In stories, a girl should be careful about which boy she hates, because she'll probably end up falling in love with him. That's the way it worked for Anne Shirley. Miss Elizabeth Bennet was not too fond of Mr. Darcy at first either.
I occasionally encounter people who imply that God always works in the same manner. A girl seems to think that because she wants to become a missionary in China, God will send her to Chile [which, by the way, is where you should start if you want to dig to China]. She hopes to do one thing, so expects God will have her do something else. It is almost as if God is "out to get her."
Certainly, at times God has us do things we would not at first want. We grow through such opportunities. He can change our hearts and give us new desires.
This is not, however, always the way God works.
Sometimes God fulfills our dreams. He may use us in areas of service for which we have long hoped. God has satisfied a number of my desires of late. From traveling to Texas, to serving with Worldview Academy, to the anticipation of school in England, God is granting my wishes.
In some stories, the girl falls in love with...well, the boy she has always been in love with.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
A mí me gusta español
For a translation in English, see below.
En enero, empecé estudiar español. Aprendiendo español me da una vista más grande de Dios.
El Dios yo sirvio es el Dios del mundo todo. Entiende cada idioma nosotros hablamos en esta tierra. Aunque leo las palabras de él en inglés, Jesús no habló inglés cuando vivó en la tierra. Pero ahora, él comprende cuando hablo en inglés. Comprende cuando hablo español también.
A veces, me gusta rezar en español. Generalmente, digo solamente, «Gracias para mi familia o esta comida.» Todavía, pienso lo a él le gusta.
---
Para una traducción en español, vea arriba.
In January, I began to study Spanish. Learning Spanish is giving me a bigger view of God.
The God I serve is the God of the whole world. He understands every language we speak on this earth. Although I read His words in English, Jesus did not speak English when He lived on earth. But now, He understands when I speak English. He understands when I speak Spanish as well.
Sometimes, I like to pray in Spanish. Generally, I only say, "Thank You for my family or this food." Still, I think it is pleasing to Him.
En enero, empecé estudiar español. Aprendiendo español me da una vista más grande de Dios.
El Dios yo sirvio es el Dios del mundo todo. Entiende cada idioma nosotros hablamos en esta tierra. Aunque leo las palabras de él en inglés, Jesús no habló inglés cuando vivó en la tierra. Pero ahora, él comprende cuando hablo en inglés. Comprende cuando hablo español también.
A veces, me gusta rezar en español. Generalmente, digo solamente, «Gracias para mi familia o esta comida.» Todavía, pienso lo a él le gusta.
---
Para una traducción en español, vea arriba.
In January, I began to study Spanish. Learning Spanish is giving me a bigger view of God.
The God I serve is the God of the whole world. He understands every language we speak on this earth. Although I read His words in English, Jesus did not speak English when He lived on earth. But now, He understands when I speak English. He understands when I speak Spanish as well.
Sometimes, I like to pray in Spanish. Generally, I only say, "Thank You for my family or this food." Still, I think it is pleasing to Him.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Read These
Please Note: This list is not complete, nor does it pretend to be. As they are discovered, more books will be added.» Paradise Lost by John Milton
This book stretched my reading abilities like none before it. Written by a blind man in the 17th century, this 10, 560 line epic poem recounts the first several chapters of Genesis.» To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Prior to reading this book, I did not understand that some people hate others based merely on the colour of their skin. It opened my eyes to the realities and horrors of racism. Harper Lee writes with a compelling Southern style.» Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton
One of the most moving books I have ever read, this book also touches on the subject of racism. For a short review, read my post entitled Comfort in Desolation.» The Complete Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton
Chesterton's prose is like poetry to me. His manner of writing is simply excellent. The Father Brown mysteries are intriguing and delightful. The plain little priest with the brilliant detecting mind is a protagonist in short stories worth reading.» Heaven by Randy Alcorn
Each of Randy Alcorn's works renews in me a longing for Heaven and eternity with the Person for whom I was created. Biblically answering questions I had never even thought of, this book made Heaven and the New Earth more of a reality for me.» The Slumber of Christianity by Ted Dekker
Ted Dekker is known for his fast paced thrillers. I enjoyed a number of his earlier works, but stopped reading his novels because they got too graphic and gross. This non-fiction, however, encourages Christians to become excited about eternity with Jesus Christ. As the subtitle states, it "Awaken[s] a Passion for Heaven on Earth."
P.S. There are two books that every so often, I accidentally read again. When I see either Follow My Leader (by James Garfield) or Year of the Black Pony (by Walt Morey) sitting on the shelf as I contemplate my next read, I pick the book up with great danger to myself. I may start out simply flipping though the pages, recalling fond memories of reading them throughout my youth. Soon I am engrossed. Whereas most of the books listed on this page are intended for a bit more advanced reader, these two are children's books. I have probably read each one four or five times.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Crashing of Thunder
I just heard a severe weather warning for the first time in my remembrance. Grey clouds fill the sky overhead. The pines around my house sway in the strong winds. There is no rain yet, but the air is filled with swirling dust. Dead leaves left among the boughs blow across the deck.
It’s just after 5 o’clock on a June afternoon, and it’s already growing dark. When the lights in my bedroom blink, I tell my sister to turn off our desktop computers. A few heavy drops of rain begin to fall. This morning when we had a short shower, the songbirds rejoiced in the trees. No birds sing now.
I hear the first thunder growling from the south. The rain is uncertain; it pauses, then pours down for a couple minutes, coming and going. The thunder is growing closer. At last, the first flash of lightning illumines the sky. A moment later, thunder follows. Sirens wail not far away.
The rain now is what might be called a downpour. The cool shower cleanses the air, washing away the heat of the past several days. Its refreshing scent floods through my open window. Small rivers begin to form at the edges of the street. Another flash. One, one-thousand; two, one-thousand; three, one-thousand… I count to six before the thunder crashes. The booming lasts for nearly another six seconds.
I listen to more sirens, this time coming from the opposite direction. The distinct sound of a fire engine’s horn reminds me of the danger brought with this storm. I heard on the radio that a boy was struck with lightning last night.
A train whistle blows. It repeats itself again and again, gradually fading in the distance.
The sky lightens as coming nearly to a complete halt, the rain merely patters now. Several birds chirp, eager perhaps for the feast of worms that will surface.
---
Honestly, I fear yet delight in storms. Their power excites me. My favorite thing to do during thunderstorms is read the last few chapters of Job and the passages in the gospels where Jesus calms the storm. The elements may be mighty, but He is mightier still.
It’s just after 5 o’clock on a June afternoon, and it’s already growing dark. When the lights in my bedroom blink, I tell my sister to turn off our desktop computers. A few heavy drops of rain begin to fall. This morning when we had a short shower, the songbirds rejoiced in the trees. No birds sing now.
I hear the first thunder growling from the south. The rain is uncertain; it pauses, then pours down for a couple minutes, coming and going. The thunder is growing closer. At last, the first flash of lightning illumines the sky. A moment later, thunder follows. Sirens wail not far away.
The rain now is what might be called a downpour. The cool shower cleanses the air, washing away the heat of the past several days. Its refreshing scent floods through my open window. Small rivers begin to form at the edges of the street. Another flash. One, one-thousand; two, one-thousand; three, one-thousand… I count to six before the thunder crashes. The booming lasts for nearly another six seconds.
I listen to more sirens, this time coming from the opposite direction. The distinct sound of a fire engine’s horn reminds me of the danger brought with this storm. I heard on the radio that a boy was struck with lightning last night.
A train whistle blows. It repeats itself again and again, gradually fading in the distance.
The sky lightens as coming nearly to a complete halt, the rain merely patters now. Several birds chirp, eager perhaps for the feast of worms that will surface.
---
Honestly, I fear yet delight in storms. Their power excites me. My favorite thing to do during thunderstorms is read the last few chapters of Job and the passages in the gospels where Jesus calms the storm. The elements may be mighty, but He is mightier still.
“He covers his hands with the lightning
and commands it to strike the mark.
Its crashing declares his presence…”
- Job 36:32-33
Monday, May 18, 2009
The Lone Star State
I have not posted in quite a long time. I am, however, doing so now. Although I generally reserve this blog for rather serious topics, I have considered for some time deviating from this pattern. As the name of this blog denotes, it is a place to record remembrances. As stated before, I am doing so now.
Bicycling home from school thirteen days ago, I discovered a message on our answering machine. In typical extended-family style, my grandma bought—unbeknownst to me—a ticket for me to fly to Austin the next Tuesday.
"Why?" you may ask.
A few days earlier, I had learned from my cousin’s blog that she would be accompanying our grandma from California to Texas for a week to visit our aunt and uncle. Naturally, I commented asking if I could come too. The cousin mentioned the comment to Grandma and Aunt. Apparently the answer was yes, as I’m sitting in Austin at the moment.
Doing something one has hoped for a long time to do can sometimes be disappointing as the imagination may create higher expectations than can be feasibly met. Not so now. Contrarily, I am more in love with Texas since visiting than ever I was in the past. The last few days have been some of the best I can recall.
This week has been filled from boot toes to the brim of a cowboy hat with such adventures as long drives to Fredericksburg, lobbying at the state capitol, attempting to whistle on lilac leaves, Texas Two-Steppin’ at the Broken Spoke, drinking tea while watching ridiculous movies, trying on $1,000+ cowboy boots, remembering the Alamo from within its walls, attending Cowboy Church, and eating barbecue. Lots and lots of barbecue.
I pretty much have the best family ever. Also, really cool boots.
Bicycling home from school thirteen days ago, I discovered a message on our answering machine. In typical extended-family style, my grandma bought—unbeknownst to me—a ticket for me to fly to Austin the next Tuesday.
"Why?" you may ask.
A few days earlier, I had learned from my cousin’s blog that she would be accompanying our grandma from California to Texas for a week to visit our aunt and uncle. Naturally, I commented asking if I could come too. The cousin mentioned the comment to Grandma and Aunt. Apparently the answer was yes, as I’m sitting in Austin at the moment.
Doing something one has hoped for a long time to do can sometimes be disappointing as the imagination may create higher expectations than can be feasibly met. Not so now. Contrarily, I am more in love with Texas since visiting than ever I was in the past. The last few days have been some of the best I can recall.
This week has been filled from boot toes to the brim of a cowboy hat with such adventures as long drives to Fredericksburg, lobbying at the state capitol, attempting to whistle on lilac leaves, Texas Two-Steppin’ at the Broken Spoke, drinking tea while watching ridiculous movies, trying on $1,000+ cowboy boots, remembering the Alamo from within its walls, attending Cowboy Church, and eating barbecue. Lots and lots of barbecue.
I pretty much have the best family ever. Also, really cool boots.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
Of late, I have been coming more fully to the realization that God is God of the whole earth. He is not just a local deity; rather, Jesus "ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation" (Revelation 5:9).Next year I am going to go to a school in a different country full of people from all over the world. We may be from various continents, but we have something in common: Jesus. And ultimately, our citizenship is in the same country: Heaven.
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