Technology, Priorities and Psalms

Well, there is much to discuss with this blog post considering it's been 3 week since I've last updated.Firstly, I had an interesting experience about 2 weeks ago concerning technology. After an amazing night at small group I sat and talked for a long long time with my mom about things, such as college, God, priorities, etc. After much discussion I came to the conclusion that technology was cluttering my life, and it needed the boot. So, I took a technology fast for a few days. No computer, no television, no cellphone, no music. nada. Honestly, it wasn't as hard as I though it would be. It was freeing, actually. I learned to appreciate silence more, and I learned that it's ok not to be connected with absolutely everyone at any and every moment of the day. Because of this learning experience, I have deactivated my twitter account, taken off facebook updates, and it's a beautiful thing. The point of getting rid of technology was to learn to better manage my priorities, which leads into my second paragraph.

I have found myself slacking in priorities, mostly in the technology department. Thus the tech. fast. I have been trying, and asking God of course, to retrain my habits. Because I haven't been spending time wisely, I've been procrastination on my homework. This in turn leads to me not getting my Bible reading done (see, this blog ties into my challenge). And since I've become behind on my reading schedule, I've felt obligated to catch up. I haven't been reading God' word as a blessing and encouragment, but rather as an obligation and constant reminder of my misuse of time. That is not how I want to view the Word of God. So, I've been asking God to redue my mindset toward his Word, and you know what? He's been moving!

I am still in Psalms, but should be finished soon. And, what I've been reading has been extremely fascinating. For example, i was reading Psalm 107 and the patterns of repitition in it is crazy! Basically, the author describes the sin of man, the punishment of God, man's repentence, and God's rescue of man. It does this about 3 times in the chapter, following the pattern. Now, I don't know what that means, but I think it's really cool. Also, in Psalm 119, the author uses the word "law" about 30 times, "command" about 17 times, and "precept" about 20 times. If you haven't read Psalm 119, it's very long, but a good read. I admire the talent these writers have in Psalms, the way their words still connect to people today. I'm loving this book!!

UPDATE: I have very good news to share!! Tomorrow, April 5, I will be 2/3 completed with the CIY Challenge!!! I believe that should inspire a blog in it of itself. I will say though, I can only attribute it to God, and his mighty power and control in my life. What a journey it's been, and how Awesome is our God!!!

I can't think of a title, so this is what you get.

God's Word never stops amazing me, teaching me, and encouraging me. Today I was reading in Romans, trying to get caught up with my schedule, when God's Word spoke to me in a way I haven't experienced in a long time. To be perfectly honest, I've felt a big disconnect from Him with the last month or two. Sure, I've still been going to church, reading my Bible, and praying, but it has seemed kind of forced, and not genuine. Well, I didn't go to church this morning due to a choir competition the day before, and I just needed to rest. So, I was reading in Romans 7 where Paul's talking about struggling with sin. The verses that screamed at me go like this:

21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Go a head and read those verses again, I had to.

Now, read them one more time, since I did as well to fully get my head around the depth of Paul's message.

This paragraph has just describes my past 3 Saturdays. I am in show choir, and the past three weekends, we have been at competitions, and I have been totally out of my element. Being around that atmosphere really pressures me to conform to the world's standards, to talk, act, and think like everyone else. It has been really hard. I am trying my best, and asking for God's help, to be a witness of Christ, to be salt in the world. Most of the times, it seems like I don't make a difference. It seems like I just mess up and conform, and I am fighting a battle that I'll never win.

These verses spoke to my heart this morning. Knowing that Paul experienced those same things, those same feelings is such a comfort to me. Who knows, that battle may always be a losing one, but who will rescue me? Jesus Christ my Lord. I am reminded that I am in this world, but not of this world. (Most of the verses on this page will give account to that) That, though I struggle with infinite sins, and never ending challenges, that it is all for God's glory. In the next chapter in Romans, Paul says, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (chapter 8 vs 18). What a reminder! Our actions today are meant for glory in heaven. Talk about a different perspective. I will be pondering on these verse for quite a while, and maybe God will get me out of this rut I seem to have found myself in.

Reading Update: Well, I haven't been keeping along with my schedule 100%, I am about 5-6 days behind, but hopefully I can slowly but surely get caught up. I've enjoyed the break from tough OT books with Psalms. It's been quite an encouragement this last month and a half. And what a book Romans is! Holy cow! I can't wait to read this book through again when I get the chance. It is chalk full of wisdom.

Elihu: An Example for the Youth

Due to our wonderful snow day today, I had plently of time to catch up on reading Job this morning. I am now at chapter 38, and and should finish the book by Thursday. Well, my opinion of Job is starting to turn around. I just finished the 6 chapter monologue of Elihu. Let me tell you, I really like this guy. All 31 chapters before he begins his monologue, he doesn't say a word. It says in the beginning of chapter 32 that he was angry with Job and the 3 friends who had been talking with Job the entire book. It also says that he had waited to speak, since they were older than him. It wasn't untill they had finished talking that Elihu's anger was enough to cause him to speak. I can image a couple things about Elihu in this situation:

• He's young (maybe a teenager?) and his words are probably not worth much to the others
• The things Job's friends are saying frustrate Elihu since "they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him(or had condemned God)
• Job had been justifying himself rather than God

I understand what it means to be underestimated for your age. Older folks tend to pass judgements on the youth as immature, unwise, and foolish. I'll admit it, I do the same to people younger than me. Elihu says upfront the impression he recieves from Job and his friends about his age. "I am young in years, and you are old; that is why I was fearful, not daring to tell you what I know. I thought, 'Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.'" (ch 32 vs 6-7) His approach to these adults was interesting, one that makes me think. He wasn't proud in saying that 'I have something to say too, and you should listen to me'. He states the facts and was honest with these men, he was afraid to talk. Into the next verses he talks about wisdom does not come from age, but from God. "It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right." Elihu was saying, "I'm wise too; don't disregard my words because of my age." This reminds me of the verse 1 Timothy 4:12. In the next chapters (32:10-:33) Elihu is defending his right to speak and be heard. This begs the question: How is my approach with adults compared to Elihu? I could contiue talking about his for many paragraphs, but I'll get onto my next point.

Secondly, Elihu has been listening to Bildad, Zophar, and Eliphaz talk to Job for quite a while now, and he's calling them out. "I gave you my full attention. But no one of you has proved Job wrong; none of you has answered his arguments." (32:12) My impression, is that Elihu is saying that their words and arguments and advice are wrong, utterly wrong. I don't quite know what to think about this. The imagery Elihu uses in 32: 16-22 is a pretty clear indicator of the emotions/frustrations he is experiencing. He does show extreme patience though, by waiting for everyone else to speak their peace, regardless of whether he agrees with it or not.

Lastly, Elihu directly calls out Job('blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil' 1:1; He was the greatest man among all the people of the East' 1:3) Job was kind of a big deal, and some munchkin was calling him wrong. In chapter 33 verses 8-12, Elihu reminds Job that he is not greater than God. And later on in the chapters, Elihu mentions that who is he[Job] to say 'I am innocent, but God denies me justice' (34:5). That is really gutsy of Elihu; remember who he is and who Job is. I don't know if I could even say that to my mom or my pastor, let alone the richest most prosperous man in the world. Elihu was brave to say these things and more, but I believe that God spoke through him to Job. Here's some food for thought: How is God trying to use you to be an example to those older(or younger) than you?

These chapters are just filled with lessons to be learned! Oh, how I wish I could spend some more time in this wonderful book. I wish I could sit down with Elihu and have a conversation over coffee. I am adding him to my list of people to talk to in Heaven. What an example he is to me, and hopefully other youth. Sorry this post is so long, but when I read about his guy, I just had to write about it.

Job issues

I am just over halfway thorugh Job, and I'm not fan. In past, I have attempted start and finish Job. Let's just say, I was able to start it, but not neccesarily finish it. I remember why I never finished it. I have one simple word of advice for Job, brevity. I'm struggling to unterstand the purpose of the monologing and rants. I don't mean to come across as critical, I just don't understand Job's perspective. For me, the advice his friends are giving seems reasonable, but the things that Job is saying also makes sense. As I read this book, I feel like i need to pick sides, yet I do not know which side to take.

It's frustrating to say the least. To try to understand more about this book, I think I'll do some research, just not toady. I am determined to push through this book, and I am super excited to start Psalms.

Biblical Literature

This semester I am taking a Biblical Literature class a school. I've heard good things about this class from other people, and I am super excited to see what I can learn. What I think is interesting though, is a public school teaching a bible class. Now, this class is not taught from a Christian perspective, it is taught as a piece of literature. It's a very unique approach, one that I never thought about. After 3 weeks of this class, let me tell you, I love this class!! We have amazing discussion and are going slowly through the old testament. We were assigned this project (which I'm presenting tomorrow) to take a Christian song and analyze it as a piece of poetry. I chose David Crowder's version of How He Loves, and cannot wait to present it.

Anyway, I am super excited for this class because I want to learn some on the facts and history behind the old testament. With my challenge, I do not have time to dwell on a passage for a couple of days, I have to appreciate it for a moment and move on. With this class, I hope to answer some questions that I've had about Scripture and learn some important details about the OT. I also imagine that this class is a good introduction to Bible classes I hope to take in college. Now, I know that these type of classes will be different from eachother(christian college & public high school), but I want the two perspectives. This Bib Lit class is going to be awesome, I can tell. Hopefully I can tell some more about it as I go along. Here's something I never knew:

There are two different accounts of creation in Genesis, chapter 1 & 2. Read the two stories and notice the differences, tone and details. We had a very interesting discussion about that one class.

Just an update for my challenge, I finished Nehemiah this morning and am back on track from my little set back this last week or so. I'm excited to continue in Acts and start Esther then Job!

The Gospels

The other day I finished reading the Gospels. I'm actually really sad that I won't be able to read about Jesus' life anymore, but I am excited to start reading about the impact his life had on the people. I'm not entirely sure what the books of Acts will entail, but from the first few chapters I can tell it's going to be good. (I guess I can't say that since I think all the books I've read so far are good).

John was probably my favorite Gospel to read. The way it was written and the accounts included were all wonderful. I think my favorite part of the book was the way the author ended it. I actually made me laugh a little bit...

24This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. 25Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

It's a cool thought to imagine; our entire world could not hold the amount to books it would take to tell all that Jesus did. Wow! I cannot wait to hear all the stories in heaven!

What's your favorite part of the Gospels?

What an Encouragement!

This wonderful book I'm reading never fails to amaze me everyday, and knock me off my feet every once and a while. Last week I was in Washington State visiting family for Christmas. Well, our last day to be there had come and I had to say goodbye to my grandparents far too early than I wished. To say the least, it was a bittersweet departure when they left. As my brother and I were packing my aunt's house was empty and, for me, lonely. I was quite upset and decided to sit and read God's Word for a while, for some encouragement and to get me back on track with my schedule. I'm in the Chronicles right now, and what amazing books, let me say. Not even 10 minutes into reading 1 Chronicles, I come across chapter 28 verse 20:

"David also said to Solomon his son, 'Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you untill all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.' NIV

How awesome is our God? I stopped and read that passage nearly a dozen times, each time feeling the comfort of those words more and more. In the next chapter David praises God in front of the whole assembly, a lot of people I'm assuming. Here's the link to this passage, I encourage you to read it.

God always provides, every time. This is just another amazing story and reminder of how thankful I am to have received this challenge. On a slightly sad note, in the next week I'll be finishing up the Gospels and starting in Acts. I'm not quite sure I like that, I really like the Gospels.

What have you been reading lately? I'd love to hear your stories!