As Kids Grow...
You shall teach [God’s Word] to your children . . . when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. —Deut. 11:19
I love children, but I've been thinking about kids much too much lately. The other night at my birthday party, a new friend unassumingly began talking about how the age of the average PhD student is around 27, and they finish when they're 30 or 31, and then they need to get married, get a job, start a family. Little did she know that this birthday girl had just turn 27, is contemplating a PhD and concerned with those very issues.
The thing is that if God blesses me with kids of my own someday, I want to be a good mother, because I think it's really so important. I have some great mothers to look at as examples- Marisa, Lisa, my own mom, and Chrissy- even though she's just begun I can see all the love in her eyes! Kids take up a lot of time and a lot of money and a lot of effort teaching them the most important things... the word of the Lord. I talked to my parents just the other day about how I grew up largely not even realizing that it was different that my faith was so important to me. I grew up always going to church during the week for bible study and choir practice, participating in service events on Saturdays, always there for Sunday School and Church. I always call it my church family, because it really is like an extended family to me.
Well, I guess sometimes I wonder if it's selfish of me to want to do a PhD, if I should be saving for kids that I might either have or adopt someday. But, this verse does remind me that is not the most important thing. While I will need to be financially prepared before I have kids (some 5-6 years down the road or so), it's even more important to store up those treasures in heaven so that I can not only give my children the financial stability they need but also the faith stability they need.
As I Grow...
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. 12We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
It's hard to read these verses right now, because I did feel that God was calling me into ministry, but right now I'm just not sure. Where do you want me, God? Yesterday I asked Dad if he thought this difference might be God's way of saying 'not right now.' Maybe He makes himself known to me sometimes to assure me that He wants to use me, but that right now might not be the time. Because I really do want to be worthy of His calling... so He might fulfill His good purpose through me, through my faith. Use me, Father... let me know what You would have me do... and when... and how. I am willing and I am obedient to You. Help me to have faith, because like my brother Jerry said, "Katie will always have a ministry." Help me always to seek it out and fulfill it every day.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
God- Here Among Us
As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. —Joshua 1:5
Last night the speaker at GCF brought to my attention the irony that so many people will affirm that the Bible is "the word of God," without having ever read it through. Honestly, if we really took it seriously, if everyone recognized that it was the word of God... the Holy of Holies... the creator of the universe, well, I think we'd all be reading it every day! Come read a book written by one who knows all, sees all, can do all! In the same way, I think I forget that God is really here with us... not in a "I'm going to sing it now as a part of a song" way, but in a really real way. God is here! God! The creator of the world! The creator of my being! The only Lord of everything would be in my presence... it's amazing and unbelievable... only proving His goodness, which I still cannot completely comprehend. Lord, You are holy and amazing, and it is hard for me to truly understand Your perfection.
When I came, why was there no one?
When I called, why was there no one to answer?
Was my arm too short to ransom you?
Do I lack the strength to rescue you?
By a mere rebuke I dry up the sea,
I turn rivers into a desert;
their fish rot for lack of water
and die of thirst.
I clothe the sky with darkness
and make sackcloth its covering. -Isaiah 50:2-3
And not only that, we see God as seeking us. He honestly wants this relationship with us, although He doesn't need it. He seeks to help us, to rescue us, but we must answer Him when He calls us. Lord, help me to listen... help me to seek Your will all the days of my life. It is such an honor that You call me to be Your child... that You call me to do a part of Your work. I love so much any small thing that You give me to do.
But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11
And the fact that God is with us and calls us gives us great responsibility. We are responsible in how we act, because we are living with Him. I'd always remind people as a young girl... "Would you do that if Jesus were right beside you? Because He is." (Jerry often got annoyed at this... I especially remember one game of pick up sticks when he got especially upset.) I think the faith is what I'm struggling with right now- faith in knowing that God will guide me. God is here with me, just like He was with Moses. Help me to live with faith and hope and love, Father... and to always do all things in a way that is honoring to the gift of Your presence.
15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spiritf]">[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. -Ephesians 1:15-23
We read this last night at GCF, and I found it so helpful, so inspiring. I do pray for this wisdom, Lord... that I may be enlightened to what You are calling me to.
Last night the speaker at GCF brought to my attention the irony that so many people will affirm that the Bible is "the word of God," without having ever read it through. Honestly, if we really took it seriously, if everyone recognized that it was the word of God... the Holy of Holies... the creator of the universe, well, I think we'd all be reading it every day! Come read a book written by one who knows all, sees all, can do all! In the same way, I think I forget that God is really here with us... not in a "I'm going to sing it now as a part of a song" way, but in a really real way. God is here! God! The creator of the world! The creator of my being! The only Lord of everything would be in my presence... it's amazing and unbelievable... only proving His goodness, which I still cannot completely comprehend. Lord, You are holy and amazing, and it is hard for me to truly understand Your perfection.
When I came, why was there no one?
When I called, why was there no one to answer?
Was my arm too short to ransom you?
Do I lack the strength to rescue you?
By a mere rebuke I dry up the sea,
I turn rivers into a desert;
their fish rot for lack of water
and die of thirst.
I clothe the sky with darkness
and make sackcloth its covering. -Isaiah 50:2-3
And not only that, we see God as seeking us. He honestly wants this relationship with us, although He doesn't need it. He seeks to help us, to rescue us, but we must answer Him when He calls us. Lord, help me to listen... help me to seek Your will all the days of my life. It is such an honor that You call me to be Your child... that You call me to do a part of Your work. I love so much any small thing that You give me to do.
But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11
And the fact that God is with us and calls us gives us great responsibility. We are responsible in how we act, because we are living with Him. I'd always remind people as a young girl... "Would you do that if Jesus were right beside you? Because He is." (Jerry often got annoyed at this... I especially remember one game of pick up sticks when he got especially upset.) I think the faith is what I'm struggling with right now- faith in knowing that God will guide me. God is here with me, just like He was with Moses. Help me to live with faith and hope and love, Father... and to always do all things in a way that is honoring to the gift of Your presence.
15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spiritf]">[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. -Ephesians 1:15-23
We read this last night at GCF, and I found it so helpful, so inspiring. I do pray for this wisdom, Lord... that I may be enlightened to what You are calling me to.
Friday, October 16, 2009
God's Guidance and a Quiet Life
This is what the LORD says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
"I am the LORD your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go. -Isaiah 48:17
Recently I have been praying a lot about where you want me, Father. So much more right now as the SLAT PhD program begins to look like a real possibility to me. When I met with Dr. Troike, my program director, the other day, he loved my research idea (interlanguage variation in young simultaneous L2 learners) and told me that to his knowledge no one has done such a study. And he once again told me that I would be an ideal candidate for the program, and he would already hear "PhD" after my name.
It makes me wonder. I'd love to do this, because I feel the chances of me doing a PhD at another point in my life (while not impossible) are slim. And I really am enjoying my coursework and my studies and learning a lot about this field. And the SLAT program opens you up to so many possibilities: academics (professor of many areas), language analyst, Bible translation, language planning, etc.
While this all sounds well and good, it's true what I said, some of the moments I've been the happiest were when I was involved in ministry of some kind. I've continuously sought out opportunities for service and ministry- during the summers, spring break trips, volunteer years, etc. And I guess another thing I think of is when Brad and I were talking in the car... he asked me if I would give up my career in order to work in ministry with him, I said an affirmative "yes" even faster than I thought possible. Honestly, that would be the easiest decision in my life... (besides perhaps the decision to marry this love of mine and attempt to be the best help for him that I could ever be).
But since that's not a real possibility right now, I can't let myself think of that as a real option... and honestly, I'm not sure I could be a pastor on my own- perhaps I just need to have more faith. Perhaps God will guide and teach me yet. Lord, I'm trusting in You, because I really do want to do Your will... it's all that I want. Continue to teach me and guide me.
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. - 1 Thessalonians 4:11
Such a beautiful verse hidden in Thessalonians... I never noticed it before. And we wouldn't notice it, because it is so very countercultural and very curiously worded. Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. It seems quite a contradictory statement until you recognize that aiming to lead a quiet life (or Brethren might say- a simple life) is so radical in today's society... that it takes ambition to do it!
And I wonder how this fits in with further studies or career goals or following Your leading for my life, oh God. I'm not sure right now, but I pray that You teach me more as I go about this day.
And thank You, Father, for so many good things.
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
"I am the LORD your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go. -Isaiah 48:17
Recently I have been praying a lot about where you want me, Father. So much more right now as the SLAT PhD program begins to look like a real possibility to me. When I met with Dr. Troike, my program director, the other day, he loved my research idea (interlanguage variation in young simultaneous L2 learners) and told me that to his knowledge no one has done such a study. And he once again told me that I would be an ideal candidate for the program, and he would already hear "PhD" after my name.
It makes me wonder. I'd love to do this, because I feel the chances of me doing a PhD at another point in my life (while not impossible) are slim. And I really am enjoying my coursework and my studies and learning a lot about this field. And the SLAT program opens you up to so many possibilities: academics (professor of many areas), language analyst, Bible translation, language planning, etc.
While this all sounds well and good, it's true what I said, some of the moments I've been the happiest were when I was involved in ministry of some kind. I've continuously sought out opportunities for service and ministry- during the summers, spring break trips, volunteer years, etc. And I guess another thing I think of is when Brad and I were talking in the car... he asked me if I would give up my career in order to work in ministry with him, I said an affirmative "yes" even faster than I thought possible. Honestly, that would be the easiest decision in my life... (besides perhaps the decision to marry this love of mine and attempt to be the best help for him that I could ever be).
But since that's not a real possibility right now, I can't let myself think of that as a real option... and honestly, I'm not sure I could be a pastor on my own- perhaps I just need to have more faith. Perhaps God will guide and teach me yet. Lord, I'm trusting in You, because I really do want to do Your will... it's all that I want. Continue to teach me and guide me.
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. - 1 Thessalonians 4:11
Such a beautiful verse hidden in Thessalonians... I never noticed it before. And we wouldn't notice it, because it is so very countercultural and very curiously worded. Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. It seems quite a contradictory statement until you recognize that aiming to lead a quiet life (or Brethren might say- a simple life) is so radical in today's society... that it takes ambition to do it!
And I wonder how this fits in with further studies or career goals or following Your leading for my life, oh God. I'm not sure right now, but I pray that You teach me more as I go about this day.
And thank You, Father, for so many good things.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Come and See the Works of the Lord
8 Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields b]">[b] with fire.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."-Psalm 46:8-10
24 "This is what the LORD says—
your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb:
I am the LORD,
who has made all things,
who alone stretched out the heavens,
who spread out the earth by myself, -Isaiah 44:24
This reminds me of a couple of Sundays ago. The Sunday School teacher at church was speaking about Creationism. Now I never heard that preached growing up, and it sort of always made sense to me that the '7 days' need not be 7 literal days. Yet, Brad and I in talking about it agreed- the most important thing is that God was bringing the earth into being... no matter how exactly it was done. He made us... He made all things. What wonderful amazing work He has done!
13And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. -1 Thessalonians 2:13
And the work is not just outside of us but also within us! This is the beauty of being a part of bible studies... because throughout the week I can actually feel the word of God at work in me... thinking about Romans (how I might focus on believing, not doing) and Luke (how I might be more obedient, challenged and amazed by the power of God to accomplish His purpose through blessings and actions that affect much more than the individual). Thank You so much Lord for Christians who surround me and encourage me in the word, and Your Holy Spirit which works in me. Continue to transform me... so that Yours may be the glory.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
So They May See and Know
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. —Matthew 5:16
20 so that people may see and know,
may consider and understand,
that the hand of the LORD has done this,
that the Holy One of Israel has created it. -Isaiah 41:20
8The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. -1 Thessalonians:8-10
20 so that people may see and know,
may consider and understand,
that the hand of the LORD has done this,
that the Holy One of Israel has created it. -Isaiah 41:20
8The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. -1 Thessalonians:8-10
Monday, October 12, 2009
Thank You!!!
In everything give thanks. —1 Thessalonians 5:18
This past week I admit I didn't do such a great job at this. Exhausted and stressed out, I couldn't see beyond the piles of work and better studying and more lessons and everything I needed to do. The crazy part... I had everything done for Monday and Tuesday... I was just nervous about getting ahead. Sometimes it comes upon me like a flood, and I have to remember again how much I enjoy learning... how much I enjoyed the conference I went to, learning about cool psycholinguistic theories that know what our mind is really thinking, talking about issues of resonance and sociolinguistic variation... Thank You, Father for the gift of learning, for the gift of language, for the gift of life.
"The word of the LORD you have spoken is good," Hezekiah replied. For he thought, "There will be peace and security in my lifetime." -Isaiah 39:8
And my parents gave me the perfect gift this weekend... a weekend away from my worries and cares and problems. There in Sedona, surrounded by a huge expanse of bright blue sky, gorgeous green trees and radiant red rocks, I could see the Lord and feel again that there would be peace and serenity again. It was perfect. But, Brad's right. I need to be able to do this on every Sunday, to allow it to be a restful day. Lord, I hope You can help me to have a 'spiritual retreat' on Sundays... on days when a 'geographical retreat' is not possible.
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. -Colossians 4:2
Last night, Brad made me think differently about something. I thought he was admonishing me for not having enough faith when I was talking about my decisions last year. But he said, "I'm not saying that you're not trusting in the Lord. You should trust Him, but He doesn't say He'll make our decisions for us." And this morning, reading this verse from Colassians, I see that so clearly. We are to devote ourselves to prayer but also be "watchful"... careful and looking out for what God wants in our lives, carefully and deliberately considering our options. And we should also be thankful for the decisions that God grants us.
This past week I admit I didn't do such a great job at this. Exhausted and stressed out, I couldn't see beyond the piles of work and better studying and more lessons and everything I needed to do. The crazy part... I had everything done for Monday and Tuesday... I was just nervous about getting ahead. Sometimes it comes upon me like a flood, and I have to remember again how much I enjoy learning... how much I enjoyed the conference I went to, learning about cool psycholinguistic theories that know what our mind is really thinking, talking about issues of resonance and sociolinguistic variation... Thank You, Father for the gift of learning, for the gift of language, for the gift of life.
"The word of the LORD you have spoken is good," Hezekiah replied. For he thought, "There will be peace and security in my lifetime." -Isaiah 39:8
And my parents gave me the perfect gift this weekend... a weekend away from my worries and cares and problems. There in Sedona, surrounded by a huge expanse of bright blue sky, gorgeous green trees and radiant red rocks, I could see the Lord and feel again that there would be peace and serenity again. It was perfect. But, Brad's right. I need to be able to do this on every Sunday, to allow it to be a restful day. Lord, I hope You can help me to have a 'spiritual retreat' on Sundays... on days when a 'geographical retreat' is not possible.
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. -Colossians 4:2
Last night, Brad made me think differently about something. I thought he was admonishing me for not having enough faith when I was talking about my decisions last year. But he said, "I'm not saying that you're not trusting in the Lord. You should trust Him, but He doesn't say He'll make our decisions for us." And this morning, reading this verse from Colassians, I see that so clearly. We are to devote ourselves to prayer but also be "watchful"... careful and looking out for what God wants in our lives, carefully and deliberately considering our options. And we should also be thankful for the decisions that God grants us.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Now You See It- Now You Don't.
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.-John 21:4
It's always surprising to me that the disciples who had spent so much time so many days, inseparable from Jesus would not realize it was him at first. They just didn't see him. But, aren't we often the same? We can't see the embodiment of Jesus in our brothers and sisters from another country or of another circumstance. I can't help but think that if we did... if we were 100% aware and looking for the Jesus in everyone, this world would be so different.
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,
who rely on horses,
who trust in the multitude of their chariots
and in the great strength of their horsemen,
but do not look to the Holy One of Israel,
or seek help from the LORD. -Isaiah 31:1
Part of the problem with not seeing the Lord is not seeking the Lord. Often we get so caught up in our everyday every day that we forget to turn to our Savior for His plan for our lives. Put this way it sounds ridiculous. What more important thing do we have to do today than to look to the Holy One of Israel or seek help from the Lord. I hope that in this my 27th year, I may learn to look for you more, Jesus. Especially this year, I am waiting to see Your will for my life.
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I didn't notice this part before in this familiar verse: be evident to all. It's not enough to be rejoicing and to be evident. We must do so in a way that others may see it! And gentleness... not quite sure how to display that, but I can only think of a perfect example who is here with me. My dear friend Amy is so sweet and mild and gentle in her ways... I'm sure she's a perfect teacher on how to show this hard-to-pin-down quality.
It's always surprising to me that the disciples who had spent so much time so many days, inseparable from Jesus would not realize it was him at first. They just didn't see him. But, aren't we often the same? We can't see the embodiment of Jesus in our brothers and sisters from another country or of another circumstance. I can't help but think that if we did... if we were 100% aware and looking for the Jesus in everyone, this world would be so different.
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,
who rely on horses,
who trust in the multitude of their chariots
and in the great strength of their horsemen,
but do not look to the Holy One of Israel,
or seek help from the LORD. -Isaiah 31:1
Part of the problem with not seeing the Lord is not seeking the Lord. Often we get so caught up in our everyday every day that we forget to turn to our Savior for His plan for our lives. Put this way it sounds ridiculous. What more important thing do we have to do today than to look to the Holy One of Israel or seek help from the Lord. I hope that in this my 27th year, I may learn to look for you more, Jesus. Especially this year, I am waiting to see Your will for my life.
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I didn't notice this part before in this familiar verse: be evident to all. It's not enough to be rejoicing and to be evident. We must do so in a way that others may see it! And gentleness... not quite sure how to display that, but I can only think of a perfect example who is here with me. My dear friend Amy is so sweet and mild and gentle in her ways... I'm sure she's a perfect teacher on how to show this hard-to-pin-down quality.
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