"C.S. Lewis, in his second letter to me at Oxford, asked how it was that I, as a product of a materialistic universe, was not at home there. 'Do fish complain of the sea for being wet? Or if they did, would that fact itself not strongly suggest that they had not always been, or wd. not always be, purely aquatic creatures?' Then, if we complain of time and take such joy in the seemingly timeless moment, what does that suggest? It suggests that we have not always been or will not always be purely temporal creatures. It suggests that we were created for eternity."
Sheldon Vanauken (from A Severe Mercy)
Something to think about. As Vanauken also write, this is proof or at least a powerful suggestion that eternity exists and is our home.
We were created for another world.
Think about this daily as you live in a world that is not your own. What are you called to do? Who are you called to be? How are you called to live? What is our duty in this, a foreign land?
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Monday, February 21, 2005
She Must And Shall Go Free
This is a short article by Derek Webb. It is wonderful!
"German theologian Martin Luther was once asked by a member of his congregation why he preached the Gospel to them week after week, thinking that surely they were ready to move on to some deeper, more spiritual teaching. Luther’s reply was, “Because beloved, week after week you forget it.”
Luther’s church back then was just like our church today, and his response is still so appropriate. Throughout our history, God’s people have exchanged one idol for another.
In preaching and practice, the church today works hard to be ‘relevant.’ At first glance, it’s a noble cause. But with some reflection, we find that the compromises that appear to make us ‘relevant’ can also strip us of our distinctive and transcendent characteristics. Our hope of being truly relevant to our ever-changing culture here in America, is to be who we are as the Body and Bride of Christ. Franky Schaeffer in his book Addicted to Mediocrity said, “The church’s effectiveness in the world is stifled proportionate to the extensiveness of its blind spots.” Maturity is learning the language of repentance and reformation as we uncover our spiritual blind spots.
Contrary to appearances and “best selling book” racks in Christian bookstores, the church’s greatest need is not spiritual stimulation. In fact, I’d say that we are thoroughly over stimulated. We’re just dying to hear and experience new things, to have our spiritual lives revolutionized, and to be in the ‘inner circle’ of the latest spiritual trends and ideologies. It seems that every few weeks there’s a new book outlining the newest spiritual formula by which we can get all that God has to offer us, be it ‘victorious’ Christian living or spiritual blessings of all kinds. And we can’t wait to get on the bandwagon hoping that maybe this will be the missing piece that we’ve been looking for.
But for the same reason the newest mouthwash or soft drink can’t make us more confident and assertive as their marketing promises, these spiritual ‘products’ can’t satisfy us. The good news is that new soft drinks, best selling books, and failed church formulas expose the fact that we never get over our need for Jesus. Nothing else can satisfy us.
So maybe our blind spot is that we’d rather be a “sub-culture’ than a ‘counter-culture’. When we make an idol of ‘relevance’ we become a Christian ghetto enslaved to the rules of pop culture. But Jesus makes his Kingdom to be a ‘counter-culture’, where every order of this world is turned on its head. The poor are rich and the broken ones are exalted. The church community is not like a membership to a health club of your choosing. It’s not like a shopping mall where you bring your visa card. The gospel shows us that we can’t heal our sickness, we have no money, and we have no heart. But the gospel invites us to a great feast, teaches us how to love, and trades consumerism for service.
The 21st century church still needs to hear the same gospel that Luther spoke of week after week. Will we confess the sufficiency of Christ or will we continue to worship a false sense of relevance? Will we continue to put warm coats on spiritually dead people or will we preach to them the Gospel in all its offense and beauty? Come to Jesus and find maturity in repentance, vision through scripture, and mercy in our great Savior. By His grace alone, His church will be victorious, and she will be set free." Derek Webb (2004)
"German theologian Martin Luther was once asked by a member of his congregation why he preached the Gospel to them week after week, thinking that surely they were ready to move on to some deeper, more spiritual teaching. Luther’s reply was, “Because beloved, week after week you forget it.”
Luther’s church back then was just like our church today, and his response is still so appropriate. Throughout our history, God’s people have exchanged one idol for another.
In preaching and practice, the church today works hard to be ‘relevant.’ At first glance, it’s a noble cause. But with some reflection, we find that the compromises that appear to make us ‘relevant’ can also strip us of our distinctive and transcendent characteristics. Our hope of being truly relevant to our ever-changing culture here in America, is to be who we are as the Body and Bride of Christ. Franky Schaeffer in his book Addicted to Mediocrity said, “The church’s effectiveness in the world is stifled proportionate to the extensiveness of its blind spots.” Maturity is learning the language of repentance and reformation as we uncover our spiritual blind spots.
Contrary to appearances and “best selling book” racks in Christian bookstores, the church’s greatest need is not spiritual stimulation. In fact, I’d say that we are thoroughly over stimulated. We’re just dying to hear and experience new things, to have our spiritual lives revolutionized, and to be in the ‘inner circle’ of the latest spiritual trends and ideologies. It seems that every few weeks there’s a new book outlining the newest spiritual formula by which we can get all that God has to offer us, be it ‘victorious’ Christian living or spiritual blessings of all kinds. And we can’t wait to get on the bandwagon hoping that maybe this will be the missing piece that we’ve been looking for.
But for the same reason the newest mouthwash or soft drink can’t make us more confident and assertive as their marketing promises, these spiritual ‘products’ can’t satisfy us. The good news is that new soft drinks, best selling books, and failed church formulas expose the fact that we never get over our need for Jesus. Nothing else can satisfy us.
So maybe our blind spot is that we’d rather be a “sub-culture’ than a ‘counter-culture’. When we make an idol of ‘relevance’ we become a Christian ghetto enslaved to the rules of pop culture. But Jesus makes his Kingdom to be a ‘counter-culture’, where every order of this world is turned on its head. The poor are rich and the broken ones are exalted. The church community is not like a membership to a health club of your choosing. It’s not like a shopping mall where you bring your visa card. The gospel shows us that we can’t heal our sickness, we have no money, and we have no heart. But the gospel invites us to a great feast, teaches us how to love, and trades consumerism for service.
The 21st century church still needs to hear the same gospel that Luther spoke of week after week. Will we confess the sufficiency of Christ or will we continue to worship a false sense of relevance? Will we continue to put warm coats on spiritually dead people or will we preach to them the Gospel in all its offense and beauty? Come to Jesus and find maturity in repentance, vision through scripture, and mercy in our great Savior. By His grace alone, His church will be victorious, and she will be set free." Derek Webb (2004)
Friday, February 18, 2005
Beautiful, Painful Love
"Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket--safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable." C.S. Lewis (The Four Loves)
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
I Love It
ALIAS is on this week and i am soooo excited. I hope it's a good one....hmmm. It's a sisters one. YAY FOR SISTERS!!! Kristen and I are excited...well, I am. :) They even played THE song on the previews. woohoo!
That is all I wanted to say.
Have a fantastic day...everyone!
Andrea
That is all I wanted to say.
Have a fantastic day...everyone!
Andrea
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Sigh...
I just watched all the "good" parts of Anne of Green Gables (the second ones). Ok, so I watched all the romantic parts...So good!
I have noticed that I seem to be growing increasingly discontented with my position in life (mostly in the area of finding a boy). How pathetic of me. There is so much I have yet to learn.
It is hard at times to remind myself that my job is to seek Christ and find satisfaction in Him and Him alone. It seems to get harder, too, when so many around me are stressing relationship. It seems to be especially prevalent as I face the transition from high school to college. In my opinion, this is one of the worst possible times for me to be committed to someone. So I'm glad I'm not. It's difficult, though, when I know i'm not ready but want to be ready.....I do desperately want my Gilbert....alas. I must remain asleep in the will of God--though it be a difficult thing to do.
I have noticed that I seem to be growing increasingly discontented with my position in life (mostly in the area of finding a boy). How pathetic of me. There is so much I have yet to learn.
It is hard at times to remind myself that my job is to seek Christ and find satisfaction in Him and Him alone. It seems to get harder, too, when so many around me are stressing relationship. It seems to be especially prevalent as I face the transition from high school to college. In my opinion, this is one of the worst possible times for me to be committed to someone. So I'm glad I'm not. It's difficult, though, when I know i'm not ready but want to be ready.....I do desperately want my Gilbert....alas. I must remain asleep in the will of God--though it be a difficult thing to do.
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
The Church's Lost Vision
I've been contemplating missions and the Church's lack of passion for the work of God in the nations. I don't understand it. Why isn't the church excited? Why doesn't the Church care? Why is the Church living so passionles for God's vision in the world? Hmmm...I have thought of three reasons (not that there aren't more...):
1. We don't believe "missions" is applicable to all believers.
2. We are blind to God's love and glory.
3. We have been sucked into the American mindset of comfort and ease.
I have three things to say in answer to these questions:
1. Missions is applicable to everyone (we are called to send or be sent).
2. We are blind to God's glory and therefore must fight to unveil it, love it, and savor it, in order that we might proclaim it to all peoples.
3. We must not buy into the American dream. It is a lie and it holds no eternal joy.
I am shocked and dismayed to see very little passion for missions in the Christian community. I don't think we understand that this is God's plan--to make much of His name by having it proclaimed to all tribes, tongues, and nations. This is huge! Yet there is so little excitement and enthusiasm...
"Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!" Psalm 96:3
"The purpose of world missions is to spread a passion for the supremacy of God into people groups where there is no indigenous, evangelizing church. This assumes something about "disciples" and something about "nations." These terms are used in Matthew 28:19, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations." My assumption about "disciples" is that they are people who have seen "the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6), and who cherish "God in Christ" as the supreme value of their lives (Philippians 3:8). My assumption about "nations" is that they are not geographic, political countries but "tribes, languages, peoples and ethnic groups" (Revelation 5:9; 7:9). Based on these two assumptions, then, the purpose of world missions is to spread a passion for the supremacy of God into people groups where there is no indigenous, evangelizing church." --John Piper
The result is eternal, ethnic worship...
"After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'" Revelation 7:9, 10
The price is great, but not so great that the result is not even greater. Oh, what joy stands before us!
1. We don't believe "missions" is applicable to all believers.
2. We are blind to God's love and glory.
3. We have been sucked into the American mindset of comfort and ease.
I have three things to say in answer to these questions:
1. Missions is applicable to everyone (we are called to send or be sent).
2. We are blind to God's glory and therefore must fight to unveil it, love it, and savor it, in order that we might proclaim it to all peoples.
3. We must not buy into the American dream. It is a lie and it holds no eternal joy.
I am shocked and dismayed to see very little passion for missions in the Christian community. I don't think we understand that this is God's plan--to make much of His name by having it proclaimed to all tribes, tongues, and nations. This is huge! Yet there is so little excitement and enthusiasm...
"Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!" Psalm 96:3
"The purpose of world missions is to spread a passion for the supremacy of God into people groups where there is no indigenous, evangelizing church. This assumes something about "disciples" and something about "nations." These terms are used in Matthew 28:19, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations." My assumption about "disciples" is that they are people who have seen "the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6), and who cherish "God in Christ" as the supreme value of their lives (Philippians 3:8). My assumption about "nations" is that they are not geographic, political countries but "tribes, languages, peoples and ethnic groups" (Revelation 5:9; 7:9). Based on these two assumptions, then, the purpose of world missions is to spread a passion for the supremacy of God into people groups where there is no indigenous, evangelizing church." --John Piper
The result is eternal, ethnic worship...
"After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'" Revelation 7:9, 10
The price is great, but not so great that the result is not even greater. Oh, what joy stands before us!
Monday, January 17, 2005
Asleep in God's Will
I HAVE ONE THING TO SAY...
"No one warns young people to follow Adam's example. He waited till God saw his need. Then God made Adam sleep, prepared for his mate, and brought her to him...we need more of this "being asleep" in the will of God...I must go on, asleep until God sees my need of Eve--if such a need ever arises." -Jim Elliot (Shadow of the Almighty)
...It is easy to get caught up in the emotion and desire for love and the intimacy of finding a "mate." However, God is sovereign and He holds the future--perfect and planned. I am frustrated with the lack of trust and dependence on this sovereign grace Christ has covered us with.
We need more of this "being asleep" in the will of God...
"No one warns young people to follow Adam's example. He waited till God saw his need. Then God made Adam sleep, prepared for his mate, and brought her to him...we need more of this "being asleep" in the will of God...I must go on, asleep until God sees my need of Eve--if such a need ever arises." -Jim Elliot (Shadow of the Almighty)
...It is easy to get caught up in the emotion and desire for love and the intimacy of finding a "mate." However, God is sovereign and He holds the future--perfect and planned. I am frustrated with the lack of trust and dependence on this sovereign grace Christ has covered us with.
We need more of this "being asleep" in the will of God...
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
We Come To You
As you came to us so we come to you
Fragile as a baby hopeful and new
But learning fast that to walk is to fall
Soon we've done it all
We come broken and we come undone
We come trying hard to love everyone
But we come up short in all that we do
Because we do
So we come to you
As you came to us so we come to you
Dirty and hurting then dead in the tomb
But raised redeemed to show off the scars
'cause you've brought us this far
You came to show the way not around but through
So through it all we come to you
(Derek Webb--I See Things Upside Down)
Fragile as a baby hopeful and new
But learning fast that to walk is to fall
Soon we've done it all
We come broken and we come undone
We come trying hard to love everyone
But we come up short in all that we do
Because we do
So we come to you
As you came to us so we come to you
Dirty and hurting then dead in the tomb
But raised redeemed to show off the scars
'cause you've brought us this far
You came to show the way not around but through
So through it all we come to you
(Derek Webb--I See Things Upside Down)
Friday, December 31, 2004
I Am Nothing Without You
I have been struggling a lot with certain situations, relationships, etc. And feel completely broken and incapable of doing anything for anyone (including myself) that is of any good....I am lead to the grace of God. I begin to realize all my failings and am overwhelmed by my weakness. In that same instant, however, I am struck and immediately captured by the power of Christ and His great sufficiency. He is my strength. He is my song.
Nothing Without You (by Bebo Norman)
"Take these hands and lift them up
For I have not the strength to praise you near enough
I have nothing, I have nothing without you
And take my voice and pour it out
Let it sing the songs of mercy I have found
For I have nothing, I have nothing without you
All my soul needs
Is all your love to cover me
So all the world will see
That I have nothing without you
Take my body and build it up
May it be broken as an offering of love
For I have nothing, I have nothing without you
But I love you
With all my heart
With all my soul
With all my mind
And all the strength that I can find
Take my time here on this earth
And let it glorify all that you are worth
For I am nothing, I am nothing without you"
May I glorify You for all that You are worth!
Psalm 5
Pray that God would show us His severe mercy--though it be a frightening thing to wish for.
Nothing Without You (by Bebo Norman)
"Take these hands and lift them up
For I have not the strength to praise you near enough
I have nothing, I have nothing without you
And take my voice and pour it out
Let it sing the songs of mercy I have found
For I have nothing, I have nothing without you
All my soul needs
Is all your love to cover me
So all the world will see
That I have nothing without you
Take my body and build it up
May it be broken as an offering of love
For I have nothing, I have nothing without you
But I love you
With all my heart
With all my soul
With all my mind
And all the strength that I can find
Take my time here on this earth
And let it glorify all that you are worth
For I am nothing, I am nothing without you"
May I glorify You for all that You are worth!
Psalm 5
Pray that God would show us His severe mercy--though it be a frightening thing to wish for.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Better Than Wine
I got the new Derek Webb cd for Christmas. woohoo! I must say, it is amazing!! This is one of my favorites on the cd. In case you didn't already guess, the title is Better Than Wine.
"You ravished me with one look of your eyes
You, you are fair, you're so fair, oh my love
Better than wine is your love
If you can't find me its alright, oh my love
Stay with your friends, i will come speak to you
'Cause you are mine, oh my love
And better than wine is your love
Better than wine is your love, is your love
Better than wine is your love, is your love
You are beautiful, eyes like doves, oh my love
You have lips like jewels, hair of gold, oh my love
Wild as a vine is your love
But better than wine is your love
I tell you, my beloved
You cannot be replaced
With my left hand beneath your head
And my right arm around your waist
So take a deep breath
Because I feel a little drunk
But I'm in my right mind babe
And I know your love is much..."
From the album: I See Things Upside Down :)
"You ravished me with one look of your eyes
You, you are fair, you're so fair, oh my love
Better than wine is your love
If you can't find me its alright, oh my love
Stay with your friends, i will come speak to you
'Cause you are mine, oh my love
And better than wine is your love
Better than wine is your love, is your love
Better than wine is your love, is your love
You are beautiful, eyes like doves, oh my love
You have lips like jewels, hair of gold, oh my love
Wild as a vine is your love
But better than wine is your love
I tell you, my beloved
You cannot be replaced
With my left hand beneath your head
And my right arm around your waist
So take a deep breath
Because I feel a little drunk
But I'm in my right mind babe
And I know your love is much..."
From the album: I See Things Upside Down :)
Friday, December 24, 2004
Christmas Time
"...And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, becasue there was no room for them in the inn. In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them,
'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.'
Luke 2:6-14
Merry Christmas to all! May we remember the riches of Christ's abundant love...
'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.'
Luke 2:6-14
Merry Christmas to all! May we remember the riches of Christ's abundant love...
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
A Call To Suffer
"So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.
For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city
which is to come." Hebrews 13:13,14
For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city
which is to come." Hebrews 13:13,14
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Derek Webb, Woohoo!
My sister is taking me to a Derek Webb concert on friday! Yaay!!! It is my super-de-duper birthday spectacular and I am soooo excited!
It is his new tour--I See Things Upside Down--and we might get to meet him! Hopefully it won't be as awkward as when I spoke to David Crowder, hahahaha. Anyhow, its at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix...road trip! :)
I'm so happy.
It is his new tour--I See Things Upside Down--and we might get to meet him! Hopefully it won't be as awkward as when I spoke to David Crowder, hahahaha. Anyhow, its at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix...road trip! :)
I'm so happy.
Sunday, November 28, 2004
Wedding Dress
"If you could love me as a wife
and for my wedding gift, your life
Should that be all I’d ever need
or is there more I’m looking for
and should I read between the lines
and look for blessings in disguise
To make me handsome, rich, and wise
Is that really what you want
I am a whore I do confess
But I put you on just like a wedding dress
and I run down the aisle
and I run down the aisle
I’m a prodigal with no way home
but I put you on just like a ring of gold
and I run down the aisle to you
So could you love this bastard child
Though I don’t trust you to provide
With one hand in a pot of gold
and with the other in your side
I am so easily satisfied
by the call of lovers so less wild
That I would take a little cash
Over your very flesh and blood
Because money cannot buy
a husband’s jealous eye
When you have knowingly deceived his wife"
-By Derek Webb
Sigh...This is such a good song...
And he has a new cd! It's called: I See Things Upside Down. woohoo!
and for my wedding gift, your life
Should that be all I’d ever need
or is there more I’m looking for
and should I read between the lines
and look for blessings in disguise
To make me handsome, rich, and wise
Is that really what you want
I am a whore I do confess
But I put you on just like a wedding dress
and I run down the aisle
and I run down the aisle
I’m a prodigal with no way home
but I put you on just like a ring of gold
and I run down the aisle to you
So could you love this bastard child
Though I don’t trust you to provide
With one hand in a pot of gold
and with the other in your side
I am so easily satisfied
by the call of lovers so less wild
That I would take a little cash
Over your very flesh and blood
Because money cannot buy
a husband’s jealous eye
When you have knowingly deceived his wife"
-By Derek Webb
Sigh...This is such a good song...
And he has a new cd! It's called: I See Things Upside Down. woohoo!
Saturday, November 20, 2004
Encounter With Light
"To believe with certainty, somebody said, one has to begin by doubting."
"The best argument for Christianity is Christians: their joy, their certainty, their completeness. But the strongest argument against Christianity is also Christians--when they are sombre and joyless, when they are self-righteous and smug in complacent consecration, when they are narrow and repressive, then Christianity dies a thousand deaths. But, though it is just to condemn some Christians for these things, perhaps, after all, it is not just, though very easy, to condemn Christianity itself for them. Indeed, there are impressive indications that the positive quality of joy is in Christianity--and possibly nowhere else. If that were certain, it would be proof of a very high order." Sheldon Vanauken (A Severe Mercy)
"The best argument for Christianity is Christians: their joy, their certainty, their completeness. But the strongest argument against Christianity is also Christians--when they are sombre and joyless, when they are self-righteous and smug in complacent consecration, when they are narrow and repressive, then Christianity dies a thousand deaths. But, though it is just to condemn some Christians for these things, perhaps, after all, it is not just, though very easy, to condemn Christianity itself for them. Indeed, there are impressive indications that the positive quality of joy is in Christianity--and possibly nowhere else. If that were certain, it would be proof of a very high order." Sheldon Vanauken (A Severe Mercy)
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
A Birthday
Tomorrow is the birthday of a dear friend (Hannah). I'm writing to wish you (Hannah) a happy birthday NOW because tomorrow will be crazy with stage crew business and I'm afraid I will be unable to post. :)
I love you and want to wish you a most joyous birthday! May God bless you and keep you as you embark on yet another year with Him! woohoo! The great adventure.....
You are amazing and I love you so so much!
I love you and want to wish you a most joyous birthday! May God bless you and keep you as you embark on yet another year with Him! woohoo! The great adventure.....
You are amazing and I love you so so much!
Monday, November 08, 2004
Passionate Surrender
For The Sake Of The Call (by S.C. Chapman)
Nobody stood and applauded them
So they knew from the start
This road would not lead to fame
All they really knew for sure was Jesus had called to them
He said "Come follow me" and they came
With reckless abandon they came
Empty nets lying there at the waters edge
Told a story that few could believe
And none could explain
How some crazy fishermen agreed to go where Jesus led
With no thought for what they would gain
For Jesus had called them by name and they answered
We will abandon it all for the sake of the call
No other reason at all but the sake of the call
Wholly devoted to live and to die...
BRIDGE :
Not for the sake of a creed or a cause
Not for a dream or a promise
Simply because it is Jesus who calls
And if we believe we'll obey
And we'll answer....
We will abandon it all for the sake of the call
No other reason at all but the sake of the call
Wholly devoted to live and to die
For the sake of the call....
Nobody stood and applauded them
So they knew from the start
This road would not lead to fame
All they really knew for sure was Jesus had called to them
He said "Come follow me" and they came
With reckless abandon they came
Empty nets lying there at the waters edge
Told a story that few could believe
And none could explain
How some crazy fishermen agreed to go where Jesus led
With no thought for what they would gain
For Jesus had called them by name and they answered
We will abandon it all for the sake of the call
No other reason at all but the sake of the call
Wholly devoted to live and to die...
BRIDGE :
Not for the sake of a creed or a cause
Not for a dream or a promise
Simply because it is Jesus who calls
And if we believe we'll obey
And we'll answer....
We will abandon it all for the sake of the call
No other reason at all but the sake of the call
Wholly devoted to live and to die
For the sake of the call....
Friday, November 05, 2004
Holy Blood
I've been thinking today about the persecuted Church. We had a speaker in chapel share a little of what is going on globally in the sphere of missions. As I sat there, I was overcome with the desire to go and be a part of that work. I felt the familiar pang of longing to meet lost people and proclaim the love of Christ to those who have not heard. I thought of the quote by Jim Elliot that I seem to have come across a lot lately:
"You wonder why people choose fields away from the States when young people at home are drifting because no one wants to take time to listen to their problems. I'll tell you why I left. Because those stateside young people have every opportunity to study, hear, and understand the word of God in their own language, and these Indians have no opportunity whatsoever. I have had to make a cross of two logs, and lie down on it, to show the Indians what it means to crucify a man. When there is that much ignorance over here and so much knowledge and opportunity over there, I have no question in my mind why God sent me here. Those whimpering Stateside young people will wake up on the day of judgment condemned to worse fates than these demon-fearing Indians, because, having a Bible, they were bored with it -- while these never heard of such a thing as writing."
Jim Elliot (taken from Shadow of the Almighty)
I think that what has added to my desire to go is seeing my sister prepare and head in that direction. I feel so helpless--so useless. But I know I'm not ready...I must be content with where God has placed me currently. There is a time for everything...
Please pray with me as I continue seeking His will for me now.
"Father, take me life, yea, my blood if Thou wilt, and consume it with Thine enveloping fire. I would not save it, for it is not mine to save. Have it Lord, have it all. Pour out my life as an oblation for the world. Blood is only of value as it flows before Thine altar." Jim Elliot
Struggling to live in passionate surrender,
Andrea
"You wonder why people choose fields away from the States when young people at home are drifting because no one wants to take time to listen to their problems. I'll tell you why I left. Because those stateside young people have every opportunity to study, hear, and understand the word of God in their own language, and these Indians have no opportunity whatsoever. I have had to make a cross of two logs, and lie down on it, to show the Indians what it means to crucify a man. When there is that much ignorance over here and so much knowledge and opportunity over there, I have no question in my mind why God sent me here. Those whimpering Stateside young people will wake up on the day of judgment condemned to worse fates than these demon-fearing Indians, because, having a Bible, they were bored with it -- while these never heard of such a thing as writing."
Jim Elliot (taken from Shadow of the Almighty)
I think that what has added to my desire to go is seeing my sister prepare and head in that direction. I feel so helpless--so useless. But I know I'm not ready...I must be content with where God has placed me currently. There is a time for everything...
Please pray with me as I continue seeking His will for me now.
"Father, take me life, yea, my blood if Thou wilt, and consume it with Thine enveloping fire. I would not save it, for it is not mine to save. Have it Lord, have it all. Pour out my life as an oblation for the world. Blood is only of value as it flows before Thine altar." Jim Elliot
Struggling to live in passionate surrender,
Andrea
Monday, November 01, 2004
Too Much Sugar
I am exhausted and on sugar overload...not a good combination. yuck.
Today was so beautiful! I love, love, love the weather! Sigh...
Anyway, I am really upset that I was so tired because I couldn't pay attention near the end of Christian Living and I was super antsy in English. Government was better but still...I hate feeling so sleepy. Why have I been so tired lately?! Hannah, a theory?...
Hannah's birthday is a week from Wednesday and I'm super excited! I want to give her her present now...bummer.
I guess that's all...this was super pointless and now I am going to go take a nap...or do homework. hmmm, take a nap. :)
Andrea
Today was so beautiful! I love, love, love the weather! Sigh...
Anyway, I am really upset that I was so tired because I couldn't pay attention near the end of Christian Living and I was super antsy in English. Government was better but still...I hate feeling so sleepy. Why have I been so tired lately?! Hannah, a theory?...
Hannah's birthday is a week from Wednesday and I'm super excited! I want to give her her present now...bummer.
I guess that's all...this was super pointless and now I am going to go take a nap...or do homework. hmmm, take a nap. :)
Andrea
Friday, October 29, 2004
Hot Coffee on a Crisp Evening
Tonight I played with Allie. Woohoo! We went to the mall...first to Old Navy to exchange one of her shirts, and then to Gap and other random stores. I didn't find anything until....Borders! (books, books, books!) I found both of the books I wanted to get for Iain Monroe ( I can't tell what two they are) and they were cheap! I was so excited. So, instead of only being able to afford one, I got two! yay! I am so very excited about this gift. They are two of my favorite childhood books...sigh.
Anyhow, getting to the title of this blog. Allie and I went to starbucks afterwards and both ordered something hot! Because........that's right, it's finally getting cold! Oh, so wonderful. It was a marvelous evening. Thank you, Allie, you are such a wonderful person. I am most glad that we are friends! :)
(Oh, and tomorrow I am going on a road trip to Phoenix! woohoo!)
That's all...In case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night.
Anyhow, getting to the title of this blog. Allie and I went to starbucks afterwards and both ordered something hot! Because........that's right, it's finally getting cold! Oh, so wonderful. It was a marvelous evening. Thank you, Allie, you are such a wonderful person. I am most glad that we are friends! :)
(Oh, and tomorrow I am going on a road trip to Phoenix! woohoo!)
That's all...In case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night.
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