Miracle in Me: March 2009

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

reflection

So anyway, I was thinking about the grace of God in my life this morning and I was kind of looking back to see evidences of God's grace...I didn't have to look very far to find struggles and trials that I never thought I would make it through but I did! and only because of God's grace! I honestly think that a lot of those trials happen when I'm at my job...and some last longer than others.

Just last night, we were about three people short so everyone was extremely tired...after closing, I was put in the dining room to help Berto clean up...while four people stayed up front to clean. I noticed however about 10:15 that all the people up front had already clocked out and left...leaving their jobs unfinished. (This happens every once in a while) So i became very upset thinking "why me?" and grumbling and complaining while I not only finished my job but I had to go and finish the jobs of four other people by myself. I was finding everything I could to complain about, from the people I work with, to my leg muscles cramping, to my feet hurting, to being tired, to having a ton of homework, to anything else I could think of. Pretty much if you'd heard me, you would have thought my life was miserable and I was just so unhappy with life.

BUT, by the grace of God...the manager on duty, realized what had happened when he saw me cleaning up the front and thanked me for finishing what they had not done...and that he would talk to them later on. It was a trying day from the start but by the end of it, I realized that the trial itself didn't matter, as long as I leaned on the strength of God whose strength is made perfect in our weaknesses.

Each time, I'm struggling, I feel like the world is coming to an end, and I don't know what to do or where to turn or who to talk to...I try to rely on myself to work it out and to get myself through it, and end up stressed and worried and anxious and scared and half the time I end up in tears...but even in those times, God's grace is sufficient for me in His timing and He is always there for me when I fall (which is a lot because I'm super clumsy...but all the better for my faith) I've gone through and experienced a lot through my job (the world is no longer the place I thought it was when I was a kid =P) and in dealing with certain people and circumstances, I've learned how important it is to just trust that God will work it all out. God's grace is so amazing!

Grace Unmeasured by Bob Kauflin

Grace unmeasured, vast and free

That knew me from eternity

That called me out before my birth

To bring you glory on this earth

Grace amazing, pure and deep

That saw me in my misery

That took my curse and owned my blame

So I could bear your matchless Name

Grace, grace, grace, paid for my sins

And brought me to life

Grace, grace, grace, clothes me with power

To do what is right

Grace, grace, grace will lead me to heav'n

Where I'll see your face

And never cease to thank you for your grace

Grace abounding, strong and true

That makes me long to be like you

That turns me from my selfish pride

To love the cross on which you died

Grace unending all my days

You give me strength to run this race

And when my years on earth are through

The praise will all belong to you

Friday, March 27, 2009

...

So yeah, I finally have time to post lol! (well not really, but I'm making time!) Life has been SO crazy lately and its been hard to find a moment to breathe!

I was talking to my dad last night on the way home about the latest paper assignment in English which is the Rogerian argument...basically in the Rogerian argument goes like this:

I. State the oppositions point of view

II. The oppositions best argument and any situations in which you agree

III. HOWEVER: State your sides point of view

IV. Your sides best argument and any situations/stories

V. Compromise - things you will allow the opposition and things you cannot give up.

My English teacher was explaining this argument and kinda stopped and was like "next time you're involved in a verbal argument, try this form and see what happens, its REALLY HARD!"

So basically you would be like "so what you're telling me is...........................and here is why you are right.....................however, this is my perspective.....................and here is why..................so a good compromise would be......................" hahah!

So my dad kinda laughed at me and was like there is a biblical reference to that! So I went to BibleGateway.com and found the verse he was talking about:

"Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison." ~ Matthew 5:25 KJV
"Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison."
~ Matthew 5:25 ESV

So that was quite amusing

anyway, I'm off to get ready for work...

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Pictures and Videos from Rekindle!

(^courtesy of Liz Shea)

GORGEOUS SUNSETS!!!!!!!!! (I got pics of all of them =D)

Brandon, Stephanie, Seth, Matt, and Emily were baptized!

The Worm^ We had to wrap our teammate in 150 feet of saranwrap and they had to roll over and pop a balloon :D

Daniel, Demetrio, Rannon, and Ben doing the Spice Girls - Wanna be

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Post-Rekindle

Okay, I must say this before I get started...Rekindle was probably one of the best experiences of my life. I roomed with 2 Stephanies, Melanie, Kelley and Nina! We had a great time remembering old times and getting to know one another better. There were fun crazy games and an amazing Woah Show. But most importantly we grew, as a group. 5 people were baptized and the Lord met us each and every morning and evening for worship and messages. (For those of you who don't know what Rekindle is, its Mission28's annual Spring Break trip to the Laguna Beach Christian Fellowship Center down in Laguna Beach Florida check out mission28.com)(pictures coming later)

I have to say, Worship was one of my favorite parts of the entire week. We sang songs like Beautiful the Blood (Fee), God of this City (Chris Tomlin), and Take off my Shoes(aka Hold Me) (Delirious?) and some of Chris Flanigan's originals like Christ be All to Me and some of his remakes of old hymns. Every song seemed so appropriate to my life and just whats been going on with me lately. The messages were all very relevant and helpful in teaching and every message, they gave us time to respond...I am so excited that the Gospel was preached at every session time.

The games and the woah show were crazy! We played games like The Worm, the Frozen T-shirt Contest, Animal Ball, Drag Racing(not what you think...we had to drag Joe and Jon across the beach lol), Burger Queen, and so much more! They sound crazy and they are but its a good thing because you have to make a fool of yourself in order to play and its a great way to fight pride =D My Rekindle cup team was awesome even though we didn't win...Jessica and I totally owned Burger Queen! =D Our team was led by the amazing Zach Jamison...and included Brandon, Sobe, Jessica, Elissa, Taylor, Mark, Shaun, Chris, and I. Our team met each morning to pray for the day and it was so neat to just get together and pray...I don't know but something about sitting on the beach early in the morning together was just such a sweet time!

I got to swim in the ocean every single day(we had some pretty fun times swimming with the Jellies!)...I love the beach, it kind of helps me remember how big God is...when you're just sitting by the ocean and staring at the vastness of it and thinking that he measured out the waters in his hand...I got to watch the sun set every evening which was another just amazing site. (I got pictures of all of them =D)

So anyway...Rekindle was amazing and I cannot wait to go back next year! Pictures to come soon!