Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Palestinian refugee's living in fear
This whole conflict is so complex and has been going on for decades. I do know one thing: God is Soverign. I do know another: we live in a corrupt world. And another: that we are called to love.
Pray for these people.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Be on Guard, keep awake
But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the son, but only the FATHER. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake, therefore stay awake- for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning- lest he comes suddenly and find you asleep. And when I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.
The good words of Jesus in Mark 13:32-37.
This past Sunday I went to cornerstone fellowship with my Mom, a great church that I love, and had the amazing opportunity to dig deeper in the word on this passage. This is a passage that I often skim over because of course, Jesus is coming back but no one knows when. People can write books predicting all sorts of events that are leading to the return of Christ, but no one knows when. All we know is that he is coming back and only the Father knows.
So this is true, yeah? What can I as a follower of Christ do about it?
I am reminded of the disciples in Gethsemane. Jesus prays because he sorrowful, even to the point of death and tells his disciples to sit and pray. He found peter sleeping and said, “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again Jesus went away and prayed and he found the disciples sleeping again. A third time he came and they were asleep… for the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Wow, am I asleep?
I am reminded time and time again that my flesh is weak. I can say over and over again that I will do something, yet it will not get done. But in the midst of it I need to be awake, even though I know I will fall into the flesh and fall asleep many more times. It is through prayer, that the Holy Spirit gives us strength... and that is what I need to rely on!
“But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. There it says, ‘Awake, O Sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:13-17.
Christ wants us to be awake. He wants us to be “abiding in Him.” He is the vine and we are the branches. He wants us to abide in HIS love.
If the Father told us the day that Jesus was coming back, it would be one huge preparation but probably a big preparation right before he comes back. For some of the people who are Holy, they will be prepared way in advance making sure they are staying awake and being on guard. Others will do there thing the day before hand. The pastor on Sunday said it is kind of like when parents go away on a date. If they leave the kids at home and give them a list of things to do, they will most likely forget them until they hear the garage door open and run around the house doing the chores because they know they need to somehow get them done within the next minute.
I see it as good news that we don’t know when he is coming back. In the mean time, I am learning that I need to be awake and on guard. In order to be awake and on guard I need to be in communion with the Father, through Jesus Christ consistently.
The most exciting part about this sermon to me was that my Mom left the service saying, “I have been asleep, and now I am awake.” God has awakened her from her slumber, just like her has to me in my times of slumber… and has reminded Her that she is his beloved daughter.
The good words of Jesus in Mark 13:32-37.
This past Sunday I went to cornerstone fellowship with my Mom, a great church that I love, and had the amazing opportunity to dig deeper in the word on this passage. This is a passage that I often skim over because of course, Jesus is coming back but no one knows when. People can write books predicting all sorts of events that are leading to the return of Christ, but no one knows when. All we know is that he is coming back and only the Father knows.
So this is true, yeah? What can I as a follower of Christ do about it?
I am reminded of the disciples in Gethsemane. Jesus prays because he sorrowful, even to the point of death and tells his disciples to sit and pray. He found peter sleeping and said, “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again Jesus went away and prayed and he found the disciples sleeping again. A third time he came and they were asleep… for the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Wow, am I asleep?
I am reminded time and time again that my flesh is weak. I can say over and over again that I will do something, yet it will not get done. But in the midst of it I need to be awake, even though I know I will fall into the flesh and fall asleep many more times. It is through prayer, that the Holy Spirit gives us strength... and that is what I need to rely on!
“But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. There it says, ‘Awake, O Sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:13-17.
Christ wants us to be awake. He wants us to be “abiding in Him.” He is the vine and we are the branches. He wants us to abide in HIS love.
If the Father told us the day that Jesus was coming back, it would be one huge preparation but probably a big preparation right before he comes back. For some of the people who are Holy, they will be prepared way in advance making sure they are staying awake and being on guard. Others will do there thing the day before hand. The pastor on Sunday said it is kind of like when parents go away on a date. If they leave the kids at home and give them a list of things to do, they will most likely forget them until they hear the garage door open and run around the house doing the chores because they know they need to somehow get them done within the next minute.
I see it as good news that we don’t know when he is coming back. In the mean time, I am learning that I need to be awake and on guard. In order to be awake and on guard I need to be in communion with the Father, through Jesus Christ consistently.
The most exciting part about this sermon to me was that my Mom left the service saying, “I have been asleep, and now I am awake.” God has awakened her from her slumber, just like her has to me in my times of slumber… and has reminded Her that she is his beloved daughter.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
heart burn. family love time. presents. and a weird family get together... yay for christmas!
First of all, I must say that I love Christmas! This Christmas was a lot of fun but there were a few things that were quite weird. Here is a quick list of things that made Christmas Christmas this year.
Good stuff:
1. Elf never gets old... so I watched it again this morning while making the mash potatoes.
2. Christmas eve was super fun with my grandma, dad, sister, and mom... YES we all spend Christmas eve together still, but not for long once my dad gets married haha.
3. My mom loved her present and cried over every present I bought. Christina and I made her a photo book on iphoto of all our adventures together. She cried for ten minutes straight... she LOVED it. Then she opened the world vision present I got her and cried even more because of her new dream to work in a different country and train women to do something with their life... with skills (I just learned this the other day!). She also cried over a frame I made her with pennies (that I painted hearts on). She was so grateful, It was awesome.
-> the funny part about my Mom crying over the gifts I got her was that my sister got her like clothes and things that were normal... so she thought I was trying to suck up to her, but it was great.
4. My Dad LOVEDDDD the gifts we got him... Man I just love it when we can return the favor to our parents. Its the best feeling in the world.
5. I had eggs with my sister and dad this morning and my favorite part about it is that we prayed and ate silently for a good two minutes without talking. I loved the silence, shows the peacefulness of resting in love and prayer.
6. To back track to last night... we went to the Church my Dad goes to (Crosswinds) and sat infront of Christina Burke's family during the service. I loved having a best friend there :) It was such a good service and all teh singers almost had my Dad and I in tears of how beautiful the song was and how the spirit was moving.
The not so good stuff:
1. We always go to my Aunt Rosies for dinner, along with her husbands side of the family. First off my Mom has nine brothers and sisters and like a TRILLION cousins... so that will give you a rough look at how huge my family is. And when there is a huge family that means there is bound to be not only one black sheep, but many.
Aunt Donna: Wonderful Woman who loves God. She bought me a goat for Christmas! I loved it.
Uncle Harry: Good guy too...
Mary (Cousin and daughter of Donna and Harry): Went to Brown University out of High School and graduated with a bachelors in Biology and is now working for a non-profit in Chicago and is married to the wonderful James. They swing dance, WHICH is amazingggg!
Frank: 31ish years old. Lost soul, is depressed, is not grateful for anything, and acts like a 7 year old. The first question he always asks me is "have you been a good girl?" in a creepy voice.
Aunt Rosie: My godmother who is catholic and is loaded.
Uncle Paul: Selfish and puts everyone down. KILLS the Christmas spirit and makes it hard to love, seriously. First thing he said when we walked in was "Did you gain the freshmen 15?" When he is way over weight.
Shannon (cousin): loves all designer clothes and doesn't know what its like to not live in luxury.
Luke (cousin): apparently he is not being a good boy.
and many others were involved in this Christmas day outings.
I love Christmas and I love Christmas Cheer. But I did discover today that it makes it quite hard when Uncle Paul is putting down EVERYONE, when the TV is on full blast, when people are gossiping about other family members, and when love is not all around. Despite all these things I still love my family. But I will admit it makes it very hard to love selfish people.
There were some good moments though.
I sat by the fire and talked about life with Mary and James. I ate delicious desert despite my horrible heart burn. I talked about interesting books with my Aunt Donna. And yup haha.
Favorite funny moment of Christmas dinner: We all stand around the table and hold hands to pray. First of all since its at my Aunt Rosie's house (who is apparently catholic), we say the the catholic prayer for blessing our food. My Aunt Rosie, who doesn't go to church often, starts off by saying, "Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallow be thy name... thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven..." Haha and than once the prayer was over they realized they recited the wrong prayer. I loved it, so funny.
This post wasn't to put a damper on my extended family, mainly just one part of them, but to show how weird a family can be. I still love Christmas and Christmas is still all about Jesus. Amen!
Good stuff:
1. Elf never gets old... so I watched it again this morning while making the mash potatoes.
2. Christmas eve was super fun with my grandma, dad, sister, and mom... YES we all spend Christmas eve together still, but not for long once my dad gets married haha.
3. My mom loved her present and cried over every present I bought. Christina and I made her a photo book on iphoto of all our adventures together. She cried for ten minutes straight... she LOVED it. Then she opened the world vision present I got her and cried even more because of her new dream to work in a different country and train women to do something with their life... with skills (I just learned this the other day!). She also cried over a frame I made her with pennies (that I painted hearts on). She was so grateful, It was awesome.
-> the funny part about my Mom crying over the gifts I got her was that my sister got her like clothes and things that were normal... so she thought I was trying to suck up to her, but it was great.
4. My Dad LOVEDDDD the gifts we got him... Man I just love it when we can return the favor to our parents. Its the best feeling in the world.
5. I had eggs with my sister and dad this morning and my favorite part about it is that we prayed and ate silently for a good two minutes without talking. I loved the silence, shows the peacefulness of resting in love and prayer.
6. To back track to last night... we went to the Church my Dad goes to (Crosswinds) and sat infront of Christina Burke's family during the service. I loved having a best friend there :) It was such a good service and all teh singers almost had my Dad and I in tears of how beautiful the song was and how the spirit was moving.
The not so good stuff:
1. We always go to my Aunt Rosies for dinner, along with her husbands side of the family. First off my Mom has nine brothers and sisters and like a TRILLION cousins... so that will give you a rough look at how huge my family is. And when there is a huge family that means there is bound to be not only one black sheep, but many.
Aunt Donna: Wonderful Woman who loves God. She bought me a goat for Christmas! I loved it.
Uncle Harry: Good guy too...
Mary (Cousin and daughter of Donna and Harry): Went to Brown University out of High School and graduated with a bachelors in Biology and is now working for a non-profit in Chicago and is married to the wonderful James. They swing dance, WHICH is amazingggg!
Frank: 31ish years old. Lost soul, is depressed, is not grateful for anything, and acts like a 7 year old. The first question he always asks me is "have you been a good girl?" in a creepy voice.
Aunt Rosie: My godmother who is catholic and is loaded.
Uncle Paul: Selfish and puts everyone down. KILLS the Christmas spirit and makes it hard to love, seriously. First thing he said when we walked in was "Did you gain the freshmen 15?" When he is way over weight.
Shannon (cousin): loves all designer clothes and doesn't know what its like to not live in luxury.
Luke (cousin): apparently he is not being a good boy.
and many others were involved in this Christmas day outings.
I love Christmas and I love Christmas Cheer. But I did discover today that it makes it quite hard when Uncle Paul is putting down EVERYONE, when the TV is on full blast, when people are gossiping about other family members, and when love is not all around. Despite all these things I still love my family. But I will admit it makes it very hard to love selfish people.
There were some good moments though.
I sat by the fire and talked about life with Mary and James. I ate delicious desert despite my horrible heart burn. I talked about interesting books with my Aunt Donna. And yup haha.
Favorite funny moment of Christmas dinner: We all stand around the table and hold hands to pray. First of all since its at my Aunt Rosie's house (who is apparently catholic), we say the the catholic prayer for blessing our food. My Aunt Rosie, who doesn't go to church often, starts off by saying, "Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallow be thy name... thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven..." Haha and than once the prayer was over they realized they recited the wrong prayer. I loved it, so funny.
This post wasn't to put a damper on my extended family, mainly just one part of them, but to show how weird a family can be. I still love Christmas and Christmas is still all about Jesus. Amen!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Christmas: the Consumer Holiday... and Jesus!
Growing up as a youngster, I couldn't wait to get presents from Santa Claus or to see that Rudolph ate some of the carrots down stairs... but as I am growing older I am realizing how crazy Christmas has become! I still love the magic of Christmas with Santa Claus, but the essence of Christmas is slowly disappearing. This year for my family I bought them all World Vision Gifts from the catalog and I am stoked to see there reaction. Although I will admit I bought some other goodies as well... for some reason I still feel like there needs to be a little something under the tree, which is silly. But I think you should watch this video, its a good one.
There is good news in the midst of Christmas though. Jesus came as a baby (crazy thought, especially thinking of all the baby actions haha)to live as a Human, to die for us, and to raise from the dead. Luckily thats not the end, he will come back!
I see this as not something to just look at Jesus as a baby, but to see what he has done in our life and how God is so good to have him come!
Amennnn.
There is good news in the midst of Christmas though. Jesus came as a baby (crazy thought, especially thinking of all the baby actions haha)to live as a Human, to die for us, and to raise from the dead. Luckily thats not the end, he will come back!
I see this as not something to just look at Jesus as a baby, but to see what he has done in our life and how God is so good to have him come!
Amennnn.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
tea. tea. tea. and blessings all around.
Yesterday, Mel and I went to the English Rose. I absolutely love tea, but i love this place even more. God has really used it as a light in down town Pleasanton and has drawn a lot of people to himself through the love of the people who work at the tea room. Mrs. Binzoni blessed Mel and I with tea and lots of scrumptious goodies!
cold freezing day, but warm welcomes.
Being home has been so good! On Friday night I went to the Bowen's Christmas party with Meg, Kristi, x, and many others. It was a grand old time. No matter how long I spent away from X and Meg, our undying love for each other will always last... haha so lame, but SO true. That night I also realized how extremely obnoxious we all are... and how we probably always will be. That night I also realized how meghan's mouth can't stop moving during a movie, once we went to Zakk's house, where I saw Katie!!!!
Here is some of us at tacky sweater party... I am really good at knowing what is going on, if you couldn't tell.
X baby, Nathan, and I.
My long-term love that is being brought out more and more… writing cards! Ah, I just love it. There is nothing better than getting a card in the mail that was unexpected. So because of this love I went to Rite Aid yesterday and bought forty cards (two packs) to write some thank you cards for the people who are supporting me for Mexico, which I am so grateful for! Our theme verse, which has been speaking truth into my life is 1 john: 16-24.
16By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 18Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
19By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 21Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 23And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ andlove one another, just as he has commanded us. 24Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.
Such a good verse. I have been meditating on this and printed out smell cards of it to put into the thank you cards as a guide for people to know team Mexico’s heart for our trip.
Yesterday night I went to Josh and Tim’s Christmas party and was VERY surprised by how much food they prepared haha. I seriously thought it was going to be a bowl with a bag of chips in it. But it was so fun. I laughed for a good three hours straight and now my stomach hurts so bad. Had a few awkward instances with Nathan and his fake flirting with me, but hey it was a good time. It is always so nice to return home to everyone. Ryan Weber was right on about something… he was telling me how it’s always so good to come home and no one can replicate what we have here. Especially because we all have gone on so many mission trips together, been together forever at church, and have had so many good times. It really is one big family.
I am so very thankful for the people in my life at home and at school. God is continuingly showing me that he has blessed me with a great cloud of witnesses and my best friends truly love me no matter what, which I am noticing more and more. So amen to that!
Here is some of us at tacky sweater party... I am really good at knowing what is going on, if you couldn't tell.
X baby, Nathan, and I.
My long-term love that is being brought out more and more… writing cards! Ah, I just love it. There is nothing better than getting a card in the mail that was unexpected. So because of this love I went to Rite Aid yesterday and bought forty cards (two packs) to write some thank you cards for the people who are supporting me for Mexico, which I am so grateful for! Our theme verse, which has been speaking truth into my life is 1 john: 16-24.
16By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 18Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
19By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 21Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 23And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ andlove one another, just as he has commanded us. 24Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.
Such a good verse. I have been meditating on this and printed out smell cards of it to put into the thank you cards as a guide for people to know team Mexico’s heart for our trip.
Yesterday night I went to Josh and Tim’s Christmas party and was VERY surprised by how much food they prepared haha. I seriously thought it was going to be a bowl with a bag of chips in it. But it was so fun. I laughed for a good three hours straight and now my stomach hurts so bad. Had a few awkward instances with Nathan and his fake flirting with me, but hey it was a good time. It is always so nice to return home to everyone. Ryan Weber was right on about something… he was telling me how it’s always so good to come home and no one can replicate what we have here. Especially because we all have gone on so many mission trips together, been together forever at church, and have had so many good times. It really is one big family.
I am so very thankful for the people in my life at home and at school. God is continuingly showing me that he has blessed me with a great cloud of witnesses and my best friends truly love me no matter what, which I am noticing more and more. So amen to that!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
umm YES, i am in college
today was a realization that yes, i am in college. its the last day of finals- for me at least and my brain is about to fall about. i am finding myself laying in odd positions and being completely comfortable with it... which clearly means my brain is fallign out haha. today i only had one final- which was a presentation, yet i watched two episodes of the OC and cried like four times (which made me feel kinda lame, but hey its okay)! rachel and i have been obsessed with the OC this semester and now its over, kind of tragic. another instance that confirmed that i was in college was that we speed off to chic-fil-a... or whatever the heck its called, with our free chicken sandwich flier aka we are CHEAP. then we came back and i rushed to class to give a presentation. all of this has made me realize that my college experience is very college-y. now most people would think thats lame because college is suppose to be all about sports games and drinking.... nope not my case. this far this semester has been filled with...
1. the OC- thank you netflix!
2. lots and LOTS of laughing/crying/almost peeing my pants.
3. insanity from stress.
4. my ICS obsession increasing- yes i know my major.
5. applying to the Washington D.C. program
6. and lastly crazy transformation.
hmm... yes. that is what its all about haha.
and now the semester is over. but rach and i did not leave it on a boring note. we sabotaged the couch from the lobby in like 5 seconds... and now its sitting in our room in place of our ladder couch. don't worry we had the RA approval, but it was quite a funny process and now i am terrified to go into our lobby because i don't want to answer the question "hey, where did the old couch go?" i guess i am a wussy.
anyways, merry christmas!
i am back to the blog world!
1. the OC- thank you netflix!
2. lots and LOTS of laughing/crying/almost peeing my pants.
3. insanity from stress.
4. my ICS obsession increasing- yes i know my major.
5. applying to the Washington D.C. program
6. and lastly crazy transformation.
hmm... yes. that is what its all about haha.
and now the semester is over. but rach and i did not leave it on a boring note. we sabotaged the couch from the lobby in like 5 seconds... and now its sitting in our room in place of our ladder couch. don't worry we had the RA approval, but it was quite a funny process and now i am terrified to go into our lobby because i don't want to answer the question "hey, where did the old couch go?" i guess i am a wussy.
anyways, merry christmas!
i am back to the blog world!
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