Perseverance

"Therefore, having been justified by faith we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in
which we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but
we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulations produces perseverance;
and perseverance, character; and character hope. Now hope does not disappoint
because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who
was given to us. " Romans 5:1-5

I'm trying to keep this in mind lately. My heart keeps telling me one thing but I know God is telling me another. Its funny I never took dating lightly. Reading through old posts singleness was definitely something I struggled with. Now I see more than ever that I need to embrace being single.

It is still hard to do things the Godly and pure way when people around you are Worldly in their relationships. But I realize the God has someone out there for me. But for now I need to learn that I'm not ready to be in a relationship.

Its hard to recognize that, but I need to turn to God and recognize I am a strong female leader and I am one because I am single. And that its part of my ministry. Not that I'm saying I'm never going to date again, its just that I'm still not ready in my faith. I know that once I am ready my prince will come and he will be the strong Christian man I've been praying for.

Taking a Break

So I'm takinga break from the Old Testament. I was trying to read through the bible, but honestly it hasn't been very encouraging. With me being all unsteady lately I decided to go to the new testament. I skipped the Gospels and started with Acts. So what did I learn today?

Acts 1:7-11

7He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

9After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

So two thoughts came to mind. First, "Holy Spirit fill this broken and empty heart! Revive me!" I want to witness (hence why I'm in CCN) but still am scared, shy, and nervous. Secondly, "MAN! when Jesus comes back it's going to be the biggest show of my life!"

Yup that's what I thought. I'm trying and struggling daily. I think I need to start hanging out with some old Christian friends. They were so encouraging and it's nice to see them again. 

School Days

So week one of school done. So far I've been lucky enough to have people I know in all of my classes. The one I was the msot nervous about was my Holocaust and Genocide class, but I was lucky enough to have my friend Tony in there too.

My IS370 - Systems Analysis and Design group BRS reunited for group projects in IS475 - Database Implementation and Design. Which is nice since we all know each other and know each other work ethics.

BRS stands for Back Row Slackers. We came up with that name because we all sat along the back wall of the classroom. But we are far from slackers, we actually get our work done. I like my group we all work well together and so this semester should be fine. I mean we passed a semester long project together, we can handle a few smaller projects.

I've been working on staying strong and continueally being in the word and praying. I'm working my way through 1 Samuel which is a lot of fighting and war. I want to get to the story of David and his friendship with Johnathan and his struggles with Saul. I'll get there soon though.

This semester should be exciting and filled with new adventures. CCN is having their first ever meeting tonight where we will go over the goals and expectaion of this new club.

Change Collegiate Network- It's a group that focus on evangelism and spreding the word of God on campus and off. It's going to be exciting to how God uses people through this venture.

Worship

So this is something that was brought up in bible study the other night that I thought was pretty much the coolest analogy I have ever heard. 

It's a few days before Jesus is to be crucified and he's at the home of Lazarus, the man whom Jesus rose from the dead. While he's sitting in the home of Lazarus, Mary (Lazarus's sister) comes out with a small alabaster jar of  nard, a very expensive perfume that cost a years salary.  She takes the jar and pours it over Jesus' feet and then wipes his feet clean with her hair. 

Now this is a woman that gets it.  The Disciples were mad and wondered why she didn't just sell the perfume since it was worth so much money. She understood what it was that Jesus was trying to tell the disciples that night. He was predicting his death and sacrifice and Mary was anointing him for his burial. She was truly worshiping Jesus. 

That night, do you think the disciples truly understood what was going on? Did they truly worship Jesus and gave all that they have for him? What do you think they smelt like as they left Lazarus's home? 

They left smelling like flesh. What did Mary smell of? She smelt of true sweet perfume of worship. 

I want to be that person that leaves, not smelling of flesh but of all of sweet perfume of Jesus' Grace. 

I'm sorry I couldn't explain it in a more cool full of details way. I was just so moved by this revelation. 

Wow

There are a few things that caused me to sit in awe and say wow lately.

 1st was something that I learned in bible study. In Revelation 5:6-13 John talks about how he sees a Lamb that looks as though it had been slain and yet is standing in front of the masses strong.  When the lamb picks up a scroll the mass all bow down and sing a new song. All people sing it, people in Heaven, on the earth, and the people in Sheol. 

Jesus is that Lamb and when the Rapture happens and Jesus picks up that scroll, all will sing and truly worship (that's a whole other post).

Next was this album

 

Is AWESOME! I recommend you go get it. It's free and well worth the 5 minutes it takes to download it. 

Next is the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics. I'm not just sayingit cause I'm chinese, but the mere fact that each piece had 2008 people performing in it. It's just a mix of technology and art is AMAZING!

Picture from m&c

Could I do it?

So this morning I started reading 1 Samuel. Overview of the 1st chapter is that Hannah is one of Elkanah wives and she couldn't have children but Elkanah still loved her more than his other wife who succeeded in have many kids for him. Which caused the other wife to torment and ridicule Hannah constantly. So one day Hannah goes to the temple and prays so hard to be given a son that the priest thought she was drunk. While she was praying she tells God that if he gives her a son she promises that she would give the son to the Lord.

So what happens? God blesses her with a son and onces he has been weaned she takes him to the temple so that he may serve the Lord.

So as I was driving to work I was thinking could I do it? If I wanted something so badly as to ask for it then say once I get it I will give it away, could I do it? Could you?