Sunday, October 26, 2008
Safe and Sound
My family and I are back home after a good visit to Virginia. Thank you for the prayers and concern for my grandmother. She's home from the hospital and seems to be gaining strength. They didn't do the Stent due to some risks associated. Currently, they're working on addressing her diabetes and some other issues with medication. The past few days have been spent learning the routine of testing blood sugar, monitoring vitals, physical therapy etc. My uncle will be with them for the next few days. After that, the lady who's been helping them around the house for awhile now has agreed to increase her days and hours with them. She works for a company that provides in-home care for many of their needs such as housework, driving to appointments and shopping and overall looking after their well-being. We got to meet her while we were there and shes a delight. She's very knowledgeable, attentive and clearly wants to serve them. We all feel much more at ease knowing things are calming down and settling into a good routine. Thank you again for your prayers and well wishes!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Prayer Requests
Hi everyone :)
As many family and friends use this site as a medium to keep up with whats going on and how they can be praying for me, I wanted to share a couple of requests:
My grandmother is currently in the hospital after being admitted over a week ago with difficulty breathing and a lung infection. She has made some encouraging progress as she no longer has a breathing tube and they're preparing to release her after a procedure in the next couple of days. What you can be praying for is that there are a couple of highly blocked arteries to her heart (one 90 and the other 100) The doctors do not consider it wise to operate mainly due to her age. What they have elected to do is insert a Stent to hopefully relieve some of the blockage in the more open artery. My parents are currently there with my grandfather to help out when she comes home from the hospital. I'll be traveling to join them in the coming days. Please pray for safe travel for everyone as my family prepares to gather to support her recovery.
The other request is about support raising. Although God has been so faithful to use this time to grow me and pursue my heart so passionately, I am also a bit discouraged at the slow pace of the process. I really long to be back at Crosspoint diving in to the ministry there. I know God's timing is perfect and He will reveal his plan as He deems me ready to carry it out. I'm praying that I'd be receptive and willing in any way He directs. I still feel at peace with this path I'm just unsure as to how it will all come together. Please pray for the provision of contacts who would be excited to hear of what God's doing at Crosspoint and to help me make other contacts who would do the same.
I know my faith is being stretched and my God is always in control. It is still difficult though to press on when at times it feels that the place of my calling and where my heart is is so far out of reach. It reminds me of the Christian life. How often do we get homesick in this temporary place? We are not meant to be comfortable here. We're made to long for more. I pray I'd be dilligent to seek God's heart on what He wants to teach me and how He wants me to grow during this time not missing anything He has for me. Though too, I pray I wouldn't be satisfied. Instead, always giving my best, preparing to be where He's called me: Clemson and ultimately Heaven.
Thank you so much for your prayers! They are so desperately needed and appreciated!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Celebration and Refreshing Fellowship
Last weekend, I got to make an extended visit to Clemson. I was in town from Fri-Tues and the whole visit was incredibly refreshing! I truly cherished the time spent in fellowship. God also used the trip to confirm some things He's been speaking to my heart. I returned so refreshed!
Here are a few pictures from the long weekend:
Soccer game against MD. Tigers WON!
My accountability partner, Meredith and our friend Susan. :)
Opportunities to spend time with wonderful brothers and sisters are becoming all the more precious as these cherished friends prepare to follow the Lord's calling for the next seasons of their lives.
Each evening I was in town, I got to do something special with friends. I played my first game of Frisbee Golf on campus with Matt, Nick, Lindsey, and Meredith. I definitely need a lot more practice but I had a great time getting introduced to the game. The best part though was spending a couple of hours walking campus with good friends.
Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of the rest of the trip but that's mostly because I was so occupied enjoying the time! On Sunday, I enjoyed corporate worship and the college discussion series. It's always SO good to be home with my church family. Everyone has been so encouraging and genuinely excited to have me there. It's so uplifting to see how much everyone (most of all myself!) is excited for me to be there full time. I really can't wait to be in town for more than a visit!
The activity that evening was ice cream to celebrate our friend Anna's acceptance to Med school! We spent some time at Spill the Beans, a popular ice cream shop/hang out place downtown, then went to Matt's for a game of ImaginIff with some other friends. Game nights have become a fun way to spend some quality time with friends. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed playing Mafia and Apples to Apples together at Matt's birthday party during my last visit and another game night we had last semester is still talked about!
On Monday and Tuesday, I visited with some of the ladies from church that I respect very much. It was wonderful getting to sit down with them, ask questions and glean what I know is God-given wisdom. Time with them is always so meaningful!
One of the special treats of the visit was getting to stay a couple of extra days to go to my old CP group on Monday evening. It was so wonderful to share in fellowship and study with this group again! The group has grown and changed a bit since I attended. There were still quite a few familiar faces though and I really enjoyed the time with them. They're currently studying Humility by CJ Mahaney. The chapter was on starting the day focusing on God. A point Pastor Mahaney makes was such a great reminder of intentionally setting our eyes on the cross. The author asks how much time we spend listening to ourselves versus talking to ourselves.
I also got a few minutes to speak with our Associate Pastors wife, Liz. She and so many of the church staff have been so understanding and encouraging through this support raising experience. She took the time that evening to ask me how I was doing and to give some encouragement and advice. I've really loved how God is using this season in my life to grow me and to show me He's never left my side. One of the ways I've seen this is that my church family has been so lovingly diligent to uplift me in prayer and make sure I know I'm not alone.
It was hard to leave Clemson the next day but God even used the ride home as an opportunity to encourage and uplift me. A suggestion Pastor Mahaney poses in Humility is to seize the commute. Use time you know you will have each day to invite the Lord to speak to you. God has been so faithful to meet with me in the time I seek to spend with Him and to move my heart when I have neglected to offer enough.
God was clearly working on my heart throughout the weekend to show me how to apply things He'd been teaching me and to give me the encouragement I need to persevere through trials.
Here are a few pictures from the long weekend:
Soccer game against MD. Tigers WON!
My accountability partner, Meredith and our friend Susan. :)
Opportunities to spend time with wonderful brothers and sisters are becoming all the more precious as these cherished friends prepare to follow the Lord's calling for the next seasons of their lives.
Each evening I was in town, I got to do something special with friends. I played my first game of Frisbee Golf on campus with Matt, Nick, Lindsey, and Meredith. I definitely need a lot more practice but I had a great time getting introduced to the game. The best part though was spending a couple of hours walking campus with good friends.
Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of the rest of the trip but that's mostly because I was so occupied enjoying the time! On Sunday, I enjoyed corporate worship and the college discussion series. It's always SO good to be home with my church family. Everyone has been so encouraging and genuinely excited to have me there. It's so uplifting to see how much everyone (most of all myself!) is excited for me to be there full time. I really can't wait to be in town for more than a visit!The activity that evening was ice cream to celebrate our friend Anna's acceptance to Med school! We spent some time at Spill the Beans, a popular ice cream shop/hang out place downtown, then went to Matt's for a game of ImaginIff with some other friends. Game nights have become a fun way to spend some quality time with friends. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed playing Mafia and Apples to Apples together at Matt's birthday party during my last visit and another game night we had last semester is still talked about!
On Monday and Tuesday, I visited with some of the ladies from church that I respect very much. It was wonderful getting to sit down with them, ask questions and glean what I know is God-given wisdom. Time with them is always so meaningful!
One of the special treats of the visit was getting to stay a couple of extra days to go to my old CP group on Monday evening. It was so wonderful to share in fellowship and study with this group again! The group has grown and changed a bit since I attended. There were still quite a few familiar faces though and I really enjoyed the time with them. They're currently studying Humility by CJ Mahaney. The chapter was on starting the day focusing on God. A point Pastor Mahaney makes was such a great reminder of intentionally setting our eyes on the cross. The author asks how much time we spend listening to ourselves versus talking to ourselves.
I also got a few minutes to speak with our Associate Pastors wife, Liz. She and so many of the church staff have been so understanding and encouraging through this support raising experience. She took the time that evening to ask me how I was doing and to give some encouragement and advice. I've really loved how God is using this season in my life to grow me and to show me He's never left my side. One of the ways I've seen this is that my church family has been so lovingly diligent to uplift me in prayer and make sure I know I'm not alone.
It was hard to leave Clemson the next day but God even used the ride home as an opportunity to encourage and uplift me. A suggestion Pastor Mahaney poses in Humility is to seize the commute. Use time you know you will have each day to invite the Lord to speak to you. God has been so faithful to meet with me in the time I seek to spend with Him and to move my heart when I have neglected to offer enough.
God was clearly working on my heart throughout the weekend to show me how to apply things He'd been teaching me and to give me the encouragement I need to persevere through trials.
Refreshed by Living Water
Hearing the rain on my window reminds me of something a classmate said freshman year: he enjoyed the rain because it reminded him of cleansing and renewal. The rain washes things away and promotes growth. It got me thinking about the symbolism of water in the Bible. When God chose to cleanse the earth of a great amount of wickedness, He used flood waters (Gen 6&7). Noah's ark was a symbol of what Christ would do for us. The ark had one door just as there's only one way to heaven: through Christ. The people He created to glorify and fellowship with Him betrayed Him yet God didn't completely destroy the earth. He made a way for saving grace. Believers Baptism is a literal symbol of being "washed by the water", reborn in Christ.
Jesus spoke to a woman at a well about "living water" that eternally sustains. (John 4: 7-15)
There are so many references to the spiritually cleansing, restoring and sustaining aspects of water. Its amazing and humbling how much our God understands us. He uses examples our human minds can grasp to help us see His majesty and perfect plan.
After living at the beach for the summer, human appreciation of beauty became even more real to me. In college, one of my favorite stress relievers was to take a walk on campus especially in the evenings or on a calm weekend afternoon. I was especially drawn to the calm of the reflection pond and the fields of green accented with the colors of flowers. The commonality of what attracted me was nature. At the beach, I loved the feel of the sand, the wind carrying the sea air, the rolling waves....God's put something in us that craves the beauty of His creation. He's left us symbols of Himself and His beauty for us to enjoy in our temporary home. How great is our God who thinks of even the little things He knows we need.
Jesus spoke to a woman at a well about "living water" that eternally sustains. (John 4: 7-15)
There are so many references to the spiritually cleansing, restoring and sustaining aspects of water. Its amazing and humbling how much our God understands us. He uses examples our human minds can grasp to help us see His majesty and perfect plan.
After living at the beach for the summer, human appreciation of beauty became even more real to me. In college, one of my favorite stress relievers was to take a walk on campus especially in the evenings or on a calm weekend afternoon. I was especially drawn to the calm of the reflection pond and the fields of green accented with the colors of flowers. The commonality of what attracted me was nature. At the beach, I loved the feel of the sand, the wind carrying the sea air, the rolling waves....God's put something in us that craves the beauty of His creation. He's left us symbols of Himself and His beauty for us to enjoy in our temporary home. How great is our God who thinks of even the little things He knows we need.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Somewhere in the Middle....
God's been so faithful! During the sermon this morning, Pastor Greg pointed out that often while we're in a trial, we don't want fellowship or wise council because we don't want to be where God is. Yet, when we don't forsake meeting with a body of believers and the opportunity to hear sound doctrine, we often find that God provides the encouragement and instruction we need. That happened to me this morning.
As I've mentioned in previous posts, support raising is the most faith stretching experience I've ever been through. Although I have been getting encouragements and confirmations along the way, things haven't been coming together as quickly as I'd hoped. That seems to be the key though....I have my timetable and my plans that all involve me being in control. God's been showing me lately that the best place for my life to be is out of my control. Dreams can be delayed and face obstacles. God's given promises in His Word to help us through these times.
II Cor 4:17-18 Trials are temporary and they produce perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope Rom 5:3-4 As Pastor Greg pointed out, bad days are shorter when you rejoice and learn through them and God will never leave you.
Something else that God really used to speak to me was how we should respond. Two of the important responses are to pray and stay with the ship (referring to Paul's shipwreck in Acts 27) Don't run from what's important (relationships, fellowship, values) and don't run from the lesson or you'll face it again until you learn it. Perhaps one of the most important things to remember though is to expect God to help. His Word is full of promises, truth and encouragement if I'll be faithful to dive in and find them.
On the way home from church I heard Somewhere in the Middle by Casting Crowns
The lyrics seem to summarize the trial of releasing control.
Somewhere between the new and the old
Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be ...
Somewhere between who I was and who You're making me
Somewhere in the middle You'll find me
Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender
Without losing all control
Fearless warriors in a picket fence
Wreckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end
We are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences
The God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His
Or are we caught in the middle? ...
Somewhere between my heart and my hands
Somewhere between my faith and my plans
Somewhere between the safety of the boat and the crashing waves
Somewhere between a whisper and a roar
Somewhere between the altar and the door
Somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more
Somewhere in the middle You'll find me...
Lord, I feel You in this place
And I know You're by my side
Loving me even on these nights
When I'm caught in the middle
As I've mentioned in previous posts, support raising is the most faith stretching experience I've ever been through. Although I have been getting encouragements and confirmations along the way, things haven't been coming together as quickly as I'd hoped. That seems to be the key though....I have my timetable and my plans that all involve me being in control. God's been showing me lately that the best place for my life to be is out of my control. Dreams can be delayed and face obstacles. God's given promises in His Word to help us through these times.
II Cor 4:17-18 Trials are temporary and they produce perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope Rom 5:3-4 As Pastor Greg pointed out, bad days are shorter when you rejoice and learn through them and God will never leave you.
Something else that God really used to speak to me was how we should respond. Two of the important responses are to pray and stay with the ship (referring to Paul's shipwreck in Acts 27) Don't run from what's important (relationships, fellowship, values) and don't run from the lesson or you'll face it again until you learn it. Perhaps one of the most important things to remember though is to expect God to help. His Word is full of promises, truth and encouragement if I'll be faithful to dive in and find them.
On the way home from church I heard Somewhere in the Middle by Casting Crowns
The lyrics seem to summarize the trial of releasing control.
Somewhere between the new and the old
Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be ...
Somewhere between who I was and who You're making me
Somewhere in the middle You'll find me
Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender
Without losing all control
Fearless warriors in a picket fence
Wreckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end
We are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences
The God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His
Or are we caught in the middle? ...
Somewhere between my heart and my hands
Somewhere between my faith and my plans
Somewhere between the safety of the boat and the crashing waves
Somewhere between a whisper and a roar
Somewhere between the altar and the door
Somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more
Somewhere in the middle You'll find me...
Lord, I feel You in this place
And I know You're by my side
Loving me even on these nights
When I'm caught in the middle
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Visit to CLEMSON!!
Last weekend, I had the blessing of visiting Clemson to celebrate Matt's birthday with him and some of our friends. It was a great time of fellowship and enjoying being back in TigerTown :)
We had a dinner and game night birthday party with friends. I also got to attend Crosspoint's service and discussion group on Sunday. Pastor Ken has started the series on the book of John. He attended the John class with the interns over the summer to help prepare for the series. It was even more engaging for me to refresh my memory on what I'd learned in the class and see how it is applied during the congregation's study. The weekend was a quick but great visit! It was really wonderful to see so many of my church family- definitely motivation to get back soon!
Part of Matt's birthday included an interview game. I asked his family and one of his oldest friends some questions which the MC (our SummerLINK MC Jason was kind enough to reprise his role!) then asked Matt. There was a good deal of laughter and generally enjoying getting to know the birthday boy a bit better.
Birthday Boy and MC
"The Man Couch" getting ready for the interview game
Matt and I's adopted mom from the adopt-a-student program at Crosspoint They were so generous in allowing us to have the party at the house
Thank you again!!
Heath, Jason, David, Kat, Savannah and Jon
Dinner: Tuscani Pasta!
Grayson, Matt, Nick, Matt, and Peter
Meredith, birthday boy, Matt, and Nathan
Matt and Anna with her great birthday present: a picture cake!
*Thank you Becky for getting the picture to the bakery!!
Lighting the Candles!
Happy 22nd Matt!!!
We had a dinner and game night birthday party with friends. I also got to attend Crosspoint's service and discussion group on Sunday. Pastor Ken has started the series on the book of John. He attended the John class with the interns over the summer to help prepare for the series. It was even more engaging for me to refresh my memory on what I'd learned in the class and see how it is applied during the congregation's study. The weekend was a quick but great visit! It was really wonderful to see so many of my church family- definitely motivation to get back soon!
Part of Matt's birthday included an interview game. I asked his family and one of his oldest friends some questions which the MC (our SummerLINK MC Jason was kind enough to reprise his role!) then asked Matt. There was a good deal of laughter and generally enjoying getting to know the birthday boy a bit better.
Birthday Boy and MC
"The Man Couch" getting ready for the interview game
Matt and I's adopted mom from the adopt-a-student program at Crosspoint They were so generous in allowing us to have the party at the houseThank you again!!
Heath, Jason, David, Kat, Savannah and Jon
Dinner: Tuscani Pasta!Grayson, Matt, Nick, Matt, and Peter
Meredith, birthday boy, Matt, and Nathan
Matt and Anna with her great birthday present: a picture cake!*Thank you Becky for getting the picture to the bakery!!
Lighting the Candles!
Happy 22nd Matt!!!Is He Enough?
As I read Jenna's blog and continued to reflect on all that God's been teaching me lately, a passage of Pursuit of Holiness and a Joshua Harris sermon stuck out to me. Continuing with the thought of how Jesus was physically surrounded but emotionally alone and how God sustained His Son through persecution and death, the sermon's theme question of "Is He Enough" seems all too appropriate. Because of God's Grace, Mercy and love for us, we'll never have to endure what Jesus went through for us. But, we will still endure trials and possibly persecution for our faith. So, the question, Is He Enough?
Pastor Harris asks us to consider: where is my focus? Is it on jealousy of others and what I don't have or is it on James 4:8 drawing near to Christ? He also considers Psalm 73. We are the wicked; wearing pride like a necklace and clothed in anger. Our focus needs to be on Christ as our rescuer from a destiny of terror, punishment and destruction.
This is such a brief synopsis of the sermon to illustrate how it ties in to what God's been showing me lately. So much of it was so uplifting and full of truth! You can download the message here. Its definitely worth the time!!
Another truth that stood out to me was one I'd also heard earlier in a Carolyn Mahaney message (funny how God orchestrates repetition...) God is intimately involved in every trial and testing even kindly and lovingly ordering it. Everything that we view as bad or evil against us has been ordained by God for our good and His Glory.
This passage in Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges also stood out to me:
"To experience practical, everyday holiness, we must accept the fact that God in His infinite wisdom has seen fit to allow this daily battle with indwelling sin. But God does not leave us to do battle alone. [...] We are not only dead to sin [Rom 6:11 ...] we also are alive to God [...] What is the significance of being alive unto God? How does it help us in our pursuit of holiness? For one thing, it means we are united with Christ in all His power. It is certainly true we cannot live a holy life in our own strength. Christianity is not a do-it-yourself thing."
I all too often forget this. Christ stood alone so we don't have to. God is more than enough to sustain me through trials but he's also given us support to help us through. I'm not in control, I can't do it alone. I do need the loving council and fellowship of brothers and sisters. To be clear, I love fellowship but at times I don't want to let others in on what I'm struggling with. I'd rather deal with struggles and conviction quietly and not admit that I'm not superwoman and I do have weaknesses. This is a tactic of Satan: divide and conquer. We were made for fellowship with God and with other believers. "Christianity is not a do-it-yourself thing" Two passages that have given me comfort in the last year or so definitely come to mind and heart again: Jer 29:11 and Phil 1:6. My Savior has my good at heart. If I'll be faithful to trust Him with everything, He'll be faithful to sustain and provide. In the middle of trials when I feel so alone, I can lean on the promise that He's not through with me yet and He'll never leave my side.
Pastor Harris asks us to consider: where is my focus? Is it on jealousy of others and what I don't have or is it on James 4:8 drawing near to Christ? He also considers Psalm 73. We are the wicked; wearing pride like a necklace and clothed in anger. Our focus needs to be on Christ as our rescuer from a destiny of terror, punishment and destruction.
This is such a brief synopsis of the sermon to illustrate how it ties in to what God's been showing me lately. So much of it was so uplifting and full of truth! You can download the message here. Its definitely worth the time!!
Another truth that stood out to me was one I'd also heard earlier in a Carolyn Mahaney message (funny how God orchestrates repetition...) God is intimately involved in every trial and testing even kindly and lovingly ordering it. Everything that we view as bad or evil against us has been ordained by God for our good and His Glory.
This passage in Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges also stood out to me:
"To experience practical, everyday holiness, we must accept the fact that God in His infinite wisdom has seen fit to allow this daily battle with indwelling sin. But God does not leave us to do battle alone. [...] We are not only dead to sin [Rom 6:11 ...] we also are alive to God [...] What is the significance of being alive unto God? How does it help us in our pursuit of holiness? For one thing, it means we are united with Christ in all His power. It is certainly true we cannot live a holy life in our own strength. Christianity is not a do-it-yourself thing."
I all too often forget this. Christ stood alone so we don't have to. God is more than enough to sustain me through trials but he's also given us support to help us through. I'm not in control, I can't do it alone. I do need the loving council and fellowship of brothers and sisters. To be clear, I love fellowship but at times I don't want to let others in on what I'm struggling with. I'd rather deal with struggles and conviction quietly and not admit that I'm not superwoman and I do have weaknesses. This is a tactic of Satan: divide and conquer. We were made for fellowship with God and with other believers. "Christianity is not a do-it-yourself thing" Two passages that have given me comfort in the last year or so definitely come to mind and heart again: Jer 29:11 and Phil 1:6. My Savior has my good at heart. If I'll be faithful to trust Him with everything, He'll be faithful to sustain and provide. In the middle of trials when I feel so alone, I can lean on the promise that He's not through with me yet and He'll never leave my side.
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