this one's about ministry...surprising...

I've signed up to take a class at the Baptist centre on campus this semester, called "Perspectives in the World Christian Movement", basically, an intro to missions class. I immensely enjoyed the first week and am looking forward to more tomorrow night. Just a few thoughts on what i've learned/remembered/was challenged about in the readings for this week.
'In Genesis 12:2-3, God promises [to Abraham]First, "I will make you a great nation", second, "I will bless you", third, "I will make your name great", but this is immediately followed by a purpose clause. It is "so that you may be a blessing." (Kaiser)
This statement challenged me once again to look around at all i have been blessed with, and made me remember that "to whom much is given, much is expected" as we often hear, but rarely put into practice. I should attempt to love everyone as much as God does... and be a blessing to everyone i encounter.
'The devil is not a red monster with a pitchfork, but often a do-gooder. His goal in life is to counterfeit the works of God. This has been his prized ambition ever since he went into business for himself. His first recorded intention ended with the words, "I will be like the Most High" (Isa. 14:14). This counterfeiting effort is his most effective ploy, for the more closely he can imitate God's work, the less likely will men be inclined to seek God or pursue His will.' (Ellisen)
Let's be sure we don't settle for "good" things, as Satan would love for us to do. I know so many things often look good, or good enough, or maybe just easier. We've got to be careful, and seek God with all our heart.
'Some of us refuse to identify with the people we claim to be serving. We remain ourselves, and do not become like them. We stay aloof. We hold on desperately to our own cultural inheritance in the mistaken notion that it is an indispensable part of our identity. We are unwilling to let it go...but this was not the way of Christ, who emptied himself of his glory and humbled himself to serve.' (Stott)
I just kinda said "ouch" to that one. It's difficult for me to love others enough to humble myself and serve them, to speak on their level, to leave my "comfort zone" and step out to share Christ's love. Like i mentioned a moment earlier, it's easier, good enough, to invite people to church, but not take the time to talk, listen, or pray with a broken heart for their salvation.
Lord, teach me to love others as you do, to obey your command to Love the Lord my God with all you heart, soul , mind, and strength...and my neighbor as myself.

Where do i go from here?

Life's been slightly stressful this week. I haven't really had a chance to slow down, in addition to school and my everyday life, i've been studying for the Medical College Admissions Test. I'm taking that this Saturday morning... and it's easy to get stressed out. It is a huge test. It will test my knowledge from my past 4 years of school, specifically over sciences. If i do well, my admission to medical school is almost guaranteed... and if i do badly, well, i suppose i'll just take it again. It's easy to get stressed out, especially since i'm pursuing what i think is God's plan for my life... and then there's this huge test, and nothing further can happen (as far as my plans of becoming a doctor) until i get my results.
But even then, i have no reason to really worry. If this is God's plan, I'll do fine. And if not, He'll show me what to do from here. He won't leave me hanging. Although i know that, i need a little extra prayer and encouragement... and thanks to everyone who's praying for me, and here's the encouragement i found in Scripture today:

May God be gracious to us and bless us,
and make his face shine upon us,
that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise You, O God;
let all the peoples praise You!
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth.
Let the peoples praise You, O God;
let all the peoples praise You!
The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.
God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear Him!
(Psalm 67)

I should listen to music more often

Not that i don't listen to music often in the first place. I love it. But i better express my emotions when music is around me. I've gotta stop stuffing things inside, and cry out without fear or self-conciousness. Here's one of those heartfelt songs by Sixpence None the Richer.

"I Need Love"

I left my conscience like a crying child
locked the door behind me put the pain on file
broken like a window i see my blindness now

i need love
not some sentimental prison
i need god
not the political church
i need fire
to melt the frozen sea inside me
i need love

driving into town tired and depressed
like a flare the streetlight bursts into an s.o.s.
peace comes to my rescue and i don't know what it means
i need love

Maybe this'll make it worthwile...

Now, this is the kinda thing that encourages me to finish up my homework... and go to med school...and torture my brain for the next, well, forever. But at least the next 4 years.

May the "the good old days" R.I.P

I went out to lunch with my dear friend Nancy today, and of course, we sat around and talked for quite a while afterwards. We've gone to the same church pretty much forever... so the topic of the "good old days" naturally came up. These "days" include middle and most of high school for me... and so often i don't even think about "back then" until someone brings it up. So i try to think about myself 5 years ago... (cringe?)... well, at least, i'm definately not going to post a picture. And i know i'm still young, but man, the things i've learned... the ways i've changed... i think of the people i was once so close to, and how many of them have moved on, but the real friends who stayed. I think about who i wanted to be, where i wanted to go, and honestly, things haven't changed too drastically. But i can honestly say that i didn't think i'd be who i am now, or go to the places i've been to, or experience what i've gone through. I can remember my biggest life goal was to get those confounded braces off my teeth. I remember wanting to be a veterinarian and living by myself way out in the country. (Oh, okay, so maybe i have changed drastically...) But now i'm pursuing a medical career, but with openness to God's plan instead of being so dead-set on mine, because i've seen mine fall through. Now i'm learning to love others, and not shut them out. And now i'm trying to find a way to minister where i am instead of hiding myself away. It's taken time, but God has so graciously guided me through life, and i praise him for that. My childhood and teenage years i can look back on fondly, though not without a shake of the head and laughter at myself. But i don't think i'm the only one.. anyone care to think back a few years... tell about yourself back then, and compare/contrast to now? What are some lessons you've learned?
But despite all the fond memories and lessons learned, i can say this: "May the good old days Rest In Peace."

My Favorite Hymn

My favorite hymn is a rather old one, and to me it speaks of Christ being our all. I love to sing it, especially in times when i'm simply confused, and don't know the answers. I also like to sing it when he has richly blessed me, just to remind myself that he is all. Here it is:
Be Thou My Vision
Be Thou my vision, Oh Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me save that Thou art
Thou my best thought by day or by night
Waking or sleeping thy prescence my light

Riches I heed not nor man's empty praise
Thou my inheritance now and always
Thou and thou only first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art

Be Thou my vision and Thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me Lord
Thou my great Father and I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one

High King of heaven my victory won
May I reach heaven's joys, bright heaven's Sun
Heart of my own heart whatever befall
Still be my vision oh ruler of all

One of the speakers at Passion this past week made me think of this song. He mentioned that most of us really don't want to know God's plan for our lives. It would probably freak us out... we'd be worried that He'd call us to go live in a mud hut in Africa, speak to someone that we really would rather not notice, or be broken more than we want to risk. We'd rather look to our plan for our lives, our family's plan for our lives, or our boss's plan for our lives. But the vision of humans is so limited, and though it may fulfill us for awhile, I for one do not want to come to the end of my days and realize that I missed it. That God would have done amazing things if i had not been so stubborn and relied on the vision of man. So with that, i pray with all my heart, "Be THOU my vision".

The Return...

Wow, the holidays are over.. starting monday... Christmas was great, though no snow (gosh, you aussies, it's summer there!). Passion conference was, for lack of a more stunning adjective, awesome. I learned so much, not just the fluffy stuff- but practical things. I was also encouraged so much, it was like a breath of fresh air.. perhaps the inhale before the big plunge back into my "real life" with school, family, and everything. I've gotta buy textbooks and get things in order today, as well as hang out with peeps before they head back to their respective universities. So hopefully i'll have time soon to write in more detail about what's been going on with me... i'll have you know, it was tough being without internet for 2 weeks... i've missed you guys.