An Inspiring Story

Most of this blog comes to you courtesy of a dear friend's facebook (with his permission, of course). This is from Eli- his reflection on God's work through the crappiest time in his life. His attitude towards everything that happened is one of the biggest inspirations that helps me keep a good outlook when my life goes crappy. And I recently found this little gem on his facebook today, and it reminded me of God's faithfulness in Eli's life and in mine too. And it's just plain too good not share.

From Eli on September 20, 2013:

One year ago today was probably the worst day of my life. I was at a university of 12,000 students that I didn't fit in at. I'd come for ROTC which I couldn't do because I contracted pneumonia and was too weak to stay in the program. And then my girlfriend had a terrible car accident that no one thought she'd fully recover from.

A year later, I love my school and studies, I have a great group of friends here, Noelle has made a full recovery, and I have a wonderful girlfriend Emily beside me right now.

I would never want to relive 2012, but I'd never give it up, because God is faithful, and good, and loving, and merciful, and is writing an utterly compelling story with our lives. We wouldn't always pick to write it this way, I wouldn't have chosen the path that has brought me here, but it is the perfect story, a masterpiece that costs *so" much, sacrifices *so* much, but which is more beautiful than any other story ever written.

And the ending of that story is secure. Revelation 21 tells us that someday we will have our bodies resurrected to live in a world where all things are new, where there is no crying, or pain, or sorrow anymore. Where the nations are healed by the fruit of the tree of life, and where everything is good and at peace through the redeeming work of Christ, which is not solely limited to saving us, but redeeming all things ever to His perfect image.

And that's why I'm thankful for September 20th, 2012. It changed me, and I love more, I forgive more, I feel grace more powerfully in my life, I am humbled at God's love.

Nothing can separate us from the love of God. No piece of creation has existence outside of God and Christ (John 1).

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died-- more than that, who was raised-- who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

'For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.'

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, no powers, nor height not depth, not anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:28-39

A Blessing to My Heart

My friend Haley and I have had the wonderful privilege of heading up this years Creative Ministries team for our BCM. The team is supposed to use skits and creative movements to songs to help share the Gospel and lead in worship. Before the semester started, Haley and I talked about this year- what we expected, what we wanted to see, what we wanted this group to be. And God blew our minds!

We decided that we wanted to encourage unity in our group, especially after helpful hints from previous leaders. We wanted our group to be a team, to be a family. Haley and I (again at the wonderful advice we received) that every practice would include a devotion to focus our efforts for the night. We decided that we would take turns, but that if someone volunteered we would willingly step back.

You should have seen the looks we got when we first shared with them that idea!! They looked at us like Haley and I each had just turned purple with shiny silver polka dots. Ok, that was fine; we were prepared for that. And then by the end of the semester, we had to tell people "Um, maybe you can share in a couple of weeks, we've already got people lined up for the next couple." WHAT?!?!?! When did that happen??

I literally got to see Ephesians 3:20-21 lived out:

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Our group has come to practice faithfully and practiced hard- yes. But more than that- our group has become a family. We are the church. We share our God stories. And it has been amazing to see one person's God story directly affect another's. They have helped each other and God is already using their stories- some of them shared for the FIRST time this semester. They are selflessly sharing themselves to help their brothers and sisters. We (I) have cried a ton. We've also laughed a ton. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this group  is God-loving and God-serving.

Here they are! Aren't they precious?!?

Sadly, this isn't all of them, but this is most.

I did mention the laughs, right??

I love them all. They've taught me a lot this semester, and I can't wait to get back to weekly practices in January. God is using this group He put together, and it just makes me so excited!!!

It's been awhile...

It's been super long since I've written a blog. Hopefully you'll be excited to know that I'm still alive! I'm actually doing well.

I passed out a couple of times after by last blog, then went 2 1/2 weeks without passing out!! Then I passed out. In my room. By myself. Oops. But since that day it has been 4 weeks!!!! (and one day!) I've had chest pains since late September. And starting the Thursday before Thanksgiving, I was constantly struggling to breathe. Not fun times!

But on Thanksgiving (get this- this happened ON THANKSGIVING DAY! what?!?!?!) I woke up- without chest pain, with easy breathing. And if I haven't mentioned it- it's been 4 weeks since I've passed out! (and a day!) I'm kinda super pumped about that! Breathing and remaining conscious are two under-appreciated luxuries!

And today I got to do something that I haven't done since August! I drove my car BY MYSELF! And it was glorious! Well since I haven't been allowed to drive my own car I let my friend Anna borrow it. And she left her Kari Jobe CD in my car. When I got in the car, the first things I heard were

I'm not gonna worry

I know that You've got me

Right inside the palm of your hand

Each and every moment

What's good and what gets broken

Happens just the way You plan.

And it was even more glorious! See recently I've been learning that there is a super fine line between celebrating things and worshiping those things. That's what happened when I went 2 1/2 weeks without an impromptu nap. My attitude was along the lines of "I've been awake for 2 weeks- I got this!" Let me tell ya, I got nothing. Everything that happens in my life- it's in God's plan. He has ordained every happening to make me holy- not happy.

Romans 5:1-5

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

The good, the bad- God is using it to make me holy, to make me more Christlike. Let's just be really honest- this semester has not been what I signed up for. It's been tough all the way around. But God is using it- ALL of it. 

That said- I'm still really excited that this semester is almost finished!