I Had a Special Visitor!

It's funny how you don't realize how much you miss something/someone until your reminded. My sister came to Southern this weekend for the Give Me an Answer conference. She stayed with me last night so we were able to hang out a little. Unfortunately, the teaching class I am taking fell on this weekend so I spend most of last evening preparing an inductive Bible study which was due this morning. Kristi had homework to do as well, but we still had fun. I got to visit with her briefly again today over lunch...but now the conference is over...she is gone and I am sad. The visit was sort of like a teaser since it was so short and it makes me really want to go home...

On a different note, I can tell this teaching class is going to stretch me. The next time we meet (in two weeks) I have to have prepared a Bible study lesson to teach on Titus 2:6-10...lasting 45 minutes! I have asked God to show me through this class whether or not I have the gift of teaching (which I have been told I have in dormat form) and I believe He will answer. I am pretty excited about finding illustrations, movie clips or videos that correlate with my "teaching idea." The Lord has blessed me with some wonderful teachers in my life to use as models.

I have also been reconsidering my seminary pace. Since I arrived at Southern, my goal has been get in and get out as soon as possible (3 years). Now I am beginning to wonder: is this the Lord's plan or mine?

Told it to Jesus

So I had my "little talk with Jesus." Now the healing can begin. I am still so amazed by the way the Lord brings Scripture my way in times like these. As is often the case, the verse on my journal page was what I needed to hear (Isaiah 30:18). I am so thankful that the Lord is patient with me and waited on me to come to Him. Furthermore, someone commented on my blog and encouraged me with Jude 24. The Lord has been using one of the verses from the sermon I heard as well. God never ceasing to amaze me. I am so thankful for all that He is and has done for me in Christ!

I forgot to mention in my last post that I had the opportunity to go to a free concert at school by Kristyn and Keith Getty. I love their songs. They are so rich in biblical truths and stir ones heart for Jesus. It was such a blessing!

Need = Tell it to Jesus

The semester is finally under way. I am much more excited and motivated about this semester than the last one. This refreshed attitude, I know, is a gift from the Lord. I am priveledged to be able to study at Southern and sometimes I forget that. The two classes I am most excited about are Hermeneutics and New Testament I. Basically, in N.T. we are studying the life of Jesus. I have only had two classes and I am already hooked on this class! It has stirred my affections for the Lord Jesus Christ which is a direct answer to prayer.

On a way more serious and extremely vague note: the Lord made me aware of an issue that I need to deal with from my childhood that I didn't even know was an issue. I guess I have suppressed it all these years, but while I was listening to a sermon the Holy Spirit brought it to the forefront. All these memories and feelings have flooded my mind and I am not sure how to deal with them. There are maybe two people I would even feel comfortable talking about this with and they are both in Missouri. One of them is my sister and talked briefly about it with her. I have so much trouble expressing my feelings that I didn't get it all out on the table. What is worse (way worse) is that I really don't even want to talk to Jesus about it. I don't want to deal with it. I just want it to go back into its suppressed state. [Side note: what's funny is that when I was reflecting on the issue and the sermon, this song crept into my mind: "have a little talk with Jesus"--obviously God was trying to tell me something. :)] Alas...I know ignoring the issue is not an option...so I need prayer. Please pray for me.