“Every lesson is a widening and deepening of consciousness. It is a stretching of the mind beyond its conceptual limits and a stretching of the heart beyond its emotional boundaries. It is a bringing of unconscious material into consciousness, a healing of past wounds, and a discovery of new faith and trust.” ~ Paul Ferrini
~~~
Well dear ones, the end of the year has come upon us. I want to thank you for letting me invade on your shower time and graciously allowing me to share my thoughts with you. I hope you have been challenged and encouraged in your walk with the Lord, and I pray that he would continue to speak into each and every one of your lives.
I want to leave you with one last thought, which I have said before and will now say again: you are loved. The very Creator of the universe has placed you here for a purpose. He has ransomed you from the darkness and is molding and shaping you to be the salt and light of the earth. You are his beloved daughter, and he knows your story. He knows your pain, your laughter, your struggles and triumphs—you can trust him with all that you fear and all that you hold dear. He will never leave you nor forsake you, no matter how hard the road gets or how far you may turn from him. You are beautiful, you are valuable, you are a child of God.
I pray that you may always live life less ordinary for God. Good luck with all your finals and have a blessed summer!
In Christ,
Angela Hoover
~~~
Be restored, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.
~2 Corinthians 13:11
~~~
Life Less Ordinary for the week of April 21, 2009
“But the fruit of the Spirit is
Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Gentleness
and Self-Control.
Against such things there is no law.” ~Galatians 5:22-23
~~~
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says that you will know God’s followers by their fruit. As followers of God, we may wonder just how we can bear this fruit. How do we work towards being a more Spirit-filled person?
We don’t! See, the fruit of the Spirit is a set of characteristics we become, not a list of actions we do. If the Holy Spirit is already dwelling within us, then there is nothing we can do to merit any more or less from him. This is the part where grace comes in—God doing for us what we don’t deserve. When we are weak and not enough, that’s when God’s power is made perfect through grace.
Robert Longman Jr. says that “these matters of character are the stuff which gives life-ness to life. It is holiness taking root in you.” Yes, there are actions we must take, but as imitators of God—we watch what he does, and then we do it, like little children. And the Spirit, who is constantly at work within us, will change and form us into people who are characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Isn’t that awesome? :)
Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Gentleness
and Self-Control.
Against such things there is no law.” ~Galatians 5:22-23
~~~
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says that you will know God’s followers by their fruit. As followers of God, we may wonder just how we can bear this fruit. How do we work towards being a more Spirit-filled person?
We don’t! See, the fruit of the Spirit is a set of characteristics we become, not a list of actions we do. If the Holy Spirit is already dwelling within us, then there is nothing we can do to merit any more or less from him. This is the part where grace comes in—God doing for us what we don’t deserve. When we are weak and not enough, that’s when God’s power is made perfect through grace.
Robert Longman Jr. says that “these matters of character are the stuff which gives life-ness to life. It is holiness taking root in you.” Yes, there are actions we must take, but as imitators of God—we watch what he does, and then we do it, like little children. And the Spirit, who is constantly at work within us, will change and form us into people who are characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Isn’t that awesome? :)
Life Less Ordinary for the week of April 17, 2009
Dangerous
Attaboy
I don’t get you
What you want is bigger than I am
I don’t think I’ll ever understand
Why you’re asking me to just jump in
You’re a hurricane in a deadly spin
The way you move is dangerous
You take me to the edge of trust
But I’ll have faith
Even if your way is dangerous
In the darkness
I won’t doubt what You said in the light
I will not be stranded in my midnight
You keep asking me to face my fear
Honestly it’s so unclear
The way you move is dangerous
You take me to the edge of trust
But I’ll have faith
Even if your way…
…is terrifying me
Not what I would choose
Despite my disbelief
I will follow you
The way you move is dangerous
You take me to the edge of trust
I’ll have faith no matter what
Even if you’re dangerous
~~~
I’m pretty sure that I could play this song 1000 times in a row and never get tired of it. When I listen to it, I picture myself standing at the edge of a cliff, looking down at Jesus standing there asking me to jump off. I’m thinking, is he crazy?
Oddly enough, he is. God moves in really dangerous ways. He asks us to stand in the face of persecution. To deny ourselves for the sake of others. To take up our crosses daily. He asks us to trust him, even when we are terrified. It’s mad. It’s ridiculous. It’s backwards. And honestly, it makes me want to give up sometimes.
I suppose it’s an odd topic to talk about right here at the end of the year; I feel like I should be writing about the future, or about focus, or drawing on God’s strength. But I think the issue of trust and truth permeate all of that. He may take us right up to the edge of our ability to trust him—but he has promised us that he will not strand us in our midnight. He will always be there, in all the stress and struggle and weariness. Hang in there, girls.
“Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep…The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life.” ~ Psalm 121
~~~
Check out more of Attaboy's music at http://www.attaboyonline.com/!
---
Attaboy
I don’t get you
What you want is bigger than I am
I don’t think I’ll ever understand
Why you’re asking me to just jump in
You’re a hurricane in a deadly spin
The way you move is dangerous
You take me to the edge of trust
But I’ll have faith
Even if your way is dangerous
In the darkness
I won’t doubt what You said in the light
I will not be stranded in my midnight
You keep asking me to face my fear
Honestly it’s so unclear
The way you move is dangerous
You take me to the edge of trust
But I’ll have faith
Even if your way…
…is terrifying me
Not what I would choose
Despite my disbelief
I will follow you
The way you move is dangerous
You take me to the edge of trust
I’ll have faith no matter what
Even if you’re dangerous
~~~
I’m pretty sure that I could play this song 1000 times in a row and never get tired of it. When I listen to it, I picture myself standing at the edge of a cliff, looking down at Jesus standing there asking me to jump off. I’m thinking, is he crazy?
Oddly enough, he is. God moves in really dangerous ways. He asks us to stand in the face of persecution. To deny ourselves for the sake of others. To take up our crosses daily. He asks us to trust him, even when we are terrified. It’s mad. It’s ridiculous. It’s backwards. And honestly, it makes me want to give up sometimes.
I suppose it’s an odd topic to talk about right here at the end of the year; I feel like I should be writing about the future, or about focus, or drawing on God’s strength. But I think the issue of trust and truth permeate all of that. He may take us right up to the edge of our ability to trust him—but he has promised us that he will not strand us in our midnight. He will always be there, in all the stress and struggle and weariness. Hang in there, girls.
“Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep…The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life.” ~ Psalm 121
~~~
Check out more of Attaboy's music at http://www.attaboyonline.com/!
---
Life Less Ordinary for the week of April 4, 2009
I apologize for the delay in the shower devos this week. Even a chaplain needs a break sometimes! :) I want to share with you something from Rachel Sherer, our beloved ARD:
"Be Thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight;
Be Thou my armor and be Thou my might;
Thou my soul's shelter, Thou my high tower;
Raise Thou me heavenward, O power of my power."
Dear, dear, women of God and sisters in Christ,
Some of you may recognize the above verse from "Be Thou my Vision" which is also the verse that we sang together on Wednesday's chapel.
I just wanted to share with each of you how amazing I thought it was that all of the women sang this verse.
We as women have this tendency to desire all of the above things in a man who can take care of us and I just challenge you to put God in that place because that is where He rightly belongs. Really, read over this verse and get a feel for what the author is saying. Are you trusting in God as much as you should? Is He the one you turn to? I pray that God will be your strong tower, whom you turn to in times of pain, confusion, and heartache. God is the one who makes us strong, and in Him we are confident - and that's when we can truly be the women of God that He desires us to be.
~~~
I think this is an awesome thing to think about in the context of the celebration of Holy Week. Picture Jesus riding into Jerusalem on the colt, the people laying down their cloaks and waving palm branches, shouting “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”
This is our breastplate, our sword, our soul’s shelter and our high tower. This is our Jesus, hope of nations and desire of our hearts. Amen, and amen!
"Be Thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight;
Be Thou my armor and be Thou my might;
Thou my soul's shelter, Thou my high tower;
Raise Thou me heavenward, O power of my power."
Dear, dear, women of God and sisters in Christ,
Some of you may recognize the above verse from "Be Thou my Vision" which is also the verse that we sang together on Wednesday's chapel.
I just wanted to share with each of you how amazing I thought it was that all of the women sang this verse.
We as women have this tendency to desire all of the above things in a man who can take care of us and I just challenge you to put God in that place because that is where He rightly belongs. Really, read over this verse and get a feel for what the author is saying. Are you trusting in God as much as you should? Is He the one you turn to? I pray that God will be your strong tower, whom you turn to in times of pain, confusion, and heartache. God is the one who makes us strong, and in Him we are confident - and that's when we can truly be the women of God that He desires us to be.
~~~
I think this is an awesome thing to think about in the context of the celebration of Holy Week. Picture Jesus riding into Jerusalem on the colt, the people laying down their cloaks and waving palm branches, shouting “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”
This is our breastplate, our sword, our soul’s shelter and our high tower. This is our Jesus, hope of nations and desire of our hearts. Amen, and amen!
Life Less Ordinary for the week of March 23, 2008
silence.
It’s unnerving, isn’t it? Scary, even. Makes us feel awkward and frustrated. Silence leaves us stranded, empty. We feel as though we’ve lost something, so we try to fill it to ease our discomfort.
The thing is, we have so much to gain in the silence.
Even when it feels like God has abandoned us.
1 Kings 19:11-12 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
A still, small voice.
One that can only be heard in the silence.
Take some time this week to just be silent. Yes, even in the midst of homework and tests and papers. Turn off your iPod, close facebook, shut the TV off, put your phone away and listen. It won’t be easy, but you just might catch that little whisper that God has been longing for you to hear.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” ~Psalm 46:10
Life Less Ordinary for the week of March 16, 2009
You know, I've been thinking a lot about Jesus lately. It is the Lenten season, after all. It’s interesting, how Jesus came down to be with us…he knew there was no way we could save ourselves. We forget sometimes that Christianity isn't about what we do. It's about grace.
Jesus comes to meet us where we are. In our own slop and filth. He stretched the tight skin of human existence over his own glory, retaining the essence of everything we could never aspire to be, because he knew that we could not rise from the ashes of our own accord.
I'm not talking about his death or resurrection or his love. Yes, he came down because he loved us. Yes, he died for us because that was the price that had to be paid. Yes, he rose from the grave to overcome death for us. But he had to come down in order to do that.
Why? Why must he come down? Why did he have to grow inside Mary's belly, cry and poop and scrape his knees, grow, learn, laugh, and mourn, just like us? It's more than the mere fact that he wanted to relate to us. It's because there was no way to bring us out of our demise without being in it himself. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray…[and] he was lead like a lamb to the slaughter.” Isaiah 53. That’s why.
Look at the homeless. The impoverished. The starving children. The abandoned and abused. How do we help them? We come down. We get out of our own comfort zones and meet them on their level, just as they are. We don't require anything of them in the respects of being "good enough." Mother Teresa didn't help the poor of Calcutta by creating a place for herself and making everyone clean up before they entered in. She came down and got her hands dirty. She wept and she bled and she cared and she loved. And look how much of an impact she has made on the world. Helping those who are less fortunate than we is not the ascent of their lives to ours, hoping that we might approve when we see how hard they try. It's just not.
And so I challenge you to look around. See who needs a helping hand, and reach out—spiritually, physically, emotionally. We’re all broken, but through the power of Christ we can be his hands and feet.
~~~
"For Jesus is the descent of God to our lives, just as they are, not the ascent
of our lives to God, hoping he might approve when he sees how hard we try."
--Eugene Peterson
Jesus comes to meet us where we are. In our own slop and filth. He stretched the tight skin of human existence over his own glory, retaining the essence of everything we could never aspire to be, because he knew that we could not rise from the ashes of our own accord.
I'm not talking about his death or resurrection or his love. Yes, he came down because he loved us. Yes, he died for us because that was the price that had to be paid. Yes, he rose from the grave to overcome death for us. But he had to come down in order to do that.
Why? Why must he come down? Why did he have to grow inside Mary's belly, cry and poop and scrape his knees, grow, learn, laugh, and mourn, just like us? It's more than the mere fact that he wanted to relate to us. It's because there was no way to bring us out of our demise without being in it himself. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray…[and] he was lead like a lamb to the slaughter.” Isaiah 53. That’s why.
Look at the homeless. The impoverished. The starving children. The abandoned and abused. How do we help them? We come down. We get out of our own comfort zones and meet them on their level, just as they are. We don't require anything of them in the respects of being "good enough." Mother Teresa didn't help the poor of Calcutta by creating a place for herself and making everyone clean up before they entered in. She came down and got her hands dirty. She wept and she bled and she cared and she loved. And look how much of an impact she has made on the world. Helping those who are less fortunate than we is not the ascent of their lives to ours, hoping that we might approve when we see how hard they try. It's just not.
And so I challenge you to look around. See who needs a helping hand, and reach out—spiritually, physically, emotionally. We’re all broken, but through the power of Christ we can be his hands and feet.
~~~
Life Less Ordinary for the week of March 8, 2009
Your Name
Phillips, Craig, & Dean
As morning dawns and evening fades
You inspire songs of praise
That rise from earth to touch Your heart
and glorify Your Name
Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it louder
'Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your Name
Jesus, in Your Name we pray
Come and fill our hearts today
Lord, give us strength to live for You
and glorify Your Name
Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name: let the nations sing it louder
'Cause nothing has the power to save
but Your Name
~~~
God said to Moses, "I am who I am .” ~Exodus 3:14
You all know the story of the burning bush, when God tells Moses his name, I AM. To the Hebrews, a name is the closest possible way of knowing a person’s very existence, their character; who they are at the very core. Yahweh defines his personality by his own self—“I will be whatever I make myself to be.” It’s like saying, “I am God, and I will do God-things.” He acts according to his nature, which is pure, holy, just, and good.
Did you know that in ancient times, the belief was that gods kept their names a secret? If mortals knew the name of a god, they might have power over him to summon and use him to their own advantages. Not so with Yahweh! That fact alone expresses his vulnerability and his power—that he gives us access to his very being, yet can never be overcome by his creation. A very humbling and uplifting gift, indeed.
~~~
Phillips, Craig, & Dean
As morning dawns and evening fades
You inspire songs of praise
That rise from earth to touch Your heart
and glorify Your Name
Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it louder
'Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your Name
Jesus, in Your Name we pray
Come and fill our hearts today
Lord, give us strength to live for You
and glorify Your Name
Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name: let the nations sing it louder
'Cause nothing has the power to save
but Your Name
~~~
God said to Moses, "I am who I am .” ~Exodus 3:14
You all know the story of the burning bush, when God tells Moses his name, I AM. To the Hebrews, a name is the closest possible way of knowing a person’s very existence, their character; who they are at the very core. Yahweh defines his personality by his own self—“I will be whatever I make myself to be.” It’s like saying, “I am God, and I will do God-things.” He acts according to his nature, which is pure, holy, just, and good.
Did you know that in ancient times, the belief was that gods kept their names a secret? If mortals knew the name of a god, they might have power over him to summon and use him to their own advantages. Not so with Yahweh! That fact alone expresses his vulnerability and his power—that he gives us access to his very being, yet can never be overcome by his creation. A very humbling and uplifting gift, indeed.
~~~
Life less Ordinary for the week of March 2, 2009
Welcome back, girls! I hope you all had a safe, fun, relaxing break. While here I usually offer a thought or reflection, this week I only want to tell you one thing:
You are loved.
That’s it. Plain and simple. Over and over in the New Testament, Jesus says, “I tell you the truth…” And in John 14 he says, “If it were not so, would I have told you?” That’s huge. If this weren’t the truth, it wouldn’t be all over the Bible. So believe it, because it’s true. Isn’t that awesome?
~~~
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ~John 3:16
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” ~Jeremiah 31:3
“…In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ~Romans 8:37-39
“The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
~Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
The LORD is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.
The LORD is faithful to all his promises
and loving toward all he has made.
The LORD upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and loving toward all he has made.
~from Psalm 145
~~~
You are loved.
That’s it. Plain and simple. Over and over in the New Testament, Jesus says, “I tell you the truth…” And in John 14 he says, “If it were not so, would I have told you?” That’s huge. If this weren’t the truth, it wouldn’t be all over the Bible. So believe it, because it’s true. Isn’t that awesome?
~~~
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ~John 3:16
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” ~Jeremiah 31:3
“…In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ~Romans 8:37-39
“The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
~Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
The LORD is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.
The LORD is faithful to all his promises
and loving toward all he has made.
The LORD upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and loving toward all he has made.
~from Psalm 145
~~~
Life Less Ordinary for the week of February 15, 2009
Psalm 47
1 Clap your hands, all you nations;
shout to God with cries of joy.
2 How awesome is the LORD Most High,
the great King over all the earth!
3 He subdued nations under us,
peoples under our feet.
4 He chose our inheritance for us,
the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.
Selah
5 God has ascended amid shouts of joy,
the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King of all the earth;
sing to him a psalm of praise.
8 God reigns over the nations;
God is seated on his holy throne.
9 The nobles of the nations assemble
as the people of the God of Abraham,
for the kings of the earth belong to God;
he is greatly exalted!
~~~
Learning about God and how to live our lives as imitators of Christ is always good. But sometimes we need to stop focusing on being like Him—instead, we need to be with Him. Praise Him. Glorify Him. He deserves our worship and thanksgiving, because he is God, and we are not.
Be still, and know that he is God. Don’t worry; he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion. Trust in his grace, which is sufficient to cover you when you feel like you are not enough. He is higher and greater than we could ever be—so praise him!
---
1 Clap your hands, all you nations;
shout to God with cries of joy.
2 How awesome is the LORD Most High,
the great King over all the earth!
3 He subdued nations under us,
peoples under our feet.
4 He chose our inheritance for us,
the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.
Selah
5 God has ascended amid shouts of joy,
the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King of all the earth;
sing to him a psalm of praise.
8 God reigns over the nations;
God is seated on his holy throne.
9 The nobles of the nations assemble
as the people of the God of Abraham,
for the kings of the earth belong to God;
he is greatly exalted!
~~~
Learning about God and how to live our lives as imitators of Christ is always good. But sometimes we need to stop focusing on being like Him—instead, we need to be with Him. Praise Him. Glorify Him. He deserves our worship and thanksgiving, because he is God, and we are not.
Be still, and know that he is God. Don’t worry; he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion. Trust in his grace, which is sufficient to cover you when you feel like you are not enough. He is higher and greater than we could ever be—so praise him!
---
Life Less Ordinary for the week of February 8, 2008
“The whole life of the good Christian is a holy longing…let us long because we are to be filled…” ~St. Augustine
~~~
You’ll recall this quote from last week’s devo, and I want to finish up this little “series” by diving a little deeper once again into what it means to live with a holy longing—by looking at what it’s not.
It’s not telling (or even asking) God all the things we want—friends, a future husband and kids, prosperity, safety, etc., and expecting him to come through, like Santa or something. It’s not that God doesn’t care about these things…but rather, they are “after” things. Things God will bless you with after you surrender your heart to him. He will come through, but he wants the deeper parts of you first.
It’s not opening yourself up to hurt for the sake of being hurt. Yes, desire often brings pain, because we want certain things and then become disappointed when our expectations aren’t met. It’s not about dwelling in our unmet desires, wallowing in sorrow because we have asked for so long and still don’t have what we want.
What holy longing is about is something really terrifying—honesty. It’s about opening up and inviting Jesus to those places in your heart that make you restless, that cause you to stumble, that leave you wanting more. It’s about being real. It’s asking God to reveal those dark places that maybe you have pushed down for years. It’s about coming out of hiding. It’s about standing your ground when you want to run away because it’s scary or it hurts.
It’s crying out, saying, “God, will you look at me? Look at this horrible mess! I’m too much, I’m not enough; I try so hard and I always come up short. My heart is troubled and empty. Will you come fill me?”
It’s not about chasing after your desires on your own and asking God for a little assistance along the way. It’s about chasing after God first and foremost, then asking him to fill your desires along the way—and seeking him all the while as we wait for him to bless us with what he knows is best, from his own hand.
It’s not easy. The life of a woman after God’s own heart is never easy. But it’s an adventure of beauty, mystery, and wholeness. Isn’t that what we all desire?
~~~
“As the deer searches frantically, breathless, and parched for a stream of sweet, cool water—that’s how my soul longs after you, O God.” ~Ps. 42:1
.....
~~~
You’ll recall this quote from last week’s devo, and I want to finish up this little “series” by diving a little deeper once again into what it means to live with a holy longing—by looking at what it’s not.
It’s not telling (or even asking) God all the things we want—friends, a future husband and kids, prosperity, safety, etc., and expecting him to come through, like Santa or something. It’s not that God doesn’t care about these things…but rather, they are “after” things. Things God will bless you with after you surrender your heart to him. He will come through, but he wants the deeper parts of you first.
It’s not opening yourself up to hurt for the sake of being hurt. Yes, desire often brings pain, because we want certain things and then become disappointed when our expectations aren’t met. It’s not about dwelling in our unmet desires, wallowing in sorrow because we have asked for so long and still don’t have what we want.
What holy longing is about is something really terrifying—honesty. It’s about opening up and inviting Jesus to those places in your heart that make you restless, that cause you to stumble, that leave you wanting more. It’s about being real. It’s asking God to reveal those dark places that maybe you have pushed down for years. It’s about coming out of hiding. It’s about standing your ground when you want to run away because it’s scary or it hurts.
It’s crying out, saying, “God, will you look at me? Look at this horrible mess! I’m too much, I’m not enough; I try so hard and I always come up short. My heart is troubled and empty. Will you come fill me?”
It’s not about chasing after your desires on your own and asking God for a little assistance along the way. It’s about chasing after God first and foremost, then asking him to fill your desires along the way—and seeking him all the while as we wait for him to bless us with what he knows is best, from his own hand.
It’s not easy. The life of a woman after God’s own heart is never easy. But it’s an adventure of beauty, mystery, and wholeness. Isn’t that what we all desire?
~~~
“As the deer searches frantically, breathless, and parched for a stream of sweet, cool water—that’s how my soul longs after you, O God.” ~Ps. 42:1
.....
Life Less Ordinary for the week of February 1, 2009
“God is waiting eagerly to respond with new strength to each little act of self-control, small disciplines of prayer, feeble searching after him. And his children shall be filled if they will only hunger and thirst after what he offers.”
~Richard Holloway
~~~
Too much of our time is spent chasing after fruitless things. Recall the desires of your heart that I invited you to think about last week. How do you go about trying to fill those? Too often it is with things that leave us feeling emptier than before. We enter meaningless or harmful relationships, indulge in destructive behavior, distract ourselves with busyness, or hide and escape from the world, ourselves, and God.
Is this to say that it is wrong to desire? To want? To long for, truly, deeply? Not at all. Saint Augustine said “The whole life of the good Christian is a holy longing. What you desire ardently, as yet you do not see…let us long because we are to be filled…that is our life, to be exercised by longing.” Jesus himself told us to ask, seek, and knock, and he would freely give. Maybe not immediately, maybe not exactly what we want, but the deeper promise is that he will satisfy us from his own hand.
We need to feel desire, otherwise we wouldn’t try to satisfy it. If we didn’t get hungry, we’d never eat; if we didn’t get tired, we wouldn’t sleep…if our hearts didn’t ache, we wouldn’t search for God.
~~~
Hungry, I come to you
For I know You satisfy
I am empty, but I know
Your love does not run dry
Broken, I run to You
For Your arms are open wide
I am weary, but I know
Your touch restores my life
So I wait for you
So I wait for You
I’m falling on my knees
Offering all of me
Jesus, You’re all this heart is living for
So go ahead. Ask. Seek. Knock. He will open the door.
---
~Richard Holloway
~~~
Too much of our time is spent chasing after fruitless things. Recall the desires of your heart that I invited you to think about last week. How do you go about trying to fill those? Too often it is with things that leave us feeling emptier than before. We enter meaningless or harmful relationships, indulge in destructive behavior, distract ourselves with busyness, or hide and escape from the world, ourselves, and God.
Is this to say that it is wrong to desire? To want? To long for, truly, deeply? Not at all. Saint Augustine said “The whole life of the good Christian is a holy longing. What you desire ardently, as yet you do not see…let us long because we are to be filled…that is our life, to be exercised by longing.” Jesus himself told us to ask, seek, and knock, and he would freely give. Maybe not immediately, maybe not exactly what we want, but the deeper promise is that he will satisfy us from his own hand.
We need to feel desire, otherwise we wouldn’t try to satisfy it. If we didn’t get hungry, we’d never eat; if we didn’t get tired, we wouldn’t sleep…if our hearts didn’t ache, we wouldn’t search for God.
~~~
Hungry, I come to you
For I know You satisfy
I am empty, but I know
Your love does not run dry
Broken, I run to You
For Your arms are open wide
I am weary, but I know
Your touch restores my life
So I wait for you
So I wait for You
I’m falling on my knees
Offering all of me
Jesus, You’re all this heart is living for
So go ahead. Ask. Seek. Knock. He will open the door.
---
Life Less Ordinary for the week of January 25, 2008
Isaiah 55:1-3
"Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.”
What is it that you thirst for? Truth? Love? Affirmation? Intimate, authentic relationships? Meaning? Purpose? Belonging? Peace? Rest? Beauty? Justice? Freedom from sin? Forgiveness?
We all thirst for something. We all have those deep-seated desires that we long to have filled. It makes our hearts ache, makes us weep, sends us searching for something—sometimes anything—to fill the emptiness we feel inside. Think about the things you strive for…aren’t you tired? Read the passage from Isaiah again. Doesn’t God’s invitation tug on that same place in your heart you so yearn to have filled? And doesn’t it seem to offer something…more?
I’m asking a lot of questions for a reason. Questions invite us, call us, draw us in. There is something deeper here that can’t be captured in just one devo. I encourage you this week to really think about what you thirst for, and I’ll dive into the topic a little deeper next week. Keep your eyes open for upcoming LC-sponsored hall events that will touch on this theme. And most importantly, keep your heart and ears open to what the Lord wants to say to you.
There is more to this life, dear sisters, and I want to find it. Don’t you?
~~~
"Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.”
What is it that you thirst for? Truth? Love? Affirmation? Intimate, authentic relationships? Meaning? Purpose? Belonging? Peace? Rest? Beauty? Justice? Freedom from sin? Forgiveness?
We all thirst for something. We all have those deep-seated desires that we long to have filled. It makes our hearts ache, makes us weep, sends us searching for something—sometimes anything—to fill the emptiness we feel inside. Think about the things you strive for…aren’t you tired? Read the passage from Isaiah again. Doesn’t God’s invitation tug on that same place in your heart you so yearn to have filled? And doesn’t it seem to offer something…more?
I’m asking a lot of questions for a reason. Questions invite us, call us, draw us in. There is something deeper here that can’t be captured in just one devo. I encourage you this week to really think about what you thirst for, and I’ll dive into the topic a little deeper next week. Keep your eyes open for upcoming LC-sponsored hall events that will touch on this theme. And most importantly, keep your heart and ears open to what the Lord wants to say to you.
There is more to this life, dear sisters, and I want to find it. Don’t you?
~~~
Life Less Ordinary for the week of January 19, 2009
“Refinement is the delicate aroma of Christianity.” ~Charlotte Mary Yonge
Zechariah 13:8-9
“In the whole land," declares the LORD,
"two-thirds will be struck down and perish;
yet one-third will be left in it.
This third I will bring into the fire;
I will refine them like silver
and test them like gold.
They will call on my name
and I will answer them;
I will say, 'They are my people,'
and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.' "
~~~
As you probably know, there are quite a few other passages in the Bible that talk about God’s people being refined in the fire. But why would he do this? Sounds kind of mean, to bring us into the fire of pain and hardship. But that’s not the case at all—it is a refining fire. In order for precious metals to take shape and shine with a glorious luster, they must first go through the fire. A silversmith must hold the silver in the hottest part of the fire to burn away all the impurities. He not only has to sit there holding the silver, but must watch it the entire time to know the right time to bring it out of the fire. If the silver is left in a moment too long, it could be destroyed. And how does the silversmith know when the silver is fully refined? When he can see his own image in it! What an amazing picture of God’s love!
We, as servants of God, must pass through the refining fire. It burns and it scars and it hurts and it takes a long time...but in the end you will reflect the light of love and devotion that illuminates the pure and holy face of God. He knows his Creation and he always does what's best for her. You are strong, dear sisters, even though you may not feel like it. You will make it through the fire.
-----
Zechariah 13:8-9
“In the whole land," declares the LORD,
"two-thirds will be struck down and perish;
yet one-third will be left in it.
This third I will bring into the fire;
I will refine them like silver
and test them like gold.
They will call on my name
and I will answer them;
I will say, 'They are my people,'
and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.' "
~~~
As you probably know, there are quite a few other passages in the Bible that talk about God’s people being refined in the fire. But why would he do this? Sounds kind of mean, to bring us into the fire of pain and hardship. But that’s not the case at all—it is a refining fire. In order for precious metals to take shape and shine with a glorious luster, they must first go through the fire. A silversmith must hold the silver in the hottest part of the fire to burn away all the impurities. He not only has to sit there holding the silver, but must watch it the entire time to know the right time to bring it out of the fire. If the silver is left in a moment too long, it could be destroyed. And how does the silversmith know when the silver is fully refined? When he can see his own image in it! What an amazing picture of God’s love!
We, as servants of God, must pass through the refining fire. It burns and it scars and it hurts and it takes a long time...but in the end you will reflect the light of love and devotion that illuminates the pure and holy face of God. He knows his Creation and he always does what's best for her. You are strong, dear sisters, even though you may not feel like it. You will make it through the fire.
-----
Life Less Ordinary for the week of January 11, 2009
Hello everyone! If you are a returning student, welcome back, and if you are a new student, welcome here! In case you don’t know or don’t remember, I’m Angela, your Leadership Council chaplain :) I’ll be bringing you these shower devotionals each week on how to—you guessed it—live a life less ordinary for God.
I hope you’re ready for the new semester! It’s a chance to start fresh, start over, start anew, with the mercy and grace that God so lovingly shows us. No matter how much we screw up, how far we run away, or how harshly we turn our backs, he is always one step behind us, ready to scoop us up in his arms the moment we surrender. He loves us that much. No matter how bad things get, how far out of our control, or how helpless we may feel, he is in control and holds everything in the palm of his hand. He loves us that much.
I’m really excited to see the things that God has in store for us. And this semester, I want to do something different with the devos. I want to hear from you. Is there a topic or issue you would like to see? Something on your heart that you would like to share…maybe even write a guest devo? Have comments or questions, positive or negative? Please feel free to email me at angela.hoover@houghton.edu.
Also, I’ve posted all the past devos on this blog and will post each week’s devo as they come down from the showers. You can print them, email them, save them, or whatever! You can also leave comments there, including the option to comment anonymously.
As I said at the beginning of the year: Jesus came so that we might have life, and have it to the full. So why don’t we do just that? Let’s live life less ordinary!
~~~
Philippians 3:13-14 No, dear sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.
~~~
I hope you’re ready for the new semester! It’s a chance to start fresh, start over, start anew, with the mercy and grace that God so lovingly shows us. No matter how much we screw up, how far we run away, or how harshly we turn our backs, he is always one step behind us, ready to scoop us up in his arms the moment we surrender. He loves us that much. No matter how bad things get, how far out of our control, or how helpless we may feel, he is in control and holds everything in the palm of his hand. He loves us that much.
I’m really excited to see the things that God has in store for us. And this semester, I want to do something different with the devos. I want to hear from you. Is there a topic or issue you would like to see? Something on your heart that you would like to share…maybe even write a guest devo? Have comments or questions, positive or negative? Please feel free to email me at angela.hoover@houghton.edu.
Also, I’ve posted all the past devos on this blog and will post each week’s devo as they come down from the showers. You can print them, email them, save them, or whatever! You can also leave comments there, including the option to comment anonymously.
As I said at the beginning of the year: Jesus came so that we might have life, and have it to the full. So why don’t we do just that? Let’s live life less ordinary!
~~~
Philippians 3:13-14 No, dear sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.
~~~
Life Less Ordinary for the week of December 1, 2008
Welcome back everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful, restful break. Yeah, it kinda stinks to have to come back to homework and papers and exams and things, but there are only three weeks left!
This week I’d like to share a song with you that we sang at my church on Sunday morning. When I heard it, I thought, what a perfect song to end the Thanksgiving holiday and bring in the Christmas season. We all know it, but it’s one of those songs that we seldom pay close attention to because we’ve heard it so many times. But this time, read through carefully, even sing it if you want, and make it your prayer of thanksgiving and joy :)
~~~~~
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee,
opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day!
All Thy works with joy surround Thee,
earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain
call us to rejoice in Thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving,
ever blessing, ever blessed,
Wellspring of the joy of living,
ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,
all who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
lift us to the joy divine!
Mortals, join the happy chorus,
which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us,
brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward,
victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward
in the triumph song of life!
~~~
This week I’d like to share a song with you that we sang at my church on Sunday morning. When I heard it, I thought, what a perfect song to end the Thanksgiving holiday and bring in the Christmas season. We all know it, but it’s one of those songs that we seldom pay close attention to because we’ve heard it so many times. But this time, read through carefully, even sing it if you want, and make it your prayer of thanksgiving and joy :)
~~~~~
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee,
opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day!
All Thy works with joy surround Thee,
earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain
call us to rejoice in Thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving,
ever blessing, ever blessed,
Wellspring of the joy of living,
ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,
all who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
lift us to the joy divine!
Mortals, join the happy chorus,
which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us,
brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward,
victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward
in the triumph song of life!
~~~
Life Less Ordinary for the week of November 29, 2008
“I will go before you
and will level the mountains;
I will break down gates of bronze
and cut through bars of iron.
I will give you the treasures of darkness,
riches stored in secret places,
so that you may know that I am the LORD,
the God of Israel,
who summons you by name.
For the sake of Jacob my servant,
of Israel my chosen,
I summon you by name
and bestow on you a title of honor,
though you do not acknowledge me.
I am the LORD, and there is no other;
apart from me there is no God.
I will strengthen you,
though you have not acknowledged me,
so that from the rising of the sun
to the place of its setting
men may know there is none besides me.
I am the LORD, and there is no other.”
Isaiah 45:2-5
~~~
Check out all the things God will do for us—break down gates, cut through iron, bestow titles of honor—sounds great right? Mmm, not so much. At least, not when we see the verses that say “though you have not acknowledged me.” Makes you feel kinda guilty, especially when you know you’ve been mad at God or ignoring him for some reason. That’s what hit me the hardest when I read this, because I know I’ve been doing that the last few weeks. Yet the passage is still comforting, because even though we fail, God still loves us and will still honor us when we turn our hearts back to him. But, it’s not for our glory—it’s for His. He does it so that you may know that he is God. Our thoughts and actions do not define who he is. He is above us, beyond us. Oh, but how he loves us :)
~~~
and will level the mountains;
I will break down gates of bronze
and cut through bars of iron.
I will give you the treasures of darkness,
riches stored in secret places,
so that you may know that I am the LORD,
the God of Israel,
who summons you by name.
For the sake of Jacob my servant,
of Israel my chosen,
I summon you by name
and bestow on you a title of honor,
though you do not acknowledge me.
I am the LORD, and there is no other;
apart from me there is no God.
I will strengthen you,
though you have not acknowledged me,
so that from the rising of the sun
to the place of its setting
men may know there is none besides me.
I am the LORD, and there is no other.”
Isaiah 45:2-5
~~~
Check out all the things God will do for us—break down gates, cut through iron, bestow titles of honor—sounds great right? Mmm, not so much. At least, not when we see the verses that say “though you have not acknowledged me.” Makes you feel kinda guilty, especially when you know you’ve been mad at God or ignoring him for some reason. That’s what hit me the hardest when I read this, because I know I’ve been doing that the last few weeks. Yet the passage is still comforting, because even though we fail, God still loves us and will still honor us when we turn our hearts back to him. But, it’s not for our glory—it’s for His. He does it so that you may know that he is God. Our thoughts and actions do not define who he is. He is above us, beyond us. Oh, but how he loves us :)
~~~
Life Less Ordinary for the week of November 16, 2008
We are tired.
Am I right? Aren’t we at the point of the semester where everything is due at the same time, tests are looming on the horizon, and club activities threaten to pull us apart? We have to get our homework done. We have to study for the next exam. We have to be at a certain place at a certain time. And somewhere in there, we have to eat, sleep, and shower, and do it all in record time because everything else demands our attention.
The end result is that we skimp on taking care of ourselves, our friends, and our walk with God. We try, but no matter how hard we do, it seems we only have crumbs to give when all is said and done.
I plead with you now to take some time out and rest. I wrote about this before towards the beginning of the year, but it bears repeating for a good reason: we need it. I know you have a 10 page paper due. I know you have an exam on Thursday. I know you have a presentation you haven’t prepared for yet. I know you have to work tonight. I know you have rehearsals. But God knows too. And he wants to spend time with you and refresh you. Don’t worry—he will give you the strength to do what you need to do.
~~~
Oh LORD, be gracious to us;
we long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
Our salvation in time of distress.
“I am the LORD your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you,
Do not fear, I will help you.
Even to your old age and gray hairs,
I am he, I am he who will
sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you
and I will rescue you.”
From Isaiah 33:2, 41:13, and 46:4
~~~
Am I right? Aren’t we at the point of the semester where everything is due at the same time, tests are looming on the horizon, and club activities threaten to pull us apart? We have to get our homework done. We have to study for the next exam. We have to be at a certain place at a certain time. And somewhere in there, we have to eat, sleep, and shower, and do it all in record time because everything else demands our attention.
The end result is that we skimp on taking care of ourselves, our friends, and our walk with God. We try, but no matter how hard we do, it seems we only have crumbs to give when all is said and done.
I plead with you now to take some time out and rest. I wrote about this before towards the beginning of the year, but it bears repeating for a good reason: we need it. I know you have a 10 page paper due. I know you have an exam on Thursday. I know you have a presentation you haven’t prepared for yet. I know you have to work tonight. I know you have rehearsals. But God knows too. And he wants to spend time with you and refresh you. Don’t worry—he will give you the strength to do what you need to do.
~~~
Oh LORD, be gracious to us;
we long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
Our salvation in time of distress.
“I am the LORD your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you,
Do not fear, I will help you.
Even to your old age and gray hairs,
I am he, I am he who will
sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you
and I will rescue you.”
From Isaiah 33:2, 41:13, and 46:4
~~~
Life Less Ordinary for the week of October 27, 2008
As I sat down to write the devo for this week, I felt God leading me to share one of my poems. It’s a story about me, and it’s a story about you. Sometimes the pain we experience in our lives keeps us from entering the deepness and richness of God.
But his love is so much more than the hurt we harbor in our hearts. His love is deeper than our view of grace, higher than this worldly place, longer than the road we travel, and wider than the gap that he himself fills. Nothing—nothing—can separate us from this incredible love.
He is calling us to a life less ordinary. It is dangerous, it is scary, it isn’t easy. But when you take his hand, he will do more than you could ever fathom.
~~~~~
“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”
Eph. 3:17-18
~~~~~
Longing
Soft raindrops fall on the window pane
of a girl whose heart is torn
Torn between true love and fate
A soul that’s weary, down, and worn
She gave up hope so long ago
She knows not her desire;
She wants to love and laugh again
To have her heart be set on fire
To open her heart to love again
would be a Pandora’s box:
to love is to lose, to lose is to die
So she hides all the keys to all
of the locks.
She feels the Message of the Arrows
She feels the Longing deep within
A Haunting calling her to desire,
dream, and hope, and come back in
To come back to a love she knew
from the wild heart of a wild Lover;
a Lover who would heal her scars:
a promise offered by no other.
So she takes the hand of the King of the Ages
and she and her Lover begin to dance;
her God and her Savior, her Lord and Creator
has called her back into the Sacred Romance.
~~~
But his love is so much more than the hurt we harbor in our hearts. His love is deeper than our view of grace, higher than this worldly place, longer than the road we travel, and wider than the gap that he himself fills. Nothing—nothing—can separate us from this incredible love.
He is calling us to a life less ordinary. It is dangerous, it is scary, it isn’t easy. But when you take his hand, he will do more than you could ever fathom.
~~~~~
“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”
Eph. 3:17-18
~~~~~
Longing
Soft raindrops fall on the window pane
of a girl whose heart is torn
Torn between true love and fate
A soul that’s weary, down, and worn
She gave up hope so long ago
She knows not her desire;
She wants to love and laugh again
To have her heart be set on fire
To open her heart to love again
would be a Pandora’s box:
to love is to lose, to lose is to die
So she hides all the keys to all
of the locks.
She feels the Message of the Arrows
She feels the Longing deep within
A Haunting calling her to desire,
dream, and hope, and come back in
To come back to a love she knew
from the wild heart of a wild Lover;
a Lover who would heal her scars:
a promise offered by no other.
So she takes the hand of the King of the Ages
and she and her Lover begin to dance;
her God and her Savior, her Lord and Creator
has called her back into the Sacred Romance.
~~~
Life Less Ordinary for the week of October 13, 2008
“I adore simple pleasures. They are the last refuge of the complex”. ~Oscar Wilde
Thank goodness fall break is this week! What a wonderful thing to have a break from classes and tests and homework, even for just a little while. Some of you are going home, others on school-sponsored trips, and others are staying on campus for the weekend. You may be spending part of your break working on a project that some seemingly inconsiderate professor assigned for Monday, but at the very least we can be grateful for no class :)
I think we can also take this time to find a little refreshment for our spiritual lives. We’ve been grinding away at school for seven weeks now, and it gets hard to keep God at the front of our minds when there’s a big midterm looming on the horizon.
We don’t realize it at first, but over time we find ourselves in a bit of a dry spot; in places of doubt and frustration. We wonder if anything we say gets past the ceiling, and it feels like God isn't even there for us when we’re struggling with school or relationships or whatever. Sometimes we think, "God, if you just did this one thing, then I would know you're there, and I'd trust you again." And every so often, God does give us those big flashy signs in the sky. But he doesn't roll like that most of the time.
It is then that you have to look at the little things; the seemingly invisible blessings that we often take for granted. God still loves us and cares for us, even when it feels like he’s not there. My challenge to you is to take some time this weekend to slow down and notice those little blessings in the midst of the big blessing of fall break.
To know that the God who creates the biggest things also cares enough to pay attention to the little details sure speaks a lot. I hope that he reveals himself to you this weekend, whether it's in the big things or the little things; he knows what touches your heart best.
~~~
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ~Matthew 5:6
~~~
Thank goodness fall break is this week! What a wonderful thing to have a break from classes and tests and homework, even for just a little while. Some of you are going home, others on school-sponsored trips, and others are staying on campus for the weekend. You may be spending part of your break working on a project that some seemingly inconsiderate professor assigned for Monday, but at the very least we can be grateful for no class :)
I think we can also take this time to find a little refreshment for our spiritual lives. We’ve been grinding away at school for seven weeks now, and it gets hard to keep God at the front of our minds when there’s a big midterm looming on the horizon.
We don’t realize it at first, but over time we find ourselves in a bit of a dry spot; in places of doubt and frustration. We wonder if anything we say gets past the ceiling, and it feels like God isn't even there for us when we’re struggling with school or relationships or whatever. Sometimes we think, "God, if you just did this one thing, then I would know you're there, and I'd trust you again." And every so often, God does give us those big flashy signs in the sky. But he doesn't roll like that most of the time.
It is then that you have to look at the little things; the seemingly invisible blessings that we often take for granted. God still loves us and cares for us, even when it feels like he’s not there. My challenge to you is to take some time this weekend to slow down and notice those little blessings in the midst of the big blessing of fall break.
To know that the God who creates the biggest things also cares enough to pay attention to the little details sure speaks a lot. I hope that he reveals himself to you this weekend, whether it's in the big things or the little things; he knows what touches your heart best.
~~~
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ~Matthew 5:6
~~~
Life Less Ordinary for the week of September 29, 2008
"Dreams and Aspirations"
By Shane Cooley
Never say never, it is a cursed word
I know there must be a haven for us all
Yes, there is still beauty in this world,
That keeps us goin', keeps us livin',
Makes us human, makes us somethin', yeah.
Don't give up now,
Yes, you have the power,
As clichéd as it sounds, it's true
Take a look around,
You will see there’s so many people
that feel just like you.
If you asked me what is the point?
What makes us go on?
I'd reply with two answers,
Dreams and Aspirations
We dream of love,
We dream of fulfillment,
And we aspire to make the world better, yeah.
And you may say I'm out of my mind,
That the world is all but bright,
Well I know the glass isn't always half full,
But enjoy the drink while you can...
Don't give up now, Don't give up now.
~~~
I love this song because of its encouraging lyrics. We all have pain in our lives—rejection, abuse, death, depression…the list could go on. But the good news is that we have a God that loves us and cares for us and understands our pain. He wants to help us. He wants to heal us. Don’t give up now. Run to him. He is waiting.
~~~
~~~
“The LORD heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” ~Psalm 147:3
~~~
Life Less Ordinary for the week of September 21, 2008
“The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian.” --AW. Tozer
Oh my. It’s taken a little longer than I expected to write the new devotional for you girls! But the Leadership Council was very busy with all the activities during Spirit Week, and we are so glad that many of you participated! Way to represent!
This week I would like to bring you a list of the bible studies that are being offered in Gillette this semester. Some of your floors may have already met for one bible study already, but you are welcome to join any of the ones listed here if there is something else that sparks your interest:
I encourage you to participate in one of these Bible/book studies, or get involved in one elsewhere on or off campus. I know we’re busy and have lots of other work to do, but the importance of knowing the word of God cannot be stressed enough. This is God’s letter to us—a letter of love, of power, of comfort, of healing, of truth. Imagine if you had a pen pal across the ocean whose letters you never opened. How well would you get to know them? Not very.
God’s word is also our spiritual food. We feed our bodies three times a day, often with snacks in between...but we don’t always feed our souls with the same obedience. It gives our hearts something to think about, to strive for, to live off of. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12). God’s word is less ordinary than anything out there.
Let’s live by it!
~~~
Oh my. It’s taken a little longer than I expected to write the new devotional for you girls! But the Leadership Council was very busy with all the activities during Spirit Week, and we are so glad that many of you participated! Way to represent!
This week I would like to bring you a list of the bible studies that are being offered in Gillette this semester. Some of your floors may have already met for one bible study already, but you are welcome to join any of the ones listed here if there is something else that sparks your interest:
[Check with your RA about this semester's Bible studies!]
I encourage you to participate in one of these Bible/book studies, or get involved in one elsewhere on or off campus. I know we’re busy and have lots of other work to do, but the importance of knowing the word of God cannot be stressed enough. This is God’s letter to us—a letter of love, of power, of comfort, of healing, of truth. Imagine if you had a pen pal across the ocean whose letters you never opened. How well would you get to know them? Not very.
God’s word is also our spiritual food. We feed our bodies three times a day, often with snacks in between...but we don’t always feed our souls with the same obedience. It gives our hearts something to think about, to strive for, to live off of. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12). God’s word is less ordinary than anything out there.
Let’s live by it!
~~~
Life Less Ordinary for the week of September 7, 2008
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.” ~Corrie Ten Boom
Well everyone, we made it through the first week of school! Hopefully it wasn’t too stressful. If it was, don’t worry—keep your head up, it won’t last forever!
Speaking of worry, I’d like to talk a little bit about that. There’s lots of things that we as students can get worried about. Grades. Papers. Tests. Making friends. Living with roommates. Boyfriends. Practices. Performances. Finances. Work. Time management. Families back home. Extracurricular clubs. Planning our futures. Even our own spiritual walk.
Exhausting, isn’t it? We wonder why we’re always so tired at the end of the day, even if we haven’t done very much. I think a lot of it has to do with the things we constantly concern ourselves with. Our brains scream for rest and our hearts sigh with heavy burdens…and over time, our souls become parched in a dry and weary land.
Girls, we don’t have to do this to ourselves! I know you’ve probably heard this a thousand times over: Jesus can carry our burdens. But it bears repeating for good reason—because it’s true. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28) Rest. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? Unfortunately, we rarely can bring ourselves to give our worries to God. Sometimes it’s because we don’t want to feel like we’re losing control, or we’re stubborn, or maybe we just don’t know how.
But you know what? It’s okay. We’re human; we can’t be perfect. And God understands that; that’s why he gave us a way to be forgiven and reconciled to him. He loves us, and he wants the best for us. Go to him, weary and burdened ones. Ask forgiveness for trying to do it all on your own. Tell him about each of the things that worries you, and tell him that they are all now in his hands.
Again, since we’re human, we will have the tendency to want to take those worries back out of his hands. When this happens, try saying this verse in your head or out loud: “Cast all your anxiety on the Lord, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7), and then give those troubles back to Him. That is my challenge to you this week. Don’t just memorize it for the sake of memorizing it, but instead use the power of Scripture to really do something for your life. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22). So run to Jesus. Give him your burdens, and rest. The God of love and peace will be with you.
And a life without worry and troublesome burdens? Now that’s a life less ordinary.
~~~
Well everyone, we made it through the first week of school! Hopefully it wasn’t too stressful. If it was, don’t worry—keep your head up, it won’t last forever!
Speaking of worry, I’d like to talk a little bit about that. There’s lots of things that we as students can get worried about. Grades. Papers. Tests. Making friends. Living with roommates. Boyfriends. Practices. Performances. Finances. Work. Time management. Families back home. Extracurricular clubs. Planning our futures. Even our own spiritual walk.
Exhausting, isn’t it? We wonder why we’re always so tired at the end of the day, even if we haven’t done very much. I think a lot of it has to do with the things we constantly concern ourselves with. Our brains scream for rest and our hearts sigh with heavy burdens…and over time, our souls become parched in a dry and weary land.
Girls, we don’t have to do this to ourselves! I know you’ve probably heard this a thousand times over: Jesus can carry our burdens. But it bears repeating for good reason—because it’s true. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28) Rest. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? Unfortunately, we rarely can bring ourselves to give our worries to God. Sometimes it’s because we don’t want to feel like we’re losing control, or we’re stubborn, or maybe we just don’t know how.
But you know what? It’s okay. We’re human; we can’t be perfect. And God understands that; that’s why he gave us a way to be forgiven and reconciled to him. He loves us, and he wants the best for us. Go to him, weary and burdened ones. Ask forgiveness for trying to do it all on your own. Tell him about each of the things that worries you, and tell him that they are all now in his hands.
Again, since we’re human, we will have the tendency to want to take those worries back out of his hands. When this happens, try saying this verse in your head or out loud: “Cast all your anxiety on the Lord, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7), and then give those troubles back to Him. That is my challenge to you this week. Don’t just memorize it for the sake of memorizing it, but instead use the power of Scripture to really do something for your life. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22). So run to Jesus. Give him your burdens, and rest. The God of love and peace will be with you.
And a life without worry and troublesome burdens? Now that’s a life less ordinary.
~~~
Life Less Ordinary for the week of August 28, 2008
“Live a life less ordinary
Live a life evolutionary with me…”
--Carbon Leaf
Welcome to Gillette Hall!
I hope you’re all enjoying your first week in the dorm! And for you returning students, welcome back! I’m Angela, your Leadership Council chaplain. I’ll be bringing you these shower devotionals every week. It may seem a little weird at first, but I hope you will come to appreciate it. With our busy lives nowadays sometimes it’s hard to carve out even five minutes of our time for God. This is one small way that we can all surrender a little bit of our thoughts to Him. Think of the physical act of cleansing your body as a symbol of cleansing your mind and heart as well as we cover different topics each week.
I chose the theme “Life Less Ordinary” because I want to encourage and challenge you to become the incredible women that God created you to be. Stretch yourselves; think outside of the box; get out of your comfort zones; don’t settle for mediocre! You don’t have to be a martyr or a missionary or a famous evangelist to do something great for the kingdom of God…just start by living a life less ordinary. Seek God with all your heart, and then He will make you extraordinary!
Jesus came so that we might have life, and have it to the full. So this year, why don’t we do just that? :)
Gillette Hall Verse:
Be restored, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. –2 Corinthians 13:11
~~~
Live a life evolutionary with me…”
--Carbon Leaf
Welcome to Gillette Hall!
I hope you’re all enjoying your first week in the dorm! And for you returning students, welcome back! I’m Angela, your Leadership Council chaplain. I’ll be bringing you these shower devotionals every week. It may seem a little weird at first, but I hope you will come to appreciate it. With our busy lives nowadays sometimes it’s hard to carve out even five minutes of our time for God. This is one small way that we can all surrender a little bit of our thoughts to Him. Think of the physical act of cleansing your body as a symbol of cleansing your mind and heart as well as we cover different topics each week.
I chose the theme “Life Less Ordinary” because I want to encourage and challenge you to become the incredible women that God created you to be. Stretch yourselves; think outside of the box; get out of your comfort zones; don’t settle for mediocre! You don’t have to be a martyr or a missionary or a famous evangelist to do something great for the kingdom of God…just start by living a life less ordinary. Seek God with all your heart, and then He will make you extraordinary!
Jesus came so that we might have life, and have it to the full. So this year, why don’t we do just that? :)
Gillette Hall Verse:
Be restored, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. –2 Corinthians 13:11
~~~
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