Admit What?!

I cried at the end of a book. Yeah. Me. I've never done that. I've come close, but never actually done it. Until last night. And I wouldn't have admitted it except for the cool thought I got out of it.

So, to back up. This was the second time I've read this book. Pretty sure the first time, nearly a year ago, was one of those 'came-close-to-tears'.

For those who were wondering, the book is actually two books, but the second isn't really a sequel, it's more like a continuation. Yeah, the first one leaves you like, in the middle of a sentence. They're Black Out, and All Clear by Connie Willis. They're Sci-fi/Time Travel books that explore the power and purpose of a single variable in a situation. They're excellent, although I must warn that there is some language. Also, they're a little hard to follow if you haven't read any of her works before. That is because as with most time travel books, the author came up with her own system as to how time travel would work. And, it's never exactly explained precisely. You kind of have to pick up on it as you go. To Say Nothing of the Dog may possibly be better to start with. Her non-time travel book, Bellwether is also fascinating by the way...It's about fads...or influence...or variables...or all of the above.

Anyway...

I cried when I finished All Clear. It was just so, so...beautiful.

So, I was sitting there crying, and I thought..."Now wait a minute, I'm here crying over something beautiful in a Sci-fi book, but I've never cried over the beauty of the cross when I read it?"

Something seemed out of whack there, so, I followed that train of thought for a few minutes. And then it hit me...

It's OK not to have been super emotional about the cross. Maybe it'd be nice once in while, and maybe that time will come. It's OK to have been super emotional about a work of fiction that was beautiful.

Why?

Because the Sci-fi will never change my life, and the Bible has, and will, and does, and that is the most beautiful thing of all.

Which is not to say that no other book has changed my life. There have been a select few that have. (Works of fiction, so far, have not been among them)

God's Smuggler, by Brother Andrew, began a change in my outlook of mission, ministry, persecution, and suffering. There were several books I read right afterwards that solidified that change. If I Perish by Esther Kim, Of Whom the World was not Worthy, by Marie Chapian, Brother Andrew's sequels, or updates, The Calling, and The Light Force, also, Against the Tide, by Angus Kinnear.

Andrew Murray's School of Prayer, obviously the title indicates the area of change. I also read a biography of Hudson Taylor and John Hyde, or, Praying Hyde, which, again, reinforced the change. Also, I have in my possession a biography of George Mueller, which has influenced me greatly in regards to faith and prayer.

Radical, by David Platt, is a book I would include in the life-changer list, but not exactly because it began a change than that it reinforced and directed a change.

But, in spite of that, none of these books have the power to change every aspect of my life. Only God, through His Son, and His Word, the Bible, have that power.

So, obviously, the next thing for you to do would be to sit down, read the Bible, and then go read all the books I just listed, including the Black Out, and All Clear, which won't change your life, but might make you cry, and it might give you a break from all the hefty ones I just listed, (some of which aren't that hefty.)

Cheers!

San Antonio 2012

I had a Great time! Here are a few highlights

+Flying with Captain Diamond, Captain Gross, and Captain Hook on the way there. Captain Hook looked like Einstein which made it all the better!
-Not feeling to well at the change-over location
+I was able to give tracts out to my seat mates on the way over.
-I was too scared to go through the Gospel with any of them.
+One of them was a Kentuckian and worked with violence victims...so, that was interesting.
+/-Sitting in the Wrong Row! And having to move! At least everyone was nice about it.
++++ Seeing Paul and Sarah!
+Sarah's cooking
+Sarah's decorating
+Getting ideas for Christmas presents. *Grin* It's always hard when you haven't seen them in a long time...and I got some ideas for other people too.
-Texas water...I had terrible hair all week.
+Dominion. A game they had. It was fun
+Legos...I've always liked them, and it was nice that they were already built, because I've never been brilliant at making something out of them. Duplos on the other hand...those I can do.
+Church
+'Mexicans'
+Brownies
+The River Walk. We passed out tracts there too. It was interesting to do that in the "Bible Belt"
+/-Mission Concepcion. An old Spanish Mission. Also an active Catholic Parish. The grounds and masonry were beautiful. But it was sad to see a dead religion in action like that, and to know the great influence it has down there.
+Church. It's a good one. :)
+Sleep. And Relaxation. And pillows that I want and miss.
+Music
+/- Movies.
+Family
+Getting to know Sarah a bit better
+Skype
-Missing Dad's birthday
+Walks
+No trick or treaters
+Piano
+Jokes. Laughter. Tears. Forgiveness. Mercy. Grace. Love.
+Cracker Barrel
++Sarah's excitement over the sock monkey display
+The checker-outer person at Cracker Barrel. "That will be $1,825.00 please..."
+Warmth
+/-Dryness
++++/- All the other things I'm forgetting
-Flying with Captain Mumbo-Jumbo. Couldn't hear a word he said. (that's a nickname by the way. I don't think anyone has such an awesome name for a real name.)
---Feeling extremely sick. I frequently get that way when I fly. I guess I don't eat enough or something.
+They had a Ruby's Diner in L.A. They have good milkshakes
+/-Losing my boarding pass. They were able to print me a new one though.
++The reaction of everyone I gave a tract to there.
--Not having any tracts to give out on my last flight.
+/- Sitting in the wrong seat. Again. Something I never do...I was dissappointed because the lady I sat beside the first time seemed really really nice. But then, the couple I sat next to in my proper seat were also very sweet.
+The very sweet Chinese Presbyterian couple I sat next to.
+The man was reading a book on Christian Warfare
+There excitement that we were all Christians. (I think they were more than just professing...)
+Flying with the humorous Captain Shepherd. "We're about to begin our descent into Seattle. The temperature is 54 degrees. And...it's raining............of course.
+Cloud shadows from the air
++Flying into Seattle. I admit I was a little homesick
++Flying over the black hole which was in reality the extremely dark clouds over Washington...
++Dropping down from the sunlit lands above the clouds into the darkness of the clouds
++The cloud layers that looked like a new land. And the sun touching the tops of the Olympic? mountains in the far distance.
+/- The solid red and white ribbons of headlights on the freeways. Unfortunately, my ride was in that traffic.
+Home.
+Family
-Exhaustion
-A very busy next day
+Rest eventually

Yep. I had fun!

God's Amazing Second Mile

In our house, we have a saying. It goes something like. "Go the second mile, dude!" Well, this year, I've been realizing that God has been doing just that.

It started with me asking God for one mile. "Lord, please, help me not to be so stingy this year."

Deep down, I meant something more like, "Lord, I don't want to be so stingy with regards to my gift giving."

But, since that wasn't what I had actually said, He took it literally.

The first three months of the year I was slammed with unexpected expenses. Some were entirely unexpected one-time-only, and some were partly-expected-more-than-I-thought-long-term expenses. The latter ones took a hike mid-year; Kind of like a tax increase, but it wasn't taxes. By mid-summer, nearly 85% of my income was pre-allotted, leaving 15% for gifts, personal spending, and personal saving.

Then the Lord convicted me that at this time, I didn't need to be saving for a car. He also seemed to want me to spend the money I'd saved already on an airplane ticket to see my brother and sister-in-law. (That trip is coming up next week!! Yay!)

As September rolled to an end, I suddenly realized that:
a) I was about to enter October, which has about five important friends/family's birthday's. And,
b) It was almost Christmas.
c) I had a few important other items to purchase as well

All of which meant that I that 15% of my budget would be incredibly insufficient given my income, (which, by the way, took a significant decrease towards the beginning of the second quarter)

I only had one option, because cutting my pre-allotted expenditures was not an option. Getting smaller birthday presents wasn't an option this year either, because, in line with my lesson in non-stinginess/God's providence, I made a sort of un-spoken policy to give my best, regardless of cost, and let the Lord provide the rest.

So, I prayed, "Lord, I need some more money for these next few months, please."

Last week, the Lord provided me a second job. I was grateful. But since I charge an hourly wage not much over the minimum wage, and since I wouldn't be working more than a few additional hours, I wasn't sure it would be enough.

That is, until I discovered that my new employers randomly decided to pay me double what I was charging.

Isn't God good? He took my 'one-mile' request, tweaked my attitude about the whole thing, (quite a bit), and took it the second mile in more ways than one. This is only a short version!

Top Eleven Things I Said While Learning to Drive

1: I am slowing down!

2: Whoops, I guess I should slow down a bit. Don't want to get my permit suspended.

3: I am speeding up, your gas pedal just has a slow response time.

4: Where are you going, can I drive?

5: How'm I doing?

6: I'm such a good parker!

7: What should I have done?

8: *tears* I'm a terrible driver, I'll never get my license!

9: I am staying in my lane!

10: Night driving sure is different!


11: Let's do a road trip, I'll drive!

The Top Ten Things I Heard While Learning to Drive

1: Slow Down!!

2: Speed Up.

3: Look over your shoulder when changing lanes!

4: It's not a staring contest, just glance!

5: Stay in your lane.

6: You have to be aware of everything around you.

7: A merge is like two people trying to get into the same place at the same time without hitting each other.

8: Slow down, no, BRAKE!

9: Stay in your lane.

10: Don't panic.

And now, I am a Licensed Driver. Congratulations, Self!

Have I Mentioned...?

...That I love the book of Hebrews?

I saw another cool little thing in Chapter 9 this week.

"Whereupon, neither the first testament was dedicated without blood, 
"For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
"Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you." ~(Hebrews 9:18-20)

The Old Testament verses for this is in Exodus 24:1-8.

What's cool about this, I thought, was the similarity of vs. 20 to Matthew 26: 26-28 which reads:

"While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My body.
"And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them saying, Drink from it, all of you:
"For this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."

In the same way that the sacrifices of the Old Testament were a type of salvation from sins, the blood of Jesus is the way of salvation. And both covenants were dedicated with almost exactly the same wording. Cool? I think so.

Musings, Part 2

Last time, I spoke about a passage in Deuteronomy. This time, let's look at something entirely different, but equally cool. It's from Hebrew's chapter 8:4

" Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law."

I've always known the ascension of Jesus Christ was important. After all, it's the ending of His physical work on earth. He completed His job on the cross. He gave us a way to be saved.

But this verse brings the whole ascension thing to a whole new level, and to understand that, you have to know a little bit about the Old Testament law.

The Old Testament law is the law spoken about in this verse. It refers to priests who offer blood sacrifices for the people's sins. Under the Old Testament law, such sacrifices were sufficient. But, as the writer of Hebrews continues in verse 9 of the same chapter, the new testament, or covenant, is:

"Not like the covenant that I made with their fathers, on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, for they did not continue in my covenant."

The Israelites broke the covenant, so Jesus came to earth to establish "a more perfect covenant." (vs. 6) Hebrews 7 dwells extensively on the subject of Jesus's priesthood. He is a priest, the high priest. His priesthood is especially important. His death on the cross established Him as a valid blood sacrifice, which is what washes away the first covenant. There could not have been a new covenant without a blood sacrifice, and Jesus was the priest who made that sacrifice. (Hebrews 9:22)

Now the question is, why didn't Jesus just remain on earth?

The answer is that His great sacrifice would have been invalidated. Jesus would have been relegated to the same role as the Old Testament priests. "If He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all."

Isn't that cool? The ascension of Jesus Christ is His stamp of permanency and validity on the new covenant. Without the ascension, there would be no salvation. I just love the book of Hebrews, don't you?

Musings Part 1

So, I love the Bible. It's cool. And I have two cool things to tell you. One of them, I thought I had told you about last year, but, it turns out I didn't.

Last year, I was reading Deuteronomy. Typically, it's not my most favorite book of the Bible, but that time, I saw something regarding the power of intercessory prayer.

In Deut. 9:4-6, Moses speaks to Israel about their upcoming crossing of the Jordan River, and about the people, the Anakims, who are great and tall, and how the Lord, not the Israelites, will get the credit for driving out the Anakims. Notice the phrase, three times repeated, "It is not because of your righteousness that the Lord is driving them out"

Vs. 4: "Do not say in your heart when the Lord your God has driven them out before you, 'Because of my righteousness the Lord has brought me in to possess this land,' but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is dispossessing them before you.

Vs. 5: "It is not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart that you are going to possess their land, but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord your God is driving them out before you, in order to confirm the oath which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Vs. 6: "Know, then, it is not because of your righteousness that the Lord your God is giving you this good land to possess,d for you are a stubborn people."

The chapter continues with a recounting of the wickedness and stubborn rebelliousness of the Israelites.

Notice vs. 5, "It is because of the wickedness of the nations that Lord is driving them out."

From that, we see that the Israelites and the nations they were displacing were equally wicked.

So, if they were equally wicked, why did God destroy one nation and not the other? (Besides the reason that the Israelites are His chosen ones.)

We see that the Lord had indeed threatened to destroy the Israelites as well, but Moses, "fell down before the Lord, forty days and nights, which I did because the Lord had said He would destroy you. I prayed to the Lord and said, 'O Lord God, do not destroy Your people, even Your inheritance, whom You have redeemed through Your greatness, whom You have brought out of Egypt with a might hand..."


The reason the Lord didn't destroy the nation of Israel then and there was because one man fell down and prayed.

So, now I'm out of time and you'll have to wait for the other cool thing.

Happy Independence Day.

Belated.

Mine was great. How was yours?

Contrary to Seattle's historic precedent. Summer began on the 4th instead of the 5th, making it an absolutely beautiful day. After lounging around in the morning a bit with the family, who all had the day off, we went to a   barbecue picnic we'd been invited to.

There, we hung out with friends, chatted, sang God bless America, and heard my Dad give a great talk on how repentance is the necessary ingredient for God's blessing on America.

Then, right at the very end, the host showed us his cars...Yeah. You all know me, I like old cars. And he had a beauty. It was a lovely blue convertible Mercury '69 (I think). With a custom engine and very comfortable seats. Yes, the guy let me sit in it. =P And then I heard him talk about price...

"yeah, it's worth 29, and I put in 18. It's listed for 22, but I'd take 17."

Insert whirling brain. Did he really just say he'd take $1,700?!?

As my sister says, "God always makes a way of escape when we're tempted." In this case, it was by the confirmation that no, he didn't say that...he said $17,000. Shoot. :( But it was still fun.

Then, we came home, watched a movie, and attempted sparklers.

I don't remember ever doing anything but sparklers, and this year, I'd found some in a bin somewhere. The package looked like they might have been from the '80s, but we decided to try them anyway. We're probably the only people in the world that would use half a box of matches on 6 sparklers.

The wind blew a few out first. Then the sparklers wouldn't light. It came out that they may have been a little damp. Then, some of us didn't know how to do it, and we smothered a few dozen more matches.Then we got one sparkler lit, but it died before it went all the way. And so, the story continued.

Half an hour later, and half a box of matches later, all six sparklers had finally been properly consumed, leaving us with a memorable, and fun, ending to a fun day.

Happy Independence Day!

Quick Update

I know, it's been a couple of weeks. But, sometimes, if you don't have anything to say, don't say it. 

Recently, I've been:

Reading a great biography of Jonathan Edwards, by George Marsden
Reading a fun novel: The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznik

Pondering life

Helping my neighbor's pack

Babysitting

Catching up on letters

And much more...!

Here's thought to chew on.

Since God stretches us to the point of breaking, but never actually snaps us, only makes us more flexible, shouldn't we feel honored that He thinks we can handle whatever test He's given. Some people handle less, some more, but He only gives us what is possible to handle. So next time you start complaining about how difficult life is, be encouraged that through Him, you can survive it. 

Old Treasures

You know it, I know it. Everybody always finds an old treasure when they decide to clean the laundry room...or the attic, or that-other-place-you-stuff-things-just-because... Here's my treasure:

Written by me, in 2007...are you ready?

The Candy Report

"Oh, the delectable smell of the Snickers bar! What a rich aroma pervaded the air! Sometimes I wonder what it is about the bewitching smell of chocolate that makes one want to gobble the candy up.

"The perfectness of the Snickers bar was beyond belief. The careful precision of the chocolate ridges on top. The wonder of the oozing insides made it more than perfect!

"And the taste! So carmelly, just as flexible as taffy! and the nuts! so crunchy and good. While the chocolate melted and left delicious brown stains on your finger! Mmmmm!"

Day By Day

I love the lyrics to the hymn, Day By Day. They're beautiful. And, it's something I've been learning in the last year or so; to take things day by day, moment by moment.

I've always been a planner. Well, actually, a dreamer-planner. As in, I dream up plans for years into the future and never actually have a real, usable/doable plans. But often, when my dream-plans get upset, it feels as though a real plan has been upset. It's kind of hard to explain.

If you've been reading my blog for the last year and a half, you probably know that after I graduated high school, I had lots of those dream-plans; plans that took me a long time to give up. They were times of uncertainty. Not the first such times, and certainly not the last. But I feel as though I have learned, or rather, progressed, in learning the lesson of living day to day. And somehow, as I face a new time of uncertainty, I find that my new perspective frees me to be, weirdly enough, excited about the unknown future. I feel the suspenseful, exciting anticipation of a great treasure at the end of a dark tunnel.

I don't think it's wrong to plan a little. For instance, this weekend, I plan, God-willing, to go to a lovely violin recital followed by a party for a friend and a day in Leavenworth. Every week, I plan to keep my once-a-week babysitting engagement. I plan on going to church on Sundays, and to Bellevue to witness on Tuesdays. But, these are real plans, not dream-plans. And they're qualified by the statement, 'God-willing.' Living day by day makes it easier to qualify my plans. It makes me more flexible, more excited for the revealing of the unknown.

It's kind of weird, really. I've never had this perspective before. But, I guess it makes sense, because God never promises strength for tomorrow until tomorrow becomes today. His grace is sufficient. Of course, if you think to pray that God will reveal the next part of my future, go right ahead. ;)


Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find, to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best—
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest. 

Every day, the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,
He Whose Name is Counselor and Power;
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in every tribulation
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
Ever to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the promised land.

Attack of the Bumblebee

Nose pressed eagerly against the glass, I watched enchanted as the shiny white paint was brushed onto the deck railing.

I tugged at the glass door, and stepped out in my bare feet.

"Can I help, dad, please?"

"No, honey, not this time, you'd only be in the way. I don't want you to come out here now."

Disappointed, I returned inside. Once there, I looked back out and saw that my brother was out there. It didn't seem fair.

To understand that, you have to realize that my brother and I are only a year apart. Also, that I had always considered myself completely equal with him. And yet, occasionally, evidence that he could be allowed privileges that I was not would shock my small world.

It was a beautiful sunny day, and the deck was a regular pathway to the green expanse of grass beyond. It wasn't the reason, but it was a reason to be tempted to disobedience. From the context, I knew Dad had only forbidden the deck, and yet, how could he?

"Surely,' I thought, "Dad had only meant that I couldn't stand on the part he was working on. It would be perfectly fine just to watch him from the other part of the deck. He hadn't said I couldn't watch! If I got tired, I could cross the deck and play in the grass."

I returned to the glass door and looked out again. The activity outside was fascinating and irresistible.

Opening the door again, silently, cautiously, I stepped out again. I knew fully that I was being disobedient, but couldn't I just watch? I hadn't taken ten steps when I cried out in pain. A bee had stung me on the heel.

Dad turned around and saw me. He told me to go inside to Mom for the bee sting, and then said quietly, "I told you to stay off the deck."

I knew without his words that the bee sting was a direct consequence of my disobedience.

Wisps of Memory

Five children came rushing tumultuously out the front door and down the brick steps. Each held in their hands the much coveted special summer treat; an ice cream cone.

"Race you to the Story Rock." Paul yelled and took off. John was on his heels, and four year old Peter toddled gamely behind. Such a boy.

Always up for a challenge, Katie and I followed also, but more slowly. I knew what would happen to the precious Ice Cream if one went too quickly.

Naturally, we reached the rock last. John and Paul had already clambered up, careless of small scrapes. Katie and I were next, searching carefully for good handholds. Then, we reached down and hauled Peter up the tall face.

Eventually, we had all settled down cross-legged on the cool, but sun-warmed surface of the huge, flat-topped rock. After a few licks, most of the boys chomped down on the ice cream, but John and the girls licked slowly, savoringly.

The silence was short-lived. I could not contain myself.

"Come on, Katie! Tell us a story! Pleeeease?"

"YEAH!!!!!" Enthusiasm galor from the male contingent.

Stalling for time, since she never told one before she had finished her ice cream, Katie answered slowly. We waited in anticipation for the loved, expected, predictable response.

"All right, what do you want in it?"

That was the game. Each of us were allowed to think of one thing that would be included in the story. Some were quicker than others to think of something. Others thought of something and then changed their minds. Everything originated from the wildest corners of our imaginations, and yet, each was characteristic.

Paul's choice was always militaristic.

"I want a huge tank, bigger than anything else in the entire story!"

John's was always mechanical; a logical and cool new invention, but also ranging alongside with a typical boys response.

"I want a clock that blows up the huge tank when it strikes 4:30."

My choice had two extremes depending on mood. It might be wildly impossible and magical, or it might be something a little more realistic and simple.

"A butterfly that saves the world."

Peter could always be expected to follow Paul's lead.

"I want a tank that's bigger than Paul's!" It was put forward that that would be impossible, so he changed it.

"Fine then, how about a big tree that the tank crashes into?"

From these objects, Katie would tell a story that would leave us sitting up on our knees and leaning forward, drinking in the tale eagerly. Sometimes, if she wasn't in the mood to tell a story, she would stall and be provokingly literal. But usually, she give in on our protesting demands to "tell a REAL story, Katie!"

"Once upon a time," she might begin, "there was a huge tank of water, so big that it acted as a roof over the world."

("KATIE! I said a TANK!"
"Of course you did, you didn't say what kind."
"I want to change it!"
"Sorry, you made you choice. Who's telling the story?"
Paul sat back a little disgruntled, but soon became interested again.)

Katie repeated her sentence.

"...so big it was like roof on top of the world. And it sat there and weighed the whole earth down, and down, and down, and everybody wondered why they were sinking. And then, one day, a little, tiny butterfly discovered the reason. She had been blown in a storm way up high and had seen the giant tank.

"When the storm was over, she flew back down and searched for a man she had once seen. After many days of looking, she finally found him.

"The man was an very old inventor who often came up with ingenious ideas, but no one ever paid any attention. He had discovered how to speak to four thousand different species, and that was how the butterfly was able to tell him.

"'Ah, small one,' said the old man, 'you have saved us all!'

"The old man set to work to make an itsy-bitsy bomb and a great long string, which he attached to a clock. Then, he called the butterfly and gave her careful instructions. She was to drop the bomb into the tank of water at it's steam hole. He would give her one whole day to get there, and one whole day to get back, and then he would set the clock and the bomb would go off and destroy the tank.

"When the butterfly got back, the man carefully set the alarm to 4:30 p.m.

"He told no one of his experiment, because he wasn't sure if it would work. But, it did. At 4:30, the bomb went off and the tank came crashing down in many little pieces and one giant piece. And the giant piece landed on a huge tree in the middle of the forest, and there it sits today.

"And one more thing, it flooded for forty days and forty nights, and some of the water got stuck in the clouds and that is why it rains sometimes.

"The End"

Various and Sundry

It's been a while since I did a book review...this is not it. At least, not exactly. I was reading an interesting book however. It's called "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. And he made two points that were very thought-provoking.

I'd heard a lot about this book, but when I finally got around to checking it out at the library, I was expecting quite a bit of the touchy-feely stuff. While there may have been a little of that, I was overall very pleasantly surprised. So, here's the two interesting points.

The first one was Chan's intriguing question: "Is what you're doing right now what you want to be doing when Jesus comes back? Is this what you want to be 'caught' doing?" Now, while I can't go so far as to say that all things that are pleasureful are bad because it's not witnessing or something (a point that seemed like it might have been loosely made) it is a very convicting question.

Interesting point number two was the author's observation regarding the American/western obsession with 'personal safety.' While he agreed that it was perfectly all right to ask for God's protection during a journey etc., he wondered if we were missing out. If we were so concerned with our own safety that we were stuck in a rut of never going outside of our comfort zone to witness/suffer persecution for the name of Christ.

That point ties into something I heard a few months ago. A young man of my acquaintance was giving a talk about complacency. Are we so stuck on our safety that we have become complacent with that role? It's time to move out. What's happened that world-changers are so rare? Our age has some great preachers, but where are the people who act on that preaching to the sacrificing of our selves?

I've been going to a nearby town to share the gospel with a group of other people. I am amazed at how lost people are. I have met people who are clueless as to the gospel, I have met people who are scornful, antagonistic, stubborn, and hating. But I have also seen people who are responsive.

Reading in John this morning, I read something about how those who are lost are incapable of hearing the word of God. I've seen this worked out. But guess what? The very fact that they are incapable of hearing us apart from the Holy Spirit's convicting power should embolden us to be unafraid of their automatically negative response.

Hmm, I was going to say a lot more about other things, but, I can't seem to form the words yet, so you'll just have to wait. I merely admonish you to do the right thing, because it is right and to love and follow God alone above all others, but to listen also to your spiritual authorities.

Toodle-oo!

Of Things Dead

I had the opportunity last night to go to the Bellevue Square bus terminal to ask people some questions.

Ephesians 2:1: "For they are dead in their trespasses and sins."

"How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices." Proverbs 1:22-31

Man1: "Yes, I'm going to heaven. I'm a good person. Yes, I've lied, but, I've asked forgiveness, so it's all ok. But, I don't really hold with all that religious stuff."

I approached the next guy by myself. From a distance, you could see they were goofing off. I'm afraid I indulged in the thought, "hey, sometimes goofy people are easier to talk to..." There were two of them standing together.

Me: Have you ever thought about what happens when you die?

Man1: You dead, man.

Man 2: I already done been asked that. I don't believe in that stuff. I went to college and took an OT class. I even got a Bible verse right here on my arm. It says King James eyes of blue and hair of bronze. I got it right here. You say the Bible's God's word? What'd he do, take a pen out and write it hiself? Oh, no, it was written by a bunch of human beans. Humans don't have the authority to utter God's word.

~~~~~

Woman1: No, I don't plan to die. I have no plans to die anytime soon. 

~~~~~

Man 1: I don't care.

~~~~~

Man1: I hate God and all that He stands for. He has hurt me too much. Yes, I know that He loves me, but I hate him. The only times I've lied are when it was necessary to save myself or someone else from harm, so it was ok.

~~~~~

After a while, I tagged along behind one of the other men who were there asking questions and listened to his expertise.

~~~~~

Man1: I don't care. Sure, I've told lies, committed adultery, blasphemed, stolen things, but, if there is a Judgment day, I'll be innocent, because all those things were for a good cause.

~~~~~

The saddest one was the one who pointed to Christian hypocrisy as his reason for not believing. He also insisted that political activists equal religious people, that he was upset because all the churches rose up together to squash the recent gay rights bill, and that he would return the next week to say more things that wouldn't be liked. He also admitted that he would be guilty if he stood before the throne, but that with age comes wisdom and then you won't be a sinner anymore.

~~~~~

As my dad says: "It's not a lost and dying world, it's a lost and dead world."

"Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest." Luke 10:2

The Wedding Pictures

These pictures aren't really in order...Enjoy!

The lovely people who hosted us. There's a brother too, but I couldn't find a picture of them all together.

Throwing the bouquet. Sarah has a strong arm, the bouquet went over all those heads and landed in the back!

The gorgeous reception decor

The Father/Daughter dance. It was very sweet.

The Bride's Family. Don't they all look nice!?

The car. I love the decal!

More Beautiful decorations!

Me.

Going through the honor gaurd

The Bride's Cake. It almost fell over when they put the pressure of the knife on. Paul is holding it up.

Paul and the best man. Friend's for years and years.

The Ceremony

I love this picture of the rings. 

The sand...after it was mixed.

First Kiss!!

Paul and the Grandparents

Carrying her out. Isn't it pretty!?

Best man and maids of honor. L to R: Jensen Kelly, Craig Alford, Hannah Livingston

"First Look." When Paul saw Sarah in her dress for the first time.

They're about to be married!

Janessa and Jared

Here they come!

Wedding Party: Me, Cameron Partsch, Katie, John, Hannah L., Craig A.,  Elizabeth L. Sarah, Paul, Jensen, Jared, Janessa, Noah L. Rachael

Katie and John

Groom, Groomsmen, and Ushers...(minus one)

Sisters

Them...and us.

Sand Ceremony. Pretty!

Me and Cameron Partsch

The groom's cake

The security guards

I love this picture

This is such a good one of Peter. And a close up of the security ear-piece!

Bride's parents, bride and groom, groom's parents

Wedding party plus ushers minus one

There we are! Grooms family

Cake smearing. They obviously were enjoying themselves

Brides cake and cupcakes

Groom and parents

She's coming up behind him!

The Charge!

Bridal party

Don't they look nice?

Rachael and Noah L.

Time for a spanking!

So pretty!

The bride and groom

Bride, groom, and bridal party

My Perspective; Chapter 7: In Which I Conclude with the Big Bang...Bash I mean

I spent Wednesday night with my Grandparents and it stormed away all night long. In the morning we awakened to find that not only had the motor home leaked quite a bit more, but that each RV had its own private lake underneath. About mid-morning, my big brother called and wanted us to come over to the bride’s house to, (ostensibly) help load the U-Haul with the bride’s things. I think he really just wanted my grandparents to meet her! On our way, we encountered more flooding, nearly halfway –up the hubcaps in one part. But, once we reached the highway, things dried up a bit.

When we had almost reached the house, we came across a railroad track. There was no signage to indicate that it was an abnormal crossing, so we crossed at, well, what turned out to be an un-safe speed. My head hit the ceiling and the wheels left the ground as we bounced across!

After an hour of visiting or so, Mr. Livingston went to pick up the remaining members of my family at the airport, my grandparents returned to the RV Park, and I remained with my brothers and the bride’s brothers, and the bride, to help…I mean, watch them load the U-Haul. There were some struggles with a couch, but in the end, it all got done.

That evening, when my entire family had been united and the Livingston’s were all together, there was a lovely little party and then my sister and I went to stay with some of Sarah’s friend’s.

Friday, my family went to prepare for the rehearsal dinner, while the Livingston’s went to prepare for the rehearsal and wedding. I stayed at the Livingston’s with Hannah L. to make cakes and salad for the rehearsal dinner. It was then that I broke the Livingston’s sink. It remained broken for three days (when my mom fixed it). It also proceeded to spray everyone who turned on the faucet… (The sprayer was stuck.)

The rehearsal went fantastically that evening. The funniest thing that happened was one of the groomsmen’s remarks as he practiced guiding the bridesmaid’s down the aisle.

“So…I just walk to the center and they just…get on me?”

The rehearsal dinner went just as well with Pizza, Soda, cake, salad, and the sweetest and funniest toasts ever from the brother of the groom and the sister of the bride. My mom did a fabulous job of decorating, but sadly, I don’t think there are any pictures. (My cake was a hit too…but, ‘let another man praise me…’)

The next morning, my sister and I, (and her friend) went with Sarah and Hannah to the hair salon. The three of us watched the two of them get themselves all beautified (to the music of clicking cameras) and then we went to get lunch at Newk’s. (It was really tasty. They need some of those restaurants up here in the north!)

Then, we headed to the church where we hung out for a while, got into our dresses, and Sarah got some pictures with the groom around then too. Afterwards, the whole wedding party took pictures together for a long time and by the time it was over, it was time for the ceremony.

I was sure I wasn’t going to cry, but I did tear up a bit as Sarah came down the aisle. It was like I realized that this was my brother’s wedding!

Instead of a unity candle, they had a sand ceremony. I couldn’t see it, but it turned out pretty funny. Paul’s sand had gotten wet or something and was clumping. It wouldn’t come out! In the end, it did come out, but not till the last notes of the 5 minute (aprox.) special music had ended.

My dad gave a fabulous charge, even if he didn’t do it like Yosemite Sam (just watch some Bugs Bunny cartoons). And, now they’re married. :D

Mrs. Livingston and her crew did a stupendous job decorating for the reception. It was beautiful. (The food was good too) The bridesmaids came in through the Air Force Honor Guard, and the groomsmen dressed up like security guards. Then, we watched with bated breath as the bride and groom walked under the honor guard’s arch of swords. When they reached the end, one of the honor guards’s spanked the bride (an Air Force tradition…) and everything proceeded with ease and festivity.

The best man and one of the maids of honor did a toast, and then the bride and groom cut the bride’s cake. (There was a groom’s cake too…Southern tradition I think) They smeared the cake and got it all over the place and then the bride and her father danced and then they left. My brother carried Sarah to the car through a cloud of bubbles. It was beautiful and sweet and romantic.

Then, all the out of town guests, plus a few extra, headed over to the Livingston’s to unload cars, load presents into cars, and party.

At the party, which was fabulous (did I mention Southern hospitality yet? Ah, now I have) we heard some of the famous Cajun Thibodeaux and Boudreaux...They were pretty funny.

Then, we all went to our respective places for the night and in the morning, we went to church with the Livingston’s. A couple of the groomsmen also stayed for church. Then, we went home and crashed. I took another nap…:D My sister and I stayed at the Livingston’s that night, and the next morning, Mr. Livingston graciously took us and my parent’s to the New Orleans airport. My brothers were, and are, and did, repeat my trip with my grandparents…only backwards. They got stuck in that awful place, Deming, New Mexico, when the alternator broke, but now they’re safe in Phoenix and due to return home tomorrow. (They said they had fun in Deming…)

Oh, and the flight home was very long, but the sunset in Seattle was gorgeous as we flew in and I was absolutely thrilled to discover that I hadn’t missed spring and that our very kind friends where there to pick us up and said very kind friends also brought us dinner…very kindly. (Did I mention that Northern Hospitality exists too?)

And so, we have the end of the story! Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

Post to follow with Pictures later today or tomorrow. Stay tuned!