(click on the flyer to see it full size)
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
SAY Yes Students Benefit Musical ;)
YOU WANT TO BE HERE! FRIDAY, MAY 9, 7:00pm Sutherland!!!! YAAAAY
(click on the flyer to see it full size)
(click on the flyer to see it full size)
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Even the Rocks Cry Out His Praise!
God is so good. Today I was able to spend some time away from urbanized civilization and hike up the desert hills of southern California. Not quite Oregon glories, but still a breath of (almost) fresh air. I love to hike. I love the wonder of seeing new growth, fresh blossomed wildflowers and green lush all around me. Trees and shrubbery left untouched and able to grow naturally is the most amazing thing to me. I love to examine where and why the the dirt breaks up at which point, or how in the world that tree grew with its roots totaly coming sideways out of the mountain... or why is there this random orange flower in the midst of purple buds surrounding it? Creation is simply incredible to me.
The further away from the man made attempt at beauty I am the more at peace my soul becomes. It's like it simply enters into the worship session already declaring the glory of God- creation displayed in its pure splendor. While walking today I was reminded of the passage in Matthew in which Jesus tells us not to worry. After telling us not to worry he says to look at the lilies and how they grow, how they are clothed with splendor, even though they do not toil nor spin- and yet, their heavenly father has clothed them. How much more does he care for me? I should not worry about what I should eat, or what I should wear... for each day has enough worries of its own. He is Jehovah Jireh, Hallelujah.
While walking I was also reminded of my summer two years ago, in Malawi, Africa. Malawi without question is the most impoverished place I've ever seen- and yet, in the midst of that, while hiking from village to village in the bush - there was such a peace my heart felt in that country. I think that peace came in the fact that the land brought for worship in my spirit in a different way than anywhere else I've been. I thank you Lord for the beautiful Malawians I was able to meet two summers ago. Father bless Malawi, the warm heart of Africa.
"the universe declares your majesty, you are holy....holy."
The further away from the man made attempt at beauty I am the more at peace my soul becomes. It's like it simply enters into the worship session already declaring the glory of God- creation displayed in its pure splendor. While walking today I was reminded of the passage in Matthew in which Jesus tells us not to worry. After telling us not to worry he says to look at the lilies and how they grow, how they are clothed with splendor, even though they do not toil nor spin- and yet, their heavenly father has clothed them. How much more does he care for me? I should not worry about what I should eat, or what I should wear... for each day has enough worries of its own. He is Jehovah Jireh, Hallelujah.
While walking I was also reminded of my summer two years ago, in Malawi, Africa. Malawi without question is the most impoverished place I've ever seen- and yet, in the midst of that, while hiking from village to village in the bush - there was such a peace my heart felt in that country. I think that peace came in the fact that the land brought for worship in my spirit in a different way than anywhere else I've been. I thank you Lord for the beautiful Malawians I was able to meet two summers ago. Father bless Malawi, the warm heart of Africa.
"the universe declares your majesty, you are holy....holy."
Monday, April 14, 2008
Dr. Clyde Cook
Mr. Biola had a heart attack and went home to be with our Lord on Friday evening. It came so unexpectedly- and really I don't know that it's impact has hit the Biola community at this point. It's amazing to me how God's grace allowed Dr. Cook to enjoy all the Centennial celebrations, and also that Biola really is okay at at this point, in terms of Dr. Corey's recent innaguration.
Dr. Cook will always carry a legacy at Biola, and I hope to be one to celebrate that legacy as I live out my life in a way I believe he would be proud of. How many college campuses would actually sell out "I <3 Clyde" shirts? So often a leader, often a president, will take the grunt and really annoying grievances of everyones whinning- but Dr. Cook's was so cherished at Biola. He was cherished because of his deep and sincere love for Biola and Biola students. He was such a humble man, who never walked around with a sense of being better than anyone else. I would never have been intimidated or felt out of place to walk up and greet Dr. Cook, if he hadn't taken the initiative to greet me first.
I can remember one time I was wearing an OREGON sweatshirt in the Caf...he came up and asked me if I had transferred or was just from Oregon. He then started asking me all kinds of questions, taking a sincere interest in who I was and what I was studying at Biola. One might think it would be akward for a student of 5,000 to engage in chatter with their university president, but Dr. Cook would make it not so.
If the Lord ever graces my life to be in a position of leadership in which it would be easy to "forget the little people" as is basically expected in our society, I pray that the Holy Spirit will bring Dr. Cook to my remembrance- that I would be reminded of his example of humility and kindness, never allowing even a air of pride about him.
I thank you Lord for the investment this man made to lead and maintain Biola, which you have used to be a powerful season in my life.
Dr. Cook will always carry a legacy at Biola, and I hope to be one to celebrate that legacy as I live out my life in a way I believe he would be proud of. How many college campuses would actually sell out "I <3 Clyde" shirts? So often a leader, often a president, will take the grunt and really annoying grievances of everyones whinning- but Dr. Cook's was so cherished at Biola. He was cherished because of his deep and sincere love for Biola and Biola students. He was such a humble man, who never walked around with a sense of being better than anyone else. I would never have been intimidated or felt out of place to walk up and greet Dr. Cook, if he hadn't taken the initiative to greet me first.
I can remember one time I was wearing an OREGON sweatshirt in the Caf...he came up and asked me if I had transferred or was just from Oregon. He then started asking me all kinds of questions, taking a sincere interest in who I was and what I was studying at Biola. One might think it would be akward for a student of 5,000 to engage in chatter with their university president, but Dr. Cook would make it not so.
If the Lord ever graces my life to be in a position of leadership in which it would be easy to "forget the little people" as is basically expected in our society, I pray that the Holy Spirit will bring Dr. Cook to my remembrance- that I would be reminded of his example of humility and kindness, never allowing even a air of pride about him.
I thank you Lord for the investment this man made to lead and maintain Biola, which you have used to be a powerful season in my life.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Hudson Taylor
I'm currently in a class entitled Missionary Biographies. There's really not much to the classwork, allowing it to just be an excuse to read and digest 10 biographies in 16 weeks. It's been a great experience overall..
So far I have found myself experiencing all kinds of emotions as I identify or totally don't identify at all with the development and formation of these usually young men who set sail to live in a totally foreign culture, seeking to bring the gospel to those whose lives were in need of a future and a hope. I really have no concept of the realistic picture of this life that I'm soon to be living- one that is truly laid on the line day after day. Without fail each of the missionaries I've read about so far have encountered persecution, heart ache, death of wives, children, co-workers, etc... yet they've all also experienced God's power revealed in front of their eyes in ways so incredible. At the end of each one's life there is such a tenderness before the Lord, a yearning and longing to be with home with their Father- I wonder what it must be like to know our heavenly father in that way.
This week we finished the biography of Hudson Taylor. Taylor was a British missionary to China in the years of 1830s-1900. His strategies were incredible for his day... although criticized by most as extreme, Taylor truly desired that the Chinese people would have Chinese Christianity, not a Western Christianity. I can only imagine this man as he walked around in Chinese dress, with a shaved head and Bianzi knot... so forward for his time. Taylor was first to say churches should look like Chinese buildlings, not gothic western ones... he was also first to say women ought to be missionaries to other women, not just wives to support their husbands.. so many firsts for Taylor. In this midst of his pioneering work, the book leaves you understanding the faith of this man- a life deeply rooted in prayer- without question or compromise, but total and utter dependence on the promises of God, thanking God for their coming until the day he saw it. This man committed to prayer and fasting for 5 years to see over 1,000 missionaries flood inland China at a time when everyone told him NONE would come... but Taylor prayed the will of God, and watched it pass before his eyes.
My week has been so challenged and encouraged by this man. I have no idea, really, what my life as a 22 year old american female offered to the service of God will begin to unfold and look like... I'm not the author of my story.. and yet I long to leave a legacy like Hudson Taylor did. One that would point others to acknowledge the greatness and grace of God as he gently leads me and allows territory for his kingdom to be won through this broken vessel, this jar of clay.
"When you pray, pray like thats all you do; When you work, work like thats all you do." ( Hudson Taylor)
So far I have found myself experiencing all kinds of emotions as I identify or totally don't identify at all with the development and formation of these usually young men who set sail to live in a totally foreign culture, seeking to bring the gospel to those whose lives were in need of a future and a hope. I really have no concept of the realistic picture of this life that I'm soon to be living- one that is truly laid on the line day after day. Without fail each of the missionaries I've read about so far have encountered persecution, heart ache, death of wives, children, co-workers, etc... yet they've all also experienced God's power revealed in front of their eyes in ways so incredible. At the end of each one's life there is such a tenderness before the Lord, a yearning and longing to be with home with their Father- I wonder what it must be like to know our heavenly father in that way.
This week we finished the biography of Hudson Taylor. Taylor was a British missionary to China in the years of 1830s-1900. His strategies were incredible for his day... although criticized by most as extreme, Taylor truly desired that the Chinese people would have Chinese Christianity, not a Western Christianity. I can only imagine this man as he walked around in Chinese dress, with a shaved head and Bianzi knot... so forward for his time. Taylor was first to say churches should look like Chinese buildlings, not gothic western ones... he was also first to say women ought to be missionaries to other women, not just wives to support their husbands.. so many firsts for Taylor. In this midst of his pioneering work, the book leaves you understanding the faith of this man- a life deeply rooted in prayer- without question or compromise, but total and utter dependence on the promises of God, thanking God for their coming until the day he saw it. This man committed to prayer and fasting for 5 years to see over 1,000 missionaries flood inland China at a time when everyone told him NONE would come... but Taylor prayed the will of God, and watched it pass before his eyes.
My week has been so challenged and encouraged by this man. I have no idea, really, what my life as a 22 year old american female offered to the service of God will begin to unfold and look like... I'm not the author of my story.. and yet I long to leave a legacy like Hudson Taylor did. One that would point others to acknowledge the greatness and grace of God as he gently leads me and allows territory for his kingdom to be won through this broken vessel, this jar of clay.
"When you pray, pray like thats all you do; When you work, work like thats all you do." ( Hudson Taylor)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
