God
is
not
american
... or white.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
The Fellowship of the Believers
Acts 2:42-47
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
What does this look like today? And why don't we see this more?
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
What does this look like today? And why don't we see this more?
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
the wise words of David...
Psalm 51
1Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;
you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will turn back to you.
14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God,
the God who saves me,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.
18 In your good pleasure make
Zion prosper;
build up the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then there will be righteous sacrifices,
whole burnt offerings to delight you;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
I love how David dared to say that a broken spirit is the kind of sacrifice that will not be despised by our Lord. Because sometimes, thats literally all we have to give Him.
1Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;
you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will turn back to you.
14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God,
the God who saves me,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.
18 In your good pleasure make
Zion prosper;
build up the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then there will be righteous sacrifices,
whole burnt offerings to delight you;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
I love how David dared to say that a broken spirit is the kind of sacrifice that will not be despised by our Lord. Because sometimes, thats literally all we have to give Him.
oy
It's funny how one phone call has the power to change your world, your worries, your prayer life, your faith, and your understanding of God.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
John 11:35
"Jesus wept."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
John 11:35
"Jesus wept."
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Should we really be suprised?
As awful as this current US situation is...
this stuff happens daily in other countries. Hundreds if not thousands of people, innocent people, are maliciously killed every day.
check this news article out...
"BAGHDAD - Suspected Sunni insurgents penetrated the Baghdad security net Wednesday, hitting Shiite targets with four bomb attacks that killed 183 people — the bloodiest day since the U.S. troop increase began nine weeks ago."
innocent death like that is foreign to the states... but not to everyone else.
bottom line... this world is a scary place... and people are sick.
all these people are so desperate for something that they resort to killing becuase they dont know what else to do.
i was working in the hospital today... in the ER and a young man brough himself into the hospital becuase he is suicidal and having awful thoughts and is seeking to get help. want to know what they did?
sent him home. a boy who was asking for help from himself talked to a counsler and was sent back home. you would think that people would take these cases a little more seriously seeing what has just happened.
all i know is that i didn't make the sunrise today...
like it or not... we are not in control.
this stuff happens daily in other countries. Hundreds if not thousands of people, innocent people, are maliciously killed every day.
check this news article out...
"BAGHDAD - Suspected Sunni insurgents penetrated the Baghdad security net Wednesday, hitting Shiite targets with four bomb attacks that killed 183 people — the bloodiest day since the U.S. troop increase began nine weeks ago."
innocent death like that is foreign to the states... but not to everyone else.
bottom line... this world is a scary place... and people are sick.
all these people are so desperate for something that they resort to killing becuase they dont know what else to do.
i was working in the hospital today... in the ER and a young man brough himself into the hospital becuase he is suicidal and having awful thoughts and is seeking to get help. want to know what they did?
sent him home. a boy who was asking for help from himself talked to a counsler and was sent back home. you would think that people would take these cases a little more seriously seeing what has just happened.
all i know is that i didn't make the sunrise today...
like it or not... we are not in control.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Yoke... and not the kind you find in eggs.
What a week...
So i've been thinking a lot about the Yoke of Jesus. Becuase he said that is yoke is easy and his burden is light...
Ever just wonder what exactly a yoke is? Thanks to Aaron and Rob Bell... its not at all what I once thought it was. Check this out...
"Different rabbis had different sets of rules, which were really different lists of what they forbade and what they permitted. A rabbi's set of rules and lists, which was really that rabbi's interpretation of how to live the Torah, was called that rabbi's yoke. When you followed a certain rabbi, you were following him becuase you believed that rabbi's set of interpretations were the closest to what God intended through the Scriptures. And when you followed that rabbi, you were taking up that rabbi's yoke.
One rabbi even said his yoke was easy."
Thats some good stuff... but it gets better...
Isaiah 58 has a little something to say about yokes as well...
58:6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and to break every yoke?"
58: 9-10 "... If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like noonday."
This whole chapter is explaining that fasting, trying to meet with God, trying to get fixed by God... is a lot more than just fasting. This passage shows the giving part of it... the pouring out will refill you and help you meet with God, and will help you 'get fixed'.
I like the yoke parts specifically... untie the cords of the yoke... starting living... and start loving.
I'm all about it.
I've also been doing a little thinking about John the Baptist (thanks to Louie)... what a guy...
In other news...
This stuff with VT is enough to make you sick... what an awful awful situation. I don't even know what I should be praying for...
I have to know Lord... did you cover your eyes?
So i've been thinking a lot about the Yoke of Jesus. Becuase he said that is yoke is easy and his burden is light...
Ever just wonder what exactly a yoke is? Thanks to Aaron and Rob Bell... its not at all what I once thought it was. Check this out...
"Different rabbis had different sets of rules, which were really different lists of what they forbade and what they permitted. A rabbi's set of rules and lists, which was really that rabbi's interpretation of how to live the Torah, was called that rabbi's yoke. When you followed a certain rabbi, you were following him becuase you believed that rabbi's set of interpretations were the closest to what God intended through the Scriptures. And when you followed that rabbi, you were taking up that rabbi's yoke.
One rabbi even said his yoke was easy."
Thats some good stuff... but it gets better...
Isaiah 58 has a little something to say about yokes as well...
58:6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and to break every yoke?"
58: 9-10 "... If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like noonday."
This whole chapter is explaining that fasting, trying to meet with God, trying to get fixed by God... is a lot more than just fasting. This passage shows the giving part of it... the pouring out will refill you and help you meet with God, and will help you 'get fixed'.
I like the yoke parts specifically... untie the cords of the yoke... starting living... and start loving.
I'm all about it.
I've also been doing a little thinking about John the Baptist (thanks to Louie)... what a guy...
"Behold, the Lamb of God!" ... my favorite thing that he says. I can picture it... he has the crowd, the attention, all eyes on him... and Jesus shows up... and I can hear him just joyfully shouting this, pointing all the eyes that were just on him... onto Jesus. He passed all his fame to the "Lamb of God." He was willing to be nothing... for Jesus to be everything.
such challenging stuff...
In other news...
This stuff with VT is enough to make you sick... what an awful awful situation. I don't even know what I should be praying for...
I have to know Lord... did you cover your eyes?
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Packin my bags...
I skipped nursing today because I am on crutches and am acting like a baby. Then I find out my psych teacher has the flu so I won't have that class today either! Best news of the day right there.
Library... lunch with kim... and genetics is going to be my day!
Check this out...
Comfort for the Contrite
14 And it will be said:
"Build up, build up, prepare the road!
Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people."
15 For this is what the high and lofty One says—
he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
"I live in a high and holy place,
but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
16 I will not accuse forever,
nor will I always be angry,
for then the spirit of man would grow faint before me—
the breath of man that I have created.
17 I was enraged by his sinful greed;
I punished him, and hid my face in anger,
yet he kept on in his willful ways.
18 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;
I will guide him and restore comfort to him,
19 creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel.
Peace, peace, to those far and near,"
says the LORD. "And I will heal them."
20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea,
which cannot rest,
whose waves cast up mire and mud.
21 "There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."
I love how this shows multiple sides of God... he who lives in a lofty place... is with us who are lowly in spirit... to REVIVE us.
And he will not always be angry... because if he was we would grow weary... his own breath would grow weary...
Then i love how it says he was enraged with "him" then says he will guide him and restore comfort to him.
that is good news.
man.
Library... lunch with kim... and genetics is going to be my day!
Check this out...
Comfort for the Contrite
14 And it will be said:
"Build up, build up, prepare the road!
Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people."
15 For this is what the high and lofty One says—
he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
"I live in a high and holy place,
but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
16 I will not accuse forever,
nor will I always be angry,
for then the spirit of man would grow faint before me—
the breath of man that I have created.
17 I was enraged by his sinful greed;
I punished him, and hid my face in anger,
yet he kept on in his willful ways.
18 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;
I will guide him and restore comfort to him,
19 creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel.
Peace, peace, to those far and near,"
says the LORD. "And I will heal them."
20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea,
which cannot rest,
whose waves cast up mire and mud.
21 "There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."
I love how this shows multiple sides of God... he who lives in a lofty place... is with us who are lowly in spirit... to REVIVE us.
And he will not always be angry... because if he was we would grow weary... his own breath would grow weary...
Then i love how it says he was enraged with "him" then says he will guide him and restore comfort to him.
that is good news.
man.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
It's only as awkward as you make it
This is my bulletin board that kelly kim and i (mostly kelly) made for my floor. hahaha. we had nothing and kim thought of the famous quote from laura lynn about awkwardness. I wonder if i will get in trouble for making this my bulletin?
Take a look at my boyfriend... what a stud.
Take a look at my boyfriend... what a stud.
And heather and i with the scot in a kilt.
scots fo life
And the wonderful and beautiful central park with our cousin.
more to come......
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Kassie Kicks Monsters Ass
This video is the funniest thing I have ever seen. I can watch it over and over again and it does not stop being funny. Watch her facial expressions/ hand movements. Classic. You kick that monsters ass kid.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Tetrology of Fallot
East coast what.
Back from it... we had an amazing time... I just adore it out there... its ocean but not florida type ocean... its a little chilly but not crisp... it has boats and lighthouses and its that kind of ocean.
... and connecticut is more then polo games, Yale, boat shoes and sweater vests in case you are wondering.
Stratford and Bridgeport showed us a good time. Connecticut is full of these adorable quaint little towns... we were right along the shore... and just the feeling of it all. It's perfect... it was cool but the kind that flip flops are still acceptable... there are trains to take you places... and just a short ride from the NYC.
And the Scottish pride my family has is enough to shame any culture. Scots fo life. Do or die. My grandpa said they used to feel nessy on the way to school. Ha.
We watched a lot of Celtic games... learned about Jimmy Johnstone (the best celtic player)... and talked about the cou's (aka cows), the gettles (girls), and the bohys (boys).
I love the family... pictures to come.
We made it into the city for a day... shopped and acted like tourists... went to the museum of natural history... saw a crab walking the street in china town (he escaped from the fish markets)... rode the subways, made friends, ate cheesecake and had bubble tea, probably bought stolen/ illegal items... you know, all the fun stuff.
Thats all for now... stay tuned.
Back from it... we had an amazing time... I just adore it out there... its ocean but not florida type ocean... its a little chilly but not crisp... it has boats and lighthouses and its that kind of ocean.
... and connecticut is more then polo games, Yale, boat shoes and sweater vests in case you are wondering.
Stratford and Bridgeport showed us a good time. Connecticut is full of these adorable quaint little towns... we were right along the shore... and just the feeling of it all. It's perfect... it was cool but the kind that flip flops are still acceptable... there are trains to take you places... and just a short ride from the NYC.
And the Scottish pride my family has is enough to shame any culture. Scots fo life. Do or die. My grandpa said they used to feel nessy on the way to school. Ha.
We watched a lot of Celtic games... learned about Jimmy Johnstone (the best celtic player)... and talked about the cou's (aka cows), the gettles (girls), and the bohys (boys).
I love the family... pictures to come.
We made it into the city for a day... shopped and acted like tourists... went to the museum of natural history... saw a crab walking the street in china town (he escaped from the fish markets)... rode the subways, made friends, ate cheesecake and had bubble tea, probably bought stolen/ illegal items... you know, all the fun stuff.
Thats all for now... stay tuned.
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