Christian Life

One more thing...I am reading this book called "Holy Sweat" by Tim Hansel. I did not really want to read it, but I have to for my class. I am pleasantly surprised...this book is amazing! No joke. I would definitely recommend it. It could change your life.

Here is an excerpt that Tim actually quoted from Madeleine L'Engle:

"In a very real sense not one of us is qualified, but it seems that God continually chooses the most unqualified to do His work, to bear His glory. If we are qualified, we tend to think that we have done the job ourselves. If we are forced to accept our evident lack of qualification, then there's no danger that we will confuse God's work with our own or God's glory with our own."

Just think about that for awhile.

This Is Primarily For My Family...:-)

We did another photo shoot....

"Woman at the Well"

So at RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) on Tuesday night, our campus minister preached on John 4 - the woman at the well. Coincidence? I think not. (Haha, just had to add that in there...) He added a new spin on this chapter that is definitely worth noting. Apparently in Biblical times, the well was the place to get "hooked up." That was where Jacob and Rachel met and, perhaps more poignantly, where Issac and Rebekah met. (Now, just as a quick clarification, I am not using this connotation in the meaning of my blog title.)
When Jesus met the woman at the well, there were three things against her that made her undesirable by anyone: One, she was a Samaritan; two, she was a woman; and three, she was a prostitute. The disciples couldn't understand why Jesus would single her out. However, it is in this very instance that we can get a picture of how Jesus is seeking out His church. He is not calling the rich and healthy and popular people to Him. He is calling the poor and wretched sinners. The woman was hated by many and despised by more, but Jesus singled her out and offered her life. So too does He single us out to become His beloved. I know that I am wretched and am not worthy of that life, but Jesus was pleased to offer it on our behalf. Now, when God looks at me, He doesn't see me, but His perfect Son. How cool is that!!
This is kind of a tangent, but knowing that all good in me is actually Christ and not myself has been a great way to mortify pride. :-) It's not so much look at all the great things I have done, but look at all the ways Christ has chosen to use me to glorify our Father.

This is a great song by Silers Bald called "Grace:"

My heart is so proud.
My eyes are so unfocused.
I see the things You've done through me
As great things I have done.
And now You gently break me.
I cry just like a baby.
You hold me as my Father,
And mold me as my Maker.

And I ask You
How many times will You pick me up.
When I keep on letting You down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory,
How far will forgiveness abound?
And You answer, "My child, I love you,
And as long as you're seeking My face,
You'll walk in the power of My daily sufficient, grace."

 At times I may grow weak.
And feel a bit discouraged.
Knowing that someone somewhere
Can do a better job.
For who am I to serve You?
I know, I don't deserve You.
But that's the part, that burns in my heart,
And keeps me hanging on.

And You are so patient with me, Lord.

 As I walk with You, I'm learning
About what Your grace really means.
How all of my transgressions
Were paid at Calvary.
So instead of trying to repay You,
I'm learning to simply obey You.
By giving up my life to You
For all that You've given to me.

 "My daily sufficient grace."