Go welcome my friend…

Hello!
One of my close friends just started a blog on the 26th, so I told him I’d send him some link love. “J” wrote a great piece to men with a lot of questions that I think every man should think about. Even though I’m a woman and the piece wasn’t written for me it made me think about the way I relate to men and how I act towards them-and how they act towards me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a man hater or anything like that, I just thought he asked some good questions. I’d love it if you’d check out his site and welcome him while you’re there. I’ll leave yah with a quote from his post “To all guys;Questions to think about.”

“Guys do we stand for everything or do we fall for everything? do we hold our standards or do we bend them at the sight of sexual beauty? Do we reinforce true beauty in the women around us? Or by our shallow attitudes and lustful desire demean and hurt them by driving them to extreme measures to be ‘beautiful’ in our eyes?”

His site is: http://journalofjeshurun.wordpress.com…now off you go!

Failure

It’s coming on finals week at my college (May 5-12). Although the sun in shinning, there is a sort of panic around campus. People are trying to pull grades up at the last minute, write papers, and take tests. There are more people smoking outside. I hear more stories of people getting wasted then I’ve ever cared to. Sometimes it is just too late, the damage has been done, and some have failed. Sure, it’s just a class, but for some of the students, they take it harder then others do.

Failure. It paralyzes. It panics. It grabs ahold of your heart, and does not let go.

Let’s all be honest. All of us have failed at one point. I struggle with it myself. The fear of Failure definetly holds me sometimes. There are a few things that God has been teaching me that I wanted to share with you.

Failure forces us to place our full dependence on God. Without Him we can do nothing. When we fail, it is a way for us to admit our fallen nature and our great need for Him.

Without Him we are nothing. Without Him we fail at everything. Without Him, yes, we even fail at living.

Do you realise that there is a God up there who is giving you breath to breathe the next breath you breathe? (that’s a mouthful). Without Him, we are helpless.

How much do You depend on Him? I may sound repiticious, but God has been all over me for this the past few weeks. If He holds the world in place, certianally He is strong enough to hold our problems and worries.

 

Does it ever bother you?

 I’ve never been a big fan of the band Delirious?, but I recently “stumbled” on one of their songs, and the lyrics screamed to me. I leave you today with a clip of the song, and the lyrics to challenge you.

“40 million babies lost to Gods great orphanage,
It’s a modern day genocide and a modern day disgrace
If this is a human right then why aren’t we free?
The only freedom we have is in a man nailed to a tree.100 million faces, staring at the sky,
Wondering if this HIV will ever pass us by.
The devil stole the rain and hope trickles down the plug,
But still my Chinese take away could pay for someone’s drugs.

Our God reigns, Our God reigns,
Forever your kingdom reigns.

The west has found a gun and it’s loaded with ‘unsure’
Nip and tuck if you have the bucks in a race to find a cure.
Psalm one hundred and thirty nine is the conscience to our selfish crime,
God didn’t screw up when he made you,
He’s a father who loves to parade you.

Yes he reigns, yes you reign, yes you reign,
For there is only one true God,
But we’ve lost the reins on this world,
Forgive us all, forgive us please,
As we fight for this broken world on our knees.”

Does it bother you that the money that we use every day for coffee and soft drinks could build wells for people who don’t even HAVE water? (www.bloodwatermission.com)Does it bother anyone else that most children in poverty stricken nations do not die of aids but of waterborn illness, something that could be prevented if we cared enough?

Does it bother you that for $1 you can provide an African with water for ONE YEAR, but we go to Starbucks and spend the money that could have saved three lives on something that lasts on our tastebuds 1.2 seconds?

Does it bother you that we go about our lives and not give a single thought to our brothers and sisters who are DYING for their faith? (www.persecution.com)

Does it bother you that children are being forced to fight in a war that has been going on longer then they’ve been alive? (www.invisiblechildren.com)

Does it bother you that children are being bought and sold as sex slaves? (www.ijm.org)

Does it bother you that slavery is still an issue? (www.lc2lc.org)

Does it bother you that college students are going into their classrooms and shooting their classmates?Does it bother you that the church doesn’t even seem to care about college students?

Does it bother you that thousands of babies are murdered every day? (www.abort73.com)

Me too. So what are we going to do about it. We always talk oh yes, it would be great to change the world. Oh yes, it would be great to end slavery, or abortion. What are you doing? If you want to change the world you have to start by changing yourself, and actually getting off the floor to do something for someone else, whom you may never meet. I’m with you. We may not be able to change the world, but we can change society, one person at a time by showing them the love of Jesus.

Simple ways to give me a great gift.

Today it rained. I don’t remember the last time it rained when it was warm enough to be outside in the rain. I LOVE the rain. I love being around it, I love the smell of it, I love playing in it, I don’t really like driving in it, but I love rain. This morning it was beautiful. It was about 60 degrees. When I went into school, I just couldn’t stop worshipping. The whole math class, I sat there, singing in my head (cough, I mean, consintrating REAL hard) “Oh praise Him, Oh praise Him, He is Holy, He is Holy.” I must have driven the kid behind me nuts with my constant leg bouncing 🙂 I walked by I got out of school early, and as I was walking back, it started to rain. It was all I could do to not begin to dance in it. I should be really stressed right now. I have a lot going on in my life, I should be a wreak, but I’m not. Why? Because God is holding me, and he used some simple ways, like rain, and getting out of class early to show me of his constant love for me.

Passion 2008

I am just a LITTLE excited for next weekend. Just a LITTE. See, I love living near DC. There are so many cool things that come to this area, because, after all, we are the “most important city of the United States.” Here’s where it’s all at. Normally, when these things come, I cannot afford them. God has given me a way though my graduation, birthday and Christmas money ($75) to go to something that I’m pretty sure’s going to rock my socks off. Yes, I, Joy, am going to PASSION 2008!!!

It is coming so close to where I live, that I can almost walk there!!! At first, I was concerned because I would not know anyone, but now, it does not matter. I am SO EXCITED….Why? I’ve been feeling lonely lately. No longer, I will be surrounded by other believers who are MY AGE….College Kids folks! And they believe, just like me, that God is Lord of their life, and they want to make a difference in this world.

I’m just a little excited. Just a little.

Not because of the big names (Charlie Hall, Francis Chan, Matt Redman, Louie Giglio and let’s not forget Chris Tomlin). I am a HUGE fan of Charlie Hall and Francis Chan, and I must admit, Chris, Matt and Louie aren’t that bad either, but what I’m most looking forward to is the people. Knowing I’m not alone, seeing my peers worship our Father.

Pray for me as I suffer through this? hahaha. Actually, what I DO need prayer with is this next week. It’s going to be tough focusing on school and exams, and then being gone over the weekend and not studying for another exam….it should be interesting.

Just watch the little clip….and you’ll see my reasons for being excited.

Honey, I’m HOOOMMMEEE!

The backseat. The site of tears, sweat, shivers, and spilled yogurt. Smelling of gasoline, french fries and people who have not showered in two days…ahhh….road trips.

So I’m HOME. I missed everyone SO MUCH…but I survived! We got there on Saturday just in time for lunch. My butt was asleep, but other then that, I slowly recovered. Here’s all that I did summed up:

I saw the BEST movie (August Rush…I HIGHLY recommend) at 9:30 at night, hung out with my fam, watched my third basketball game, and the first one I made it through the whole game (the others had just been when I was preforming with circus club at half time), got my first foam pointy finger, played a little three on one with Dad and the girls (I found out why I’ve never played before, man-I stink!), walked, walked, and walked some more, took a LOT of pictures, slept on an air mattress but ended up laying on a deflated air mattress when I woke up, attended a Calvery Chapal church, and SURPRISED one of my greatest friends at her college with a visit (we hadn’t planned it either. I didn’t know we passed by her college, but on the way there I saw a sign for it. I got up the nerve to ask my parents if we could stop there on the way home-AND WE DID! It was SO FUN to surprise her. (more on that later)

So-the ride home. ALWAYS the worst. We get in the car, travel for about 10 minutes when my little sister says “I have to go to the bathroom” (the motto, created by yours truly, “go now or forever hold your pee” obviously hadn’t reached her) we pull over 10 minutes later at a gas station. I’m stuck in the car because the child locks are on….thanks guys. 

After my parents had “thought about it” for awhile, they told me I could call my friend, to see if she was home. The first time I called her, no one picked up-then I realized I was calling her home phone. I dialed her cell phone. She picks up on the second ring.

Her: “Hey baby.”

Me: “Hi hun….what’s up?”

Her: “Not much, where are you?” (she was thinking at a superbowl party or something like that?)

Me: “Do you really want to know?”

Her:”yeah”

Me: “Well, I’m at (insert name of college here).”

Her: silence…..”OH MY GOSH…..you’re kidding.”

Me: “No….where do you live?”

……proceeded by a 100% girl excited scream, and quick, jumbled directions.

 As we get back into the car from visiting my friend, I’m on a high. The snacks are handed out at 7:30 at night. Yogurt….I KNEW this was a mistake. I knew it. I couldn’t believe that my darling parents were interesting my 7 year old sisters with yogurt IN THE CAR of all places. Sure enough, the yogurt fell out of my youngest sisters lap-and all over my jeans. I did NOT find that funny at all. Do you know what soggy jeans drenched with yogert feel like? I pretty much wanted to cry. High to dry in about 2 minutes.

 We finally get home. Immediately I’m super pressured. No sweat, I reasoned while I was away. Even though I wasn’t able to do much homework over the weekend, I can do it tomorrow morning….forgetting I have a dentist appointment at the ungodly hour of 9:00. Once I figure that out, it’s on. My mind goes 1,000 mph. How am I EVER going to finish EVERYTHING I need to get done???? Tomorrow is my worst, and most stressful classes. I just DON’T want to wake up. Immediately, I realized that I’m writing up tomorrow as a bad day, even though it’s still only today.

I need a mood change. I need a shower. I need sleep. The only things I can really fix right now is the mood change and shower. The sleep will have to wait for another night.

So for now, fair thee well. I shall write you more about my adventures soon!

Road trip!!!

 

We’re getting ready to go on a ROAD TRIP to my big sister’s (all of four years older then me, she’s SO OLD) college. It’ll be one of the last, as she is graduating this Spring. Her college is 5 and 1/2 hours away. Do you know what that means people? That means 5 and 1/2 hours of being crammed into a small Toyota, next to my two little sisters’ car seats.

Now, you must understand that I LOVE my little sisters, but I have a HUGE personal bubble. I HATE it when people brush up against me. I’d rather they just run right into me. It’s a sensory thing. I can’t stand the feeling of ANYTHING brushing up against me. It drives me INSANE. Now, this will be 5 and 1/2 hours of being squished up against them, having their car seats, and bodies pressed up against mine.

5 and 1/2 hours of crackers and warm apple juice. 5 and 1/2 hours of holding my small bladder, praying for a restroom. 🙂 5 and 1/2 hours being stuck in a vehicle that makes me sick. Oh you HAVE to LOVE getting carsick.

I have a lot of homework to do. Do you know how hard it is to focus on what you’re reading with two VERY LOUD 7 year olds in the car????? It’s impossible for a “normal” human being, and then when you add the fact that I have ADD into it, I’m ridiculous to even THINK that I will get ANYTHING done.

All this to say….I’m excited about the road trip! With all my complaining you’re like RIIGGHHT, but no- I really am. It shows in that I can’t concentrate! I’m already planning how I’ll pack, and what I’ll bring. I’m ready to be there.

Why?

I really just want to get away. You know those times where you’re itching for some adventure? Well, I’m in a mood now.

My poor father. Can you picture him? 5 and 1/2 hours with 4 girls in one small car? Sounds like a bad joke.

Speaking of bad jokes, Thursday my US History professor said a R-E-A-L-L-Y funny story.

“The date was in the 1970’s. There are hundreds of young people packed into the amphitheater. The excitement is high, and people are dancing to the music. It is a ROLLING STONES concert. All of a sudden, a boy jumps up on the stage. He is carrying a rubber duck. He runs on stage, before anyone notices, and hits Mick Jagger in the head with the duck, he then runs to Keith Richards and slams the duck into his head. When the police get control of him, they bring him into the station. “Why” they ask him “Why did you hit Mick Jagger and Keith Richards with a DUCK of all things?” His answer: “I wanted to see if I could hit two stones with one duck.”

The sad part is I’m sitting here thinking….who’s Keith Richards? Any Rolling Stones fans? Don’t kill me…I am but a wee child.

Pray for my sanity as I depart tomorrow (well, being as my time is wrong on my blog, it’s actually midnight, so I guess it would be today!).

I don’t know if I’ll make it……..

I’ll be back late Sunday, and will let you know how everything goes. Leave me lots of love, I might be able to sneak a peak at my site at my sister’s place. We’ll see!

Jesus, today I am tired.

I admit, today has not been the best day. Nothing tragic….just tough stuff. I was listening to a song by Charlie Hall I really like, when I saw the link to this song. Nothing could express what I need to say better then it, so….enjoy

Put to death….

I keep getting ready to write this awesome post, or this amazing poem….then I realize that it has already been written. I keep wanting to say these phenominal things, but when I actually go to write, it sounds more like a two year old or a chipmunk. Just a bunch of jibberjabber and squeaks. There’s so much that I wonder about life. So many questions….then comes the silence. I’ve learned to embrase it. I’m much happier driving in the car with nothing playing. Occationally when I feel tired, and don’t want to fall asleep at the wheel I’ll listen to something, but other then that I like to hear the sounds of the cars wizzing by me :).

I like to count my steps as I walk from my parking place to school. Today I parked further then I ever have before. About 1/2 way I lost count around 130 steps or something like that. Not to mention I had yet to climb the termendous stairway up the hill. Just stuff that lets me think, and count, and question. To keep my mind busy. Even if I’m silent, my mind is always moving. I can’t make it stop. Oh blessed ADD.

After school I look online at a few sites, and then head over to GodTube to look up my new favorite CHRISTian comedian. A post catches my eye, so I click on it. As I watch….my thoughts race. When it ends. Silence. My body is silent, my house is silent (the girls are away) and even my brain is silent.

The movie I attached below. The ending Bible verse (you can’t really see it, but it sites Colossians 3:5.

“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”

Just what I’ve been thinking lately, summed up in one short 4 minute video. Wow.

I’m content to say God made the weather…..

In the beginning of the semester I was looking forward to taking Meteorology. I was excited to learn more about the weather God had created, and especially look at weird meteorological phenomenons like hurricanes, tornadoes, cyclones and floods-oh my! After a few weeks I realised that the course was a lot harder then I could handle, and the teacher…well, let’s just say he made me learn to pray more (Dear God, please don’t let me lash out at him when he implies that we are stupid!). I knew that outside of God, there would be no way that I would be able to pass this class. No prerequisites listed I went in blind eyed. I ended up only learning about tornadoes and hurricanes the last two weeks of class, the rest was spent discussing upper air patterns, convergence and divergence, working hard physics problems, completely loosing it at one point, and then trying to get my feet back under me and try again. Needless to say, my test scores are nothing to brag of, my homework looks like it was stabbed and bleed all over, but my faith through that time, my dependence on God was strengthened because I knew that I could not do it by myself. I did my part, and I know that it was 199% God when I recieved a C. Now normally if I got a C I’d be crushed, but no, not this time. When I recieved a C I praised! I knew that it was nothing short of God. How cool is God?

For now I’m just content to say that God created the weather. 🙂 I don’t care if I ever isopleth another map….His being in control of it is best for me.