For this place and this time of my life, here is my life in verse(s):
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity," (1 Timothy 4:12).
"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus," (Philippians 3:14).
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life," (Proverbs 4:23).
"For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD," (Proverbs 8:35).
"May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord," she said. "You have given me comfort and have spoken kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servant girls," (Ruth 2:13).
"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord," (Psalm 27:14).
"May your unfailing love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise; then I will answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in your word," (Psalm 119:41-42).
Psalm 145... all of it, especially 14-20
10.16.2008
10.03.2008
Standing on the Edge
It's 12:27 on a Friday morning, and I find myself standing on the edge again. Around this time 3 years ago I was in this same place, yet a different place (like they say in Thailand, "Same. Same... but different!" Switchfoot's song "On Fire" really stirred in me then, primarily the line, "I'm standing on the edge of everything I've never been before." Boy was I ever! At that time a major relationship in my life ended, I was making a career choice, I failed to obtain my #2 goal in college, I bought a journal, and I was learning what it was like to surrender to a deeply personal and worshipful relationship with the Lord because I had nowhere else to turn. My entire life broke apart, and I found that when it was going to be reconstructed it would be very different AND that it was all done for God's glory and my joy.
Now that it's been 3 years, I can look back and see what came after that edge. I can now see what it was I had never been before that point. I had never been a hostess (I had hosted a couple of times but that's very different from actually being a hostess). I had never been someone with the courage to share the gospel. I had never been someone who felt a deep sisterly love for other women, especially those who are hurting. I had never before read Jane Austen's writing. I had never truly understood grace. I never had a stamp in my passport. I had never really been okay with just being me and not caring if people like that me or not. I had never sung praises to God in a foreign language. I had never paved a road. I had never laughed so hard I cried (...Funny story about the first time I laughed so hard I cried. Ask me if you want to know). I had never sung into a microphone in front of people. I had never cried when I prayed because I was moved so deeply. I had never experienced the awesomeness of Giordano's pizza. I had never heard the all but audible voice of God speaking softly to me. I had never played 42. I had never been a wife.
All these beautiful things I have gotten to experience since God carried me from the edge right to the middle of everything I'd never been before. Now I feel as though I'm on the edge again; there's no turning back. I'm both eager and anxious. Someone I am good friends with is having a baby, due next week (I've never had a close friend be pregnant before)! Robbie and I are headed on week-long vacation to a fun city we've never been to before. My job description is about to completely change to I don't know what as soon as I get back from vacation. God is prying old things I don't want to let go of out of my hands and pressing me onward. I have just learned to crochet and found that I love it. I am pondering baking my first from scratch cake upon my return from vacation. Robbie and I feel called to be homeowners in the near future, and there may possibly be a little bit of talk about pursuing parenthood in the not too distant future as well.
So my point is, praise God for the edges in our lives. Here's to everything I've never been before. Bring it on!
Now that it's been 3 years, I can look back and see what came after that edge. I can now see what it was I had never been before that point. I had never been a hostess (I had hosted a couple of times but that's very different from actually being a hostess). I had never been someone with the courage to share the gospel. I had never been someone who felt a deep sisterly love for other women, especially those who are hurting. I had never before read Jane Austen's writing. I had never truly understood grace. I never had a stamp in my passport. I had never really been okay with just being me and not caring if people like that me or not. I had never sung praises to God in a foreign language. I had never paved a road. I had never laughed so hard I cried (...Funny story about the first time I laughed so hard I cried. Ask me if you want to know). I had never sung into a microphone in front of people. I had never cried when I prayed because I was moved so deeply. I had never experienced the awesomeness of Giordano's pizza. I had never heard the all but audible voice of God speaking softly to me. I had never played 42. I had never been a wife.
All these beautiful things I have gotten to experience since God carried me from the edge right to the middle of everything I'd never been before. Now I feel as though I'm on the edge again; there's no turning back. I'm both eager and anxious. Someone I am good friends with is having a baby, due next week (I've never had a close friend be pregnant before)! Robbie and I are headed on week-long vacation to a fun city we've never been to before. My job description is about to completely change to I don't know what as soon as I get back from vacation. God is prying old things I don't want to let go of out of my hands and pressing me onward. I have just learned to crochet and found that I love it. I am pondering baking my first from scratch cake upon my return from vacation. Robbie and I feel called to be homeowners in the near future, and there may possibly be a little bit of talk about pursuing parenthood in the not too distant future as well.
So my point is, praise God for the edges in our lives. Here's to everything I've never been before. Bring it on!
8.10.2008
Genesis
-genesis, from Greek "γεννισις", origin, creation, generation, is a suffix that denotes creation. Related to genos, meaning "race, birth, descent" and genus which shows a relation from the same origin.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/-genesis
Genesis are an English rock band formed in 1967. With approximately 150 million albums sold worldwide, Genesis are among the top 30 highest-selling recording artists of all time.. atlanticrecords.com. Retrieved on 15 March, 2007. In 1988 the band won a Grammy Award for Best Concept Music Video. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genesis (band)
In case you are wondering about the definitions above, I posted the first one because I have recently started reading through Genesis in the Bible. I posted the second one just because it is fun fact - while Peter Gabriel may scare me a little, I must confess that I dig Phil Collins.
Anyway, I have read Genesis before, but I wanted to read it in a different light this time. In the past, I've had a tendency to read the Old Testament for knowledge rather than wisdom, for information rather than insight. This time, I want to read through the Old Testament to see how it points to and reveals Christ and the gospel. Saint Ambrose, who was bishop of Milan, once said, "As in paradise, God walks in the Holy Scriptures seeking man." I look forward to meeting with God there.
In an effort to process what God is revealing to me through His Word both big scale and small scale, I will probably be blogging about some of it. I am no Bible scholar, so this will be less of a theological discussion and more of a sharing of application of the truth to my life. Please excuse the ridiculous number of prepositions in that last sentence and have a lovely evening.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/-genesis
Genesis are an English rock band formed in 1967. With approximately 150 million albums sold worldwide, Genesis are among the top 30 highest-selling recording artists of all time.. atlanticrecords.com. Retrieved on 15 March, 2007. In 1988 the band won a Grammy Award for Best Concept Music Video. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genesis (band)
In case you are wondering about the definitions above, I posted the first one because I have recently started reading through Genesis in the Bible. I posted the second one just because it is fun fact - while Peter Gabriel may scare me a little, I must confess that I dig Phil Collins.
Anyway, I have read Genesis before, but I wanted to read it in a different light this time. In the past, I've had a tendency to read the Old Testament for knowledge rather than wisdom, for information rather than insight. This time, I want to read through the Old Testament to see how it points to and reveals Christ and the gospel. Saint Ambrose, who was bishop of Milan, once said, "As in paradise, God walks in the Holy Scriptures seeking man." I look forward to meeting with God there.
In an effort to process what God is revealing to me through His Word both big scale and small scale, I will probably be blogging about some of it. I am no Bible scholar, so this will be less of a theological discussion and more of a sharing of application of the truth to my life. Please excuse the ridiculous number of prepositions in that last sentence and have a lovely evening.
5.05.2008
Song and Pictures
"Heal my heart and make it cleanOpen up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You
Have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity"
- Hosanna by Christy Nockels
Phi Phi Island, Thailand after the tsunami - This island received no aid from unicef or red cross due to gov't issues.
Let that be the cry of my heart, God!
"You're the God of this city
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You Are
Bridge:
For there is no one like our God
There is no one like our God
Chorus 1:
Greater things have yet to come
Great things are still to be done
In this city
Greater things are still to come
And greater things are still to be done here" - God of This City by Chris Tomlin
This particular song gets me doubly, because not only do I have hope for DFW but I heard this song was originally written for Thailand... and for those of you who know me, you know I love those people in that place. I pray God will be gracious and send me back for a visit one day.
God, thank You for creating me just the way I am with a desire to fix everything. Thank You for showing me Your glory (John 3:30) and Your grace in the fact that I can't fix everything. Lord, thank You for reminding me daily of Your compassion for people (Matthew 9:36). Thank you that Your Word does not return empty (Isaiah 55:11). Thank You that when I wonder how to take on and minister in all the areas and to all the people You've called me to that I can have joy and peace in knowing that You carry the the yoke and offer me freedom to follow after You. Your mercies really are new every morning. There really is no other God like You - the God of compassion, grace, and love.
Random knowledge from my old job at a ministry:
Did you know that one international tract can pass through 12 hands! Imagine sending 1,000 tracts overseas. 12,000 people could be exposed to the gospel message! Want to take part in sending some overseas or need any for an upcoming mission trip? Let me know!
4.23.2008
YOU
Robbie and I can't even begin to express how grateful we are that God has blessed us with the friendship of each and every member of YOU home group. Tonight was such a sweet time. Thank you. We have shared so many laughs and shed many tears together as well and hope that God will allow us to continue to do so for many years to come.
We cherish every awkward turtle moment, every pointing and loud use of the word, "YOU!", every low to high or high-low-high sandwich rule enforcement, every time liquids almost erupt from mouths and noses, every word of encouragement, every exaggerated word of teasing in love, every hilarious random tangent, every time we have literally rolled on the floor laughing or witnessed others do it, every victory we watch you gain in Christ, every time we watch you love and encourage one another, and every time you lift one another in prayer. We love each and every one of you. We have such high hopes and dreams for you and are so thankful that God has allowed us to share this time in our lives together. May God continue to grow us all together in unity.
Thank you for sharpening us, challenging us to become who God intends us to be, and loving us unconditionally. I just keep thinking of these words in Esther, "For such a time as this." We were each individually placed by God in this group together for such a time as this. Praise to Him who knew we would need each other right here right now in this moment. He has truly been good to us - faithful, loving, and kind beyond all comprehension.
We can't wait to see how God continues to use each one of you in each others lives, in our lives, in your families, in our community. We love you and praise God for you again and again.
Thank you, Jesus! Thank you that because of Your humble submission unto your death on the cross and Your victorious resurrection from the dead we may be partakers of Your grace and bestow it in Your name unto others.
We cherish every awkward turtle moment, every pointing and loud use of the word, "YOU!", every low to high or high-low-high sandwich rule enforcement, every time liquids almost erupt from mouths and noses, every word of encouragement, every exaggerated word of teasing in love, every hilarious random tangent, every time we have literally rolled on the floor laughing or witnessed others do it, every victory we watch you gain in Christ, every time we watch you love and encourage one another, and every time you lift one another in prayer. We love each and every one of you. We have such high hopes and dreams for you and are so thankful that God has allowed us to share this time in our lives together. May God continue to grow us all together in unity.
Thank you for sharpening us, challenging us to become who God intends us to be, and loving us unconditionally. I just keep thinking of these words in Esther, "For such a time as this." We were each individually placed by God in this group together for such a time as this. Praise to Him who knew we would need each other right here right now in this moment. He has truly been good to us - faithful, loving, and kind beyond all comprehension.
We can't wait to see how God continues to use each one of you in each others lives, in our lives, in your families, in our community. We love you and praise God for you again and again.
Thank you, Jesus! Thank you that because of Your humble submission unto your death on the cross and Your victorious resurrection from the dead we may be partakers of Your grace and bestow it in Your name unto others.
4.15.2008
One Flesh and One Blog
"Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh and share one blog." - a modern version of Genesis 2:24... just kiddin' ;)
It's highly likely that I, Lola, will be the primary and possibly only contributor to this blog, but I thought it might be nice to post "Butlers the Lesser" (as some call us) updates for the fam, friends, and stalkers who desire to know what sorts of shennanigans we're up to these days. Please feel free to read, laugh, cry, and/or comment. Well, good night and happy tax day.
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