so, after three and a half years, the time has come. i've decided instead of revamping this blog to just start a new one to "chronicle" my new job and life now that i'm "out of school". check it out:
http://runinsuchaway-1cor9.blogspot.com/
:)
15.6.09
change is good...
so, i'm considering changing the name of my blog. i dunno what to yet, but this is kinda a heads up in case this address ceases to exist at some point. i just think "libertypenguinlover" is a bit outdated, ya know? it's the one i started out with some three years ago, and i'm no longer at liberty. anyways, it's time for a change and i just thought i'd give fair warning...
12.6.09
I GOT THE JOB!!
so, i'm so excited! first of all, i'd really like to thank everyone who's been praying for me and this job. it means a lot to me, and i know this was totally a God thing.
so after months of putting in resumes and hearing nothing back, my mom and i were driving one day and we saw this billboard. and she was struck by this brilliant idea. the billboard was for bay area christian school, and her idea was that i apply there. see, bay area is this really sweet christian school of about 700 kids in this really nice part of town. it's about half an hour from me, and i have a pretty cool history with them, because i started out there. i went k through the first part of 3rd grade there, and it's kinda cool now that this where i'm gonna be starting out my career. they have awesome academics, awesome facilities, awesome spiritual life, and an awesome atmosphere. anyways, i put in my app, and i interviewed there about a week and a half ago.
so, i'd asked friends to pray about this with me and all, because i really wanted this job and i felt like it was where i'm supposed to be. well, all the praying paid off, because this afternoon i got a phone call, and...I GOT THE JOB!!!
it's amazing! i'm so excited! i go in monday to sign my contract and pick up my textbooks. i'll be teaching algebra 1, geometry, algebra 2, and a 7th grade bible class. i'm so psyched for this! i wanna thank everyone again who's been praying for me to get a job and ask that y'all continue to pray as i'm gonna be teaching for the first time.
yay! :)
so after months of putting in resumes and hearing nothing back, my mom and i were driving one day and we saw this billboard. and she was struck by this brilliant idea. the billboard was for bay area christian school, and her idea was that i apply there. see, bay area is this really sweet christian school of about 700 kids in this really nice part of town. it's about half an hour from me, and i have a pretty cool history with them, because i started out there. i went k through the first part of 3rd grade there, and it's kinda cool now that this where i'm gonna be starting out my career. they have awesome academics, awesome facilities, awesome spiritual life, and an awesome atmosphere. anyways, i put in my app, and i interviewed there about a week and a half ago.
so, i'd asked friends to pray about this with me and all, because i really wanted this job and i felt like it was where i'm supposed to be. well, all the praying paid off, because this afternoon i got a phone call, and...I GOT THE JOB!!!
it's amazing! i'm so excited! i go in monday to sign my contract and pick up my textbooks. i'll be teaching algebra 1, geometry, algebra 2, and a 7th grade bible class. i'm so psyched for this! i wanna thank everyone again who's been praying for me to get a job and ask that y'all continue to pray as i'm gonna be teaching for the first time.
yay! :)
19.5.09
new computer!!!
so, i got a new computer today!! yay!!
my old one had been kinda dieing more and more...and more...it was making loud noises and my hard drive was vibrating louder than my phone...it was bad. and a couple of weeks ago it started randomly shutting itself off. it was running really bad...so, my parents randomly decided to get me a new computer...and i'm so excited!!
yay!
my old one had been kinda dieing more and more...and more...it was making loud noises and my hard drive was vibrating louder than my phone...it was bad. and a couple of weeks ago it started randomly shutting itself off. it was running really bad...so, my parents randomly decided to get me a new computer...and i'm so excited!!
yay!
18.5.09
peace.
little things annoy me. probably little things that shouldn't annoy me, but they do nonetheless. i hate when people (and by people, i mainly mean mass media) claim that the bible/Jesus says/said things that are quite the opposite of what was actually said. for instance, anyone who has ever read the gospels knows with much certainty that Jesus claimed more than once that He was God, thus the blasphemy charge the pharisees arrested Him for. and this would have been a very true accusation, had it not been that Jesus was in fact God. that was a pretty ridiculously serious claim to the jews, saying you were God, so the incredulity of the pharisees was not totally unfounded. the only saving grace for Jesus' claim was that He was God, so the statement was true, not blasphemous. but i didn't get on to discuss the theological implications of Jesus' claim to deity; i digress. the point then is that anyone who's read the gospels knows Jesus made it clear that He believed Himself God. now, then, what do the mushy, conformist "professional experts" from the most liberal colleges in the country they get on the news or the history channel say? "oh, Jesus never actually claimed to be God; that's something the church made up." if He never claimed to be God, He chose a sorry lifestyle, mislead a great deal of people, picked a nasty way to die, and apparently had a different definition for the word "god" when He chose to claim that He was "God."
so then why should it surprise anyone that other things these cushy "experts" -- people who, by the way, don't believe any of the things they spent their life studying; instead they spent their professional careers trying to disprove their field of expertise and these non-arguments are the best evidence they can find against one of arguably the most influential characters in the world's history -- that other things these cushy experts have claimed is not only misleadingly false, it's directly against Jesus' own words?
i suppose the reason it bothers me most is that it seems most people listen along, believing everything the news/discovery/history channel says without ever attempting to look at the opposing opinion's view and evidence. like lost, wandering children, they take the first hand that's offered them, regardless of whether that hand is a friend's or a kidnapper's. here's a wild idea: maybe everything mass media claims isn't true; maybe they're not always the friend. so when they say something is unbendingly true about the bible, a piece of literature they consider fiction, isn't there just the slightest possibility that what they're saying serves more their own agenda than is actual fact? if this is the case, and what they say serves their own agenda, shouldn't you check their agenda and see perhaps what all they may be "bending the truth" on to fit their views?
i think we would all agree that it's ridiculous for religions to kill each other for not conforming to the one's beliefs. after all, the point of one having independent thought and opinion is that one can choose what one wants to believe. if one is simply blindly following and obeying out of fear, is one really believing? no. it's not genuine. that goes for any religion. but i think anyone who uses their half a brain could figure out that opposing religions of the world are never going to be able to just sit down, talk it out, come to some kind of agreement, and be all peaceful and one with one another. that's a fairly naive thought. [[it's been said that where one or two people are gathered together, there will be at least eighteen opposing points of view...]] for instance, the koran, whether you want to believe it or not, does state that if someone does not convert, they should be killed. now we all agree that most muslims, if you get to know them, are fairly peaceful people on the whole. particularly within america. but the reason that some are radical enough to do things like 9-11 or blow themselves up to kill a few "infidels" is because they take the koran very literally. and as long as someone is there to take the koran at it's word and interpret it literally, there will be "radical islam" and thus suicide bombers.
so then what are we supposed to do? take away their koran and tell them not to believe that nonsense? isn't that what today's liberal media is asking "radical christians" who are opposed to abortion and euthanasia and homosexual rights to do? well when it's a muslim, people get up in arms over it and say we're trampling their rights. (which is almost true to some extent. they have the right to believe whatever they want. it's when they break the law with manslaughter that they deserve to be prosecuted.) besides, more importantly, we all know it wouldn't work. there would form some other radical faction for killing.
so then why do people believe that some kind of easy peace of religion is possible, wherein all religions of the world will gather together in one conference room, sit in circle, holding hands, and sing kumbaya? how would that be possible, when the muslim would believe that all the peopl in the room unwilling to convert should be killed, the buddhist doesn't even believe it matters whether or not there is a god, the atheist believes it matters because there is no such thing as a god, the hedonist believes everyone is their own god, and the christian stands unwavering that there is one true God and the others will go to hell if they don't believe, a fact which a "radical" christian would be willing to die for?
in fact, anyone who's done even a cursory glance at the religions of the world should be able to conclude that there will be no peace among religions. sure, we all hope for it and strive towards a mostly peaceful existence, but we're in america. since when did the rest of the world -- particularly the third world countries in turmoil that are known for being jealous of our power and hating our presence -- care what we think or do? their politicians may pretend to, to avoid sparking a war they know their country couldn't win and economy couldn't handle, but the countries that present the biggest problem politically, economically, and environmentally (because believe it or not, america has been a fairly green country for decades in comparison with the rest of the world; in point of fact, the biggest causes to the hole in the ozone are actually due to volcanic eruptions which release a toxic gas that destroys ozone and the methane gas released from cows) don't particularly want to follow america's example. so even if we're the most peaceful, greenest country in the world, why would the hugely pollutant, unstable governments, whose people aren't dieing of obesity and heart disease but malnutrition and malaria want to step in line and follow their enemy country's example? it's illogical, and fairly naive to believe that would be the result.
. . .
but i've gotten way off from the point i actually got on to make.
i'm so tired of wishy-washy, flaky christianity, wherein the so-called followers and even "experts" claim neutrality on points Jesus was clear about. this morning i was reading from matthew 10. well, Jesus makes a lot of stuff clear in this chapter, not the least of which is that being a strong christian may cost you your life. in opposition to taking the lives of non-converts, christianity demands that you pursue righteousness and truth in the face of adversity (non-converts) seeking their conversion, not through threats but through love, which is more powerful apparently, since doing this could cost you (and has cost many) your life in demonstration of that love. but Jesus makes a point in this chapter that is often overlooked. no disciple of Christ, or christian, should ever convert into this lifestyle thinking that Christ came to bring a peaceful solution to all the world's problems and that all christians just live happily in harmony with society. wrong. Jesus says explicitly in matt 10:34:
so then why should it surprise anyone that other things these cushy "experts" -- people who, by the way, don't believe any of the things they spent their life studying; instead they spent their professional careers trying to disprove their field of expertise and these non-arguments are the best evidence they can find against one of arguably the most influential characters in the world's history -- that other things these cushy experts have claimed is not only misleadingly false, it's directly against Jesus' own words?
i suppose the reason it bothers me most is that it seems most people listen along, believing everything the news/discovery/history channel says without ever attempting to look at the opposing opinion's view and evidence. like lost, wandering children, they take the first hand that's offered them, regardless of whether that hand is a friend's or a kidnapper's. here's a wild idea: maybe everything mass media claims isn't true; maybe they're not always the friend. so when they say something is unbendingly true about the bible, a piece of literature they consider fiction, isn't there just the slightest possibility that what they're saying serves more their own agenda than is actual fact? if this is the case, and what they say serves their own agenda, shouldn't you check their agenda and see perhaps what all they may be "bending the truth" on to fit their views?
i think we would all agree that it's ridiculous for religions to kill each other for not conforming to the one's beliefs. after all, the point of one having independent thought and opinion is that one can choose what one wants to believe. if one is simply blindly following and obeying out of fear, is one really believing? no. it's not genuine. that goes for any religion. but i think anyone who uses their half a brain could figure out that opposing religions of the world are never going to be able to just sit down, talk it out, come to some kind of agreement, and be all peaceful and one with one another. that's a fairly naive thought. [[it's been said that where one or two people are gathered together, there will be at least eighteen opposing points of view...]] for instance, the koran, whether you want to believe it or not, does state that if someone does not convert, they should be killed. now we all agree that most muslims, if you get to know them, are fairly peaceful people on the whole. particularly within america. but the reason that some are radical enough to do things like 9-11 or blow themselves up to kill a few "infidels" is because they take the koran very literally. and as long as someone is there to take the koran at it's word and interpret it literally, there will be "radical islam" and thus suicide bombers.
so then what are we supposed to do? take away their koran and tell them not to believe that nonsense? isn't that what today's liberal media is asking "radical christians" who are opposed to abortion and euthanasia and homosexual rights to do? well when it's a muslim, people get up in arms over it and say we're trampling their rights. (which is almost true to some extent. they have the right to believe whatever they want. it's when they break the law with manslaughter that they deserve to be prosecuted.) besides, more importantly, we all know it wouldn't work. there would form some other radical faction for killing.
so then why do people believe that some kind of easy peace of religion is possible, wherein all religions of the world will gather together in one conference room, sit in circle, holding hands, and sing kumbaya? how would that be possible, when the muslim would believe that all the peopl in the room unwilling to convert should be killed, the buddhist doesn't even believe it matters whether or not there is a god, the atheist believes it matters because there is no such thing as a god, the hedonist believes everyone is their own god, and the christian stands unwavering that there is one true God and the others will go to hell if they don't believe, a fact which a "radical" christian would be willing to die for?
in fact, anyone who's done even a cursory glance at the religions of the world should be able to conclude that there will be no peace among religions. sure, we all hope for it and strive towards a mostly peaceful existence, but we're in america. since when did the rest of the world -- particularly the third world countries in turmoil that are known for being jealous of our power and hating our presence -- care what we think or do? their politicians may pretend to, to avoid sparking a war they know their country couldn't win and economy couldn't handle, but the countries that present the biggest problem politically, economically, and environmentally (because believe it or not, america has been a fairly green country for decades in comparison with the rest of the world; in point of fact, the biggest causes to the hole in the ozone are actually due to volcanic eruptions which release a toxic gas that destroys ozone and the methane gas released from cows) don't particularly want to follow america's example. so even if we're the most peaceful, greenest country in the world, why would the hugely pollutant, unstable governments, whose people aren't dieing of obesity and heart disease but malnutrition and malaria want to step in line and follow their enemy country's example? it's illogical, and fairly naive to believe that would be the result.
. . .
but i've gotten way off from the point i actually got on to make.
i'm so tired of wishy-washy, flaky christianity, wherein the so-called followers and even "experts" claim neutrality on points Jesus was clear about. this morning i was reading from matthew 10. well, Jesus makes a lot of stuff clear in this chapter, not the least of which is that being a strong christian may cost you your life. in opposition to taking the lives of non-converts, christianity demands that you pursue righteousness and truth in the face of adversity (non-converts) seeking their conversion, not through threats but through love, which is more powerful apparently, since doing this could cost you (and has cost many) your life in demonstration of that love. but Jesus makes a point in this chapter that is often overlooked. no disciple of Christ, or christian, should ever convert into this lifestyle thinking that Christ came to bring a peaceful solution to all the world's problems and that all christians just live happily in harmony with society. wrong. Jesus says explicitly in matt 10:34:
"do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword."now before you go crazy thinking Jesus was claiming war, understand the meaning of the word sword. Jesus wasn't talking about the shiny weapon used in lord of the rings; He was referring to what is also called to the sword of the Lord -- Jesus' words. His words divide and separate two clear sides as would a literal sword cutting through a...block of wood, we'll go with a block of wood. Jesus controversial teachings clearly define truth and falsehood and force one to be on one side or the other. either you believe Him or you don't. you can't sit on the fence with Jesus' teachings. if you don't 100% believe He's the Son of God, come for the salvation of all, then on you're on the other side, intentionally or no. Jesus' words sparked debate, controversy, riots, and total lifestyle changes with an opposing way of thinking. while His actions were never viscous or cruel and he was only ever physically peaceful, His teaching were not. in His own time two millenia ago, His teachings were confrontational enough to send Him to death on the cross as a convicted felon. how much more so today should we as christians expect His teaching to be confrontational to the point of public crucifixion? but the chapter goes on to offer an overused/under appreciated promise:
"he who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it."if Jesus offers those willing to lose their life for Him a new and better life in eternity with Him, then what are we so afraid of losing?
11.5.09
graduation prayer
at baccalaureate the other night, they had us (graduates) repeat the lyrics to this old song as a prayer. i already loved this song, but it means even more to me now, as it will always carry with it that memory from graduation. it's an awesome song; the lyrics pack a powerful message. anyways, it's been on my mind, so i decided to post it: "take my life" (written as performed by chris tomlin)
take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
take my moments and my days,
let them flow in ceaseless praise.
take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of Thy love.
take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for Thee.
take my voice and let me sing
always, only for my King.
take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from Thee.
take my silver and my gold
not a mite would i withhold.
take my intellect and use
every power as You choose.
here am i, all of me.
take my life, it's all for Thee.
take my will and make it Thine
it shall be no longer mine.
take my heart it is Thine own
it shall be Thy royal throne.
take my love, my Lord i pour
at Your feet its treasure store
take myself and i will be
ever, only, all for Thee.
take myself and i will be
ever, only, all for Thee.
here am i, all of me.
take my life, it's all for Thee.
here am i, all of me.
take my life, it's all for Thee.
here am i, all of me.
take my life, it's all for Thee.
here am i, all of me.
Lord, take my life, it's all for Thee.
take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to Thee...
congratulations to the graduating class of two thousand and nine.
may this be your constant desire and eternal prayer.
may this be your constant desire and eternal prayer.
26.4.09
one more
it feels like i have lost this fight-- superchick: one more
they think that i am staying down
but i'm not giving up tonight
tonight the wall is coming down
i am stronger than my fears
this is the mountain that i climb
got 100 steps to go
tonight i'll make it 99
one more
go one more
yeah, yeah
don't stop now
go one more
yeah, yeah
one more
go one more
go one more
yeah, yeah
i have everything to lose
by not getting up to fight
i might get used to giving up
so i am showing up tonight
i am my own enemy
the battle fought within my mind
if i can overcome step one
i can face the 99
one more
go one more
yeah, yeah
don't stop now
go one more
yeah, yeah
one more
go one more
go one more
go one more
yeah, yeah
one more
go one more
yeah, yeah
don't stop now
go one more
yeah, yeah
one more
go one more
go one more
go one more
yeah, yeah
go one more
yeah, yeah...
4.4.09
this the power of the cross.
i love the message of this song, both the image it creates and the theological significance it portrays.
appropriate this time, i believe, considering easter is not about a giant, chocolate egg pooping bunny.
appropriate this time, i believe, considering easter is not about a giant, chocolate egg pooping bunny.
oh, to see the dawn
of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to calvary.
tried by sinful men,
torn and beaten, then
nailed to a cross of wood.
this, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
took the blame, bore the wrath—
we stand forgiven at the cross.
oh, to see the pain
written on Your face,
bearing the awesome weight of sin.
ev'ry bitter thought,
ev'ry evil deed
crowning Your bloodstained brow.
this, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
took the blame, bore the wrath—
we stand forgiven at the cross.
now the daylight flees;
now the ground beneath
quakes as its Maker bows His head.
curtain torn in two,
dead are raised to life;
"finished!" the vict'ry cry.
this, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
took the blame, bore the wrath—
we stand forgiven at the cross.
oh, to see my name
written in the wounds,
for through Your suffering i am free.
death is crushed to death;
life is mine to live,
won through Your selfless love.
this, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
what a love! what a cost!
we stand forgiven at the cross...
-- keith and kristyn getty: the power of the cross
3.3.09
allow me to get on my soapbox please...
there's this newish song out that plays on the radio all the time now. it's called "while i'm waiting" by john waller. i think the intent behind the song -- to continue to strive for growth in your relationship with God no matter where you are -- but that's as far as my feelings toward this song go on the good side.
there is a false attitude in my generation of believers. "i will serve you while i'm waiting. i will worship while i'm waiting..." waiting for what exactly? yeah, you're in church; you're mildly involved, but you're always waiting for something. always looking around, trying to see some sign for where God is "calling" them in ministry or life or whatever. i mean, i'm 22 years old. i have no idea where God is taking me in life. i don't know. and that's a little scary. but it's one thing to not know and be a little scared, and another to follow this trend today of sitting around, half-serving God in church, being technically "involved", but never living to your full potential because you're busy "waiting on the Lord".
that phrase is taken so out of context. that's so not what was meant. the concept, i think, comes from psalm 27:14. but look at its context --
in other words, david is saying he's been at points in his life when there was so much despair and suffering, it seemed like God was nowhere in it, like he'd just up and been deserted. yet he has found that, if in these times of darkness he is just patient for long enough, God always reveals himself. wait on the LORD. when if feels like all hope is gone and you're at a point in the tunnel where you feel like you'll never see daylight again, wait on the LORD. He is good. and though at that time it may not feel like it, He is still in control and will reveal Himself to you when the timing is right. His timing is perfect.
david was not saying to sit around and wait for the voice of God to speak to you and tell you some hardcore awesome plan for your future and how exactly to go about doing that. am i knocking those people who preach on sunday or stand up in convo and claim they saw a sign or heard a call as clear as crystal and everything in their lives snapped and BAM! now they've got the whole thing planned in widescreen, hdtv format and they're dead center in God's will? of course not. you may be an exception. God may have something so special planned for you that you need to have some direct signal of where to go. but you should know the rules -- don't bet on the exception. plan as if you're the normality. it won't be a big difference if God has to redirect you a bit. on the other hand, if you plan that you're the exception and you aren't, you'll wind up fifty, settling for second best in your personal pew (complete with your own butt imprint) waiting even still to see where God's going to call you.
people like to compare themselves to samuel. you realize of course that he was very much an exception, right? i mean think about it, he was so not anticipating a direct call from the voice of God that he didn't realize that's what he heard when it happened. and it's not like he was out of touch with God or anything. he worked in the temple -- directly under the high priest. and while eli certainly wasn't the high priest of the millennium, he was in contact with God. and was sammy sitting around on his hind quarters waiting before his call? of course not. he'd chosen a path and was studying under the high priest, living at the temple, doing everything within his power to head in the right direction and learn as much about God as possible.
so even if you wanted to use him as a reference, he's still not a good example. he was more than just a choir member/sunday school teacher waiting on God's direction. he'd chosen a path and was striving to that end with all his might.
look at paul. great man; prime example of leader in the church and what the power of God can do. did you ever see paul waiting on the Lord? of course not. it even sounds ludicrous. what does paul do? he takes action. he makes a plan and goes with it. he headed toward asia, got a no. did God save time and tell him before hand not to go to asia? no. did he sit and wait for someone to tell him where to go? no. he just went. and when God wanted to redirect him, He made it clear. paul chose another path, got a no. chose to go toward rome (in the general direction of macedonia by the way) and what happened? he got the go ahead. the "macedonian call" in fact was less a call by God to stop waiting because paul got his answer then it was the "macedonian thumbs up". paul had gotten so many nos in a row that God rewarded him with a yes. (no doubt he was probably feeling a bit unsure by that point.)
so then what does this mean? my generation is good at waiting. waiting for this; waiting for that; waiting for something big to come along. am i saying it's wrong for us while we're in college or just strait out to be confused and test the water in several directions and look for signs from God as to which direction is the right one? of course not! half my friends are looking for internships or jobs or grad schools and it's fine to be unsure of where exactly we're going after may. i'm still not sure. but i think we should be striving with all our might toward those internships, jobs, and grad schools, doing everything possible to get the go ahead, not sitting idly, willing God to give us the right job when we haven't sent out any resumes. and i don't think we should be looking for big signs from God necessarily. an acceptance letter may be a sign, but a closed door or a rejection call, that's a sign too.
and i think it's stupid to sit and wait for God to direct our path when we haven't chosen one. be like paul. pick a path. pick a career or an internship or a job or a grad school and go with it. if God wants you there don't expect a beaming arrow over the campus and if he doesn't want you there, be willing to adapt. but don't act like you shouldn't move on the off chance that it might be the wrong direction from where God wants you. life's choices aren't always right and wrong. sometimes you get two rights and God lets you choose which way to head. if you're working and following His guidelines (the Bible -- that one's not really just a judgment call), He'll keep you on the path He wants you on. He'll give you a go ahead or a closed door when necessary. but don't expect a voice to tell you the future. if you want that, dial madame serina's 800 number.
find a path. walk it. be flexible. God will lead you if you let Him. but don't just stay at a standstill, going through motions, looking involved, but empty, waiting for some divine intervention in your life.
don't live, all the while just waiting.
there is a false attitude in my generation of believers. "i will serve you while i'm waiting. i will worship while i'm waiting..." waiting for what exactly? yeah, you're in church; you're mildly involved, but you're always waiting for something. always looking around, trying to see some sign for where God is "calling" them in ministry or life or whatever. i mean, i'm 22 years old. i have no idea where God is taking me in life. i don't know. and that's a little scary. but it's one thing to not know and be a little scared, and another to follow this trend today of sitting around, half-serving God in church, being technically "involved", but never living to your full potential because you're busy "waiting on the Lord".
that phrase is taken so out of context. that's so not what was meant. the concept, i think, comes from psalm 27:14. but look at its context --
Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries,
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the LORD.
--psalm 27:12-14
in other words, david is saying he's been at points in his life when there was so much despair and suffering, it seemed like God was nowhere in it, like he'd just up and been deserted. yet he has found that, if in these times of darkness he is just patient for long enough, God always reveals himself. wait on the LORD. when if feels like all hope is gone and you're at a point in the tunnel where you feel like you'll never see daylight again, wait on the LORD. He is good. and though at that time it may not feel like it, He is still in control and will reveal Himself to you when the timing is right. His timing is perfect.
david was not saying to sit around and wait for the voice of God to speak to you and tell you some hardcore awesome plan for your future and how exactly to go about doing that. am i knocking those people who preach on sunday or stand up in convo and claim they saw a sign or heard a call as clear as crystal and everything in their lives snapped and BAM! now they've got the whole thing planned in widescreen, hdtv format and they're dead center in God's will? of course not. you may be an exception. God may have something so special planned for you that you need to have some direct signal of where to go. but you should know the rules -- don't bet on the exception. plan as if you're the normality. it won't be a big difference if God has to redirect you a bit. on the other hand, if you plan that you're the exception and you aren't, you'll wind up fifty, settling for second best in your personal pew (complete with your own butt imprint) waiting even still to see where God's going to call you.
people like to compare themselves to samuel. you realize of course that he was very much an exception, right? i mean think about it, he was so not anticipating a direct call from the voice of God that he didn't realize that's what he heard when it happened. and it's not like he was out of touch with God or anything. he worked in the temple -- directly under the high priest. and while eli certainly wasn't the high priest of the millennium, he was in contact with God. and was sammy sitting around on his hind quarters waiting before his call? of course not. he'd chosen a path and was studying under the high priest, living at the temple, doing everything within his power to head in the right direction and learn as much about God as possible.
so even if you wanted to use him as a reference, he's still not a good example. he was more than just a choir member/sunday school teacher waiting on God's direction. he'd chosen a path and was striving to that end with all his might.
look at paul. great man; prime example of leader in the church and what the power of God can do. did you ever see paul waiting on the Lord? of course not. it even sounds ludicrous. what does paul do? he takes action. he makes a plan and goes with it. he headed toward asia, got a no. did God save time and tell him before hand not to go to asia? no. did he sit and wait for someone to tell him where to go? no. he just went. and when God wanted to redirect him, He made it clear. paul chose another path, got a no. chose to go toward rome (in the general direction of macedonia by the way) and what happened? he got the go ahead. the "macedonian call" in fact was less a call by God to stop waiting because paul got his answer then it was the "macedonian thumbs up". paul had gotten so many nos in a row that God rewarded him with a yes. (no doubt he was probably feeling a bit unsure by that point.)
so then what does this mean? my generation is good at waiting. waiting for this; waiting for that; waiting for something big to come along. am i saying it's wrong for us while we're in college or just strait out to be confused and test the water in several directions and look for signs from God as to which direction is the right one? of course not! half my friends are looking for internships or jobs or grad schools and it's fine to be unsure of where exactly we're going after may. i'm still not sure. but i think we should be striving with all our might toward those internships, jobs, and grad schools, doing everything possible to get the go ahead, not sitting idly, willing God to give us the right job when we haven't sent out any resumes. and i don't think we should be looking for big signs from God necessarily. an acceptance letter may be a sign, but a closed door or a rejection call, that's a sign too.
and i think it's stupid to sit and wait for God to direct our path when we haven't chosen one. be like paul. pick a path. pick a career or an internship or a job or a grad school and go with it. if God wants you there don't expect a beaming arrow over the campus and if he doesn't want you there, be willing to adapt. but don't act like you shouldn't move on the off chance that it might be the wrong direction from where God wants you. life's choices aren't always right and wrong. sometimes you get two rights and God lets you choose which way to head. if you're working and following His guidelines (the Bible -- that one's not really just a judgment call), He'll keep you on the path He wants you on. He'll give you a go ahead or a closed door when necessary. but don't expect a voice to tell you the future. if you want that, dial madame serina's 800 number.
find a path. walk it. be flexible. God will lead you if you let Him. but don't just stay at a standstill, going through motions, looking involved, but empty, waiting for some divine intervention in your life.
don't live, all the while just waiting.
20.1.09
closing time: every new beginning starts with some other beginning's end
okay, so here it is; long awaited and overdue -- the list. this is my list of random things i've learned over the last three and a half years at liberty.
- teaching yourself an entire course the week before finals is a bad idea.
- the friends you make here will define who you become. choose wisely.
- don't date your freshman year. ever. just don't.
- life's too short to care what they think: have fun.
- take lots of pictures.
- skipping classes is a luxury only allotted to freshmen. and sometimes not even to them.
- remember that you are paying tens of thousands of dollars a year for an education. NOT to stalk boys in an "up and coming" garage band...that's illegal.
- always make sure your car is in reverse when you're backing up. always.
- never trust the kid playing guitar on the circle. he only actually knows two songs...it's like moths to a flame...
- never mix tests and all-nighters. neither you nor the test come off the better.
- take lots of road trips.
- sneak out after curfew at least once. just don't get caught.
- take pity on the nerds. they may one day return the favor.
- while it may work, flirting to get answers to homework questions is not always wise. a test paper will not take pity on you and fill itself out just because you've batted your eyelashes and dressed nicely...
- wearing heels on ice is not a good idea. do not attempt.
- you may be one of those who thinks all rules are for breaking. you've been misinformed. the only rules worth breaking are the ones with which you'd be making a point by breaking. it's one thing to make a point or minorly and without too much danger experiment with that one night you leave after curfew, but breaking dress code just makes you look stupid and irresponsible. we all know you had to have some form of brain activity to get this far in your education, so stop acting like a freshman. and if you're stupid enough to get caught breaking the rules, take it like a man and do your time. just stop whining about the fact that the strict and conservative CHRISTIAN university you chose to attend has rules. welcome to life. everywhere you'll ever go will have rules. life has rules. and life may not be as forgiving as your dean.
- make sure to skip class to play in the snow at least once. just also make sure it's not a day when something's due. or that your teacher doesn't see you leaving the building...
- take your classes seriously. you'll regret it later if you don't.
- on the other hand, make sure you don't take yourself too seriously.
- as the cheesy song says, "don't blink." four years goes by a lot faster than you'd think.
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