Quote

I came across this quote in my church history book today. Loved it and want to share it.

To Diognetus,
"Christians are no different from the rest in their nationality, language or customs. ... They live in their own countries, but as sojourners. They fulfill all their duties as citizens, but they suffer as foreigners. They find their homeland wherever they are, but their homeland is not one particular place.... They are in the flesh, but do not live according to the flesh. They live on earth, but are citizens of heaven. They obey all laws, but they live at a level higher than that required by law. They love all, but all persecute them."
- To Diognetus 5.I-II.

Book Recommendation

If you have any interest in International Relations, I would recommend you read this little treasure. I am reading it for grad class and it has been soooo good!

Restore Me

Have you ever had relationships in your life that change? Things are no longer what they once were. The excitement and thrill and mystery of the relationship is gone. You didn't intend for the relationship to change it just happened. It is now difficult to understand where you fit into that relationship, but instead of fighting for it, you just give up and surrender to apathy. This is where I am with my walk with Christ. I miss the days of being in awe of my Savior, being absolutely enthralled by His beauty, and simply resting in my relationship with Him. When His mystery is what kept me seeking. I am in a season of life where God is present in my life but I am struggling to understand how he is at work in my everyday happenings. Some days I wonder if what I am doing is right, if what I do makes a difference, and questioning everything. I long for the joy of my salvation to be restored. For admiration and love to be found in my speech when speaking of my Savior. Jesus, I need a freshness of you to engulf my life. I want to be fully content with only your presence. Help me not to miss what you want to teach me or show me in the season of what seems to me that I am just existing without purpose. Prepare me for what's next and give me a heart of passion for your purposes, for the lost, and for your glory. Restore me.

Shocking News

I have some shocking news to share. I am giving up Starbucks. Yep. My pastor has been really challenging our congregation with stewardship and to be honest I suck at it. It is not something I have always struggled with, but right now my lack of stewardship and financial irresponsibility is sin. I am intentionally working to make some positive steps in right direction and setting up some good accountability. So I am going to work on being a good steward and it starts with the Starbucks fast. So if you see me with Starbucks, I give you permission to call me out.

New Joys

There are several things these days that are giving me great joy...
1. Sandals Church
2. My Costco membership
3. My small group at church
4. My sandals lunch crew: Samuel, Andrew, Sirleaf, Kyle, Stephen, Scarlet and the roomies.
5. Ester study
6. My graduate program- especially the noble nine.
7. Costello and Little E
8. The days where I get to leave my office and have conversations with CBU students

God thank that all good things come from YOU! Thanks for blessing me!