slight ramblings

Rekindle starts this Sunday, and I'm not going. When I think about that, it makes me so sad. I really want to go, mainly because I want to get to know everyone better. At Rekindle we play games, hang out, pray, worship, and laugh together. M28 becomes more like a family every year at Rekindle. And I'm going to miss that growing closer experience by staying home. =/ Not to mention all the fun we have together, plus the extra time to meet with God.

But, despite all that, I must remember that God has a purpose for me. My purpose for this coming week is to show God's love to everyone I see here in Charlotte. My purpose is to go to school and do my best, for His glory. My purpose is to go to work, as though working for God and not men. My purpose is to bring God glory by enjoying Him.

I cannot base my joy and contentment on a one-time retreat that will last a short time and be gone. That is as foolish as saying I will only be happy if a 30 minute event happens. Everything on this earth is temporary! I must find my joy and contentment in God, who is forever, and is the /only/ One who will ever satisfy me. Going to Rekindle, though it is fun and beneficial, will /not/ ultimately satisfy me.

"Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear to me, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live." Isaiah 55:2-3

"For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish." Jeremiah 31:25

Also, it is ok that I don't understand why God chose for me to stay home, instead of doing what I want. Because:

"My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

Why should my happiness be based on going to one retreat, when I have the Lord Jesus Christ as my inheritance? God is my Father, and the Holy Spirit lives in me! What more do I need to be joyful?
I must remind myself of this every day.

Living for God, not me

A few girls from my work started a book study 2 weeks ago. We're going through the book called Crazy Love, about God's love for us.

The chapter for this week is about living as if you know life is fragile. God is in /complete/ control of your life. He decides when you die, and He could take your life at /any/ moment. There is nothing you can do about that.

In addition, life is all about God. God created life, God sustains life, God controls what happens in life, God chooses when to end life. He is the Almighty Creator, ruler over all He has made. He is perfect, holy, righteous, true, just, and worthy of our obedience.

But God is also love. He loves each and every one of us, His creation, no matter what we do. He /wants you/ to be in a relationship with Him, and talk to Him as your Father. He loves you so much that He sent His only Son to die on the cross for your sins, so that you can spend eternity with Him. And when you are in a right relationship with God, He will give you /joy/. That will cause you to want to obey Him more, which will lead to more joy.

In light of all this, you will want to spend your life living for God and not yourself. Since life is all about God, why would you want to make it about yourself? You could die at any moment. Live like you believe that. And let your moments be caught up in doing things for God, who loves you.

This convicted me, because far too often I'm focused on myself. I'm worried about what I need to do, when I need to be places, how I'm going to accomplish certain tasks, and what people think of me. So caught up with my life! It's like the illustration in Crazy Love about a guy who was an extra for a movie. The back of his head was in one scene for 2 seconds, yet he bought out a theater so all his friends could see the movie about him.

Life is not about me! Yet often I live like it is. I need to pay more attention to how I spend my time, living with a God-ward focus. By God's grace, I can do this.
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Sorry for all that rambling.
On a less serious note, we had an engagement party for Anna and Andrew on Sunday. Here are a few pictures.



Sorry this is blurry, but I love the facial expressions. :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today my teacher told us about some changes to our syllabus. Those changes make it very foolish for me to go to Rekindle, 'cause of all the work I'd have to do while there and when I get back. So, I'm going to stay home. I'm sad I'm not going to Rekindle, but I know that God knows what He is doing and that He is good no matter what.

Today is also Valentine's Day, the day to celebrate love. Here's a love definitely worth celebrating:

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by /grace/ you have been saved!"
Ephesians 2:4-5

"He is jealous for me. Loves like a hurricane. I am a tree, bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy. When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory. And I realize just how beautiful You are and how /great/ Your affections are for me.
Oh, how He loves us! Oh, how He loves us! How He loves us all!"

Celebrate God's love for you today!

Wow, I need to post more often.

Guess what? Anna and Andrew are engaged! So excited and happy for them! =D The wedding will be in May, and I get to be in it. So much to do in 3 months, but it's fun to help plan. Looking forward to hearing them say "I do". ^_^

I finished my last student clinic this Friday. I'm gonna miss giving people massages every Friday. It's been such a good experience! Still love school and learning. :) My last day is March 23rd. That's hard to believe. Seems like I just started school. Hopefully I'll get a good job once I get my license.

Rekindle is just 3 weeks away! Yes, I decided to go. I figured this might be my last chance to go, since I might move from M28 to the singles group next year. Plus you never know what the economy will be like. I'm excited to see what God has for me at Rekindle!