Hello all! This week, the chapel focus was "re-live defining moments of faith." Phil Vischer, the guy who came up with the idea for VeggieTales, came to speak. How exciting! My intent is to use the majority of this blog post to "re-live" my defining moments of faith.
I grew up in a Christian home. When I was about 8 years old, I went to Camp Michawana for the first time. It was there that they had something called "birthday night." Of course, they were referencing spiritual birth. Up to that point, I did not remember a time in my life when I had accepted Christ. My heart was pounding like crazy. I really felt the Spirit was working in my heart for me to accept Christ, but I did not. Then, two years later, I went to Camp Michawana again with my sister Hannah. It was then that I felt the Spirit really calling me, and I conceded. I went and prayed with a camp counselor. After that, I tried to do everything as perfectly as possible. I would try to read my Bible and make my bed. If I messed up, I would give up and try again the next day. I sort of equated routine with being sinless, which I know now is definitely not the case. When I was about 11 years old, I was baptized.
God blessed me with different mentors while I was in middle school and high school. Two people in particular helped me greatly. (I won't mention names though, because you know who you are.) I learned so much and eventually incorporated into my day a time just for God.
Now, I am at John Brown University, and I continue to learn a lot about my Savior, Lord, and Treasure. I cannot wait to see what the future holds.
Words I learned this week: monger, iconoclastic, antebellum, Brahmin, solipsism, baroque, shrift, ebullience, decadence, immanent, polemically, nascent, motley, nexus, chagrin, inebriate, dialectic.
"We will never be satisfied with anything less-- each day, each hour, or each moment in Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit-- than walking with God."
"If we are to be a people who reach the 'uttermost parts of the world' with the good news of Jesus, we need to learn what Peter learned. We must know that there is no limit to the love of God, that prejudice has no place in the kingdom of God, and there is no kind of uncleanness that God cannot redeem."
"Lord, you have given me another day in which to enjoy and serve You. I offer it back to You; lead me in the way You would have me to use it."
"What becomes important is not that I manage time, but that I let God manage me."
Have a good week, everyone! May God teach you many great things!
Leah Jarvie
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Week in Review Feb. 13-19
On Monday this week, the Siloam Springs school district didn't have school, due to about 2 inches of snow. Unfortunately, since John Brown is mostly a residential college, I still had to go to class. Other than that, nothing really exciting happened to me this week.
Some small blessings: peanut butter and oreo chocolate truffles, five quarters returned to me when I inserted a $1 bill into a change machine.
Words I learned this week: amain, lave, arras, carminative, runnel, declension, gravid, wraith, domicile, and some other word, but I cannot remember right now.
I apologize to my regular readers who enjoy the quote section of my blog, for I did not come across anything that quote-worthy this week.
It is getting to the time in the semester when everything just gets hectic, so please pray that God will provide me (and everyone else at college) with strength to get everything accomplished.
With much love to everyone in Michigan, especially to my lil sister, Hannah, who is going to be my maid of honor whenever I get married :)
Leah
Some small blessings: peanut butter and oreo chocolate truffles, five quarters returned to me when I inserted a $1 bill into a change machine.
Words I learned this week: amain, lave, arras, carminative, runnel, declension, gravid, wraith, domicile, and some other word, but I cannot remember right now.
I apologize to my regular readers who enjoy the quote section of my blog, for I did not come across anything that quote-worthy this week.
It is getting to the time in the semester when everything just gets hectic, so please pray that God will provide me (and everyone else at college) with strength to get everything accomplished.
With much love to everyone in Michigan, especially to my lil sister, Hannah, who is going to be my maid of honor whenever I get married :)
Leah
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Week in Review Feb. 6-12
First of all, here on some major highlights from my week:
On Thursday this week, my heart strayed from the Majesty and goodness of God to other things. I desired and thought about other things above Him, thus committing idolatry, not to mention adultery. As a result, on Friday, I felt so messed up spiritually and I felt like a hypocrite. I thought to myself, "How can I say that I desire God when I'm running after these things?" Soon, though, God uplifted my spirit distracting me with class and other responsibilities. These idols are things that I struggle with on a regular basis, but I pray that God will help me to overcome them.
On Saturday, I worked on homework until about 2:00, and then my mind basically turned off. Thus, I wasted the rest of day, even though I had a mountain-load of homework to do.
As a result of my decision on Saturday to quit doing homework way before the end of the day, this morning I was feeling overwhelmed with things, and the thought entered my head, "Perhaps I should just skip church this morning." The idea only lingered for a few seconds, and I went to church. I felt so blessed and uplifted by going to Sunday school and having fellowship with everyone. The experience definitely reminded me that it is important to go to church, because we need each other. It's amazing when God does those sorts of things in my life, and even amazing when He doesn't! His amazingness (is that a word?) does not change!
Today, it was also communion Sunday at church. I feel like I've been de-sensitized to what Christ did on the cross, so I was praying and confessing that to God and saying, "God, give me a fresh glimpse of the crucifixion and resurrection. Show me a picture of your love." As the elements were being passed out, I saw a a 9 or 10 year-old girl draw near to herself her 4-year-old sister who has spina bifida. At that moment, the human sisterly love was remarkable and overwhelming, but it was also a picture to me of how God wants to draw me near to Himself as His daughter, because of His love for me.
Thus far this afternoon, it has been quiet and peaceful and relaxing working on homework and just spending time in God's presence at the same time. I know that God is always present with me, but one of the signs that sometimes happens to me is a physical heaviness in the chest area. Before I became a Christian, my heart would always pound whenever some pastor invited people to receive Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior, and Treasure. Well, I'm experiencing that physical heaviness this afternoon, and it just feels great. God has been speaking to me about a lot of things. I still have a lot to get accomplished before tomorrow, but I have a peace about it.
Words I learned this week: halcyon, stadholder, nonage, epoch, ethology, castigate.
Quotes from the week:
"The causes of life's history [cannot] resolve the riddle of life's meaning."~Stephen Jay Gould
I must say that I highly disagree with the above quote. In fact, the cause of life's history does solve the riddle of life's meaning. If one acknowledges that God is the Creator, then that also means that the created thing has some sort of purpose. For what would be the reason for creating something that has no use? Thus, knowing that we have purpose, we must adhere to the purpose for which our Creator made us, otherwise we would still be of no use. Our life is filled with meaning as we follow the purpose that God has for us.
Similarly, if we turn this concept on its head and say that we just came about by chance, then what is there to live for? If we're just accidents, then life has no purpose.
"If God's thoughts and ways are higher than our own (as a jet flies higher than a bird), then God is to us as we are to the preschooler, only more so. Just as the preschooler cannot fathom adult logic, indeed is baffled by things that adults easily understand, so we can expect to be baffled by mysteries and paradoxes that are, perhaps, mere simplicities to God."
"If God's thoughts and ways were like our own, God wouldn't be God, or else we would be gods, too."
Have a great week everyone! May our great, sovereign God reveal Himself to you this week in many ways!
On Thursday this week, my heart strayed from the Majesty and goodness of God to other things. I desired and thought about other things above Him, thus committing idolatry, not to mention adultery. As a result, on Friday, I felt so messed up spiritually and I felt like a hypocrite. I thought to myself, "How can I say that I desire God when I'm running after these things?" Soon, though, God uplifted my spirit distracting me with class and other responsibilities. These idols are things that I struggle with on a regular basis, but I pray that God will help me to overcome them.
On Saturday, I worked on homework until about 2:00, and then my mind basically turned off. Thus, I wasted the rest of day, even though I had a mountain-load of homework to do.
As a result of my decision on Saturday to quit doing homework way before the end of the day, this morning I was feeling overwhelmed with things, and the thought entered my head, "Perhaps I should just skip church this morning." The idea only lingered for a few seconds, and I went to church. I felt so blessed and uplifted by going to Sunday school and having fellowship with everyone. The experience definitely reminded me that it is important to go to church, because we need each other. It's amazing when God does those sorts of things in my life, and even amazing when He doesn't! His amazingness (is that a word?) does not change!
Today, it was also communion Sunday at church. I feel like I've been de-sensitized to what Christ did on the cross, so I was praying and confessing that to God and saying, "God, give me a fresh glimpse of the crucifixion and resurrection. Show me a picture of your love." As the elements were being passed out, I saw a a 9 or 10 year-old girl draw near to herself her 4-year-old sister who has spina bifida. At that moment, the human sisterly love was remarkable and overwhelming, but it was also a picture to me of how God wants to draw me near to Himself as His daughter, because of His love for me.
Thus far this afternoon, it has been quiet and peaceful and relaxing working on homework and just spending time in God's presence at the same time. I know that God is always present with me, but one of the signs that sometimes happens to me is a physical heaviness in the chest area. Before I became a Christian, my heart would always pound whenever some pastor invited people to receive Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior, and Treasure. Well, I'm experiencing that physical heaviness this afternoon, and it just feels great. God has been speaking to me about a lot of things. I still have a lot to get accomplished before tomorrow, but I have a peace about it.
Words I learned this week: halcyon, stadholder, nonage, epoch, ethology, castigate.
Quotes from the week:
"The causes of life's history [cannot] resolve the riddle of life's meaning."~Stephen Jay Gould
I must say that I highly disagree with the above quote. In fact, the cause of life's history does solve the riddle of life's meaning. If one acknowledges that God is the Creator, then that also means that the created thing has some sort of purpose. For what would be the reason for creating something that has no use? Thus, knowing that we have purpose, we must adhere to the purpose for which our Creator made us, otherwise we would still be of no use. Our life is filled with meaning as we follow the purpose that God has for us.
Similarly, if we turn this concept on its head and say that we just came about by chance, then what is there to live for? If we're just accidents, then life has no purpose.
"If God's thoughts and ways are higher than our own (as a jet flies higher than a bird), then God is to us as we are to the preschooler, only more so. Just as the preschooler cannot fathom adult logic, indeed is baffled by things that adults easily understand, so we can expect to be baffled by mysteries and paradoxes that are, perhaps, mere simplicities to God."
"If God's thoughts and ways were like our own, God wouldn't be God, or else we would be gods, too."
Have a great week everyone! May our great, sovereign God reveal Himself to you this week in many ways!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Week in Review Jan. 30-Feb. 5
"Change my heart, oh God, make it ever true. Change my heart, oh God, may I be like you. You are the Potter; I am the clay. Mold me and make me-- this is what I pray."
I forgot to mention last week that I got my hair cut. This time, I didn't skip school to get it done, nor did I lead anyone astray by having them skip school too. :) In fact, the girl came to my dorm room to do it! Talk about awesome service!
I feel like I am waiting on God for three main things:
1. Whom my spouse will be
2. What I will major in
3. What I will be doing this summer
Of course, some of these are more urgent than others. For instance, I have plenty of time until I get married. :)
There are different spiritual seasons that people go through. Some people are in valleys of trouble and despair. Other people are at the mountain top, experiencing God with joy. Some might be in between. I feel like I'm at the mountain top, but then again, I feel like I'm sort of going downhill. Either way, embrace the spiritual season that you may be in because God uses all of them to cause you to grow closer to Him.
One blessing that I realized in my life this week: my best friend Janeen. She is the first person my age that I have ever really opened up to about spiritual things. Before, I think I may have been a bit elusive about the subject with people, and I felt awkward whenever I did talk about it. I'm glad that I am comfortable telling Janeen what God is doing in my life, and I think she would agree that it has been a mutually beneficial, growing friendship.
I hope that one day I might be able to sing joyfully to the Lord, "Lord, you are more precious than silver. Lord, you are more costly than gold. Lord, you are more beautiful than diamonds, and nothing I desire compares with you." This week, I've struggled with what it means to desire God in terms of action. I keep on saying to myself, "Okay, if I really desired God, then I wouldn't do this, or I would do that."
God continues to provide for my every need.
As with any other piece of writing, I urge my readers to understand that I am selective in what I write on here. For the most part, I like to write about positive things (since if you want to read about negative things, you can just read a newspaper). However, I still try to be genuine in what I write.
As ya'll begin a new week, I pray that the cry of everyone's hearts will be, "Jesus, draw me close; closer, Lord, to you. Let the world around me fade away. Jesus, draw me close; closer, Lord to you, for I desire to worship and obey."
Leah Jarvie
I forgot to mention last week that I got my hair cut. This time, I didn't skip school to get it done, nor did I lead anyone astray by having them skip school too. :) In fact, the girl came to my dorm room to do it! Talk about awesome service!
I feel like I am waiting on God for three main things:
1. Whom my spouse will be
2. What I will major in
3. What I will be doing this summer
Of course, some of these are more urgent than others. For instance, I have plenty of time until I get married. :)
There are different spiritual seasons that people go through. Some people are in valleys of trouble and despair. Other people are at the mountain top, experiencing God with joy. Some might be in between. I feel like I'm at the mountain top, but then again, I feel like I'm sort of going downhill. Either way, embrace the spiritual season that you may be in because God uses all of them to cause you to grow closer to Him.
One blessing that I realized in my life this week: my best friend Janeen. She is the first person my age that I have ever really opened up to about spiritual things. Before, I think I may have been a bit elusive about the subject with people, and I felt awkward whenever I did talk about it. I'm glad that I am comfortable telling Janeen what God is doing in my life, and I think she would agree that it has been a mutually beneficial, growing friendship.
I hope that one day I might be able to sing joyfully to the Lord, "Lord, you are more precious than silver. Lord, you are more costly than gold. Lord, you are more beautiful than diamonds, and nothing I desire compares with you." This week, I've struggled with what it means to desire God in terms of action. I keep on saying to myself, "Okay, if I really desired God, then I wouldn't do this, or I would do that."
God continues to provide for my every need.
As with any other piece of writing, I urge my readers to understand that I am selective in what I write on here. For the most part, I like to write about positive things (since if you want to read about negative things, you can just read a newspaper). However, I still try to be genuine in what I write.
As ya'll begin a new week, I pray that the cry of everyone's hearts will be, "Jesus, draw me close; closer, Lord, to you. Let the world around me fade away. Jesus, draw me close; closer, Lord to you, for I desire to worship and obey."
Leah Jarvie
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Week in Review Jan. 23-29
It's been a busy, crazy week! I cannot believe that it's already Sunday. The weekends are definitely my favorite part of the week, since it's a time to sort of slow down and not have a lot of fixed commitments.
On Tuesday, something really cool happened. I had been planning on doing all of my homework for Wednesday in the afternoon, but then there was an opening for work that evening, so I took it. (I need to make up some work-study hours from last semester, so I'm trying to go whenever possible.) I got back to campus around 6:30, ate dinner, and then I had a mission trip meeting for Guatemala at 7:00. So it wasn't until about 8:00 when I actually got started on my homework. At that point, I was completely exhausted physically and mentally. Plus, I had a headache. I laid down on my bed and prayed, "Lord, I need you. I need your strength to get this homework done. Please take away my headache." As soon as I finished praying that, my headache was gone, and I had a renewed energy, and I was able to complete most of my homework that I had for the next day.
Another thing that has been great to see is God's provision in various areas. On Thursday, I did laundry, and I was sort of overwhelmed with how many clothes God has provided me with, when some people don't even have two T-shirts. He also provided more work-study hours for me on Saturday, which was really neat.
It has also been astounding and overwhelming to see how God has provided support for the mission trip to Guatemala. I had been sort of getting worried about it, but then some money came in the mail, and I also got an email from the leader of the trip, telling me of some money that had been sent directly to him. $750 is due by Wednesday this week, and right now, I'm at $585, but I'm trusting God to work in awesome ways to get that amount in on time.
Even when it doesn't seem as though God is working, He is! That's an important thing to remember when praying for someone's salvation or when showing kindness to someone. From outward signs, it may appear that the person has a rejectful attitude, but God is working in the person's soul.
What college students do in their spare time: shoot their professors with nerf guns. :)
Words I learned this week: spurious, chicany, pettifogging, unctuous, hiatus, ratiocination, bequeath.
Quotes:
"We're good at fighting for causes, but we're not good at loving people."-Dr. Stratman, my Honors English II teacher
"Do you think if the Bible was a bad book it would make men good? Do you think if it was a false book it would make men good?"-Dwight L. Moody
"Many of the passages appear to us difficult to understand, but if we could understand it clearly from front to back at first, it would be as a human book, but the very fact that we cannot understand it all at once, is the highest proof that it is the Word of God."-Dwight L. Moody
I love you all! Email me at butterfingerleah@aim.com. I'd love to hear from you!
Leah Jarvie
On Tuesday, something really cool happened. I had been planning on doing all of my homework for Wednesday in the afternoon, but then there was an opening for work that evening, so I took it. (I need to make up some work-study hours from last semester, so I'm trying to go whenever possible.) I got back to campus around 6:30, ate dinner, and then I had a mission trip meeting for Guatemala at 7:00. So it wasn't until about 8:00 when I actually got started on my homework. At that point, I was completely exhausted physically and mentally. Plus, I had a headache. I laid down on my bed and prayed, "Lord, I need you. I need your strength to get this homework done. Please take away my headache." As soon as I finished praying that, my headache was gone, and I had a renewed energy, and I was able to complete most of my homework that I had for the next day.
Another thing that has been great to see is God's provision in various areas. On Thursday, I did laundry, and I was sort of overwhelmed with how many clothes God has provided me with, when some people don't even have two T-shirts. He also provided more work-study hours for me on Saturday, which was really neat.
It has also been astounding and overwhelming to see how God has provided support for the mission trip to Guatemala. I had been sort of getting worried about it, but then some money came in the mail, and I also got an email from the leader of the trip, telling me of some money that had been sent directly to him. $750 is due by Wednesday this week, and right now, I'm at $585, but I'm trusting God to work in awesome ways to get that amount in on time.
Even when it doesn't seem as though God is working, He is! That's an important thing to remember when praying for someone's salvation or when showing kindness to someone. From outward signs, it may appear that the person has a rejectful attitude, but God is working in the person's soul.
What college students do in their spare time: shoot their professors with nerf guns. :)
Words I learned this week: spurious, chicany, pettifogging, unctuous, hiatus, ratiocination, bequeath.
Quotes:
"We're good at fighting for causes, but we're not good at loving people."-Dr. Stratman, my Honors English II teacher
"Do you think if the Bible was a bad book it would make men good? Do you think if it was a false book it would make men good?"-Dwight L. Moody
"Many of the passages appear to us difficult to understand, but if we could understand it clearly from front to back at first, it would be as a human book, but the very fact that we cannot understand it all at once, is the highest proof that it is the Word of God."-Dwight L. Moody
I love you all! Email me at butterfingerleah@aim.com. I'd love to hear from you!
Leah Jarvie
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Week in Review Jan. 16-22
Two words: busy week. Five more words: it will just get busier. Usually the days are long, but, fortunately, the weeks go by quickly. By now, I have fallen comfortably into my new routine of classes.
Basically three major things took place this week:
1. I do not know if I will major in biology or not. I think I might major in Biblical and theological studies for sure, and maybe Family and Human Resources, but I am not sure yet. More than likely, my mind will change again.
2. I feel like God is calling me to interact more with other Christians and fulfill the fellowship part of Christianity. Because of this, I've joined a passion group, which is a small Bible study group.
3. I feel like I actually desire God from within. Spending time with God is not just something I do anymore because it's the Christian thing to do. It's something that I look forward to and enjoy.
A few of the many interesting words and phrases learned: out and out, ossuary, calumny, emendation, paschal, concomitant, masochistic, card sharp, tie one on.
Some favorite quotations from the week:
"So I pray, Lord, that you would give me things to pray about."
"Just because it's the way we are doesn't mean it's the way we're supposed to be."-Hannah Wright
God is ever faithful. He has never failed me yet (and He never will)!
I'm always interested to hear what is going on in each of your lives, so send me an email at butterfingerleah@aim.com, since I only go on facebook on Sundays now. I especially like to hear what God is teaching you. We're in this life together.
Thanks for all of your prayers and support!
Leah Jarvie
Basically three major things took place this week:
1. I do not know if I will major in biology or not. I think I might major in Biblical and theological studies for sure, and maybe Family and Human Resources, but I am not sure yet. More than likely, my mind will change again.
2. I feel like God is calling me to interact more with other Christians and fulfill the fellowship part of Christianity. Because of this, I've joined a passion group, which is a small Bible study group.
3. I feel like I actually desire God from within. Spending time with God is not just something I do anymore because it's the Christian thing to do. It's something that I look forward to and enjoy.
A few of the many interesting words and phrases learned: out and out, ossuary, calumny, emendation, paschal, concomitant, masochistic, card sharp, tie one on.
Some favorite quotations from the week:
"So I pray, Lord, that you would give me things to pray about."
"Just because it's the way we are doesn't mean it's the way we're supposed to be."-Hannah Wright
God is ever faithful. He has never failed me yet (and He never will)!
I'm always interested to hear what is going on in each of your lives, so send me an email at butterfingerleah@aim.com, since I only go on facebook on Sundays now. I especially like to hear what God is teaching you. We're in this life together.
Thanks for all of your prayers and support!
Leah Jarvie
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Week in Review Jan. 9-15
Wow! So much has happened this week. I feel like I have learned so much in just three days of classes! On Monday morning, I flew back to JBU. I am glad that my flight was in the morning because I was able to see the ground from the airplane. God gave me a new picture of His Sovereignty. It was overwhelming to look out the window because the land just seemed to stretch on for miles. I pictured the earth as God's dollhouse, and God as the person playing and moving the people.
Monday afternoon and Tuesday were spent unpacking and preparing for the upcoming semester.
On Wednesday, classes began. It was great to get into a routine again. Wednesday is my busiest day of the week in term of classes; I have 5!
8:00-8:50- New Testament
9:00-9:50- Honors: English II
11:00-11:50- Plant Biology
12:00-12:50- Introductory Psychology
4:10-6:00- Student Leadership
I am looking forward to the New Testament class, just because one of my passions is the Bible. One problem that I noticed with my schedule is that my New Testament and Honors: English II classes are at opposite ends of campus, so I have to walk really fast to be on time, and I am so used to getting to classes really early that I feel like I am late, even if I am right on time. My Student Leadership class is bound to be the most challenging, just because it will get me out of my comfort zone.
To make up for all of the classes on Wednesday, I only have one class on Thursday: Honors: Western Civilizations II at 11:30, which is right after chapel. Speaking of chapel, it felt great again to worship with such a large body of people again. It just felt great to see lots of people raising their hands in worship.
On Thursday and Friday afternoon, I had work-study at the Boys and Girls Club from 3:00-6:00. I always feel so blessed whenever I go there. Just the smile and excitement of kids playing tag make my day.
Other "small" blessings that God gave me this week: pecan pie for desert, my friend Janeen, chocolate milk, sunshine.
This semester, I am currently roommate-less, which is turning out to be quite beneficial in terms of seeking the Lord. I don't have to worry about waking my roommate up at 5 in the morning. (Unlike most college students, I like to go to bed at 9 and get up at 5.)
Words I learned this week: philology, extant, lacuna, inconcinnity, putative, lackey, adumbrate, cowl, conjugal, deleterious. Now let's see if I actually remember all of them 2 months from now!
One of my StrengthsQuest is "Input," which means I like to collect things. For me, that "thing" is information. I just love quotes. Here are some that I enjoyed and found thought-provoking this week:
Others may do a greater work,
But you have your part to do;
And no one in all God's family
Can do it as well as you
"God comforts us not to make us comfortable but to make us comforters." John Henry Jowett
"Loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength does not mean just getting by. It means we are going at life with the intent of getting something of God out of it. If we are letting life happen to us, we are not finding God in it. Life does not 'happen' to anyone. We either find God in it or we muddle through somehow. There is no middle ground." John Fischer
The last quote is from my Plant Biology textbook: "The concept of intelligent design has recently been proposed to explain many complex phenomena. Its fundamental concept is that many structures and metabolisms are too complicated to have resulted from evolution and natural selection. Instead, they must have been created by some sort of intelligent force or being. This may or may not be true, but this does not help us to analyze and understand the world; instead, it is used as an answer in itself that prevents further study. Photosynthesis is certainly complex, and it may have been designed by some intelligent being; however, believing that does not help us to understand photosynthesis at all, and it does not help us to plan future experiments. In contrast, the scientific method is a means through which we are discovering even the most subtle details of photosynthesis." James D. Mauseth
Of course, I believe that God created the world, but I really enjoyed the author's point that we can't just assert that God is the Creator and stop there. No, we are still required to carefully study this world and the things that God has made. Too many times, we are often afraid to ask questions and study things, because we may enter into unknown territory, which makes us uncomfortable. It's okay to not have all of the answers; however, I also believe that God wants us to seek those answers by seeking Him.
One thing that I have been thinking about lately is the issue of prayer. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 says, "Pray continually." However, it seems that once you pray for something, and you pray for it again, it could be seen as a lack of faith that God heard you the first time. So, if you'd like to respond and give me some of your input, that would be greatly appreciated. What does the discipline of prayer look like in your own life?
Blessings to everyone! Thanks for your love, prayers, and support!
Leah
Monday afternoon and Tuesday were spent unpacking and preparing for the upcoming semester.
On Wednesday, classes began. It was great to get into a routine again. Wednesday is my busiest day of the week in term of classes; I have 5!
8:00-8:50- New Testament
9:00-9:50- Honors: English II
11:00-11:50- Plant Biology
12:00-12:50- Introductory Psychology
4:10-6:00- Student Leadership
I am looking forward to the New Testament class, just because one of my passions is the Bible. One problem that I noticed with my schedule is that my New Testament and Honors: English II classes are at opposite ends of campus, so I have to walk really fast to be on time, and I am so used to getting to classes really early that I feel like I am late, even if I am right on time. My Student Leadership class is bound to be the most challenging, just because it will get me out of my comfort zone.
To make up for all of the classes on Wednesday, I only have one class on Thursday: Honors: Western Civilizations II at 11:30, which is right after chapel. Speaking of chapel, it felt great again to worship with such a large body of people again. It just felt great to see lots of people raising their hands in worship.
On Thursday and Friday afternoon, I had work-study at the Boys and Girls Club from 3:00-6:00. I always feel so blessed whenever I go there. Just the smile and excitement of kids playing tag make my day.
Other "small" blessings that God gave me this week: pecan pie for desert, my friend Janeen, chocolate milk, sunshine.
This semester, I am currently roommate-less, which is turning out to be quite beneficial in terms of seeking the Lord. I don't have to worry about waking my roommate up at 5 in the morning. (Unlike most college students, I like to go to bed at 9 and get up at 5.)
Words I learned this week: philology, extant, lacuna, inconcinnity, putative, lackey, adumbrate, cowl, conjugal, deleterious. Now let's see if I actually remember all of them 2 months from now!
One of my StrengthsQuest is "Input," which means I like to collect things. For me, that "thing" is information. I just love quotes. Here are some that I enjoyed and found thought-provoking this week:
Others may do a greater work,
But you have your part to do;
And no one in all God's family
Can do it as well as you
"God comforts us not to make us comfortable but to make us comforters." John Henry Jowett
"Loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength does not mean just getting by. It means we are going at life with the intent of getting something of God out of it. If we are letting life happen to us, we are not finding God in it. Life does not 'happen' to anyone. We either find God in it or we muddle through somehow. There is no middle ground." John Fischer
The last quote is from my Plant Biology textbook: "The concept of intelligent design has recently been proposed to explain many complex phenomena. Its fundamental concept is that many structures and metabolisms are too complicated to have resulted from evolution and natural selection. Instead, they must have been created by some sort of intelligent force or being. This may or may not be true, but this does not help us to analyze and understand the world; instead, it is used as an answer in itself that prevents further study. Photosynthesis is certainly complex, and it may have been designed by some intelligent being; however, believing that does not help us to understand photosynthesis at all, and it does not help us to plan future experiments. In contrast, the scientific method is a means through which we are discovering even the most subtle details of photosynthesis." James D. Mauseth
Of course, I believe that God created the world, but I really enjoyed the author's point that we can't just assert that God is the Creator and stop there. No, we are still required to carefully study this world and the things that God has made. Too many times, we are often afraid to ask questions and study things, because we may enter into unknown territory, which makes us uncomfortable. It's okay to not have all of the answers; however, I also believe that God wants us to seek those answers by seeking Him.
One thing that I have been thinking about lately is the issue of prayer. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 says, "Pray continually." However, it seems that once you pray for something, and you pray for it again, it could be seen as a lack of faith that God heard you the first time. So, if you'd like to respond and give me some of your input, that would be greatly appreciated. What does the discipline of prayer look like in your own life?
Blessings to everyone! Thanks for your love, prayers, and support!
Leah
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