Quick, Slow, Slow

James 1:19-20 - My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Your anger can never make things right in God's sight.

God brought this verse to my mind today while I was having a conversation that required patience... I wanted to be offended and go off on this and that, just because thats what felt right to me. But I allowed the Spirit to have his way and calm me down... it probably sounded strange to the person I was talking to, one moment I am just short of yelling at them the next Im trying to understand what there was to be offended at. God works in amazing ways.

James 1:5-8 really has been on my mind alot, just in finding stability in Christ and allowing him reign over my life. Also in asking for his wisdom to become part of me.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it o you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But wen you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

When I read this I long for not only the wisdom God promises but also to be settled in him. To be fully content just to put all my faith in Him as I go through life, knowing he will take care of me. And if my loyalty isnt divided, if I am not so easily tossed by every wind, then I can thank God and take rest in him.

Psalms 4:8 - In peace will I lie down and sleep, For you alone Oh Lord will keep me safe.

They all tie together for me right now... Living a stable life for Christ and putting my faith fully in him because he will take care of me. Now Im going to lie down and sleep! Good Night

Crazy Love

Well, I finished it! What a great book and challenge for modern Christianity. Francis Chan really brought some things to light that impressed me and I will not forget for a good bit of time.
One thing that really seemed to stand out to me, whether or not it was pulled out as a point in the book is that I really dont "get it". Its like Im sitting back in my comfortable little life and letting so much pass me by. God has an awe-inspiring plan set out and for the sake of comfort I would rather pass it up. I cant think of a good analogy right here... all the ones I wouldve thought of dont work... but the idea remains the same... Im skipping out on true life for my cheap imitation. I havent let Christ live through me every moment and thus I havent fully lived.
Its very interesting that I started when I did not knowing that I would finish the night before the Beach Retreat... I hope I will allow Christ to have his way with not only this weekend but with my life.
Thanks for letting me borrow the book Skippy =D I loved it!

Memories

Every now and then I go somewhere or hear or see something that REALLY takes me back. Not like oh yah I remember that, like... Wow, I cant believe I ever let those days go. I get so caught up in trying to be better or different that I forget where Ive already been and who I have allowed myself to be. Sometimes it can be hard to remember it all because it hurt... but lately its been like... I wish I could go back. Back to the old days at LMCA or because I just looked through the pictures I took when my 8th grade class went to DC for like a week... I just wish I go back and experience it all again.

We all have to grow up but if I let myself forget in order to change... it really seems like Im trying to change too much.

just what was on my mind right now =)

Incomprehensible

So last night I read the first actual chapter of Francis Chan's "Crazy Love". It really is a great book and is showing me how impressive God is and how pathetic I am in comparison. I could fill the page with just talking about how powerful, creative, amazing, beautiful, and wonderful our creator and saviour is just as easily as I could snap my fingers. I love how alot of people are starting to use space to illustrate his power and creativity, Luis Giglio talking us through the the largest stars, Francis Chan zooming out from earth to see enourmous clusters of Galaxies. Its a great way to show how great He is, and yet he still focuses on a dot that you cant even see until you look closely.

The chapter ended by telling me to take some time just to think about how amazing God truly is, and so I did that. I was laying in bed as I usually am when I read and I turned to the wall and leaned on it... well then the wall was too close and if I kept my eyes open I had to either strain to keep it in focus or just have it blurry. I didnt want to do either of those so I just closed my eyes. I figured since I left the light on I wouldnt have trouble staying awake. The next thing I know my mother is waking me up at 6:30 in the morning. I look around and I am on my bed upside down, my pillow is thrown on the floor, and the light is still on. However I slept like a baby so all isnt lost.

One thought in particular struck me after I was done reading. It came to mind because of what Jenna said in a comment on my last post... how its easy to understand that God loves me now and forever going >>>> that way.... but its so much harder to understand that he has always loved me <<<< now >>>>

Its hard enough to fathom him thinking about me before I was born, but even before everything else... possibly an eternity before? im just astounded by Him. Awestruck that he would write such a beautiful story of mankind and his sacrifice. What did he do before planning what he would do with us? hes been around forever... what did he do before creation? wow

and I thought understanding some of the concepts from Algebra 2 was hard.

What a crazy week!

Its been an interesting time, I have to say. My parents are getting home from Colorado today, and I cant wait to see them. I will miss having Tristin around like 24/7, and his "Cooking Show", but it will be nice to get back to normality. My house has just about become a train wreck without anyone here cleaning it, kind of hard just to pop into the habit of cleaning stuff when you see it. Books went pretty well, We got most of our orders out but were this more of a long term thing there may have been problems.

Labour(?) Day was just great! the picnic was alot smaller than it has been in past years, but it was still fun, and the Sidewalk Prophets concert was simply incredible! Im totally glad I went. I find it incredible that their music and Josh's words beforehand really brought my mind to a new part of Gods love. That he created me the way I am and has loved me far before I was even born. I dont need to be anyone else for him, He loves ME... And I want to let him have every part of me!

I really didnt expect the day to be like that... the picnic was less then i had expected and the concert, far more! quoting Grant McCurdy in his song "Deja Vu", "Without preconceptions, theres never any reason to frown" so true... whatever i think something is going to be like could be totally off... if i expect it to be amazing it may fall short... if i expect it to be kind of lame it may just blow me away.... and if I just let it come I think it will be best.

Not very focused today im afraid... but its what i get for staying up working.

See all the Mission folks on friday!

David