Friday, March 24, 2006

Mozart

Thinkings from the past few weeks

WARNING: This post is not a brainless post, and I will not be offended if no one reads the entire thing. Just don't tell me. I'm mostly just trying to solidify things in my mind.
I've been thinking. And I've been thinking about it for the last 3-4 weeks. And what I've been thinking about is this: exactly what is faith and how do I use it? Especially for the benefit of others and not just myself. So I've been searching the Bible for the answer and, though I don't have all of it I have found a few interesting things that have previously missed.
Behold! The Bible gives a definition! "Now faith is the (assurance, substance, confidence) of things hoped for, the (conviction, evidence, assurance) of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1 NASB, NKJV, NLT
I hereby insert dictionary definitions of the words in parenthesis.
Assurance: a positive declaration intended to give confidence; freedom from doubt, certainty
Substance: that of which a thing consists; the actual matter of a thing, as opposed to the appearance or shadow; reality
Confidence: belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing; full trust; reliance; assurance
Conviction: a fixed or firm belief; the state of being convinced
Evidence: ground for belief; an indication or sign; show clearly; manifest
Anyone slog through all that? Here's more. I've highlighted the parts that really stuck out to me.
Romans 4:18-21 "Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping--believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, "That's how many descendants you will have!" And Abraham's faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead--and so was Sarah's womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises." NLT
Matthew 17:20 Jesus heals a demon possesed man whom His disciples had been unable to heal:
""You don't have enough faith," Jesus told them. "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it would move. Nothing would be impossible."" NLT
Matthew 21:20-22 "And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither away so soon?" So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, "Be removed and cast into the sea," it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."" NKJV
James 1:5-8 "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." NKJV
So, what I get from this is that faith is unwavering belief, and if I ask God for anything, if I don't doubt, He will give it to me. Where I get a little confused is in cases like, say, Joni Ericson Tada. I'm sure someone prayed for her without doubting, and yet she's not healed. Obviously God had a plan for her the way she is, and I know He has used her in incredible ways, but still things like that make it hard to keep from asking for things and yet keeping the door ajar. Not doubting that God can do it, cause I know He can, but wondering if He really will. After all, we are told in Romans 8:28 that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." NIV

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Morocscotlanders
Proof that we actually were in Marrakech.

Moving clockwise from the bottom left-hand corner: Laura, DW, Adam, me, Stefan, Mike, Jessi, Jen, Lori, Hillary

When God uses bad judgment

What does it mean to surrender your whole life to God? Does it mean telling people the things you feel God has laid on your heart to say to them? Does it mean moving to Guatemala if you feel it is His will? Does it mean taking drastic action to stop having kids after two because your previous pregnancies endangered your life? Or to stop after 8 because you landed in the hospital?
Why could I go to Indonesia and get decapitated because I'm a Christian and people back home would say, "God's will be done. He's called her home to receive her crown" but if I bled to death after 3 difficult pregnancies many of the same people would say, "What business did she have trying to have another baby? She nearly died after the first two" as if I can really determine wether I have a baby or not? God sent it, right? I didn't make it.
Why do we talk so much about God's leading in every aspect of our lives and yet put limitations on what parts He really has any say on? God never said life was going to be easy. He said we would have trials. And He never said He wouldn't let us die. So, is letting Him send that last pregnancy that ultimately ends your life bad judgment? Does God use bad judgment?
I've had to think about this. What with my mom recently having her eighth baby and ending up in the hospital (she's fine now) and people asking me if my parents are going to stop now and wanting to know what I think of their philosophy, it's been on my mind. Dad and I talked about it this afternoon (among other things) so I thought I'd share it with any who cares to read this.
Thoughts, any one?

Monday, March 13, 2006

We Live In A Beautiful World

I went for a walk yesterday down a road that I haven't walked down since my week home over Christmas when I was walking with a friend from DTS (Eunie!!). The sun was shining (cold, though) and I felt like I could do anything I wanted. Then a line from a song popped into my head: "We live in a beautiful world. Yeah we do, yeah we do." I don't know the rest of the song, I just heard it a few times in Scotland when Hillary, Adam, Laura and Jen were practicing one of our dramas. So this little bit of song nearly made me cry as it finally hit me that my fellow Morocscotlanders are all spread out and I'm not going to see them for a while. I miss everyone from DTS, even those I never really got to know, but most especially I miss my team. I still insist I ended up with the best team in the history of YWAM.

Another bit of song also accurately described the day: "Woke up this morning had you on my mind, it's one of those beautiful days, I thank God I'm not blind..." Laura, I just LOVE your brown and green song!

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Results of the Nascar Race

Jimmy Johnson just won! Kind of unfair, in a way, because if it weren't for the caution flag Matt Kenseth would have kept his big lead. Still...

Friday, March 10, 2006

Star Wars

I watched Star Wars: the Phantom Menace last night for the first time. Interesting. It wasn't quite what I expected, but then, I don't know what I was expecting. And for the interest of those who care (who may only be my fellow Morocscotlanders who probably won't even read this) I watched it in my jalaba. What is a jalaba? It's a kind of Moroccan coat that was in inspiration for a Jedi's costume.

Sunday, March 05, 2006

In the beginning Grey Squirrel created a post

My first post, and not one single person knows it exists. What's new.
I came home two days ago and was one of the most important people in the universe (second only to that person known as 'Mom'). Today I'm just the big sister who can scoop yogurt into the bowl without making a mess. Seriously though, I am glad to be home. No more argueing with Moroccan shopkeepers about 'special' prices or trying to decipher Scottish accents. I hope to relax a little and then jump into the next thing God has for me, whatever it happens to be. Let the adventure begin!