Nay-Sayers are those unavoidable factors in life that will always hover over your head like a gloomy rain cloud. That's just what they do- they hover.
So here's the thing- you can't give them any satisfaction that their "nay" is noted.
If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, God will call you to something specific. It's inevitable. It is also inevitable that these nay-sayer folks will grab their cloud, hover over your calling and then rain on it. Well, guess what, God doesn't change His will for you based on other people's negative comments. He doesn't suddenly say, "Oh hey. They think that's a bad idea so... let's just have you do something more logical and safe." Sorry, people, but God rolls over for no one. Just read every book of the Bible if you want some support on that. Conclusion? Their opinions don't matter. If God is calling you to do something- DO IT. It may seem illogical, dangerous, difficult and out-of-reach, but GOD is God. Not you. Not me. Not anyone.
Also, in addition to the "nay-sayers," there are the "nose-stickers." You know, the ones that stick their nose in everyone's business, showing unusually extreme interest in what everyone else is doing with their future. I'm sure you've heard the whole "Oh? This is your major? Please describe to me in detail what you will do with it in the future, if it will make you a lot of money and what your next 10 years look like!" shpeal. People, people, people. Directly from the mouth of a planner- please do not force us to plan more than we have to. Life will happen, and God will guide us. Until then, this is my life.
No, I do not know who I will marry, what job I may have, where I will live or whether I'm going to graduate school when I'm done undergrad. I've tried the whole "planning my life" thing. It's not happening and it never will. It's ok to plan, but let's face it- God changes our plans. I've decided to do my best at whatever I'm doing right now with my life to prepare for whatever possibilities God may bring into my life in the future, but as far as knowing my future, I see into my future just as well as you see into yours. Not at all.
*UPDATED* ... So here's this updated and adjusted!
Summer reading and movie-watching goals.. I have many of them. Many of the movies I want to watch I've seen before but love and must watch again this summer.
So what's on the list for this summer? Maybe if I list them out publicly I'll actually read them/watch them...
Books:
The Sound and the Fury - by:William Faulkner --> (I'm halfway through this and still uninterested. It's very well written, but nothing really happens, which sort of defeats the purpose... Sorry, Faulkner, but if you can't get my attention by the middle of the book, you fail.)
Spiritual Leadership - by: J. Oswald Sanders *Currently Reading* While I'm required to read this for next year's SLD position, I am really looking forward to reading this. I'm guessing the title is pretty self-explanatory.
The Way of the Shepherd - by: Dr. Kevin Leman and William Pentak Really enjoyed this book. The author focuses on how a shepherd tends to his flock as an example of how a manager/leader is to manage/lead the group of people that has been placed under their care. The examples are perfect and eye-opening. Definitely helped me to see managing people in a completely new light!
Wuthering Heights - by: Emily Bronte ....Aaaanddd a year later, Heathcliff and Catherine's story is finally completed. Definitely a cold, dark romance, but it's so well written that no matter how depressing the storyline may be, I somehow enjoyed it.
Not a Fan - by: Kyle Idleman My leadership team for next year will all be reading this over the summer and discussing it when we get back. Apparently this book focuses on being a follower of Christ rather than just a fan, and it explains the difference. I'm excited!
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - by: F. Scott Fitzgerald This was a short story, but it was one fabulous use of my time. The story is original, well-written and just plain hilarious! If you want a quick and interesting read, this is for you! Love Fitzgerald's writing style and would read this again in a heartbeat.
Roses for Mama - by: Janette OkeI read this years ago, but I was in the mood for a sappy Christian romance. I'm not really a fan of the writing style, but the story is cute. Just one of those girly must-haves. Gotta love the typical "orphan farm girl meets boy next door" story.
Pilgrim's Progress I read a shortened, child-proof version of this story when I was younger, but really am interested in reading the real deal. John Bunyan uses allegory to express the dynamics of the Christian life. I absolutely love the writing style and cannot wait to dive into all the symbolism!
The Count of Monte Cristo Not sure what this is about.. but it's a classic and was only 5 bucks at the used book store, so here it goes!
So, right now, that's what I've got for books. Disclaimer: This is OTHER than books of the Bible.
Films:
The Avengers Absolutely loved it. That's all that really can be said. Who doesn't love a movie with a massive amount of superheroes and cool effects? Only the crazy.
Jurassic Park Yes, I am that person that has never seen these movies, but no more. This summer, I will be cultured in the ways of giant prehistoric, man-eating animals. I'm ready.
A Walk to Remember It's been forever since I've watched this movie, but it's a classic and a must-watch. If you need a tear-jerking romance, this is the movie for you.
Anne of Green Gables series Another series that I've watched since I was a kid year after year, but must watch this summer. Since this is a lengthy series, I never have time to watch these movies during school. Anne, you are my literary hero and probably the fictional character I relate to the most. I even named one of my journals after Anne of Green Gables. Yup, these movies are definitely winners.
Anne of Avonlea series ...and the amazing series continues...
This Means War All right- Reese Witherspoon is one of my favorite actresses and this movie looks hilarious. Probably going to be pretty cheesy, but now and then these cheesy movies are fantastic.
Madea Goes to Jail I recently saw "Madea's Family Reunion" and absolutely loved it. Probably one of the most hilarious movies I have seen recently. So, my goal is to watch more of these awesome Madea movies.. it will happen.
Snow White and the Huntsman This looks absolutely intriguing. I love fantasies and fairy-tale types of books and movies, and this looks like it will be amazing. Every time I see the preview it makes it more difficult to wait to see this movie.
Mirror, Mirror I know, another Snow White movie, but this seems much lighter and completely different From "Snow White and the Huntsman." This looks hilarious and a fun film, but I don't know if I would go to theaters to see it.
The Little Dorrit Series This movie is based on Charles' Dicken's book which I would be very interested to read if it wasn't the size of an encyclopedia. Just kidding, it's not that bad. Anyway, the mini-series was absolutely fantastic and brilliant. Definitely worth the 16 episodes!
Ah Summer. You are here, finally, and you couldn't have come at a better time.
Ah Home. I am here, finally, and you're just as cozy as you always are.
In all honesty, I absolutely cannot believe that I have conquered two years of college and that I'm officially a college Junior. What? What does that even recall? I guess for now I should just focus on this summer and accomplishing whatever it is God wants me to do for Him.
I'm so thankful for another year that has taken place at my amazing university and the difficult, but awesome lessons God as taught me. This year, I learned that it's all right to be alone- I'm never really alone, just alone with God. I learned that teacher's can completely turn their students off from a material that could be absolutely incredible (e.g. just how we sometimes turn people off from the gospel). I learned that I'm really thankful for my freshman year roommates and the things I learned from them. I learned that unholiness will not only negatively impact my walk with God but also my testimony for Him. I learned that God provides. I learned to let go of control and planning and to allow GOD to be God. These are just a few of the lessons I learned, but all were much needed and incredible in the end (though difficult to go through).
I'm also thankful for the crazy opportunities I have at my school and the things I can take part in that I probably never would have been able to otherwise.
For instance- dumpster diving. Last Sunday night, I went with some friends from my leadership team and we dove in dumpsters. Let me tell you, we found some treasures...and I found a fantastic refillable planner (I realize how much of a nerd I truly am). We also found spray paint, with which we painted the school "rock" with and left our dorm mark on the side walk (it's legal.. I promise). All of these were first times for me... I guess I can say I'm officially a college student now that I've driven around with seven people in a car after midnight with the intent of searching through trash and leaving grafiti marks.
Getting to lead a small group of girls in Bible study.
Taking pictures in an old warehouse.
Singing in front of 8,000+ people.
Getting whip creamed in the face (and then losing my contact...).
Having a mashed potato war.
Playing beach volleyball for hours at a time.
Having (almost) a whole movie theater to ourselves with two of my best friends (freshman year roommates).
Going swing dancing with the freshman year roommates.
Going to multiple concerts and plays (Anberlin, Dave Barnes, NEEDTOBREATHE, Ben Rector, Oklahoma, Ragtime, etc).
Experiencing student-led worship with people who are on fire for God.
Invading Walmart with one of my best friends, Sarah.
What people think we look like.
Who we actually are.
Eating frozen yogurt on a weekendly basis.
Being in the leadership parade!
Attending a ton of sports events- hockey, football, baseball, minor league baseball, intramurals, etc.
Preparing to be an SLD next semester with my new Big 4.
Making new awesome friends and building on my incredible friendships from last year.
God has been moving in my heart in a way that He never has before. I've always been passionate specifically about the people of the Middle East since high school and God has more recently placed on my heart serving orphans. As of now, God hasn't opened any doors regarding any orphanages quite yet, but regarding the Middle East, God's been slamming opening some crazy doors and slamming them open quickly.
Last night, after having dinner with one of my closest friends, Sarah (click on her name to see her blog- this woman is such a beautiful woman of God) and just opening up our hearts to each other, we decided to attend a student-led worship service at my school. Mind you, I had no intention of going. I kind of was hardened to it actually, with the "I'm not in the mood for emotional-hand-raisers" mentality. I know. That's harsh, but that was honestly my attitude. Well, we went, and I can tell you right now that God really moved.. and for that one night, I was a hand-raiser.
Let me start from the beginning of the night. When we arrived, we walked up and made our through the initial minimal crowd. The worship band played some praise and worship songs, read some Scripture and prayed numerous times. It started off as just a time to express to Jesus through song how much I truly love Him. As I sang, I looked around to see flags of the world surrounding us. I tried to find the flag of my heritage, but I couldn't find it. One of the first gentlemen that went up to pray focused his prayer on the people of Africa. The next young lady who prayed focused her prayer on the people of Latin America. Person after person made their way to the front where there was a globe, found their home countries and prayed over the lost people of their family's nation with fervency and passion. Prayer after prayer was lifted to God, pleading the salvation of the people of their nation. So many cultures in this melting pot of Christians. As I witnessed this, God pressed my heart. My culture is often so forgotten.
The Middle East is so frequently labeled as a place of terror and violence, but it is just another place that needs Jesus. So many lies believed, and they just need the truth.
So I prayed and I cried. I prayed with all my heart for my family's country and the people of the Middle East. I prayed that for God to use me, whether now or some other time in my life, to reach those people. I cried out to God, begging Him to bring them to Him. I cried for the lost and the forgotten nations. I cried for my lack of involvement. And after I prayed and cried, I made my way to the front, found the Middle East on the globe, and prayed and cried some more. Needless to say, God is working.
I talked to my dad today to see if any of my relatives were going to the Middle East this summer. I was scared that he would disapprove because of the danger-factor and because of the fact that I'm not home all year due to school. His response?"Why? Do you want to go? I think that's a great idea."
My heart was so happy to hear this. I told him that I didn't want to go on a vacation- I wanted to be involved in the Bible-believing church in my dad's hometown either helping with a kid's club or doing Bible studies with teenaged or college-aged girls. He loved the idea and told me he would contact the pastor of the church there to find out what I can be involved in.
Well, I guess within the next few weeks I will be finding out whether I'm really going this summer or not. Either way, I'm trusting God. I won't lie- I'm scared. I'm really scared. I have no idea what may come of this trip if I go, how God will use me this summer or what God will do with me the rest of my life. I'm scared. The control-freak in me screams, and it's awesome. God's pushing out the control-issues in my life and bringing in trust in Him. So thankful for Jesus Christ in my life to strip away everything that pulls me away from God.
Whether it's just this summer, temporarily in my life or for my whole life- I want to be used by God in the Middle East. My heart yearns for their salvation.
"Jesus. I'll stand with arms HIGH and heart ABANDONED, in awe of the One who gave it all."
Isaiah 55:8
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD."
I apologize in advance for another post about relationships. When you go to a university with lots of fresh and perfect examples of what not to be like if you want a healthy relationship, to overlook addressing them would be a waste and sort of foolish. So now that I've got that apology introduction out of the way, let's chat.
Overbearingwomenand wimpymen. What is the deal with this? Today, the common relationship consists of a manipulative, whiney woman who argues about everything and wants everything her way and a wimpy, push-over man who lets her.
Ok, let me just clear this up- I am not saying that women should be silent mice just rolling over and dying with no say in anything and that men should be controlling jerks. All of these scenarios are extremes.
I am saying that the key is balance.
To the feminist-crazed woman running around with a Type-A agenda- calm down. To the trained-to-be-timid man cowering in a corner, letting every one else lead- man up!
Women, technically the Bible does not say you need to submit to a man until he is your husband, but if you're planning on marrying him, by being a controlling, manipulative jerk, you are forming those habits for your future marriage. And if you're dating him and not planning on marrying him- I have a whole nother (I realize that "nother" is not a word, and it's all right) post that I will someday write to you. Formed habits do not simply evaporate the moment you say "I do." If you do not know how to respect your signifcant other now, you never will. If you are constantly weaving your web of manipulation, looking to control everyone and everything- you will drive people away your entire life. I'm pretty tired of seeing women who boss people around, especially "their men." Not that men should boss around women either, but women of the Bible are called to be meek, nurturing, encouraging and HELPERS. Not hinderers.
Men, MAN UP. Seriously? Why are you with women who take advantage of you and refuse to respect you? Yes, you are called to love your wife (same thing as I said to the women above about forming habits before your married) and to care for her like Christ loves and cares for the church. Youare also called to be a leader. A spiritual leader, a family leader, an emotional leader... a LEADER. Stop being a weasle (just ask Gianna Jessen)! If a woman's playing the victim now before you're married, she's going to do it throughout your entire life. When she wimpers and shoves your hand away, insisting upon pouting in her little corner until you give her what she wants (especially if it's something selfish), that's probably a red flag.
If only people lived the roles that God CREATED them for....
Nay-Sayers are those unavoidable factors in life that will always hover over your head like a gloomy rain cloud. That's just what they do- they hover.
