Archive for June, 2008
Clinging to the Cross
It’s a song lyrics post, which I try not to do often. But these are so good.
My soul is weak, my heart is numb, I cannot see
But still my hope is found in You
I hold on tightly, You will never let me go
Jesus, You will never fail
Simply to the cross I cling
Letting go of all earthly things
I’m clinging to the cross
Mercy’s found a way for me
Hope is here as I am free
Jesus, You are all I need
I’m clinging to the cross
Even darkness is as light to You, my Lord
So light the way and lead me home
To the place where every tear is wiped away
Jesus, You will never fail
What a Savior, what a story
You were crucified, and now You are alive
So amazing, such a mystery
You were crucified, and now You are alive
(source)
Transitions and ministry
I’m realizing that I might be at home for longer than I had planned on… and I need to stop thinking of this time as just a time of transition. I haven’t been getting involved in ministry yet because I keep thinking I’m going to be leaving. But I have no idea what God has for me or how long I really will be here. The Great Commission isn’t put on hold because my life is. It’s good to go to church and to try to reach my coworkers, but I can’t stop there. I miss refugee ministry and urban ministry. It was so convenient at school, so many organizations to get involved with and ministries to participate in. Now it’s a little harder, but it isn’t really supposed to be easy, is it?
The reason I started thinking about this is because I was listening to my sister’s Christian rap CD by Lecrae. He has really good lyrics and theology. At the end of his song “Send Me,” he says,
The Great Commission says make disciples of all nations
Have we even made them in our own nation?
Come on Christians!
Missions exists because worship doesn’t.
People don’t worship the God who made them.
We’re ambassadors.
Let’s go!
You might recognize “Missions exists because worship doesn’t” as a quote from Piper. Anyway, I realized that just because I know in my head the truth of that, and I’ve learned it in the past, doesn’t mean anything unless I’m living in obedience today. I don’t know what it’s supposed to look like. It won’t be in the most spectacular way, and it still might take some time, but it needs to be in my heart and I need to be open to how God is going to use me.
It’s summer…
…and my brain thinks it’s on vacation. That pesky writer’s block is still hanging on. My little introspective self has been too busy enjoying life and spending time with people to write. Imagine that! It’s a good thing, but not so good for the blogging. 
I was thinking about this entry, written in the doldrums of winter, and the last paragraph in particular, because I described spring and summer, and I’m enjoying it so much now! - except for the parts about campus; I’m not actually on campus anymore.
Inside the library, I sit with my chin on my hand, gazing at the wintry tundra outside, and imagining the freedom of spring, like unlocking a prison door. Images float through my mind. A wide expanse of green field, dotted with weeds and wildflowers. Wearing a skirt on a sunny morning. Driving with the windows down. Lying on a blanket outside. Taking a shortcut through the grass. Watching the daffodils bloom. Opening the window in our living room. Wearing short sleeves and flip-flops. Swinging at the park. Sitting outside at a coffee shop. Smiling at everyone as I pass them on campus, feeling the season’s contagious energy. Dodging Frisbees on my way to class. Seeing the first firefly. Going on walks late at night in the warm stillness under a big black star-spangled sky.
Let’s get it right
A couple of funny stories from my job at the daycare last week:
One of the teachers was telling a story to the kids (four- and five-year-olds). She was sort of a guest speaker, so she only knew them a little. To emphasize one of her points, she spoke directly to “Austin.” “Would you like it if that happened to you, Austin?”
Austin looked back and her and said, “No.” Then he very seriously, “You forgot to call me Shark Boy.”
I have never in my life heard him talk about being Shark Boy before, so that completely cracked me up. I wish I could remember all of the funny things I hear during the day, but I forget so many of them.
Another time, one of the little girls yelled at a little boy to give her something she wanted. I told her that she needed to ask for it nicely, so she turned to him and said, “Nicely!”
You kind of have to be there, I realize, but they’re still funny. My posting has been extra light lately. I hope to write more soon! And I’d love to hear any funny kid stories you may have.
God Our Savior
Two amazing Scriptures I read today (of course, it’s all amazing! ):
“Do not remember against us our former iniquities;
let Your compassion come speedily to meet us,
for we are brought very low.
Help us, O God of our salvation,
for the glory of Your name;
deliver us, and atone for our sins,
for Your name’s sake!”
(Psalm 79:9-10)
“Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Christ Jesus, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in His word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior”
(Titus 1:1-3)
Run? Who, me?
Let’s just clarify something from the get-go - I do not look as cool as that woman does before I start to run. Or during. Or after.
All right, so I’ve been trying to run lately. I think calling it jogging would be more appropriate. What motivated me to do this? Well, I’ve been wanting to do it for a long time. Running seems like such a great way to be fit and energized. When I see people running, I have often wished that I could do it too. I tried it a couple of summers ago, but I didn’t have much of a plan or patience with myself to take it slowly.
When it comes to exercising, I was off-and-on during college. It really depended on the semester. I would walk on the treadmill, but that gets boring really quickly, so a lot of times I rode the bike. Anyway, once I graduated, I really wanted to start building a better routine, so why not start trying to run?
I haven’t run on a regular basis for years, ever since hide-and-seek was a regular game in the neighborhood. So I am not used to it at all. My goal right now is just to be able to run a 5K. So I’m doing this program, which can be frustrating because I want to be able to sprint! and run a marathon! right now! not alternate jogging and walking three days a week.
However, it’s been really good. I am a perfectionist and I like to follow the plan exactly, so I do it on the treadmill instead of in the great outdoors (on other days, I ride my bike outside, so that helps). I am doing it at a pretty slow speed now just to get myself used to it. But amazingly, I am getting used to it! I never thought that I would, but I enjoy it and it feels so good. I highly recommend it.
Maybe in awhile I will be able to run that 5K. I can’t wait until I can run the whole time nonstop. Oh, and I almost always watch the Disney Channel while I am working out. The Suite Life of Zack and Cody is like the soundtrack to my runs. I don’t know why, I just find it energizing. Strange confession!
I know there are some runners and wannabe runners out there… advice? Stories? Warnings?
Contentment in Christ
Welcome to the sixth entry in the Soul Sisters series (which, by the way, I still think is a really cheesy title). Click here for the introduction to the series.
Today’s truth:
The most content women are not those who have everything the world can offer, but who have everything Christ can offer.
What does the world try to offer women? What is the picture-perfect portrait of the world’s ideal woman? She is confident, beautiful, in control, wealthy, and well-educated. She has her dream job, the perfect “significant other,” a lovely and spacious home, and a dream vacation several times a year.
This woman is unrealistic and unattainable. Even if she could be found, she wouldn’t be content without Christ.
What does Christ have to offer that the world doesn’t? First and foremost, He offers salvation! Because of His death on the cross, God offers forgiveness to sinners like you and me. Jesus paid the price for my sins, so I don’t have to live under the wrath of God anymore.
And amazingly, God doesn’t stop at forgiveness - He adopts us as His very own. We become His treasured possession, His children. He condescends to share His glorious worth with us. We are allowed to live in relationship with Him! - the most fulfilling, beautiful relationship in the universe.
He reorients our whole way of living - instead of living in sin and to serve ourselves, we live to show His beauty to others, to magnify Him, and to enjoy Him. Dying to ourselves, we live.
What a change! How can anything the world offers compare?
Living at home after college…
…is, I must admit, a little strange.
I just spent the last four years getting used to being on my own. I started out as a nervous freshman in a tiny dorm room, but eventually I got to know people, got my own car, moved into an apartment with my friends, and enjoyed the independence.
And now here I am at home again, and what’s most surprising to me is that I’m enjoying it. I am blessed with a great home and family, but in the past making the transition was kind of difficult. Now, though, it feels natural.
Almost too natural. I am getting a little restless to be on my own again, just because I know it’s a necessary transition, and I think I’m becoming ready for it.
We’ll see. It’s about God’s timing, not my own. Meanwhile, I’m enjoying home-cooked meals and free laundry.
The other day, I caught a firefly
So summer is officially here.
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Anna, 21. Saved by grace, called to follow Christ. Book-lover, writer, caregiver, wannabe runner.
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