It is a beautiful sunny and warm Good Friday and in honor of this day I am going to diverge from my project to write something else.
I can't even begin to explain the joy that filled me today as I sat in Organic Chemistry and heard the murmur of several people who were talking of attending Good Friday services. I was not happy because these people were going to church but rather because I love when I meet another person who is both a person of faith and a science major.
Let me just tell ya I often feel that we Christian students who are science majors get a bad rap from other Christian students. It seems they would much rather we be teachers, artists, or just stay home mothers in the first place. But study science? What's the point? Where is God in that?
What makes it worse is that our fellow science students themselves turn their noses up at us. How can you possible know of all of this science and listen all of these great professors who disprove your faith and still believe?
Simple I know that life cannot be defined by the world's idea of knowledge but only by loving God:
"The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know what he ought to. But the man who loves God is known by God." ~1 Corinthians 8:2-3
My response to both Christians and non who question my study's relation to my faith is this, science is the study of the world, creation. God created the world. With faith and the Spirit's revelation I believe that you can love God more through studying and appreciating his workmanship.
For example:
There are several laws of in science such as the conservation of mass and energy. These both say that mass and energy can never be destroyed, the amount of mass and energy in the universe is the same today as there was at the beginning of time. It merely changes forms or is passed from organism to organism. And now we get into my tie in to Good Friday.
You see to me these laws make complete sense because they are so in God's nature. God is a just and fair God, he cannot go against his nature. All of the sin that is committed in the world does not disappear, it cannot be destroyed. It simply collects in us with overwhelming consequences that separate us from God and lead to death. In order for God to truly be connected to His people, in order for them to commune in his presence there had to be an atonement for sin. Something for it to be transferred to. That is what Good Friday is all about. Jesus was beaten and bruised. Crushed and broken. Hung on a cross. Mocked and hated by the world. But in this act he saved the world, for while he hung on that cross all the sins of the past, present, and future were transferred to him and away from us. Sin was not destroyed but absorbed by our loving Savior. And to this day he continues to transfer our sins away from us if we simply ask and let him take lordship over our lives.
Have a Happy Good Friday everyone. =)
Friday, March 29, 2013
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Day by Day, Book by Book
In an effort to motivate myself to blog more often (that is more than the once a year that it's happening now) I have decided to launch a new project. This project correlates with my goal of reading the entire New Testament one book at a time over the next few months. I don't plan on speed reading or even the usual sifting through verses to find the most exciting or provoking; instead I plan to prayerfully read one book each day with the expectation that the Holy Spirit will reveal something to me even in the most mundane seeming passages. And what better place to record this journey then right here?! Well now that I've laid out the guidelines of this study I will begin by posting my thoughts on the past day's reading. (On a side-note there is a high chance my summer employment will not be in the vicinity of wifi or internet of any kind, however we shall cross that bridge when we get there.)
Genealogy of Greatness (Matthew 1)
Okay I will admit it, generally when I read through the parts of the Bible that span generations and give record of who was the father of who and married whom, I do a little skimming...okay a lot of skimming. Let's just be honest, often I sort of jump over those passages all together. However how could I justify beginning a project of observing the New Testament book by book and then skip the whole first half of the first book? The answer is I couldn't. So I did what I seldom do, I read every line of the genealogy of Jesus and actually paid attention.
My observations were surprising (sorry if this reads a bit like a lab report I've been writing a lot of those these days), I think what caught me off guard the most was the number of names I recognized and not only recognized by knew who and what that person had done. God is so fascinating in the way he intricately works everything together. Here in this one passage each story of the Bible builds to become the one superior story of God's greatest gift. Each deliverance, provision, prophecy, and command of the Old Testament leads to the ultimate provision found in the New Testament. The birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
God's will was worked out in each generation and continues to be worked out through his people today. Those men listed in that family tree could not know that by following the will of God in their lives they would be a part of the genealogy of the world's Savior. Abraham could not have fully comprehended the important of his obedience, or Ruth the impact of her second marriage, nor Jacob the value of raising Joseph to be a Godly man. However each of these people by faith and pursuing the will of God in their lives were weaved into this greater plan of salvation for all. We have the opportunity to be used the same way, our lives on their own seem small, but placed in line with the plans of God they have more magnitude than we could ever imagine on our own. We have our own chance to be a part of a genealogy of greatness.
The last thing that was brought to my attention in this passage pertained to the birth of Christ. Mary became pregnant out of wedlock, we of course know that this was by the Holy Spirit, but to those around her this would have appeared to be a horrible sin. In my own life God may call me to do things that don't make sense to others, even other Christians. Of course he wont ask me to do something like give birth his son, but perhaps walking away from a relationship or career or pass time. The point is I should be listening for his direction, sensitive to the leading of his Spirit, not the opinions or actions of others. There will always be many other people in the world, with many different views. But there is only one God, and above all my desire should be to serve him even if it alienates me from others, because how else will I be a part of His genealogy if I am not completely surrendered to him?
Genealogy of Greatness (Matthew 1)
Okay I will admit it, generally when I read through the parts of the Bible that span generations and give record of who was the father of who and married whom, I do a little skimming...okay a lot of skimming. Let's just be honest, often I sort of jump over those passages all together. However how could I justify beginning a project of observing the New Testament book by book and then skip the whole first half of the first book? The answer is I couldn't. So I did what I seldom do, I read every line of the genealogy of Jesus and actually paid attention.
My observations were surprising (sorry if this reads a bit like a lab report I've been writing a lot of those these days), I think what caught me off guard the most was the number of names I recognized and not only recognized by knew who and what that person had done. God is so fascinating in the way he intricately works everything together. Here in this one passage each story of the Bible builds to become the one superior story of God's greatest gift. Each deliverance, provision, prophecy, and command of the Old Testament leads to the ultimate provision found in the New Testament. The birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
God's will was worked out in each generation and continues to be worked out through his people today. Those men listed in that family tree could not know that by following the will of God in their lives they would be a part of the genealogy of the world's Savior. Abraham could not have fully comprehended the important of his obedience, or Ruth the impact of her second marriage, nor Jacob the value of raising Joseph to be a Godly man. However each of these people by faith and pursuing the will of God in their lives were weaved into this greater plan of salvation for all. We have the opportunity to be used the same way, our lives on their own seem small, but placed in line with the plans of God they have more magnitude than we could ever imagine on our own. We have our own chance to be a part of a genealogy of greatness.
The last thing that was brought to my attention in this passage pertained to the birth of Christ. Mary became pregnant out of wedlock, we of course know that this was by the Holy Spirit, but to those around her this would have appeared to be a horrible sin. In my own life God may call me to do things that don't make sense to others, even other Christians. Of course he wont ask me to do something like give birth his son, but perhaps walking away from a relationship or career or pass time. The point is I should be listening for his direction, sensitive to the leading of his Spirit, not the opinions or actions of others. There will always be many other people in the world, with many different views. But there is only one God, and above all my desire should be to serve him even if it alienates me from others, because how else will I be a part of His genealogy if I am not completely surrendered to him?
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Forgiveness is Freeing
The past few weeks have been probably the most stressful of my entire year here at school. It is amazing the way conflict can drain one even more than schoolwork and classes. But saddest of all perhaps is the way it can harm a friendship. And here it comes folks, the truth I have been harboring for weeks. I don't really want to be friends with my "friend"anymore. (I'll call her "friend" for the sake of not gossiping).
Am I mad at her? Not anymore but I was. Did she hurt me? Yes, but I have forgiven her because that is what I am called to do (Ephesians 4:32). Do I trust her? Oh no way in hell. Do I want to be friends with her anymore? No not really. Am I required to? And here is the part I have been struggling with.
God calls us to love one another, and be kind. He calls us to live in community as a family of believers. But does that mean I have to best friends with everyone that is a believer?
It is always amazing to me the way God reveals his direction to me. As I flipped through the handout at church this Sunday I felt a sudden mix of dread and excitement. The message was titled "When Forgiving Seems Impossible" that sounded exactly like what I needed to hear. It began as I expected it to, how keeping a conflict inside will cause us to burn with anger and leads to bitterness. (Believe me I understood that point). How we are responsible to forgive wether or not that person asks us to, how we have an unlimited ability to forgive through the Holy Spirit. And how the question is not can I forgive but will I forgive.
Let me tell you that was hitting me pretty heavy, all stuff I had heard before but needed to work harder at putting into practice. The pastor also hit on forgiving someone also means praying for blessings in one's life and doing kind things for them. Hard to do, but at this point I was convicted to try harder.
Then he said something that surprised me. He said that forgiveness does not mean 1) minimizing the person's offense 2) the instant removal of hurt 3) the automatic restoration of trust or the relationship without any changes.
There was my answer from God. Yes he wants me to forgive my "friend", to love her, pray for her, and be kind to her. However God knows that I have been hurt and he knows I do not trust her and I believe He is telling me, that is okay. But he is calling me to love her, forgive her, and be kind to her, all things that I can only do with the help of His Spirit. Forgiveness is freeing after all, and I am ready to let go.
Am I mad at her? Not anymore but I was. Did she hurt me? Yes, but I have forgiven her because that is what I am called to do (Ephesians 4:32). Do I trust her? Oh no way in hell. Do I want to be friends with her anymore? No not really. Am I required to? And here is the part I have been struggling with.
God calls us to love one another, and be kind. He calls us to live in community as a family of believers. But does that mean I have to best friends with everyone that is a believer?
It is always amazing to me the way God reveals his direction to me. As I flipped through the handout at church this Sunday I felt a sudden mix of dread and excitement. The message was titled "When Forgiving Seems Impossible" that sounded exactly like what I needed to hear. It began as I expected it to, how keeping a conflict inside will cause us to burn with anger and leads to bitterness. (Believe me I understood that point). How we are responsible to forgive wether or not that person asks us to, how we have an unlimited ability to forgive through the Holy Spirit. And how the question is not can I forgive but will I forgive.
Let me tell you that was hitting me pretty heavy, all stuff I had heard before but needed to work harder at putting into practice. The pastor also hit on forgiving someone also means praying for blessings in one's life and doing kind things for them. Hard to do, but at this point I was convicted to try harder.
Then he said something that surprised me. He said that forgiveness does not mean 1) minimizing the person's offense 2) the instant removal of hurt 3) the automatic restoration of trust or the relationship without any changes.
There was my answer from God. Yes he wants me to forgive my "friend", to love her, pray for her, and be kind to her. However God knows that I have been hurt and he knows I do not trust her and I believe He is telling me, that is okay. But he is calling me to love her, forgive her, and be kind to her, all things that I can only do with the help of His Spirit. Forgiveness is freeing after all, and I am ready to let go.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Simple Prayers
Sometimes the simplest prayers can be the most profound.
This thought came to me as I sat in the hallway of my dorm this evening. My body was tired from crying and just the exhaustion that comes from expressing to much emotion. The past couple weeks have been an on going event of dramatic catty-ness from several girls within the Christian organization I am involved with on campus. I won't delve into details because that would be gossip and slander (although my less than Holy nature would love to vent for all the internet world to hear).
But sitting in that hallway after begging both my mother and my boyfriend for advice I realized I already knew the answer. God was the only one to fix this, he was the only one who could mend my heart and the relationships at the same time. And although all I wanted to do in that moment was the call the girls spiritual babies and fight their fire with yet another match, I paused.
"Lord give me wisdom and forgiveness"
The words came to my mind the moment my eyes closed. No doubt proof of the Spirit within me knowing exactly what I needed. It was so simple and so short. But absolutely perfect.
There have been many words used to discuss this situation. Countless words that go on endless, but really only stab and wound more. In reality the solution only took six.
Lord give me wisdom and forgiveness.
This thought came to me as I sat in the hallway of my dorm this evening. My body was tired from crying and just the exhaustion that comes from expressing to much emotion. The past couple weeks have been an on going event of dramatic catty-ness from several girls within the Christian organization I am involved with on campus. I won't delve into details because that would be gossip and slander (although my less than Holy nature would love to vent for all the internet world to hear).
But sitting in that hallway after begging both my mother and my boyfriend for advice I realized I already knew the answer. God was the only one to fix this, he was the only one who could mend my heart and the relationships at the same time. And although all I wanted to do in that moment was the call the girls spiritual babies and fight their fire with yet another match, I paused.
"Lord give me wisdom and forgiveness"
The words came to my mind the moment my eyes closed. No doubt proof of the Spirit within me knowing exactly what I needed. It was so simple and so short. But absolutely perfect.
There have been many words used to discuss this situation. Countless words that go on endless, but really only stab and wound more. In reality the solution only took six.
Lord give me wisdom and forgiveness.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Today I stood on a beach and let the wind blow my hair. The sun was warm, the water cool, and the breeze strong. It was in this moment that I realized I am content. Content not only in where I am right now (which is finishing my first year at a school in the Florida) but also content with where I am going (I am transferring to a school in my home state of Michigan next fall). This was a big moment for me.
The past couple months have been filled with a constant debate of what to do. I have prayed constantly for God to speak, I have vented to nearly each and every person I know. I have asked everyone for their advice. But the truth is I already knew the answer. I had known for months that I was no longer happy here, and I had suspected that God was trying to tell me that my time in this place (as in Florida) was coming to an end. So I filled out the transfer forms, applied for housing, found a roommate. Everything seemed to fall into place and yet at night I still found myself doubting if I was doing the right thing. Maybe I was just wimping out.
But then God spoke.
And not in the still small voice that we are so often told he does. No God spoke loud and clear. On friday of this week my current school announced that due to excessive budget cuts they would no longer be offering my major.....If I ever wanted to pursue a career in environmental science (which I very much so want to) then my only choice would be to transfer.
And so I stood today on the sandy shore savoring my last days here. At peace and content.
The past couple months have been filled with a constant debate of what to do. I have prayed constantly for God to speak, I have vented to nearly each and every person I know. I have asked everyone for their advice. But the truth is I already knew the answer. I had known for months that I was no longer happy here, and I had suspected that God was trying to tell me that my time in this place (as in Florida) was coming to an end. So I filled out the transfer forms, applied for housing, found a roommate. Everything seemed to fall into place and yet at night I still found myself doubting if I was doing the right thing. Maybe I was just wimping out.
But then God spoke.
And not in the still small voice that we are so often told he does. No God spoke loud and clear. On friday of this week my current school announced that due to excessive budget cuts they would no longer be offering my major.....If I ever wanted to pursue a career in environmental science (which I very much so want to) then my only choice would be to transfer.
And so I stood today on the sandy shore savoring my last days here. At peace and content.
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