Weathering the Weekend

Check this out: http://www.stormpulse.com/hurricane-ike-2008 note: Longview is closest to the 32.4 N, 95.3 W location
Yep, I just saw a tropical storm up close and personal. ^_^ Formally known as Hurricane Ike, the storm was blowing and pouring on us most of Saturday. Knocked out our power at the house from about 2pm until 8pm Sunday. Unlike most big storms though, which I'm more experienced with, tropical storms are warm. So, you go walking through the rain and your don't feel cold until you go into the air conditioned buildings....silly waste of energy.... All in all, the storm was rather exciting and really not very damaging around here; just enough branches and trees down to put out power in several places, but classes were in full swing today. The result of Ike is beautiful, fall-like weather! I very much enjoyed waking up to sub-70 temperature, and it still is under 75 degrees (at 2pm)!
Besides the physical weather, I finished researching and started writing my first theology paper for Christian Doctrines 1 class. The topic is on whether or not general revelation is sufficient for salvation. Most interesting topic, and one I have contemplated significantly. Trudging through the writing is a struggle for me, but I'm glad it is on a topic which I am curious about.
I know many prayers went up for all of us down here in Texas during Ike, and on behalf of all of us who felt those, Thank you!! May God's grace abound all the more to you as well!

God did it.

So, I'm just a little curious here...how many people who read my blog did not receive my September Update today? I almost want to blog on this past weekend, but that would be rather pointless for anyone to read who already knows what God did the past few days in my life. Well, so that you didn't come to look at this post in vain....how about a picture of God's creation? I never come to an end of appreciation for the beauty God has created.

Back to College

Yep, I'm back. Classes start tomorrow.
I'm living off-campus (for anyone who doesn't already know) with one of my Bible profs, Dr. Woodring. His wife is a high school music teacher, who is thrilled to have some one else around. They have four cats, three dogs, two geckos, a hamster, and a mouse to keep the house from being boring. I have never had so much space to myself before! Bedroom, bathroom, and a "extra room" (a den sort of room).
Well, I think I'm going to buy books before the line gets too long. Please, keep praying for me. Please, please, let me know how I can be praying for any of you.
God bless!

Backpacking!

I figured it out...I've been on only seven backpacking trips in my lifetime. The latest one being this past week with my Dad, two youngest brothers, and two of their friends. We hiked a total of 28 miles during a three-day and two-night trip in the Great Smokey Mountains. Yes, it rained, but only after we had gotten to the shelter at Laurel Gap where we spent the first night. Basically, God gave us the perfect weather in which to enjoy His beautiful creation. Even though I went to the mountains with with a group, I still was blessed with time alone to contemplate, reflect, and talk to God. I truly am most blessed! God, the awesome artist, wise sustainer, and gentle protector, is my Father who loves me!!! God desires me to delight in Him no matter where I am, and as I look forward to this next year, that is exactly what I hope will happen. I will be living off-campus for this fall semester at LeTU, then spend Christmas break in Kansas. After that, well....God has yet to reveal the details of His plan, but as things are heading now, I will go to Uganda for the spring semester to study. Please, keep praying for me.

FYI, I plan to start writing and sending out a prayer letter every month, beginning in September. If you or anyone you know would like to be included on my list, please let me know. The letters will mostly be sent via email.

True Joy and Brothers

I really, truly enjoyed the past few days! Monday afternoon, my adopted brother, Benaiah, came to visit. On Tuesday, Benaiah went with Samuel, Philip, and I on an adventure to the Linville Gorge. We hiked down to and climbed around on Babel Tower, then down to Linville River at the bottom of the gorge where we swam. Of course, this kind of swimming includes sliding down a waterfall, splashing through rapids, and jumping off big rocks. ^_^ We picked and ate blackberries along the way. (they were splendid!) In spite of some scrapes, bruises, and sunburn, we had more than a fabulous day! After hiking back up to the car, we walked out to Wise Man's View, then drove back down the rode to where we got out and strolled down to see Linville Falls. I rather like running on hiking trails, and certainly did some, but by the end of the day.....well, let me just say, Sam and Phil ran the last stretch without me. ^_^
Wednesday, Benaiah and I drove down to JAARS to visit Adam. We had a good time hanging out and laughing together. I had my first gyro at the restaurant where we ate lunch in Waxhaw; it was quite delicious! Adam gave us a tour around JAARS, with highest concentration in the area he knows best: the airplane hanger. We saw a couple Helios, a C206, KingAirs, and three Robinson Helicopters in the maintenance hanger. Meeting a few of the mechanics was most interesting; they always have something fascinating to share. The man who heads up the research and development department showed us one of the projects currently in the works: a cargo carrier shaped like a extra fuel tank which can be attached under the wings. I very much enjoyed being immersed in an aviation environment again, even for the little time we were there. I would like to add that Adam's parents are some of the best humored people I have been around in quite a while; laughter was never so freely flowing among sober, good-natured Christians.
Well, Benaiah left this morning, and life here went back to normal. I am very glad he visited, for I needed a reminder of the joys God blesses me with when simply enjoying His creation and the company of His children. God has blessed me so very abundantly with Christian friends, many of whom are like family.....I suppose they are though! My family in Christ!! Thank you Jesus!!!

Seeking the Way

God has called all His saints to live according to His commands.
Obedience.
God has called all His spirit-indwelling ones to shine His light.
Kindness.
God has called all His dearly beloved to reach out to His world.
Mercy.
God has called all His followers to walk in His footsteps.
Faithfulness.
God has called all His sheep to listen intently to His voice.
Humility.
God has called all His ministers to rejoice in all His promises.
Joy.
God has called all His children to proclaim His truth.
Constancy.
God has called all His servants to stand for His name.
Fearless.
God has called all His disciples to learn His way.
Diligence.
God has called all His redeemed to show His face.
Love.


Is Jesus Christ truly your Lord and Savior?
Has your Heavenly Father given you His Holy Spirit?
If so, all of these are your callings for your life on this earth.

Alex, Brett, and William

The Harris twins, Alex and Brett, have recently written the book Do Hard Things. (http://www.therebelution.com/dohardthings/) I finished reading this book yesterday. This evening I watched (for the first time) the movie about the work of William Wilburforce, called "Amazing Grace." (http://www.amazinggracemovie.com/) I could not help jumping to my feet after this movie and yelling, "Why aren't we doing anything NOW for the slaves around the world!?!?!!" This is something that NEEDS to change!! Too many people, especially children, are kidnapped and/or sold into slavery today and being forced to be, among other things, sex slaves. What is our world coming to!? We, the US as a society, are far too concerned about our personally comfort and convenience than about the GREAT SUFFERING around the globe!!! Why don't we wake up and do something!? I am a college sophmore majoring in Biblical Studies and, as Wilburforce says in the movie, I too often prefer to meditate on God; why is that? Because just meditating is easy. Doing something with the Truth is far more difficult. I have also been helping out some at the local Pregnancy Care Center this summer. To hear a few of the stories of the lives of these women and girls...it would break your heart. Yes, some are the stario typical dumb teen who gave her boyfriend too much one night, but many aren't. I can't tell any details for legal confidence sake, but they make me want to cry (and if you know me at all, me crying is significant). Abortion. Have you ever really considered how truly gruesome and terrible it is. A baby can't talk, but they have all the other functions which we use everyday. Why are we letting them be MASS MURDERED everyday!!??!!

Why does the world not value life above a payable price? Why does the US care more about its economy than its people? Why do we only meditate on God and what He has told us? Why have I not done anything?

Lord God! Show us what battles we should be fighting! Show me how I am supposed to respond to this enormous burden on my heart!! Lord Jesus, may all that I do be to Your glory! May Your will be done! Father God, I pray this in Jesus name.

Camp Site 41

This past weekend, I went camping! Elijah, his sister, Lydia, and my brother, Daniel were my companions. We meet at Kings Mountain National Military Park and camped Saturday night at Kings Mountain State Park. Walking/hiking around, playing frisbee, playing cards, attending the campground chapel service, singing accompanied by Daniel on the guitar, and engaging in various conversations filled our time. I had a wonderfully refreshing and enjoyable weekend! Praise God for all His awesome, amazing blessings!!!
The Battle of Kings Mountain on October 7, 1780 was a major turning point in the American Revolution. The British forces had put Col. Patrick Ferguson in charge of recruiting colonist loyal to the British Crown. The battle that occurred at Kings Mtn was fought between 1,000 of these Loyalist and 910 "Overmountain men." The Overmountain men came from what was called the backwoods of Virginia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas, which essentailly was made up of the areas west of most the colonial settlements. The different forces of Overmountain men rallied together at three locations: Sycamore Shoals, in present day Carter County, TN (where I was born); Quaker Meadows, the easte of the McDowell family in present day Burke County, NC (where my family now lives); and Cowpens, SC. These untrained, rugged mountain men came in answer to Ferguson's proclamtion that if they would not “desist from their opposition to the British army, and take protection under his standard, he would march his army over the mountains, hang their leaders, and lay their country waste with fire and sword.” The Battle at Kings Mtn lasted only about an hour, but the Loyalist forces were totally defeated and Col. Ferguson was among those killed.
Walking around on Kings Mtn gave me an extra thrill because this was more to me than just another battle fought a long time ago; one of my ancesters, Thomas Francis, and his relative, Henry Francis, Jr, were among those who came down with Col. William Campbell and charged the hill that day. Yes, I am an US American right through. I must admit, however, that I struggle to be proud of what this nation has become. One of the best conversations I had with Elijah and Lydia this weekend concerned the US church today and our personal life callings. Are we going to be loyal to that which appears safest, strongest, and most promising as the British Empire did in 1780? Or are we going to stick out our necks, stand for what is right, and fight against all odds for the glory of God as the American patriots from "over the mountains"?

What about you? Where will you pledge your aliegence and stand when the fighting comes?

Look Up from the Grime

Have you ever had a job or duty given which was hard physically and mentally? and the longer you worked at it, the harder it got?
My job(s) have been rather like that recently. I seem to work at cleaning, painting, and general helping at church and home to no avail. The other day, much to my shame, I let some of the depressing thoughts on my mind spill out. I always feel bad for whomever is around when this happens; this time it was my mother. I have been getting caught up in looking and thinking about my current situation from a prespective of comparing myself to others. Forgetting that God's standard and what He has called me to do is all that matters and counts. Thank God for a mother who reads who Bible!! The next morning while I was getting ready for work, she comes to me and reads Isaiah 43:10-19.
Walking to work and all day I kept thinking about what it said and two songs came to mind which I also rolled around several times. The songs "How Great Thou Art" and "God Will Make a Way" continued to run through my head the rest of the week, enabling me to do my work with a smile. I would like to share one song with you here, that other I would encourage you to go look it up, as well as the verses.

God will make a way,
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way.

By a roadway in the wilderness,
He'll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade
But His Word will still remain
He will do something new today.

God will make a way,
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

Words and music by Don Moen

Be Thou My Vision

I often have songs which get stuck in my head when I work or take walks. When the song stays a significant while or comes at a particularly noteworthy moment, I can't help but wonder as to their purpose. As one of the songs I've had drifting through my head recently, I thought I would share it with you, for it has been a great encouragement and comfort to me for several days now.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

by Dal­lan For­gaill (translated from the Irish by
Ma­ry E. Byrne, Versified by El­ea­nor H. Hull)