A Spring Habit

I always get excited about scripture in the spring. I don't know what it is about the season, but even during my undergrad years at Tech, when the drillfield started warming up, I reached for my flashcards. I whipped out my flashcards to memorize scripture on the way to class, during class, watching the NBA playoffs- whatever, whenever.

So, to say the least, I wasn't surprised when I got thirsty again about a week ago. This time I didn't have my handwritten, torn-in-half notecards- I upgraded. One of my friends from high school who is in full-time ministry at Arizona State introduced me to some topical notecards that Navigators designed, complete with a plastic, laminated carrier. Look at me now! Yesterday I was reviewing the Christ Paid the Penalty topic out of Romans and 1 Peter. To be honest, I cannot remember the references, but I do know the verses-

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit."

Then this morning I was reading the first chapter of Isaiah as our Father reveals His frustration with our promiscuity and unfaithfulness. I love it when scripture comes together so beautifully. WOW. While we were still sinners, he covered our crimson-stained sin-FULL hearts with his cleansing blood. At the height of his anger and frustration, after we "have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them," our Father's heart melted.

From smoldering to smitten.

That kind of forgiveness makes me think of my younger days. I was sooo pathetic, it's really funny to think about it now- but man do I pity my parents 10 years ago. I'd get so incensed at my mom that I'd be red hot in the face, storming around the house (or punching holes in the wall, well only once). Lets be clear here, it was very rarely a righteous anger :) Often, if anyone so happened to look at me or talk to me, it'd ignite into a whole 'nother rampage. That's what I think of in Isaiah 1. Everytime we come back to God with our half-hearted sacrifices and superficial prayer, his soul hates it. Instead, He chose to die on the cross so we wouldn't have to (and couldn't) do anything to try to calm His storm and bear His wrath. Jesus turned from justified disgust and bore MY shame shame and MY scorn at the top of that hill. He saved me from His passion. Forgiveness. What a wonderful SAVIOR.


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Now playing: John Mark McMillan - How He Loves
via FoxyTunes

Life Suction

Since I began leading Real Life at the local church around 2 years, I've experience plenty of awkwardness. I mean, for over half of that time, it has been me with around a dozen MS and HS girls trying to act like women. That doesn't even account for my well-known love for ridiculously awkward situations.
Last night was fun though. Carol was there. It is always fun when Carol is there. And Carol, if you are reading this- don't consider this encouragement for more likewise behavior :). Either way, so I had just revealed to them that I was reading through Twilight and was beginning to enjoy it as the hunt had begun and evil was vying to end true love....blah blah blah. I went on my rant about how Bella is obsessed with Edward because he is soooo fine. Seriously, I may re-read it and count how many times she states how absolutely gorgeous he is. I also complained that young Mr. Cullen is a vampire and it isn't even fair that they interact because his trancome-self may just control everything she is thinking! We tried to make some analogy to real life (after all, our gathering is called 'Real Life') at that age, and all Carol can say is "I don't know about vampires, but I know some boys just suck the life right out of me, bwahahahah!"
OK, maybe you had to be there, but it was pretty funny; especially given her long history with one boy in particular.



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Now playing: Gloriana - Wild At Heart
via FoxyTunes

Sweet Music

Late last week my brother sent me this really cool video with Jon Schmidt's compilation and arrangement of "Love Song" and "Viva la Vida." Now I have only recently become a Taylor Swift fan (I am almost ashamed to say), but Mr. Schmidt did a fantasmic job! It is one of those songs that despite the fact there are no words, you still find yourself singing along. He clearly had fun putting it together for such a fun pair of instruments. I knew Jordan would love it, so I sent it to her and she beat me to the punch...so check out the video on her blog, right here. You won't regret it :)

Purpose

GCC totally took a simple idea and rocked MY world. It's incredible how life can tear us apart and leave us beaten down and in the dumps. When we rely on God's powerful grace to redeem us, and simply ask Him to transform our heart, He makes us into something beautiful and changes our life. Left on the ground, He picks us up, He brushes us off, and He helps us walk again. This video has had me on cloud 9 for the last 5 days!! God still works miracles and I am so glad Mark shared it on his blog!

Cardboard Testimonies from Granger Community on Vimeo.