I know I just posted just 0.5 seconds ago but I forgot something. This weekend is RUF Fall Conference. (Haha, you'll notice I bring up RUF a lot - it's a huge part of my Christian life). Please be praying that the weekend might be glorifying to God and that our discussion might be centered around what we're learning. I'm excited because we have John Stone speaking and I've heard he's excellent. But it is so easy to hear things and think you understand things during the message but then immediately after just go back to "normal" life and "normal" conversations about me, myself, and I. Pray that we might talk and open up.
Also, for myself, pray for rest and time of de-stressing. I have 3 exams and a lab report due on the Tuesday and Wednesday next week. Being away for the weekend is going to make studying difficult. I've sorta been studying already. I know I need to kick it into high gear now so that I don't have to worry so much over the weekend. It's just hard. I'm busy. And burnt out. But I know these are minor complaints in the grand scheme of things so I'd appreciate it if you can send some motivation my way too.
Thanks!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Complacency and God's Reminders
A lot of times I feel complacent. As if I'm going about life with an apathetic outlook. But then sometimes God gives these little reminders - you could call them little nudges.
RUF on Tuesday was really convicting. I would have written more about it last night but I was busy studying. If any of you are curious, it's about security - more specifically about a false sense of security in our own merits. If you'd like to listen to the podcast you can get it here - RUFGators. Sometimes they have to take them down and put them back up so if you don't see it, check back later. Or heck, listen to any of the other messages. They're all so convicting and Steve is a great speaker.
Then today was prayer group. There were only two of us - the two leaders actually. But it was great. DRobb and I just got to share together briefly. If you don't know him, you should. He is just such a wise person who is truly seeking to know the Lord and serve Him wholeheartedly. I'm thankful for his words of wisdom and encouragment. I'm pretty sure he exemplifies the verse: "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17
So I think through these instances...and a few other small convictions of heart, God is nudging me. He is nudging me to be bold in Him, to stand firm in Him, to serve Him, and to desire Him. Pray for me that my hardened and complacent heart might be softened.
Are you being nudged? If so, how?
RUF on Tuesday was really convicting. I would have written more about it last night but I was busy studying. If any of you are curious, it's about security - more specifically about a false sense of security in our own merits. If you'd like to listen to the podcast you can get it here - RUFGators. Sometimes they have to take them down and put them back up so if you don't see it, check back later. Or heck, listen to any of the other messages. They're all so convicting and Steve is a great speaker.
Then today was prayer group. There were only two of us - the two leaders actually. But it was great. DRobb and I just got to share together briefly. If you don't know him, you should. He is just such a wise person who is truly seeking to know the Lord and serve Him wholeheartedly. I'm thankful for his words of wisdom and encouragment. I'm pretty sure he exemplifies the verse: "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17
So I think through these instances...and a few other small convictions of heart, God is nudging me. He is nudging me to be bold in Him, to stand firm in Him, to serve Him, and to desire Him. Pray for me that my hardened and complacent heart might be softened.
Are you being nudged? If so, how?
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Buttons Buttons Buttons!
Hey everyone!
This is going to be a quick post. I'm just notifying you of my new button that I (yes, I made it all by myself) created.
Grab it if you are a sinner who is dying to worldly life and living to follow Jesus.
Please use the HTML code provided (to the upper right) so that it links back to my blog!
Keep checking back for an updated button. I think I might pull out the big guns and spice it up a little bit...when I have time, that is.
<3 KEZ
This is going to be a quick post. I'm just notifying you of my new button that I (yes, I made it all by myself) created.
Grab it if you are a sinner who is dying to worldly life and living to follow Jesus.
Please use the HTML code provided (to the upper right) so that it links back to my blog!
Keep checking back for an updated button. I think I might pull out the big guns and spice it up a little bit...when I have time, that is.
<3 KEZ
Ten on Tuesday
Today I'm doing Ten on Tuesday from Roots and Rings. This week is all about favorites.
1. Growing up, what was one favorite item that you had to have with you at all times?
I never had an "item" per say. I did have a favorite stuffed animal but that was only for sleeping (except the one time I snuck him to kindergarten with me). But I must admit that I was a total Momma's girl - I couldn't go anywhere without her. I was a nervous child so I always had my Momma there to keep me secure.
2. Being an adult, what is one favorite item that you have to have with you at all times, and what happens if you do not have it with you? Do you lose your sanity or just go back home to get it?
I never had this problem until just recently...but I always need my cell phone on me. I think it may be the fact that I have an iPhone now that makes me carry it everywhere I go. I used to forget my old phones at home all the time - not so anymore. This baby is beside me, in my pocket, or in my backpack. I think part of it is because I depend on it so much for my calendar, entertainment, contact to the world. But the other part of it is probably just that I spent so darn much on it (I don't shell $200 out easily) that I NEVER want to lose it. Ever.
3. Where is your favorite place to be to just hide away from everything and breathe for a moment?
My room. More specifically me bed. Sleeping. I love to sleep. Anyone who knows me knows that.
4. What is your favorite thing about your partner? (If you don’t have a partner, then someone who is very close and will always be in your life)
I don't have a partner so I'm going to write about my Momma (see #1). My favorite thing? I can't choose just one - she's awesome! But I guess I'll be cliche and say her love. She has a huge heart and loves me and my brothers (and my dad) so much!
5. What is your favorite thing about your job? (If you don’t have a job, then what is your favorite thing that you do during your day?)
Sigh...I don't just have one job...I have TWO!
My favorite thing about Work#1 would be the people I work with. My coworkers are great. We all have a good time in the office. I knew one person before I got hired and our friendship has grown tremendously. And everyone else is fabulous. I've made so many friends working there!
My favorite thing about Work#2 would be the patients I see. Yes, my coworkers are great there too but I truly just LOVE all of the kids that come into the clinic. Sure sometimes you get the fussy babies or the tantrum throwing toddlers but how can you blame a sick kid for being grumpy? I love kids, sick or not.
6. What is your favorite lesson that your parents taught you growing up? Looking back, is it something that you want to use to teach your children when they reach that age?
Oh boy. I feel like my parents raised me so well that I can't distinguish "lessons" from normal life. I guess I could say I was raised knowing that family was important. No matter what happened we were always family. If and when I have kids in the future I definitely want them to grow up knowing that family is safe, fun, and loving - immediate family and extended family. I love big, crazy, happy, families.
7. What is your favorite song, that will always bring a smile to your face and make you think of something happy?
This is hard. I love music. And my taste in music is ever changing. My favorite song, though, for the past couple years would be "I hear the bells" by Mike Doughty. It's just so full of emotion. Heck, it was played on Grey's Anatomy once!
8. What is your favorite things about being an American? (If you not American, what are you proud of in regards to your country)
This is a hard one. I don't think many other Americans say this...but my favorite thing about being an American is that it has given me the opportunity to love others and serve others in Christ. I'm privileged to live in a "wealthy" country with material possessions out the wazoo. But I love giving and sharing and visiting my sisters and brothers in Haiti.
9. What is your favorite meal that reminds you of being a child?
This is kind of a faulty answer - Mac N Cheese! It's faulty because I still eat it all the time. It's part of being in college.
10. Name 3 things that other people would say are their favorite thing about you.
Oh boy. I always wonder how other people would really answer this question. I would hope they would say I'm loving, trustworthy, and fun.
I never had an "item" per say. I did have a favorite stuffed animal but that was only for sleeping (except the one time I snuck him to kindergarten with me). But I must admit that I was a total Momma's girl - I couldn't go anywhere without her. I was a nervous child so I always had my Momma there to keep me secure.
2. Being an adult, what is one favorite item that you have to have with you at all times, and what happens if you do not have it with you? Do you lose your sanity or just go back home to get it?
I never had this problem until just recently...but I always need my cell phone on me. I think it may be the fact that I have an iPhone now that makes me carry it everywhere I go. I used to forget my old phones at home all the time - not so anymore. This baby is beside me, in my pocket, or in my backpack. I think part of it is because I depend on it so much for my calendar, entertainment, contact to the world. But the other part of it is probably just that I spent so darn much on it (I don't shell $200 out easily) that I NEVER want to lose it. Ever.
3. Where is your favorite place to be to just hide away from everything and breathe for a moment?
My room. More specifically me bed. Sleeping. I love to sleep. Anyone who knows me knows that.
4. What is your favorite thing about your partner? (If you don’t have a partner, then someone who is very close and will always be in your life)
I don't have a partner so I'm going to write about my Momma (see #1). My favorite thing? I can't choose just one - she's awesome! But I guess I'll be cliche and say her love. She has a huge heart and loves me and my brothers (and my dad) so much!
5. What is your favorite thing about your job? (If you don’t have a job, then what is your favorite thing that you do during your day?)
Sigh...I don't just have one job...I have TWO!
My favorite thing about Work#1 would be the people I work with. My coworkers are great. We all have a good time in the office. I knew one person before I got hired and our friendship has grown tremendously. And everyone else is fabulous. I've made so many friends working there!
My favorite thing about Work#2 would be the patients I see. Yes, my coworkers are great there too but I truly just LOVE all of the kids that come into the clinic. Sure sometimes you get the fussy babies or the tantrum throwing toddlers but how can you blame a sick kid for being grumpy? I love kids, sick or not.
6. What is your favorite lesson that your parents taught you growing up? Looking back, is it something that you want to use to teach your children when they reach that age?
Oh boy. I feel like my parents raised me so well that I can't distinguish "lessons" from normal life. I guess I could say I was raised knowing that family was important. No matter what happened we were always family. If and when I have kids in the future I definitely want them to grow up knowing that family is safe, fun, and loving - immediate family and extended family. I love big, crazy, happy, families.
7. What is your favorite song, that will always bring a smile to your face and make you think of something happy?
This is hard. I love music. And my taste in music is ever changing. My favorite song, though, for the past couple years would be "I hear the bells" by Mike Doughty. It's just so full of emotion. Heck, it was played on Grey's Anatomy once!
8. What is your favorite things about being an American? (If you not American, what are you proud of in regards to your country)
This is a hard one. I don't think many other Americans say this...but my favorite thing about being an American is that it has given me the opportunity to love others and serve others in Christ. I'm privileged to live in a "wealthy" country with material possessions out the wazoo. But I love giving and sharing and visiting my sisters and brothers in Haiti.
9. What is your favorite meal that reminds you of being a child?
This is kind of a faulty answer - Mac N Cheese! It's faulty because I still eat it all the time. It's part of being in college.
10. Name 3 things that other people would say are their favorite thing about you.
Oh boy. I always wonder how other people would really answer this question. I would hope they would say I'm loving, trustworthy, and fun.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Rushing
Rushing used to be something that happened in the band room. It means hurrying through the music faster than the tempo is. I'm no longer an active musician but I still seem to be rushing. This rushing is different though and it usually is a direct result of being late ALL the time. Sigh.
So today has been fairly uneventful but painfully long. Waking up this morning was difficult. I had gotten enough sleep but by the time 7:30am rolled around my body was fighting hard to stay asleep. Of course that means I woke up late and had to rush around. I could barely get out the door fast enough. Thankfully I rushed to the bus stop and caught the bus just by the nick of time. (Yes, going to a large public university means taking public transportation because parking is, well, crappy)
I was a few minutes late to my 8:30 class - rushing as usual. This was unfortunate because we had a quiz. Thankfully I made it in time to see the first question. It was one of those quizzes that the question is up for 2 minutes - after those two minutes it goes to the next question never to return to the one before it. I rushed through that first question and then was able to take my time, err, full 2 minutes for the rest of the questions.
After that I rushed to catch the bus again. Mondays are weird days. I only have that one morning class and then I go to Work#1. I had some time to kill at my apartment before I had to leave. This means I had time to get wrapped up in something and of course ended up leaving late. Thus, I rushed to work. I got there on time but I may have driven a little faster than I normally do.
Work#1 was good. I got some work done. Of course I didn't finish the stuff I have to do which means I was rushing at the end of the day trying to finish. I didn't.
On this particular Monday I am also scheduled to work at Work#2. Thus I rushed from one office to the other, rushed to get changed, and now here I am...no patients to see...for now. Hopefully our clinic isn't so busy that I have to rush to see them.
I don't like rushing. I prefer to live life to the fullest, taking each thing as it comes. It isn't good to only think about what you have to do NEXT - it jeopardizes what you're doing in the present.
Do you ever find yourself rushing? I do. Sometimes I need a reminder to slow down and smell the coffee (before you down it and rush some more).
So today has been fairly uneventful but painfully long. Waking up this morning was difficult. I had gotten enough sleep but by the time 7:30am rolled around my body was fighting hard to stay asleep. Of course that means I woke up late and had to rush around. I could barely get out the door fast enough. Thankfully I rushed to the bus stop and caught the bus just by the nick of time. (Yes, going to a large public university means taking public transportation because parking is, well, crappy)
I was a few minutes late to my 8:30 class - rushing as usual. This was unfortunate because we had a quiz. Thankfully I made it in time to see the first question. It was one of those quizzes that the question is up for 2 minutes - after those two minutes it goes to the next question never to return to the one before it. I rushed through that first question and then was able to take my time, err, full 2 minutes for the rest of the questions.
After that I rushed to catch the bus again. Mondays are weird days. I only have that one morning class and then I go to Work#1. I had some time to kill at my apartment before I had to leave. This means I had time to get wrapped up in something and of course ended up leaving late. Thus, I rushed to work. I got there on time but I may have driven a little faster than I normally do.
Work#1 was good. I got some work done. Of course I didn't finish the stuff I have to do which means I was rushing at the end of the day trying to finish. I didn't.
On this particular Monday I am also scheduled to work at Work#2. Thus I rushed from one office to the other, rushed to get changed, and now here I am...no patients to see...for now. Hopefully our clinic isn't so busy that I have to rush to see them.
I don't like rushing. I prefer to live life to the fullest, taking each thing as it comes. It isn't good to only think about what you have to do NEXT - it jeopardizes what you're doing in the present.
Do you ever find yourself rushing? I do. Sometimes I need a reminder to slow down and smell the coffee (before you down it and rush some more).
Sunday, September 26, 2010
SOOC Sunday
•On any Sunday you can post any photo you like (it must be one of your own) that hasn't been tweaked or altered in any way (cropping is OK).
•In other words Straight Out Of the Camera.
•Link Murrieta365 to your post so others will know where to go if they want to join in the SOOC fun.Thanks
Let the ramblings begin...
So life...
It's great! Actually, it is busy, full, hectic, happy, crazy, joyful, mayhem-ous (yes I made that word up), and GREAT! God really is good. He is glorified in our work and He is praised in our fellowship. I am glad that He is the one who holds things together - I certainly am sucky at doing that on my own.
Lately I feel like I am over stretching myself in my responsibilities. But then at the same time I am completely content in where God has me right now, even if it's a little, well...see above. I'm working two jobs, going to school full time, and participating in extra curricular activities including RUF's ministry team. That's not even counting keeping up with my friends and family - all of whom I adore! OH! And now blogging!
I'm not going to lie to you and say I don't get stressed and overwhelmed at times. I'm quite open about my stress level - it often expresses itself in exasperated, unintelligible noises. Iappologize plead for forgiveness from all of those who have had the erm, pleasure of experiencing this.
Anyway, before I get stressed by the mere thought of being stressed (sigh), I'm going to move on. God has given us work and it is good. He Himself did work - the universe wasn't created with a blink of an eye (Genesis 2:2)! He told Adam and Eve to do work - cultivate the earth and subdue it (Genesis 2:15). So now we modern Christians continue to do work. It may be different work between then and now and between different people but it is all rooted in furthering the Kingdom of God. Teachers work with our children and provide them with knowledge; engineers build, create, and analyze the tools used in living, doctors (and PA's!) work to learn about the human body (that was created in the image of God, mind you) and how to heal. These are only a few examples and probably don't even apply to all of you (if I even have readers) reading this...but basically...work is good!
So, working yourself into a whirlwind of stress is a good thing? NO! We serve a God of work but he is also (and possibly even more so) a God of rest. I for one am thankful that God rested on that 7th day (Genesis 2:3). We have a Sabbath Day to spend time in the word, fellowshipping with friends, and maybe even taking a nap. I'm not always great about not working on Sunday - sometimes I let my stress get the better part of me. I'm working on it! But beyond a single day of rest, we Christians are in a perpetual state of rest in our Savior. Have you ever noticed that "there was evening and there was morning" is MISSING from the 7th day of rest? Well I suppose it's not missing per say - God didn't just lose it. It is intentional. We are able to fully rest 24/7 in God. He is a relational God, one who knows His children intimately. We can go to Him with our problems and seek comfort and REST.
So who else is grateful that they serve a God of work AND rest? I know I am! It takes the control out of my hands. I'm not working for myself - I'm working for the Kingdom. I'm not resting in my own merits/having it all together - I'm resting in a God who DOES have it all together. He is in control! Does it get any better than that? I think not...
It's great! Actually, it is busy, full, hectic, happy, crazy, joyful, mayhem-ous (yes I made that word up), and GREAT! God really is good. He is glorified in our work and He is praised in our fellowship. I am glad that He is the one who holds things together - I certainly am sucky at doing that on my own.
Lately I feel like I am over stretching myself in my responsibilities. But then at the same time I am completely content in where God has me right now, even if it's a little, well...see above. I'm working two jobs, going to school full time, and participating in extra curricular activities including RUF's ministry team. That's not even counting keeping up with my friends and family - all of whom I adore! OH! And now blogging!
I'm not going to lie to you and say I don't get stressed and overwhelmed at times. I'm quite open about my stress level - it often expresses itself in exasperated, unintelligible noises. I
Anyway, before I get stressed by the mere thought of being stressed (sigh), I'm going to move on. God has given us work and it is good. He Himself did work - the universe wasn't created with a blink of an eye (Genesis 2:2)! He told Adam and Eve to do work - cultivate the earth and subdue it (Genesis 2:15). So now we modern Christians continue to do work. It may be different work between then and now and between different people but it is all rooted in furthering the Kingdom of God. Teachers work with our children and provide them with knowledge; engineers build, create, and analyze the tools used in living, doctors (and PA's!) work to learn about the human body (that was created in the image of God, mind you) and how to heal. These are only a few examples and probably don't even apply to all of you (if I even have readers) reading this...but basically...work is good!
So, working yourself into a whirlwind of stress is a good thing? NO! We serve a God of work but he is also (and possibly even more so) a God of rest. I for one am thankful that God rested on that 7th day (Genesis 2:3). We have a Sabbath Day to spend time in the word, fellowshipping with friends, and maybe even taking a nap. I'm not always great about not working on Sunday - sometimes I let my stress get the better part of me. I'm working on it! But beyond a single day of rest, we Christians are in a perpetual state of rest in our Savior. Have you ever noticed that "there was evening and there was morning" is MISSING from the 7th day of rest? Well I suppose it's not missing per say - God didn't just lose it. It is intentional. We are able to fully rest 24/7 in God. He is a relational God, one who knows His children intimately. We can go to Him with our problems and seek comfort and REST.
So who else is grateful that they serve a God of work AND rest? I know I am! It takes the control out of my hands. I'm not working for myself - I'm working for the Kingdom. I'm not resting in my own merits/having it all together - I'm resting in a God who DOES have it all together. He is in control! Does it get any better than that? I think not...
Things I like
Here's the deal. I'm passionate. I like a lot of things - heck, I love a lot of things. Sometimes these things change. So here is a current list of things that I am passionate about right now. In no particular order:
JESUS (duh)
Chacos
University of Florida Gators
RUF
Haiti
PA School
(not me - some random google image)
TOMS
Missionaries
(Yup, a random google image)
Wisconsin
(My friend actually owns this pot holder, I wish it was mine though)
Family
(This is only a small part of my family...and there are a few extra, honorary family members added in)
Friends
Cute, unique clothes
(Like this cute dress I saw on modcloth and fell in love with!)
My Bible
I have a feeling I'm missing a lot of things from this list. But I'm quite certain 1) you don't care and 2) I'll do another one of these at a later date.
JESUS (duh)
Chacos
University of Florida Gators
RUF
Haiti
PA School
(not me - some random google image)
TOMS
Missionaries
(Yup, a random google image)
Wisconsin
(My friend actually owns this pot holder, I wish it was mine though)
Family
(This is only a small part of my family...and there are a few extra, honorary family members added in)
Friends
Cute, unique clothes
(Like this cute dress I saw on modcloth and fell in love with!)
My Bible
I have a feeling I'm missing a lot of things from this list. But I'm quite certain 1) you don't care and 2) I'll do another one of these at a later date.
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