Goodbye To You

It seems like just last week I was hanging out with my college friends; now I find myself only talking about them and the times we had. A figment of the past. And I wonder when, if ever, I will see most of them again. I'm not old enough for this, I think. But something about husbands and seminaries and grown-up jobs and moving to far off places brings the reality of the situation into perspective. I still don't feel old enough, though, and certainly not ready for any of it. But then again, when are we ever 'ready'? Most of the time, if not all of the time, I think that time chooses us; we don't choose the timing. It's more like, when opportunity presents itself, we must choose to rise to the occasion, or else, maybe in fear, choose to let it pass us by, knowing not what could have been. I think Shakespeare said it best: "We must take the current when it serves or lose the ventures before us."

Someone once told me a very long time ago that life is made up of goodbyes. I thought it quite rude and incencitive at the time, but having gained a few years, I think I'm starting to understand their point. But I wonder, if life is full of goodbyes, why should I not cling to the 'now' as tightly as possible, because I know not when it will pass? Or maybe it's just about enjoying and appreciating the 'now,' and having the grace to accept when it's time to say goodbye, looking onward to the next 'current' of life, for I know not the joy it may bring. Or maybe it's a little of both. In either case, I still hate goodbyes.

Promises

This past week in Experiencing God, one of the assignments was to specifically set aside part of the day, at least 30 minutes, and go on a walk or do something outside of your normal routine to get away from everything and just spend some time focusing on God and His love, and see what He had to say to my heart. And this is what He brought to mind:

Several years ago, I decided that God had called me to go on a mission trip to Ecuador over the summer. I only had a matter of months to get the money, and my parents, out of love, basically flat out told me that I’d never get all the money in time, and I should just plan on going the following summer so that I’d have a year to save. I brought my frustrations to the director of this particular missions organization, and he told me that he was often frustrated with parents who said these things to their children - whether it was about money or not thinking it safe for their kid to leave the country or whatever. He targeted his frustration on one key point – what are you teaching your kids about God by giving those excuses? Without words, and probably without even realizing it, those parents are saying to their children that God is not big enough to provide the means for them to go or that God is not strong enough to watch over them and keep them safe. With this in mind, I proceeded to pick out a few key verses from Scripture and claim those promises from God every single day, believing that He would provide if it were His will. And He did.

That being said, I have some pretty major decisions to make in my life, and a very short amount of time to make them in. And, honestly, there’s a lot of emotion and confusion tied up in them for various reasons. There’s a lot I don’t understand right now, but it’s become clear to me that there’s one thing I must do, and that is to claim His promises. No matter the time in history or what my circumstances are, His promises never ever change, and I have to stand on that now more than ever. I may not be able to even see my own hand in front of my face, but I have to trust that His heart is good, that His promises are true, and that my God is big enough. And the rest is out of my hands.

MY COMFORT IN MY SUFFERING IS THIS:
YOUR PROMISE PRESERVES MY LIFE.
Psalm 119:50

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.
Psalm 9:9-10

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9

My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9

Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11

You will seek Me and find Me when you when you seek Me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
Psalm 107:9

In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:6

“I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”
Exodus 33:17

The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all He has made.
Psalm 145:13

If It's Too Hot In The Kitchen - GET OUT!

It came to my attention yesterday that a mass of scandal has begun to swirl around the stars of the TLC reality show Jon & Kate Plus 8. In the past I've heard and read a plethora of negativity regarding this alleged happy, Jesus-loving family. Yesterday, however, was the first I'd heard of this cheating rumor firestorm that has been sweeping across the media. Reportedly, Jon has been seen (and photographed) bar-hopping and the like with young college girls, while Kate is off traveling promoting her new book, which probably, once again, has nothing more to share with us than we already know... which is everything, because, after all, their lives are broadcast on TV. Some say this is just a sick publicity stunt for the couple to gain more attention for their show and book. Kate, on the other hand, claims that life in the spotlight has put a strain on their marriage, and Jon is just having a difficult time dealing with the fame, as well as the way Kate's 'career' has taken off. First of all, since when has exploiting every detail of your family's life become a career? (Oh wait, that's right - when reality TV started!) It was cute and interesting to see how they managed in the beginning, but they're what, 5 now? They're all in school. I'd say it's completely plausible for Kate to go back to work as a nurse, at least part time, while the kids are in school. Second of all, at least Jon could get a job! I mean, if he's feeling "behind" as his wife is busy with her 'career' ... maybe he should consider getting one of his own - preferably one that is un-televised. Maybe then he would have less time on his hands to incur rumors of partying with college girls. Just a thought.

But really, I mainly just have one thing to say to you, Jon and Kate, and it is this:

If being in the spotlight is putting a strain on your marriage - THEN GET OUT! Of the spotlight, that is.

It really isn't rocket science. If this truly is not a publicity stunt, but a real dilemma, then it's time to make a choice. What is more important - getting rich off of your adorable children... or your family, your marriage? Please do your kids and yourselves a favor, and step out of the spotlight. You are fully capable of recording your precious memories by yourselves - without the aid of a camera crew. People do it all the time; it's called 'reality,' without the 'TV.' And you are also fully capable of providing your kids with plenty of 'opportunities you didn't have growing up' without putting them through a media feeding frenzy that has really only just begun. And if this is indeed a publicity stunt, well, you need more help than we thought....

And shame on you, TLC, for standing by at letting this happen.

And shame on us for buying into it.

So Why Do I Worry?

So WHY do I worry??
WHY do I freak out?!


Rejoice in the Lord always,
I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be evident to all.
THE LORD IS NEAR.
Do not be anxious about anything,
But in EVERYTHING by prayer & petition,
With thanksgiving,
Present your requests to God.
And the peace of God,
WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.


I lift up my eyes to the hills -
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
The Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip -
HE WHO WATCHES OVER YOU WILL NOT SLUMBER;
Indeed, He who watches over Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you -
The Lord is your shade at your right hand;
The sun will not harm you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm -
He will watch over your life;
The Lord will watch over your coming and going
Both now and forevermore.


So WHY do I worry??
WHY do I freak out?!
God knows what I need.

Mighty To Save

...my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I HAVE HOPE:
Because of the Lord's GREAT love we are not consumed,
for his compassions NEVER fail.
They are NEW EVERY MORNING;
GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS.
I say to myself, "THE LORD IS MY PORTION;
therefore I will wait for HIM."
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord...
For men are not cast off by the Lord forever.
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
SO GREAT is his unfailing love.

Lamentations 3:20-26, 31-32

Cast Your Cares Here, Please.

Sometimes it's just really comforting to be reminded that we have a God who INVITES us to voice our concerns and contentions to Him, because He cares for us.

An excerpt from Psalm 69:

Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.

I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.

I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched.
My eyes fail,
looking for my God.

But I pray to you, O LORD,
in THE TIME of YOUR favor;
in YOUR GREAT LOVE, O God,
answer me with your sure salvation.

Rescue me from the mire,
do not let me sink;

Do not let the floodwaters engulf me
or the depths swallow me up
or the pit close its mouth over me.

Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your love;
in your great mercy turn to me.

Do not hide your face from your servant;
answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.

Come near and rescue me.

Scorn has broken my heart
and has left me helpless;
I looked for sympathy, but there was none,
for comforters, but I found none.

I am in pain and distress;
may your salvation, O God, protect me.

The poor will see and be glad—
you who seek God, MAY YOUR HEARTS LIVE!

The LORD hears the needy
and does not despise his captive people.

Let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and all that move in them,

for God WILL save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
Then people WILL settle there and POSSESS it;

the children of his servants WILL inherit it,
and those who love his name WILL DWELL THERE.

Pslam 46:

God is our REFUGE and STRENGTH,
an ever-present help in trouble ["tight place"].

Therefore we will NOT fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her, she WILL NOT FALL;
God will help her at break of day.

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields with fire.

"BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our FORTRESS.

Happiness. :)

Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

As I've been contemplating the gravity of what Easter really means for us, I can't help but think that I am somehow just not quite getting it, I guess you could say. Up until tonight, I've probably spent more time picking out an Easter dress... and shoes... and the works... than I have really meditating and being purposely grateful for the meaning behind it all. I feel like I should be more somber, more sorrowful knowing that Christ had to die because of me. But instead, I spend the weekend going to movies, getting a tan (er, sunburn), and being preoccupied with anything and everything else, as usual. But tonight, being intentionally in thought about what this weekend really means, my thoughts were directed not to the crucifixion scene, nor the resurrection. I began thinking about the Passover and the Jews of the Old Testament. Looking back, I see that they had so many different feasts and festivals, such as the Passover, that God commanded they have every year because, like us, they were pretty stupid and had a tendency to forget what God had done for them, where God had brought them. God commanded they have these feasts every year as a remembrance, to 'commemorate' a great thing that God had done for them. And so it is with Easter and us today. It's not that we shouldn't be thankful for Christ's death and resurrection every single day. Of course we should. But God knows that we have a tendency to get very caught up in the busyness of our own little lives, and therefore forget how precious this thing really is, how imperative it is. It is because of the events of 'Easter' that we even have a foundation to our faith at all. And while we should be grateful for this every day, Easter is our Passover, in a way. It is our one day a year to go all out, to get really dressed up, and to really, truly celebrate. It is the day we are to set aside every year to commemorate this great thing that God has done for us. Namely, the salvation of our souls. So, get up in the morning. Put on your fancy Easter outfit, go to church, and CELEBRATE! Celebrate the very reason we have a hope at all.

"This is a day you are to commemorate, for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord - a lasting ordinance."
Exodus 12:14