dimanche 3 janvier 2010
Undefinable
So the first unnamed decade of the 2000s has passed and now we head into another one (would it be called the "10s" or the "2010s"?). I'm excited for what will come this year and a little nervous that I won't end up doing as much as I will want to. While I am forming a list of goals in my mind, I hesitate to voice them just yet as I don't want them to be mere resolutions that I'll quickly give up weeks into it.
I also want to keep it a small list so that I won't feel too intimidated as the year goes by. Last year, I had too many goals and the only ones I followed through on were reading a hundred books and being in the Bible on a daily basis. I'm still doing the daily Bible reading plan but I've picked a less intensive one for 2010 which I think will give me a bit of time to do more in-depth Bible studies/reading. I think that is one thing that I wasn't able to accomplish last year; while I may have read the Bible everyday, I didn't take enough time to meditate on it. My hope is that this year, I'll still have my daily reading but that I'll also take the time to really dive into the Word.
Another reason for my hesitation in making goals this year is that I have no idea what's ahead of me - personally and professionally. This year feels so undefinable whereas last year, I knew that it was the first year of guaranteed full-time work following seminary. I feel like I'm swimming in waters out of my depth... exhilarating at first but worrisome now. However, I know I shouldn't worry about tomorrow so perhaps this will be my first step in 2010 :)
Libellés : Bible, everyday life
jeudi 1 janvier 2009
Sharper than any double-edge sword
One of the things that I am most looking forward to this year is that I'll be back on a one-year Bible reading plan. However, this time, it will be something that is church-initiated rather than self-initiated, which is really exciting! It'll be so neat to go through this experience of the Word of God together with other people in the church. In the past, I've done this twice on my own - I didn't do very well the first time but the second time was a bit better. Now I'm hoping that group accountability will keep me from missing a day or two here and there.
Something else I'm glad about is that this particular plan has both the Old and the New Testament in the daily readings, which I prefer to those that move from one testament to the other. This is mostly because I've just spent a year studying the Old Testament and so I'm glad I don't have to wait until September to get back into the New Testament again. I noticed that at Bible Gateway, they have several plans for 2009 and that you can choose from Old/New Testament, Chronological, Beginning (from cover to cover in the Bible) or Historical plans, so that's a handy resource. I've always wanted to read the Bible chronologically so that may be a plan I'll use in the future.
"Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." - Proverbs 30:5
(You've probably noticed that I've been quoting from Proverbs lately. I finished the OT historical books in November and so I decided to read through Proverbs in December before I joined the church on this one-year plan :) Post title refers to Hebrews 4:12).
Libellés : Bible
mercredi 3 septembre 2008
My own hands
One of the struggles I've recently had has been the whole job situation. I absolutely love my part-time job and only wish it could be a full-time job (which is not possible at the moment due to funding), meaning that I still have yet to find another part-time job. However, I'd much rather have a full-time job so that I can have things like benefits - a necessity now that I am no longer a student. Some of the full-time jobs I've come across sound great and I would qualify for them but they start immediately and I am in a part-time contract for several more months. I also don't want to give up what I'm doing part-time. Thus, the dilemma.
I've been thinking a bit about Genesis 16 in terms of where I'm at. There, Abram is waiting on God for an heir, for his offspring. In the midst of a seemingly impossible situation, Abram's wife Sarai rationalizes that the best solution would be for Abram to have a child with her maidservant, Hagar. It makes sense but the implications are grave. Abram takes things into his own hands rather than trusting in God to accomplish things His way. Although Ishmael's descendants are blessed and fruitful (Genesis 17:20), it is only Isaac that God establishes His covenant with (Genesis 17:19). In fact, in Genesis 22:12 where God calls Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, it is clear that God sees Isaac as Abraham's only son. Abraham's way of getting an heir was not acknowledged by God and it took Abraham another thirteen years before he saw that 'nothing was too hard for the Lord' to do (Genesis 18:14).
The reason this story has popped into my mind is that the things we often try to do on our own strength aren't the things that last or will work out in the end. I've been pretty anxious lately about my job and in many ways, I can see situations where I go ahead with my own agenda instead of waiting on God for His perfect plan. Today, I heard of another opportunity that sounded good but which may not have necessarily been the best thing. However, I didn't think too clearly of it at the time and in my haste, mentioned that I would be interested in it. I'm praying that the repercussions of this move will be minimal since I may have taken things into my own hands again. I'm grateful that God has kept me from a lot of bad decisions (although not all, I still remain a foolish person in countless ways); I just have to keep relying on Him so that I don't continue this mindset that I need to go about and fix things my way. Now that is a recipe for disaster! Good thing He is patient with us... I certainly need it!
mercredi 30 avril 2008
First reading
Yes, things have slowed down on here and in my life. I haven't been able to tackle all of the things on my to-do list yet but I like that I have some things to work on over the next few weeks.
I've been able to get back into the Bible again and I'll be finishing up my journey through the New Testament tonight. My goal will be to finish reading the historical books of the Old Testament this summer and then I can start with another go through the Bible in a year program come September.
One of my friends is reading the Bible for the first time. It's been neat to talk about some books with her and to hear her questions about it. When I first received the Bible, I was so adamant that I read it from start to finish; even though my friend suggested that I start in the New Testament, it didn't make any sense to me so away I went. My stubborn self soon ended up getting bogged down somewhere along the way in 1/2 Chronicles (probably) and I could see why she wanted me to not go through the Bible from cover to cover on my first reading. At the same time, I really enjoyed it and although it took me a while to get to the NT, I loved the building sense of anticipation that came as I read through the prophets. I suggested one of the gospels to my friend who hasn't read the Bible before and so I read the beginning of it as well just to see what she might be thinking. Since the accounts of Jesus' life are steeped in Jewish culture, law, and teaching, it makes sense to go through the OT to get the background on that. So now I'm wondering what else I can suggest to my friend so that she doesn't get overwhelmed with the entire Bible while also being able to better understand the parts that she is reading.
I remember that when I first went through the Bible, I needed a lot of help and explanations (I still do!). But what I treasure most from that time was how precious the Scriptures became to me and how I craved to know more and to read more. I hope that I don't lose this wonder and yearning after all those years of biblical studies. What a gift it is to me that God has brought this friend into my life and that I have an opportunity to view the Word of God with fresh eyes again. And I pray that through my friend's encounter with the the Written Word and the Living Word in Jesus Christ that she will be able to hear from God and that the Holy Spirit will give me the words to say in response.
Libellés : Bible
vendredi 17 septembre 2004
True loneliness
Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:
There was a man all alone;
he had neither son nor brother.
There was no end to his toil,
yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.
"For whom am I toiling," he asked,
"and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?"
This too is meaningless - a miserable business!
- Ecclesiastes 4:7-8
Libellés : Bible
dimanche 31 août 2003
In retrospect
I realize my rant on not getting along with my relatives was really immature. Now I regret not spending more time with them and possibly telling them of my faith. All I can do now is pray that God will bring friendlier Christians into their lives back in E-town. Argh, I feel like an idiot for not taking more chances to talk to them. But thanks to Sharon for leaving me a comment with tips on how to make visits better next time.
I'm just in a cruddy mood right now. I learned another lesson this morning. Maybe the Word can explain it:
Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortal men, who cannot save.
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.
- Psalm 146:3-4
Do not trust a neighbor;
put no confidence in a friend.
Even with her who lies in your embrace
be careful of your words....
But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD ,
I wait for God my Savior;
my God will hear me.
- Micah 7:5, 7
At least it's a good lesson to learn. And to top my mood today: news that the government will be eliminating smiling and frowning on passport pictures. Gosh, there goes my horror of a picture. Or maybe it'll fit into their standards! Anyways, I start school in three days. Tuesday is orientation day and I get to take pictures for the yearbook of the new students. Hmm, I guess summer really is over. Happy Labour Day tomorrow!
Libellés : Bible, Christian life, news
