Thoughts from the Appalachian Mountains

While I only have been in West Virginia for 7 weeks I only have three weeks left. This summer has brought a lot of things to light in my life. I have never felt like I learned so much in such a short time before this summer. I have learned what relationships can do to your faith walk and how vulnerability is one of God's tools in working through one person to get to another person. I have never felt so much joy in listening to what God wants me to do even though it does not make sense to me all the time. I am not perfect and I know that I make mistakes and that I will continue to make mistakes but I am excited to see how God is going to use those mistakes and sins to further his story in my life and have me pour my experiences and lessons into someone else's life. A couple verses that have been prominent in my mind this summer include:

1 John 4:4---You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 

This verse continually reminds me that whatever I am afraid of in the world is foolish because God has already been there and he is with me every step of the way. God has overcome every sin. God has already overcome Satan. So, the question I keep asking myself is what can I not do? God gives us the strength and power to do whatever he calls.

Discussing the calling of God in our lives brings me to another thought that I have had this summer. There is a quote and a verse that I remind myself almost daily. 
"God does not call the equipped, he equips the called."

Romans 12:6-8---We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

I just have realized that through this summer I have different gifts than others might have and that is the joy of working with others. Your gift might be a struggle for someone else while your struggle might be a gift of someone else. When you work together and combine gifts to bring God honor and glory one would be amazed at the things that are accomplished and the love that is produced from working together for God. It also brings to light that God will call us to do different things and if we feel like we are not equipped--we are wrong. If we do what God calls us to do and ask him for his power to work through us then he will give us the words, the power to advance his kingdom and share his love everywhere. 

Well, these are just major things that I have been processing and now I wanted to share them with you. I know that I have a lot more to learn but I just feel so incredibly blessed by God by what he has done in my this summer and all the opportunities and experiences he has given me to grow. 

Until another time. Lisa.

A Technology Driven Society

Look around you, what do you see? Cellphones, Laptops/computers, videogames, tv, Nintendo DS and Ipods. I am sure of those three there is one close by you at this point in time (especially because this is the only way you can read this.) However, I have noticed recently, even myself, use these things to occupy a majority of our time in the day. We have an hour to kill between events instead of pulling out a book we hop onto our laptops and check out the "newsfeed" on facebook. We plug in our Ipod and zone everything else out. Why do we do this? Think about the time before computers especially facebook and ipods were a big thing! We went outside we conversed with people, other than texting. Why now is that the only thing that as a society we do. Why do we more fun generally when technology is involved. Think about an average dorm and how many people play videogames or how many hours some girls spend on the phone texting or talking. Yes, that is conversing wither other people but what happened to talking to the people around you? We are so focused on the people we already know that we forget to meet the people around us. As I sat on facebook about for a half and hour earlier today I realized that I had done absolutely nothing worth my time. I sat on facebook saying to myself what am I doing? I got done and felt like my time was wasted. I could have been doing something more interesting. Like singing, piano, outside in the nicer weather, but no, because of the society I sat inside on facebook doing absolutely nothing. So, if society drags someone like me onto facebook to do absolutely nothing. What does soceity need to do to get people to enjoy the things around them that are not technological engaging. What happened to reading for fun, playing outside? So, the next time you spend an hour or over on facebook think of what you could have accomplished if you had done something else.

People Come and People Go

Well, As the summer continues I have found it very difficult to be away from my friends at college but I know as well that when I leave for college in the fall there is a high possibility that I do not see many people again. While, some people say you will never forget the people and you have the memories. I still have a hard time with this concept. People, especially close friends, are a huge part of my life. I am struggling with the concept that there are a group of my friends that when I leave for college this next fall I will not see again. It is difficult to deal with because I have grown so much with them, I have so many good memories with them they seem irreplaceable. One of my largest fears is starting to come true. I meet amazing people and then God decides to make it limited conversation and in person contact. I just am struggling with having friends because I know that there comes a point in life where you all go your separate ways and who knows when or if you will see them again. The only reassurance I have is that God is a constant. But, sometimes it is hard for me to live with just that, even though I know that is all I need. So, my thoughts are this, I have a God that is bringing people in my life that make me extremely happy and then taking them away. It just does not seem to make sense to me.

Just Some Heavy Thoughts During My Summer Days.

Carrying Our Own Burdens

In the past week I have been very stressed with everything I had to accomplish for school and my other priorities. As the week went on I was constantly exhausted. I was also sick which added another problem because I was more exhausted than usual. By Wednesday I had not a clue how I was going to get everything done; everything seemed to be due on Thursday. I was about to cry because I just did not see how it was going to be all accomplished. Before I had time to think I just said out loud, God, you are going to have to do this for me. I cannot do this by myself. As yesterday came to a close I realized that God was there for me. He helped me accomplish everything I needed to on time. "Only by Him" was the phrase that kept me going and I kept repeating yesterday. Which was true. I could have not been so calm about the most hectic day of my semester. He gave me the wisdom and strength to keep going. I am so thankful that as a believer in Christ I do not have to carry my own burdens, homework and responsibilities, Christ was there to help me along and He promises in the Bible to do so! The coolest part about that promise is because God never breaks his promises!

God's Daughter,

Lisa

Following What Is Inside

Lately I have been spending more time than usual in the Bible and I feel closer to God. This is new for me, because a year ago I could not say the same. I find that I am energized while I read the Bible. I hope I can stay motivated to trust my Lord and learn more about him.

One way I have learned to trust God is through prayer. I have spent many hours in prayer with God lately and it is so renewing. I do not remember actually praying for an hour! This semester has been really good in that aspect. It is the best part of my Friday. I have seen God work in small ways and in big ways! It is honestly amazing! God has provided income for me to be able to attend Dordt again next year and I am extremely thankful for that!

-Lisa