My present story

Ok so it took me a few moments to remember how to even make a post, but obviously, I figured it out. I decided that I had some thoughts to get out there so here goes...

Talking to a new friend and an old one really got me thinking. "What keeps me strong in my faith?" "What is my story?"      I know the answer - I've been told for years what keeps me strong in my faith, and I have experienced that it is true: community, prayer, study, putting God first, reminding myself of who God is and what He has done for me. I have the faith in God - I know I can't do it without Him, but I have a little harder time defining why this is. What is it exactly that I put my faith in?

Sunday at church I was challenged to write out my creed: what exactly I believe. I know what I believe, but I was having difficulties with the exactly part: what exactly I believe. Visiting many churches this semester, and talking to different people, I have come across so many beliefs, some different and some overlapping. Everyone trying to get the best grasp on God's ways. So where do my beliefs fit in with all of these? But really it can't be about what I "believe"; can't be what I pick and choose; it is about truth. So my friend challenges me to define truth. My answer: God is truth. It has to be. That is what I believe. God created all. He IS. And if that is so then He is truth, and you can't define truth without Him. But how does that make sense to me? How do I explain truth to someone who doesn't believe in God. How do I put it into more words? My friend and I go on to agree that truth is all around: in creation - the sunrise and the landscapes - God says He is truth. She goes on to talk about the simplicity of God, the simplicity of creation. Christ is truth and that is that. And that is what I was searching for. Christ is truth. This is something I have known, but I have been trying to make the explanation complex by trying to define the details, when really the details are simple and right before me. I was looking for a way to picture God in a way I hadn't thought about in a while. I wanted to define truth in more words, and all along I had become numb to the reference God sent us. God is truth. Christ is truth. When we are looking for truth we must look at the life of Christ. He is God and everything He did, everything He was, was God's truth reflected in human form.

So here is my creed:

I belive in God, a God who created everything, including me. A God that sent Jesus to live on earth as an example of how I should live my life. Man has fallen to sin, and therefore will not live a perfect life, but we are saved by the grace of God. Jesus died on the cross, so that I would not die for my sins but live eternally with the God who created me. In order to be a part of the kingdom of God, I must realize these things and commit to live my life after Christ's model.

This is my present story: what I am discovering at the present time. That doesn't mean that the beliefs are only for the present, because truth is not held by time constraints. This is my creed. This is simplifying things to truth. A friend wrote it nicely(hope you don't mind:) :  "Being a Christian is SOOOOOOOOO simple when you think about it. Its being like Christ. period. Easy? NO WAY. but simple? heck yes."  Simple, but not easy. There you have it. Lets help each other remember the simplicity and work through the difficulties.

A little reading assingment

Exodus 12-14

The Lord gave Moses very strict specifications in preparing for the passover.  I don't think this is because God is strict and cares about the year-old sheep or goats - God could have passed over his people's door without the blood of the lamb on the doorframes, but He wants us to know that the details are important. He doesn't want us to go about things the easy way; He wants us to be attentive and thoughtful. God wants us to obey - to follow Him.

Many ceremonies to be celebrated...many food restrictions... "This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your lips. For the Lord brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand." v.9

Exodus 14:13-14 : "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today...The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."

God brought glory to his name by saving the Israelites. Moses raised his staff and the waters parted ways.  The Egyptians, with their hardened hearts, followed after the Isrealites and were swallowed in the waters. God saved his people, as He promised. 

Currently Listening Without Condition By Ginny Owens see related

In Bible class this morning, we talked about Lordship.  We talked about surrendering to God.  Psalm 24. Everything in the world is the Lord's.  We do not own anything.  Our posessions are his, but not only that, but EVERYTHING.  Our time is his.  My time is his.  This has been something that has been worrying me lately - not having enough time to do everything. Going to school, working, getting another job on campus, rushing club, having the responsibilities of yearbook editor, oh and then there's homework and art projects, not to mention wanting an internship, time for friends, and being involved at church.  How do I do it? How do I choose? This is what I learned:

I must give my time to God. We hear so often of how it is difficult for people to give their money to God, but doing so shows obedience and faithfulness and in return God will provide.  If I give my time to God, I know He will provide.  With my effort, He will ensure everything that needs to be done, gets done. I must remember this so that I have no need to stress out.  God will help me get things done.  He will guide me and show me what I need to do.

I have been getting consumed with thoughts of my occupation - of getting ahead, of doing internships and networking, which is important, but I wasn't really adding God into the equation. Not that I was subtracting him out, I just had 2 different ideas.  I want to go where God leads me, not where I can get myself.

Date night with the parents

So last night I spent the evening with my parents. And let me tell you, it was a lot of fun.  Sometimes we don't interact well together for long periods of time, but it was the most fun I've had in a long while.

The plan was to go to Westport to see the documentary Sketches of Frank Gehry. It was so good. wow - his stuff is amazing. Go see the movie - it is very inspiring. The movie got over pretty early so we decided to walk around westport for a little while. We stopped at World Market which is a fun place to look around then headed back to the car. While walking I noticed a restaurant that had boba! I was way excited, but so not hungry:( I have been dying for some boba but I had finally found it and was too full to enjoy anything.

(woah - that just made me think of something discussed in bible study last week...about how when we fill ourselves, we do not allow ourselves to be hungry. We have not room left to enjoy. "When we fill ourselves with things of this world, we are left unsatisfied with no hunger for God.")

Driving by the plaza on the way home, we decided to stop and have some gelato. It's good to change up the plans once and awhile. :) Since we were at the plaza - we stopped at the Apple store :) and I FINALLY got my ipod. I say this only because I was actually relieved. I have been wanting one for quite some time, but kept telling myself I didn't need it, and I didn't need to spend the money. I decided I was going to get one, but was having trouble parting with the money. But i felt better afterwards; now I don't have to think about it anymore. Anyway, then we stopped by Urban Outfitters and I found some great curtains for my dorm room at a great price, and my dad bought a suit jacket (ha yes, my dad now officially shops at Urban Outfitters - I love it!)

On the way home, we had some great discussions. Mostly financial stuff, but it really reminded me of how smart my parents are and how much they care and provide for me.

I have so much to learn.

Insight anyone?

 1I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. 5I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say.

Is Paul talking about himself here? The NLT makes me think so. He was caught up in the third Heavn?