Today, I worked.. then came home for a few minutes before deciding that for once I wasn't going to make plans just because it's Friday. So, thinking about how I was going to spend my now available ME time.. I found myself driving to Barns & Noble. If you know me well enough this is like a favorite pass time of mine. I always spend my me time doing one of three things: going for long walks/jogs, reading in a place I know I don't typically run into friends, or I will going on a sporadic cleaning spree. All random but not unusual for me. I already knew when I got there exactly what I was going to pick up and spend the next few hours reading. I grabbed it, nabbed a cozy seat and flipped it open.
The book is called The Journals of Jim Elliot, yes if you read my last post you will quickly realize that Jim is the late husband of Elisabeth. Again, if you don't know who they are -- google them. Anyway, it's around 500 pages of his journals from his college years till his late twenties when he died. He was a holy man in his singlehood, a rightuous man in his marriage and noble man as he became a martyr by his death in the mission field. I absolutely love his and Elisabeth's story and reading it brings hope to anyone seeking the kingdom, willing to entrust their lives in the Lord's hands.
I've never been one to necessarily enjoy reading poetry but over time I've grown an appreciation for old english. Here is a poem that Jim had in one of his entries. I loved it.
"Say not my soul, 'from whence
Can God relieve my care?
Remember that omnipotence
Has servents everywhere.
God's help is always sure,
His method seldom guessed;
Delay will make our pleasure pure,
Surprise will give it zest.
His wisdom is sublime
His heart profoundly kind;
God is never before His time,
And is never behind.
Hast thou assumed a load,
Which few will share with thee,
And art thou carrying it for God,
And shall He fail to see?
Be comforted at heart,
Thou art not left alone
Now thou the Lord's companion art,
Soon thou shalt share His throne."
-Thomas T. Lynch
Friday, July 9, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Elisabeth Elliot Quotes
A short explanation for this is that Elisabeth Elliot is my hero. She lived a very holy and honorable life, one which I have admired for several years now. If you don't know who she is -- Google her. :)
"The will of God is never exactly what you expect it to be. It may seem much worse, but in the end it's going to be a lot better, and a lot bigger."
"Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering. The love of God did not protect His own Son and He will not necessarily protect us from anything it takes to make us more like His Son. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into that process"
"Let not your longings slay your appetite for living"
"Self-pity is a death that has no resurrection, a sinkhole from which no helping hand can drag you out, because you have chosen to sink."
Another woman I admire, Christa Black says,
"I can't change the weather, but I can change whether or not I am going to smile."
----Such a simple thought, but I love it. It will be found painted or posted somewhere in my future house, for sure.
"The will of God is never exactly what you expect it to be. It may seem much worse, but in the end it's going to be a lot better, and a lot bigger."
"Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering. The love of God did not protect His own Son and He will not necessarily protect us from anything it takes to make us more like His Son. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into that process"
"Let not your longings slay your appetite for living"
"Self-pity is a death that has no resurrection, a sinkhole from which no helping hand can drag you out, because you have chosen to sink."
Another woman I admire, Christa Black says,
"I can't change the weather, but I can change whether or not I am going to smile."
----Such a simple thought, but I love it. It will be found painted or posted somewhere in my future house, for sure.
Once Upon a Time
Once upon a time I laid eyes on the cutest boy I'd ever seen. He was shy and never said too much but he was charming in that way. He made me laugh I mean he knew how to REALLY make me laugh. I instantly loved everything about him. I couldn't wait to just be around him. For years we did everything together. I made him go shopping with me and watch dumb chick flicks. He would read me recruiting stats and we'd watch espn for hours or sit around just laughing about who knows what. I wanted whatever he wanted and he wanted whatever I wanted. It was intoxicating and overwhelming at times. I literally would come in from dates and would have to regulate my heart rate when I closed my front door. I couldn't even have a conversation without somehow inserting his name. He was my best friend and his presence made my life better.
Why am I telling you this? I promise I'm getting somewhere. While I am not still involved in this relationship, it clearly left a major imprint. One that I cannot forget or erase. I was physically and mentally changed, never to be the same. For a few short years I got a glimpse of a love that many people spend their whole lives searching for. With that said, is that not how God longs for us to feel about Him? Does He not want us to be so in love with Him that it's intoxicating, that we just want what He wants. That we can't talk without bringing Him up. That no matter what we are doing, we want Him to be a part of it. I believe that. I also believe that if a human relationship can be so altering on another human, then a relationship with the creator of all things should certainly leave an imprint, one so deep it can NEVER be forgotten or erased. How can you claim to have a relationship with Christ and not experience these things?
Why am I telling you this? I promise I'm getting somewhere. While I am not still involved in this relationship, it clearly left a major imprint. One that I cannot forget or erase. I was physically and mentally changed, never to be the same. For a few short years I got a glimpse of a love that many people spend their whole lives searching for. With that said, is that not how God longs for us to feel about Him? Does He not want us to be so in love with Him that it's intoxicating, that we just want what He wants. That we can't talk without bringing Him up. That no matter what we are doing, we want Him to be a part of it. I believe that. I also believe that if a human relationship can be so altering on another human, then a relationship with the creator of all things should certainly leave an imprint, one so deep it can NEVER be forgotten or erased. How can you claim to have a relationship with Christ and not experience these things?
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Why So Serious?
My favorite people are the ones that make me laugh even when I'm trying to be serious. Actually, thank God for those people.
Happy 4th
Well guys, I have neglected you. Here are some current thoughts and updates revolving around my life.
Lately, I've discovered that in hard times clinging to family and believing in what that represents counters any wrong doing, misfortunes or bitterness. Not that all those thing apply to my situation but I believe that coming together rather than pulling apart will always repair and renew families. I find this important to me right now cause I've heard a lot of stories and see a lot of people go through hard times and often people choose to run away or resentfully continue letting things fall a part. Those people are terribly mistaken and will sadly find out the hard way that, that does not fix a situation.
Lately, I've discovered that in hard times clinging to family and believing in what that represents counters any wrong doing, misfortunes or bitterness. Not that all those thing apply to my situation but I believe that coming together rather than pulling apart will always repair and renew families. I find this important to me right now cause I've heard a lot of stories and see a lot of people go through hard times and often people choose to run away or resentfully continue letting things fall a part. Those people are terribly mistaken and will sadly find out the hard way that, that does not fix a situation.
I encourage you, sow yourself back into your family, love on them even when you don't want to. Family is a blessing, too many people have forgotten that. I forgot that for a while, luckily I grew up. I am still very much growing up but that is one thing I have learned and continue to learn.
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