55 posts from 2007

    Recently I've been wondering what I'm supposed to be doing with my life. I've fasted and prayed and sought counsel. But it finally came to me this morning.

    This morning I was praying. Philippians 4:6-7

 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I am praying. I am trying to not be anxious. I'm trying to allow things to not be within my control and be alright with that. So I supply God with my anxieties for I know He cares for me. The answer, I think, is peace. He just wants me to come to Him and rest. He never said that He would give me an answer. He never said that I needed to know what would happen next. He just said that I should not worry about it. And I think that by putting my trust in Him and letting Him guide the situation, I am obedient. Peace is my answer.

not entirely a christian band, but I like to sing this song to Jesus....

First, we'll make snow angels for two hours
and then we'll go ice-skating
then, we'll eat a whole role of Tollhouse cookie dough as fast as we can
and then
we'll snuggle.

    I think many little girls want to be a princess. A little girl thinks that being a princess means you're pretty. As she gets older, it means more and more that you get what you want when you want it. But I think that the definition of a princess should mean that ultimate lady. And the defining characteristics of a lady include making those around you more comfortable.

    A lady looks to be the most sincere and respectful hostess. She will brighten the room and bring in joy. She does not look for her own satisfaction but rather looks to bring satisfaction to others. I think a lady is selfless, polite, giving, kind, considerate and thoughtful. She is not whiny nor selfish. She is an example and role-model. Her conduct should be above reproach. Her desires should be to fulfill the law of Christ and her only dependency should be on Him.

    A princess would be an example to other ladies. She would be well respected in any community. She'd be patriotic, of course,  and intelligent.  She is allowed to have bad days and allowed to not always have a smile on her face. But her manner at such times would never dampen the spirits of others. She would never draw attention to herself, but always point people to Christ. She's allowed to capture peoples' attention, but the purposed behavior of glorifying herself or stealing the light would not be characteristic of her. She would be able to listen, accept reproach, all while being respectful. Her speech would be touched with salt and her lips with honey that anyone hearing her would fall more in love with Jesus.

    People who love her would not let any poor behavior exist in her and they would seek to encourage those exemplary traits to which all would strive to emulate.

    Why am I writing this post? I would like to be a lady. And I'd like to see more women desiring to be ladies. What I do see is more and more non-ladies commanding the attention of the church and poisoning it. Young men seek out these young non-ladies because of the ease they have in acquiring their fellowship - so desperate to be with someone, instead of aspiring to deserve a lady, they settle for an impostor.

    Deserving a lady is not easy. It means living above the level of reproach and living outside of the world. It means hard work, diligence, persistence, courage, bravery, the ability to hear "no" but still strive to change her mind in all gentlemanly manner, and a relationship tightly bound and woven in Christ. I think I'm describing specifically a Marine, but I meant to describe a more generalized gentleman.

    A true gentleman would seek to lead the community toward Christ. With his heart centered on God, his speech would be filled with wisdom. His reputation would proceed him as a man of God. His character would be strong and not effeminate. His presence would be commanding but his heart soft. His conduct would always show the grace of God but affirm God's justice. His speech would not be vulgar but his intelligence such that he could express himself in a superior manner. He would encourage always, and affirm his sisters.

    He can be silly but not to the point of foolishness. Neither can be petty. Both are mercifully and graciously forgiving, knowing that God has forgiven them more. You will know him by the lady he has at his side, and she by the man she follows. Both take every sermon and lecture and test it against scripture. And neither is easily shaken. Emotions are ok, but self-control most apparent.

    His character reflects hers and hers will reflect his. They help to define each other but their identity is in Christ.

    Why don't these exist any more? or have they ever?

     Most of us go to churches where the music is exceptional. It seems like its a requirement nowadays that to be a church there must be crazy, awesome music. If your music isn't of highest standards, you won't be able to pay people to come to your service...or they'll come late and purposely miss the music.

    Well, my father runs the music at the church where he attends. He does a fine job. Lately, he's been it though because as the church finds a permanent location they've been meeting in houses and parks etc and haven't been able to get the whole band together.

    But that's not even my point. There's not many people in the congregation with good singing voices. In fact, each individual sounds pretty bad. Somehow, though, when they all sing together, it is beautiful. And I think that's the grace of God. Whenever people are praising Him and bringing Him glory and not trying to steal the spot-light, it's beautiful.

    But that's not even my point. My point is that one guy who is always off key and insists on singing louder than everyone else. I don't know about you, but for me, it's the sweetest sound. Here's a guy who can't sing "well" and yet does because his heart is crying out for the Lord and demands from himself that he worship with all of his being even if others cringe and back away...but he wouldn't notice them anyway because his focus is on the Lord.

    Anyway, that guy at church blesses me and teaches me so much even though all we do is say "hello" to each other every Sunday and shake hands. Well, he has given a sermon a couple of times. Both times he said so much in very few words and in very little time. amazing. just amazing.

    so yea, that guy.

   I am so very blessed to work in a ministry. Not just a ministry though, a ministry where the people involved are admitted sinners and fully acknowledge their constant need for Christ and His transforming grace and mercy. No one (that I know) claims to have all the answers and no one feels that they have to supply all the answers.

   So when I struggle with feeling of inadequacy, such as I simply will not be able to accomplish that which I feel I must, I can go to those same people and ask for prayer. This is the body of Christ in action. I asked for prayer and also said that I knew that nothing I do is of myself and that without Christ it is true that I am quite inadequate, but that since I have Christ I know that in His strength I can do what He has asked of me, but the feelings remain - I know this in my head but it hasn't penetrated to my soul, if you know what I mean. And this lovely girl says to me, "In your weakness, He is made strong." Makes me want to cry out of the sheer goodness of that verse. I never fully comprehended what that meant, but now feeling the weakness of my spirit, I begin to feel the strength of His.

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made
perfect in weakness."...Therefore, I take pleasure in...distresses, for Christ's
sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. ~II Corinthians 12:9-10

      For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Romans 1:20 esv

     Some may see science and art as separate and unequal entities. But this is far from truthful. God is an Artist and He has designed and crafted science as we know it. Some might say that when you take nature and put it under a microscope, you take away the beauty and replace is with just raw facts and figures. But what I’m saying is that without those raw facts and figures you cannot even begin to see the beauty that surrounds us on this planet. Some are afraid that studying science (not mainstream folk, I think) will push God out of His throne. But I think the more one studies science that more they see God in His rightful place. For God delights in concealing things just to have them “discovered” – think “peek-a-boo” with your baby boy.

     In Romans 12, Paul writes of the Body of Christ. He says that there is one body with many members and that each of those members has a separate function. Each member has been given gifts to bring glory to God and to help his neighbor. This is a recurring theme – that of “first to God, then to neighbor.” Remember what Jesus said the greatest commandment is.

     Paul writes more on the subject to the Corinthians. In chapter 12 of the first letter, he tells about the diversity in the gifts which segues nicely into defining the body with regards to the diversity of parts.

     Science in today’s culture is adamant in its philosophies of nothingness. I am no great scientist and I never will be, but taking biology and other science classes here at college can be quite rewarding and saddening. It is sad because I once had a teacher say that this atom wants to attach to this other atom, and then correct herself and say that that was ridiculous because it implied purpose and “nothing in the universe has purpose”.

     But what is so rewarding is that while these scientists try to prove to me that my God is imagined and my morals flawed and unnecessary, I see the Almighty’s purpose and direction in His master pieces while hearing Him speak to me through their foolishness.

     This is why it is as rewarding as it is. It is because God is taught whether or not a person purposes to do so. Nature reveals His majesty. And as one studies nature, one has a look into the mind of God.

     I do not know whether Paul fully understood the implications of comparing the Church to a body. We can look at a hand and compare it to a foot and see how they are different. But when we look at the body in such broad terms as “hand” and “foot” we can narrow the body to about a dozen parts (hand, foot, leg, arm, belly, chest, eye, ear, nose, mouth, elbow, knee, etc). But we know the body is more than just that. Even in the hand, there are fingers; within the fingers, joints and nails. Let’s take an even closer look though:

     The cell is the smallest sustainable life form. Every cell basically has two functions: first, it performs certain actions to ensure its survival, and second, these actions ensure the survival of the organism. Without the survival of the organism though, the cell would not survive (I am talking about the cells of a larger organism here, obviously not a unicellular creature – that was not what we were compared with. Also, this organism is not handicapped. In today’s society, handicapped individuals get by and adapt, but no one would choose to be that way. When one part/member of the body is hurt, it hinders the function of the entire body.). Also, the organism determines the function of the individual cell. Meaning that I could have just as easily said the cell’s functions are to first, ensure the survival of the whole and second, the survival of the individual, because you cannot separate them. They are entirely interdependent.

     Hopefully you are already seeing some of the connection and deeper meaning to what Paul referenced. Each member of the Church has a responsibility to the rest of the members of the Church. He has a responsibility to ensure his own survival, for the rest of the Church is dependant on him to perform his function to the best of his ability. If he is injured or not performing adequately, the Body will feel it. If he is injured because he is under attack from a foreign cell, there are other cells specifically formed to help him, mainly leukocytes (white blood cells). If he is not performing because he is lazy, he may be discarded and released with the wastes.

     In hand, the Church has a responsibility to each member. I’m not saying specifically the pastor, or you, I am saying that we need to be sensitive to the cells around us to detect if one is under attack to be able to send a message to the helper cells. The Church has the responsibility to ensure that each cell is obtaining the nutrition he needs. There are basic nutrients and vitamins that every cell needs. Then there are other cells that have special needs. Let me also point out here that cells do not get to choose their function. They are assigned tasks and will only be productive doing their own job. If a doctor told you after you had an accident that he was going to use some of your skin to replace part of your eye, you would get another doctor because skin cells would fail at being eye cells.

     Some members have honorable uses, such as the eyes. We love eyes with which we see so much. The cells of the eyes are remarkable. Some cells are for black and white and others for colors (red, green, and blue). And interesting note on eyes: rods (a type of cell in the eye) are used in dim light while cones (another type of cell in the eye) are better light. We like color and the use of our cones and they are very helpful to us when we are in the light, but when we go through times of darkness are rods do most of the work even though we wish our cones were working. Even in this one layer of tissue in the eye there are two types of cells/members that must cooperate for the Body to be successful. One is not better that the other, because we all go through times of darkness and without those rods, we would be lost. These rods and cones are not evenly distributed either. Some churches will have better vision in dark times than in light times.

     Although we think of it as “dishonorable”, the cells that rid us of our by-products and wastes are very much needed and we would die without them. Each cell in turn takes in nutrients that he needs and discards the products the he does not need. He will pass those products on to a cell that does need them or to cells that will secrete the wastes from the body. Our stomachs have very toxic bile in them and there are special cells that line the stomach just to protect the rest of the body from its toxicity. Not exciting, but very much needed.

     When we take a peek at chemistry, we see that chemical bonds that are shorter are stronger. Just as atoms that keep their electrons further from their nucleus are weaker, members of the Church are weaker when they keep their connections to others at a distance. When two atoms join, the shorter the bond is the stronger it becomes. This might be a bit of a reach with the analogy, but when we keep short accounts with each other and with God and are quick to forgive and ask forgiveness, we are a stronger unit.

     Look at the plant body (This is exciting to me. It is all I can do to control my excitement and actually type!):

     First, bryophyta, the mosses. Mosses may take up a lot of space, but they are always very shallow. You will never see a moss the size of a California redwood. One reason why is that they have no vascular system, no way to transport water through themselves. Every cell of the moss needs direct access to water. There is no cooperation. The Spirit is the water of our lives; if we are not passing Him on to others then we as a body can’t expect to grow. If we are just absorbing what we need to survive, we will remain unimpressive in stature and will be easily blown away having no roots.

     Root systems are amazing. The Lord has created a plethora of species all glorifying their Creator. Each species has roots that help them in their specific environment to do what every root system does – supply the rest of the plant with water and nutrients from the soil.

     The taproot system has one main root that extends into the soil, like carrots. The taproot is the main root shaft that is soaking up most of the nutrients (There are other smaller roots extending from the main taproot.). Carrots are not very big. When we find a church group that has one mega nutrient collector and distributor, the body of the plant will not get very large. The root will be impressive, but spiritually it can be uprooted easily because there is not much anchoring it down. If you have ever been to a church and seen there is one pastor being glorified as caretaker of a mega size congregation, you have seen that body’s taproot. They are getting nutrients. They are being fed. But they will be as easily uprooted as the carrots in your salad were.

     Leaves are different for each species of plant. According to each plants environment, their leaves are designed to be most advantageous for their plant. I mention this because sometimes we can get rather particular about our denominations. We see one tree’s leaves that are shaped differently than ours and we think they must be of the devil. A maple leaf church has veins in the leaves branching crazily whereas a dogwood leaf has everything in parallel order. Both photosynthesize, and both transport the much needed carbon dioxide to the rest of the plant. So while our denomination may do something different than those other guys, if they are seeking the right life source and we can see they are growing, let us not gravel over petty issues like how they arrange their leaves. Each member has his calling and will be accountable to God for his obedience or lack (of course there is a time when one needs to correct his brother, but those times are not what I’m talking about.).

     Xylem transports water from the roots to the leaves and the plant body. Here is the interesting thing though, and I do not know if this is particularly significant, but xylem cells are dead. As xylem cells grow and elongate, they only become functional as water transporters once they die.

**update: it IS significant bc we have to die to ourselves before we can be affective as a way to share the spirit

     The seed coat surrounds and protects the seed from damage. Remember how Jesus told the parable of the sower and told his disciples that the seed is the word of God. In order for the plant to grow out of the seed, the seed coat must be broken to allow water to enter and nourish it even though the seed itself contains its own food supply.

     Two points you are probably already familiar with are apical dominance and phototaxis of plants. Apical dominance is when the main stalk of the plant dominates over the outward growing stalks. This is why gardeners prune back the branches. He will cut off the plants strongest branch in order to force (or allow) the other branches to grow. The result being a much bushier, fuller plant. Phototaxis is when a plant detects that a light source is near-by. The plant will then grow toward that light source. If the plant does not grow toward a light source it will die because plants need light to photosynthesize to feed the plant.

     I wrote a note to myself so that I would not forget to mention that sepals protect the bud before a flower blooms. But I do not remember why this was significant to me…it might have been that every member has his calling even if it is just to protect another part of the plant body. In this case, flowers are needed to reproduce and while the sepals are not part of the reproductive structures of plants, they protect and enclose those parts that are until they are mature enough to blossom. But even the flower only has its momentary time in the light. The flowers’ main function is to attract animals to pollinate it. Or, a fruit will develop out of the flower, in which case animals will be attracted to eat the fruit and the seed hidden inside or on the fruit and naturally fertilize it and displace it to a far away place where that seed can develop and grow into its own fully-mature plant. It is interesting to note that the fruit must loose contact with its life source in order to develop.

     Jesus often mentioned that the gentiles were grafted on. He is the vine and we are the branches. In order for any of the branches to have life they must be fully connected to the vine body. Grafting is amazing. A farmer takes the root and body of one plant and cuts it along the same angle as he does a branch from another plant and ties them together. The xylem will grow and connect the two and the body of the first plant will water the branches of the latter while the latter photosynthesizes for the former. In fact, some European vine-dressers have seen how sturdy American vine roots are (even though American wine isn’t as good as our European neighbors’). So they take American roots and transplant them into good European soil and graft on their good European grapes, knowing the European grapes taste better (although smaller and weaker). This produces good strong roots with the best tasting grapes, and wine. But the change in roots does not change the taste of the grapes, rather, it enhances the taste. The stronger roots, and the pruning, and the transplanting, and the manure, while painful and smelly, produce a better version on itself. The roots do not change the fruit. Rather, the roots allow the fruit to be what they were always intended by the Vine-Dresser to be.

     There is so much more. But I'm done for the moment. I have friends that believe that women shouldn't be educate past high school. For them and people like them I feel sorry that they think that God delights in having people not know Him and His creation. Everyone should be a scientist...wait, I think that was my entire point, that everyone has a different job. haha.

I am so distracted from doing school and, well, everything. I'd really appreciate prayers that I would focus and forget about all else for the moment. God has His perfect timing and I need to just rest secure in it. AHHHHHH!

I watch this tour every year.
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vinokourov
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sigh
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What a disappointment. I was so proud of him. I was so pleased that despite the fact that he couldn't win, he wasn't going to let his pride get to him and just quit. no, instead he cheats.
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have no words.
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BUT when I get my puppy as my graduation present, I think I will name him Linus!
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All our false actions will one day be known. If not in this life, then in the next. The Bible is clear that on the day of Judgment we will be held accountable for all our actions. Its a scary thought. But for those of us standing on the firm foundation of Christ and those of us who have accepted His offer to be our Advocate and represent us before His Father have nothing to fear. The object is perfection and we've missed it miserably, and the penalty is death. But Christ lead the perfect life and a perfect, sinless death. That is God's grace to us. Being caught in this lifetime is God's grace to vino. How merciful to be held accountable in this lifetime, to be caught and offered a chance at redemption. He will never be allowed back into professional cycling (I think). and that's the consequences for his actions. But he can receive forgiveness. What grace to have been caught - he could have died from what he did.
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and rasmussen too now, so I hear. how pathetic.

I called a place about volunteering. I'm still waiting to hear back from them. But I think that I will just find another place because they are taking sooooo long to get back in touch.