My SMC (Student Ministry Coordinator) sent out this devotional and I thought I'd share it with you all.
I have been reading some of the book of Exodus lately and recently came across the passage in Exodus 16:19-21 where Moses warns the Israelites not to try to preserve manna and collect more than enough for the day. Those who don't listen and gather too much find that the next day the left over manna is rotten and maggot-ridden.
This got me to thinking about God's provision, and how our view of being comfortable and well cared for looks nothing like the day to day reliance that the Israelites were forced to learn. There was no other food in the desert, and their only hope for survival was the manna that they trusted God would provide them. This time in our lives can be pretty unsettling at times. Let's face it, other than what classes we are taking and some general idea of where we want to be in ten years, most of us have no idea what we are doing. Yet, we try to control what direction our life is going, what we spend our time on and who we choose to love. We are then surprised and offended when things don't turn out as we planned, when our stockpiling ideas and "plan B's" fall to pieces, or in the Israelites' case, maggots.
So if you feel like things are uncertain and your direction makes no sense, if you have no idea where your help will come from tomorrow, remember that when Jesus taught us to give thanks for our DAILY bread, he meant it. We aren't supposed to have monthly bread supplies(figuratively or literally), if we did there would be no need for faith.
In Matthew 6, Jesus also talks about how we can have faith in his provisions and to not store up earthly treasures that will rot away. Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
I love the Bible.
May you enjoy your daily bread today and in the days to come
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Dear Lindsey
Linds, this blog post is for you :)
I am so giddy with excitement for you as you begin your next big adventure in Australia! Seriously, I am giddy. It has always been apparent to me that God destined you for extremely great things, things greater than even you could imagine. I know that Hillsong is just one of many many more great things to come. You are anointed, my dear friend. Through your obedience to the Father, you already have done great things in my life, and in the lives of others.
Lindsey, you are a shining example of faith and joy! You do not have a perfect life (no one does), things have gone wrong, and maybe you don't wake up with a smile every morning, but your love for the Lord is constantly apparent no matter the situation. You see His blessings and His hand in every instance, and in doing so, you've opened my eyes to those things when sometimes I don't feel like looking for them. Your faith in this entire process is simply beautiful, and even more beautiful is how the Lord has blessed you because of it. "Truly I tell you," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brother or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life." Luke 18:29-30.
Your commitment to purity is incredibly inspiring and encouraging and I can guarantee that your wedding will be one of the most beautiful things I even witness. Thank you for your openness and honesty and for the invitation to be open and honest in return. I will always remember tear-filled heart-to-hearts in the parking lot at GU, various bedrooms, and the occasional back yard. It has been so much fun being a teenage girl with you. I feel like everyone else has missed out on a vital part of life. You are also so silly, and I LOVE it! Thank you for introducing me to the JoBros and Taylor Swift :) I already miss your precious laugh, and seeing you find joy in unexpected things. It is so hard to be sad or angry around you for longer than a minute. I have no doubt that you will make life-long friends while in Australia, and that it won't take long for everyone to fall head-over-heels in love with you like so many of us in the States have.
It has been such a blessing to grow with you. I cannot describe how it felt to watch you worship at Gateway a few weeks ago. At one point I stopped singing, looked at you and just praised the Father because of what I was witnessing. It was beautiful. It wasn't a performance, but an intimate conversation with the ultimate lover of your soul. It was so evident that those were your words and music. "I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!" Psalm 66:17-20. I am excited to hear about how this grows and changes while at Hillsong, and I cannot wait to worship with you again when you're home!
Always always ALWAYS know how much you are loved, and the multitude of prayers being lifted up for you every single day. You are loved by the Lord and your are loved by your friends and family more than you can comprehend.
I wish you joy, growth, love, adventure, comfort, energy, strength, courage, and an ever-open heart for the Lord to do with what He wants. Lindsey, you are truly "living a life worthy of the calling you have received"!
"Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant - not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills but the Spirit gives life." 2 Corinthians 3:4-6
I love you Linds!!!
I am so giddy with excitement for you as you begin your next big adventure in Australia! Seriously, I am giddy. It has always been apparent to me that God destined you for extremely great things, things greater than even you could imagine. I know that Hillsong is just one of many many more great things to come. You are anointed, my dear friend. Through your obedience to the Father, you already have done great things in my life, and in the lives of others.
Lindsey, you are a shining example of faith and joy! You do not have a perfect life (no one does), things have gone wrong, and maybe you don't wake up with a smile every morning, but your love for the Lord is constantly apparent no matter the situation. You see His blessings and His hand in every instance, and in doing so, you've opened my eyes to those things when sometimes I don't feel like looking for them. Your faith in this entire process is simply beautiful, and even more beautiful is how the Lord has blessed you because of it. "Truly I tell you," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brother or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life." Luke 18:29-30.
Your commitment to purity is incredibly inspiring and encouraging and I can guarantee that your wedding will be one of the most beautiful things I even witness. Thank you for your openness and honesty and for the invitation to be open and honest in return. I will always remember tear-filled heart-to-hearts in the parking lot at GU, various bedrooms, and the occasional back yard. It has been so much fun being a teenage girl with you. I feel like everyone else has missed out on a vital part of life. You are also so silly, and I LOVE it! Thank you for introducing me to the JoBros and Taylor Swift :) I already miss your precious laugh, and seeing you find joy in unexpected things. It is so hard to be sad or angry around you for longer than a minute. I have no doubt that you will make life-long friends while in Australia, and that it won't take long for everyone to fall head-over-heels in love with you like so many of us in the States have.
It has been such a blessing to grow with you. I cannot describe how it felt to watch you worship at Gateway a few weeks ago. At one point I stopped singing, looked at you and just praised the Father because of what I was witnessing. It was beautiful. It wasn't a performance, but an intimate conversation with the ultimate lover of your soul. It was so evident that those were your words and music. "I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!" Psalm 66:17-20. I am excited to hear about how this grows and changes while at Hillsong, and I cannot wait to worship with you again when you're home!
Always always ALWAYS know how much you are loved, and the multitude of prayers being lifted up for you every single day. You are loved by the Lord and your are loved by your friends and family more than you can comprehend.
I wish you joy, growth, love, adventure, comfort, energy, strength, courage, and an ever-open heart for the Lord to do with what He wants. Lindsey, you are truly "living a life worthy of the calling you have received"!
"Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant - not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills but the Spirit gives life." 2 Corinthians 3:4-6
I love you Linds!!!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Picking Favorites
I love Donald Miller.I read his book Blue Like Jazz
a number of years ago, and while I was at school, it was the book I read when I didn't have to study. Unfortunately, that meant I never really go to read it.
Before I left, my SMC, Kelsey, told me to read Searching For God Knows What by none other than Donald Miller.
I started it a few days ago, and honestly, I've been really bad at setting aside time to sit and read. However, every single page has me stopping to think and digest what I've just read. Most often, I find myself asking, "Is that me?" when he describes his frustrations with the church, or what his small-minded view of God used to be. It's making me rethink and reevaluate what I believe (in a positive way). Most of the time, when someone describes a 'before/after' situation, especially dealing with faith, we identify with the 'after' version. We think of the author, Well of course God is like this or that, I'm so glad you're finally on the same page as the rest of us here sitting on our thrones of wisdom. In the process of reading this book, I'm learning to stop and see where I am. Is he talking about me? Is he trying to show me a new idea or view of God? Yes. He is.
What I love about Donald Miller is that he does open you up to new ideas. Even if they're not new, he puts them in a way that all of a sudden makes sense. Things click when I read his books. He also never ever ever claims to be on some throne of wisdom. He's not writing to instruct, teach, or preach, he writes to share where he's been, and where's he's heading to. He writes his testimonies, and hopes that if the reader identifies with him, that he'll be able to offer words of advice, encouragement, and truth. He's writing to a friend. It actually reminds me a lot of John the Evangelist and the letters he wrote. Miller writes of a loving father, who loves so differently than anything we've ever experience, and whose existence cannot be denied.
I've been looking for one stand-out quote to include in a blog post or facebook status, but it's impossible. Simply impossible. If I find one in the rest of my reading, I'll be sure to let you know. In the meantime, I seriously recommend borrowing/renting/buying/stealing any of Donald Miller's books.
What a great tool to help us slow down and reconnect during this crazy, wonderful season.
Happy reading!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Sweet Tea
When I moved to Seattle, I assumed that everyone would drink coffee. I mean, obviously! It's Seattle!
Nope.
{{{tea}}}
everyone drinks tea
I have adjusted :)
One of my favorite places is the Tea Cup in Queen Anne, Seattle
When my friends (R to L) Lindsey, Alicia, Ondi, and Maddie came to visit, I took them there and we spent over two hours sipping on tea and catching up on the past two months. It was absolutely lovely.
I've decided that tea parties are my new favorite thing. They're something special, elegant, girly, and super duper fun.
So of course, what did we have to do when I got home?
{A tea party}
Complete with my grandmother's wacky tea pots, Christmas mugs, and a variety of teas. Some delicious, some, well, not so delicious we figured out.
I love my friends. So freaking much.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Let's Play a Game
How many of you go around the table on Thanksgiving to say something you're thankful for?
I do.
I realized though, that it's a lot easier to make a list of things I'm not thankful for, or things I want so then I can be thankful for them.
Interesting, huh?
This year, I was made very much aware that I take for granted the blessings God has so gracefully, and lovingly given me. I see his large blessings: my health, family, home, food, etc. But how often do I stop and thank Jesus for the "smaller" blessings? Waking up each morning. A hood on my coat when it's raining in Seattle. Oat Squares. Peppermint Mochas. Some things sound silly, but really, isn't every single thing we're given, given by our God?
Recently, it's been easy to see things I don't have, and I've been blinded to the new blessings God has given me. To me of little faith.
Here is a small list of some things I am thankful for though.
I am thankful to be at SPU. A wonderful place, with wonderful people, in wonderful classes, living a wonderful life and preparing for what I know will be a wonderful future.
I am thankful for these lovely girls. Sammy, Izzy, and my roommate Nicole. I spend most of my spare time with them. We share, sit, giggle, pray, and spend life with one another. There is no doubt in my mind that God hand placed us together.
I am thankful for Laura. Wow, what a young woman of God! We're both from Salem, but became friends at SPU. The Lord truly answered my prayers with Laura. I am so looking forward to our friendship growing even more!
I am thankful for nice jackets that keep me warm and dry in Seattle.
I am thankful for snow, and staying safe in the snow.
I am thankful that I don't have to eat the same thing two days in a row if I don't want to.
I am thankful for my loving family. Even if none of us are close to perfect.
I am thankful for more than one home. I have put this one in a negative light in the past. But really, I am very blessed to have a home at SPU, and two homes in Salem (Mom and Dad).
I am thankful for things unseen, like God's love, grace, mercy, provisions, and faithfulness
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
-Colossians 2:7 NLT
PS: Sorry if this post seems a little scatter brained. It is. Please note that it's nearly 2am.
I do.
I realized though, that it's a lot easier to make a list of things I'm not thankful for, or things I want so then I can be thankful for them.
Interesting, huh?
This year, I was made very much aware that I take for granted the blessings God has so gracefully, and lovingly given me. I see his large blessings: my health, family, home, food, etc. But how often do I stop and thank Jesus for the "smaller" blessings? Waking up each morning. A hood on my coat when it's raining in Seattle. Oat Squares. Peppermint Mochas. Some things sound silly, but really, isn't every single thing we're given, given by our God?
Recently, it's been easy to see things I don't have, and I've been blinded to the new blessings God has given me. To me of little faith.
Here is a small list of some things I am thankful for though.
I am thankful to be at SPU. A wonderful place, with wonderful people, in wonderful classes, living a wonderful life and preparing for what I know will be a wonderful future.
I am thankful for these lovely girls. Sammy, Izzy, and my roommate Nicole. I spend most of my spare time with them. We share, sit, giggle, pray, and spend life with one another. There is no doubt in my mind that God hand placed us together.
I am thankful for Laura. Wow, what a young woman of God! We're both from Salem, but became friends at SPU. The Lord truly answered my prayers with Laura. I am so looking forward to our friendship growing even more!
I am thankful for nice jackets that keep me warm and dry in Seattle.
I am thankful for snow, and staying safe in the snow.
I am thankful that I don't have to eat the same thing two days in a row if I don't want to.
I am thankful for my loving family. Even if none of us are close to perfect.
I am thankful for more than one home. I have put this one in a negative light in the past. But really, I am very blessed to have a home at SPU, and two homes in Salem (Mom and Dad).
I am thankful for things unseen, like God's love, grace, mercy, provisions, and faithfulness
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
-Colossians 2:7 NLT
PS: Sorry if this post seems a little scatter brained. It is. Please note that it's nearly 2am.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Please Don't Beat Me Up...
Mmmmm, even though I've been listening to Christmas music since the beginning of the month, these were playing in my head as I strolled through the snow and drank peppermint hot chocolate today :)
Enjoy!
Joyous Things
I don't think I have ever seen my campus so happy before!
Lately, everyone I've walked past smiles at me and I smile back and it feels so joyous!
I think the joy began Thursday night, as people dressed up in robes and glasses, grabbed their wands and headed to the movie theater.
Oh yeah, HARRY POTTER!!
I love HP and I love midnight premieres because you're in a theater with a few hundred other HP fans who get excited, nervous, sad, and triumphant with you. Out loud. Which is the best part.
Normally, no one is super excited on Mondays. I was expecting an especially dreary environment considering that people are half here/half angry that they're here because they want to be home for Thanksgiving. It was a lovely surprise when I saw SNOW when I finally got out of bed this morning!!!
Every thing looks better when it's covered in snow and every one was skipping and singing and trying to catch snowflakes on their tongues. There was also an added element of awesomeness when we got the email that afternoon classes were canceled. Honestly, while the snow is great, there isn't a lot on the ground. Whatever. I'll take it :)
In addition to all these joyous occasions, Thanksgiving is this weekend and everyone gets to go home and see family and eat lots of yummy food. Can't wait!
Lately, everyone I've walked past smiles at me and I smile back and it feels so joyous!
I think the joy began Thursday night, as people dressed up in robes and glasses, grabbed their wands and headed to the movie theater.
Oh yeah, HARRY POTTER!!
I love HP and I love midnight premieres because you're in a theater with a few hundred other HP fans who get excited, nervous, sad, and triumphant with you. Out loud. Which is the best part.
Normally, no one is super excited on Mondays. I was expecting an especially dreary environment considering that people are half here/half angry that they're here because they want to be home for Thanksgiving. It was a lovely surprise when I saw SNOW when I finally got out of bed this morning!!!
Every thing looks better when it's covered in snow and every one was skipping and singing and trying to catch snowflakes on their tongues. There was also an added element of awesomeness when we got the email that afternoon classes were canceled. Honestly, while the snow is great, there isn't a lot on the ground. Whatever. I'll take it :)
In addition to all these joyous occasions, Thanksgiving is this weekend and everyone gets to go home and see family and eat lots of yummy food. Can't wait!
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