"Hello, Again..."

Wisdom for the day: "Despite the fact that classes are out for the summer, many of us find ways of busying ourselves. Whether it's playing games, traveling, working, or partying with friends and family, the time seems to find places to go. The one thing I've noticed in my own life, is the fact that this 'extra' time that I fill, does not get filled with bible study or prayer. In fact, I find that nearly every activity I engage in, I do so with the intention of entertaining myself, and wind up feeling spent and a little directionless. In consideration of this, I think it wise, that as we go out to enjoy God's creation this summer, we make an effort to include our Saviour in constant thought and prayer, so that wherever we are, and whatever we do, we are spending time with the One who loves us most. "

Scripture for the day: I Thess. 5:16-18, " ¹⁶Rejoice always;

¹⁷pray without ceasing;

¹⁸in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Life: A fair bit has gone on in the last month, though how much of it was important is hard to say. As the summer started, I found myself struggling with what to do with my time, since I had so much more than I was originally accustomed to. Now, however, that is no longer an issue: I have become actively involved in the youth group ministry, joining with them in fellowship and prayer as they anticipate leaving for their mission trip to Mexico this Thursday; Crossroads is still Thursday nights, and smaller groups will get together throughout the week for fellowship, such as hiking, board games (that's Abe's department it seems), or movies; I have substitute taught Sunday School classes 3 times the last four Sundays, and find it a new challenge, and proof I'm not really prepared to enter the public school system (I'm a bit of a bore, I'm afraid); and I just starting catsitting for a friend of mine. It's a bit interesting, because Jessie (my cat) is a bit territorial, and threw a royal fit when the other cat arrived. I still have to keep them seperated, but it's manageable now, at least.

Also, my two summer classes began last week, providing me with a diversion and knowledge base besides the slow hum-drum of work. One class, a 'philosophy of education' class is a bit of an issue, since the professor is a strong proponent of 'evolved' sociological norms, like the idea that the Ten Commandments were written to represent the human ideal for species preservation, or that religion as a whole is merely a man-made invention to control other men. From what she's said, she was schooled in a private catholic school with extremely strict discipline. I'm guessing she saw a bit of hypocrisy, and that is likely one thing that has contributed to her current religious and philosophical position. I would appreciate prayer as I attempt to negate or reduce the effect of her constant, narrow comments (narrow in that she states one idea as fact for an issue that has several reasonable and completely different explanations).

Finally, I have been struggling with myself as I spend more time with the other college students and am tempted to start another personal relationship. There are many other things that affect this situation, but I am earnestly praying for wisdom and self-control as I interact with myself and others. I pray that my actions would glorify God, not myself.

"Time and Again"

Wisdom for the day: "It's always so difficult to keep on track. The natural tendancy in whatever endeavor we seek is to somehow do something stupid. Whether it's saying something we really don't mean, doing something we don't want, or not doing something we know we should, our sinful nature has the tendancy of getting the best of us. So how do we fix it... well, we're like cracked pipes, you can patch them, but only when you get a brand new one does it help anything. Until then, the most helpful patch that keeps us from leaking sin is to read the word of God and to be in constant (not just morning and night) communication with Him. Like it says in Proverbs: "As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool returns to his folly. (Proverbs 26:11)" Thus, if you're sick of being foolish: get wise; here's how: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. (Psalm 111:10)"

Scripture for the day: Proverbs 8:5, " You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding. "

Life: Ok, so it's been a while. No huge changes, made it through Spring semester fine, will be starting Summer classes next week (after this coming week). I've been working 20 hours a week at the ITRC, which has been nice, but exhausting because I cram them into two 9.5 hour days (plus one hour the next). This allows for alot of freedom on the rest the week, but not much else. Helped Andrew substitute for the 2 & 3 year olds Sunday School, that was an adventure, since I've never had much experience at all with anyone under the age of 6. Still, all went well and I learned a bit about kids, funny how I'm the one learning at Sunday School. Anyway, been helping with the Youth Group on Wednesday nights, and praying with them as they prepare for their mission trip this July. Things with Crossroads have slowed down, since half the group left for the summer, and everyone else is touch and go. Got a couple of new faces around, and I actually think the smaller group makes it easier for new people to join in, since they don't go unnoticed and most of the cliches have dissolved over summer. Continuing to struggle with God's will in my life for a relationship, seems I'm not in one, but my mind runs there a little too often. I pray God will grant me self-control and wisdom, to determine his will and follow it.

"Huff! Puff! Are We There Yet?"

Wisdom for the day: "'Committing is easy. It's staying committed that's so difficult.' Paul said it well when he described the Christian life as a race. Having been in cross-country myself, I know what it is to run for long distances, and how ridiculously difficult it is to not stop and walk. I remember how much harder it was to keep running when I saw several others from my own team already walking, and how much easier it was when someone began running beside me, encouraging me, and matching my pace. A body of believers is like that cross-country team: whenever one person falls into sin and refuses to repent, or relishes an activity that, though not blatantly sinful, can easily stagnate Christian growth, other believers find it much more difficult to resist the same temptations; conversely, it is through the encouragement and accountability of other believers that those caught in sin can find it easier to escape, and mutual striving together for righteous living is much more successful than running alone."

Scripture for the day: Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

Life: Life is changing fast: The Merry Widow has ended, classes are over, this week is finals; the breakfast the Crossroads guys did for the girls went well, people are preparing to leave for the summer, I am having to prepare for the issues that might arise with some of the people coupling up; Andrew and Trixie's cousin moved in with us (he's LDS), Nathanael (Andrew and Trixie's son) is now at 3 months old, and mom and dad just got a new car (a necessity with as much as they drive). Overall, it goes well, except for myself. I've found myself on more and more occasions doing something which harms my relationship with the other believers, often by saying some stupid comment I don't even agree with, or pretending to be some know-it-all, or being generally foolish in my actions and words. Often times they're things that are not remembered specifically, but cast such a shadow over my character I fear I cannot help but look like a jerk. Worst of all, I don't know when to apologize, and when they are best left 'forgotten.' I ask God for wisdom to keep my mouth shut more often, and the love to be constructive when it is open.

"Who are you?"

Wisdom for the day: "I've considered how often I tend to say rude or pesimistic comments to someone because I think they're doing something incorrectly, or acting inappropriately. I say, 'well, it's our responsibility as Christians to ensure the body is behaving healthily', and while that is certainly true and necessary, I should be able to build those people up in Christ to good works, not just point out what's wrong. More specifically, to overcome this tendancy to be overly critical, I myself must find a way to reach out, perhaps by changing my actions, watching my words, or considering my attitudes. To put it simply, we should not use our 'personalities' as an excuse for sin or destructiveness, but prefer "Stop being 'yourself', and start being a Christian.' Because in all reality, we're not supposed to be 'whatever we happen to be', but be like Christ."

Scripture for the day: I Corinthians 9:19-22; '¹⁹Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. ²⁰To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. ²¹To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. ²²To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.'

Life: The show starts tomorrow; The Merry Widow, that is. It's been a lot of work, and a lot of long evenings, but it will be over before I know it. School has become difficult for me, because I've become sluggish the last few weeks, but I do continue to study, knowing the consequences if I am unprepared for finals week. The college group goes well, as I have tried to persue some activities, trying to fill some leadership role which many feel we are in need of. Of course, I haven't been able to do much since I've basically been unable to attend for the last two weeks, and won't be able to today or next week either. I just pray God will keep me continuing working, and not allow me to become sluggish about my responsibilities.

"Know the Difference:"

Wisdom for the day: "I recently attended a retreat which stressed the difference between Love and Infatuation. Considering it closely, it really makes sense that there really exists a difference between the two. If you see someone while you walk down the sidewalk, or browse the internet, and are attracted, that's not love. If you spend three hours with someone on a project, and really hit it off, that's still not love. Some major differences between Godly, romantic love and infatuation: Time: Love takes time to develop, and does not just 'happen'; Singularity: love is for one person only, and you cannot be 'in love' with more than one person, that's attraction and infatuation; Care: love centers on the needs and problems of the other person, not on 'how much I need her'; Responsibility: love deals with issues and problems that might be destructive to the relationship or its future, rather than ignoring them; and Wisdom: love considers well the council of good friends concerning the relationship, and does not chalk objections up to 'jealousy'."

Scripture for the day: Matthew 5:28, 'But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.'

Proverbs 2:16-18, '16 It (Wisdom) will save you also from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words, ¹⁷ who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God. ¹⁸ For her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead.'

Life: The college retreat went well, and God really provided on my travels on the way up, since it was a late-night trip. The opera is going well, and really is getting close to production date (next week, in fact). I'm still somewhat reeling from a lack of sleep over the weekend, but other than that, all is well. I pray that God will give me opportunities to witness to friends through my words and actions.

"What A Workout!"

Wisdom for the day: "When we think of discipline (both spiritual and physical), we generally consider two different types of discipline: that which is the result of a wrong action, i.e. a consequence; and that which is not the result of wrong action, but rather just for the improvement of ones being, i.e. excercise. Both of these seem to arise when we examine the writings of Paul: on one occasion, he mentions sickness and disease as the result of sinning with regards to the Lord's table; on another occasion, he speaks of God disciplining His children (specifically in Hebrews), this being lived out in persecution. The discipline that is a consequence for sin, (i.e. punishment) is an avoidable discipline to inspire to right living. The discipline that is persecution or hardship, is an unavoidable (if you really are a child of God) result of doing God's will, and is a form of refining process used to create an even stronger and useful tool for God. Understanding the difference between these two is very important, because we should be avoiding the one, and persuing the other (and, of course, neither should cause us to resent God)."

Scripture for the day: Hebrews 12: 7-11, " ⁷Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? ⁸If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. ⁹Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! ¹⁰Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. ¹¹No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Life: It turns out I am going to the college retreat, just a bit late. I intend to leave immediately following opera rehearsal, and drive all the way (I'm thinking it's going to be about 2AM before I get there, but I'll be there! (Lord willing)). School goes well, and God has really blessed on several occassions, certainly beyond my own ability. I have been beginning to pray for some friends around me (actually approaching them for prayer requests), and so far it's been simple 'help with this test' things, but I'm sure it will still lead to some obvious answers to prayer. Also, it's difficult praying for people in a 'Christian (LDS)' area, because they tend to say 'pray? ya ya, sure, sure... and what do you want me to pray for?,' but I guess it is by our deeds they will know us (and God's, of course), so I'm sure God will establish the obvious truth, and they will have to come to terms with the difference. May God help me to be a witness for Him.

"What is Love?"

Wisdom for the day: "We are called to serve others through love. This can be very difficult, not only because we have trouble serving people, but more often because we have difficulty having pure motives. While it shouldn't surprise us that there are advantages to serving others, these should not be our motivation: recognition, returned 'favors', or improved relationships to name a few. If we don't act out of love, while our actions may look good, they tend to lack in eternal consequence. Now, how you manage the love to serve your enemies... that's up to God."

Scripture for the day: Luke 14:12-14, "12And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment. 13"But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Life: This week has been/will be interesting. Firstly, because of opera, I cannot go to the College fellowship retreat, or at least, Friday night of it. The decision comes, then, whether I want to try to drive several hours to attend Saturday night and Sunday morning... a tough one. In addition, I abrubtly ended the previously mentioned relationship, though I'm still not sure why, it had mostly to do with my insecurity in my life plan compared with her zealous desire for marriage (not that I was opposed to the idea, or that she was against waiting, it's just a very sticky situation to get to know someone in...). Thus, my relationship with her, her friends, and the rest of the college group is a bit uncertain at current. I made a point of asking God's direction throughout the time we were dating, and continue to ask (even more fervently) for direction. I just pray God will allow me to do what needs to be done, without disruption from emotion or outside sources.