Sunday, March 23, 2008

Fame, Fortune, and Fun

Today, Saturday, we went to a concert at Six Flags and this was the view:


I liked it, I did, but it seemed so...empty.

As I sat thinking about it while observing my surroundings, these three words came to mind: fame, fortune, and fun. Band/celebrities=fame, oil derrick=fortune, roller coasters=fun. Nothing here is inherently wrong, but it makes for a worthless life if this is one's complete goal and purpose. And for many of my peers, finding fame, fortune, and fun is everything.



...I don't want this to be my life.

I'm missing the simplicity of Guatemala, of loving God and His people, without all the American Bubble distractions.

Friday, March 21, 2008

It Is Finished!

Matthew 27:50 - And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He gave up His spirit.

John 19:30 - When He had recieved the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished!" With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.




Hark, the voice of love and mercy,
Sounds aloud from Calvary!
See, it rends the rocks asunder,
Shakes the earth and veils the sky!
"It is finished, It is finished,”
Hear the dying Savior cry.





"It is finished, " O what pleasure,
Do these charming words afford.
Heavenly blessings, without measure,
Flow to us from Christ the Lord.
“It is finished, it is finished,”
Saints the dying words record.


Finished all the types and shadows,
Of the ceremonial law;
Finished all that God had promised;
Death and hell no more shall awe.
“It is finished, it is finished,”
Saints from hence your comfort draw.


Tune your harps anew, ye seraphs;
Join to sing the pleasing theme;
Saints on earth and all in heaven,
Join to praise Immanuel’s name.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Glory to the bleeding lamb!


© 2006 Red Mountain Music
www.redmountainmusic.com

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Ruptured Bubble

Yesterday I got back from Guatemala on a spring break missions trip with my school. It was amazing - far beyond my expectations.

We got to work with 561 elementary kids at a Christian school. I got to work with 50ish second graders in two classrooms. The kids are so beautiful. They are saturated with joy and love, which they freely give, though I'm the one supposed to be giving to them.

I received so much more than I could ever give away - that's just how my God is.

I went into the trip feeling completely unprepared and uncertain. I left with tears in my eyes, love in my heart, Spanish in my mind, and peace and direction in my spirit. God gave me exactly what I have been needing: conviction, correction, instruction, and unconditional love.

I still have concerns and worries - things that are of tremendous importance inside my bubble. But once again, Jesus has gently poked my bubble, ruptured my heart, and given me an eternal perspective.
  • I will not stand before God on account of my SAT score being too low.
  • It ultimately doesn't matter which college I'll attend.
  • I will be judged for how I loved God and loved His people.
  • It is essential that I seek God and hear His voice. Everything else...not so much.

It's amazing how quickly I forget this. But I'm learning. I'm listening. I'm trying to walk in love, because that's all that really matters.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Resurrection

Birthdays are overrated. I know, because I recently had one. But beyond the superficiality, it's made me think. About life. About my accomplishments thus far. About my failures. About dreams and goals and plans. About my calling. About who I am. And about who God wants me to be.

This past year brought many changes. Some of them were great and beautiful. But I also saw my world come to a crashing halt as hopes and dreams died a cruel death-at the hands of organized religion.

My God is a God of resurrection. My hope is in Him, and He will accomplish His plans for my life.

But it's the getting there, the waiting, the silence, the uncertainty that brings so much pain. Yet it is in these things - because of them, not in spite of them- that growth occurs. New life begins to bud. Resurrection appears.


Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.


My heart is parched and burning. I'm not there yet. I don't even know what "there" is. But I'm ready. I'm ready to surrender. I'm ready for God to take the brokenness and hurt. I'm ready to know His discipline. I'm ready to know the death and pain and darkness of the cross ...

...because I want to know new life. I want to know His glory. I want to know resurrection.

Wake up, O sleeper.
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.