I've been encouraged lately that more people read this blog than I thought. :) So... thanks. I will try to honor your attention with more updates! As my friend Travis says... "YEE!"
I've been recruiting tonight - for about 90 minutes so far. I'm a lucky one in this respect, blessed. The football coaches have to recruit multiple nights and some of them have over 200 recruits still. I have 20. Granted, there was a time when I had a lot more than I do now, and tomorrow I'm going to generate a bunch more pitchers to talk to - maybe I'll get up to 40? Anyway, in 90 minutes I either called and talked with, or left a msg and sent an email to all 20.
I kind of like recruiting... ("Freak" is what I hear in my head... :)) Its a great opportunity to partner with people in the decisions that will affect their lives forever. I have my friend Dave Banks to thank for that attitude. He once told me that if he looked at it as helping them make a good decision about their future (versus selling a certain school) that it helped his attitude. It certainly has helped my attitude!
All that being said, its nice when I can get done before 9pm since my bedtime is 9:45 and I like to actually get to bed on time.
I got to bed last night on time, but slept fitfully for a while. But when my alarm went off (at the unusually early time of 4:20am) I rolled straight out of bed - no snoozing! no groaning! just off to the shower. It was so encouraging!!! I was out of the shower by 4:35 and into a quiet time by 4:50. Lately its been 5:10 by the time I get to the chair and open the word and then I try to stick to my guns of 30 minutes with the Lord all the time knowing that will make me late for work.
Today, getting up on time and having EXTRA time with God, being on time to work... I felt more like myself than I have in a YEAR.
Hooray for Jesus and restoration.
OK, I've got to call a girl back now - thanks for listening!
Monday, February 27, 2006
Seeing Jesus as the Truth
I'm teaching at our college ministry on Sunday nights. I've been relying heavily on the book "We Would See Jesus" (have I mentioned all of this before?). So anyway, last night's teaching was seeing Jesus as the "Truth" (jn14:6) - not truth as in Christian Doctrine, but truth as a revalation of who we are in our true nature, truth in opposition to evil.
A friend of mine posted on her blog that she was struggling with seeing who she really is (the sinner side) and this message addressed just that, so I'm going to put it here:
___
Did you know that the word truth appears 42 times in the apostle john's writings (between the gospel and epistles)? In most of those cases the "truth" is in direct opposition to the enemy's lies or to evil. In this way, truth is more a "revelation of reality" than a doctrinal position.
The devil's lies in Gen 3 were primarily that men weren't really that low (they could in fact become like God) and God wasn't really that holy or good (he was unjust and unfair in his treatment of man, and by effort they could be like him). One of the devil's main lies is to flatter men (raise them higher) and malign God (lower Him). Those lies exist today - we hear "I'm not so bad, especially when i compare myself to those other people - they don't even________ (fill in the blank)"
But our hearts are just as often the culprits in the battle for truth vs. evil. Jeremiah said that the heart is deceitful and there is no cure for it. John tells us that we do evil, not truth - we lie to ourselves about ourselves and end up believing our own lies. We believe we are better or worse than we are - whichever benefits us better in standing before God and man.
Jesus, though, came as a likeness of man (Romans 8:13). And he said, "I am the Truth" (John 14:6). The cross of calvary reveals God's gracious love while simultaneously contrasting it with the stark truth of man's depravity. By seeing Jesus' punishment we see the depth of our sin.
Jesus, as our likeness, was in effect, an effigy, an representation of you and of me. And at the moment he became that likeness, God forsook him - not as Jesus, but AS you and me. Which shows us our true selves... forsaken and deserving of punishment for our sin. But it also shows God as supremely loving (2 Cor 5:19).
Here is the key to tonight's teaching: the relation of Jesus to me and you, and the location in particular of his deal and what it means to us.
Hebrews 13:11-13 (from biblegateway.com)
Jesus was taken outside "the camp", the city to the place of disgrace - bearing OUR resemblance.
The readers of Hebrews would have understood this terminology better than us today. In the OT, being inside the camp was to be inside the place of blessing. In the center was the tabernacle - where GOD dwelt - in the day he was a pillar of cloud, at night a pillar of fire. The tribes surrounded the tabernacle on 4 sides, interacting with each other and with God. They were guarded, received, protected and loved.
Outside the camp was where the foreigners lived (those who were not children of the promise), where the lepers lived (uncared for, virtually abandoned); the criminals were executed here and the bodies of animals used for sin offerings were burned here - the bodies of animals which bore the spiritual stain of sin clean through were constantly being burned and their stench was a constant reminder that this was a place of disgrace. This location was utterly abhorrent to man and God.
And this is where Jesus went to be crucified.
Three key learnings here:
Jesus went to the place of God-forsakenness. Sin begins with us forsaking God and ends with God forsaking us (Hell). Our condition before God as sinners is clearly demonstrated if at the moment Jesus took on our sin he was forsaken by God.
Jesus went to the place of the moral leper. Leprosy is a sneaky and destructive disease, like sin, which numbs the body slowly, rendering the person afflicted with infection and disease due to mistreatment of their own wounds (which occur from not being able to feel a wound occuring). It renders the sufferer unknowable and enables death. This is a declaration of our condition of sinners before God, because Jesus (in our place) was taken outside the camp to be put to death.
Jesus went to the place of criminals. Dying on a cross was a particular disgrace in that culture - like the electric chair today - it was reserved for the most offensive criminals. He was identified as a criminal, even being crucified between two others, and did not once object to that label. He never said, "you've got it wrong... its really YOU, not me" - he just took the label. Because he was there for me, for you - and we are criminals in the eyes of God.
Ultimately, this is us - sinners, forsaken, lepers, criminals - no matter how we look on the outside and (this part hurts) no matter how we compare in our estimation to our neighbor. This applies to old and young believers alike. If I see nothing new of sin in my life today in response to this truth, then my sin and shame are pride, self-righteousness and indulgence.
The glory of all of this is that while the cross reveals the truth about US, it also reveals the truth about God, who offers mercy and forgiveness to the most vile sinner.
Final thought: God lays out a bunch of laws in Leviticus about behavior and "cleanliness" - and also a bunch of ways to be made unclean. In OT times there was no cure for Leprosy. But for some reason part of the Levitical law details how to be made "unclean" once the leprosy has been healed!!! And then Jesus came - and he HEALED LEPERS. He cleansed the "sin" of the "sinful" and instructed them to follow the instructions that God had already given - GOD HAS A PLAN OF GRACE FOR YOUR LIFE AND FOR MINE THAT PREDATES ANY SIN YOU HAVE COMMITTED. HIS PLAN IS JESUS.
anyway, i hope you were blessed in the reading and if the Lord provided any conviction, i hope that you will respond with confession and reciept of his forgiveness. (1 John 1:9)
love, tiff
A friend of mine posted on her blog that she was struggling with seeing who she really is (the sinner side) and this message addressed just that, so I'm going to put it here:
___
Did you know that the word truth appears 42 times in the apostle john's writings (between the gospel and epistles)? In most of those cases the "truth" is in direct opposition to the enemy's lies or to evil. In this way, truth is more a "revelation of reality" than a doctrinal position.
The devil's lies in Gen 3 were primarily that men weren't really that low (they could in fact become like God) and God wasn't really that holy or good (he was unjust and unfair in his treatment of man, and by effort they could be like him). One of the devil's main lies is to flatter men (raise them higher) and malign God (lower Him). Those lies exist today - we hear "I'm not so bad, especially when i compare myself to those other people - they don't even________ (fill in the blank)"
But our hearts are just as often the culprits in the battle for truth vs. evil. Jeremiah said that the heart is deceitful and there is no cure for it. John tells us that we do evil, not truth - we lie to ourselves about ourselves and end up believing our own lies. We believe we are better or worse than we are - whichever benefits us better in standing before God and man.
Jesus, though, came as a likeness of man (Romans 8:13). And he said, "I am the Truth" (John 14:6). The cross of calvary reveals God's gracious love while simultaneously contrasting it with the stark truth of man's depravity. By seeing Jesus' punishment we see the depth of our sin.
Jesus, as our likeness, was in effect, an effigy, an representation of you and of me. And at the moment he became that likeness, God forsook him - not as Jesus, but AS you and me. Which shows us our true selves... forsaken and deserving of punishment for our sin. But it also shows God as supremely loving (2 Cor 5:19).
Here is the key to tonight's teaching: the relation of Jesus to me and you, and the location in particular of his deal and what it means to us.
Hebrews 13:11-13 (from biblegateway.com)
11The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin
offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. 12And so Jesus also
suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood.
13Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.
Jesus was taken outside "the camp", the city to the place of disgrace - bearing OUR resemblance.
The readers of Hebrews would have understood this terminology better than us today. In the OT, being inside the camp was to be inside the place of blessing. In the center was the tabernacle - where GOD dwelt - in the day he was a pillar of cloud, at night a pillar of fire. The tribes surrounded the tabernacle on 4 sides, interacting with each other and with God. They were guarded, received, protected and loved.
Outside the camp was where the foreigners lived (those who were not children of the promise), where the lepers lived (uncared for, virtually abandoned); the criminals were executed here and the bodies of animals used for sin offerings were burned here - the bodies of animals which bore the spiritual stain of sin clean through were constantly being burned and their stench was a constant reminder that this was a place of disgrace. This location was utterly abhorrent to man and God.
And this is where Jesus went to be crucified.
Three key learnings here:
Jesus went to the place of God-forsakenness. Sin begins with us forsaking God and ends with God forsaking us (Hell). Our condition before God as sinners is clearly demonstrated if at the moment Jesus took on our sin he was forsaken by God.
Jesus went to the place of the moral leper. Leprosy is a sneaky and destructive disease, like sin, which numbs the body slowly, rendering the person afflicted with infection and disease due to mistreatment of their own wounds (which occur from not being able to feel a wound occuring). It renders the sufferer unknowable and enables death. This is a declaration of our condition of sinners before God, because Jesus (in our place) was taken outside the camp to be put to death.
Jesus went to the place of criminals. Dying on a cross was a particular disgrace in that culture - like the electric chair today - it was reserved for the most offensive criminals. He was identified as a criminal, even being crucified between two others, and did not once object to that label. He never said, "you've got it wrong... its really YOU, not me" - he just took the label. Because he was there for me, for you - and we are criminals in the eyes of God.
Ultimately, this is us - sinners, forsaken, lepers, criminals - no matter how we look on the outside and (this part hurts) no matter how we compare in our estimation to our neighbor. This applies to old and young believers alike. If I see nothing new of sin in my life today in response to this truth, then my sin and shame are pride, self-righteousness and indulgence.
The glory of all of this is that while the cross reveals the truth about US, it also reveals the truth about God, who offers mercy and forgiveness to the most vile sinner.
Final thought: God lays out a bunch of laws in Leviticus about behavior and "cleanliness" - and also a bunch of ways to be made unclean. In OT times there was no cure for Leprosy. But for some reason part of the Levitical law details how to be made "unclean" once the leprosy has been healed!!! And then Jesus came - and he HEALED LEPERS. He cleansed the "sin" of the "sinful" and instructed them to follow the instructions that God had already given - GOD HAS A PLAN OF GRACE FOR YOUR LIFE AND FOR MINE THAT PREDATES ANY SIN YOU HAVE COMMITTED. HIS PLAN IS JESUS.
anyway, i hope you were blessed in the reading and if the Lord provided any conviction, i hope that you will respond with confession and reciept of his forgiveness. (1 John 1:9)
love, tiff
Friday, February 24, 2006
Spiritual Formation and Soul Care
Hmmmmm....
This option is so compelling to me, that its been really on my mind these last two days.
Here are some excerpts from this program:
(Biola, Talbot School of Theology, Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care)
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm I say again. This school is
1) completely off my radar really, i hadn't even considered it until this week
2) more expensive than the other options - I don't know if they offer any grad assistantships, I might only be able to get a regular campus job.
3) very well known and respected, pretty conservative, and evangelical
James says, "if anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault.. and it will be given to him" and my mom reminded me of this verse from Isaiah: God said "I will lead the blind by ways they have not known" (42:16). its comforting to remember that I may not know where i am headed and may even have not thought of it yet... but God knows. He knows the plans he has for me. HE KNOWS.
May he reveal to us only as we need it.
Love, Tiff
This option is so compelling to me, that its been really on my mind these last two days.
Here are some excerpts from this program:
(Biola, Talbot School of Theology, Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care)
http://www.talbot.edu/academics/programs/ma_spiritformsoulcare/ (more info)Objectives of the program:
The Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care is designed as a personal growth, academic and professional program for specialized ministry. It is an intensive, integrative program within the Institute for Spiritual Formation at Talbot School of Theology, developed to equip men and women for the ministry of discipleship, spiritual direction, formation and soul care in the local church and for further academic training in Spiritual Formation.The program is shaped around promoting growth in the believer's inner life of faith and prayer with God in the context of a shared community and developed knowledge-base in the Word, spiritual formation and soul care. It focuses specifically on ways to deepen one's knowledge and openness to God and His work as well as understanding of one's self and others in order to grow toward conformity of character and inner life in the image of Christ. In turn, it trains leaders in soul care to be spiritual mentors, directors and teachers who will assist others in their journey of growth in Christ and His body. In order to accomplish this, the program has a substantial emphasis on understanding the dynamics of the Indwelling Holy Spirit as they interface human personality and relational dynamics. These integrative endeavors are enhanced by the Institute's diverse university-wide faculty which draws particularly upon Rosemead School of Psychology and Talbot School of Theology, bringing a wide range of expertise and experience to bear upon the process of human spiritual growth and soul care.
Because the program is experiential, theoretical and mentoring in nature, the Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care is fashioned along the lines of an Apprentice Training Model which includes the following componentsfirst
Experiential-relational soul work in classes and co-curricular requirements
In-depth theoretical and integrative course work, employing the creation disciplines such as theology, philosophy, psychology and education to aid in understanding the spiritual life and mentoringVarious training and service opportunities including: (a) coursework designed to train students to do soul care or spiritual direction, (b) actual practice in doing
soul care and spiritual mentoring with others in a church or university context
and (c) professional supervision from a faculty spiritual mentor regarding the
student's soul work with othersConsequently, the Master of Arts in
Spiritual Formation and Soul Care is intended to help prepare students for
professional and lay ministry as associate pastor and teacher of adult
ministries, spiritual direction, teaching, mentoring, discipleship as well as
preparation for further education and training in Spiritual Formation to teach
in Christian university and seminary contexts.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm I say again. This school is
1) completely off my radar really, i hadn't even considered it until this week
2) more expensive than the other options - I don't know if they offer any grad assistantships, I might only be able to get a regular campus job.
3) very well known and respected, pretty conservative, and evangelical
James says, "if anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault.. and it will be given to him" and my mom reminded me of this verse from Isaiah: God said "I will lead the blind by ways they have not known" (42:16). its comforting to remember that I may not know where i am headed and may even have not thought of it yet... but God knows. He knows the plans he has for me. HE KNOWS.
May he reveal to us only as we need it.
Love, Tiff
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Lions, Tigers and Decisions, Oh my.
A couple months ago I felt like: "OK, I'm going to go to graduate school, study college student affairs and eventually work in a college as an academic or career advisor, or as a chaplain or maybe in some other area of student development."
The staff here (my AD and the Dean of Students) are trying to get me to stay here in varying capacities - either in my current role or as a career advisor do my schooling on the side or over the summers.
For the last two nights I've thought, "Maybe I'm on the wrong track - should I consider instead studying something that would prepare me for church ministry to college students or women? in particular in planting churches and being overseas? Should I learn spanish?"
That's where I'm at today.
Baylor - College Student Affairs - don't know if I'll be able to interview for a GA spot because of Leah's rehearsal dinner. My flight leaves Dallas (1 hour from Waco) at 12:30... and the interviews don't even start in Waco until around 10am... bummer.
Azusa - College Student Affairs - very excited about this program and the oppty to attend here, plus could add some of the ministry stuff if I desired.
Abilene Chrisitian - Higher Ed - interesting program, very nice people.
Biola (**new**) - could do ministry in abundance!
We'll see, I guess.
The staff here (my AD and the Dean of Students) are trying to get me to stay here in varying capacities - either in my current role or as a career advisor do my schooling on the side or over the summers.
For the last two nights I've thought, "Maybe I'm on the wrong track - should I consider instead studying something that would prepare me for church ministry to college students or women? in particular in planting churches and being overseas? Should I learn spanish?"
That's where I'm at today.
Baylor - College Student Affairs - don't know if I'll be able to interview for a GA spot because of Leah's rehearsal dinner. My flight leaves Dallas (1 hour from Waco) at 12:30... and the interviews don't even start in Waco until around 10am... bummer.
Azusa - College Student Affairs - very excited about this program and the oppty to attend here, plus could add some of the ministry stuff if I desired.
Abilene Chrisitian - Higher Ed - interesting program, very nice people.
Biola (**new**) - could do ministry in abundance!
We'll see, I guess.
to think about
“To make a man, the head and heart must be properly trained. Educate the intellect alone and you are liable to make a tiger; cultivate the moral faculties only and you make a fanatic.. The man who would survey the literal heavens, cannot dispense with the telescope however perfect may be his vision; neither can he dispense with eyes, because he holds in his hand the most perfect glass. His object can be reached only by combining the two. So must mental and moral culture be fully combined to fully reach the great end of human existence” (Free Methodist Church, 1870).
Friday, February 17, 2006
the word "whenever"
miriam webster defines the word "whenever" as:
a) conjunction: at any or every time that
b) adverb: at whatever time
The misuse of this word in place of the word, "WHEN" is killing me right now. Its rampant on the campus where I work and ugh. Everytime I hear it used incorrectly it grates on me.
Examples:
(from this morning) "I like to be awake whenever I swim."
(from my softball women) "I wore this shirt whenever I went there that time."
(from various college students) "Whenver I was at dinner yesterday....."
ARGH. Can I get an "amen" from those reading this blog who agree with me that the misuse of this word is painful at best and confusing at worst? My brain (which is not as sharp as it was in its 20's...) has to do mental gymnastics in order to re-configure the sentence so that it makes sense to me.
And worse........... I'm afraid that because of our tendancy as humans to "pick up" the language of others (for example the use of the phrase: "was like" replacing "said" in the vernacular. She was like, "oh my gosh" and I was like, "yeah") that this usage will become common place. And I'm even more afraid that I will pick it up, against my better judgement and against all correct way of speech.....
All that being said, if you hear me use the word incorrectly, please tell me. Please.
And what do you think - should I correct the people that are in my influence circle that they are using it wrongly or is it not a big deal? Its rampant around the softball team and doesn't make them sound intelligent, though I know they are.
Is this just a rural issue, a dialect, or have you noticed it where you live?
I'll keep you posted. Whenever I find out more information I'll let you know.
:)
a) conjunction: at any or every time that
b) adverb: at whatever time
The misuse of this word in place of the word, "WHEN" is killing me right now. Its rampant on the campus where I work and ugh. Everytime I hear it used incorrectly it grates on me.
Examples:
(from this morning) "I like to be awake whenever I swim."
(from my softball women) "I wore this shirt whenever I went there that time."
(from various college students) "Whenver I was at dinner yesterday....."
ARGH. Can I get an "amen" from those reading this blog who agree with me that the misuse of this word is painful at best and confusing at worst? My brain (which is not as sharp as it was in its 20's...) has to do mental gymnastics in order to re-configure the sentence so that it makes sense to me.
And worse........... I'm afraid that because of our tendancy as humans to "pick up" the language of others (for example the use of the phrase: "was like" replacing "said" in the vernacular. She was like, "oh my gosh" and I was like, "yeah") that this usage will become common place. And I'm even more afraid that I will pick it up, against my better judgement and against all correct way of speech.....
All that being said, if you hear me use the word incorrectly, please tell me. Please.
And what do you think - should I correct the people that are in my influence circle that they are using it wrongly or is it not a big deal? Its rampant around the softball team and doesn't make them sound intelligent, though I know they are.
Is this just a rural issue, a dialect, or have you noticed it where you live?
I'll keep you posted. Whenever I find out more information I'll let you know.
:)
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Latest Updates
Well, here it is. I've not been too bad in 2006 when it comes to updates, I guess, but nonetheless, I can do better. I just always think, "nothing is really new"... maybe I'm wrong.
*GRE - the test went FANTASTIC. studying paid off and I am grateful to the Lord for really good scores. really good. what a blessing.
* Softball - how many of you know that I'm the recruiting coordinator for women's softball? not many maybe, but its one of my roles and i've started to go to some practices to just "be around" though its weird to just stand around and watch. Coach doesn't really ever put me to work "doing" anything. I don't think he knows I was an athlete ever, maybe he thinks I'm just a big softie? Anyway, our first games are the week of spring break (March 10-18?)
* Senior Women's Administrator - I'm also the Senior Women's Administrator for our Athletics department, which in theory means that I'm the "title IX" enforcer (its my job to make sure that women are represented appropriately in athletics at Greenville) but so far has mostly meant that I go to conference meetings and vote on general conference policy. We did that today. It was kind of a long day.
* Flickr - my friend Bethany started a "Flicker" site (www.flickr.com) and it looked really neat so I started one and posted it to the right (under the links to other sites). If you get a chance, check it out - but then don't check again for a month. I have to upload more pics and also take some more good ones. :)
* Traveling - with the exception of a couple Grad. school interview trips, my traveling is largely done. I went with my mom to a women's retreat in Jan (it was fantastic) and then 2 weeks ago was in San Antonio to visit the Fergasons, who are dear friends from when I lived in Seattle. They are still trying to get me to live with them - and for a minute I even considered changing my graduate major to make it happen. I love being there.
* work - well, i'm still getting up early and lately its making me so tired! I'm actually skipping recruiting tonight to go home and lay in a prone position and maybe take a nap!
* ministry - the Filby's and I began a college ministry a few weeks ago through the free menthodist church. its been fun and a blessing. i'm supposed to teach this sunday but have no idea yet what i'm teaching.... yikes.
thats all for now. much love to you and yours.
*GRE - the test went FANTASTIC. studying paid off and I am grateful to the Lord for really good scores. really good. what a blessing.
* Softball - how many of you know that I'm the recruiting coordinator for women's softball? not many maybe, but its one of my roles and i've started to go to some practices to just "be around" though its weird to just stand around and watch. Coach doesn't really ever put me to work "doing" anything. I don't think he knows I was an athlete ever, maybe he thinks I'm just a big softie? Anyway, our first games are the week of spring break (March 10-18?)
* Senior Women's Administrator - I'm also the Senior Women's Administrator for our Athletics department, which in theory means that I'm the "title IX" enforcer (its my job to make sure that women are represented appropriately in athletics at Greenville) but so far has mostly meant that I go to conference meetings and vote on general conference policy. We did that today. It was kind of a long day.
* Flickr - my friend Bethany started a "Flicker" site (www.flickr.com) and it looked really neat so I started one and posted it to the right (under the links to other sites). If you get a chance, check it out - but then don't check again for a month. I have to upload more pics and also take some more good ones. :)
* Traveling - with the exception of a couple Grad. school interview trips, my traveling is largely done. I went with my mom to a women's retreat in Jan (it was fantastic) and then 2 weeks ago was in San Antonio to visit the Fergasons, who are dear friends from when I lived in Seattle. They are still trying to get me to live with them - and for a minute I even considered changing my graduate major to make it happen. I love being there.
* work - well, i'm still getting up early and lately its making me so tired! I'm actually skipping recruiting tonight to go home and lay in a prone position and maybe take a nap!
* ministry - the Filby's and I began a college ministry a few weeks ago through the free menthodist church. its been fun and a blessing. i'm supposed to teach this sunday but have no idea yet what i'm teaching.... yikes.
thats all for now. much love to you and yours.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Decision Making... and the will of God.
Thats a title to a book actually, but I'm not writing about the book.
(see the book to the left, courtesy of Amazon.com)
I'm not sure what the book says, but this is what I say: "If I don't have a peace or confidence about it.... I'm not doing it." And so that leads me to today.
One of the universities I'm interested in attending is Baylor (in Waco, TX - about 1 hour south of Dallas). To attend there I essentially need to have a graduate assistant position (or a job with a school in the area) - this is not only a financial requirement for me, but a requirement for their program. The best way to get one of these assistantships is to apply and then attend a GA interview "weekend"... March 2nd and 3rd. So GREAT - I'll fly to Dallas, rent a car, drive to Waco, blah blah blah and work on my future.....
March 3rd is the day before Leah's wedding, and the rehearsal is that evening. WHICH means that I need to be back in GREENVILLE and looking nice by.... lets say 5-ish (and that may be late, I have no idea of the timing of anything right now). Which means that I need to get a flight which gets me into St. Louis before 4pm....
Southwest offered flights this morning for those days for $44 each - $104 total, basically the same amount of money that a friend and her husband recently gave to me in an unmarked envelope, and which I stated would go into the graduate school fund. The trip out on the 1st isn't a big deal - I can leave at 6:35 and get there around 8:35 and get into Waco I figure by 10 to get my beauty sleep.
*** sidenote... does anyone know anyone who lives in or near Waco and could put me up for 2 nights?****
The problem arrives in my departure. I have no idea if I need to do any interviewing on the 3rd. And frankly, I don't know when I'll know this information. But to get back to Greenville in time I must leave DALLAS at 12:30, which means I have to be there by 11:30 at the latest (assuming I was able to pre-check-in) and that means I have to leave Waco by about 10am to facilitate rental car and drive time stuff..... 10am. So................. hmmmmm.
I didn' t buy the ticket. I didn't have peace about it. Its too soon to know if I should do it, and I'm simply trusting God that he's going to provide another good deal when the time is right. I'm trusting God that the people at Baylor will understand my conflict with needing to be back in Greenville, and I'm trusting God that the rehearsal won't be until the later evening. All questionable.
So thats where I am today. Trying to trust God for my future. Knowing that having a certain peace "sounds" like hoo-hah, but its always worked for me and so I'm going with it today.
And on that note..... lift is moving too fast for me and I have to sign off now. I hope to update again soon!
Love, me.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Graduate School - applications, examinations, palpitations...
OK, I crack myself up, its true. But actually, while my heart isn't racing right now, I do have a little case of the nerves.
Tomorrow I take the GRE. I don't feel especially prepared. I have spent this week studying math and not practicing the verbal or essays because I've done OK on the practice verbal tests, but not as well on the math. The problem is that even if I do "ok" (i.e. 75% right) I still only make it into the 49th percentile. Yes, you read that right. I will need to score 85% correct to get enough above the 50th percentile to be noticed! So I've been studying.
Things I know well:
Odds/Evens (what happens to them when you +, -, x, /)
Positives/Negatives (what happen when you +,-,x,/,2, etc)
Basic Algebra
The interior and exterior angles of a triangle...
Things I don't know well:
Probabilty/Factorials.....
But that is the last time you'll hear me say it, as I plan to speak positively from this point.
As the song says, "You have to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, latch on to the affirmative.. don't mess with mr. in-between." and so, that's what I plan to do. Smile.
The book above is the one I have used the most to study for the test. Its a good book, I recommend it to you as you prepare for the GRE.
In related news, I'm working currently on three applications: Baylor University, Abilene Christian University and Azusa Pacific University. All are great options and I'm looking forward to the opportunities that are presented by their programs.
My hope is to have the application process for all three done early next week (Azusa is due on the 31st) and to then focus on being fully present in my community here while I wait for decisions. I'll hopefully fly to Dallas in early March (right before Leah's wedding) for interviews for graduate assistantships at Baylor, and we'll see from there.
So that's the news from here. If you are the praying sort, please remember me tomorrow at 12:30 central time. The test takes about 4 hours....
Love to you and yours!
Friday, January 06, 2006
More Weddings and Trips to Seattle!
LARINAAAAAAAAAAA!!
Wow. This is an email that I have been longing to write. And now I get to.....
LARINA IS ENGAGED!
Larina is one of my dearest friends. She was in my small group during my second year of BSF - the study of Matthew. I remember how precious she was then, how insightful but not confident about her ability. I remember the leader's meeting that fall when Greg was talking about the requirements for leadership and I heard "Larina" out of the air, and I knew it was the Lord telling me that she was my pick. I wrote her name down on my pad and made it my goal to find out if she was willing. The next night she and I went to a party together and I asked her some questions and by Monday I was ready to tell Verla about her. Verla said, "YES!" immediately and I approached Larina. She wasn't sure about leading. But after praying about it and talking to her dad, she and I sat on the steps of the church and she said - wonderfully candid - "My dad says that if God wants me to do it, then I can't say no; so I'm willing to do it, even though I don't think I can."
Since then she has become one of my best, most stalwart friends in the faith of Jesus Christ. She has been an EXCELLENT leader, from whom I have learned (even though I trained her, initially). We have struggled through many things together, with our discussion groups, with dating and being single, with her perpetual slowness in making purchases for her condo (smile); we've shopped, read, prayed, cryed together. She listened as I went through the freedom experience and eagerly asked questions and watched with excitement as I changed into who I am today.
At Thanksgiving she called me and told me that she had started dating this fella recently (he's a Canadian citizen, interestingly) and that he was "the one". I cried.
When I think of the times we've talked about this, the prayer times we've had, the phone calls and e-mails.
I can only rejoice in the grace of our Lord, and of his provision to my friend.
Larina's engaged.
Her wedding is in June, and I get to be a bridesmaid. When she called and sounded so urgent I was afraid something was wrong. But before I called her back I thought.."oh, I hope that she's getting engaged!" and then I thought, "this is one of the times* that I desire with all my heart to stand up next to a friend and bless her marriage" - don't get me wrong. I am always blessed and glad to be asked to be in a wedding. I'm in Leah's wedding this spring and its a joy!! But I never expect to be asked, and I am OK if I'm not asked (not offended). Sometimes its nice to not be in the wedding - then you get to see the whole thing!
But this time its a labor of love. Larina is like one of my "kids" - one of the first women who I mentored into leadership and who I partnered with in BSF, who was under my wing. And now she's getting married.
My joy is like after giving birth (is that weird?). After the struggles, the labor of the days that we wept together - here it is.
OK, enough. I'm just so excited and wanted to share it!
* [Barb and Rob were one of the times like this - after 7 years they were getting married, after knowing Barb for more than 1/2 my life; Anne and Shawn, too, - after all they had been through, in 5 years, seeing them grow while apart and grow even more while together, to see them triumph in relationship together]
JESUS MINISTRY CONFERENCE '06
If you haven't heard of this conference....
if you are a regular reader of my blog/friend of mine/acquaintance....
YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS CONFERENCE.
The teaching that they are doing at this conference in Tacoma, WA is teaching that has transformed my life and been one of the top two greatest spiritual influences in my life. I first learned about Jesus Ministry from one of my mentors (and my former boss), Scotty Kessler. He taught the Fergason's, Jared and then me about the spiritual realm, spiritual warfare and how to fight with the full armor of God. Through these experiences the Holy Spirit enabled me to be "clear" in my head - where the bible was interesting but not very understandable before "freedom" (as I would call it), it was AMAZING afterward. I was in BSF at the time, and my comprehension of bible truths, apprehension of theology and memory of verses BEGAN really after learning how to pray and seek God.
My life has been transformed primarily by God through three teaching vehicles - the first was Campus Crusade for Christ in college, where I met God and realized that I was without Him and I didn't want to be; Bible Study Fellowship which taught me almost all of my bible knowledge up until 2003 and "Restoration Ministry" (or Jesus Ministry) which made it all glue together. I am the woman I am today because of these things and how the Lord has used them.
SO all that to say, if you can take a week in August, and if you can get to Tacoma WA (I know a lot of people and can work on housing for you if you need help, and if you live in Seattle, you could commute to it daily) - YOU NEED TO ATTEND THIS CONFERENCE.
Here's the link:
http://www.jesus-ministry.com/index.html
Its $175 for those who register before July 1st, and that includes conference materials and 5 days of teaching. It does not include meals, but you can bring a snack and sack dinner if you like, but its also fun to use those dinners to make new acquaintances. Last summer the classes began in the afternoon (1pm) and ended around 9 or 10pm.
One of the best parts (and this relates to dinner) was the opportunity to meet people from all over the US and the rest of the world as well. I met women who I hope to see again at this year's conference and renew our friendship. You really get to experience the global body of Christ.
In conclusion... what can you expect from this conference?
Vibrant worship (in song, prayer and teaching)
Honest fellowship
Clear teaching
The presence of God
May God bless you as you consider your attendance at this event.
if you are a regular reader of my blog/friend of mine/acquaintance....
YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS CONFERENCE.
The teaching that they are doing at this conference in Tacoma, WA is teaching that has transformed my life and been one of the top two greatest spiritual influences in my life. I first learned about Jesus Ministry from one of my mentors (and my former boss), Scotty Kessler. He taught the Fergason's, Jared and then me about the spiritual realm, spiritual warfare and how to fight with the full armor of God. Through these experiences the Holy Spirit enabled me to be "clear" in my head - where the bible was interesting but not very understandable before "freedom" (as I would call it), it was AMAZING afterward. I was in BSF at the time, and my comprehension of bible truths, apprehension of theology and memory of verses BEGAN really after learning how to pray and seek God.
My life has been transformed primarily by God through three teaching vehicles - the first was Campus Crusade for Christ in college, where I met God and realized that I was without Him and I didn't want to be; Bible Study Fellowship which taught me almost all of my bible knowledge up until 2003 and "Restoration Ministry" (or Jesus Ministry) which made it all glue together. I am the woman I am today because of these things and how the Lord has used them.
SO all that to say, if you can take a week in August, and if you can get to Tacoma WA (I know a lot of people and can work on housing for you if you need help, and if you live in Seattle, you could commute to it daily) - YOU NEED TO ATTEND THIS CONFERENCE.
Here's the link:
http://www.jesus-ministry.com/index.html
Its $175 for those who register before July 1st, and that includes conference materials and 5 days of teaching. It does not include meals, but you can bring a snack and sack dinner if you like, but its also fun to use those dinners to make new acquaintances. Last summer the classes began in the afternoon (1pm) and ended around 9 or 10pm.
One of the best parts (and this relates to dinner) was the opportunity to meet people from all over the US and the rest of the world as well. I met women who I hope to see again at this year's conference and renew our friendship. You really get to experience the global body of Christ.
In conclusion... what can you expect from this conference?
Vibrant worship (in song, prayer and teaching)
Honest fellowship
Clear teaching
The presence of God
May God bless you as you consider your attendance at this event.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
popup blocker
for some reason the computer i'm using is occasionally blocking pop ups.... there is probably 4 blockers on the computer and I'm only disabling two of them or something.
Anyway, updates to come friends, updates to come. But for now I don't want to annoying pop-up blocked noise to bother me or my dad any longer.... so we'll all have to wait.
Love, Tiff
Anyway, updates to come friends, updates to come. But for now I don't want to annoying pop-up blocked noise to bother me or my dad any longer.... so we'll all have to wait.
Love, Tiff
NANO-Nano
Not like Mork from Ork.... "Nanoo, Nanoo" but more like NANO!!!!!!!!!!
I'm really excited about the gifts I received for Christmas. First of all, I recieved a little cash that allowed me to go shopping with my mom and get a few pairs of pants, a few tops and a case for my new ipod nano. :) :)
I also got a new ipod nano. this was the gift I was saving up for myself, but then in the face of a couple unforseen expenses hadn't been able to purchase... In an awesome display of parental love, my parent's purchased one for me. This Christmas was over the top that way. My dad got the big Ipod from my mom (the 40-gigger was on sale for the price of the 20 - shocking!) and my brother got all this poker stuff. Neat.
Anyway, here are a couple pics of the nano. I'm loading it with songs on my mom's computer, then will revamp the lists, etc when I get home.... but I want to be able to listen to it now. :)
(above - the nano with its color screen, in its cute pink case and a side view - this joker is SMALL!)
Anyway, thats not a great update, except I'm excited about it today. More updates to come involving grad schools and jobs.
Love, Tiff
Friday, December 16, 2005
mini-update (#4 - christmas/year in review)
mini-updates (#3 - advent)
Before this year I have not really "experienced" advent as a part of the church calendar. But this year I have really been listening to the advent part of the services on Sunday, and thinking a lot about what it means to prepare ourselves to receive our King.
A friend of mine recently gave me her much used and beloved copy of book entitled: Jesus, Be in My Christmas (morning and evening meditations for every day of advent) by Sarah Hornsby. She told me how blessed she had been by it over the years, how the Lord had used it to minister to her specifically through its pages. And then she told me that she felt like the Lord had told her to give it to me. She didn't want me to feel burdened or as though I had to enjoy it.
But I was able to tell her this week how sweet and special it is to me already.
A few quotes for you to consider:
from pages 84-85: Jesus, Be in My Abounding
"Father God, You are the One who enables me to be faithful. Pour out on me the abundance of gifts needed to communicate Your healing presence in this hurting world. Grow in me the abundance of fruit needed to nourish and sustain life in the Spirit. Jesus, be in my abounding."
from pages 72-73: Jesus, Be in My Plans
Psalms 20:4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
"Mary and Joseph planned their engagement, but God had other plans. Mary and Joseph planned to dedicate their baby and then take him back to Nazareth by the normal route, but God had other plans.... God has a perfect plan for every one in his creation. Only God knows all the circumstances and relationships that touch and shape me and the flow of my history. In spite of all the pressures of the world to conform to its ways, in spite of my own weaknesses and sinful nature, in spite of the hate-filled strategies of Satan's furious forces, I can seek and find God's path. God is committed to me...."
wow.
And the reading for "today" - the third Friday in Advent:
from pages 90-91: Jesus, Be in My Wounds
"The blessing of God does not mean that everything will be easy and comfortable. After Simeon's blessing, he warned Mary that this Child would change the way things had always been done in Israel, in the world. There would be violent disagreements. Powers would clash, a sword would pierce their souls. The conflict over who Jesus says He is continues. Every person who hears of Him must decide if He is Lord. And if He is Lord, He is due total allegiance. That rubs against the grain of all other people and institutions that demand my time, resources, allegiance, homage. I will be involved with some of these, but as a representative of God's kind of government, I will be an advocate for the poor, homeless, hungry, blind, imprisoned, sick. Being involved with these people in the name of Jesus will hurt, but it is also where the blessing of His presence abounds."
I was thinking as I read this today about Mary and Jesus and then a friend of mine was considering Mary and this is what I said in response to her; thoughts which began, I suspect, with this devotion:
I can resonate with your questions about Mary. Sometimes its hard to remember she was a real person, that they aren't just literary characters created to teach us a lesson. I'm glad for the historical references to Jesus outside of the bible to know that he was real, and if HE was real, then he really had a mom. I think that our moms are probably more like Mary in a lot of ways than we realize. The things that potentially made Mary cry: her hopes for Jesus, his fears about his future, contemplating what all the different things said about him (i.e. by Simeon or Anna or the Magi, etc) really meant and how this little boy could do what was hoped of him...... all these things probably made our moms cry when we were growing up, too. You should ask your mom about it. Ask her what her hopes were for you when she first found out she was pregnant with you, what her expectations for you were at that 2nd birthday party.
So I was thinking about this and thinking that ultimately my life will be a thorn, because Jesus was a thorn. Its uncomfortable to think of. I may be a thorn to my family because I make different choices than they, to my friends, my community, the world. But as long as I'm following Jesus and doing what he says, then its what I have to do. Ouch.
So the mini-updates do not conclude here, except "for now". I'm re-reading Hinds Feet and have more of that to include soon, too!
Much love to you!
A friend of mine recently gave me her much used and beloved copy of book entitled: Jesus, Be in My Christmas (morning and evening meditations for every day of advent) by Sarah Hornsby. She told me how blessed she had been by it over the years, how the Lord had used it to minister to her specifically through its pages. And then she told me that she felt like the Lord had told her to give it to me. She didn't want me to feel burdened or as though I had to enjoy it.
But I was able to tell her this week how sweet and special it is to me already.
A few quotes for you to consider:
from pages 84-85: Jesus, Be in My Abounding
"Father God, You are the One who enables me to be faithful. Pour out on me the abundance of gifts needed to communicate Your healing presence in this hurting world. Grow in me the abundance of fruit needed to nourish and sustain life in the Spirit. Jesus, be in my abounding."
from pages 72-73: Jesus, Be in My Plans
Psalms 20:4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
"Mary and Joseph planned their engagement, but God had other plans. Mary and Joseph planned to dedicate their baby and then take him back to Nazareth by the normal route, but God had other plans.... God has a perfect plan for every one in his creation. Only God knows all the circumstances and relationships that touch and shape me and the flow of my history. In spite of all the pressures of the world to conform to its ways, in spite of my own weaknesses and sinful nature, in spite of the hate-filled strategies of Satan's furious forces, I can seek and find God's path. God is committed to me...."
wow.
And the reading for "today" - the third Friday in Advent:
from pages 90-91: Jesus, Be in My Wounds
"The blessing of God does not mean that everything will be easy and comfortable. After Simeon's blessing, he warned Mary that this Child would change the way things had always been done in Israel, in the world. There would be violent disagreements. Powers would clash, a sword would pierce their souls. The conflict over who Jesus says He is continues. Every person who hears of Him must decide if He is Lord. And if He is Lord, He is due total allegiance. That rubs against the grain of all other people and institutions that demand my time, resources, allegiance, homage. I will be involved with some of these, but as a representative of God's kind of government, I will be an advocate for the poor, homeless, hungry, blind, imprisoned, sick. Being involved with these people in the name of Jesus will hurt, but it is also where the blessing of His presence abounds."
I was thinking as I read this today about Mary and Jesus and then a friend of mine was considering Mary and this is what I said in response to her; thoughts which began, I suspect, with this devotion:
I can resonate with your questions about Mary. Sometimes its hard to remember she was a real person, that they aren't just literary characters created to teach us a lesson. I'm glad for the historical references to Jesus outside of the bible to know that he was real, and if HE was real, then he really had a mom. I think that our moms are probably more like Mary in a lot of ways than we realize. The things that potentially made Mary cry: her hopes for Jesus, his fears about his future, contemplating what all the different things said about him (i.e. by Simeon or Anna or the Magi, etc) really meant and how this little boy could do what was hoped of him...... all these things probably made our moms cry when we were growing up, too. You should ask your mom about it. Ask her what her hopes were for you when she first found out she was pregnant with you, what her expectations for you were at that 2nd birthday party.
So I was thinking about this and thinking that ultimately my life will be a thorn, because Jesus was a thorn. Its uncomfortable to think of. I may be a thorn to my family because I make different choices than they, to my friends, my community, the world. But as long as I'm following Jesus and doing what he says, then its what I have to do. Ouch.
So the mini-updates do not conclude here, except "for now". I'm re-reading Hinds Feet and have more of that to include soon, too!
Much love to you!
mini-updates (#2 - nee)
The Normal Christian Life (By Watchman Nee)
Karen told me about this book today. She has been slowly reading it, digesting it in little bits and today came upon chapter 3 which dealt with something she and I had been speaking about recently - living in freedom. We know that living in freedom means "believing you are free" in Christ and in doing so walking, living as though you really are free. Ultimately, our discussion ended by deciding (as many have done) that freedom this mysterious word that is oft discussed but not always understood is found in Christ alone and executed through him alone as well. And that we are simply as free as we want to be and believe we are.
So I looked up the book. WOWOWOWOWOWOW. Here is an excerpt from Chapter 1 (which you can also read on amazon - link above). Enjoy!
Excerpts from Chapter 1 (p.12-14)
God makes it quite clear in his Word that he has only one answer to every human need – his Son, Jesus Christ. In all his dealings with us he works by way of taking us out of the way and substituting Christ in our place. The Son of God dies instead of us for our forgiveness: he lives instead of us for our deliverance. So we can speak of two substitutions – a Substitute on the Cross who secures our forgiveness and a Substitute within who secures our victory. It will help us greatly, and save us from much confusion, if we keep constantly before us this face, that God will answer all our questions in one way and one way only, namely, by showing us more of his Son............
(discussing Romans 1-8): No matter how many sins I commit, it is always the one sin-principle that leads to them. I need forgiveness for my sins, but I need also deliverance from the power of sin. The former touches my conscience, the latter my life. I may receive forgiveness for all my sins, but because of my sin I have, even then, no abiding peace of mind.
When God’s light first shines into my heart my one cry is for forgiveness, for I realize I have committed sins before him; but when once I have received forgiveness of sins I make a new discovery, namely, the discovery of sin, and I realize not only that I have committed sins before God but that there is something wrong within. I discover that I have the nature of a sinner. There is an inward inclination to sin, a power within that draws to sin. When that power breaks out I commit sins. I may seek and receive forgiveness, but then I sin once more. So life goes on in a vicious circle of sinning and being forgiven and then sinning again. I appreciate the blessed fact of God’s forgiveness, but I want something more than that: I want deliverance. I need forgiveness for what I have done, but I need also deliverance from what I am.
Karen told me about this book today. She has been slowly reading it, digesting it in little bits and today came upon chapter 3 which dealt with something she and I had been speaking about recently - living in freedom. We know that living in freedom means "believing you are free" in Christ and in doing so walking, living as though you really are free. Ultimately, our discussion ended by deciding (as many have done) that freedom this mysterious word that is oft discussed but not always understood is found in Christ alone and executed through him alone as well. And that we are simply as free as we want to be and believe we are.
So I looked up the book. WOWOWOWOWOWOW. Here is an excerpt from Chapter 1 (which you can also read on amazon - link above). Enjoy!
Excerpts from Chapter 1 (p.12-14)
God makes it quite clear in his Word that he has only one answer to every human need – his Son, Jesus Christ. In all his dealings with us he works by way of taking us out of the way and substituting Christ in our place. The Son of God dies instead of us for our forgiveness: he lives instead of us for our deliverance. So we can speak of two substitutions – a Substitute on the Cross who secures our forgiveness and a Substitute within who secures our victory. It will help us greatly, and save us from much confusion, if we keep constantly before us this face, that God will answer all our questions in one way and one way only, namely, by showing us more of his Son............
(discussing Romans 1-8): No matter how many sins I commit, it is always the one sin-principle that leads to them. I need forgiveness for my sins, but I need also deliverance from the power of sin. The former touches my conscience, the latter my life. I may receive forgiveness for all my sins, but because of my sin I have, even then, no abiding peace of mind.
When God’s light first shines into my heart my one cry is for forgiveness, for I realize I have committed sins before him; but when once I have received forgiveness of sins I make a new discovery, namely, the discovery of sin, and I realize not only that I have committed sins before God but that there is something wrong within. I discover that I have the nature of a sinner. There is an inward inclination to sin, a power within that draws to sin. When that power breaks out I commit sins. I may seek and receive forgiveness, but then I sin once more. So life goes on in a vicious circle of sinning and being forgiven and then sinning again. I appreciate the blessed fact of God’s forgiveness, but I want something more than that: I want deliverance. I need forgiveness for what I have done, but I need also deliverance from what I am.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
mini-updates (#1)
http://relief.ist.greenville.edu/drupal/node/240
Above is a link to a specific page on our hurricane relief website which shows a video (8 min) of hte trip. The work, some of the "goers" and some who received aid. The song is called "Will You Go?" by Katie Kapteyn - a GC Student (music major) - she's fantastic! She actually performed the song on Sunday morning of our trip, at the services of our host church.( general website http://relief.ist.greenville.edu/drupal)
Tiff
Above is a link to a specific page on our hurricane relief website which shows a video (8 min) of hte trip. The work, some of the "goers" and some who received aid. The song is called "Will You Go?" by Katie Kapteyn - a GC Student (music major) - she's fantastic! She actually performed the song on Sunday morning of our trip, at the services of our host church.( general website http://relief.ist.greenville.edu/drupal)
Tiff
Friday, December 09, 2005
Winter Pics (first giant snow of the season last week!)
We had 2-6 inches of snow (depending on where you measured or lived). It was beautiful and for one day, was less cold than it had been all week (or was Friday). Sunday evening the rain started and now the snow is mostly melted - it looks more like Seattle now. :)
Enjoy the pics!
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Of Babies and Bling
Lori and Eric in Leavenworth, after he popped the question.
Newborn Ezra, doing the "cabbage patch" - he can't help it... he loves to dance.
So lately there have been a lot of events occuring in the lives of my friends. Ezra, above, is one of two babies born in the last 3 weeks to friends of mine - one of 5 born this year, with an additional two to come (at least) next year. And further above you'll see a picture of Lori and Eric, friends who recently were engaged; part of a slew of friends (3 couples in the last 3 months) who are newly planning weddings. This is not to mention the friends who recently have found "the one."
As all this was coming to pass, I was ruminating on the wonder of "seasons" in our lives. I remember going through the wedding/engagement season the first few years after college (in the 8-10yr ago range), and I remember when my friends were having babies. Julie and Ryan started the "wedding train" and it didn't let up for about 3 years. The busiest summer saw me attend 5 weddings (I think I was in maybe 2 of them). Julie and Ryan, Alyssa and Sean, Claire and her husband, Alyssa (formerly "Pinky") and Aaron, Anne and Shawn - just to name a few. After that the train slowed and I attended maybe one or two a year for a while. When people started to get pregnant it was a wondrous time - how could we be old enough to have kids?!?! I wasn't even DATING anyone and my friends were having babies - crazy. I remember the vigils (3 in all) with Alyssa and Sean at the hospital as she kept trying to go further into labor and kept getting sent home (Kayli is truly just like her mom - she is strong-willed and on her own timetable!) - I remember coming home from vigil 3 and finding out that Julie and Ryan had delivered Jeremiah while I was out - and holding him the next day. Wow, how many day old babies have I held at this point? I recall the day I had the courage to ask Karen if she was pregnant because I saw a picture in prayer about it - and she was. And I remember holding baby Jared when he was tiny.... and trying to keep up with him now that he's 3+!
And now I'm in another season like that. And as the situations are similar but the people have changed (somewhat), I am in a similar situation, though changed. I am still single, with no immediate thoughts of a husband nor even a man I like in that direction, really. I live a single person's life - feeling free to drop everything and move to another state, to fly to visit people, to go out every night if I want, or no nights. And yet, I'm changed - my commitment to Jesus, my commitment to women and helping them find their identity in Christ, my attitude and ethics; all changed from those days 10 years ago.
This May will mark the 10-year anniversary of my graduation from College. Wow. One of my student workers (none of them really know how old I am, I guess) asked what my major in college had been. I told him and he replied, "Huh, are you going to do anything with that?" I laughed as I told him that I did in fact do something with that - for 7 years....
So anyway as we end this year (shortly) and head into a new one, I thought you might want to rejoice with me and my friends in celebration of these new stages in their lives, and a new cycle in mine:
Engaged recently (last 3 months): Cindy and Sam, Lori and Eric, Leah and Chris
2005 babies: Jonas Brown, Elijah Walker, Tyson Ackerman, John Heater IV, Ezra Swendson
And for those I haven't mentioned, please know I rejoice with you as well and wish you even greater joy in these new stages.
With love from me, and ALL THINGS from Christ Jesus. Tiff
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Dirty Little Secrets
Well, there is a song out now called, "Dirty Little Secret" by the All-American Rejects. The video (which I see occasionally because of my roommate's affection for "MTV Hits" - channel 232 on Greene County Digital Cable) shows a number of people holding post card on which are written secrets - their "dirty little secret" that they haven't been able to tell anyone. Each post card is homemade and includes pictures. Some of them are funny, some are gross and some are heartbreaking. In most cases their face is covered - by a bag, mask, or by the card itself.
For example:
"I haven't spoken to my dad in 10 years..."
"When I eat I feel like a failure"
"I pee in the sink."
"I'm only dating her to get to her sister."
"I leave poetry in library books."
Just to highlight a few. You can watch the video at Yahoo! Music (http://launch.yahoo.com/).
Anyway, I heard on the Today show today that there is a book out of these postcards and as I looked for it online to see what it was about, I noted that there was also a blog which posts people's secrets - thats the basis for the book.
People send in their secret on anonymous homemade postcards and each Sunday the postcards are posted to http://Postsecret.blogspot.com . I've made it a link on the right side of this page as well. Its fascinating, and sad and hard to read - and hard to think what I could or would put on a postcard.
And it makes me wonder why its easier to send that card anonymously than to tell your friends. And it makes me wonder if the burden is relieved by that action, or are they still ashamed, afraid, hurt, bitter, etc?
Thanks for considering with me.
For example:
"I haven't spoken to my dad in 10 years..."
"When I eat I feel like a failure"
"I pee in the sink."
"I'm only dating her to get to her sister."
"I leave poetry in library books."
Just to highlight a few. You can watch the video at Yahoo! Music (http://launch.yahoo.com/).
Anyway, I heard on the Today show today that there is a book out of these postcards and as I looked for it online to see what it was about, I noted that there was also a blog which posts people's secrets - thats the basis for the book.
People send in their secret on anonymous homemade postcards and each Sunday the postcards are posted to http://Postsecret.blogspot.com . I've made it a link on the right side of this page as well. Its fascinating, and sad and hard to read - and hard to think what I could or would put on a postcard.
And it makes me wonder why its easier to send that card anonymously than to tell your friends. And it makes me wonder if the burden is relieved by that action, or are they still ashamed, afraid, hurt, bitter, etc?
Thanks for considering with me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
