Here is some food for thought courtesy of Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God.
"All things are possible to him who believes; that they are less difficult to him who hopes; that they are more easy to him who loves and still more easy to him who perseveres in the practice of these three virtues."
"The greater perfection a soul aspires after, the more dependent it is upon divine grace."
Brother Lawrence "considered God as the end of all his thoughts and desires, as the mark to which they should tend, and in which they should terminate."
"I engaged in a religious life only for the love of God, and I have endeavored to act only for Him; whatever becomes of me, whether I be lost or saved, I will always continue to act purely for the love of God. I shall have this good at least, that till death I shall have done all that is in me to love Him."
Friday, November 13, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Way Overdue Update
I have either gotten really bad at updating my blog or really busy or both. :) Anyway, a few weeks back, the church that Sarah and I have been attending had baptism down at a little park on the Snake River. Leading up to that date, I thought about getting baptized. I even talked to the pastor, Mark Bradley, about it. Over all, I have thought a lot about it and this is the conclusion that I have come to.
God definitely commands us to get baptized once we are saved. This act speaks of our allegiance to Christ, of our burial and resurrection with Him. I believe that baptism by immersion is the way to be baptized. Sprinkling or pouring is not what was intended (although in some situations pouring may be acceptable).
Baptism is a very special privilege. I would love to have been baptized back on that Sunday in September. I would have loved to publicly proclaim my allegiance to my Redeemer. However, I decided that I am not going to get baptized quite yet. The reason why is for the sake of my testimony and ministry with my parents. I do not want them to think that I made the decision to get baptized hastily or because someone else influenced me to (particularly anyone connected to Grace Academy). I want them to know that the decision I made back in January is one that is never going to change. It was not one that was made because I felt pressured in any way. I want them to know that I plan on sticking to my commitment to Christ. So, for the sake of my parents' salvation, I am opting to wait on baptism. I don't plan on waiting for numerous years. But I do want to wait at least another year.
I have prayed about this and have decided that this track is the best for me at this point. If you agree with me or think that I am greatly mistaken, please let me know.
As I mentioned above, I have gotten to talk to Pastor Mark. In talking to him, I learned that his wife is going through breast cancer as well. Her treatment has been more aggressive, including two masectomies. But how great is our God?! There is great potential there for a ministry to my mom and even just something to help me deal with being so far away from my mom while she is going through this.
Speaking of my mom, I just want to thank all those that have so tenderly and lovingly brought meals, chatted with my mom and have helped with any chores. I am very grateful for the kindness that is being shown to my family during this time of trial. I am sure that this showing of Christ's love through you all will impact my family for His kingdom. (For He has a great plan.) I also just want to thank the volleyball ladies ahead of time for the yard work they will be doing at my house. I'm sure it's a mess by now and will be hard work. But I know it's going to be a great blessing to my mom-she would most certainly have done it herself otherwise.
College life is going well. Sarah and I are adjusting and settling in bit by bit. Things have been tough at times but we just remind ourselves that God has brought us here for a reason and He has a plan for each of us. It is so good to be able to trust in a sovereign and loving God.
God definitely commands us to get baptized once we are saved. This act speaks of our allegiance to Christ, of our burial and resurrection with Him. I believe that baptism by immersion is the way to be baptized. Sprinkling or pouring is not what was intended (although in some situations pouring may be acceptable).
Baptism is a very special privilege. I would love to have been baptized back on that Sunday in September. I would have loved to publicly proclaim my allegiance to my Redeemer. However, I decided that I am not going to get baptized quite yet. The reason why is for the sake of my testimony and ministry with my parents. I do not want them to think that I made the decision to get baptized hastily or because someone else influenced me to (particularly anyone connected to Grace Academy). I want them to know that the decision I made back in January is one that is never going to change. It was not one that was made because I felt pressured in any way. I want them to know that I plan on sticking to my commitment to Christ. So, for the sake of my parents' salvation, I am opting to wait on baptism. I don't plan on waiting for numerous years. But I do want to wait at least another year.
I have prayed about this and have decided that this track is the best for me at this point. If you agree with me or think that I am greatly mistaken, please let me know.
As I mentioned above, I have gotten to talk to Pastor Mark. In talking to him, I learned that his wife is going through breast cancer as well. Her treatment has been more aggressive, including two masectomies. But how great is our God?! There is great potential there for a ministry to my mom and even just something to help me deal with being so far away from my mom while she is going through this.
Speaking of my mom, I just want to thank all those that have so tenderly and lovingly brought meals, chatted with my mom and have helped with any chores. I am very grateful for the kindness that is being shown to my family during this time of trial. I am sure that this showing of Christ's love through you all will impact my family for His kingdom. (For He has a great plan.) I also just want to thank the volleyball ladies ahead of time for the yard work they will be doing at my house. I'm sure it's a mess by now and will be hard work. But I know it's going to be a great blessing to my mom-she would most certainly have done it herself otherwise.
College life is going well. Sarah and I are adjusting and settling in bit by bit. Things have been tough at times but we just remind ourselves that God has brought us here for a reason and He has a plan for each of us. It is so good to be able to trust in a sovereign and loving God.
Monday, September 7, 2009
At WSU again...
Well, for those of you that didn't know, I was home for the Labor Day weekend. It was amazing coming home to my family, my home, my nice long showers. (I didn't actually come home to my bed because my sister took the one I had upstairs and I'm still allowed to sleep in the one I have downstairs because there are no curtains. So, I slept in Loveleen's bed which just wasn't quite the same.) I really enjoyed being able to see friends including the volleyball ladies, many teachers who are so very dear to my heart, and various others. It was really sweet being able to go to Grace for church on Sunday. The entire weekend was refreshing. I do wish that I could have met up with more friends, especially those that I graduated with but I'm sure that I will see them when I come for Thanksgiving. I also wish that I hadn't had so much homework to do when I was home but it's all good.
In my personal devotions, I have been going through Genesis. I have recently reached the story of Isaac's son, Jacob. I was so confused in reading this portion of Scripture as to why God chose Jacob for His blessings. I was further confused as Jacob continued to do things that were deceitful, sinful. God pored blessing after blessing on Jacob yet Jacob continued to view the Lord just as the God of his father. Later on Jacob would accept God as his own God and would serve Him wholeheartedly.
I was ruminating Jacob's story earlier and made a profound realization; I am just like Jacob. For years and years I had God's blessings over me and I refused to even recognize Him. And when I did acknowledge Him, it was not as my Lord but as the God of my teachers and schoolmates, as the God of Christians. I excelled in many areas and was blessed profoundly, far more than I ever ought to have, being the sinner that I am. I never truly gave the glory for those things to God, much less acccepted Him as my God. Yet, for reasons unknown, God had singled me out for the greatest blessing He has ever given man; the free gift of salvation. I was and am by no means deserving of this gift. I hourly fall short of the standard by which I might "earn" this salvation on my own. In fact, I was disqualified from the moment of conception and have been disqualifiying myself ever since. In spite of my shortcomings and my lifelong rebellion, Christ saved me. He wrapped me in His love and in a whirlwind of grace, took me from the road leading to destruction and placed me on the path leading to Him (and in Him, eternal bliss). It is beyond my understanding why He would be so kind to one so fallen.
In so many ways, every Christian was just like Jacob, seeking blessings without acknowledging the One from whom all blessings come. And there are still so many Jacobs out there. We do not know who they are, whether they are across the world or down the hall (or both). But we do know that the same gracious God who saved us does know. And He is faithful. I am really challenged to pray for those people around me who are not saved (and being at a secular university there are many) but for all I know could be Jacobs just ready to become Israels. Please pray that I would be faithful to share Christ both by my words and by my actions. And that I really would be faithful to pray for people, especially for the other ladies on my floor and in my building. I want to be an instrument through which God can bring them to Himself. I want them to wonder at His level at a personal level just as I am. And through all of it, I want the glory to go to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In my personal devotions, I have been going through Genesis. I have recently reached the story of Isaac's son, Jacob. I was so confused in reading this portion of Scripture as to why God chose Jacob for His blessings. I was further confused as Jacob continued to do things that were deceitful, sinful. God pored blessing after blessing on Jacob yet Jacob continued to view the Lord just as the God of his father. Later on Jacob would accept God as his own God and would serve Him wholeheartedly.
I was ruminating Jacob's story earlier and made a profound realization; I am just like Jacob. For years and years I had God's blessings over me and I refused to even recognize Him. And when I did acknowledge Him, it was not as my Lord but as the God of my teachers and schoolmates, as the God of Christians. I excelled in many areas and was blessed profoundly, far more than I ever ought to have, being the sinner that I am. I never truly gave the glory for those things to God, much less acccepted Him as my God. Yet, for reasons unknown, God had singled me out for the greatest blessing He has ever given man; the free gift of salvation. I was and am by no means deserving of this gift. I hourly fall short of the standard by which I might "earn" this salvation on my own. In fact, I was disqualified from the moment of conception and have been disqualifiying myself ever since. In spite of my shortcomings and my lifelong rebellion, Christ saved me. He wrapped me in His love and in a whirlwind of grace, took me from the road leading to destruction and placed me on the path leading to Him (and in Him, eternal bliss). It is beyond my understanding why He would be so kind to one so fallen.
In so many ways, every Christian was just like Jacob, seeking blessings without acknowledging the One from whom all blessings come. And there are still so many Jacobs out there. We do not know who they are, whether they are across the world or down the hall (or both). But we do know that the same gracious God who saved us does know. And He is faithful. I am really challenged to pray for those people around me who are not saved (and being at a secular university there are many) but for all I know could be Jacobs just ready to become Israels. Please pray that I would be faithful to share Christ both by my words and by my actions. And that I really would be faithful to pray for people, especially for the other ladies on my floor and in my building. I want to be an instrument through which God can bring them to Himself. I want them to wonder at His level at a personal level just as I am. And through all of it, I want the glory to go to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
First Few Days
Wow. What a tiring few days these last few days have been. I have been strained emotionally and even a bit physically (3 flights of stairs every time I want to go to my room!!??!!). But I think that spiritually, I have been strengthened.
I had a really hard time this past summer with prayer. I tended to push it to the edge of my “to-do list” or forget about it all together. I noticed that as I did this I was more and more susceptible to getting irritated at little things and flying into fits of anger or some other radical emotion. Even as I would do those things I would hear this voice in the back of my head saying, “You know why this is happening. You are trying to shut God out, trying to do this on your own.” I would try to silence this voice. I don’t know why but I would. And then I would have another reason to not pray; because I did not want to confront the fact that I had not prayed before. The strangest thing about the whole experience, however, was that everything I was doing, right down to the very last detail, I knew was wrong, had learned in Bible classes that they were wrong and had even learned ways to counteract, etc. I think I had even written papers, answered questions, and written applications on the subject. I am well-learned and equipped to recognize and fight this attack of sinful flesh on my soul. But I am what I am and what that is is a young lady who positionally is perfect but in the here and now, is very fallen. Even head knowledge cannot save man from his sinful nature and without God, we will easily oblige sin’s tempting pleas.
Thankfully, oh so utterly thankfully (is that grammatically correct? I SHOULD know this… wanting to be an English major and all), God does not allow us to follows sin’s requests for long. Just like the Good Father that He is, He chastises us when we go astray and disciplines us so as to keep us from erring again. Just the very fact that He cares enough about me to bring me back into His fold and strengthen me. What a gracious Father!
Throughout my first few days here at WSU, I have found great joy in prayer and time spent in His word. It is honestly the highlight of my days and I wish that it would only become more so.
I am sure that Christ has many plans for me here at WSU, many of which include pushing me and challenging me. (I have signed up for a third semester Spanish class meaning that I am going into a class where only Spanish is to be spoken. I haven’t had a Spanish class since the junior year of high school. So this will be a class that I will truly have to work HARD in so as to get a good grade.) The home situation is also going to be an aspect that will help me grow. The update on my mom right now is that she is recovering from her first chemotherapy session and meets with the chemo doctor I believe today or tomorrow to schedule the second session. She will be needing somewhere between 3-7 chemo sessions which Jessica tells me is a rather small amount. Praise the Lord! Other than that, my mom is doing well. She is able to go on walks everyday which I find to be a good sign. Thank you all for your prayers.
I will do my best to keep this blog updated but I can’t make any promises as to how often I will post. Again, thank you all for your prayers!
I had a really hard time this past summer with prayer. I tended to push it to the edge of my “to-do list” or forget about it all together. I noticed that as I did this I was more and more susceptible to getting irritated at little things and flying into fits of anger or some other radical emotion. Even as I would do those things I would hear this voice in the back of my head saying, “You know why this is happening. You are trying to shut God out, trying to do this on your own.” I would try to silence this voice. I don’t know why but I would. And then I would have another reason to not pray; because I did not want to confront the fact that I had not prayed before. The strangest thing about the whole experience, however, was that everything I was doing, right down to the very last detail, I knew was wrong, had learned in Bible classes that they were wrong and had even learned ways to counteract, etc. I think I had even written papers, answered questions, and written applications on the subject. I am well-learned and equipped to recognize and fight this attack of sinful flesh on my soul. But I am what I am and what that is is a young lady who positionally is perfect but in the here and now, is very fallen. Even head knowledge cannot save man from his sinful nature and without God, we will easily oblige sin’s tempting pleas.
Thankfully, oh so utterly thankfully (is that grammatically correct? I SHOULD know this… wanting to be an English major and all), God does not allow us to follows sin’s requests for long. Just like the Good Father that He is, He chastises us when we go astray and disciplines us so as to keep us from erring again. Just the very fact that He cares enough about me to bring me back into His fold and strengthen me. What a gracious Father!
Throughout my first few days here at WSU, I have found great joy in prayer and time spent in His word. It is honestly the highlight of my days and I wish that it would only become more so.
I am sure that Christ has many plans for me here at WSU, many of which include pushing me and challenging me. (I have signed up for a third semester Spanish class meaning that I am going into a class where only Spanish is to be spoken. I haven’t had a Spanish class since the junior year of high school. So this will be a class that I will truly have to work HARD in so as to get a good grade.) The home situation is also going to be an aspect that will help me grow. The update on my mom right now is that she is recovering from her first chemotherapy session and meets with the chemo doctor I believe today or tomorrow to schedule the second session. She will be needing somewhere between 3-7 chemo sessions which Jessica tells me is a rather small amount. Praise the Lord! Other than that, my mom is doing well. She is able to go on walks everyday which I find to be a good sign. Thank you all for your prayers.
I will do my best to keep this blog updated but I can’t make any promises as to how often I will post. Again, thank you all for your prayers!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The first day
So yesterday was my first real day here at WSU and God is good. My parents dropped me off at my room for good at noon and then headed home. (I had stayed the previous night with them in their hotel room in Lewiston, Idaho. I can now say I have been to Idaho :D.) The good byes were not as tearful as I expected them to be although it has been harder than I expected afterwards. I can confidently save that I am going to LOVE coming home.
After my parents left I began organizing and decorating my room. It has turned out pretty well. I will post pictures soon hopefully. (I haven't posted pictures yet because I keep losing internet connection. I'm not sure I'm even supposed to have it in my room anyway.)
I took a break from decorating to go for a job interview. The position was that of a student telefundraiser at Call-A-Coug. Call-A-Coug contacts alumni to update their demographics, give them WSU news and ask for donations. This program raised $3.6 million dollars a few years back. After a group and individual interview, I was offered a position. God is very good.
I will try my best to keep things updated. Please feel free to text or email me! Thank you for all the prayers!
After my parents left I began organizing and decorating my room. It has turned out pretty well. I will post pictures soon hopefully. (I haven't posted pictures yet because I keep losing internet connection. I'm not sure I'm even supposed to have it in my room anyway.)
I took a break from decorating to go for a job interview. The position was that of a student telefundraiser at Call-A-Coug. Call-A-Coug contacts alumni to update their demographics, give them WSU news and ask for donations. This program raised $3.6 million dollars a few years back. After a group and individual interview, I was offered a position. God is very good.
I will try my best to keep things updated. Please feel free to text or email me! Thank you for all the prayers!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
The day
Well today is the day. I'm practically all packed to go (there are a few odds and ends but nothing major). My dad looked at the car only this morning and was asking my mom if it was necessary for me to take everything that I was taking. (The Mercedes trunk is full to the top, absolutely no way to see out the back.)
I haven't blogged much in the last couple of weeks and just want to fill everyone in on things that have happened. First off, my parents had this 3 day prayer ceremony at the sikh temple in Marysville. What it basically is is a read-through of guru granth (their religious book) in 3 days. Anyone can "sponsor" it in order to have it's good effects come to them. If they sponsor it, then it is their job to provide all the food for anyone who may come during those three days as well as things like toilet paper, laundry detergent, etc. My parents wanted to do this in order to get blessings for my transition to college. And since my parents still do not recognize my faith, I (and Loveleen) were required to be a part of this. I want to thank everyone who prayed for us and would like to tell them that it went well.
I also have failed to keep everyone updated on my mom's status. My mom is recovering well from her lumpectomy. She still cannot move her arm above her head so the doctors decided to wait on the radiology and do the chemotherapy first (she will eventually be having both). She had her first session yesterday and has been doing remarkably well today. As far as I know, she has not thrown up which is a good sign. She wants to come with us to drop me off so please pray that she continues to be in as good of a state as she is now. In the long run, the doctors say that my mom will probably lose all her hair, which includes eyebrows and eyelashes. I think that would be particularly hard for me to see just because it would be a constant reminder of what my mom is going through so you can pray for strength there. Also concerning my mom, I am afraid that once I am at college, I will not be fully and honestly updated on how my mom is doing for the fear of stressing me out. I really do not want that to happen. I do not want to be left in the dark. I have told my mom that and hope that she will not keep me uninformed or misinformed.
On the side of good news, I have an interview for a job as a student telefundraiser at Call-A-Coug this Wednesday. I definitely need prayer that I get this job so that I can pay back my student loans on my own. I really do not want to have my parents pay it (although I know that they would if I could not).
Well, I have to go change and eat something before we we leave. The next time I blog, it will be from WSU.
I haven't blogged much in the last couple of weeks and just want to fill everyone in on things that have happened. First off, my parents had this 3 day prayer ceremony at the sikh temple in Marysville. What it basically is is a read-through of guru granth (their religious book) in 3 days. Anyone can "sponsor" it in order to have it's good effects come to them. If they sponsor it, then it is their job to provide all the food for anyone who may come during those three days as well as things like toilet paper, laundry detergent, etc. My parents wanted to do this in order to get blessings for my transition to college. And since my parents still do not recognize my faith, I (and Loveleen) were required to be a part of this. I want to thank everyone who prayed for us and would like to tell them that it went well.
I also have failed to keep everyone updated on my mom's status. My mom is recovering well from her lumpectomy. She still cannot move her arm above her head so the doctors decided to wait on the radiology and do the chemotherapy first (she will eventually be having both). She had her first session yesterday and has been doing remarkably well today. As far as I know, she has not thrown up which is a good sign. She wants to come with us to drop me off so please pray that she continues to be in as good of a state as she is now. In the long run, the doctors say that my mom will probably lose all her hair, which includes eyebrows and eyelashes. I think that would be particularly hard for me to see just because it would be a constant reminder of what my mom is going through so you can pray for strength there. Also concerning my mom, I am afraid that once I am at college, I will not be fully and honestly updated on how my mom is doing for the fear of stressing me out. I really do not want that to happen. I do not want to be left in the dark. I have told my mom that and hope that she will not keep me uninformed or misinformed.
On the side of good news, I have an interview for a job as a student telefundraiser at Call-A-Coug this Wednesday. I definitely need prayer that I get this job so that I can pay back my student loans on my own. I really do not want to have my parents pay it (although I know that they would if I could not).
Well, I have to go change and eat something before we we leave. The next time I blog, it will be from WSU.
Friday, August 14, 2009
College Address
311 Stevens Hall
PO Box 1700
Pullman, WA 99163
That's my address at WSU for anyone who would like that. Feel free to send me a letter anytime! I would absolutely love that!
PO Box 1700
Pullman, WA 99163
That's my address at WSU for anyone who would like that. Feel free to send me a letter anytime! I would absolutely love that!
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