My life is like a desert.
I've been here for years,
and I haven't been able to swallow since day one.
I've tried so hard to quench that thirst.
I've tried the lemon juice of popularity.
The coffee of boys.
The tea of friends.
The gatorade of doing the right things.
The powerade of appearing perfect.
But in the end, while some may,
on the surface, seem to satisfy -
I'm still left with a deep thirst.
Only the Living Water can satisfy my desire.
Only the Living Water can quench my deep thirst.
Satisfaction comes only through Christ,
not through the dehydrating liquids of this world.
A Deep Thirst
Trust
Trust
I've been learning lately that trusting God isn't easy.
You'd think it would be,
I mean - who doesn't want the creator of the world in charge of their lives?
He obviously knows what's best.
Trusting God is easier in the good times.
When I'm happy, when all the world is right and good in my eyes -
it's easier for me to say "alright God, you got this."
But it's so easy for me to snatch my life back into my own hands when things go wrong.
The truth is - that isn't trust at all.
That's like telling someone they can drive,
and then the minute their hands touch the wheel making them move to the passenger seat.
That's like telling someone you love them,
But you'll only be married to them every other Tuesday. For an hour.
I think it's hard for me to accept.
That sometimes, bad things happen.
I don't understand - and in some instances, I never will.
When I'm driving through the pouring rain,
and visibility is non-existent,
I need to hand over the wheel.
It's in those moments,
when tragedy strikes,
and you're left speechless.
Holding your friend in your arms,
as she sobs as if the world is ending.
Those are the moments that I realize I can't be in control.
And I don't want to be.
It's in those moments that I realize that I really have to trust God.
Not just halfway, or three quarters,
but 100%.
I have to give him the good and the bad.
And trust that He knows what He's doing.
That someday I might look back and understand why.
But until then to not let myself get shaken by this world.
You'd think it would be,
I mean - who doesn't want the creator of the world in charge of their lives?
He obviously knows what's best.
Trusting God is easier in the good times.
When I'm happy, when all the world is right and good in my eyes -
it's easier for me to say "alright God, you got this."
But it's so easy for me to snatch my life back into my own hands when things go wrong.
The truth is - that isn't trust at all.
That's like telling someone they can drive,
and then the minute their hands touch the wheel making them move to the passenger seat.
That's like telling someone you love them,
But you'll only be married to them every other Tuesday. For an hour.
I think it's hard for me to accept.
That sometimes, bad things happen.
I don't understand - and in some instances, I never will.
When I'm driving through the pouring rain,
and visibility is non-existent,
I need to hand over the wheel.
It's in those moments,
when tragedy strikes,
and you're left speechless.
Holding your friend in your arms,
as she sobs as if the world is ending.
Those are the moments that I realize I can't be in control.
And I don't want to be.
It's in those moments that I realize that I really have to trust God.
Not just halfway, or three quarters,
but 100%.
I have to give him the good and the bad.
And trust that He knows what He's doing.
That someday I might look back and understand why.
But until then to not let myself get shaken by this world.
Perfection
Perfection
Something God has been teaching me and I've had to reconcile is the fact that I'm not perfect, and I never will be.
Yes, I will strive to be more like God and therefore Holy, which is a part of the sanctification process - but I will not reach that perfect state until I see my Creator's face.
For most people this isn't a big deal.
I mean, duh Aunica, didn't you know? We can't be perfect.
But my whole life I've strived for this goal.
Subconsciously thinking that when I'm perfect, then I will deserve the love of others.
Believing that I can't help others if I'm not whole,
when in fact - God can use my brokenness.
I've had to reconcile to the fact that I may never be whole.
Because of my sin nature and past I will always be broken,
it's how I deal with this brokenness that matters.
Joy comes from the Lord, this I know.
Happiness is a choice.
Joy is a command.
I will always have to rely on God's strength.
I will never be able to do it on my own.
I will never truly be the woman I want to be,
I will instead be the woman God created me to be.
Perfection.
It still hovers over my head as a constant reminder of my inadequacy.
But instead of enslaving me,
it simply reminds me to rely on God's strength and not my own.
Teaching me to constantly give over control to my Father in Heaven.
Maybe this is nothing new for you.
Maybe it is.
I just know that for me, it's life changing.
The fact that I'm not expected to be perfect rattles me to the core,
as my striving slows until I stand still in the presence of the Lord.
I'm not perfect.
I'm nowhere near perfection.
I never will be.
God's love isn't conditional.
It doesn't act upon the level of perfection,
the number of times you quote bible verses in a day,
or the times you go to church instead of sleeping in.
God's love is unconditional.
I'm not a slave to perfection anymore.
Instead, I quote the bible because I want to and by the promptings of the Spirit.
I go to church because I desire to learn about God.
It's not an obligation, it's a desire.
God uses broken vessels for His glory.
His power can be magnified through my weaknesses.
When I am weak, He is strong.
So basically - He's always strong.
I'm always weak.
He's in control.
I'm not.
He loves me even when I'm not perfect.
Wow.
That might take a few days to process.
Or a lifetime.
Truly unconditional love.
Our God is WAY too good.
I am so unworthy, but He loves me anyways.
Yes, I will strive to be more like God and therefore Holy, which is a part of the sanctification process - but I will not reach that perfect state until I see my Creator's face.
For most people this isn't a big deal.
I mean, duh Aunica, didn't you know? We can't be perfect.
But my whole life I've strived for this goal.
Subconsciously thinking that when I'm perfect, then I will deserve the love of others.
Believing that I can't help others if I'm not whole,
when in fact - God can use my brokenness.
I've had to reconcile to the fact that I may never be whole.
Because of my sin nature and past I will always be broken,
it's how I deal with this brokenness that matters.
Joy comes from the Lord, this I know.
Happiness is a choice.
Joy is a command.
I will always have to rely on God's strength.
I will never be able to do it on my own.
I will never truly be the woman I want to be,
I will instead be the woman God created me to be.
Perfection.
It still hovers over my head as a constant reminder of my inadequacy.
But instead of enslaving me,
it simply reminds me to rely on God's strength and not my own.
Teaching me to constantly give over control to my Father in Heaven.
Maybe this is nothing new for you.
Maybe it is.
I just know that for me, it's life changing.
The fact that I'm not expected to be perfect rattles me to the core,
as my striving slows until I stand still in the presence of the Lord.
I'm not perfect.
I'm nowhere near perfection.
I never will be.
God's love isn't conditional.
It doesn't act upon the level of perfection,
the number of times you quote bible verses in a day,
or the times you go to church instead of sleeping in.
God's love is unconditional.
I'm not a slave to perfection anymore.
Instead, I quote the bible because I want to and by the promptings of the Spirit.
I go to church because I desire to learn about God.
It's not an obligation, it's a desire.
God uses broken vessels for His glory.
His power can be magnified through my weaknesses.
When I am weak, He is strong.
So basically - He's always strong.
I'm always weak.
He's in control.
I'm not.
He loves me even when I'm not perfect.
Wow.
That might take a few days to process.
Or a lifetime.
Truly unconditional love.
Our God is WAY too good.
I am so unworthy, but He loves me anyways.
Ephesians 1:4
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Love, Hearts, and Chalky Candy
Love, Hearts, and Chalky Candy
When you love someone, you want to get to know them better - to reach the depths of their heart. To see where their passions and desires lie.
So tomorrow will be spent diving into the depths of God's heart.
Where does His heart lie?
What makes Him smile?
What makes Him sad?
Jesus dates are the best - especially on the day we celebrate love!
1 John 4:18 --> There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
So tomorrow will be spent diving into the depths of God's heart.
Where does His heart lie?
What makes Him smile?
What makes Him sad?
Jesus dates are the best - especially on the day we celebrate love!
1 John 4:18 --> There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Empathy
Empathy
Jesus. The ultimate Empathizer.
He didn't have to come and experience the pain of this world,
He could have saved us in a different way.
But our God is a personal God.
So He sent His son to be persecuted in this world.
To go through the trials of this life.
To be able to understand our pain.
And He is victorious.
He overcame the world.
He understands.
He didn't have to come and experience the pain of this world,
He could have saved us in a different way.
But our God is a personal God.
So He sent His son to be persecuted in this world.
To go through the trials of this life.
To be able to understand our pain.
And He is victorious.
He overcame the world.
He understands.
Hebrews 2:18 -"Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."
Working Out
Working Out
There's something about exercising that just helps clear your head.
I really truly love the feeling of blood pumping through my veins,
music in my ears,
and an hour to kill.
Whether it be kickboxing,
running,
the elliptical,
or zumba -
I really enjoy the time I spend working out.
It's time I can mentally wrestle with God.
Talking things over.
And completely immerse myself in my mind -
all while still be super productive!
Today I ran 7 miles on the elliptical and burned 450 calories.
For my first time in the actual weight room, I'd deem that a success.
All in all, thanks God for exercise.
For muscles.
For the ability to run and jump and soar.
It's really enjoyable.
I really truly love the feeling of blood pumping through my veins,
music in my ears,
and an hour to kill.
Whether it be kickboxing,
running,
the elliptical,
or zumba -
I really enjoy the time I spend working out.
It's time I can mentally wrestle with God.
Talking things over.
And completely immerse myself in my mind -
all while still be super productive!
Today I ran 7 miles on the elliptical and burned 450 calories.
For my first time in the actual weight room, I'd deem that a success.
All in all, thanks God for exercise.
For muscles.
For the ability to run and jump and soar.
It's really enjoyable.
Springtime
Springtime
Today I'm dreaming about Springtime.
Of birds chirping.
Of napping while wearing socks,
with the light breeze ruffling the curtains.
Today I'm dreaming of Springtime.
Of green grass and sunshine.
Of laughter and spring break.
Of no cares and no coat.
Of birds chirping.
Of napping while wearing socks,
with the light breeze ruffling the curtains.
Today I'm dreaming of Springtime.
Of green grass and sunshine.
Of laughter and spring break.
Of no cares and no coat.
DESIGN (:
DESIGN (:
http://bugraphicdesign.posterous.com/collage-43204
Adventures in graphic design.
My first time using Illustrator.
It was a big day.
The first typography is the letter Mr. Darcy writes Elizabeth in Pride & Prejudice.
The second is Psalm 27 (my favorite psalm).
The third is a poem I wrote recently.
Adventures in graphic design.
My first time using Illustrator.
It was a big day.
The first typography is the letter Mr. Darcy writes Elizabeth in Pride & Prejudice.
The second is Psalm 27 (my favorite psalm).
The third is a poem I wrote recently.
Nobody's Perfect
Nobody's Perfect
Perfection.
It's something I've strived for since before I can remember.
A burden I've carried from a young age.
Never happy with any of my work.
Never content with what I've done,
only seeing the improvements to be made.
Today God lifted that burden.
He showed me that it's okay to be broken.
It's okay to not be okay.
It's okay to be sad.
To be upset.
To be hurting.
In reality - we live in a broken world,
full of broken people.
And I'm one of them.
As a Christian, my life isn't perfect.
In fact, a lot of the time it feels like it's anything but that.
It's not that as Christians our lives will be easy.
It's not that as a Christian my life will be all sunshine and flowers.
We go through struggles. We go through hardships. We go through trials.
It's how we react and deal with those situations that matters.
We might not always be happy, but we can find Joy through the cross.
I'm not the mistakes I've made.
I'm not my past.
I'm not the things that have happened to me.
My desire is that when people see me,
they won't see Aunica.
My desire is that they'll see my Father.
That through me, they'll see a part of my Savior.
The reason for my Joy.
That through the cracks in my heart,
He'll shine through.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 -->
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
It's something I've strived for since before I can remember.
A burden I've carried from a young age.
Never happy with any of my work.
Never content with what I've done,
only seeing the improvements to be made.
Today God lifted that burden.
He showed me that it's okay to be broken.
It's okay to not be okay.
It's okay to be sad.
To be upset.
To be hurting.
In reality - we live in a broken world,
full of broken people.
And I'm one of them.
As a Christian, my life isn't perfect.
In fact, a lot of the time it feels like it's anything but that.
It's not that as Christians our lives will be easy.
It's not that as a Christian my life will be all sunshine and flowers.
We go through struggles. We go through hardships. We go through trials.
It's how we react and deal with those situations that matters.
We might not always be happy, but we can find Joy through the cross.
I'm not the mistakes I've made.
I'm not my past.
I'm not the things that have happened to me.
My desire is that when people see me,
they won't see Aunica.
My desire is that they'll see my Father.
That through me, they'll see a part of my Savior.
The reason for my Joy.
That through the cracks in my heart,
He'll shine through.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 -->
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
You & Me {A Poem}
You & Me {A Poem}
It's no new thing
to hear girls talking
about ring by spring
and it's nothing new
to say that I, Oh I
really like you
You've had my heart for a while
ever since the first time
that you made me smile
2 and a half years to be precise
but liking someone
comes with a price
You see, I guard my heart
and I guard it well
so I keep it apart
Sometimes I guard it too well
and I get afraid that
You'll never fall under my spell
That you can't see
the way that I watch
you look at me
Your eyes burn into mine
and all I can think about
is your fingers intertwined with mine
Sometimes it's all I can do
to keep myself
from staring at you
You dazzle me with a glance -
this could be the start
of a beautiful romance
We'd honor God in our love
pointing others not towards us
but towards our Savior above
But until that then
I'll just sit here
and wonder when
knowing that timing is key
but it's hard to not think about
if it'll just be You and Me.
to hear girls talking
about ring by spring
and it's nothing new
to say that I, Oh I
really like you
You've had my heart for a while
ever since the first time
that you made me smile
2 and a half years to be precise
but liking someone
comes with a price
You see, I guard my heart
and I guard it well
so I keep it apart
Sometimes I guard it too well
and I get afraid that
You'll never fall under my spell
That you can't see
the way that I watch
you look at me
Your eyes burn into mine
and all I can think about
is your fingers intertwined with mine
Sometimes it's all I can do
to keep myself
from staring at you
You dazzle me with a glance -
this could be the start
of a beautiful romance
We'd honor God in our love
pointing others not towards us
but towards our Savior above
But until that then
I'll just sit here
and wonder when
knowing that timing is key
but it's hard to not think about
if it'll just be You and Me.
Blessed
Blessed
Today God reminded me of how incredibly blessed I am to be at a Christian college.
I look around our campus and see kids who care about God,
maybe some less than I would hope,
but they do - to an extent - at least care about God.
I'm not persecuted for my faith,
I can openly talk about my joy for the Lord without a thought.
I can discuss deep theological topics with other people my age who genuinely care and will search scripture for answers.
I can say I'll be praying for someone without them ever getting upset with me.
I can take bible classes and deepen my biblical knowledge.
I can have accountability partners.
I can have bible studies.
I am incredibly blessed,
and I praise the Lord for this time of growing,
knowing that in a few years I'll once again find myself in the world.
Surrounded by the depth of despair and pain that encompasses our fallen world,
but this time I'll have tasted the depth of peace that comes from living in community with believers.
This time, I'll be better equipped to take the world for Christ.
Look out, world, this girl really loves Jesus -
and she's not afraid to talk about it.
I look around our campus and see kids who care about God,
maybe some less than I would hope,
but they do - to an extent - at least care about God.
I'm not persecuted for my faith,
I can openly talk about my joy for the Lord without a thought.
I can discuss deep theological topics with other people my age who genuinely care and will search scripture for answers.
I can say I'll be praying for someone without them ever getting upset with me.
I can take bible classes and deepen my biblical knowledge.
I can have accountability partners.
I can have bible studies.
I am incredibly blessed,
and I praise the Lord for this time of growing,
knowing that in a few years I'll once again find myself in the world.
Surrounded by the depth of despair and pain that encompasses our fallen world,
but this time I'll have tasted the depth of peace that comes from living in community with believers.
This time, I'll be better equipped to take the world for Christ.
Look out, world, this girl really loves Jesus -
and she's not afraid to talk about it.
Musica de Mi Dios
Musica de Mi Dios
Current Playlist:
Weak Man by Leeland
Dear Heart by Sanctus Real
The Great Awakening by Leeland
Avalanche by Hillsong
Pure Bride - Leeland
Carry Me on Your Back - Leeland
How Great Thou Art - Phil Wickham
Crazy Love - Robbie Seay Band
Pages - Leeland
Weak Man by Leeland
Dear Heart by Sanctus Real
The Great Awakening by Leeland
Avalanche by Hillsong
Pure Bride - Leeland
Carry Me on Your Back - Leeland
How Great Thou Art - Phil Wickham
Crazy Love - Robbie Seay Band
Pages - Leeland
Girls Have Trash Cans
Girls Have Trash Cans
Girls are emotional.
Let's be honest.
Our emotions are like trash cans.
Some girls have a small waste basket,
that quickly overflows.
Other girls have the regular-sized kitchen garbage can.
They can generally control their emotions,
but occasionally tears will come.
I'm not like these girls.
I don't have a waste basket.
I don't have a kitchen can.
I have a dumpster.
The mega-sized kind that holds 10-years of emotions.
Instead of emptying the trash can every week,
sometimes more,
I just push it down.
Other people dump their trash into my dumpster.
They throw their bag of emotions into my abyss of waste.
I seldom glance in that dumpster.
In fact, the only time I really glance at it is when it's getting close to the top.
Then I smush it down, and move along.
Mmm. Emotions.
The thing about garbage cans and dumpsters is that at some point,
they get full.
They aren't an unending abyss of disposal.
They don't self-destruct or erode into nothing.
They grow over time,
the baggage increases.
Until one day,
it gets to be too much.
And you crack.
It's more like realizing that I have a lot of trash to get rid of.
That even though I may have a dumpster, I still have to purge your emotional baggage.
Instead of giving it to someone else,
I take it to the junk yard.
To the one place where it won't bother anyone else.
I take it to the foot of the cross.
Where emotional baggage and pain dull in comparison to the glory that is our Christ.
Matthew 11:28-30 --
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Let's be honest.
Our emotions are like trash cans.
Some girls have a small waste basket,
that quickly overflows.
Other girls have the regular-sized kitchen garbage can.
They can generally control their emotions,
but occasionally tears will come.
I'm not like these girls.
I don't have a waste basket.
I don't have a kitchen can.
I have a dumpster.
The mega-sized kind that holds 10-years of emotions.
Instead of emptying the trash can every week,
sometimes more,
I just push it down.
Other people dump their trash into my dumpster.
They throw their bag of emotions into my abyss of waste.
I seldom glance in that dumpster.
In fact, the only time I really glance at it is when it's getting close to the top.
Then I smush it down, and move along.
Mmm. Emotions.
The thing about garbage cans and dumpsters is that at some point,
they get full.
They aren't an unending abyss of disposal.
They don't self-destruct or erode into nothing.
They grow over time,
the baggage increases.
Until one day,
it gets to be too much.
And you crack.
It's more like realizing that I have a lot of trash to get rid of.
That even though I may have a dumpster, I still have to purge your emotional baggage.
Instead of giving it to someone else,
I take it to the junk yard.
To the one place where it won't bother anyone else.
I take it to the foot of the cross.
Where emotional baggage and pain dull in comparison to the glory that is our Christ.
Matthew 11:28-30 --
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
The Carousel of Emotional Baggage
The Carousel of Emotional Baggage
Helloooo emotional baggage.
I was overjoyed when I left you on the conveyer belt at the baggage claim.
I was flying high on the ride home from our journey into my past, thinking I was rid of you for good.
Hoping that instead of following me around and weighing me down, you'd stay on your perpetual carousel ride.
Too bad that flame of hope didn't get to flicker very long before you snuffed it out.
When I arrived home, there you were.
Sitting on my doorstep.
I forgot to remove the address tags, you see.
There you sat. Dark with my past pain. Threatening of the pain to come.
Alluding to nights writhing in anguish as the pain threatens to take over.
Physical pain doesn't bug me.
At least you can point to your broken toe or bruised knee to tell where it hurts.
Emotional pain is much harder to explain.
It takes your heart and rips it to shreds,
as the open wounds from past pain are glaringly evident.
It's a painful process to stitch them up.
Sometimes the stitches unravel, as the aching in your heart continues.
Sometimes your heart wounds are deep.
It takes a lot of stitching for some of them to be fully closed.
In the end, you're still left with the reminder of the past pain.
The scars remind you that it happens multiple times.
The yelling. The screaming. The abandonment.
All prices of the fallen world we inhabit.
The good news is - it gets better with time.
The pain dulls to a steady throb instead of the aching burn.
Your heart slowly has a couple pounds taken off of it,
so at least it doesn't feel like an anvil anymore -
threatening to fall through the bottom of your feet.
A bowling ball is much easier to deal with.
It's hard to sleep.
It's hard to eat.
All you can do is pray.
Prayer is the medicine for emotional scarring.
God is the needle.
Faith is the thread.
All you have to do,
is show Him your wounds.
Emotional pain.
A good reminder that this world is not my home.
Revelation 21:2-4 -- I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
I was overjoyed when I left you on the conveyer belt at the baggage claim.
I was flying high on the ride home from our journey into my past, thinking I was rid of you for good.
Hoping that instead of following me around and weighing me down, you'd stay on your perpetual carousel ride.
Too bad that flame of hope didn't get to flicker very long before you snuffed it out.
When I arrived home, there you were.
Sitting on my doorstep.
I forgot to remove the address tags, you see.
There you sat. Dark with my past pain. Threatening of the pain to come.
Alluding to nights writhing in anguish as the pain threatens to take over.
Physical pain doesn't bug me.
At least you can point to your broken toe or bruised knee to tell where it hurts.
Emotional pain is much harder to explain.
It takes your heart and rips it to shreds,
as the open wounds from past pain are glaringly evident.
It's a painful process to stitch them up.
Sometimes the stitches unravel, as the aching in your heart continues.
Sometimes your heart wounds are deep.
It takes a lot of stitching for some of them to be fully closed.
In the end, you're still left with the reminder of the past pain.
The scars remind you that it happens multiple times.
The yelling. The screaming. The abandonment.
All prices of the fallen world we inhabit.
The good news is - it gets better with time.
The pain dulls to a steady throb instead of the aching burn.
Your heart slowly has a couple pounds taken off of it,
so at least it doesn't feel like an anvil anymore -
threatening to fall through the bottom of your feet.
A bowling ball is much easier to deal with.
It's hard to sleep.
It's hard to eat.
All you can do is pray.
Prayer is the medicine for emotional scarring.
God is the needle.
Faith is the thread.
All you have to do,
is show Him your wounds.
Emotional pain.
A good reminder that this world is not my home.
Revelation 21:2-4 -- I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Continuing the Journey
Continuing the Journey
As I continue to journey through Acts, God continues to reveal things to me that I could never have seen on my own - not only through my studying, but through walking alongside Him in life as well.
Acts 11 - Peter has to describe what just happened to his friends. Think about how that went down.
Think about it like the super bowl. This year, the Giants and the Patriots will be gearing up for the game of the year. The Jews and the Gentiles where (in a way) like these two teams, only not just the "I'm only a fan because they're in the super bowl and I have to pick a side" kind of way, but the "I've been a fan of this team since I was in diapers" kind of way. We all know how crazy those fans can get on super bowl Sunday. The Jews were part of the chosen people, the Gentiles were not. Therefore the Jews didn't associate with the other team.
For Peter to have witnessed and taken part in the salvation of Gentiles was unheard of. Up until this point, there were no Gentile believers. Think about how his friends felt when he told them he had been in the other team's locker room and had in fact shown them their plays? They would have felt betrayed and confused.
Then Peter explains how God orchestrated the whole thing. He tells them about his vision and how the Roman guards had come to find him, but instead of being scared the Spirit calmed him and he went with them. He then goes on to explain Cornelius' side of the story, and the evidence of God's hand in the whole situation. After He explains it, they stop talking. They fall silent, then reevaluate their stance. They finally consent that God also gives forgiveness and grace to Gentiles.
God has a heart for the nations. God does not show favoritism (Romans 2). Mmm. Cool.
Acts 11 - Peter has to describe what just happened to his friends. Think about how that went down.
Think about it like the super bowl. This year, the Giants and the Patriots will be gearing up for the game of the year. The Jews and the Gentiles where (in a way) like these two teams, only not just the "I'm only a fan because they're in the super bowl and I have to pick a side" kind of way, but the "I've been a fan of this team since I was in diapers" kind of way. We all know how crazy those fans can get on super bowl Sunday. The Jews were part of the chosen people, the Gentiles were not. Therefore the Jews didn't associate with the other team.
For Peter to have witnessed and taken part in the salvation of Gentiles was unheard of. Up until this point, there were no Gentile believers. Think about how his friends felt when he told them he had been in the other team's locker room and had in fact shown them their plays? They would have felt betrayed and confused.
Then Peter explains how God orchestrated the whole thing. He tells them about his vision and how the Roman guards had come to find him, but instead of being scared the Spirit calmed him and he went with them. He then goes on to explain Cornelius' side of the story, and the evidence of God's hand in the whole situation. After He explains it, they stop talking. They fall silent, then reevaluate their stance. They finally consent that God also gives forgiveness and grace to Gentiles.
God has a heart for the nations. God does not show favoritism (Romans 2). Mmm. Cool.
Sharing God's Work
Sharing God's Work
In my personal quiet time with the Lord I'm studying Acts right now.
I love how when I diligently seek after the voice of the Lord, He speaks to me.
I had never thought very hard about this particular passage before.
If you think about the time and the persecution of the church, it would be kind of scary to give yourself up in case they might be there to put you to death. Also, Peter defies social norms by inviting them in (Jews would never invite Gentiles in, especially Roman soldiers). Cornelius was the first gentile believer, so it would have been weird for Peter to regard a Roman solider (the enemy) as a fellow brother in Christ.
Wow, the trust that Peter had in the Lord that he trusted that these Roman soldiers were not there to kill him.
This particular passage really stuck out to me today - how cool is it to share what the Lord is doing in our lives? How exciting would it be to recount how God brought Peter to meet Cornelius and stay with him? I can just imagine the joy that Cornelius had as he recounted for Peter what the Lord had said to him and how it all fell into place. Wow. God is cool. Thanks, Lord, for sharing this with us.
Also, in verses 34-43 Peter realizes that "God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation for man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him." This is where God's heart for the nations really starts to piece together. God doesn't just love His chosen people, but He desires a relationship with people from every nation.
How cool would it have been to hear the first hand experiences of the disciples that followed Jesus? How awesome would it have been to listen to Peter as he described the miracles that Jesus did in vivid detail, because he was there? Or to hear of the teachings of Jesus from John? To even sit in the company of one of the apostles for an hour to glean insider information into the inner workings of Jesus' heart. Wow. How powerful would that be? And Cornelius got that chance through Peter.
I love how when I diligently seek after the voice of the Lord, He speaks to me.
I had never thought very hard about this particular passage before.
Acts 10:30-33 --> And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”Earlier in Acts 10 the Lord gives Cornelius the vision to send for Peter. Peter has a vision about eating unholy and unclean animals then God tells him to go with the men that come to find him.
If you think about the time and the persecution of the church, it would be kind of scary to give yourself up in case they might be there to put you to death. Also, Peter defies social norms by inviting them in (Jews would never invite Gentiles in, especially Roman soldiers). Cornelius was the first gentile believer, so it would have been weird for Peter to regard a Roman solider (the enemy) as a fellow brother in Christ.
Wow, the trust that Peter had in the Lord that he trusted that these Roman soldiers were not there to kill him.
This particular passage really stuck out to me today - how cool is it to share what the Lord is doing in our lives? How exciting would it be to recount how God brought Peter to meet Cornelius and stay with him? I can just imagine the joy that Cornelius had as he recounted for Peter what the Lord had said to him and how it all fell into place. Wow. God is cool. Thanks, Lord, for sharing this with us.
Also, in verses 34-43 Peter realizes that "God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation for man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him." This is where God's heart for the nations really starts to piece together. God doesn't just love His chosen people, but He desires a relationship with people from every nation.
How cool would it have been to hear the first hand experiences of the disciples that followed Jesus? How awesome would it have been to listen to Peter as he described the miracles that Jesus did in vivid detail, because he was there? Or to hear of the teachings of Jesus from John? To even sit in the company of one of the apostles for an hour to glean insider information into the inner workings of Jesus' heart. Wow. How powerful would that be? And Cornelius got that chance through Peter.
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