When I was growing up, my parents used to sing to us once we were in bed. This is a song that Dad sang a lot. We had to fill in the second line of each verse to rhyme with the first line. I was singing this simple song today as I watched the sunset. The glowing silvery-yellow of the sky turned to a pulsing magenta as the sun sank below the horizon.
I’m glad that God made, the sun in the sky
And I’m glad that God made, birds that can fly
I’m glad that God made the cool April breeze
And I’m glad that God made green, leafy trees
But I’m gladdest of all that God made me
I’m gladdest of all that God made me
I’m gladdest of all because you see
He made me like Him
26 April 2009
25 April 2009
Motions
I've been thinking and praying about a lot of things lately and realizing some areas in my life that are lacking. I haven't put God first this semester. Schoolwork and hanging out with friends has come first. I think that because my priorities have been screwed up, everything else has been as well. Once I turn myself fully to God, other things can fall into place.
This may be hard for some people to understand. I explained it to someone who doubted a bit because she looks at me and the way I'm living my life and thinks I'm doing just fine. I go to church every Sunday and I help out in the four-year-old class every Wednesday. I gave up facebook for Lent, and do countless other things. I'm even a majoring in Bible.
But here's the secret: it's all sort of a facade. I'm messed up on the inside. I don't read my Bible every day and I'm more apt to worry over something incessantly than lay it prayerfully before God. This is all hard for me to admit; it's hard for me to take the mask off and reveal what's inside. It's also hard because with my admission comes the obligation of change. As long as I keep everything to myself, no one knows I have a problem.
I know I'm not a horrible person, but I also know that I am failing at a lot of things right now. I need to realign my life, and that's my goal for this summer. I've heard a song by Matthew West playing on the radio fairly frequently. It's really struck me and his words ring true. Internally I have a whole lot of work to do. I know it's not going to be easy, but I must change.
Let me share with you a scene I bear witness to almost every night. As I get ready for bed - washing my face, checking the weather for the next day, looking at my news feed - my roommate sits on her bed with her Bible. Before she goes to bed each night, JoAnna immerses herself in the word of the Lord. I want to do that; I need to allow God to guide me through His word. I'm so thankful for JoAnna and the example that she's been to me.
This may be hard for some people to understand. I explained it to someone who doubted a bit because she looks at me and the way I'm living my life and thinks I'm doing just fine. I go to church every Sunday and I help out in the four-year-old class every Wednesday. I gave up facebook for Lent, and do countless other things. I'm even a majoring in Bible.
But here's the secret: it's all sort of a facade. I'm messed up on the inside. I don't read my Bible every day and I'm more apt to worry over something incessantly than lay it prayerfully before God. This is all hard for me to admit; it's hard for me to take the mask off and reveal what's inside. It's also hard because with my admission comes the obligation of change. As long as I keep everything to myself, no one knows I have a problem.
I know I'm not a horrible person, but I also know that I am failing at a lot of things right now. I need to realign my life, and that's my goal for this summer. I've heard a song by Matthew West playing on the radio fairly frequently. It's really struck me and his words ring true. Internally I have a whole lot of work to do. I know it's not going to be easy, but I must change.
This might hurt, it's not safe
But I know that I've gotta make a change
I don't care if I break,
At least I'll be feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life
I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?
Let me share with you a scene I bear witness to almost every night. As I get ready for bed - washing my face, checking the weather for the next day, looking at my news feed - my roommate sits on her bed with her Bible. Before she goes to bed each night, JoAnna immerses herself in the word of the Lord. I want to do that; I need to allow God to guide me through His word. I'm so thankful for JoAnna and the example that she's been to me.
04 April 2009
Helpless
I'm a little ashamed to say that I feel so helpless without my trusty computer. Of course, I had to relinquish it because it stopped being quite so trusty. In fact, it was flat-out unpredictable. Yesterday, after a couple months of aggravation, my Dad dropped my laptop off at the Apple store in Dallas.
Wow, have I really been without my laptop for only one day?
I never realized quite how attached I am to that thing. I do almost everything on my computer. It's how I communicate, how I do research, how I write papers, how I look at the weather, how I find out news. It's also how I goof off. I know, without a doubt, that it will be good for me to go this week without a keyboard constantly beneath my fingers. It will be so tough, but so good. This week will be my final week off of Facebook. I decided to fast from Facebook for Lent, and I now have seven days left. Going without an easily accessible computer for a week can only help me in the long run.
Until I get my laptop back I will have to make-do with hurried trips to the computer lab or the library. But you know what? I think I can do it.
Wow, have I really been without my laptop for only one day?
I never realized quite how attached I am to that thing. I do almost everything on my computer. It's how I communicate, how I do research, how I write papers, how I look at the weather, how I find out news. It's also how I goof off. I know, without a doubt, that it will be good for me to go this week without a keyboard constantly beneath my fingers. It will be so tough, but so good. This week will be my final week off of Facebook. I decided to fast from Facebook for Lent, and I now have seven days left. Going without an easily accessible computer for a week can only help me in the long run.
Until I get my laptop back I will have to make-do with hurried trips to the computer lab or the library. But you know what? I think I can do it.
01 April 2009
April Fool's
Sadly I didn't pull off any wonderful April Fool's pranks today. Dad, however, was once again a target. His entire office was wrapped in paper. I can't believe those ingenious, I mean reprobate, students stayed up and wrapped each book individually. I can tell you right now, my dad has a lot of books.
Of course, Jesus' face could not be covered up. He is the one thing in the room that was not covered.
This semester I've been volunteering at church in the four-year-old's class. I absolutely love it and look forward to it every week. I really enjoy just playing with these kids and learning with them. A couple of weeks ago we we read the story of the prodigal son. Our teacher asked how the father felt when his son ran away. One little girl shouted out "God". What a classic answer!
Of course, Jesus' face could not be covered up. He is the one thing in the room that was not covered.
This semester I've been volunteering at church in the four-year-old's class. I absolutely love it and look forward to it every week. I really enjoy just playing with these kids and learning with them. A couple of weeks ago we we read the story of the prodigal son. Our teacher asked how the father felt when his son ran away. One little girl shouted out "God". What a classic answer!
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