Filed under: christian spirituality | Tags: bible verse, career, future, james
In regards to career, education… aka the future.
James 4:13-16
13-15And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.” You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.”
16-17As it is, you are full of your grandiose selves. All such vaunting self-importance is evil. In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don’t do it, that, for you, is evil. [from The Message]
Filed under: christian spirituality, random | Tags: grad school, random, thoughts
1. Be listening for His “still small voice”
2. Pray fervently
3. Meditate on such verses as Prov. 3:5-6 and Phil. 1:6
4. Think about quotes such as Frederick’s and these ones: “Nothing great has been and nothing great will be done without passion.” “My life is not my own.”
5. Become more confident
6. Get advice (from wise people)
Filed under: christian spirituality, random, work | Tags: frederick buechner, quote
“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” — Frederick Buechner
[If only I was brave enough to literally tattoo this on my body.]
Filed under: christian spirituality
MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
- Thomas Merton, “Thoughts in Solitude“
Filed under: christian spirituality | Tags: christianity, lyrics, song, thrice
I’m blessed to have multiple wonderful women in my life who are great resources and share great resources. Poems and song lyrics speak to me especiallly much. Tonight in Bible study, we listened to this song…
In Exile
by Thrice
I am in exile, a sojourner
A citizen of some other place
All I’ve seen is just a glimmer in a shadowy mirror
But I know, one day well see face to face
I am a nomad, a wanderer
I have nowhere to lay my head down
There’s no point in putting roots too deep when I’m moving on
Not settling for this unsettling town
My heart is filled with songs of forever
The city that endures when all is made new
I know I don’t belong here, I’ll never
Call this place my home, I’m just passing through
I am a pilgrim, a voyager
I wont rest until my lips touch the shore
Of the land that I’ve been longing for as long as I’ve lived
Where they’ll be no pain or tears anymore
My heart is filled with songs of forever
The city that endures when all is made new
I know I don’t belong here, I’ll never
Call this place my home, I’m just passing through
Such great truth!
[And another thing: I will never forget that God's timing is perfect because I have seen evidence of it in my life (and the lives of others) over and over again. Praise God for answered prayers and a plan far greater than our own.]
Found the heart of Donald Miller’s book tour talk online. Listen to it. (Follow this link, then find “Story — Donald Miller a few links down.)
I’ve found his “thesis” entering my mind over and over again.
Filed under: christian spirituality | Tags: christianity, mark driscoll, mars hill church, sermon, wisdom
Mark Driscoll’s got me thinking about something lately.
A debate between what is sin and what is simply unwise. Where am I lacking wisdom in my life?
And am so frequently blind to the wisdom God is sharing with me?
“The Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6
[I know there are a lot of good churches out there. But what if I could move to Seattle and go to Driscoll's Mars Hill Church? Or move to Portland and go to Donald Miller's Imago Dei Community? These thoughts come frequently with graduation coming in May.]
Filed under: christian spirituality, film, lists, music | Tags: books, excitement, film, media, movies, music, wizard rock
Excited for the following:
movies…
+ New York, I Love You (doesn’t look like it will be as good as Paris, Je T’Aime)
+ An Education (I’ve been told I look like the girl in this… weird)
music…
+ The Swell Season’s ‘Strict Joy’ album
+ Ministry of Magic in concert (local(ish) “wizard rock”* band)
+ Fun. in concert (the guy from The Format formed a new band, thank goodness!)
books…
+ Her Fearful Symmetry (second from The Time Traveler’s Wife author)
+ A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
+ God’s Neighborhood (heard the author of this speak at Together for Adoption)
—-
*wizard rock: musical movement started in 2000 that consists of at least 600 bands playing songs about Harry Potter
Filed under: christian spirituality
In a good place in life when I have access to many great teachers.
This weekend: Salt Co. retreat with Ed Noble at Hidden Acres and Donald Miller in Des Moines
—-
From Ed:
“Defiantly put God first even when it seems crazy.”
“God’s mark for you is way beyond what you think.”
“Don’t make decisions in despondency.”
“Fight great fights and struggle great struggles.”
—-
From Donald:
“What we think and what we feel don’t matter unless they manifest themselves in action.”
“We are tricked into living stories bankrupt of meaning.”
“The only way you value and appreciate something is if you experience pain.”
“Once we realize there will be conflict in life is when we find true contentment.”
Filed under: christian spirituality
Jamaica, spring break 2009
Jesus has a heart for the orphans, so I will, too.
“Why go to the conference now?” “What does this mean for you?”
I’ve been asked these things a few times since coming home.
This is what all this means to me:
+ I should be developing a Gospel-centered vision for how my future marriage and family will serve the orphans.
+ I should be financially and prayerfully supporting orphans and families who are adopting.
+ I am challenged in my views. I went thinking maybe I’d adopt or kid or two, now I think maybe I should adopt more, maybe I should adopt older children, maybe I should do foster care. Luckily, as I wait on the Lord he will reveal these things to me.
+ I am reminded that my life is not my own. I’ve seen within myself thoughts of a career-oriented life pushed aside.
Simple, really. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to go and learn with like-minded Christians. So touched by the stories I heard and the little faces I saw.
Thanks again, Jane, for giving me the heads up. Thanks, Alex, for sharing the experience with me.
