Monday, December 13, 2010
Our God is Amazing!
So last week God showed me a lesson in trusting Him with my money by having the ATM reject just the right amount. I have been praying and trying not to worry about how to pay my college tuition. This morning my mom found $300 "randomly" lying around. Combining that with my money we only need $100 more. Praise the Lord! His provision is so evident every day.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Providence
This whole semester I have been waiting for the financial aid office at the community college to process my financial aid. The upside of waiting was that I didn't have to pay for my classes until my aid had been processed. Now that it has been processed, I have to come up with nearly $500 as soon as possible. Because I am part time, I was given more than $200 less than what the federal government gave me.
That was the background story. On Saturdays I tutor a high-schooler in Latin. When I was wandering around town while waiting for the train to go back home, I went to an ATM to deposit some cash. I stuck it all in the ATM (envelope free), but it wouldn't accept a five and a one. I thought that was odd, so I tried reinserting it, but it was rejected again. I thought, "Oh,well," and went to the train station.
I am normally pretty regular about when I tithe my money. However, due to the circumstances related above, I thought I couldn't afford to tithe even just ten percent of my money. Once my tuition was paid, I probably would have made it up, but at this point I really thought I couldn't afford it. So, this morning as I was getting ready for church, I realized that the ATM had rejected six dollars, exactly ten percent of what I had made since I had last tithed. Random? I didn't think so. I took the money to church and put it in the offering plate. And what was the sermon on this morning? 1 Corinthians 16:1-4:
"Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come, no collections will have to be made. Then when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them on their way to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable for me to go also they will accompany me."
I still don't know how I am going to pay for my tuition, but I do know that God wants us to give as cheerful givers. Sometimes we still need a little reminder that what we have is not ours but God's in the first place. We're just giving back to Him.
That was the background story. On Saturdays I tutor a high-schooler in Latin. When I was wandering around town while waiting for the train to go back home, I went to an ATM to deposit some cash. I stuck it all in the ATM (envelope free), but it wouldn't accept a five and a one. I thought that was odd, so I tried reinserting it, but it was rejected again. I thought, "Oh,well," and went to the train station.
I am normally pretty regular about when I tithe my money. However, due to the circumstances related above, I thought I couldn't afford to tithe even just ten percent of my money. Once my tuition was paid, I probably would have made it up, but at this point I really thought I couldn't afford it. So, this morning as I was getting ready for church, I realized that the ATM had rejected six dollars, exactly ten percent of what I had made since I had last tithed. Random? I didn't think so. I took the money to church and put it in the offering plate. And what was the sermon on this morning? 1 Corinthians 16:1-4:
"Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come, no collections will have to be made. Then when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them on their way to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable for me to go also they will accompany me."
I still don't know how I am going to pay for my tuition, but I do know that God wants us to give as cheerful givers. Sometimes we still need a little reminder that what we have is not ours but God's in the first place. We're just giving back to Him.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Lesson from an atheist
My pastor quoted these words in his sermon on Sunday. They really need no explanation--they are very profound.
Listen to these words of an atheist:
Were I a religionist, did I truly, firmly, consistently believe, as millions say they do, that the knowledge and the practice of religion in this life influences the destiny in another, the Spirit of truth be my witness, religion should be to me everything. I would cast aside earthly enjoyments as dross, earthly cares as follies, and earthly thoughts and feelings as less than vanity. Religion should be my first waking thought, and my last image when sleep sunk me in unconsciousness. I would labor in her cause alone. I would not labor for the meat that perisheth, not for the treasure on earth, where moth and rust corrupts, and thieves break through and steal; but only for a crown of glory in heavenly regions. Where treasure and happiness are alike beyond the reach of time or chance. I would take thought for eternity alone. I would esteem one soul gained to heaven worth a life of suffering. There should be neither worldly prudence nor calculating circumstance in my engrossing zeal. Earthly consequences should never stay my hand or seal my lips. I would speak to the imagination, awaken the feelings, stir up the passions, and arouse the fancy. Earth, its joys and its griefs, should occupy no moments of my thoughts; for these are but the affairs of a portion of eternity, and on the immortal souls around me, soon to be everlastingly miserable or everlastingly happy. I would deem all who thought only of this world, merely seeking to increase temporal happiness, and laboring to obtain temporal goods, pure madmen. I would go forth to the world and preach to it, in season and out of season; and my text should be, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (A.S. Ormsby, in Alone with God)
Listen to these words of an atheist:
Were I a religionist, did I truly, firmly, consistently believe, as millions say they do, that the knowledge and the practice of religion in this life influences the destiny in another, the Spirit of truth be my witness, religion should be to me everything. I would cast aside earthly enjoyments as dross, earthly cares as follies, and earthly thoughts and feelings as less than vanity. Religion should be my first waking thought, and my last image when sleep sunk me in unconsciousness. I would labor in her cause alone. I would not labor for the meat that perisheth, not for the treasure on earth, where moth and rust corrupts, and thieves break through and steal; but only for a crown of glory in heavenly regions. Where treasure and happiness are alike beyond the reach of time or chance. I would take thought for eternity alone. I would esteem one soul gained to heaven worth a life of suffering. There should be neither worldly prudence nor calculating circumstance in my engrossing zeal. Earthly consequences should never stay my hand or seal my lips. I would speak to the imagination, awaken the feelings, stir up the passions, and arouse the fancy. Earth, its joys and its griefs, should occupy no moments of my thoughts; for these are but the affairs of a portion of eternity, and on the immortal souls around me, soon to be everlastingly miserable or everlastingly happy. I would deem all who thought only of this world, merely seeking to increase temporal happiness, and laboring to obtain temporal goods, pure madmen. I would go forth to the world and preach to it, in season and out of season; and my text should be, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (A.S. Ormsby, in Alone with God)
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Light and Darkness
Last night I was walking home from a baking party, and it was dark. Because it is good to be observant when walking alone, even in "safe" places, I was trying to do just that. While I was doing so, the bold portions of these passages came to me.
"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” John 3:19-21 (NKJV)
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says:
“ Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light.”
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:8-16 Writing this, I just thought of this passage:
"Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain." Philippians 2:14-16 (KJV)
The Bible tells us clearly that we need to keep our deeds in the light, with not even a hint of darkness. The dusk is where many of us stumble into utter darkness. Let there be light!
"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” John 3:19-21 (NKJV)
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says:
“ Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light.”
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:8-16 Writing this, I just thought of this passage:
"Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain." Philippians 2:14-16 (KJV)
The Bible tells us clearly that we need to keep our deeds in the light, with not even a hint of darkness. The dusk is where many of us stumble into utter darkness. Let there be light!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Beautiful Feet
I named this blog Pulchri Pedes (Latin for beautiful feet) for a reason, and not because other dancers have told me that I have beautiful feet. It comes from Isaiah 52:7, which says, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns.'" When I went on a Journey in May, this passage of Scripture really stood out to me. I realized then that I need to be someone who brings the good news to others. This was then doubly confirmed to me when I read Isaiah 61:1-3, as well as the place in Luke where Jesus quotes the passage (entirely by accident).
1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
3to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.
It has become my goal to embody these passages, so every time I write on this blog, I hope to be bringing good news and encouragement to those who read it.
1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,because the LORD has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
3to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.
It has become my goal to embody these passages, so every time I write on this blog, I hope to be bringing good news and encouragement to those who read it.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Rejoicing in Suffering
This morning when I woke up there were three scripture passages running through my head:
James 1:2,3: "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
Romans 12:12 "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
I have never before had three very similar passages just in my mind when I woke up. This summer, the larger passage of Romans 12 was very influential to me, but I haven't even read James or 1 Thessalonians for months. I know that suffering is a part of the Christian life, and that at some point in the future I will be facing a trial, so these verses will constantly be a reminder for me to persevere while rejoicing. Here is a poem I wrote about a year ago:
Denial or death,
one will be the path
which I choose,
who'll lose,
the truth or the lie?
Will I live or die?
If He wins,
I'll live again.
The choice I make,
the promises I won't break,
I'll die to gain,
though there is much pain.
I cannot deny,
for this I will die:
the Love that holds fast
and cleansed my path.
I pray that I will be able to make that choice when the time comes.
James 1:2,3: "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
Romans 12:12 "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
I have never before had three very similar passages just in my mind when I woke up. This summer, the larger passage of Romans 12 was very influential to me, but I haven't even read James or 1 Thessalonians for months. I know that suffering is a part of the Christian life, and that at some point in the future I will be facing a trial, so these verses will constantly be a reminder for me to persevere while rejoicing. Here is a poem I wrote about a year ago:
Denial or death,
one will be the path
who'll lose,
the truth or the lie?
Will I live or die?
If He wins,
I'll live again.
The choice I make,
the promises I won't break,
I'll die to gain,
though there is much pain.
I cannot deny,
for this I will die:
the Love that holds fast
and cleansed my path.
I pray that I will be able to make that choice when the time comes.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
O Be Careful...
"Let not those who hope in you be put to shame though me, O Lord GOD of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel." Ps. 69:6
In the Christian walk, often our only concern is not sinning. However, how often do we consider the effects our actions may have on others? We do not want to put the name of Jesus to shame, but we do not always extend that caution as it concerns our brothers and sisters in Christ. In 1 Corinthians 8:9 we are told to be careful that the exercise of our freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. Why? Because "the weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ." 1 Cor 8:11,12
Also, Jesus said in Mark 9:42: "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and were thrown into the sea." In Luke 17:1, the parallel passage, Jesus says, "Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!" Let us endeavor to lead upright lives so that we will cause no shame--to ourselves, to others and ultimately to our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the Christian walk, often our only concern is not sinning. However, how often do we consider the effects our actions may have on others? We do not want to put the name of Jesus to shame, but we do not always extend that caution as it concerns our brothers and sisters in Christ. In 1 Corinthians 8:9 we are told to be careful that the exercise of our freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. Why? Because "the weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ." 1 Cor 8:11,12
Also, Jesus said in Mark 9:42: "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and were thrown into the sea." In Luke 17:1, the parallel passage, Jesus says, "Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!" Let us endeavor to lead upright lives so that we will cause no shame--to ourselves, to others and ultimately to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Promises
"But as for me, my prayer is to you O LORD, at an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. Deliver me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters. Let not the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy turn to me." Ps 69:13-16
In this prayer, David is asking for deliverance and assurance. The part that stood out to me was v. 15--"Let not the flood sweep over me," which reminded me of Isaiah 43:2, which says, "When you pass through the waters I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you." God does not promise to take away our trials, nor should we ask for that. He promises that He will be with us amidst our trials and will protect us from what we cannot bear. Why? "Because your are precious in my eyes and honored, and I love you." (Is 43:4b) God promises this to "everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." (Is 43:7) How precious and sweet are the promises of God!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Handiwork
"The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork." Ps 19:1
Every day there is something in the world that amazes me. Examples: 
(Sorry about the haphazard pictures, I don't know how to do everything yet.)
Every day there is something in the world that amazes me. Examples: 
(Sorry about the haphazard pictures, I don't know how to do everything yet.)Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Content
"for I [am learning], in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need." Phil 4:11,12
I had a birthday back in June, and as a few of my friends know, I was really hoping to get a camera. Through a series of unfortunate events, (which were almost entirely my fault), I didn't get a camera. For a while I was ok with the fact until our family's camera broke. I love carrying a camera around with me and taking pictures of whatever captures my eye, but for more than a month I couldn't do that. While I didn't realize it, I was actually discontent with the situation, even though I have been blessed by so many other worldly possessions. A couple of weeks ago, I subconsciously shifted from discontent to content, and not long after that my brother got a digital camera for free and then gave it to me! For a little bit I was still slightly ungrateful because the camera is rather old, but then I decided to try taking pictures with it, and it can take some really gorgeous ones! God is showing me to be content in all circumstances, even when things don't go exactly my way.
I had a birthday back in June, and as a few of my friends know, I was really hoping to get a camera. Through a series of unfortunate events, (which were almost entirely my fault), I didn't get a camera. For a while I was ok with the fact until our family's camera broke. I love carrying a camera around with me and taking pictures of whatever captures my eye, but for more than a month I couldn't do that. While I didn't realize it, I was actually discontent with the situation, even though I have been blessed by so many other worldly possessions. A couple of weeks ago, I subconsciously shifted from discontent to content, and not long after that my brother got a digital camera for free and then gave it to me! For a little bit I was still slightly ungrateful because the camera is rather old, but then I decided to try taking pictures with it, and it can take some really gorgeous ones! God is showing me to be content in all circumstances, even when things don't go exactly my way.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Isaiah's Reminder
Isaiah 44 compares worshiping the one true God and worshiping idols, and points out the folly of idolatry, but when I read it, the verse that really stood out to me was verse 20: "He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, 'Is there not a lie in my right hand?'" The question I must constantly ask myself is this: Am I feeding on ashes or the Bread of Life?
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