"I think, eventually,
you'll be sad
that you didn't love me.
I think, eventually,
I'll be glad
that you didn't love me."
For many people, these 22 words encompass a lot.
Monday, June 9, 2008
This Sank Deep...
"No matter what, until the moment we are united with Christ in eternity, our enemies will never surrender. They will never stop coming against us. A life of faithfulness does not provide a life without battles.
But, a faithful servant will remember the Master who he serves… A Master who never leaves His servants alone. A Master who grips heaven and earth and can dissipate an army of 185,000 in one night should the need arise.
Our enemies, be they internal, external, physical, spiritual, large or small, will assail us again and again, but that is simply another instance when God has occasion to move on our behalf."
Amen.
But, a faithful servant will remember the Master who he serves… A Master who never leaves His servants alone. A Master who grips heaven and earth and can dissipate an army of 185,000 in one night should the need arise.
Our enemies, be they internal, external, physical, spiritual, large or small, will assail us again and again, but that is simply another instance when God has occasion to move on our behalf."
Amen.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
My Kind of Street...
This is an actual street sign that I took a picture of in Ohio... I think they are on to something!
Friday, June 6, 2008
Race For The Cure
Saturday, October 25, 2008. Put it on your calendar now and plan to join me (and Jen :) there!
Four years ago I started attending this event because I started realizing how many women are impacted by this disease and I wanted to do my part to help.
My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998. She was able to combat it through treatments of radiation and is now a breast cancer survivor.
My dad's best friend's wife was diagnosed with breast cancer and she was able to receive treatment. However, a few years later the cancer reappeared and took an aggressive approach. Sadly, she lost her battle with breast cancer and passed away 5 years ago.
Jen's mom was also diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 and she is also now a strong survivor. That was one of the hardest conversations to have with Jen--not because it was hard to talk about, but because it didn't seem real. I can still remember that phone conversation...
1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer at some point in their life and it is the 2nd most common type of cancer and the 5th most common of cancer death. (Thank you Wikipedia).
All that to say, someone you know will probably battle this cancer at some point in their life (and it's not gender biased--men can develop it too). Race for the Cure is a small way to make a big difference in helping to find a cure through breast cancer research.
Come join me on October 25th at Fresno State! It really is a lot of fun--and you get a ton of cool free stuff!
Four years ago I started attending this event because I started realizing how many women are impacted by this disease and I wanted to do my part to help.
My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998. She was able to combat it through treatments of radiation and is now a breast cancer survivor.
My dad's best friend's wife was diagnosed with breast cancer and she was able to receive treatment. However, a few years later the cancer reappeared and took an aggressive approach. Sadly, she lost her battle with breast cancer and passed away 5 years ago.
Jen's mom was also diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 and she is also now a strong survivor. That was one of the hardest conversations to have with Jen--not because it was hard to talk about, but because it didn't seem real. I can still remember that phone conversation...
1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer at some point in their life and it is the 2nd most common type of cancer and the 5th most common of cancer death. (Thank you Wikipedia).
All that to say, someone you know will probably battle this cancer at some point in their life (and it's not gender biased--men can develop it too). Race for the Cure is a small way to make a big difference in helping to find a cure through breast cancer research.
Come join me on October 25th at Fresno State! It really is a lot of fun--and you get a ton of cool free stuff!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Free and Clear...
So I wasn't wiped out by a tornado (PTL) and we were "released" from the Tornado shelter a few hours ago. Although the tornado warning is gone, there is so CRAZY thunder and lightening going on outside! I mean LOUD thunder and BRIGHT lightening! It's actually really cool...and border line scary when the thunder makes the building shake a little...!
I've been introduced to a few new things on this trip...tornado sirens, tornado shelters and the loudest thunder I have ever heard. I must say California has a lot of stuff, but the mid-west has us beat when it comes to really cool thunder storms. Hands down they win.
I've been introduced to a few new things on this trip...tornado sirens, tornado shelters and the loudest thunder I have ever heard. I must say California has a lot of stuff, but the mid-west has us beat when it comes to really cool thunder storms. Hands down they win.
Tornado Warning!
As I type this I'm sitting in a tornado shelter in Ohio waiting out my first ever tornado warning! Apparently, a "twister" has been spotted about 20 miles from where we are.
This insanely loud siren went off and people started running into buildings...! And I'm with a group of about 20 people in this room underground, none of them I know...but a tornado warning makes for a great bonding experience :)
Pretty exciting... I don't know about all this mid-west weather. At the most, we have earthquakes in California...not these crazy tornado's. And the weather here is the craziest thing I've ever seen. It's really calm outside...a little creepy that it's so calm, but people say calm weather is often a sign of good tornado weather.
I'm looking out the window right now, but I've just been told I need to stay away from the window... We shall see!
Nothing like the good ol' mid-west weather to keep you on your toes!
This insanely loud siren went off and people started running into buildings...! And I'm with a group of about 20 people in this room underground, none of them I know...but a tornado warning makes for a great bonding experience :)
Pretty exciting... I don't know about all this mid-west weather. At the most, we have earthquakes in California...not these crazy tornado's. And the weather here is the craziest thing I've ever seen. It's really calm outside...a little creepy that it's so calm, but people say calm weather is often a sign of good tornado weather.
I'm looking out the window right now, but I've just been told I need to stay away from the window... We shall see!
Nothing like the good ol' mid-west weather to keep you on your toes!
This Post is for Eric...
I found out that next year the annual ACSD conference is going to be at LeTourneau University...in Longview, TEXAS!
Longview is about two hours east of Dallas...so after hearing so much about Dallas, I may just have to go visit it next year!
As long as I don't have to wear cowboy boots and wranglers, I think it will be fun. I mean doesn't everyone wear tight jeans, boots and cowboy hats in Texas, Eric? :)
To see Eric's love for Texas for yourself, go check out his recent post...
Longview is about two hours east of Dallas...so after hearing so much about Dallas, I may just have to go visit it next year!
As long as I don't have to wear cowboy boots and wranglers, I think it will be fun. I mean doesn't everyone wear tight jeans, boots and cowboy hats in Texas, Eric? :)
To see Eric's love for Texas for yourself, go check out his recent post...
Monday, June 2, 2008
The Buckeye State...
I'm in Ohio right now attending a confernce called ACSD (Association for Christians in Student Development) with a few of my fellow co-workers from FPU. My parents are both from Ohio, so I have to say I've spent my fair share of time in this state. But I also have to say, it's a really beautiful place this time of year. Everything is SO green and there is SO much land all around. Much, much different then California.
And when people ask what school I work at and what state I'm from and I tell them FPU in California...I always get the same response: "It must be nice to live in California!" I smile every time. For most people outside of CA, California = beaches and beautiful weather--which we do have, but we just don't have those things in Fresno...especially not in the summertime.
This was the first day of the conference...three more to go and I'm looking forward to it. This is my 3rd ACSD conference, so it's been fun to reconnect with friends I've made over the years that work at other colleges/universities.
Today a group of us from FPU went to the United States Air Force Museum. It was amazing. That will have to be a whole other post on it's own, but if you like U.S. history, you would love this museum (Jen *cough cough*).
Time for bed now. This three hour time difference is wearing on me, and as soon as I get used to it, it will be time to head back home!
And when people ask what school I work at and what state I'm from and I tell them FPU in California...I always get the same response: "It must be nice to live in California!" I smile every time. For most people outside of CA, California = beaches and beautiful weather--which we do have, but we just don't have those things in Fresno...especially not in the summertime.
This was the first day of the conference...three more to go and I'm looking forward to it. This is my 3rd ACSD conference, so it's been fun to reconnect with friends I've made over the years that work at other colleges/universities.
Today a group of us from FPU went to the United States Air Force Museum. It was amazing. That will have to be a whole other post on it's own, but if you like U.S. history, you would love this museum (Jen *cough cough*).
Time for bed now. This three hour time difference is wearing on me, and as soon as I get used to it, it will be time to head back home!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Work In Progress...
I have been thinking a lot lately about the idea of loving people (and ourselves) in the midst of imperfection. I don't think we should be willing to be complacent with our imperfections--though everyone is a "work in progress". But that first word says it all... Work. We are a work in progress but sometimes I think we (rather I) forget it takes work to progress.
It requires courage to take an honest look at oneself and be open and willing to see the good, the bad and all the in between. God sees it all but I think sometimes we like to be selective in the things we choose to see in our life, because let's be honest...to be fully known to yourself or to others can be a very scary thing...
It requires courage to take an honest look at oneself and be open and willing to see the good, the bad and all the in between. God sees it all but I think sometimes we like to be selective in the things we choose to see in our life, because let's be honest...to be fully known to yourself or to others can be a very scary thing...
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Words That Change Lives...
Think of how drastically life can change (both for the good and bad) when these words are spoken:
"I'm pregnant"
"I have cancer"
"I want a divorce"
"There's been a terrible accident"
"I got a new job"
"Will you marry me?"
Others?
"I'm pregnant"
"I have cancer"
"I want a divorce"
"There's been a terrible accident"
"I got a new job"
"Will you marry me?"
Others?
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Church and Bar...One in the same?
I've been thinking a lot lately about church and about bars. Now I understand that these two things may sound like polar opposites, and in some ways they are, but I think there are some similarities between them as well.
As I like to say..."Go with me here..."
I often wonder how a non-Christian or someone who is exploring their faith, feels when they walk into a church. Growing up in church my whole life, learning the lingo and the acceptable and unacceptable social norms, I've never been in this position of feeling completely on the outside at church.
Just like the church has it's own language and unspoken ways you are to act, dress and interact with one another, so does a bar. And I can't help to think that someone who doesn't drink or who has never been to a bar, might feel awkward if they went to a bar with some friends...the same way a non-believer might feel going to church...
Just as the church does, a bar also has it's own language. (Is that a shot, shooter, mixed drink, well drink, etc...). And there are unspoken societal norms as to what is acceptable and unacceptable to do and say.
And just as God is at work in the church, He is also at work in bars. My brother (who is a bar tender) tells me stories of people who come in and have hit rock bottom, and have often hit it really hard. Now granted, the bar probably isn't the best place to be when you feel you've hit rock bottom, but yet they are there and they are searching for something to fill the void and heal the pain in their life.
Now am I an advocate for people going to bars every night? No. But come to think of it, I'm not an advocate for people going to church every night either. And do I acknowledge and understand that bars and alcohol can be the source of deep rooted pain in people's lives? Most definitely. I just think there is a lot that can be said about what it means to love people where they're at.
I don't think this means everyone should go to a bar for the sake of "doing ministry" but I do believe that God does miracles everyday. And I've seen first hand how people who are searching for something to fill voids and heal the pain in their life often look to the bottle as their first source. And after they find that the bottle (or fill in the blank) can only satisfy them for so long, they go out searching again...and again...and again...
God is at work and I've been challenged now more then ever to see all of the ways God is working--in both the conventional and unconventional venues.
As I like to say..."Go with me here..."
I often wonder how a non-Christian or someone who is exploring their faith, feels when they walk into a church. Growing up in church my whole life, learning the lingo and the acceptable and unacceptable social norms, I've never been in this position of feeling completely on the outside at church.
Just like the church has it's own language and unspoken ways you are to act, dress and interact with one another, so does a bar. And I can't help to think that someone who doesn't drink or who has never been to a bar, might feel awkward if they went to a bar with some friends...the same way a non-believer might feel going to church...
Just as the church does, a bar also has it's own language. (Is that a shot, shooter, mixed drink, well drink, etc...). And there are unspoken societal norms as to what is acceptable and unacceptable to do and say.
And just as God is at work in the church, He is also at work in bars. My brother (who is a bar tender) tells me stories of people who come in and have hit rock bottom, and have often hit it really hard. Now granted, the bar probably isn't the best place to be when you feel you've hit rock bottom, but yet they are there and they are searching for something to fill the void and heal the pain in their life.
Now am I an advocate for people going to bars every night? No. But come to think of it, I'm not an advocate for people going to church every night either. And do I acknowledge and understand that bars and alcohol can be the source of deep rooted pain in people's lives? Most definitely. I just think there is a lot that can be said about what it means to love people where they're at.
I don't think this means everyone should go to a bar for the sake of "doing ministry" but I do believe that God does miracles everyday. And I've seen first hand how people who are searching for something to fill voids and heal the pain in their life often look to the bottle as their first source. And after they find that the bottle (or fill in the blank) can only satisfy them for so long, they go out searching again...and again...and again...
God is at work and I've been challenged now more then ever to see all of the ways God is working--in both the conventional and unconventional venues.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
"Amazing People. Incredible Care"
I've been listening to the radio lately as I unpack and get things situated in my new apartment. One commercial I hear a lot is for Children's Hospital Central California. They have a new slogan out right now and I love it. It encompasses so much in 4 little words...
"Amazing People. Incredible Care."
After watching this commercial it made me feel so thankful that we have a pediatric hospital so close to home. Even though I don't have any children of my own, I have known a number of people who have been treated or had their child treated at this hospital.
And this is their mission: "The mission of Children's Hospital Central California is to provide high quality, comprehensive health care services to children, regardless of their ability to pay."
Regardless of their ability to pay...that's a big thing to say considering they are only one of 10 independently funded children's hosptials.
It's such a valuable resource the Central Valley has and it's so close to home.
"Amazing People. Incredible Care."
After watching this commercial it made me feel so thankful that we have a pediatric hospital so close to home. Even though I don't have any children of my own, I have known a number of people who have been treated or had their child treated at this hospital.
And this is their mission: "The mission of Children's Hospital Central California is to provide high quality, comprehensive health care services to children, regardless of their ability to pay."
Regardless of their ability to pay...that's a big thing to say considering they are only one of 10 independently funded children's hosptials.
It's such a valuable resource the Central Valley has and it's so close to home.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Moving Time!
This Thursday and Friday I will be moving to a different apartment (still on campus) but bigger with a nice full kitchen! I'm excited for the change and am looking forward to decorating a new place! I'm not looking forward to hauling all the big stuff over... (beds, couches, bookcases, chairs, table...)
So if you're not busy on Thursday late afternoon/evening or Friday morning/afternoon and have a few hours to spare, I would love the help.
You know what they say...Many hands make the work load light!
So if you're not busy on Thursday late afternoon/evening or Friday morning/afternoon and have a few hours to spare, I would love the help.
You know what they say...Many hands make the work load light!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
17 Kids and Counting...
"Seven daughters and 10 sons just wasn't enough for Arkansas couple Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar. Just in time for Mother's Day, the busy parents announced they're expecting their 18th child. Their oldest, Josh, is 20, and youngest, Jennifer, is 9 months old.
The fast-growing family lives in Tontitown in northwest Arkansas in a massive 7,000-square-foot home. All the children - whose names start with the letter J - are home-schooled.
Pregnancy is nothing new for Michelle Duggar - she's been pregnant for more than 11 years of her life!"
Wow...this family has two complete baseball teams in their house! When all the kids are old enough they could play a game with 9 on 9! I can't even imagine!
Happy Mother's Day...tomorrow!
So True...
"What you do thunders above your head so loudly, I cannot hear the words you speak." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Actions speak so much louder than words...
Actions speak so much louder than words...
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Let's Be Honest...
It sounds so simple, yet sometimes it can be hard...
Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37-39
Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37-39
Paradigm Shift...
Today one of my former high school students (who was highly involved in Youth For Christ when I served there) came into my office. She is attending FPU next year, which she is quite excited about as am I! She just got back from spending 10 months in Portugal doing ministry while working with missionaries. We chatted for about 25 minutes and in that time I could tell the things she did and experienced completely changed her worldview and broadened her understanding of herself and others.
As she and I talked, I was reminded of two things:
1. God is at work outside of Fresno, outside of California and outside of the United States. I've learned on a bad day I have the tendency to become so self focused--sometimes missing the point that there is SO much outside of what I know and experience.
2. God is at work in Fresno, in California and within the United States. In the same way I can miss seeing all that God is doing around the world, I can also miss what God is doing in my midst...and in my life...and in my job and ministry...and all around me...
Thank you Katy for helping me remember these things.
As she and I talked, I was reminded of two things:
1. God is at work outside of Fresno, outside of California and outside of the United States. I've learned on a bad day I have the tendency to become so self focused--sometimes missing the point that there is SO much outside of what I know and experience.
2. God is at work in Fresno, in California and within the United States. In the same way I can miss seeing all that God is doing around the world, I can also miss what God is doing in my midst...and in my life...and in my job and ministry...and all around me...
Thank you Katy for helping me remember these things.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Ah...Memories...
I recently bought a new CD that has a bunch of old hymns that have been modernized/contemporized in different ways. I LOVE this CD. It brings back memories from the church I went to growing up.
Although growing up I always thought singing hymns was boring (especially when we sang them so slow!) but there is such deep rooted meaning in the lyrics, that I have now come to see how valuable they really are.
One of my favorite songs on the CD is "Joyful Joyful". Every time I listen to it, I think of my dear friend and mentor, Jamie and I think of a bunch of kids in a large sanctuary singing their hearts out at VBS.
Both such good, good memories.
And I think of Jen and me teaching kindergarten for a class full of 4-5 year olds...
Now that is a really good memory too! I can't help but smile and laugh when I think of that one!
Although growing up I always thought singing hymns was boring (especially when we sang them so slow!) but there is such deep rooted meaning in the lyrics, that I have now come to see how valuable they really are.
One of my favorite songs on the CD is "Joyful Joyful". Every time I listen to it, I think of my dear friend and mentor, Jamie and I think of a bunch of kids in a large sanctuary singing their hearts out at VBS.
Both such good, good memories.
And I think of Jen and me teaching kindergarten for a class full of 4-5 year olds...
Now that is a really good memory too! I can't help but smile and laugh when I think of that one!
Do You Ever Feel This Way...
I just read this today on Post Secret.
I feel this way right now...and although new things can be scary, they can be incredbily exciting at the same time.
And I have no idea what "new" thing might be coming my way...maybe it's something small...or something big...but I feel that God is calling me to trust Him and Him alone...
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