Life & Such

It has been pretty eventful - this life thing that is happening.

The title on my journal is "Life Begins".

I can tell you the reasoning behind that. It's not the fact that I just start living - but instead - this whole crazy life after being in a summer missions program. Sometimes it's just so hard to go from a place where you are always being poured into, encouraged, motivated and held accountable. But then life happens - and things aren't always perfect.

But on to life & what's been happening.

I am not the intern at CEI - Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovate at WKU and it's pretty exciting. I am doing "pr" work for them now and it's exciting. I get to actually come in to work and worry about projects, instead of doing silly things like filing (no fun).

School has been absolutely hectic. there are certain weeks throughout the semester that it seems like every professor you have joins together to give tests on the same two days. That was this week. I had three tests in my three class and then one on the next day. So one professor was merciful but 4 out of 5 had it out for me this week.

But the few people that didn't... Dave Barnes, Matt Wertz, Matthew Perryman Jones and Katie Herzig. I got to see all these wonderful musicians in Nashville at "Live On The Green". It was amazing. Usually concerts seems to be kind of hectic when they are free and outside. Everyone rushes the stage (especially if they have beautiful hair like the first two guys mentioned earlier). But instead I got to be contemplative. Instead of staring into Dave Barne's face being squashed by girls who love him, I was laying on the grass staring at the sky. It was marvelous.

The best part about the whole event, it was after a completely stressful day of three tests (darn professors). It was a night to unwind and forget about everything... which I did.. and then around 9:45 - I was reminded that I had an accounting 200 test scheduled for 9:10. GREAT. I could have regretted the night that I spent enjoying music and neglecting to study - but instead I saw it in the positive light - I wasn't able to worry about my test that next morning. So I guess it all worked out okay.

Life & Such.. God is good & life is beautiful.

quotes & thoughts

There have been a few quotes that have stood out to me recently. I have been reading 'My Utmost For His Highest' & it has been amazing.  So there are a few (all but one) that will come from there... but I thought it would be neat to just put them on here - they are amazing and I hope that you find Truth in them.

We are to a large degree the sum of our loves and we will of moral necessity grow into the image of what we love most. - Tozer

The preaching of the gospel awakens intense resentment because it must reveal that I am unholy; but it also awakens an intense craving. - My Utmost- Oswald Chambers. 

- this whole gospel adventure has been a crazy one. It seems like every time I think about the gospel... I just get so overwhelmed and excited.  Craving is the exact word that describes it.  I learned about the gospel (it came alive) this summer and was completely in awe.  I have a friend that reminded me to remember the gospel when I go back to real life.  Since this summer there have been plenty of times where I have been talking to friends and my exact words have been, "Jesus, Gospel, Love, Grace... WHAT?" really... how amazing it is to just think about it and attempt to live it out. 

It is an insult to use the word happiness in connection with Jesus Christ.  The joy of Jesus was absolute self-surrender and self- sacrifice of Himself to His Father, the joy of doing that which the Father sent Him to do.  The life rightly related to God is as natural as breathing wherever it goes.  the lives that have been of most blessing to you are those who were unconscious of it.  - My Utmost - Oswald

- wow. the next line in my journal says, "such good stuff. JOY... how do you start? Live life rightly related to God." 

Faith is unutterable trust in God. Trust which never dreams that He will not stand by us. - My Utmost - Oswald Chambers (again...) 

- After I read this, my mind automatically went to Isaiah 43 - WHEN you walk pass through the rivers - they will not overwhelm you.  You will not be scorched WHEN you walk through the fire. - Such a beautiful & true promise that He will never leave you or forsake you.

We always know when Jesus is at work because He produces in the commonplace something that is inspiring. - once again... my utmost - oswald. 

- I keep going back to this quote - it is so true. He doesn't need something extra special to make it wonderful. He works.  He is truth and beauty and justice and peace and mercy. What.. really? 

Another thing that I realized this summer is that Belief = obedience(I may have written this many times before.. but here it is again).  So belief in all this gospel, inspiring, faith, grace, and love stuff is/should be followed closely by obedience.. and this obedience I think - looks like what I read today about Holiness. 'Destiny of Holiness' and it said, 'continually restate to yourself what the purpose of your life is.  The destined end of man is not happiness, nor health, but holiness. ... Holiness means unsullied walking with the feet, unsullied talking with the mouth, unsullied thinking with the mind - every detail of the life under the scrutiny of God. 

"Therefore, get your minds ready for action, being self-disciplined, and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought ot you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  All obedient children do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance but, as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written. Be holy, because I am holy." - 1 Peter 1:16

(the best motivation for holiness... to follow the example of the One who has made the promises)

-have a wonderful day!

-Emily