Hey guys! It's been a while since my last post, but things have been crazy! They're finally settling down for the summer, and I am ready to rest! And yet even during this time of physical rest, my faith is being strengthened and is not at rest.
In 1 Peter it is written " I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory." (1:6-7, MSG)
I feel like this verse has been the theme of my life lately, especially this week. I just finished rereading my favorite book for the 3rd time, Safely Home. If you haven't read it, I totally recommend it. It's a fictional book based on 2 college roommates, and how faith brought them together in a way that neither one ever dreamed of. One of them is a struggling, persecuted Christian in China who always mentions this verse. He never minds the trials (including torture and jail) that he has to endure because of his faith, and in fact finds joy in it as the Bible teaches we should. Maybe that's one of the reasons I love this book so much, is because every time I read it I'm challenged to find joy in the struggles of life, especially when it's so easy to be brought down by them.
Ironically, or perhaps not, this verse also showed up in my Bible study this week. And I find myself convicted of not being joyful and times of hardship and suffering. I am literally in pain every day, and yet it never gets easier. But even more than that, a great friend has hurt me deeply and I find myself mourning of friendship that I never thought would end. And even though I can find a lot of reasons to be sad (definitely not to say I'm not at times, even as I write this), but God is working in my life. There is a greater purpose for my disease. There is a greater purpose for friendships ending. There is some door that is about the open for me, and I can't wait to find out what it is.
It's really hard to be joyful in times of suffering, and I more than anyone needs to work on this... but all that matters is I'm trying. My faith is being put through the fire, and through these experiences I'm being purified.
If you're where I am, know you are not alone, and that there is a God with a plan. And when it's all said and done, your faithful prevail and hopefully be proved genuine. The Bible promises suffering...it's to be expected. The whole book of 1 Peter is written to encourage those in trials, and I encourage you to read it. There may be trials right now...but one day the trials and sufferings of this human life will be traded for an eternal life of praise and joy...with the Creator. How great a day will that be?! Don't lose faith now. Be strong and gain encouragement that you serve a God who has totally been there, and will help you get through it.
Father God,
Thank you for Your love and creative work in my life. It is so easy to get caught up in my own feelings when life gets hard, or when I suffer from someone else's unkindness. But God, I know You are in the midst of these trials, drawing me closer to you. Thank you for the sunshine and the rain. Thank you for the mountain tops when I feel so close to you, and the valleys when it is a struggle to look up. I know You want me to become more like You, and ask that you draw me close to Your heart throughout all the events of my life. Amen.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Monday, April 30, 2012
iCivics.
Today I was given the extraordinary opportunity to go hear Justice Sandra Day O'Conner speak on campus, and it was such a delight! She is a super spunky, down-to-earth woman and even though we were in a packed auditorium, she spoke in such a personal way it was almost as if she was having the conversation with just you.
Much of her talk was explaining the way the Supreme Court works, which was really interesting. And she is actually on campus because Baylor was chosen to help her with a business model for her new program called iCivics, and she was coming to view the model that has been created. It's a really cool program, and you should check it out!! Civics education has been decreasing over the past several years to make room for other things, and it really shouldn't! Everyone needs to understand how our government works, and what opportunities we as citizens have to be involved in the decisions that are made! The whole premise behind this movement is that on the site you can play games, but in the process learn things about the government! I went and looked at the site for myself, and the games are addicting!! AND to make it even better and more accessible, the website is free!!! It also has tools for teachers to do classroom activities with their students. The website is http://www.icivics.org/ and you should check it out!!
Sandra Day O'Conner is such an inspiring woman, and the fact that she is 83 years old and still continues to sit in for federal courts is amazing. She is intent on staying active and helping bring civics education back to its rightful place in society. Listening to her speak about her upbringing and the discrimination she faced as a woman in a man's work place was incredible. But she faced adversity, even having her first job be unpaid, just to continue doing a job she loved. And she ended up being the first woman to serve in the Supreme Court! 191 years of no women, and she broke through! Because of her courage and determination to succeed women all over the world began to enter the work force.
Getting to personally be in the same room with such an important figure of our generation was an amazing opportunity that I'm so thankful for. So go play with the website, spread the word, and get involved!!
Much of her talk was explaining the way the Supreme Court works, which was really interesting. And she is actually on campus because Baylor was chosen to help her with a business model for her new program called iCivics, and she was coming to view the model that has been created. It's a really cool program, and you should check it out!! Civics education has been decreasing over the past several years to make room for other things, and it really shouldn't! Everyone needs to understand how our government works, and what opportunities we as citizens have to be involved in the decisions that are made! The whole premise behind this movement is that on the site you can play games, but in the process learn things about the government! I went and looked at the site for myself, and the games are addicting!! AND to make it even better and more accessible, the website is free!!! It also has tools for teachers to do classroom activities with their students. The website is http://www.icivics.org/ and you should check it out!!
Sandra Day O'Conner is such an inspiring woman, and the fact that she is 83 years old and still continues to sit in for federal courts is amazing. She is intent on staying active and helping bring civics education back to its rightful place in society. Listening to her speak about her upbringing and the discrimination she faced as a woman in a man's work place was incredible. But she faced adversity, even having her first job be unpaid, just to continue doing a job she loved. And she ended up being the first woman to serve in the Supreme Court! 191 years of no women, and she broke through! Because of her courage and determination to succeed women all over the world began to enter the work force.
Getting to personally be in the same room with such an important figure of our generation was an amazing opportunity that I'm so thankful for. So go play with the website, spread the word, and get involved!!
Monday, April 9, 2012
Turn the Page.
I realize that since Easter was yesterday, technically I'm a day late. But I think this is applicable all year, as is the significance of Easter.
I went to church with my parents and grandparents, and got the opportunity to hear an incredible message. Easter is the biggest page turning even in history. Just when everyone thought the story was over...a new page was turned. And isn't that how God works in our everyday lives? Just when we think we can't sink any lower, that our story is over...we get a chance to turn the page.
There are so many things in this life that can be seen as the end. It could be a chronic diagnosis, an email that announces the company is downsizing, a text saying you've been cheated on. And yet Christ has the power to turn the page so that you get a fresh, blank page to begin anew.
We as humans have the power to turn back pages and live in the past...and I will be the first to admit I've fallen into that trap. But why go backwards when we get a fresh new start and have a relationship with someone who can turn the page and help us move forward??
An important point to consider is that just because we're given the grace of a new start, it doesn't erase the past. Just because you start a new chapter in a book, the beginning isn't erased. But we're not stuck on that page anymore...and that is the beauty of grace. The beauty of the cross.
So are you going to hold on to that page in your life? Or will you let Him turn the page for you?
I went to church with my parents and grandparents, and got the opportunity to hear an incredible message. Easter is the biggest page turning even in history. Just when everyone thought the story was over...a new page was turned. And isn't that how God works in our everyday lives? Just when we think we can't sink any lower, that our story is over...we get a chance to turn the page.
There are so many things in this life that can be seen as the end. It could be a chronic diagnosis, an email that announces the company is downsizing, a text saying you've been cheated on. And yet Christ has the power to turn the page so that you get a fresh, blank page to begin anew.
We as humans have the power to turn back pages and live in the past...and I will be the first to admit I've fallen into that trap. But why go backwards when we get a fresh new start and have a relationship with someone who can turn the page and help us move forward??
An important point to consider is that just because we're given the grace of a new start, it doesn't erase the past. Just because you start a new chapter in a book, the beginning isn't erased. But we're not stuck on that page anymore...and that is the beauty of grace. The beauty of the cross.
So are you going to hold on to that page in your life? Or will you let Him turn the page for you?
Friday, April 6, 2012
When Waiting is Hard
Here's a blog from Proverbs 31 ministries, and it definitely encouraged me. I hope it helps you as well!!
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
Our hurry up, need it, gotta-have-it-now culture often makes us feel there’s something wrong with waiting and that we shouldn’t have to. Within seconds we can order a cute blouse from a trendy store, Skype with a friend across the country and text our husband a list of groceries to pick up on the way home. No wonder waiting can be hard to do.
David, the author of today’s key verse, was no stranger to waiting and knew its difficulties full well. Out of nowhere, Samuel showed up at his home to anoint the next king of Israel, who was to be chosen from David’s family. Only one of Jesse’s sons would be anointed as God’s chosen king for His beloved Israel. The son elected was David.
Scripture tells us the Spirit of God rushed over David and was with him the remainder of his days (1 Samuel 16:13 ESV). With such an anointing, we might expect David to run to the throne. But the only running David did was back to the pasture and his job as shepherd. Thus his wait began.
In the wait, God prepared David to be king. The only vocation David knew was shepherding. He did not know the ins and outs of kingly protocol or have the support of the people or armies. Instead of taking the position he was promised, David waited for God to move him from the pasture to the palace.
Waiting in the present is beneficial to our future. This is something David learned, along with many other lessons that we can find hope in during the difficulty of waiting.
1. Even though we are anointed and appointed we may still have to wait. David waited fifteen years to be king of Judah and even longer to be king of all Israel.
2. God’s ways are not our ways; His thoughts are not our thoughts. After being anointed and appointed David was called to serve Saul, the king who was sitting on “his” throne.
3. God doesn’t waste time … He redeems it. The time of waiting will be used to prosper us in each season of life.
4. If we allow it, our waiting will bring us an intimate knowledge of the Savior that we would not otherwise have. Most of David’s beautiful and poetic psalms were written while in caves, caverns and the wilderness, waiting on God.
5. God doesn’t ignore the cries of His children. David cried, and at times begged God for help, invention and defense. God never let David down. He did eventually take the throne, didn’t he?
6. Our waiting has a purpose for someone other than ourselves. Just think of how rich our lives are today because of the wait David endured. We have the comfort, compassion, hope and healing of his amazing poetry.
What awesome instructions David’s life gives for waiting! Waiting is less difficult and the future is brighter when we let God do His work in our waiting season. When we let our guard and defenses down He proves Himself faithful to bring His plans for our lives to fullness.
Dear Lord, help me wait. Help me wait well. I want to be still and allow You to bring Your plan in my life to its fullness. I can’t do this without You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Reflect and Respond:
Read more about David’s life starting in 1 Samuel 16.
Read more about David’s life starting in 1 Samuel 16.
What is your first response to waiting? Do you draw closer to or pull away from God when you’re waiting?
Write down what God taught you through this devotion on waiting.
Power Verses:
Psalm 27:4, “One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” (NIV 1984)
Psalm 27:4, “One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” (NIV 1984)
Isaiah 40:31, “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (NIV 1984)
Lamentations 3:24, “I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’” (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Something new to try!
It seems to me that the average person may perceive healthy eating to be boring, and without variety, however, they are gravely mistaken! There is always something new to find and experiment with, like kohlrabi! Kohlrabi literally means “cabbage turnip”, and is in the same family as more familiar foods such as kale and broccoli. Being in this nutrient dense family makes this vegetable a great choice. It’s low in calories, super high in fiber, and is full of many vitamins and minerals that frankly, we just don’t get enough of! Kohlrabi is incredibly high in antioxidants, and can easily add flavor to any dish. This delicious vegetable is available year round at almost any supermarket, although it’s peak flavor is spring through early summer. Traditionally it is incorporated heavily into European meals, but it hasn’t caught on in American currently. There are a variety of ways the vegetable can be utilized, either raw or cooked. Just like many others, it can also be steamed, barbecued, or stir-fried. It can be used to make fries, which are the perfect side to many meals, or even making it into a delicious pie! Who said healthy can’t be tasty?
Here's a like that has 5 really delicious sounding recipes! http://tinyurl.com/7334clo
Monday, February 27, 2012
Training your mind
I think ALL the time, and in fact, there are hardly any moments when I am not thinking of the thousand things at once... Even when I should be sleeping.
This semester I have started taking yoga classes and it has been quite an experience. I love you for many reasons – one of the main reasons being that it is something that I can physically do. I can't do everything and can modify most things, and my instructor has been incredibly helpful with this. But not only that, it is constantly teaching me how to train my mind to relax, something I definitely can use.
At the end of each practice we laid down for conscious relaxation, something that is completely new to me. We listen to alpha waves, which I have learned are the brain waves that occur in deep meditation states. I won't lie, it has been really hard to train myself and I am still not perfect at it, but I'm getting better with each practice. Forcing yourself to be present in that moment and not think of what is going on later that day or what has really happened is really hard for me. But calming your mind and focusing on the music allows your brain to go into this meditative state and it is a feeling unlike any other. It's almost like a disconnect of your brain from your body and you're just in this place were there is nothing going on, in for a chronic thinker like me this is paradise.
My instructor has also taught me about Delta waves, which help your brain mimic the same brain waves that occur when you're in a deep sleep. It normally takes me literally hours to fall asleep every night, the listening to Delta waves knocks me out in a matter of minutes. This is also taken a couple nights to get used to, because you have to force yourself to stop thinking and focus on the music.
I'm still learning how to not not think, can be present in the moment, the learning how to train my mind has been quite an experience and one that I am very thankful for. I am most definitely recommend Yoga for everyone, and it is a lot more intense than people think. It is a great workout and ironically also one of the most relaxing things ever.
Even if yoga is not for you, listening to different waves and training yourself to relax with all the craziness of this world going on would be a good lesson for us all.
If I can do it anyone can, and I think you should!
This semester I have started taking yoga classes and it has been quite an experience. I love you for many reasons – one of the main reasons being that it is something that I can physically do. I can't do everything and can modify most things, and my instructor has been incredibly helpful with this. But not only that, it is constantly teaching me how to train my mind to relax, something I definitely can use.
At the end of each practice we laid down for conscious relaxation, something that is completely new to me. We listen to alpha waves, which I have learned are the brain waves that occur in deep meditation states. I won't lie, it has been really hard to train myself and I am still not perfect at it, but I'm getting better with each practice. Forcing yourself to be present in that moment and not think of what is going on later that day or what has really happened is really hard for me. But calming your mind and focusing on the music allows your brain to go into this meditative state and it is a feeling unlike any other. It's almost like a disconnect of your brain from your body and you're just in this place were there is nothing going on, in for a chronic thinker like me this is paradise.
My instructor has also taught me about Delta waves, which help your brain mimic the same brain waves that occur when you're in a deep sleep. It normally takes me literally hours to fall asleep every night, the listening to Delta waves knocks me out in a matter of minutes. This is also taken a couple nights to get used to, because you have to force yourself to stop thinking and focus on the music.
I'm still learning how to not not think, can be present in the moment, the learning how to train my mind has been quite an experience and one that I am very thankful for. I am most definitely recommend Yoga for everyone, and it is a lot more intense than people think. It is a great workout and ironically also one of the most relaxing things ever.
Even if yoga is not for you, listening to different waves and training yourself to relax with all the craziness of this world going on would be a good lesson for us all.
If I can do it anyone can, and I think you should!
Friday, February 3, 2012
Sucky. Sucky week.
This week has basically just sucked. Had 5 tests...lots of friendships going through stuff...and the fact that at the current moment I can barely use my hands...Hence why this won't be too long.
I went to the doctor today and she said that my MD is spreading into my hands which explains my current predicament. There is a muscle that goes through your palm that for me has already wasted away in both of my hands, and as a result is making the big muscle below my thumbs work too hard, so they are super weak and wasting as well...which is why they hurt so badly. Not only is it a constant sharp, throbbing pain, but if I use that muscle it cramps up and locks.
So...what does that mean? Not much. They can't do anything to stop it. But in the mean time I am waiting on some pain meds that will hopefully make it bearable, and I am going to go to Occupational Therapy. With that I will basically have to re-learn how to do everything...without using my thumbs. Hopefully they can teach me how to use the other muscles that I do have, and maybe give me ideas for adapting to this new stage in my life.
Prayers would be much appreciated. Frustration doesn't even come lightyears close to scratching the surface of how I'm feeling.
I went to the doctor today and she said that my MD is spreading into my hands which explains my current predicament. There is a muscle that goes through your palm that for me has already wasted away in both of my hands, and as a result is making the big muscle below my thumbs work too hard, so they are super weak and wasting as well...which is why they hurt so badly. Not only is it a constant sharp, throbbing pain, but if I use that muscle it cramps up and locks.
So...what does that mean? Not much. They can't do anything to stop it. But in the mean time I am waiting on some pain meds that will hopefully make it bearable, and I am going to go to Occupational Therapy. With that I will basically have to re-learn how to do everything...without using my thumbs. Hopefully they can teach me how to use the other muscles that I do have, and maybe give me ideas for adapting to this new stage in my life.
Prayers would be much appreciated. Frustration doesn't even come lightyears close to scratching the surface of how I'm feeling.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
