I usually consider myself a fairly disciplined person. I like my routine, my schedule, and my fairly rigid school schedule keeps me aware of every minute on the clock during the day. Even when I was young I enjoyed sticking to a schedule and being very disciplined and organized in the way I spent my time--and even in the way I spent my money. I guess I thought my spiritual life would be like that, too. Just something I naturally fell into, was able to organize, and accomplish just with the simple stroke of a pen in my planner. But it hasn't turned out that way at all. I still struggle with making a plan and sticking to my quiet time alone with God. Why is that so hard to do?
This book my Bible study group has just started--"Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life" by Donald S. Whitney--has really been an eye-opener in the first chapter. My spiritual life is a DISCIPLINE. Duh! I really enjoyed his illustration about the discipline of learning a musical instrument. Now there's something I can relate to. I don't really have a daily "practice schedule" for piano anymore for myself, but I did for all of my grade school years that I can remember. I remember having to practice the piano 10 hours a week in college. And I deal with students practically every day who struggle with finding time in their schedules to practice. Now when it comes to piano practice, I can tell a student straight up, "Can you find just 5 or 10 minutes in your day to sit down and even do a LITTLE practice? I'd much rather you did 10 minutes for 6 days than 60 minutes for 1 day. Piano is a discipline; you are training your finger muscles, and a little bit every day goes a long way." Haha, maybe I should follow my own advice! "Even if you don't feel like it, make yourself practice. You will see the results!"
What are some of the pitfalls that make this hard to do in my spiritual life? 1) I don't see the results. When I practice a piece of music, in a few days I can usually see some improvement. I need to keep my focus on the goal of godliness. 2) I don't surround myself with encouragers. Do I have people around me who will keep me accountable? Am I spending time with fellow believers who are helping me to see the areas of growth I need to work on? 3) I don't have a plan. Just like learning a musical instrument, it's not going to be easy at first--or maybe even years later. I think I've been waiting for the "instant change" that's never going to happen. I'm not going to get struck with lightning and find, "Oh, now it's easy for me to make time for God's Word every day." I need to DISCIPLINE myself for godliness. 4) I think I'm okay the way I am. If I am focusing on the people around me, I can get complacent in my spiritual life. But if I am living a cross-centered life, I am far from being perfect in this journey of sanctification.
So I am making a new commitment to being in God's Word EVERY day this week--even if it's just 5 minutes, because I want my focus and my discipline to be helping me to become more like Christ.
1 Tim. 4:8 "For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
The Shack
Another book review!
I just finished reading "The Shack" by William Paul Young. From my understanding it's a fairly controversial book right now because some Christians are endorsing it while others are condemning it. So I thought I'd read it for myself.
So if you haven't gotten the chance to read it yet (or even if you have)here's what I thought. SPOILER WARNING: If you are anticipating reading it soon and don't want to know what happens, then don't read this, because I'm planning on giving the entire plot.
The story is about Mack and his family, his wife and 5 children. It's kind of a book in two sections. The first section is the part of the story that tells what has shaped Mack's thinking up to the point where he meets God at the shack. The second half of the book is where Mack gets a greater understanding of God's love and his thinking is changed.
I didn't enjoy the first part of the book as I found it a little hard to get into. It tells the story of how Mack's father, although externally religious and a church elder, was a closet drunkard and beat his wife and son and how Mack had run away from home at age 13 and harbored serious bitterness toward God because of his father. Then came the story of the "Great Sadness." Mack's family was camping in Oregon and his 6-old daughter was kidnapped and brually murdered. They tracked her killer to a "shack" out in the wilderness. Four years later Mack is still bitter and his family is still struggling with the loss of Missy.
Then Mack gets a note from "Papa" (his wife's affectionate name for God): "It's been a while. I've missed you. I'll be at the shack next weekend if you want to get together."
So he heads to the shack where Missy was taken to confront whatever he will find there. When he arrives he is met by "God" in three persons: Papa (an affectionate black woman), Jesus (the carpenter), and Sarayu (a wispy Asian woman). This is where it gets a little weird. Obviously it's a work of fiction and not a work of theology, although theologically God could manifest Himself however He needed to at the time. And really how DO we as finite humans understand the Trinity? I believe what the author is trying to convey here is that Mack needed God to manifest His love for him. Along the lines of "why do bad things happen to good people," Mack did not believe that God loved him and really knew what was best for him. By the affectionate greeting of Papa, Mack was stunned that God really cared for him and was not like his own father. Now whether we agree that God would manifest himself as a woman is debatable, but He could, I suppose, if that's what it would take for Mack to comprehend His love. (And later on after Mack forgives his father Papa does manifest himself as a man.) This book does not delve into the balance of wrath versus love and instead focuses on God's love, which in 248 pages still can only just skim the surface. And this book does not cover how sinful we are or how undeserving we are or what we face apart from God, it just focuses on how much God loves of us. Now of course we want to read everything through the filter of the Word of God. Not everything in this book may line up with how we may understand the Trinity to work, but I thought that it was actually fairly theologically sound for trying to split the Trinity up into three fictional people and how they might relate to each other. It's not something we'll ever truly understand until we get to heaven. And I think he's also pointing out that Mack had a lot of preconceived notions when it came to God that weren't Biblical.
Some sentences I wasn't sure were accurate: "Papa: 'There's no easy answer that will take your pain away. Believe me, If I had one, I'd use it now.'" (p. 92) I didn't like that sentence because it makes it sound as if God is not omnipotent.
(p. 96) "Regardless of what [Jesus] felt at that moment [on the cross], I never left Him." I don't know. I always thought there was some sort of separation there, but can God separate from Himself?
(p. 96) "He found his way through it [the cross] to put Himself completely into my hands." I don't know; it just sounds a little touchy-feely to me.
But there were parts of it that I really liked. Sarayu (the Holy Spirit) was the garden tender and Mack thought her garden looked like a mess. But it only looked like a mess when you were in it; it was really a "fractal" (from above it had a pattern to it). Our lives might look like messes to us but God is really in control of it all. We don't understand what God is doing--and that's why He is God and we are not! God does love us and wants what's best for us--or maybe not what's best for us but what is best for His purpose and plan to be complete--which is conforming us to the image of His Son. And just as Mack was a dynamic character, learning to forgive his father and even the man who had murdered Misy and trust God's wisdom, we can learn to trust God and believe in his great love for us.
So depending on where you are in your spiritual journey, this book COULD help you understand God's love (or His "special fondness") for you a tiny bit better, if you are in a place where you need to hear it.
But don't let books take the place of the only one True and Living Word in which there is no error!
I just finished reading "The Shack" by William Paul Young. From my understanding it's a fairly controversial book right now because some Christians are endorsing it while others are condemning it. So I thought I'd read it for myself.
So if you haven't gotten the chance to read it yet (or even if you have)here's what I thought. SPOILER WARNING: If you are anticipating reading it soon and don't want to know what happens, then don't read this, because I'm planning on giving the entire plot.
The story is about Mack and his family, his wife and 5 children. It's kind of a book in two sections. The first section is the part of the story that tells what has shaped Mack's thinking up to the point where he meets God at the shack. The second half of the book is where Mack gets a greater understanding of God's love and his thinking is changed.
I didn't enjoy the first part of the book as I found it a little hard to get into. It tells the story of how Mack's father, although externally religious and a church elder, was a closet drunkard and beat his wife and son and how Mack had run away from home at age 13 and harbored serious bitterness toward God because of his father. Then came the story of the "Great Sadness." Mack's family was camping in Oregon and his 6-old daughter was kidnapped and brually murdered. They tracked her killer to a "shack" out in the wilderness. Four years later Mack is still bitter and his family is still struggling with the loss of Missy.
Then Mack gets a note from "Papa" (his wife's affectionate name for God): "It's been a while. I've missed you. I'll be at the shack next weekend if you want to get together."
So he heads to the shack where Missy was taken to confront whatever he will find there. When he arrives he is met by "God" in three persons: Papa (an affectionate black woman), Jesus (the carpenter), and Sarayu (a wispy Asian woman). This is where it gets a little weird. Obviously it's a work of fiction and not a work of theology, although theologically God could manifest Himself however He needed to at the time. And really how DO we as finite humans understand the Trinity? I believe what the author is trying to convey here is that Mack needed God to manifest His love for him. Along the lines of "why do bad things happen to good people," Mack did not believe that God loved him and really knew what was best for him. By the affectionate greeting of Papa, Mack was stunned that God really cared for him and was not like his own father. Now whether we agree that God would manifest himself as a woman is debatable, but He could, I suppose, if that's what it would take for Mack to comprehend His love. (And later on after Mack forgives his father Papa does manifest himself as a man.) This book does not delve into the balance of wrath versus love and instead focuses on God's love, which in 248 pages still can only just skim the surface. And this book does not cover how sinful we are or how undeserving we are or what we face apart from God, it just focuses on how much God loves of us. Now of course we want to read everything through the filter of the Word of God. Not everything in this book may line up with how we may understand the Trinity to work, but I thought that it was actually fairly theologically sound for trying to split the Trinity up into three fictional people and how they might relate to each other. It's not something we'll ever truly understand until we get to heaven. And I think he's also pointing out that Mack had a lot of preconceived notions when it came to God that weren't Biblical.
Some sentences I wasn't sure were accurate: "Papa: 'There's no easy answer that will take your pain away. Believe me, If I had one, I'd use it now.'" (p. 92) I didn't like that sentence because it makes it sound as if God is not omnipotent.
(p. 96) "Regardless of what [Jesus] felt at that moment [on the cross], I never left Him." I don't know. I always thought there was some sort of separation there, but can God separate from Himself?
(p. 96) "He found his way through it [the cross] to put Himself completely into my hands." I don't know; it just sounds a little touchy-feely to me.
But there were parts of it that I really liked. Sarayu (the Holy Spirit) was the garden tender and Mack thought her garden looked like a mess. But it only looked like a mess when you were in it; it was really a "fractal" (from above it had a pattern to it). Our lives might look like messes to us but God is really in control of it all. We don't understand what God is doing--and that's why He is God and we are not! God does love us and wants what's best for us--or maybe not what's best for us but what is best for His purpose and plan to be complete--which is conforming us to the image of His Son. And just as Mack was a dynamic character, learning to forgive his father and even the man who had murdered Misy and trust God's wisdom, we can learn to trust God and believe in his great love for us.
So depending on where you are in your spiritual journey, this book COULD help you understand God's love (or His "special fondness") for you a tiny bit better, if you are in a place where you need to hear it.
But don't let books take the place of the only one True and Living Word in which there is no error!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Twilight
I just finished reading the fourth and final book in Stephanie Meyers' "Twilight Series" (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, & Breaking Dawn). Ok, ok, ok, I know what you're thinking. Before you start in on me about getting caught up in the "vampire hype," don't worry, I'm not going to be plastering Twilight posters in my room or writing Edward Cullen's name in calligraphy on scrap paper or drinking out of a Twilight mug or anything. In fact, the first time I saw some high school girls reading the Twilight series I told myself that I wasn't going to read them...ever. That it was a complete waste of time. But my morbid curiosity kicked in, and this summer I caved. So here's my review.
I can't say it wasn't possibly a waste of time, but I did find it very entertaining and enjoyable. I do love to read, especially good stories, and this was a very well-written and well-thought out story line and plot. I generally don't enjoy stories written in first person tense, but from the first page of Twilight I was hooked. As a fantasy, I would liken it to a cross between Harry Potter and X-Men. Whereas Harry Potter (which incidentally I also enjoyed reading) is all about witchcraft and wizardry, Twilight is all about vampires and werewolves (in some Christian circles maybe not as controversial). But I also liken it to X-Men because of the special powers and fighting.
If you are not familiar with the plot of Twilight at all, Bella is an ordinary high school girl who falls in love with a vampire: Edward Cullen, whom she meets in high school. This was the only part of the plot that I didn't really like. I mean, can you really have a real, true "love of your life" when you're 17 years old? But for some reason in this case it works. And the book was surprisingly moral and family-friendly, although I wouldn't recommend it for any really young readers as there are sexual elements, although surprisingly again no premarital sex. And I'd have to say that Bella's morals and view of marriage were not very Biblical, although I'm sure the author was just giving an insight into how her parents' split-up had affected her. But she really did seem to have an agape, self-sacrificing love, not only for Edward, but also for her parents. Another thing that I enjoyed from a Biblical perspective was that it was very creationist. The flood was even alluded to, and no evolutionary theory slipped in at all. It might be a little gory for kids--what with the blood drinking and all. But at first I couldn't imagine how the plot could expand into approximately 2,000 pages, but things continue to change and happen (don't worry, I won't spoil anything for you if you want to read it) and you keep reading to find out if Bella becomes a vampire, if Victoria will have her revenge, if Edward can protect her, what Jacob's role is, if the Volturi will ruin everything, if they can really survive, and if Bella can protect the ones she loves. So if you are looking for a idealistic, happy-ever-after fairy tale, this is the series for you!
I'm actually glad that I read the series, especially since it seems to be all the craze in high schools now--even FCS! We're only 1 week into the year and it's already been referenced quite a few times. So at least I can speak knowledgeably!
P.S. The Twilight MOVIE, however, is not worth watching, unlike Harry Potter films. Because so much of Twilight takes place in Bella's head it is really hard to capture on film. And I don't really even want to see the New Moon movie. I'm sure it just can't even compare to the book.
I can't say it wasn't possibly a waste of time, but I did find it very entertaining and enjoyable. I do love to read, especially good stories, and this was a very well-written and well-thought out story line and plot. I generally don't enjoy stories written in first person tense, but from the first page of Twilight I was hooked. As a fantasy, I would liken it to a cross between Harry Potter and X-Men. Whereas Harry Potter (which incidentally I also enjoyed reading) is all about witchcraft and wizardry, Twilight is all about vampires and werewolves (in some Christian circles maybe not as controversial). But I also liken it to X-Men because of the special powers and fighting.
If you are not familiar with the plot of Twilight at all, Bella is an ordinary high school girl who falls in love with a vampire: Edward Cullen, whom she meets in high school. This was the only part of the plot that I didn't really like. I mean, can you really have a real, true "love of your life" when you're 17 years old? But for some reason in this case it works. And the book was surprisingly moral and family-friendly, although I wouldn't recommend it for any really young readers as there are sexual elements, although surprisingly again no premarital sex. And I'd have to say that Bella's morals and view of marriage were not very Biblical, although I'm sure the author was just giving an insight into how her parents' split-up had affected her. But she really did seem to have an agape, self-sacrificing love, not only for Edward, but also for her parents. Another thing that I enjoyed from a Biblical perspective was that it was very creationist. The flood was even alluded to, and no evolutionary theory slipped in at all. It might be a little gory for kids--what with the blood drinking and all. But at first I couldn't imagine how the plot could expand into approximately 2,000 pages, but things continue to change and happen (don't worry, I won't spoil anything for you if you want to read it) and you keep reading to find out if Bella becomes a vampire, if Victoria will have her revenge, if Edward can protect her, what Jacob's role is, if the Volturi will ruin everything, if they can really survive, and if Bella can protect the ones she loves. So if you are looking for a idealistic, happy-ever-after fairy tale, this is the series for you!
I'm actually glad that I read the series, especially since it seems to be all the craze in high schools now--even FCS! We're only 1 week into the year and it's already been referenced quite a few times. So at least I can speak knowledgeably!
P.S. The Twilight MOVIE, however, is not worth watching, unlike Harry Potter films. Because so much of Twilight takes place in Bella's head it is really hard to capture on film. And I don't really even want to see the New Moon movie. I'm sure it just can't even compare to the book.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Going Green
My summer project for my house this summer was painting my kitchen, a feat which thankfully we DID accomplish! Sarah and I spent a day painting and I had fun spending all of my money on a low-budget "update" of my kitchen.
No one had painted in the kitchen before so it was the plain, boring, off-white.
BEFORE:
With advice from my roommates, I decided to go with "Brush Meadow" green:
Yeah, Sarah had fun with the wall that is behind the stove.
Sunflower accents
I'm still trying to decide on curtains, but this is what I've found so far. And notice that I put knobs on all the cupboards! Hmm? Pretty snazzy, eh?
AFTER:
I think we're close to done.
Thank you HGTV and Food Network!
No one had painted in the kitchen before so it was the plain, boring, off-white.
BEFORE:
With advice from my roommates, I decided to go with "Brush Meadow" green:
Yeah, Sarah had fun with the wall that is behind the stove.
Sunflower accents
I'm still trying to decide on curtains, but this is what I've found so far. And notice that I put knobs on all the cupboards! Hmm? Pretty snazzy, eh?
AFTER:
I think we're close to done.
Thank you HGTV and Food Network!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Helping Out Dad
Rototilling the garden. One new project I was able to help my dad with this week while I'm at their house. My dad has been sick. He got a disease from a Virginian tick: human ehrlichiosis. Before they figured out what it was, he spent many days tired and feverish before finally being admitted to the hospital--for 5 days. Now he's rehydrated but still on antibiotics and other medicine and still very weak. The doctor says it will probably be 6-8 weeks before he really feels back to "normal." So I'm glad I'm able to be around to help out with some chores while I'm home. Dad helped me get the rototiller (from the neighbor's shed) and helped me get started. Then he supervised.
This week the chores are mowing the lawn and PLANTING the garden...
This week the chores are mowing the lawn and PLANTING the garden...
Friday, May 15, 2009
Music Teacher Purchases Sonata
Lafayette, IN--Beth Hill, a local piano teacher, recently acquired a new vehicle. Jon Hubner, Inc., a used car dealership in Otterbein, had a 2009 Hyundai Sonata with only 16,000 miles available for sale. In a timely turn of events, Miss Hill was able to sell her 1999 Dodge Stratus and purchase the new, sleek Sonata for a reasonable price, as it was a repossession from the Chicago area. Further information can be obtained from the owner.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Happy 3rd Birthday, Juju!
Today Juju turned 3, so I took her to PetSmart. She was very excited because she LOVES shopping!
Did we find anything good?
She is enjoying her peanut butter marrow-filled bone.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JUJU!!
Did we find anything good?
She is enjoying her peanut butter marrow-filled bone.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JUJU!!
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