The republican primary in Alabama has brought back a social media argument that my dislike for comes second only to the Auburn-Alabama football hatred. Politics.
My dream used to be to go law school. I am a declared Political Science minor (although I haven't yet taken any of these classes). Politics and the government have always interested me. In high school, I would argue my political views to anyone who wanted argue back.
I have found myself drawing away from any type of political talk these days. I still get excited at the idea of taking my polysci classes, but I'm extremely frustrated by the arguments taking place around me.
How should Christians view Politics?
I have no idea. This blog entry is just me thinking through things, because I have no answer. I know that my argumentative approach from high school is not the proper way to go about it. My current approach of sitting and listening and saying nothing doesn't seem right either. All I know is this: politics should NOT divide brothers and sisters in Christ and cause unnecessary arguments between them. It's like theological debates. At the end of the day, we all love Jesus and want to live as He did. Anything that causes a division in the body is not what Christ desires for us.
The Bible should be my political guide, not Fox News or CNN, not my parents or friends.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Waiting
Wow, it's been awhile since I've updated. This entry won't have too much substance, I'm pretty much just updating blog world on what's been going on with me.
I'm currently in a waiting stage in a few aspects of life.
The first notable occurrence as of late is my finger injury. For anyone who doesn't know, I fractured and severely dislocated my left ring finger and also pulled the tendon. I was playing flag football in Montevallo with BCM when it happened, so luckily Momma got to accompany me during my 6 hour ER adventure.
Come to find out, tendon injuries are a bad thing and take a long time to heal. I'm on my 2nd week in a removable half finger cast thing and I'm doing finger exercises 2 or 3 times a day. I was told by the doctor that my finger would be healing for a really long time and it would probably never function the same way again.
The sad fact is, I am probably going to be stuck without a fully functioning left hand for a long time. As I have found out these past few weeks, even though I am right-handed, having one hand is awfully inconvenient and annoying. This whole situation has been incredibly discouraging and has tested my patience to its limits.
I was telling a few friends about a week before this happened that I needed to learn to slow down and listen to God, not let my stressful, busy life be my focus 24/7, and most of all, learn patience. My injury has helped me do these things. I'm finding the sliver lining, it's just taking (ironically) a lot of patience.
Class and work have been about the same as always. I did go to a symposium for my major last Friday. I listened to lectures all day from professionals in my field. I went in prepared to be bored to tears and instead came out with pages of notes and a lot of new knowledge. I listened more that day than I have in weeks of class. I am very excited about things to come with my major. I still have no idea if I want to do speech path or audiology, but I have a while to decide.
I'm getting on the downhill path for both my major (which I'll finish Spring 2013) and undergrad (I'll finish Spring 2014). It's strange to be thinking about graduate school, but it's all getting very real to me now. For now, I'm just waiting until I'm close enough to apply.
It is March in approximately 10 minutes. I'll be finding out what I'll be doing this summer in a matter of weeks. I'm not yet sure if I'll be working or volunteering, but either way, I'll be in the mission field all summer. I am so excited to serve. I have been ready for missions ever since Passion and now it's getting real. I could very well be on the other side of the country this time 4 months from now. Once again, I'm in the waiting stage. It's scary not knowing where I'll be, but I need some mystery in my constantly planned-out life.
That's all that's new with me. I am looking forward to spring break simply because of the "break" aspect of it. Life is exhausting these days. Only a few more days to wait on that event.
Here I wait...
(This verse may not be completely relevant to this blog, but it's good to hear nonetheless.)
I'm currently in a waiting stage in a few aspects of life.
The first notable occurrence as of late is my finger injury. For anyone who doesn't know, I fractured and severely dislocated my left ring finger and also pulled the tendon. I was playing flag football in Montevallo with BCM when it happened, so luckily Momma got to accompany me during my 6 hour ER adventure.
Come to find out, tendon injuries are a bad thing and take a long time to heal. I'm on my 2nd week in a removable half finger cast thing and I'm doing finger exercises 2 or 3 times a day. I was told by the doctor that my finger would be healing for a really long time and it would probably never function the same way again.
The sad fact is, I am probably going to be stuck without a fully functioning left hand for a long time. As I have found out these past few weeks, even though I am right-handed, having one hand is awfully inconvenient and annoying. This whole situation has been incredibly discouraging and has tested my patience to its limits.
I was telling a few friends about a week before this happened that I needed to learn to slow down and listen to God, not let my stressful, busy life be my focus 24/7, and most of all, learn patience. My injury has helped me do these things. I'm finding the sliver lining, it's just taking (ironically) a lot of patience.
Class and work have been about the same as always. I did go to a symposium for my major last Friday. I listened to lectures all day from professionals in my field. I went in prepared to be bored to tears and instead came out with pages of notes and a lot of new knowledge. I listened more that day than I have in weeks of class. I am very excited about things to come with my major. I still have no idea if I want to do speech path or audiology, but I have a while to decide.
I'm getting on the downhill path for both my major (which I'll finish Spring 2013) and undergrad (I'll finish Spring 2014). It's strange to be thinking about graduate school, but it's all getting very real to me now. For now, I'm just waiting until I'm close enough to apply.
It is March in approximately 10 minutes. I'll be finding out what I'll be doing this summer in a matter of weeks. I'm not yet sure if I'll be working or volunteering, but either way, I'll be in the mission field all summer. I am so excited to serve. I have been ready for missions ever since Passion and now it's getting real. I could very well be on the other side of the country this time 4 months from now. Once again, I'm in the waiting stage. It's scary not knowing where I'll be, but I need some mystery in my constantly planned-out life.
That's all that's new with me. I am looking forward to spring break simply because of the "break" aspect of it. Life is exhausting these days. Only a few more days to wait on that event.
Here I wait...
(This verse may not be completely relevant to this blog, but it's good to hear nonetheless.)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
-James 1:2-4
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Stories.
I love reading. I love getting into a good book and feeling like I'm part of what is happening. Because of this, I much prefer reading books that are written in first person.
My life is a story. I am not the author, but I am the protagonist. I experience the events. In the book that is my life, I am the first person narrator.
I've been thinking about the idea of an individual's "story" a lot lately. Everyone's is different. Everyone's story molds them into who they are.
I was with a group of Christian friends a few nights ago. We were in a bible study setting and we were asked to tell our "story." It just so happened that all of the people in this small group were not people I knew very much about past the surface level. I sat and listened to them each tell their own story, what made them into the person that sat in front of me. They each told the story, as written by God, from their first person narrotor point of view. I also shared my own story.
I believe that hearing or sharing personal stories is key to forming a deeper understand of a person or even yourself. I learned so much about myself through sharing my own personal journey. I realized just how deeply certain events in my life have shaped who I am. Everytime someone shares their story with me, I see the person in a much different, much deeper light.
I hear these stories as I hear the stories in books I read, but unlike in the books, I'm actually a part of this person's story.
My challenge to anyone reading is to take the time to ask someone about their story, even if it's someone you've known for years. Take the time to also share your story and BE HONEST. By taking the time to do this alone, I believe deeper bonds can be formed and the two people involved can see just how God, the author and perfecter of our faith, works in different yet equally magnificent ways.
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
-Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
My life is a story. I am not the author, but I am the protagonist. I experience the events. In the book that is my life, I am the first person narrator.
I've been thinking about the idea of an individual's "story" a lot lately. Everyone's is different. Everyone's story molds them into who they are.
I was with a group of Christian friends a few nights ago. We were in a bible study setting and we were asked to tell our "story." It just so happened that all of the people in this small group were not people I knew very much about past the surface level. I sat and listened to them each tell their own story, what made them into the person that sat in front of me. They each told the story, as written by God, from their first person narrotor point of view. I also shared my own story.
I believe that hearing or sharing personal stories is key to forming a deeper understand of a person or even yourself. I learned so much about myself through sharing my own personal journey. I realized just how deeply certain events in my life have shaped who I am. Everytime someone shares their story with me, I see the person in a much different, much deeper light.
I hear these stories as I hear the stories in books I read, but unlike in the books, I'm actually a part of this person's story.
My challenge to anyone reading is to take the time to ask someone about their story, even if it's someone you've known for years. Take the time to also share your story and BE HONEST. By taking the time to do this alone, I believe deeper bonds can be formed and the two people involved can see just how God, the author and perfecter of our faith, works in different yet equally magnificent ways.
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
-Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Jesus Lifts Your Load
"Brokenness is the bow from which God launches the arrows of healing." -Louie Giglio
When you get a crack in your windshield, you acknowledge that a problem is present, but oftentimes let it be "tomorrow's problem." Overtime, this crack gets larger and larger until it is severe enough that it affects your driving and is a safety risk for you and others around you.
I view this as metaphorical to human struggles. When we first face some sort of struggle, we know it is there but don't really worry about it until it grows severe enough to hinder our everyday lives. When we reach this point, we have to overcome this struggle. We have to be broken to it.
Brokenness is not an easy concept for humans to grasp. When something is broken, it needs to be fixed. Not many people want to admit that they need to be fixed. I know I don't.
When Louie said this quote (top) regarding brokenness, it brought tears to my eyes. I used to try to face my problems head on and fix them as they burdened me. I didn't want to admit to myself or anyone else that I needed to be fixed. I didn't want to come to terms with the idea that I could not handle this on my own. I continued to "work alone." This didn't work. I couldn't do it. I'm just not strong enough.
When I finally came to realize that I needed help, I gave it to God. I let myself be broken before Him. In doing this, I felt a physical release as God took the burden from me. With this load off my shoulders, I was ready to heal.
I grew up with a song called "When Jesus Lifts the Load." This is basically the entire song:
"Your load will be much lighter
When Jesus lifts the load...
...When Jesus lifts your heavy load"
It's a simple song with a clear message: Jesus can handle your problems, no matter how heavy they may be to you.
I believe this with all my heart. Life isn't easy most of the time, so let God take care of things. You just have to trust Him and be broken before Him, then you will be able to heal.
When you get a crack in your windshield, you acknowledge that a problem is present, but oftentimes let it be "tomorrow's problem." Overtime, this crack gets larger and larger until it is severe enough that it affects your driving and is a safety risk for you and others around you.
I view this as metaphorical to human struggles. When we first face some sort of struggle, we know it is there but don't really worry about it until it grows severe enough to hinder our everyday lives. When we reach this point, we have to overcome this struggle. We have to be broken to it.
Brokenness is not an easy concept for humans to grasp. When something is broken, it needs to be fixed. Not many people want to admit that they need to be fixed. I know I don't.
When Louie said this quote (top) regarding brokenness, it brought tears to my eyes. I used to try to face my problems head on and fix them as they burdened me. I didn't want to admit to myself or anyone else that I needed to be fixed. I didn't want to come to terms with the idea that I could not handle this on my own. I continued to "work alone." This didn't work. I couldn't do it. I'm just not strong enough.
When I finally came to realize that I needed help, I gave it to God. I let myself be broken before Him. In doing this, I felt a physical release as God took the burden from me. With this load off my shoulders, I was ready to heal.
I grew up with a song called "When Jesus Lifts the Load." This is basically the entire song:
"Your load will be much lighter
When Jesus lifts the load...
...When Jesus lifts your heavy load"
It's a simple song with a clear message: Jesus can handle your problems, no matter how heavy they may be to you.
I believe this with all my heart. Life isn't easy most of the time, so let God take care of things. You just have to trust Him and be broken before Him, then you will be able to heal.
Friday, January 6, 2012
God Likes to Blatantly Make a Point, Too!
Not even 3 hours earlier, we were listening to Louie Giglio urge us to do whatever we were good at and be on fire for God. He told us we didn't have to move to South Africa or start a non-profit, just do what we're good at and shine His light to the world. This ended Passion 2012.
God decided to make this point apparently clear to our small group of 10.
We pulled out of Atlanta around 3pm (2pm Alabama time) last night. Almost instantly, everyone fell into a semi-comatose state. We were supposed to stop for dinner, but since everyone but me, one guy, and our "adult type person" fell asleep, I figured we would drive straight home. One awake guy looked straight back and me and I voiced that I doubted we would eat since everyone was asleep. As soon as I said this, everyone opened their eyes. A few minutes later, we got off an exit and went to a random IHOP in Union, Georgia.
As soon as we walked in, this young waiter started working to pull tables together so we could all sit together. Originally, an older lady was serving us. As more customers came in, the young guy walked over and told us that he would be taking our table for then on out. From the moment we met this guy, we could tell that he was just a perpetually joyful person. He smiled constantly and engaged in conversation with us. He had an outstanding memory; he took our orders accurately without writing anything down. He brought me 3 pickles for free!
As we started getting our food, we bowed our heads to pray. I noticed him walk up and stand behind Matt, who was praying, as he carried more food to our table. He saw we were praying and bowed his head as well. All throughout the rest of the meal, he talked and joked with us and apparently listened to us reflect upon our time at Passion and what God had stirred in us.
I felt something in me urging me to ask if he needed prayer. I acted on this urge. He told us that he didn't really have anything he could think of that needed prayer, he was content. He continued in calling us "spiritual warriors" and asked if he could pray with us instead of being prayed for. He lifted us up in the most encouraging verbal ways.
After everyone paid, he walked up to us and said, "I'm ready when you guys are." We all paused and looked confused. "To pray with you. Can we go outside?" So, the 10 of us walked outside and stood in front of this random IHOP with this random guy who just happened to wait on us that afternoon. He told us that he was truly content, but had problems with one of his arms and could use prayer for healing. We asked if we could lay hands on him and pray for him. My friend Carlos led the prayer to lift this man up.
He then asked to pray for us. We all joined hands in a circle and listened as this guy lifted us up in thanks to God. I can't speak for everyone in my group, but out of all the prayers I heard that week during Passion, his was BY FAR the most powerful. He ended in thanking us for what we were doing to praise God and pursue His mission in our lives. We told him goodbye, all of us still in awe over what God had just thrown in our path.
(Carlos actually got the opportunity to share what Passion was with a non-Christian who also worked at IHOP, but I won't try to tell his experience)
How CRAZY is that? Everyone woke up right in time to get us to that IHOP, he happened to switch to wait our table...everything fell exactly into place for that experience to happen.
It's like God was thinking, "I know y'all just heard that sermon and understood what Louie was saying, but I'm going to give you a solid example in approximately 3 hours. Prepare to have your minds BLOWN." (I like to think that God says "y'all") Well played, God.
I love those times...those moments when you know God was behind something. I am so encouraged by meeting that guy. I see what the "joy in whatever you do" Louie was talking about is so clearly now.
So that's how God blatantly made a point to the AU BCM Passion attendees, 2012 edition.
We serve a powerful God.
God decided to make this point apparently clear to our small group of 10.
We pulled out of Atlanta around 3pm (2pm Alabama time) last night. Almost instantly, everyone fell into a semi-comatose state. We were supposed to stop for dinner, but since everyone but me, one guy, and our "adult type person" fell asleep, I figured we would drive straight home. One awake guy looked straight back and me and I voiced that I doubted we would eat since everyone was asleep. As soon as I said this, everyone opened their eyes. A few minutes later, we got off an exit and went to a random IHOP in Union, Georgia.
As soon as we walked in, this young waiter started working to pull tables together so we could all sit together. Originally, an older lady was serving us. As more customers came in, the young guy walked over and told us that he would be taking our table for then on out. From the moment we met this guy, we could tell that he was just a perpetually joyful person. He smiled constantly and engaged in conversation with us. He had an outstanding memory; he took our orders accurately without writing anything down. He brought me 3 pickles for free!
As we started getting our food, we bowed our heads to pray. I noticed him walk up and stand behind Matt, who was praying, as he carried more food to our table. He saw we were praying and bowed his head as well. All throughout the rest of the meal, he talked and joked with us and apparently listened to us reflect upon our time at Passion and what God had stirred in us.
I felt something in me urging me to ask if he needed prayer. I acted on this urge. He told us that he didn't really have anything he could think of that needed prayer, he was content. He continued in calling us "spiritual warriors" and asked if he could pray with us instead of being prayed for. He lifted us up in the most encouraging verbal ways.
After everyone paid, he walked up to us and said, "I'm ready when you guys are." We all paused and looked confused. "To pray with you. Can we go outside?" So, the 10 of us walked outside and stood in front of this random IHOP with this random guy who just happened to wait on us that afternoon. He told us that he was truly content, but had problems with one of his arms and could use prayer for healing. We asked if we could lay hands on him and pray for him. My friend Carlos led the prayer to lift this man up.
He then asked to pray for us. We all joined hands in a circle and listened as this guy lifted us up in thanks to God. I can't speak for everyone in my group, but out of all the prayers I heard that week during Passion, his was BY FAR the most powerful. He ended in thanking us for what we were doing to praise God and pursue His mission in our lives. We told him goodbye, all of us still in awe over what God had just thrown in our path.
(Carlos actually got the opportunity to share what Passion was with a non-Christian who also worked at IHOP, but I won't try to tell his experience)
How CRAZY is that? Everyone woke up right in time to get us to that IHOP, he happened to switch to wait our table...everything fell exactly into place for that experience to happen.
It's like God was thinking, "I know y'all just heard that sermon and understood what Louie was saying, but I'm going to give you a solid example in approximately 3 hours. Prepare to have your minds BLOWN." (I like to think that God says "y'all") Well played, God.
I love those times...those moments when you know God was behind something. I am so encouraged by meeting that guy. I see what the "joy in whatever you do" Louie was talking about is so clearly now.
So that's how God blatantly made a point to the AU BCM Passion attendees, 2012 edition.
We serve a powerful God.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Resolutions and God's Grace
With the new year upon us, it is a time of reflection on the past and looking forward to what is in store. I have been thinking about Resolutions for a few weeks, always deciding against actually taking these on because I know that I'll fail. I really hate failing at things, so I tend to set goals for myself that I know are attainable. Doing so, I never really challenge myself to reach beyond my known capabilities.
A friend from BCM let me borrow his copy of "Blue Like Jazz." I went home to start reading the book the day before new year's eve and saw that the same guy had posted a new blog that I immediately read.
Here's the link:
http://releasethesong.blogspot.com/2011/12/welcome-to-new-day.html
(This blog is written in by five very strong yet very different men of God, all friends of mine. I recommend reading any of the posts in this blog.)
I was very inspired by this blog entry. He speaks of how discouraging failing at New Year's Resolutions can be and encourages readers to strive for daily Resolutions instead. I love this idea. One day is a much more manageable time frame than an entire year.
With this fresh in my mind, I began reading "Blue Like Jazz." Every chapter has contained concepts that have made me think and examine my Christian walk.
I just read a chapter in which the author, Donald Miller, talks about his struggle in accepting God's grace. He talks of how he felt that grace was some sort of charity from God and how he found it hard to accept this charity in his pride.
God offers His grace to us unconditionally. When I feel that I have failed at reaching a New Year's Resolution or a goal much bigger than that, God's grace stands true.
So as I face 2012, I am striving to set daily Resolutions that stretch me and challenge me to do much greater than I feel I am capable of. When I fail, because I undoubtably will, I do not need to feel like a failure; God's grace is present for me in these failures.
"But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it."
-Ephesians 4:7
A friend from BCM let me borrow his copy of "Blue Like Jazz." I went home to start reading the book the day before new year's eve and saw that the same guy had posted a new blog that I immediately read.
Here's the link:
http://releasethesong.blogspot.com/2011/12/welcome-to-new-day.html
(This blog is written in by five very strong yet very different men of God, all friends of mine. I recommend reading any of the posts in this blog.)
I was very inspired by this blog entry. He speaks of how discouraging failing at New Year's Resolutions can be and encourages readers to strive for daily Resolutions instead. I love this idea. One day is a much more manageable time frame than an entire year.
With this fresh in my mind, I began reading "Blue Like Jazz." Every chapter has contained concepts that have made me think and examine my Christian walk.
I just read a chapter in which the author, Donald Miller, talks about his struggle in accepting God's grace. He talks of how he felt that grace was some sort of charity from God and how he found it hard to accept this charity in his pride.
God offers His grace to us unconditionally. When I feel that I have failed at reaching a New Year's Resolution or a goal much bigger than that, God's grace stands true.
So as I face 2012, I am striving to set daily Resolutions that stretch me and challenge me to do much greater than I feel I am capable of. When I fail, because I undoubtably will, I do not need to feel like a failure; God's grace is present for me in these failures.
"But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it."
-Ephesians 4:7
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Darkness is a Harsh Term
I was recently given a copy of Mumford & Sons' album "Sigh No More." Yes, I realize I am really late on discovering this, but it's better late than never. I've been listening to it obsessively over the past week, which is saying something, because normally I am listening only to Christmas music at this point in December.
All the songs are excellent, both lyrically and musically. "Roll Away Your Stone" is the song that is currently in the forefront of my mind. I'm tempted to post the lyrics to the entire song because it has such beautiful and thought-provoking lyrics, but I'm sticking to two lines of the song instead.
"Darkness is a harsh term don't you think?
Yet it dominates the things I see"
When referring to "darkness," it could mean something completely different from one person to the other. My idea of "darkness" is any sort of struggle, emotion, issue, etc. that clouds around a person and keeps them from seeing past it. Without light, we cannot see in the darkness. Whatever this "darkness" is, it controls what I do and "dominates the things I see."
I let darkness cloud over me far too often. One negative comment towards me, one discouraging tutoring session, or one bad test/paper grade can ruin my entire week. Regardless of all the positive things that may occur right along with this darkness, I don't allow the light in. I know that I'm not alone is this; I would even dare say that this in common with most people, especially college aged. These types of darkness are things I should be able to shake off, and I do after a relatively short period of time.
My current darkness I find myself facing is a kind I don't think is possible to ever truly let go of. Tomorrow (technically today) marks one month since my Pawpaw's death. I have days of light, but the darkness always finds its way back to cloud over me. I know that this is healthy during my mourning, but Mumford has inspired me to try to fight the way it is dominating my sight at this current time.
I know that God does not want me to let the darkness dominate the things I see. I also know that darkness is an unavoidable reality of life. The way I choose to deal with it is what makes the difference.
"The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it."
-John 1:5
All the songs are excellent, both lyrically and musically. "Roll Away Your Stone" is the song that is currently in the forefront of my mind. I'm tempted to post the lyrics to the entire song because it has such beautiful and thought-provoking lyrics, but I'm sticking to two lines of the song instead.
"Darkness is a harsh term don't you think?
Yet it dominates the things I see"
When referring to "darkness," it could mean something completely different from one person to the other. My idea of "darkness" is any sort of struggle, emotion, issue, etc. that clouds around a person and keeps them from seeing past it. Without light, we cannot see in the darkness. Whatever this "darkness" is, it controls what I do and "dominates the things I see."
I let darkness cloud over me far too often. One negative comment towards me, one discouraging tutoring session, or one bad test/paper grade can ruin my entire week. Regardless of all the positive things that may occur right along with this darkness, I don't allow the light in. I know that I'm not alone is this; I would even dare say that this in common with most people, especially college aged. These types of darkness are things I should be able to shake off, and I do after a relatively short period of time.
My current darkness I find myself facing is a kind I don't think is possible to ever truly let go of. Tomorrow (technically today) marks one month since my Pawpaw's death. I have days of light, but the darkness always finds its way back to cloud over me. I know that this is healthy during my mourning, but Mumford has inspired me to try to fight the way it is dominating my sight at this current time.
I know that God does not want me to let the darkness dominate the things I see. I also know that darkness is an unavoidable reality of life. The way I choose to deal with it is what makes the difference.
"The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it."
-John 1:5
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)