Quote of the day

"The quality of a man's life depends on how much he hangs onto the Word of God as the Bread of Life."

~Pastor Vicknair

Oklahoma's decision

I think that this is a piece of news that, albeit old from last week, really is worthy of a little bit more notoriety within society. I mean, it provoked a controversy that has botanists up in arms! (Well, at least it should have botanists up in arms...) But, the week slipped by and not once did I hear anyone else mention it in conversation. In fact, everytime I brought it up last week, people either laughed or they kinda gave me the look of "you really need more to do with your time, Miss College Student." But, even in light of the criticism I have suffered through, I thought I might as well write a little something here just to put it in black and white for my own sake (but mostly for Rebekah's sake): The state of Oklahoma has named the watermelon as its official vegetable. So there you have it. Botany breaks the rules of man's assumptions regarding fruits, veggies and Veggie Tales, but this ruling has broken the rules of botany itself. The watermelon is a fruit!!! If you weren't already aware of this exciting, fascinating and very thought-provoking controversial news item, you really need to read more. Or, you could just say you first read about it here.

Acts -- CGG Reading

We've been encouraging our Christian Growth Group (aka "CGG") to read and meditate on three chapters from the book of Acts per week, and share what it is that they've learned/seen with one another at our weekly evening prayer meeting. The questions we've asked them to answer on a weekly basis are simply (or maybe not so simple!):

1. What did you hear from God as you read those three chapters this past week?
2. What is your response to it?

We're up to chapter 9, and its been a joy for my heart at least to take the time to really "get into" three chapters a week -- asking the Holy Spirit to open my eyes and speak to my heart. It's my prayer that I be teachable. And, its been especially wonderful to hear what it is that other CGGers are learning during their reading -- being challenged and encouraged in my own walk as a result of theirs. It's exciting. After spending six months studying what it is to be a disciple and a disciple-maker, these guys are now studying Acts and seeing that the "acts" part of walking with Jesus really has nothing to do with us. It has everything to do with Him. But isn't that true of Salvation in the first place? They're seeing that it's a life of complete surrender that is used of the Lord. And what joy, what freedom, what power is found in the secret place! It's setting Him apart as Lord in one's heart and saying, "Yes, Lord Jesus." Everyday. Everytime. I'm looking forward to hearing what they share tomorrow night as they describe what they've learned, as well as their responses. May we all be teachable. And may we all be surrendered.

ICF Trip to the Tulip Fields!

Today we took 28 students/visiting scholars from South America, Asia and Africa to see the Tulips fields as an International Christian Fellowship activity. Here's a few pics from the trip. This first one is of my friend, Miss Charissa, helping the already-lost-within-seconds-of-the-entrance-gate Emily find her way around the tulip fields (and all of WA state for that matter).
A tribute to the windmill as we begin.
New friends from Africa!!!
It was a gorgeous day. The forecast was showers. The Lord gave us sunshine.

With my friend, Yoshi, an Electrical Engineer from Japan. Together we victoriously consumed a half of a bag of Kettle-Corn.

Students with ICF/Talk-Time Volunteers and Staff.
At the end of the day with Starbucks and Ron, our bus driver.

It was a wonderful time! What a privilege to be around the nations.

He is Risen!

"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' Then they remembered his words...

...He [Jesus] told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations..."
~Luke 24:1-8, 46-47

He is risen! It is written. It is fulfilled. It is finished. Thanks be to God.

Happy Resurrection Day, everyone!

Good Friday

It's a gorgeous day here in Seattle. And busy. And in the midst of the beauty and the busyness, the first two lines in the third verse of the old hymn, "Rock of Ages," have been running through my head:
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Today is also Good Friday -- the day our Jesus was sacrificed for us. Reading through the four Gospel accounts of this day paints a picture of betrayal and great pain, agony, and sorrow as the Guiltless takes the place of the guilty. When Christ's body was laid on that cold slab in the tomb, it seemed that all was still. But in truth, the great work of redemption was being accomplished as He conquered principalities and the powers of darkness, taking the keys of Hell, death and the grave. I have no plea but the blood of Jesus. The work of the Cross. And, thanks be to God that that is enough. "It is finished." As a friend so succinctly put it: "Jesus paid the price for all sin, for all sinners, and for all time." What grace! I "simply cling to the cross," for in that is my redemption.
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.

ICF Hiking Trip Pics

Yesterday, we went on an ICF outreach activity -- with 26 people hiking to Twin Falls. Good times had by all! And, we didn't lose anyone on the trail, which is always a plus. Besides the fun and friendship, I had to chuckle to myself -- we were able to share the Gospel with some of the students while walking alongside them, and because we were in the middle of nowhere, they were a captive audience as they had no where else to go. =) Seriously, it was wonderful with lots of joking around and laughter (it's kinda funny to start that sentence with the word "seriously..." doesn't seem to fit). Anyways, here are some pics for your enjoyment:

The troops walking..."Look! A waterfall!" This is my friend, Amy, from Taiwan.
Some of the "ISI Girls" and new friends at the bridge overlooking the falls:
The gang at the top.