where we want to do these things.
During Beulah this year the light kind of came on for me about scantification. There are Christians who would do anything for God, even to the point of pain, or loss. On the other hand, there are also Christians who wouldn't. This idea has always perplexed me until that moment when I realized I am one of those Christians who probably wouldn't
but I want to be the type of Christian that would.
So, what do I do with this? First, I've got to cut down on the speeding but I've also got to start questioning more things in my life; more quick decisions that I don't even think about.
I'll be praying that God opens my eyes to those decisions. Maybe more to come later?
Introducing Oliver!
Oliver David Leonard
November 28, 2007
1:44 AM
7 lbs 4 oz
20 inches
My anthem
As I'm preparing for my trip to Africa I found a song that is my anthem for the trip. Here it is...
Britt Nicole
Set the World on Fire
I wanna set the world on fire
Until it’s burning bright for You
It’s everything that I desire
Can I be the one You use?
I, I am small but
You, You are big enough
I, I am weak but
You, You are strong enough to
Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
There’s nothing I can not do
Nothing I cannot do
I wanna feed the hungry children
And reach across the farthest land
And tell the broken there is healing
And mercy in the Father’s hands
My hands my feet
My everything
My life, my love Lord, use me
I wanna set the world on fire
I wanna set the world on fire, yeah
I’m gonna set the world on fire
Set the world on fire
Wow...God is so Good
I'm in the process of making a DVD about me. The title of the song is Take Me There By Rascal
Flatts. Essentially it's a love song talking about the guy wanting to know things about the girl that no one else knows. Therefore I'm adding things into the DVD about me that some people don't know. I have a ton of pictures from youth on there and
I started thinking about how God has placed the teenagers of
Moncton in my hands and no matter how long I spend in ministry I can never get beyond the fact that God chose me.
This past year I went down to NYC with teenagers and that was life changing. It was awesome because I got to share in that experience with the teenagers. God allowed me that opportunity. I know a million people, who are youth leaders themselves, that haven't received the opportunities that I have and when I was considering the opportunities I mentioned their names but God had the opportunity for me. And it just blows MY MIND!
I think the most honoring experience I've had so far as a youth leader was the Homeless Hotel. I was asked by the teens to help
chaperon this event. Yes, I've taken into account the fact that I may have been an easy ask but they asked me. That was a great gift from God.
So, for all of you who may have stumbled across this stupid blog to which it makes no sense I'm sorry. And if you don't know my God like I know my God you're going to think that I am completely off my rocker (which I probably am).
To my God, who has made my life so blessed....Thank you! Again and again I say THANK YOU! Even when I didn't know what my passion was you knew! Thank you!
Hallelujah!
Labels: Praise
Where does faith and practicality fit in?
I've been reading in Romans where Paul is really bragging up Abraham. (Romans 4 more specifically).
I would consider myself to be a practical girl. I generally make wise decisions based on the future consequences, talk myself out of an emotional state (or I'm smart enough to know that I should stay away from people), and when something needs to be done there's no excuses-- it gets done.
I then read about Abraham God told him that he was going to be a father of many and then Sarah was infertile and by the time that he became a father he was an old man. (very shortened version)
I think that in that situation I would've had been practical. I wouldn't have had faith and I would've easily passed off God's word to me as something that was mistaken, or maybe I misintrepreted. Now a days a woman at the age of 45 having a child is almost impossible (especially if there is no fertility treatments) not to mention dangerous to the mother. If I were Sarah I would've had a similar reaction: "Really?! Me?! This old?!" I would've doubted Abraham, my husband, and in turn doubted God because it just isn't practical.
I will revisit this post hopefully tonight. Lunch is over :) See you then!
Calling all boys...
I have recently found something that I really enjoy doing....COOKING!
I've always loved going to the grocery store just to see people. Not really people that I know but seeing how the entire human population interacts with one another. I grew up in a super small community and how we interact with others is WAY different then that of Moncton. I enjoy talking to the people at the grocery store and seeing their shock that someone they don't know is making conversation!
I love going and picking up my groceries and going through the self-scan checkout, pretending that I'm a cashier like every girl dreams!
Tonight for supper was pork stirfry. I can tell you that I absolutly hate any stirfry that my mother ever made, but this was good! I liked it a lot! In the past couple of weeks I've also made salmon (which I don't suggest doing in large quanities...ick). For dessert I've made
Peanut Butter-Chocolate Banana Cream Pie (a favourite at my mom's mother's day party!) and
Chocolate Macaroons (which have white chocolate bits included in them...yummy!).
I seriously love cooking! So, for all you boys out there: I'm declaring that I can cook! Not only CAN I cook...I ENJOY cooking!
