Nov. 4-28, 2004

Sunday, November 28, 2004

So, Thanksgiving break was nice. Not really enough time... especially since my mom and brother had to run off to Chicago. I'm uber-proud of my brother but I miss him a whole lot! He's the coolest! (Jim, if you're reading this... la da deeeeee da da daaahhh... heh heh you will always be funnier than me.) I thought I'd include some fabulous pictures that I acquired over the weekend - primarily from Annie, but a couple random prom pictures from Mrs. Moody as well. Full Measure pics coming soon!!!

Me and my brother at my grad party - aww...
Me and Scott at prom - notice the perfectly centered fireworks...
Prom - Scott, me, Sarah, Craig, Clarkey
Baskin Robbins - fall break (Annie, Scott, me, Ferrell)
Annie and Ferrell - how cute, they match!
I LOVE this picture! BCN friends - Mamfa, Erika, me, Annie, Ferrell
I love this one too... we're so happy!!!

Thursday, November 04, 2004

Dude, I pulled the BEST all-nighter ever last night. (Well, best all-nighter within the category of school-related all-nighters. The best all-nighter ever was the Christmas Eve "memories of childhood" all-nighter me and my super-cool brother pulled. But anyways...) It's pretty amazing how much energy God actually gave me in the wee hours of the morning. Having created caffeine was a really good start... Wow. I'm pretty exhausted now but kind of on that second wind, especially following an awesome FM practice and conversation with Sahang-hee afterwards. Sahang-hee rocks. You can tell her I said that (if she doesn't see this anyway). On top of all that, in the midst of my wild all-nighter God gave me a devotional that put everything amazingly into perspective. Let me share. This is from Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest, November 1. "You Are Not Your Own" "Do you not know that... you are not your own?" (1 Corinthians 6:19) There is no such thing as a private life, or a place to hide in this world, for a man or woman who is intimately aware of and shares in the sufferings of Jesus Christ. God divides the private life of His saints and makes it a highway for the world on one hand and for Himself on the other. No human being can stand that unless he is identified with Jesus Christ. We are not sanctified for ourselves. We are called into intimacy with the gospel, and things happen that appear to have nothing to do with us. But God is getting us into fellowship with Himself. Let Him have His way. If you refuse, you will be of no value to God in His redemptive work in the world, but will be a hindrance and a stumbling block. The first thing God does is get us grounded on strong reality and truth. He does this until our cares for ourselves individually have been brought into submission to His way for the purpose of His redemption. Why shouldn't we experience heartbreak? Through those doorways God is opening up ways of fellowship with His Son. Most of us collapse at the first grip of pain. We sit down at the door of God's purpose and enter a slow death through self-pity. And all the so-called Christian sympathy of others helps us to our deathbed. But God will not. He comes with the grip of the pierced hand of His Son, as if to say, "Enter into fellowship with Me; arise and shine." If God can accomplish His purposes in this world through a broken heart, then why not thank Him for breaking yours? Let me reiterate that last sentence. If God can accomplish His purposes in this world through a broken heart, then why not thank Him for breaking yours? Wow... I really needed to hear that. I feel so differently about things. Wow. Come to think of it, there are some really huge implications. God makes so much sense!!! Wow!!! Alrighty, gotta finish my theory homework now. Peace and love to all.