Problems of a Biblically Knowledgable Girl in a Religious Class at a Jesuit University...

After attending my New Testament class today I realized that I really am not a fan of religious classes. The biggest thing that bugs me is the fact that everyone is on so many different levels. For example, today we were in groups talking about a few different passages in the Bible. One person in my group is Chinese and has probably never picked up a Bible and the other obviously knows his way around a Bible but doesn't understand much of it. And then here I am, with the Bible open to Romans 12:3-8 where it talks about being one body in Christ, and I already know what the passage is about and can answer the question that is asked of us because I have heard this passage preached on before. So basically after the other two people give their answers I give my, "Well, kinda, but its really more like this..." And then it clicks in their head. The whole situation brought to my mind an analogy that Pastor Nathan used a long time ago to illustrate how spiritually deep we were going into our discussions. When he wanted a more logical answer, we would be like say 2 feet deep in a pool. When he wanted something that required some thinking and possibly the stringing together of ideas, we would be say 6 feet deep in a pool. That's kind of how I felt today. Here I was out in the 6 foot deep end, and everyone else was still testing the waters in the wading area. I guess I just get to be the leader in this, which I don't like doing. I would rather just sit back and follow until something comes up that I disagree with. As Pastor Nathan would put it, I am being stretched again.

Road Trip!

Last week I was able to go spend some time with my second family in Jackson, Missouri. If you aren’t familiar with where that is, it’s about two hours south of St. Louis, so I was by myself in my car for a total of approximately 4 hours (two there and two back). And if you read one of my previous posts, you would know that in my car is where God and I have a lot of conversations, so I figured I would get something. Well on the way back I did. I had my iPod plugged up and I was listening to the playlist I had created especially for the trip. I was skipping through songs and I came across 7x70 by Chris August. Originally I skipped it, but God told me to go back and listen to it. So I did, and I figure I was going to get a lesson on forgiveness. I was wrong. By the time I was about halfway through the song, tears began to well up in my eyes and I didn’t know why.  At the end of the song it says, “I lost count of the ways you let me down, but no matter how many times you weren’t around, I’m alright now cause, god picked up my heart and helped me through.” Something clicked, and I was like I get it!  It doesn’t matter who has hurt you, or let you down, or wasn’t around enough, or whatever it may be that you want to fill the blank in with, God is there for you to turn to. There is no need to have a pity party for youself! Psalm 34:18 says, “If your heart is broken, you’ll find God there.” If you allow God to help you, he will! No matter what has broken your heart, He will pick up the pieces and mend it back together and help you get back to the place you need to be. I haven’t always been so willing to let God pick up my heart and put it back together. A lot of the time, I have left it on the ground and be angry or pull the woe is me card, but that didn’t get me anywhere, it only made it worse. It didn’t get better until I allowed God to come in and make things better, to help me work through my hurt. So, whatever you may be going through today, let God come in and help you through it!

The New Year Is Here!

Well 2013 has arrived. I can hardly believe that another year has begun. While 2012 has had its good moments; I am so ready to put it in the past. It’s become a tradition in our house and our church to fast for 21 days at the beginning of the year. This year I decided I would fast soda, certain food items, and anything fried. After fasting this way today, I just felt it wasn’t good enough and so did God. God told me that I needed to try harder. So, tomorrow after work I will be heading to the store to stock up on fruits and vegetables to start my Daniel Fast on Friday. With this fast, I hope to start the year getting closer to God and seeking answers to my prayers. If you haven’t considered fasting for this New Year, then think about it. It doesn’t have to be much, it could be your favorite food, or TV, or Facebook, or one meal, the list can go on forever. Whatever it is that you choose to give up, make sure it’s a sacrifice, and use that time to spend with God.

Happy New Year!!!