A Snow Day in Cincinnati

Today, Sarah and I decided on a whim to go to Cincinnati and visit the Creation Museum. It was an excellent presentation of the Creation account in Genesis and of the authority of God's Word. I really liked how they contrasted God's Word with human reason. They had an exhibit of Noah's ark (below) and had a video account of the way it happened. I found their theories of how dinosaurs and pangea fit into the biblical account of creation especially interesting. They ended the tour with a video presentation of the Gospel. Very good. I would highly recommend anyone to visit it.

Also, while in Cincinnati, we stopped by Jungle Jim's. It is a crazy, international supermarket. Sarah bought some cool things. I just pushed the cart and took pictures...like of the Cereal Bowl Band (see below).

Due to recent events concerning the church where my roommate is on staff, I am upgrating my rating of The Present Future from 3 to 4 stars. This book was written because of churches like them.

Sarah & me with the Apostle Paul.

It's beginning to look a lot like...Narnia!

So this week was supposed to be the first week of spring semester classes. Not so much. I cannot say I am totally disappointed. I mean, I am looking forward to this semester...but everybody loves them a snow day...or 2 or 3! The seminary is without power and has closed down for the week. Our power went out last night around 3 a.m. and we got it back this evening around 9:00. Praise the Lord!

This extra time off has given me the opportunity to get some reading for the semester done as well as continue the application process for serving overseas next fall. You would think that writing essays about yourself would be easy...but not so much. I have 5 of the 6 completed. The one I am working on now has to do with my spiritual gifts. I am praying through this one. I know the 2 I have for sure, but there are a couple of others I am not sure about. I mean, who I am to say that God has blessed me with more than that?

One of the books I am currently reading is about the KJV Only controversy. It is really interesting and eye-opening. I find it especially interesting because the KJV used to be my translation of choice up until a few years ago when I switched to the ESV. The author has made some really good points about copy errors, similar translation controversies, available manuscripts and textual variants. I think it is amazing the way the Lord has preserved His Word throughout these many years.

Over break, I was able to read 2 books for leisure/pleasure: Dr. Sill's new book (5 out of 5 stars) and The Present Future by Reggie McNeal (3 out of 5 stars). The former is an excellent book for anyone wondering if God has called them to serve Him overseas. The latter is a great book for anyone who is fed up with inner-focused churches. McNeal makes some great points about what he calls the "church club member" mentality. Sometimes he comes off rather negative in his attitude toward church membership and formal training, but I think that is mainly do to his strong passion to see the church be all she is called to be in Christ.

Well, I am off to bed. I didn't get any sleep last night because of the cracking trees so I am looking forward to a morning of sleeping in!

Mmm...hot chocolate!!!

Immersed in Philosophy

Today was my first day of J-term in Philosophy. It was pretty interesting and my professor is hysterical. We discussed several different worldviews. It amazes me sometimes what people will believe. For instance, he told us about a NY bureacrat who thinks that indicating male or female on a birth certificate is gender oppression. People should be free to "create" their own gender and not be limited to what is on their birth certificate. In other words, biology doesn't matter, be who you want to be. This is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard (right up there with we can't know if anything really exists).

My professor said that all worldviews when followed to their logical conclusions lead to one of two ends: nihilism (the belief that nothing exists) or Christianity. I found this pretty interesting.

Also, in my class, there was another person with my last name. We got to talking and discovered we are like 3rd cousins. Small world.

Another Step...

Last night I began the application process for serving in South America this fall. I am still not for certain if this is what God has for me but I do sense Him pulling me in this direction.

Please, please pray for me. I am struggling with this right now. It is not because I do not want to go, but there is something gripping me right now...mainly lies from the enemy (the details of which I will save for my personal journal). Just know that I covet your prayers and desire to do God's will above all else.

Proving My Words

This past year, the Lord has taught me so much in regards to His faithfulness and provision and my rebelliousness and need for Him. One thing the Lord has been teaching me specifically, especially over the last month or so, is His sovereignty over my checkbook. While it is easy to live by the numbers recorded in my register, I have learned to trust God instead. When my balance drops in the low single digits, I know that I have no need to worry because the Lord will provide in some way--a babysitting or dogsitting opportunity, extra hours at work, a generous gift from a family member or friend, etc. I am always so amazed at the ways He chooses to meet my needs. I always have just enough...and for that I am so thankful.

When I was home for Thanksgiving, my dad brought up the importance of money in our lives. He told me that money was our strength and then whipped out some Bible verse to support his view. I told him I didn't agree with him and asserted that Jesus was my Strength, not money. The following Sunday, while I was at church, the Lord prompted me to give a significant (to me anyways) sum of money to the Imagine Campaign. When I hesitated, He reminded me of my words ("Jesus is my strength") and in essence told me to prove them. This has happened several times since then. The fact is because of th extra giving, the extra expenses (Christmas, renewed car license & oil change and the like) and missing 2 weeks worth of work because of Thanksgiving & Christmas, I should not have been able to pay rent or my other bills. BUT the wonderful truth is I was able to because my Lord is my Provider. In many ways and through various people, I gave me what I needed. For instance, my roommate and I won the decorating contest at our apartment complex and, as a result, received a discount off of rent. See how gracious the Lord is! He knows my needs and He is faithful to provide.

This is what the Bible has to say in Psalm 52:6-9 about the difference between trusting in God and trusting in riches:

The righteous shall see [God punishing those who don't trust in Him] and fear, and shall laugh at him [the wicked], saying, "See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction!"
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast
love of God forever and ever. I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.

Jesus is enough.