These past two weeks I have been performing the show Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by Andrew Lloyd Weber with a spectacular cast at Wesleyan. I have found a whole new family in these people, these theatre folk. A family can be defined as many things, including a group of people united in criminal activity (which I suppose is sometimes true), but the family I am talking about is a group of people that love and accept each other, build each other up and work together to reach the end product; a spectacular show.
I was blessed to be a part of such a family for the past month and a half, and will continue to be a part of the Wesleyan theatre family for the next four years. It is amazing how the support of other people can make us feel so good.
I am suffering from and enlarged heel bone which causes tendonitis. Not life-threatening by any means, but painful. I received so much support throughout the show, from people I had just met.
These people are already so special to me. We don't believe the same things, look the same way, practice the same lifestyles, and yet we come together to do magnificent things.
I thank God for the opportunity to know these people. An opportunity to practice unconditional love and acceptance in my everyday life. Things won't always be hunky-dory, but I know that here at Wesleyan I have a tremendous support group in my friends.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Angel By Your Side
My little sister is one of the strongest people I know. She is such a beautiful person, inside and out. I got to go home for the afternoon yesterday to celebrate my birthday, and I can't say how excited I was to get to see all of my family. Maddy has such wonder, such passion for life, such love, not to mention a sense of humor. We painted a desk, chatted, downloaded some new music; good sister bonding.
Maddy wanted a couple songs by Francesca Battistelli from iTunes. I had been contemplating downloading the very same album, so we split the cost of her album "Hundred More Years." I really enjoy Battistelli as an artist because her songs are so honest, so full of truth and reality.
Today was my birthday, so I was bombarded with the simple gesture of love in a "Happy Birthday" wish by so many friends. After a rather busy day, I settled in and finally read the text messages in my phone while listening to the new album. I got to the fourth track, "Angel By Your Side." As I was listening I read the text from my little sister. It said, and I quote, "Listen to Angel By Your Side! That's how I feel about you!!!!"
My eyes teared up immediately. She, altthough still so young, is an example for Christ to all the people around her. Her spectacular spirit amazes me daily. Maddy is my inspiration.
"Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103:1-5"I praise the Lord, with all of my soul, he has given me such a blessing in my family. He heals us, making us whole, pure, clean, renewed in Christ. Listen to this song, and be sure to thank those people who are your angels. God has blessed us in so many ways, thank him for all that he does for each and every one of us.
NINETEEN YEARS.
Tomorrow in the wee hours of the morning I will be 19. Yikes! I still remember sixth grade when Val and I would talk about growing up, I didn't know it was coming so quickly. All I can think about right now is all the things that make me who I am. Faith, family, friends, music, and theatre.
This year is going to be so special. I started college -- again with the YIKES! -- and love it. I thought it was going to be so much easier to just be myself though. I want so badly to have the confidence I used to have in myself, the motivation, the "oomph." I don't really know when I lost it, but I used to be so excited about everything. Ya, depression sucks, and it's sure not easy to get over. It seems that people and events just bring you right down so easily.
I need my passion back. The way for me to do this is dedicate my nineteenth year completely to God. I need to secure myself in his enduring love. To know that He has a plan for me. This is my year to let God be in complete control. For this year I'm not going to date or worry about the superficial things of life. This year I'm going to give it all for God. It's going to be a great year, full of the struggles that come with life, and the trials that arise daily, but I am determined to let God take it all away. He loves me. Isn't that enough for all of us? So for today, I'm merely going to focus on the song "Jesus Loves Me."
This year is going to be so special. I started college -- again with the YIKES! -- and love it. I thought it was going to be so much easier to just be myself though. I want so badly to have the confidence I used to have in myself, the motivation, the "oomph." I don't really know when I lost it, but I used to be so excited about everything. Ya, depression sucks, and it's sure not easy to get over. It seems that people and events just bring you right down so easily.
I need my passion back. The way for me to do this is dedicate my nineteenth year completely to God. I need to secure myself in his enduring love. To know that He has a plan for me. This is my year to let God be in complete control. For this year I'm not going to date or worry about the superficial things of life. This year I'm going to give it all for God. It's going to be a great year, full of the struggles that come with life, and the trials that arise daily, but I am determined to let God take it all away. He loves me. Isn't that enough for all of us? So for today, I'm merely going to focus on the song "Jesus Loves Me."
"Jesus loves me, this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak but He is strong."
I don't have to be strong. I can still be a little child of Christ. I will read the Bible, and pray, and really strengthen my relationship with Christ because I am loved.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Friends are Friends Forever.
As I have been reading my bible, chronologically as some of y'all may know, I have been amazed at the examples of friendship that God provides in his word. I have made it to the end of 1 Samuel and I was truly struck by the power and commitment of Jonathan and David's friendship.
Jonathan, son of King Saul, was the 'heir' to the throne, at least in the eyes of his father. But because Saul had turned from the Lord, the Lord was no longer with him. God had chosen David, a youngest son, to be the new king. If you think about it, shouldn't Jonathan be jealous of David? I mean David is destined to 'take' something that should belong to Jonathan. The situation is so that in our world, these two should not be friends, but this is the power of God.
Jonathan protects David from his own father. The two of them make a vow of friendship, and renewed that vow before the Lord in times of trouble.
Lord remind us of your unending love. Show us how You are around us in everything that we do, providing us with a friendship more strong and powerful than that of David and Jonathan. I praise you for all that you have done in and through me. Thank you for your love and friendship. Amen.
Jonathan, son of King Saul, was the 'heir' to the throne, at least in the eyes of his father. But because Saul had turned from the Lord, the Lord was no longer with him. God had chosen David, a youngest son, to be the new king. If you think about it, shouldn't Jonathan be jealous of David? I mean David is destined to 'take' something that should belong to Jonathan. The situation is so that in our world, these two should not be friends, but this is the power of God.
Jonathan protects David from his own father. The two of them make a vow of friendship, and renewed that vow before the Lord in times of trouble.
"16 So Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, saying, "May the Lord destroy all your enemies!" 17 And Jonathan made David reaffirm his vow of friendship again, for Jonathan loved David as he loved himself." 1 Samuel 20Jonathan loved David as he loved himself. What a powerful love that was. We all need a friendship like that of David and Jonathan. One that builds and protects, one that nurtures and strengthens, one that loves unselfishly and unconditionally. God places people like this in our lives to remind us of His love, and His friendship. Even when we feel completely alone or cut off from others in this world, there is a friend that never leaves us. His name is Jesus Christ. He knew our name before we had a name. He loved us in our sin. He died a painful death on a cross, crucified so we could live eternally with Him. What a love, what a friendship.
Lord remind us of your unending love. Show us how You are around us in everything that we do, providing us with a friendship more strong and powerful than that of David and Jonathan. I praise you for all that you have done in and through me. Thank you for your love and friendship. Amen.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
FOUND!
Last week I spent time at Summer Games Georgia. This is such a wonderful camp for me. I am enabled to share God's love to youth and to receive God's love from all of those around me. Our theme this year was "Found." What a word.
We looked at the story of the prodigal son for most of the week (Luke 15:11-32). We saw the joy the father had as his child was returning home. The father welcomed his younger son home with open arms, throwing a feast to celebrate his return. What a wonderful welcome!
When I read this story I am always struck by the reaction of the older brother. It seems to me that he has some good points. He worked hard while his younger brother was away having fun and squandering his inheritance. Can any of you relate to that? A time when you did all the work and it seemed as if someone else was rewarded? I know I used to relate more to the older brother in this story. It appeared to me as if I was working hard to win God's affection, and other's received it so easily. How could someone's faith outweigh my works?
What I failed to see is that "my" works aren't important; God's works in and through me are what truly matters. Without works, faith is dead; but without faith, what can we really do?
God doesn't want us to be like the older brother. He only went through the motions, never loving his father or understanding his father's love. The story of the prodigal son does not encourage us to run away and waste ourselves on reckless living either. Instead it shows us how God is willing and ready to forgive us of our sins. God welcomes us home, with open and loving arms. He wants us to return to Him. Sometimes He just wants us to see His enduring presence in our lives. But above all, He loves us, just the way we are. He has found us and is waiting for us to recognize Him.
We looked at the story of the prodigal son for most of the week (Luke 15:11-32). We saw the joy the father had as his child was returning home. The father welcomed his younger son home with open arms, throwing a feast to celebrate his return. What a wonderful welcome!
When I read this story I am always struck by the reaction of the older brother. It seems to me that he has some good points. He worked hard while his younger brother was away having fun and squandering his inheritance. Can any of you relate to that? A time when you did all the work and it seemed as if someone else was rewarded? I know I used to relate more to the older brother in this story. It appeared to me as if I was working hard to win God's affection, and other's received it so easily. How could someone's faith outweigh my works?
What I failed to see is that "my" works aren't important; God's works in and through me are what truly matters. Without works, faith is dead; but without faith, what can we really do?
God doesn't want us to be like the older brother. He only went through the motions, never loving his father or understanding his father's love. The story of the prodigal son does not encourage us to run away and waste ourselves on reckless living either. Instead it shows us how God is willing and ready to forgive us of our sins. God welcomes us home, with open and loving arms. He wants us to return to Him. Sometimes He just wants us to see His enduring presence in our lives. But above all, He loves us, just the way we are. He has found us and is waiting for us to recognize Him.
"32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." Luke 15God, I pray that in everything we do, you may be glorified. Help us to remember that we are unworthy of your love, but you give it to us freely. Allow us to know you are always waiting to embrace us as we come home and sometimes even carry us along the way. Thank you for your amazing love, Lord, and all the blessings you have bestowed upon us. You are a great and powerful God that knows each of us by name. I love you. Amen
Monday, July 4, 2011
Starting Over Again
Wow, I had such dedication...for about a month. This time it should be different.
I just got back from Summer Games Georgia 2011. It was yet another wonderful experience. I was enabled to grow closer to God while working for His children. He is such an amazing God.
For the past couple weeks I have been reading the Bible chronologically. It has been such an eye-opening experience. I have learned historical context while enhancing my knowledge of God's great works.
I have fallen in love with the words of Moses in Deuteronomy 32. It is a song Moses recited for the entire community of Israel just before his death. There is such praise and teaching within this chapter.
I have a dear friend who recently lost his father to cancer. This was a time of trial and doubt. "How could God do this to me?" was a common question. After a time of mourning, he realized what God had done in his life. His faith was renewed and he saw all that his father had done in his final days. All of the love shared outweighed the sorrow. The promise of a painless eternity served as a reminder of God's mighty acts.
At times it seems that God puts so much on our plates. The weight of the world is on our shoulders. We must then remember that sometimes God sends us to our knees, but He is always there to pick us back up. There is a plan and a purpose in everything God does, sometimes we fail to see it immediately, or even at all, but through His actions our lives are changed.
As we struggle and find hardships in our life, remember to lean upon the Rock. He is strong, mighty, and willing to take our burdens.
Lord, I pray that you help me to let down my barriers and rest my heavy load upon your Shoulders. You are the Rock of our Salvation, a Strong Tower that I run to in times of trouble. Allow me to remember you, Lord in everything I do, and to see your Mighty Hand working in everything that You do. Amen.
I just got back from Summer Games Georgia 2011. It was yet another wonderful experience. I was enabled to grow closer to God while working for His children. He is such an amazing God.
For the past couple weeks I have been reading the Bible chronologically. It has been such an eye-opening experience. I have learned historical context while enhancing my knowledge of God's great works.
I have fallen in love with the words of Moses in Deuteronomy 32. It is a song Moses recited for the entire community of Israel just before his death. There is such praise and teaching within this chapter.
4 He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!How true, everything that God does is perfect and planned. Think about the implications that come with this. How can we as a people blame God for something?
I have a dear friend who recently lost his father to cancer. This was a time of trial and doubt. "How could God do this to me?" was a common question. After a time of mourning, he realized what God had done in his life. His faith was renewed and he saw all that his father had done in his final days. All of the love shared outweighed the sorrow. The promise of a painless eternity served as a reminder of God's mighty acts.
At times it seems that God puts so much on our plates. The weight of the world is on our shoulders. We must then remember that sometimes God sends us to our knees, but He is always there to pick us back up. There is a plan and a purpose in everything God does, sometimes we fail to see it immediately, or even at all, but through His actions our lives are changed.
As we struggle and find hardships in our life, remember to lean upon the Rock. He is strong, mighty, and willing to take our burdens.
Lord, I pray that you help me to let down my barriers and rest my heavy load upon your Shoulders. You are the Rock of our Salvation, a Strong Tower that I run to in times of trouble. Allow me to remember you, Lord in everything I do, and to see your Mighty Hand working in everything that You do. Amen.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Let's Hear It for the Boy
Long time.. Life gets crazy doesn't it? Well I'm in the mood for praisin the Lord right about now! He's working so well in my life.
God graced me with a vision and calling of creating a youth worship service in my church. I felt led to start something where the youth of today can express their spirituality safely while having oodles of fun. But this is just the starting point.
God gave me the help and support of my friends to get the ball rolling. It started out with about five of us, but didn't stop there. Our idea was accepted at the church and has exploded. Last meeting we doubled in size, and hope to do it once again.
God is good. He has also helped with the necessary healing within my life. For the longest time I had this anger and bitterness for the church, but God took my strife and used it in other's lives. I never recognized the power of weakness, but God wants to take our iniquities and make them tools for touching others.
So basically, I'm happy! All the time, because God has my problems, and they are no longer mine to bother with. My life isn't perfect, or easier, but it has meaning and most importantly peace!
God graced me with a vision and calling of creating a youth worship service in my church. I felt led to start something where the youth of today can express their spirituality safely while having oodles of fun. But this is just the starting point.
God gave me the help and support of my friends to get the ball rolling. It started out with about five of us, but didn't stop there. Our idea was accepted at the church and has exploded. Last meeting we doubled in size, and hope to do it once again.
God is good. He has also helped with the necessary healing within my life. For the longest time I had this anger and bitterness for the church, but God took my strife and used it in other's lives. I never recognized the power of weakness, but God wants to take our iniquities and make them tools for touching others.
So basically, I'm happy! All the time, because God has my problems, and they are no longer mine to bother with. My life isn't perfect, or easier, but it has meaning and most importantly peace!
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