Seeking to be an Everyday Hero

I came to realize several years ago that the more you know about someone's story, the less you can hate them, and, as of late, it's really been on the forefront of my mind. I believe that by calling us to love people, Jesus calls us to get to know people's stories. You can say you love someone when you show them kindness out of "Christian" obligation but really, you don't. You can take pity one someone and buy them a meal or give them your old coat because you "feel sorry for them" but is that really going to make a difference in someone's life long term? To really share the love of Christ, we must seek out people's stories. When we know someone's story it becomes easy to sympathize and relate to them. And, in getting to know someone's story - asking them about themselves, you let them know they are worthy of more than charity. They are worthy of your time. I learn time and time again that first impressions are never what they seem and most everyone is worth getting to know. Now, my challenge to myself and to you is this:

Find someone you don't know well or even at all, maybe someone you don't even like and ask them about their life. Get a piece of their story. And help them to understand that there is at least one person out there who cares enough to listen.

Tootles!

Career Choice [Official?]

I have decided, Lord willing and in good faith that I will not utterly collapse while completing my degree, to become...

A nurse!

The reason for this is multi-fold:
1) I feel that it's wrong that many people in developed nations have health care at their fingertips and I would be honored to be able to provide health care to people in less developed countries or underprivileged people or developed nations. In other words, I want to be the hands of feet of Jesus and giving medical attention to those who wouldn't normally get it would be a great way to do that.
2) I know that if I stay in the States or come back the the states at any time, I'm pretty much guaranteed at job somewhere.

Thoughts on the Human Exsistance

Excerpt from my journal, written 4/23/08:

Sometimes I wish I wasn't born because being human is hard. There's simply no way around it. Sin broke this world days after it was created. It's full of pain, confusion, hate, fear and any bad thing you could think of. If you don't know God, you have to simply stumble through life, trying to avoid as much of the bad stuff as possible. If you know God, you live your life making every effort to do the reverse of what the world calls you to while still living in the world. It's a lose, lose situation. But- there's a catch-22, according to the Christian faith, this life is simply a blip on the line of eternity and we are in fact eternal beings. Therefore, if these are the two options, we should chose the latter. Who wants to live life alone if they can have someone to walk them through the tough times? Besides, according to that same faith, heaven and hell exist and the promise to those who walk with God is an eternity of joy, love and all the good gifts. Who doesn't want that? Life with God is hard but the reward is so sweet. Life without God is harder and there is no eternal reward, just condemnation. I chose God.

God Must Be Busy and Other Ridculous Assumtions

I love country music, so as I've been home on spring break I've been listening to the stations... a lot. Every time I hear the Brooks and Dunn song "God Must Be Busy", two things happen. First, I get so mad that anyone would ever make that claim and then my heart breaks as I listen to the lyrics and hear how horribly wrong they are. The attitude of the song is that of a firm belief in the 'prosperity gospel' - behave yourself and God will reward you with everything you could have ever wanted. For those of you who are still believing that, I'm sorry. It's not true. If you believe that God exists and that we're all sinners, that God in turn sent His son to die for our sins, there's no choice but to give your life wholeheartedly back to Him. The Christian life is not a 'pick and chose' deal and God is not a divine slot machine.
So, in answer to Brooks and Dunn - God isn't busy. Bad things exist because man is inherently evil. Kidnapping and wars happen, people lose those that they love. But, take a moment and think about all the hard things that have happened in your life. Think about the person you would be today if you hadn't experienced those things. An easy life is the American Dream but it produces lazy people with no character or concept of perseverance. Who wants to live like that? I know I don't. Another reason why God may seem to be busy is that man, all of mankind was made to glorify God and there are very few people on this earth who actually do or even try. So, if we weren't so busy complaining about how God isn't there to answer our prayers and actually got out there with a desire and passion to love and serve others as God called us to I think a lot of people's prayers would get answered the way they should be.


Just a little rant for y'all.

Chlorine and Christmas Trees

I've been home for a little over a week now and I already miss Ecola. The people there have become like family and I love them so much. I miss the constant fellowship and just being in an environment in which everyone's aim is to glorify God. Ecola has been so refreshing and great. I feel like I'm learning what true friendships feels like and how much there is to know about God and the Christian life. I have absolutely no regrets about my decision to come to Ecola instead of going to Western, and it scares as well as saddens me more than just a little bit that there only five short months left in the school year. Five months ago I hadn't even applied to Ecola so guess a lot can happen in five months but it's going to be so hard to say goodbye. Leaving Ecola also means that I have to think/pray about God's plan for my life and make huge decisions concerning my life in the 'real' world. On Friday, at The Way, John Mark said in his message that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things in His name - for His glory. I've heard this before and know it's true in my heart, yet it still puts a certain amount of fear in my heart. Like what if God wants me to move to Africa or the Middle East - it's hard enough for me to share my faith with my friends. I guess that's why He's God 'cause He's got it all figured out and knows how much people can handle. But still...I just can't see God using me for huge things I mean I'm just this (literally) little person and I'm so imperfect. How can God ever do something through me? For now, I think I'll just do my best to abide in Him and soak up all that these wise men who teach at Ecola have to say and let God take it from there because as much as I question and doubt I have this constant peace that God is all-knowing and all-powerful and ever present. At the end of every day, I am able to sleep well because I know that my Heavenly Father has something far greater in mind for my life than I ever imagined.

Disclaimer

To my family and friends...

For everyone that was not previously aware, I am attending Ecola Bible School in Cannon Beach, OR this school year. This change of mind/heart happened somewhere between graduation and the end of July and it's been awesome. I'm here for a change of lifestyle...to get away from the stress of academia and the fast paced secular world. I'm also here to be able to pursue God and get to know Him better. So, I've created this blog to keep y'all updated on my life outside of the burro. :)

Much love to everyone!

Week Two

I've been at Ecola for two weeks now and have completely a course in Romans and am nearly done with Old Testament Seminar (David and the nation of Israel) and Hermeneutics (Bible study methods). The test for those classes is tomorrow morning at 10 and as I write this; I'm finishing up a study session with friends. Living at the coast has been pretty fun so far, I think I've been to Seaside about twelve times. haha, maybe not twelve but definitely more than necessary. Living with three other girls in such close quarters has been an interesting experience, but it's working out. I've met so many people these past two weeks; I think I know who everyone in the school is. I've actually started picking up last names. Last Wednesday I helped out with AWANAs at North Coast Family Fellowship which was fun but I was really tired at the time, so I think I'll start working on my homework earlier this week. :) I've also been attending North Coast the last two Sundays; it's been good but I think I'll try out some of the other churches in the area before finding a new one. Being here has been a bit of a culture shock because I constantly have to remind myself that everyone here loves Jesus and is here to learn about him. It's actually pretty refreshing, but sometimes it's just weird.