The other day I was walking outside at night, looking at the stars up above. I love stars - there's just something so neat walking around, looking up at them on a warm summer night, or a crisp fall evening. The last week or so I've felt a little alone at times, and as I was walking, I was wishing there was someone there to enjoy the stars with me. At that moment, God exclaimed (somewhat indignantly, if I may say so) - Hey, what about me? I'm here with you now! And besides, I made the stars, and put them there just for you! Could that other person do that?
Thanks God for that reminder of how great you are, and the amazing, BIG things you do each and every day for us. We take it so for granted most of the time.
From Psalm 147 and 148:
Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting....He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
Praise him, sun and moon, praise him all you shining stars!
Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded and they were created. And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Does anyone else see the irony?
So I just recently heard about twitter, which seems slightly ridiculous to me, given the myriad ways of "keeping in touch with someone". But here's a very ironic/oxymoronic statement to me that I found on the twitter website.
With Twitter, you can stay hyper–connected to your friends and always know what they’re doing. Or, you can stop following them any time. You can even set quiet times on Twitter so you’re not interrupted.
Twitter puts you in control and becomes a modern antidote to information overload.
Twitter is an antidote to information overload? More like another major contributor to information overload in my mind :)
With Twitter, you can stay hyper–connected to your friends and always know what they’re doing. Or, you can stop following them any time. You can even set quiet times on Twitter so you’re not interrupted.
Twitter puts you in control and becomes a modern antidote to information overload.
Twitter is an antidote to information overload? More like another major contributor to information overload in my mind :)
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Reminder
I came across this essay I wrote in college, and thought it was a good reminder for some of the things I'm going through now.
One of the questions that I am frequently asked is “You’re a Biochemistry and Spanish double major? How in the world will that combination go together?” This is often asked incredulously, as if I am out of my mind to even consider such a difficult pathway. Over the past three years, I have learned that God often calls people to do the unexpected and extraordinary in order that his glory may be manifested in all that we do and say.
My professors are continually encouraging me to develop my abilities in whatever areas that God has blessed me with talent and interest. God is not limited by our human condition, so why should we attempt to limit the effects of his endless creativity and interaction in our lives? I believe that vocational calling involves not only one’s given job or intellectual interests, but that it encompasses the multiple talents we as humans possess. I am grateful for Messiah College’s emphasis on the development of the whole person, for it has encouraged me to seek to integrate the multiple interests that I have, including my love of science and my love of the Spanish people. Once we become free of the mentality that our vocation is somehow separate from our Christian faith, we can be free to fulfill God’s richest plans and desires for our lives, and in turn effectively share Christ’s love with others.
As I have grown here at Messiah, I have learned that our Christian witness is not just limited to times of concentrated witnessing. The Christian witness is most effective when others see Christ’s influence in all aspects of our lives, including our intellectual pursuits and our day-to-day actions. This involves taking time out to notice others and their struggles and needs, instead of allowing busyness to interfere with our relationships to others. The world yearns to see Christians who have the freedom of Christ’s love, yet often the world sees us as hypocritical and people living two lives – a “secular” life and a “Christian” life. One of my current goals is to seek to exemplify Christ in all that I do, whether I am pursuing intellectual goals, leisure activities, or simply relating to others who come into my path throughout the day. Philippians 1:27 says: “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.” Only when I have lived up to this standard will I have fulfilled Christ’s calling for my life.
One of the questions that I am frequently asked is “You’re a Biochemistry and Spanish double major? How in the world will that combination go together?” This is often asked incredulously, as if I am out of my mind to even consider such a difficult pathway. Over the past three years, I have learned that God often calls people to do the unexpected and extraordinary in order that his glory may be manifested in all that we do and say.
My professors are continually encouraging me to develop my abilities in whatever areas that God has blessed me with talent and interest. God is not limited by our human condition, so why should we attempt to limit the effects of his endless creativity and interaction in our lives? I believe that vocational calling involves not only one’s given job or intellectual interests, but that it encompasses the multiple talents we as humans possess. I am grateful for Messiah College’s emphasis on the development of the whole person, for it has encouraged me to seek to integrate the multiple interests that I have, including my love of science and my love of the Spanish people. Once we become free of the mentality that our vocation is somehow separate from our Christian faith, we can be free to fulfill God’s richest plans and desires for our lives, and in turn effectively share Christ’s love with others.
As I have grown here at Messiah, I have learned that our Christian witness is not just limited to times of concentrated witnessing. The Christian witness is most effective when others see Christ’s influence in all aspects of our lives, including our intellectual pursuits and our day-to-day actions. This involves taking time out to notice others and their struggles and needs, instead of allowing busyness to interfere with our relationships to others. The world yearns to see Christians who have the freedom of Christ’s love, yet often the world sees us as hypocritical and people living two lives – a “secular” life and a “Christian” life. One of my current goals is to seek to exemplify Christ in all that I do, whether I am pursuing intellectual goals, leisure activities, or simply relating to others who come into my path throughout the day. Philippians 1:27 says: “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.” Only when I have lived up to this standard will I have fulfilled Christ’s calling for my life.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Good days
It's been a surprisingly good day. I don't know why having a good day is surprising - maybe because it's been pretty relaxed, and I've goten some things accomplished, but not so much that I feel stressed out. The past week or two has been rough in spots - I'm trying to get myself to do what I know I need to do (and to do things consistently!) and I've also been trying to work through some things regarding friendships and other relationships. While things have been hard, God's been reminding me of instances in the past where he's seen me through, and the end result is good, even though it looked like there was no hope at the moment. Part of why today has been good is that there has been a lot of time for relationships - sending a graduation card to my best friend, writing another friend a letter, and getting ready to hang out at HersheyPark tonight. Yesterday was encouraging as well - a note from a college roommate was so encouraging and a reminder of how God has really worked in that relationship.
I kind of like the weather today too - subdued a bit, kind of cozy, a good day for slowing down and thinking.
Well, I hope you have a great day too, wherever you are.
Now I'm off to mow the lawn before it rains for the next few days :)
I kind of like the weather today too - subdued a bit, kind of cozy, a good day for slowing down and thinking.
Well, I hope you have a great day too, wherever you are.
Now I'm off to mow the lawn before it rains for the next few days :)
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Beautiful
This just really spoke to me this morning when I read it. We believe so many lies about ourselves, don't we? Yet God has an answer and God has truth for us in everything, if we would just listen to him.
From Daily Light for April 10th:
Morning
I am very dark, but lovely.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.—“And your renown went forth among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect through the splendor that I had bestowed on you, declares the Lord God.”—“I am a sinful man, O Lord.”—Behold, you are beautiful, my love, behold, you are beautiful!—“I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”—You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.”—When I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.—“Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”—For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.—And you have been filled in him.—Mature in Christ.
You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.—That you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Song 1:5; Ps. 51:5; Ezek. 16:14; Luke 5:8; Song 4:1; Job 42:6; Song 4:7; Rom. 7:21; Matt. 9:2; Rom. 7:18; Col. 2:10; Col. 1:28; 1 Cor. 6:11; 1 Pet. 2:9
From Daily Light for April 10th:
Morning
I am very dark, but lovely.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.—“And your renown went forth among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect through the splendor that I had bestowed on you, declares the Lord God.”—“I am a sinful man, O Lord.”—Behold, you are beautiful, my love, behold, you are beautiful!—“I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”—You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.”—When I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.—“Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”—For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.—And you have been filled in him.—Mature in Christ.
You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.—That you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Song 1:5; Ps. 51:5; Ezek. 16:14; Luke 5:8; Song 4:1; Job 42:6; Song 4:7; Rom. 7:21; Matt. 9:2; Rom. 7:18; Col. 2:10; Col. 1:28; 1 Cor. 6:11; 1 Pet. 2:9
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Accents
Of course there are a million little "what is your accent" things on the internet, which are always fun. Languages and accents and word choices have always fascinated me (guess it's good since I like to travel!) This one was funny though, in a couple different ways. Apparently I have a "Midland" accent.
"You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
Interesting, since I am from PA, but haven't quite fully embraced my Pennsylvania-ness. I had to crack up though at "you have a good voice for TV and radio"! maybe if this whole grad school thing doesn't work out....
"You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
Interesting, since I am from PA, but haven't quite fully embraced my Pennsylvania-ness. I had to crack up though at "you have a good voice for TV and radio"! maybe if this whole grad school thing doesn't work out....
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Update
So it's been a while. Funny thing is, as I was reading back through things today, I realized tha I need to hear the exact same things I was thinking about in the last few posts.
I've also been thinking about how the last month or so, or really the last week or so has been really hard. And I've been really frustrated with God for different reasons. Yet in thinking about what I wrote, or events that have happened over the last year or so since I started the blog, I realize that things that were hard then turned out ok in the end. Or at least they've turned out okay thusfar.
I've also been thinking a lot lately about Hind's Feet on High Places, and how I'm like Much-Afraid sometimes. She gets to a point where she has to make a choice to follow the Shepherd no matter what. She has to get to the point where she will trust and follow him even if he were to deceive her.
"Would you be willing to trust me," he asked, "even if everything in the wide world seemed to say that I was deceiving you -- indeed, that I had deceived you all along?"
"My Lord -- if you can deceive me, you may. It can make no difference. I must love you as long as I continue to exist. I cannot live without loving you."
I've also been thinking about how the last month or so, or really the last week or so has been really hard. And I've been really frustrated with God for different reasons. Yet in thinking about what I wrote, or events that have happened over the last year or so since I started the blog, I realize that things that were hard then turned out ok in the end. Or at least they've turned out okay thusfar.
I've also been thinking a lot lately about Hind's Feet on High Places, and how I'm like Much-Afraid sometimes. She gets to a point where she has to make a choice to follow the Shepherd no matter what. She has to get to the point where she will trust and follow him even if he were to deceive her.
"Would you be willing to trust me," he asked, "even if everything in the wide world seemed to say that I was deceiving you -- indeed, that I had deceived you all along?"
"My Lord -- if you can deceive me, you may. It can make no difference. I must love you as long as I continue to exist. I cannot live without loving you."
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