Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Em & Ash

I love this picture! It embodies the fun of dorm living and all the fun that goes with it! I just found it on my computer while cleaning out the cobwebs yesterday.  It made me think of a song from my youth. If you know the song, don't read too much into it (as there were never any taverns involved at IWU with these girls)but I have always loved the chorus)

Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way
La la la la la la
La la la la la la

Monday, February 20, 2012

This is Not Where I Belong



Sometimes it feels like I'm watching from the outside
Sometimes it feels like I'm breathing but am I alive
I will keep searching for answers that aren't here to find
All I know is I'm not home yet
This is not where I belong
Take this world and give me Jesus
This is not where I belong
So when the walls come falling down on me
And when I'm lost in the current of a raging sea
I have this blessed assurance holding me
When the earth shakes I wanna be found in You
When the lights fade I wanna be found in You



Friday, February 17, 2012

Leymah Gbowee: The dream bearer is always the dream carrier.

I felt like the Little Red Hen today.  I asked my coworkers if any of them would be going to hear Leymah Gbowee tonight as she speaks to IWU.  One asked who she was and I told him she was the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, but he was still not impressed or interested. In fact, no one was interested in going but me.  I don't mind going to things like this by myself.  It's just what I do. I was going to go regardless of what others were saying, but I had no idea the blessing I would receive from this evening, and it makes me a little sad that they missed out on a wonderful opportunity.  This woman is amazing, simply amazing and so genuine!  She doesn't take any of the glory for herself.  She puts it right back where it belongs with God.  She stated tonight that she doesn't use notes because she wants to rely on God's strength and not on her own.  She always prays that Jesus would fill her mouth with His words, and fill it He did! He spoke to my heart and I know He spoke to a great many students as well!
Leymah Gbowee recalled two stories.  One told of missed opportunities and the other told the story of how she came to lead Liberian women into a ministry of prayer and peaceful protest that would change her world from a state of war.  She had a dream and she went to her pastor and told him of the dream thinking that she would help behind the scenes while someone else implemented the dream.  The pastor kept telling her that the dream bearer is always the dream carrier, and so she set out on a course that God would lead. Her dream isn't over by any means.
After her short talk, she opened the floor for questions from students.  I got the impression that this isn't something that Nobel Peace Prize Recipients normally do, but she was so gracious.  The institute was protective of her since she had spoken at six universities in 2 days so they were wanting to wrap it up and get her back to Indy, but she kept taking student questions.  Finally, they said she had to go and she felt so genuinely bad about not getting to answer five of the students questions.  She told those five to come up on stage for a hug, and then she said, "Where are all the cameras now?  Why isn't someone taking a picture?"  So of course, I went down to the front row and took this picture.  One of the five students was Jacob Cotrell so I texted the picture to his mother right away, and I think I made her cry! It's not every day that you can say that your son hugged a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate! 

A webcast of Ms. Leymah Gbowee’s evening with us is now available at the link below!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

The Author of All Love



Early church records are sketchy, but it's believed several men named Valentine were martyred in the third century A.D. This was during the reign of Roman Emperor Claudius II, a ruler known for his brutal persecution of Christians. One of these Valentines was a priest who secretly married couples against the wishes of Claudius, who believed that unmarried men made better soldiers. Two other Valentines—a priest and a bishop—were beheaded by Claudius late in the third century. Historians are not certain which Valentine it was we celebrate on February 14. But they are certain as to why the church chose that day. You see, in ancient Rome, February 14 was the eve of a pagan festival called Lupercalia. During this festival, the Romans worshipped Februa, a goddess of marriage, childbirth, and sexuality.

Brian Bates, a professor at the University of Sussex, is an expert on how we celebrate holidays. Bates writes that during Lupercalia, "young men and women drew lots for sexual partners in preparation for a day of sanctioned license the following day." As Christianity spread throughout the ancient world, the church began replacing pagan festivals with holy days. In an effort to control the lewder aspects of the Lupercalian festival, the church fathers replaced this pagan holiday with the feast of Saint Valentine, in honor of one of the martyred Christians. Instead of drawing the names of sexual partners out of a box, young men were encouraged to pick the names of saints—and then spend the following year emulating the saint whose name they drew.
The focus on love lingered on, but it was sanctified from mere sexual license to chaste romantic love. Surprisingly, the romantic aspect is what became popular, not the more austere love of the Christian martyrs.

Now, it's fun to exchange gifts with our sweethearts, so you won't be asked to read Foxe's Book of Martyrs instead of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. But we ought to take a moment to remember the early Christian saints as well, and how their martyrdom dramatically illustrates their love of God. In the midst of our romantic celebrations, we can remind ourselves that for Christians, the love between husband and wife is meant to reflect the love between God and His Church. Throughout the Scriptures, the imagery of the love between husbands and wives is perhaps the most compelling symbol of the relationship between God and His people.

So while you're buying those roses and chocolates, you might want to remind yourself and your kids about the Author of all love, not America Online or Hallmark cards, but the Holy God Himself. (From Breakpoint, 1999.)

Saturday, February 11, 2012

A Gluten Filled Day

For the first time in 3 years, I ate gluten. For the most part, I haven't missed it that much, but boy oh boy was this sandwich from Jimmie John's good!  I'm certainly not ready to dive right back in to a world of gluten because I do think that my body produces some antibodies toward it for some strange reason. I had allergy testing last summer that revealed that I am allergic to quite a few foods so I have been on a rotation diet that has been helping. Gluten was on the list, but not high on the list. My doctor said it was probably low on the list because I haven't had gluten in such a long time that my body isn't producing antibodies toward gluten.  However, she said that doesn't mean that I'm not gluten intolerant.  I don't want to go back into the world of gluten, but I do think that if I put it in the rotation, I'll be fine. Time will only tell.

My gastroenterologist recommended that I have genetic testing to put the question of Celiac to rest once and for all. The tests came back negative for Celiac.  In January, I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy with biopsies of my esophagus, stomach, and colon.  All were negative and my colon looked better with no polyps or pre-cancers this time compared to five years ago.  I'd like to think that my diet has contributed to that. I knew I needed to do a Gluten Challenge Test so yesterday when two of my friends from work invited me to go with them to Jimmie John's for lunch, I said Why Not?? When we were eating, Rachel said, "I feel like I just took a recovering alcoholic to a bar." 
So for today, falling off the wagon felt good 
thanks to Rachel and Lisa!

Friday, February 03, 2012

Fellowship in Loneliness

Thanks to David Jeremiah for his devotionals in my emails every morning.


Fellowship in Loneliness

The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
Psalm 121:5


Recommended Reading 2 Timothy 4:9-18

Different types of loneliness invade our lives. Standing at the gravestone of a loved one, we feel the pang of separation. No message on our cell phone--we long to hear the voice of a loved one. But there's also a type of loneliness that invades our schedules as we minister to others.

When you ache with loneliness, remember that you're in good company. The Bible gives abundant examples of lonely saints. Whether you're a pastor, ministry leader, spouse, parent, or child, we all experience loneliness somewhere along life's journey.

Even the apostle Paul, an incredibly gifted and blessed man, was not immune to loneliness. He was taken to heaven and shown things too wonderful to share with earthly beings. He authored much of the New Testament and founded all the missionary churches during New Testament times. But on occasion, he ached with loneliness: "Only Luke is with me..." (2 Timothy 4:11a).
Today you may encounter a lonely person hiding behind a smile. If you were that person, how would you hope to be greeted? Friendship is a sure antidote to a lonely soul. Be cheerful medicine to someone today.

The next time you find yourself alone ...
stand still, whisper God's name, and listen.
He is nearer than you think. ~Max Lucado