How God has Worked [this semester]

School has been great. Loving every minute of my OB clinical experiences, and enjoying my med/surg ones too. Classes are insanely busy, especially for just 12 credits, but I'm keeping my head above water. Being busy helps time fly by and keeps my mind where it should be - not on myself.

first day of clinicals!

Friendships have continued to deepen, and I continually marvel at the people God has placed in my life here. He really has sustained me with friends this past year - so much encouragement and mutual growth. Time has not allowed to develop many new friends, but I've gotten to know a few freshmen.

I miss my family a lot this year. Not in a homesick way, as in the past, but just in that "I'm growing up" way. It makes me sad that I miss out on so much of their lives, but I do thank God for the times I've been able to go home and watch soccer/volleyball games, cuddle with the little ones, and talk with the older ones. We've skyped once, which was very exciting for all involved. :)

Mark and I have continue to grow closer in our relationship at a manageable rate. He is planning to go to graduate school next fall, probably somewhere far away, so we enjoy every moment we get together right now. 2.5 years doesn't sound like a long time, but it seems like a lifetime - hard to remember what it was like not having his calming and encouraging presence in my life, and not knowing what laughing with him was like. We've enjoyed spending more time with his family this fall, including his brother David, and sister in law, Emily.

me and Mark at a photo shoot with Nathan/Renee :)

Went to a really good sunday school lesson this weekend. He talked about how, in the Lord's Prayer, everything Jesus tells us to pray about are things that He has already promised us as believers. . . so why does He want us to pray about them? Won't they happen if we don't, since they are promised and they are God's will? He proposed that prayer is a means through which God performs his will. As we pray, God works the things He has planned for us. It's a way He has given us to be a part of what He's doing in our lives and in the lives of others, and in doing so, build relationship and intimacy with Him. Even through struggles and trials, prayer helps us gain a right perspective, not asking God to take pain away, but to use it to accomplish His will and draw us closer to His side.

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."
Romans 5:3-5

Memorizing

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them, and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.
But those who trust in idols, who say to images, 'You are our gods,'
will be turned back in utter shame."
Isaiah 42:16-17

Start Fresh!

Back at school. For the first time yet this year, it's beginning to really feel like home. Of course, they say that "home is where the heart is" - if that's the case, then I have my home spread out all over the place. And yes, much of it is here in Kville. :) CCF tonight was really special - it's so amazing how being brothers and sisters in Christ can make a room full of mostly strangers seem like family.

We have to journal about our New Year's Resolutions for one of my classes. Interesting assignment, especially if you're like me, and have given up on the idea of resolutions. :) But I feel that a large part of resolving is tied in with reflecting. Resolving incorporates the idea of change, and how can you change to the "new" unless you're clear on what the "old" was?

My "old" isn't fun to reflect on. Most of 2010 in my life felt like a war-zone. How do you resolve change from that? But each day is a fresh start. The sermon I heard on Sunday urged Christians to look at each day of this coming year as an unopened gift under the tree, that God has given us. I guess my main resolution then is to live in wonder and expectation of each new day, and to recognize that One is directing my days.

"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which
God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. "
Philippians 3:13b &14

Peace with God

Romans 5:1

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

It's so good that our peace on this earth is not dependent on other people or our circumstances. If it were, I know that I would never feel peace. But the Bible continually tells us that if we have been redeemed, we have peace with God. Think back - this world has a long history of struggle with God. Ever since the fall in the Garden, the chaos of this world is in such opposition to the glory of our God. And yet, we can now be at peace with God.

Now peace with God doesn't mean that our lives won't have trouble, struggle, pain, or hurt. Not at all - those things are still so present and sometimes it sure seems like they are surrounding us to the point of suffocation. And yet, our status with God means that we can have peace with Him in the midst of that chaos.

The story of the the "sinful woman" in Luke 7:36-50 is a beautiful illustration of this. She was someone who lived in a world of struggle and chaos. Her encounter with Jesus changed that forever - they shared an intimate moment. Scripture doesn't record anything that she said, only her tears. But Jesus told her that her sins were forgiven, her faith had saved her, and that she should go in peace. Did she go out of that house suddenly able to easily forsake her sinful life and into a world of butterflies and rainbows? Not at all - but from then on, she was able to say that she was forgiven, and that she had peace with God.

When peace seems elusive, take a moment to rest in the peace that is always attainable.

By Faith, Abraham. . .

Romans 4 talks about how Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. It says that “ . . . he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” The passage also encourages us to walk in the footsteps of faith that Abraham displayed. Let’s take a minute to look at those footsteps.

1. God told Abraham to leave his homeland and go to the land God had for him. And he did – just like that. The Bible doesn’t say that he wasted any time getting prepared or putting his affairs in order. He just went. Remember when in Genesis this took place? It’s the first thing we really hear about after the great Flood and the tower of Babel incident. As a human, what must Abraham’s impression of God have been? I would have been terrified, and definitely not inclined to obey immediately. But 75-year-old Abraham just packed up his family and took off.

2. Fast forward 24 years (during which time Abraham has been wandering all over the place, living in Canaan, visiting Egypt, having a son with his wife’s servant girl, etc.). God comes to Abraham again, with two words for him. First, the good news – a son! Old Abraham, and his old wife are going to have a child. Naturally, Abraham laughs. You would too if you were 99 and promised a son! But then, the other news – circumcision. Take a minute and consider what this meant for Abraham . . . to circumcise himself and all of his grown, adult manservants. Do you think he wanted to do this, or found any logic in this command of God? But he did it – he “did not waver.”

3. The last example I want to bring before you is the testing of Abraham. His promised son has been born, as God promised – what a wonderful blessing that must have been to him and Sarah! To see the promise of the Lord finally fulfilled! And then, God asks him to do the impossible. He asks Abraham to sacrifice his son on an altar. Theology and the nature of God would have provided Abraham with so many excuses to not obey. “But I know you’re a loving God,” “Surely you don’t delight in human sacrifices,” . . . the list goes on. And yet, through FAITH, Abraham displays a practical obedience and does what God has asked.

How can we do this? Are there times in our lives when God calls us to obey, but we resist because of the excuses our idea of Christianity gives us? I think that faith requires relationship – it requires knowing the one you trust. We have to be fully persuaded of the faithfulness of God in order to trust Him. That’s hard to do. It’s hard when you’re going through dark days. It sure doesn’t seem like God is fulfilling His promises when you’re in the heat of spiritual warfare, physical exhaustion, or emotional break-down. It’s in those times that it is most important for us to follow the footsteps of Abraham, and practically obey God’s command to trust in Him.

Thoughts of the Morning After

Mmmm. Sitting here with my warm cup of coffee, and the scent of my flowers from last night gently wafting over from the counter. It's so chilly outside this morning, which makes me more happy than I can express - I'm curled up in my yoga pants and my sister's flannel button-up, just keeping warm and savoring life.

Last night was so wonderful. My "kindred spirit", Ashley Lou, was married to the love of her life, Mr. Joel Eldredge. Weddings don't really mean that much unless you are close to the ones joining their lives. And as I think over last night, this morning after, I have so much I could say. The one thing that stands out however, is the focus of the wedding.

In all the preparation for the wedding - the weeks previous, the scrambling around the day of - the focus is on two people, the bride and the groom. Everything centers around what they want their special day to look like, as well it should. The girls' "getting ready" room is a flutter with hairspray, double-sided tape (miraculous stuff!), needles and thread, breath mints, pantyhose (or not, as the case may be), bouquets, and dainty snacks. The guys are in the basement, putting on their suits and. . . . well, I'm not sure what all else goes on down there. :) Everyone is so focused on getting these two very special people ready to join their lives!

And then the wedding. It flies by, as you stand up there watching it happen right in front of you. Then, it's final - they are one.

And then, just like that, it all changes. The reception is filled with couple activities. The family, the guests, and the wedding party all now talk about "them", and no longer "her" and "him". It's a slight change, but one that the maid of honor notices quit acutely. My job shifted drastically - from seeing to the bride's every need and making sure things were just how she wanted it, to stepping back and watching Joel do such a better job of that then I ever could. It was really a wonderful picture . . . and, I have no doubt that he will make a wonderful husband for my Ashley Lou. :)

So, Ashley and Joel - congratulations, once again.

" . . they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." Mark 10:8-9

Monday Mullings

Is mullings a word? Whatever - these are the things I am "mulling" over this Monday. :)

Titus = awesome book of the Bible. This past weekend I had the privilege of attending a retreat at Lake of the Ozarks that was dedicated to going through the book of Titus. Wow - what refreshment, to spend a whole weekend just soaking up God's Word and the wisdom of other Christians!

We covered a lot of different topics this weekend, and I don't think I'm going to take the time to relate all of them to you here. :) However, I did want to share the points from one of the sermons that really was a wonderful reminder. The text was Titus 2:11-14:

¹¹For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. ¹²It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

The speaker talked about how grace has three roles in our lives:
1. Grace brings salvation. I felt like this was a pretty basic thing for us Christians - we are saved by grace, totally a work of God, not us. We're never going to be good enough - even after our salvation though, this is a good thing to remember. . . to be reminded of how we came to where we are now, and our standing with the Holy God that we serve.
2. Grace schools us - it teaches us to say no to ungodliness, and live our new lives. Now this is something I hadn't thought about before - the work of grace after salvation. But isn't the Holy Spirit the one who enables us to live that holy life? And the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is a major extension of the grace that we have received.
3. Grace "soothes" us. It reminds us of the hope that we have for eternal life. This hope isn't just one we can hold onto as a promise for the future, but something that affects the way we live our lives today!

And our response to this grace is seen in that last phrase - "eager to do what is good." Our gratefulness for His grace prompts our love for Him - and this love creates in us a desire to please God, and makes us eager to do good for Him. The message puts it as being "energetic in goodness."

The lake is beautiful. That's all.

On Overcoming Sin. . .

I'm full of myself—after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison. What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary.

But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.

It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.

I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question?

The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.

Romans 7:15-25

Desires and Delight

"The LORD your God is with you,

he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."
Zephaniah 3:17

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this. . ."
Psalm 37:4-5

Have I ever before thought about the fact that the Lord delights in me? Honestly, I haven't. And now that I am, it puzzles me so very much. What is there in me that is delightful? Out of all the beauty He has created, why would the One who is mighty to save take note of me, much less find pleasure in me? And yet, He does. Pause, and think about this. Does it make your heart soar? In His majesty, the Lord of all chose me.

How is it that I do not delight in Him in the same way? Last Sunday, the sermon was about how our God wants to fulfill the desires of our hearts, every last one of them. The speaker stated that every desire we have begins in God - granted, they can be twisted into pervert, and sinful things, but the roots of every last one was created in our hearts by our Heavenly Father. He wants to make those desires come true, so very much!

But we, in our foolishness, try to fulfill our desires in our own way. It doesn't work, and God has to crush those desires, so that we don't harm ourselves. I hate it when God does this in my life, and my plans don't turn out the way I had hoped. More often than not, it causes me to question Him and His goodness. How utterly ridiculous of me!

If only I could learn to give my desires to Him in the first place, and ask Him to fulfill them for me - then, my focus could be on delighting in Him, and remaining in Him. I wouldn't spend time worrying about how the things I wanted would happen, if I truly let that be up to Him. My faith is so small, Lord. I must admit that I doubt your ability to fill the desires of my heart better than I can. Would you take my desires, every last one, and fill them in your amazing and beautiful way? I realize that many of these secret wishes won't be brought into completion on this earth, and that's okay. Bring my gaze to you, so that I can delight in you and allow you to have your way with my desires, each and every day.

Love Never Fails

Love is patient. . .

it can wait a lifetime, and if it's from God, can hold out for His perfect timing.

Love is kind. . .

it goes out of its way to help and looks beyond just what makes "me"

feel good, finding the root of the need or hurt.

It does not envy. . .

it realizes that those I love belong to God, not to me, and they are His to use as He pleases.

It does not boast . . .

it would rather listen than talk, and doesn't need to compete or succeed to feel loved in return.

It is not proud. . .

it's willing to forgive, to admit fault, and to be the first to speak up when problems happen.

It is not rude. . .

it does not exclude others throughout exclusive focus on one,

but reaches out to all who need God's love.

It is not self-seeking. . .

it's always focused on what's best for others, and how God is/wants to be at work in their lives.

It is not easily angered. . .

it quickly lets the little things pass, and forgives quickly,

not allowing the big things to form into grudges.

It keeps no record of wrongs. . .

it doesn't remember past hurts, and never dregs up old pain during new conflicts.

Does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth. . .

it is pure, and focuses on keeping those it loves set apart for God.

It always protects. . .

not only does is physically protect others from harm, but also emotionally,

by guarding other's hearts.

Always trusts. . .

it realizes that God is in control, and that He has my best interests at heart.

Always hopes. . .

it thinks the best of othes, never assuming to worst.

Always perseveres. . .

it never fails to lose sight of the big picture,

and how God has first loved and pursued us, in our broken state.

Love Never Fails.

I Corinthians 13:5-7

Lead Me to the Cross

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from saving me,

so far from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,

by night, and am not silent."

and

"From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;

before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows.
The poor will eat and be satisfied;

they who seek the LORD will praise him—

may your hearts live forever!"

Psalm 22: 1-2 & 25-26

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Psalm 34:18

David and his psalms can be so refreshingly honest! In them, I can vividly see the ups and downs of a walk of faith, the walk of a man declared to be after God's own heart. He has moments when God seems so near, and when he is full of praise for the intimacy of his Lord and King. And he also has times when he cries out from a heart that feels the pain of separation from God, times when God seems so very far away. Yet always, he comes back to praising the Lord, and declaring how marvelous and good he is. What's David's secret? How does he remain so full of faith when God seems distant? I think the key is that David truly knows God, and knows His character. He has confidence in who God is, even when he is unsure where God is, or what He is doing. The only way that I too can come to this point of confidence in God is by knowing just who He is. . . and the only way that comes about is by digging into His word.

"With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"

Mark 15:37-38

Sometimes, as in this story, the circumstances around us shout out God's identity and His sovereignty, loud and clear. This centurion experienced Christ's power in a real way, and standing there at the foot of the cross, He realized who Jesus was. It's an incredible story. However, in my daily life, my circumstances don't always shout God's name - they don't always make me think warm, fuzzy thoughts about Him, or tremble in fear and awe over His power. But regardless, I can always come back to the cross. I can stand still and remember what happened there, for me. Then I can say, with confidence, that this man was the Son of God.

Savior I come

Quiet my soul remember

Redemption's hill

Where Your blood was spilled

For my ransom

Everything I once held dear

I count it all as lost

Lead me to the cross

Where Your love poured out

Bring me to my knees

Lord I lay me down

Rid me of myself

I belong to You

Lead me, lead me to the cross

You were as I

Tempted and trialed

You are

The word became flesh

Bore my sin and death

Now you're risen

To your heart

To your heart

Lead me to your heart

Lead me to your heart

-Lead Me to the Cross

Completed as Promised

Road Construction. Those simple two words can invoke so many memories, good and bad, among nearly everyone - but who can appreciate them more than families who attempt to go on long summer vacations? My first experience with road construction was when I had my driver's permit. I had never driven on the interstate (freeway, for you Californians) before, and Dad decided that Kansas would be a good/easy place to start. Well, is was on our weekend trip to Denver (and that in and of itself is another story - a weekend trip that includes 28 hrs. of driving. . . crazy idea, don't try it) and we drove through the night to maximize our daylight hours there. I had the 1-3 am shift. Now, logically, this would mean that my first time on the interstate would be easier - less traffic in the middle of the night, right? Not so - about 5 minutes down the road, we start seeing signs for road construction. Soon, the our lane crossed the median and I had to drive for over 2 hours with head-on traffic, mostly semi-trucks, and at interstate-speeds. This was also my first night driving experience. . . headlights just complicate things. Oh, and did I mention that I was driving our 12 passenger van? With the entire family in it?

That was stressful. I'm sure you yourself have many trying and/or funny situations of when you have had to deal with road construction. It slows everything down. You often feel like you're waiting hours and hours, and it seems especially pointless if it's for a road that you hardly ever drive on, and don't really care if they repave. Or, maybe it seems to you as though the pavement is just fine - why redo something that already works?

On a trip to Jefferson City last month, I saw a sign for road construction along Highway 63. The sign said something about Adding Lanes during the summer of 2008. In a long, diagonal slant across the sign was an orange strip with black writing. It blodly read "Completed as Promised." What an encouraging thing, to know that the work had been finished, and in the timing that had been originally planned! Although we didn't appreciate the construction period of things, we definitely noticed how nice the extra passing lanes were, and how much faster *cough* I mean safer, we were able to drive on the new, smooth pavement.

Today is the one month anniversary of the passing of a dear friend, Lisa Pettijohn. She fought cancer valiantly for 4 years, and left behind a loving husband, and 5 children. So many would view this as a tragedy, and in some ways, it is. It hardly seems right, or fair, that one so young would have to leave her family, who needed and adored her so much. That she, who had such a powerful testimony for Christ, should be taken to Him, and be no longer able to share His love in this world.

And yet, as we were reminded over and over again at the service that celebrated her life, we can mostly find overwhelming peace and joy through her passing away. Mrs. Pettijohn was like Highway 63 - and from the moment she accepted the Father's free gift of grace, He began His construction. He didn't post any signs for her, or her family and friends, giving a time-table for what He planned to do. But as the Holy Spirit dwelt in her heart and she began to live that new life He called her too, the bumps in the pavement began to be smoothed. Yes, there were undoubtedly days when those on the road grew cranky, when the storms of life threatened to slow down the work, and when, for undetermined reasons, progress wasn't made as intended.

However, this February 7th, 2009, God stamped the sign of Lisa's life with a huge, orange "Completed as Promised" sticker. No more bumpy roads - no more narrow lanes - no more potholes - no more delays. The transformation He had begun in her here on earth was fully realized as she entered the throne room of our Savior, and he said to her, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." We too can take hope in this promise. We do not know the day, nor the hour that He shall take us home - but we have confidence that He will one day finish His work with us here on earth, and we shall join Lisa and the other saints in dancing joyously before our Father, our Bridegroom, our Friend. As He put it in Revelation 21 and 22:

. . . I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new! To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.

The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon."

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Psalm 103

Praise the LORD, O my soul;

all my inmost being praise his holy name.

Praise the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits -

who forgives all your sins

and heals your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies you desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.

The LORD is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in love.

He will not always accuse,

not will he harbor his anger forever;

he does not treat us as our sins deserve,

or repay us according to our iniquites.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children,

so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him. . .

Praise the LORD, O my soul!

vs. 1-5, 8-13

Thirsting for Him

O God, you are my God,

earnestly I seek you;

my soul thirsts for you,

my body longs for you,

in a dry and weary land

where there is no water.

Psalm 63:1

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Matthew 5:6

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

John 4:13-14

We don't really recognize our need for something until we have to go without. It is not until we're stuck with a car that won't start that we realize jumper cables are a good thing to keep in the trunk. We think that we can do without stretching before a work-out just this once -- until we pull a muscle and have to limp the next few weeks. And we don't think about being thirsty until we find ourselves in a dry and weary land.

How often do we hear our parents, or perhaps our doctor, encouraging us to drink more water? And yet, how hard is it to remember to consistently drink those 6-8 glasses a day? If we don't make drinking that much water every day a habit, we'll never get as much as we need. And actually, it may be one of those things we don't notice. . . the day-to-day lives we lead might not seem to suffer much from lack of water. But if we stop and consider the long-term ways water is needed in our bodies (kidney function, metabolism, temperature regulation, etc.), we will realize that water is a "must."

God is too. Our souls need a huge daily dose of Him to live. And hey, maybe, like water, we might not notice it if we go without getting enough of Him for a few days or weeks. A little here and there, something slipped into a conversation, may seem like enough. But when we reach that dry and barren land, we'll start to notice our dehydration pretty quickly. Thankfully, God is always near to us. Even in the driest of droughts, He can be found. Our job is to earnestly and daily seek Him. Even when we don't see a need for this daily dose of Him because we can't feel the effects right away, we have to continue to drink of His ways, remembering that we are in it not only for the short-term, but the long haul.

God, I haven't been doing a good job of regularly replenishing my supply of You. I need to learn that one huge dose of you isn't enough to last a lifetime. I'm not a camel Lord, and I can't just store up for the moments I feel faint - I need You each and every day. May I begin to truly see my continual need for you, and respond by earnestly seeking You and the Living Water You offer me. Thank you for always being there with open arms - forgiving the times I fail, and holding me up to keep on each day.

~Becky Girl

On Love (from John, the "disciple whom Jesus loved")

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." I John 3:1

" . . . so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. 'Do you understand what I have done for you?' he asked them. 'You call me "Teacher" and "Lord," and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." John 13:4-5, 12-15

"If you love me, you will obey what I command. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." John 14:15, 21

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. " I John 3:16-18

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. " John 15:9-13

"Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, 'Lord, the one you love is sick.' Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.' When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 'Where have you laid him?' he asked. 'Come and see, Lord,' they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, 'See how he loved him!' . . . Jesus said, 'This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it.'" John 11:1-3, 5, 32-36, 38

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep." John 10:14

"And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love."
II John 5-6"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us." I John 4:16-19

Trust and Obey

When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his Word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey.

But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor he shows,
for the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at his feet,
or we'll walk by his side in the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey.

Text: John H. Sammis, 1846-1919

Music: Daniel B. Towner, 1850-1919

"Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God."

Isaiah 50:10

"Delight yourself in the LORD

and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD;

trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,

the justice of your cause like the noonday sun."
Psalm 37: 4-6

Happy 2009!

I pray that you will all have a blessed coming year, growing in the knowledge and love of our Saviour each and every day. Have you all enjoyed these past few weeks of celebration? I know I have! Look for more posts, and pictures as soon as I get home. I have a lot to catch up on!

Love you all,

Becky

"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

II Corinthians 5:14-17

A silent heart is free

"Sing to the LORD, you saints of his;

praise his holy name.

For his anger lasts only a moment,

but his favor lasts a lifetime;

weeping may remain for a night,

but rejoicing comes in the morning."

"You turned my wailing into dancing;

you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.

O LORD, my God, I will give you thanks forever. "

Psalm 30: 4-5, 11-12

Rainy Afternoons, Reused Tea Bags, and Rachel

Rainy days always give me cause for rejoicing. As much as I love blue skies and sunshine, there is something that draws me about the pattering of droplets against my bedroom window. Running and splashing in puddles, little droplets on the leaves and grass, windshield wipers going "swish" (ior, as in the case of those on my car, "squeeeeek"), and that wondrous smell which envelopes all of nature the day after ~ just a few of the many things I find special about rain.

However, my least favorite thing about rain is its faithful partner - gray clouds. (An aside: In the car on my way to my 9 o'clock class this morning, I was quite gloomy, and thinking how ironic it was that the weather outside mirrored my mood so well. Mum, Abby, and I have recently been learning about joy though, so I banished the gloominess by singing. Might I add that if anyone had been in the car with me, this probably would have added to the miserable state of their morning. I got through "It's a Happy Day", "How Deep the Father's Love for Us", and "Blessed Assurance", and that helped me to enter class with a smile on my face. Which was soon wiped off after sitting through a speech on "how to feed a pet snake", using a live mouse to demonstrate. *shudder*)

The joint efforts of clouds and rain make me think of my own struggle to find joy throughout the day. Often, I must deal with the clouds and gloominess that come along in order to find that joy and peace the Father offers. Sometimes, this joy and peace are not obvious ~ sunshine and blue skies are wonderful, but the real challenge is rejoicing in the clouds. For without clouds, how could we receive rain? Similarly, how could we ever begin to appreciate God's holiness and love and power if our circumstances on earth were not so terribly bleak? The reason we can know Him and His wondrous ways is because we know of the alternative ~ and we love the rain because of those gray clouds looming about us.

Rain generally inspires me to drink tea, and lots of it. I've always been the ultimate cheap-skate (more graciously known as "thrifty), and reused tea-bags, often more than once. They always look so glum, huddled up in a little lump wherever I happened to place them the evening before. And then, "Plop" ~into the hot water they go! Suddenly, they appear almost fresh! Dark juice pours out of them and slowly mixes with the clear water, and the herbal aromas float up, conjuring thoughts of orchards, sitting before a warm fire, and country gardens. And all that happens simply by placing them in the hot water.

On those days when I am feeling glum, lumpy, and slightly useless or forgotten, it can take getting into some "hot water" to make me feel fresh again. As a problem, or new challenge comes, it helps point me to Who the Source of my joy is. Joy has nothing to do with how I look or feel at that particular moment. It has everything to do with my Savior and the knowledge of what He has done and continues to do for me.

I've been thinking about Rachel from the Old Testament a lot. (Her story can be found throughout chapters 29-48 of Genesis) If you recall, she had her share of trials and gloomy days. After waiting seven years to marry Jacob, her father gave her sister Leah to him instead! And then, because Jacob favored her above Leah, she sat by for many years and watched Leah, and their servants Bilhah and Zilpah bear many children while she was barren. But I suspect that these things made her even more grateful for the good days. Her son Joseph must have been such a joy to her! She said, "God has taken away my disgrace.", and the name Joseph means "Jehovah increases" ~ Rachel knew the source of her joy.

So today, as you join me in looking at those gray clouds, try to find the hidden joy in your circumstances. It may not be glaringly obvious, but more subtle. . . just like the gentle rain.

~Rebekah

The Importance of Prayer

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
~Hebrews 4:15-16

"And pray in the Spirit on all ocassions, with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."

~Ephesians 6:18

"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
~James 5:13, 15-16

"Do not be anxious in anything, but in everything,by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. "
~Philippians 4:6

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. "
~Romans 8:26