Saturday, June 28, 2008
Last night was beautiful. I've noticed how easy is it to draw close to God again when I've been lazy. It doesn't take much, not at all. Just obeying God when He gives me those little urges can bring a moment that yanks me back into His arms and into His love.
When I was leaving work last night, it was late and stormy, and even though there were other cars out and about, I felt alone. Not in the depressing snse or anything--it was just like "I'm alone right now, no one else matters" you know? I had the radio on wayfm, and I was singing along to whatever song was on, and God told me to turn the radio off and pray. So I did.
Now, I've done this before in the car, but it's always been awkward to hear my voice bouncing around in the emptiness of the van (lol), but last night it was completely comfortable. My voice was strong as I began praying for different people, as if I was tapping into God's power. I began just thanking Him and praising Him for the things He has given me and the people He has placed in my life. I began thanking Him for Jesus, for saving me, for loving me.
Like I told Beth, I couldn't help but cry, because how else can you express such an overwhelming gratefulness?!
The God we serve is doing AMAZING things!
Until later,
Courtney
6.28.08
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
I haven't written yet since school got out, and honestly, I haven't had a quiet time since then either. David was right when he said sometimes we get lazy with the coming of summer. I will make sure that will change though--starting now.
So, before I say what I want to say, I'd like to apologize to David Estradaaaaa for youth last night. It seems like we were all a little restless, and my jolly ranchers probably had a lot to do with it. =] I know it's most likely hard to get up and speak about something important to kids who aren't listening. So, I'm sorry.
Basically, I just wanted to hurry up and put down some thoughts about 1 and 2 Timothy. That was Alex's challenge to me--reread that and tell him what I got out of it. So I did, but like I told him yesterday, what I wlaked away with wasn't necessarily about a particular verse, but more about the book as a whole and the relationship between Paul and Timothy.
Ever since I read a novel series titled "The Mark of the Lion" by Francine Rivers, I've had a different understanding about what getting letters from the apostles would have really been like. So now having read those books, I turn to 1 and 2 Timothy and really see it played out. I read those books with a whole different view. It was as if I were actually Timothy receiving word from Paul after a long time, and soaking it all up. It was no longer like reading some old, dead guy's rules for Timothy, but like reading a caring friend's godly advice for ME.
In all, it made it pretty interesting. What cracked me up though is how Paul goes from saying "Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands..." to "Stop drinking only water...because of your stomach and frequent illnesses", then right on back to "The sins of some are obvious..." I mean, what on earth?! Right in the middle of all that "important-sounding" stuff, Paul gives Timothy advice for stomach problems!
Hah...Well okay, I'm out.
Until Later,
Courtney
So, before I say what I want to say, I'd like to apologize to David Estradaaaaa for youth last night. It seems like we were all a little restless, and my jolly ranchers probably had a lot to do with it. =] I know it's most likely hard to get up and speak about something important to kids who aren't listening. So, I'm sorry.
Basically, I just wanted to hurry up and put down some thoughts about 1 and 2 Timothy. That was Alex's challenge to me--reread that and tell him what I got out of it. So I did, but like I told him yesterday, what I wlaked away with wasn't necessarily about a particular verse, but more about the book as a whole and the relationship between Paul and Timothy.
Ever since I read a novel series titled "The Mark of the Lion" by Francine Rivers, I've had a different understanding about what getting letters from the apostles would have really been like. So now having read those books, I turn to 1 and 2 Timothy and really see it played out. I read those books with a whole different view. It was as if I were actually Timothy receiving word from Paul after a long time, and soaking it all up. It was no longer like reading some old, dead guy's rules for Timothy, but like reading a caring friend's godly advice for ME.
In all, it made it pretty interesting. What cracked me up though is how Paul goes from saying "Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands..." to "Stop drinking only water...because of your stomach and frequent illnesses", then right on back to "The sins of some are obvious..." I mean, what on earth?! Right in the middle of all that "important-sounding" stuff, Paul gives Timothy advice for stomach problems!
Hah...Well okay, I'm out.
Until Later,
Courtney
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Earlier today we had to present a literary analysis in my American Lit. class, and something caught my attention about my friend's. She made a comment about the theme of her book, which was good vs. evil. She said "good always wins". No matter what happens to someone in their lifetime, "good" always comes even if they don't live to see it. So, that made me think. Isn't that like God? He said "It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time, their foot will slip." Justice is God's, not ours. And like I said, even if we don't see that justice in our lifetime, it will come...in God's "due time"....right?
Well, anyways...You know those Daily Bible Verse things that some people have on their myspace? Well, I was on a friend's page yesterday and I saw 1 Peter 3:15 and I really liked it. It says:
"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their behavior."
God really spoke to me through this, because I was a little worried about next year--a teacher told me that the Fellowship of Christian Students club we're trying to start for next year may not be seen as good news to certain other teachers. I've been really concerned about if I can handle that kind of persecution. So when I read this, it was like God telling me that the only thing I can do is be ready and know exactly what I would say should someone ask.
So, okay. I get that. Easy. But then Peter's next line didn't quite fit right in my head...Why does he feel the need to remind us to be gentle and respectful? Why does he start talking about malicious speech against us? I came to the conclusion that Peter wasn't just talking about a curious friend, although that could apply. I believe he was also talking about people who go up against us and our faith in God, people who DEMAND an answer, or mock what we believe. There will be people like those certain teachers that don't want us living for Christ, and that is Satan rising up against us. All we need to do is be prepared, and to not stray from what Christ asks of us. As long as we continue to walk with God, nothing can be held against us.
I just thought that was pretty cool.
Later!
Earlier today we had to present a literary analysis in my American Lit. class, and something caught my attention about my friend's. She made a comment about the theme of her book, which was good vs. evil. She said "good always wins". No matter what happens to someone in their lifetime, "good" always comes even if they don't live to see it. So, that made me think. Isn't that like God? He said "It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time, their foot will slip." Justice is God's, not ours. And like I said, even if we don't see that justice in our lifetime, it will come...in God's "due time"....right?
Well, anyways...You know those Daily Bible Verse things that some people have on their myspace? Well, I was on a friend's page yesterday and I saw 1 Peter 3:15 and I really liked it. It says:
"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their behavior."
God really spoke to me through this, because I was a little worried about next year--a teacher told me that the Fellowship of Christian Students club we're trying to start for next year may not be seen as good news to certain other teachers. I've been really concerned about if I can handle that kind of persecution. So when I read this, it was like God telling me that the only thing I can do is be ready and know exactly what I would say should someone ask.
So, okay. I get that. Easy. But then Peter's next line didn't quite fit right in my head...Why does he feel the need to remind us to be gentle and respectful? Why does he start talking about malicious speech against us? I came to the conclusion that Peter wasn't just talking about a curious friend, although that could apply. I believe he was also talking about people who go up against us and our faith in God, people who DEMAND an answer, or mock what we believe. There will be people like those certain teachers that don't want us living for Christ, and that is Satan rising up against us. All we need to do is be prepared, and to not stray from what Christ asks of us. As long as we continue to walk with God, nothing can be held against us.
I just thought that was pretty cool.
Later!
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