Week in Review: October 22-28

Much of this week was gorgeous. There was a lot of sunshine, which I really enjoy. I like to imagine the rays of the sun as God's radiant presence, sort of based off of Numbers 6:24-26, "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." I'll spread out of my arms just to bask in the beauty even more. People who see me probably think I'm weird, but I view it as worship. In addition to the sunshine being a blessing to me this week, the signs of fall also blessed me. It's just so much fun to go on walks and see the pictures that God paints using His creation. There's something beautiful about scattered leaves on a path in the woods. Until the past two years, I've never really appreciated this type of beauty, but I'm so glad that God has shown it to me because it's one more thing that I can love Him with.

Speaking of loving God, I don't think that I will ever come to the point on this earth where I will love God as much as I should. In fact, I don't even know if I will love Him as much as I should when I get to heaven and I am in His presence forever. Even if I were able to love Him to full capacity, I still think that my love for Him would be pale in comparison to His love for me. Even with this realization, I do not think it is wasteful to try to love God as much as possible on this earth. In fact, it's a joy. I was listening to a Focus on the Family broadcast, and it mentioned the Greek word for "seek" in Matthew 6:33. It is zeteo, which means "to crave." I do not think that I "crave" God as much as I should; however, I feel like He has been putting those sort of cravings in my heart slowly but surely. At the end of my quiet times with Him, I'm just thinking to myself, "Oh man, we were just getting started." I think these cravings for more of God also come as a result of asking God to show me if I could really spend 8 hours a day (like some Christians in the past did) with Him alone. I think He's answering that question with a "yes," and it makes sense, for one day, I will forever be in His presence. (Not that God isn't already present on the earth, but I feel that God reveals Himself in a special way during quiet times.)

This week, I have really struggled with how impatient of a person I am. I dislike not seeing results. Even as I am being ministered to here at JBU, I like to look at my time here as one of ministry as well. I enjoy listening to people talk about the challenges, trials, and decisions that they are going through. It makes me feel like I am needed and that I am important (I know that probably sounds wrong since people in ministry really aren't supposed to think that way, but I think it's probably a natural human tendency.) Yet, this week, it seemed as if no one needed a listening ear. I felt like I wasn't really doing anything for God. Then God basically challenged me to be faithful in prayer for the people and situations that I do know about.

I enjoyed this quote this week, also from the Focus on the Family broadcast that I listened to: "God gave us food so that we could consume it, but it was never meant to consume us."

"Delays of answers are not denials."

Words I learned this week: braggadocio, masticate, Brogdingnagian, imprecate, salient, cogitation

Have a blessed week! Take the time to seek the Lord, because He is definitely worth it!

Weeks in Review: October 8-21

First of all, sorry that I did not write last week. My mom came down from Michigan to visit me because I had fall break. She arrived Friday afternoon, and we just sort of relaxed. On Saturday, we spent the day at Eureka Springs, visiting little shops. It was quite a pretty drive there and back because a lot of the leaves had already changed colors. The windy mountain roads also added to the atmosphere. Saturday night we went to go see the Great Passion Play, which is outside. At first, it wasn't quite as enjoyable as it possibly could have been, because it was pouring rain, but we had rain ponchos on, so it wasn't too horrible. Fortunately, the rain let up, and the play was more enjoyable. On Sunday, we drove back to Siloam Springs. (There are a lot of "Springs" places in Arkansas: Hot Springs, Sulfur Springs, etc.) When we got back, we played tennis, took a walk down town, and just relaxed. Then, on Monday, we basically did the same thing that we did on Sunday. Then, my mom had to go home.

One of the things that God really spoke to me about the past two weeks was about what I tend to find my identity in. For as long as I can remember, I have always found my identity in academics. There were times when I would cry if I got a 98% on a test. Fortunately, over the years, God has worked a lot in that area of my life, transforming me and teaching me to find my identity in Him. Yet, I still see remnants of seeking identity in academics. This is evidenced in how I often favored (and still do sometimes favor) spending time studying instead of spending time with my family and others. Certainly, being concerned about academics is not bad, but it must have its proper place. At times, it has often been an idol in my life. This semester, I really feel that God is teaching me to spend more time with others, loving on them. It has always been something that my family has been good at (especially my dad) since they're outgoing, but I am more quiet, so it takes more work and effort to love others. (Not that love really takes a lot of effort because it can be expressed in simple ways, but it takes effort to be in the presence of others, so that I can love them.) I still do not love as I ought to love. Not only do I not love others as I ought to love them, I also do not love God as I ought to love Him. Fortunately, God still loves me, and He is still transforming me so that I can love Him and others better.

Words/phrases I learned: warp and woof, perspicuity

"The future is bright, because of God's faithfulness."

"No one accomplishes so much in so little time as when he or she is praying."

"Nothing lies beyond the reach of prayer except those things outside the will of God."

"The opposite of love is indifference."

"The peace of God is an eternal calm like the cushion of the sea. It lies so deeply within the human heart that no external difficulty or disturbance can reach it."

Have a blessed week!

Week in Review: October 1-7

Wow! What a week it has been! I feel that God has been speaking to me about a lot of things lately, and it has been cool to see how He has been at work answering some of my prayers. For my Christian Leadership and Service class, we had to start using a journal to record simple prayers, which is just the pouring out of our hearts to God. I feel that this has been a good tool for me, and it is something that I will continue. In fact, much of what I am going to write in this blog from now on is going to come from it.

On Monday of this week, I went and spoke with a professor about what I might be able to do with a Biblical and Theological Studies major. This conversation was very helpful to me in that I was reminded that I am called...not to a career, but to God. (In fact, this is very much what I have been learning in my Christian Leadership and Service class.) The professor also gave me a paper to read dealing with the topic of calling. It challenged me to ask the question, "How can I best serve with the gifts and abilities that God has given me?" instead of asking the question, "What do I want to do?" Before, I had never really left God out of my decision-making in terms of career, but I guess that the article was helpful in putting words to the matter.

Another area that I feel God spoke to me about this week was marriage. A few weeks ago, it was sexuality week here at JBU. After listening to one of the people talk about celibacy, I wondered in my heart if marriage was in God's plan for me, or if He might have me remain single for the rest of my life. Well, on Thursday of this week, I had to take my car to Rogers to see what was wrong with it. Well, I don't like having to deal with these kind of issues. I'm always afraid that I'm going to get cheated or something like that. Also, I was thinking that perhaps I might enter into a career that might lead me to dangerous places. It was through these thoughts that God introduced to me the idea of seeking a husband who will protect me. Before, I had never considered looking for that in a man. I had just been looking for one who loves God. Now, however, I am looking for a man who loves God and also wants to protect his wife and family. Ultimately, though, I do realize that the Lord is my great Provider and Protector, and He will be even after I am married! It was through all of the above thoughts that God laid marriage on my heart. Yet, at the same time, God also revealed to me that he created me with an independent spirit of sorts, so even if a man does not come for a long time, I can still go through singleness and be all set with just God by my side.

Anyways, back to the story about my car...I like to be in control and know what is happening when exactly it is happening where exactly it is happening...you get the picture. So, when things go wrong with cars, particularly my car, it is not a pretty picture. For the most part, I like to think of myself as a quite flexible person, but that does not mean I don't worry about things. The diagnosis at the Volkswagen dealership was not good. Then, I had to park in freshman parking because I got back around chapel time, and the Mayfield parking lot (where I normally put my vehicle) was full. It was as I was trekking up the big hill that I prayed, "You know, God, I could really use some encouragement right now." I then decided to go to lunch 18 minutes earlier than normal that day. I sat down with some friends at a table. I noticed one of my friends named Lizzie sit down at a table where some other guy was sitting. Lizzie soon came to join us though after the guy left. I was telling her some of what was going on with my car and how I was still trying to decide what to major in. It was just me and her at the table when she asked me, "How can I pray for you today?" I told her that she could pray that I might have peace about the car situation and that God would show me clearly what to do as a career. She grabbed my hand, and she prayed right then and there! As I walked back to Mayfield, it hit me that God had answered my prayer for encouragement through Lizzie. How amazing! I love looking back to see how He orchestrated the event!

God just overwhelms me, in good way!

Words I learned this week: debacle, opprobrium, blockhead, verve

"One way or the other, we must all learn the difference between trusting in the gift and trusting in the Giver.

Well, I certainly hope that your week has been as good as mine. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me this week! :)

Week in Review: September 24-30

Last week, in my last blog, I forgot to mention another reason why I feel led to major in Biblical and Theological Studies, in addition to the fact that God is infinite, so I can forever learn more about Him. I have a love for learning. However, whenever it comes time to review what I have learned for tests and quizzes, the task is not very enjoyable. I guess that means I like gathering new information, but not re-reading it. Yet, when it comes to anything having to do with the Bible, I enjoy reviewing the material. Also, in a way, the material can be new to me every time, even if I have read a passage of Scripture over and over again. This is because "the word of God is living and active" (Hebrews 4:12).

Last Sunday, I went on a walk on the trail that circles campus, and I talked to God as I walked. As I was talking with Him, suddenly God told me, "You know, Leah, your dad really knows how to love people. Just think of everything he does for people. You need to work on loving people as much as you love me." I just thought that it was really cool that God spoke to me like that. In fact, God amazes me whenever He speaks to me. I'll be praying out loud about an issue, and then all of a sudden, it will hit me. If you have ever experienced this, then you know what I mean.

Words I learned this week: contiguous, pro bono, shoehorn, redlining, faux pas, flaccid, aliquot, natter, histrionic, desultory, interdigitate  

"Give me one pure and holy passion, and give me one magnificent obsession. Give me one glorious ambition for my life: To know and follow hard after You."

"This world is empty, pale and poor, compared to knowing You, my Lord. Lead me on and I will run after You. Lead me on and I will run after You."

Please pray for me this week-- that God will work in my life and continue to transform me more into His image. I feel that He is at work in me, and I trust that one day it will be brought to completion (Philippians 1:6).

Also, feel free to share with me how God is working in your own life. You can share with me both the ups and the downs, because this life is definitely full of both.

Week in Review: September 17-23

Hello all,

This weekend I went on a retreat, called Breakaway, at New Life Ranch, a Christian camp located in Colcord, Oklahoma. It was a total blast! The theme of the weekend was wrestling with God and what that looks like. The lives of Jacob and Joseph were examined. I learned that wrestling with God is healthy. It's good to deal with questions that we may have concerning distressing situations, but it seems like we always ask why: Why, Lord? Why is this happening? Instead, we ought to ask the question, "Who are you, God?" He answers. All throughout Scripture, there are descriptions of who God is. Psalm 68:5 says, "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling." Another common description of who God is is found in Psalm 103:8-13: "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him." And there are a whole lot more that I encourage you to discover and reflect on.

I feel like I may have finally decided on what I am going to major in, although I've changed so many times before, so I wonder if this is really what I'm going to do. Nevertheless, I have peace about the decision. I had always known that I was going to major in Biblical and Theological Studies. Over the summer, as I was trying to fall asleep one night, I was thinking about majors and careers and the different talents and abilities that God has given me. One of the things that I love to do is learn. God reminded me of how He is infinite, so I could spend the rest of my life trying to learn about Him, and I would still not know everything there is to know about Him. Well, there are also other fields that seem to have a great deal of information, like science. Yet, I thought to myself, I don't really want to go into a field where things are constantly changing. I heard a voice, not audible, but a voice, nonetheless, that said, "I the Lord do not change" (Malachi 3:6). So I knew for sure that I would major in Biblical and Theological Studies, but I also figured that I would not go into that as a career, so I continued my search for a second major. A lot of options passed through my mind: Biology, Exercise Studies, Family and Human Services, Child and Family Studies, Youth Ministries, Intercultural Studies. Too many options to choose from! Let me just say that it is amazing what God may do and whom He may use to speak to us about certain things. Last Sunday, I had a conversation with a good friend about the topic of what I was going to major in. For what seemed like the millionth time, I had to answer, "I don't know." At the end of the conversation though, I had walked away with this basic thought: There are things that I can do with a Biblical and Theological Studies major, but the standard of living may be less. Then, on Thursday, I was eating lunch with a group of people, and the subject of majors came up, and one of my friends remarked, "Just do Bible." That conversation again got me thinking about my future. By the next morning, I had come to the decision that I would major in Biblical and Theological Studies only and that I would take other classes that match my other interests depending on what fits into my schedule. I am at peace with the situation, but, like I said before, I am not 100% certain because it has already changed like 10 times. I still don't know what I will do with such a major, but I'm sure that God will show me in due time.

Have a blessed week!

Week in Review: September 10-16

Hello all!

On Monday night, I had a breakdown. I know what caused it, but I do not know exactly the events that led up to it or even what I was upset about. God had been telling me that He wanted me to change the way that I approached homework. I had been preparing two hours for every hour that was spent in class, which is the recommended amount. Yet, God was telling me that He wanted me to do homework on just a completion basis. Well, once I'm set in my ways, I'm set in my ways. I don't think I'm stubborn in a lot of things, but the things that I am stubborn about, I am extremely stubborn about. Even so, God did get ahold of me through the meltdown, and I finally conceded. I am learning that this completion approach to homework allows me more time to form friendships with other people as I am walking along the quad or in Mayfield. It allows me the flexibility to stop and pay attention to the needs of someone other than myself. Finally, it allows God to form and shape me in other areas of life, which are just as important, if not more.

On Wednesday, as I was walking back to my dorm after lunch, I passed by a portion of the quad that had leaves scattered across it, and it was just beautiful. It was so amazing that I had to just stand there for a minute and admire God's creation.

Another thing that I thought was cool this week was what happened on Thursday morning. Sometimes God will tell me to sing a certain song to Him as I'm walking from place to place around campus. The song that He gave me to sing as I was walking back to Mayfield after eating breakfast happened to be one of the songs that we sang in chapel later that morning. I love it when things like that happen!

Words I learned this week: arcane, soporific, prandial, panoply, jaded

Blessings!

Leah

Week in Review: September 3-9

Hello everyone! Even though it was a four-day week in terms of classes, it still felt extremely long. I found myself saying, "Is it the weekend yet?" Finally, Saturday arrived-- the day of the Honors mentor/freshmen retreat. We went to Camp Siloam. It was a fun time with food, finger-painting, water games, small-group discussions, and rest! The topic that was explored was peace. More specifically, we examined peace in the context of silence and surrender before God. It was great to get to know a lot of the freshmen, and it was, overall, a fun time. This week, I realized a connection between the process of learning and sanctification. When someone learns something new, pretty soon other information is added on to that, and it seems to build. Often times, previous knowledge may be out-dated or perhaps people just "watered-down" the actual facts in order to explain something in a simpler way. Thus, some knowledge is removed, and some may be added in. Overall, it seems that learning is very much a process of refinement, much like sanctification is. As God molds us more into His image, certain habits and acts of the sinful nature are taken out. Simultaneously, God is also at work incorporating the fruit of the Spirit into our lives. Words I learned this week: quotidian, protean Have a blessed week! Leah