Jesus, Could You Show Me Just How Far the East is from the West?

I learned today that Third Day is coming out with a new album this summer. Yay! God has used their music so much to bless my life. Chris Daughtry is going to be adding his rockin' voice to one of their songs. I also learned that one of their band members left. :( Even though I don't know them personally and know their music will still be good, it makes me sad when bands split (even though they aren't really splitting). Kind of the same way that divorces make me sad. I am funny like that. I think it is because loyalty is very important to me.

I learned about a new radio station in the Kentuckiana area that plays Christian rock (104.3 fm). Today, they were playing the top 20 countdown and I heard Casting Crowns' song East to West (based on Psalm 103:12) which spoke to me greatly. I have heard the song before, but because of the rut I have been in spiritually, God used it to minister to me in a powerful way. Please pray for me in this area. I really don't know how to put it into words, but I just feel so far from Christ and it pains me greatly.

Furthermore, the Lord convicted me during today's sermon. The message was over 2 Corinthians 6: "Showing Reverence for an Awesome God." One of the points explained that one of the ways we show reverence for God is opening our hearts to one another. Ouch! I struggle in this area immensely. I have trouble opening up to people and keep most everyone I know at arm's length. I know that this is one big hindrance to sharing my faith. Only the power of Christ can give me strength and boldness to be vulnerable before others. Please pray that He would do just that.

I began a new book recently. A friend lent (is that the right word?!) me Piper's God's Passion for His Glory which includes a full work by Johnathan Edwards. I look forward to what God will teach me through it. My goal is to finish it before Greek starts June 3rd.

I have a crazy busy week ahead. Please pray for me as I work, move, invest in relationships, seek God, dog sit, and the like.

Fast fact: My friend and former roomie Melissa informed me that NASCAR driver Tony Stewart's pet monkey Mojo now lives in the Louisville Zoo. Isn't that just hilarous? :) I may need to go visit him...

Speaking of NASCAR, my favorite race of the season is on right now...BUT I think I better focus my mind on more eternal things right now...

A Few Days in MO

I just recently returned from a quick trip home. It was so great to see my family and church family. The Lord reminded me of how blessed I am to have them all in my life. I miss them already. While I was there I visited MH's multi-site campus in Arcadia Valley for the first time. The campus was beautiful and it was so awesome to see all the new faces (and some familiar ones!). The Lord is doing a mighty work there. Keep the MH church leaders in your prayers!

I was also able to hand wash my car which I really enjoy doing. My car is white again! My dad vacuumed it out for me and replaced the mats. He spoiled me greatly while I was home as he also changed my oil, recharged my air conditioner, and shined my Docs. :)

My time at home was not all roses, though. My dad accused me of "never being home" when I come to visit which greatly frustrates me. Does he know the opportunties to visit other people I turn down because I know that he wants me at home? Besides visiting my grandparents, the only place I go to without him is church. The rest of the time I spend at the house. Grrr...what frustrates me most is that it is okay for him to run his errands and the like. I am really not sure what to do about the situation. There are other relationships that I would like to invest in while I am in town but I feel guilty if I go out with friends or anything because I know he will be upset. I am usually invited to go out with my friends from church while I am there, but have been declining. I want to go, but I am torn. Sigh.

Oh! Good news: the mileage has been down on my car. (Well, that isn't the good news, but keep reading). I used to get like 32 mpg on the hwy and 30 mpg (city) mixed driving. It has been down, however, like 4+ mpg for the past few months. I tried to do a few things to help my mileage but to no avail; finally, I replaced the fuel filter and, ta-da!, I am back up to 30 mpg. :)

My trip, by the way, was wonderful. I enjoy my long drives with the Lord. I listened to several sermons as the Lord led me which He used to greatly ministered to my soul.

David Cook just won American Idol. Yay for guys with raspy rock voices. :)

From Martha to Mary

I am so thankful to the Lord to be back safely in my apartment. There were a few times that the rain-drenched road almost got the best of me.

The trip was a blessed one, however. The Lord graciously stirred my heart for Him as I listened to praise music. I am ashamed to admit that I have been very apathetic towards Him lately (which can be seen in my blogs, speech, and attitude). All my fault of course since the Lord is faithful and constant in His relationship to me. Even though I have all this free time to focus on Him, I have chosen to fill it with other less fruitful, less worthy things. How can I choose these things over the beautiful, all-satisfying Lord that gave His life so that I might know Him? I have no acceptable answer. I have not been spending adequate time in the Word or reading books that stir my affections for Him. These are the primary ways that I worship the Lord and, today, the Lord showed me that I need to return to these habits in order to restore our fellowship. Because of my distractedness, I was reminded of the Lord Jesus' words to Martha in Luke 10:41-42: "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."

My small group is doing through John Piper's book Don't Waste Your Life. Recently, we discussed how to make much of Christ with our jobs and how to make others glad in Him in the process. I have been reflecting a lot about this lately. We talked about working in a way that shows Christ to be our supreme Treasure as opposed to status, money, etc. This got me thinking: I have three jobs, what does this reveal about where my treasure is? Does it show that I treasure Christ or money or something else? Am I working three jobs because this is God's way of providing for me or because I am trusting in myself to make ends meet? And if this is how God has determined to provide for me and use me, how can I make Him shine as the supreme Treasure of my life? These are questions that need anwers because I do not want to do anything to dim the light of Christ in my life.

A Few Thoughts and Observations

*Have you noticed that the latest trend in food are digestive friendly products? From dairy products to cereal to nuts, all of them claim to promote digestive health. It may just be me, but if food companies would use pure ingredients to begin with, we wouldn't need all the digestive help.
*During our apartment search, my roomate and I discovered a rule for subsidized housing: two full-time singles cannot share an apartment unless they are married. Sounds like discrimination against single people if you ask me.
*I have never been a fan of politics and do not keep up with them as I probably should, but I do have to say that I am disappointed with the candidates that are running for president. I mean, is this the best the US can produce? If only money weren't such a factor...
*LOST is extremely animistic. I hadn't noticed until learning about animism in my Intercultural Communication class. It's still a great show, though. :)
*I am developing a deep bitterness toward gas companies because of their greed and oppression of those in the lower class of the economy. I am having to repent of this attitude a lot lately.
*God's love for me. It is something that I know is true but still have trouble believing for myself as an individual. The last time I was home my pastor was encouraging me and reminding me of God's love and I found myself doubting it. I am thinking about focusing on this attribute of God this summer.
*My NASCAR driver lost his sponsor for next year. Rumor it has it, though, that he may switch to a different team. One could only hope. It would be nice for him to have a chance at winning again.
*Does anybody else think that David Archuleta completely destroyed Love Me Tender the other night?!
*I just finished my last final this morning!

A Few Items of Praise

You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told (Psalm 40:5).

The Lord has poured out His blessings upon me these past few weeks. How my heart fills with awe of His goodness and grace.

1. Remember how I turned in an insurance claim last November for hail damage on my car? :)

2. My roommate and I found a new apartment (well, townhouse actually). We are so thankful that the Lord quickly (a week and a half) provided us with a new place to live so as not to add to the stress of the end of the semester. Also, it is closer to our jobs and school which is another blessing. We move at the end of this month.

3. This past week I was awarded two scholarships. This is such a blessing from the Lord as I wasn't sure how I was going to pay for classes next year. Oh me of little faith...He always provides!

4. I was offered a third job and I prayerfully accepted.

5. I finished the biggest paper I have ever written, and now all I have left is two in-class finals! :)

On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate (Psalm 145:5).