Classes started today. I am totally unpacked and moved into my new dorm room and things are rolling. I am getting ready to shift into a new type of routine and ready for God to move in my heart yet another semester.
Was reading in Exodus 33 yesterday and was reminded again just how badly I need the Presence of God to walk with me, to distinguish me from all other faces on this earth and to be my witness for the life I live (vs 15-16). I want so desperately to see the glory of God here on this earth.
Check this out!!
Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."
Exodus 34:5-7
Wow, If that doesn't make me wanna fall to my face in complete awe of the God that I serve.
PS. Nick and I are working on a date for the wedding and will keep you posted on all the ways God keeps blessing us in this process of getting married!!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Would anyone notice
So, as you all know, I work where the source of all coffee flows from...just kiddin. Some probably think so though. And it sure seemed like the source of coffee also means source of life when a few days ago we had to shut our store down for NO MORE THAN 2 HOURS because of some construction around our store. The city had to stop the water, so health code says we can't be open. Not really a huge deal, you would think. At 9 am apparently this is a large problem here on Foster and Sawyer (the street corner we sit on). People thought we were joking. Like it was an end of the summer April fool's or something. Then, after they realized we weren't joking when we had to pry their little espresso sucking hands off of the door, repeating very slowly and carefully, "We are closed sir, sorry," people flipped! Totally flipped. "HOW THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO GET THROUGH MY DAY NOW???" was not an uncommon response. And, "Are you kidding me? This is ABSURD!" Ha, absurd? Really? Or, one of my favorites, "Where am I supposed to get my coffee now???!!" Well, right around that corner, or you could go up that street, or if you're headed that way there is one in the middle of the street so you don't even have to move one lazy finger from your vehicle.
Well, anyways, it got me thinking. What would happen if The Church (the Body of Christ) closed down for 2 hours? Would people notice? Would people not know what to do with the rest of their day? Would it effect anyone?
Sometimes, the answer sadly, and sort of ashamedly is, no. It wouldn't. But I believe that that can change. If we give ourselves up in a radical way. The way Jesus did. It would be noticed. The Kingdom of God would be essential for living. Not Starbucks.
Well, anyways, it got me thinking. What would happen if The Church (the Body of Christ) closed down for 2 hours? Would people notice? Would people not know what to do with the rest of their day? Would it effect anyone?
Sometimes, the answer sadly, and sort of ashamedly is, no. It wouldn't. But I believe that that can change. If we give ourselves up in a radical way. The way Jesus did. It would be noticed. The Kingdom of God would be essential for living. Not Starbucks.
Monday, August 4, 2008
NICK'S NEW BLOG
This rad dude named Nick has a new blog. You should at least give it a chance. You will get hooked. He is really stoked about it and would love for you guys to read it and leave comments!
(you can click the title above where it says "Nick's New Blog" and it will link you to the blog)
*If for some reason the link doesn't work for you go ahead and copy paste this into your web address ---> nicholasjamesjohnson.blogspot.com
Thanks guys.
(you can click the title above where it says "Nick's New Blog" and it will link you to the blog)
*If for some reason the link doesn't work for you go ahead and copy paste this into your web address ---> nicholasjamesjohnson.blogspot.com
Thanks guys.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Brit's 1st Soccer Game
It was Nick's 20th Bday this weekend and so I took him to a Chicago Fire Game (MLS), yep it was pretty sweet. And, as we all know, I have watched baseball games since I took my first breath. So, it was pretty fun to watch. Nick had to teach me what everything meant and how the game is actually played. So, I am learning. The fans are intense. There is a whole section that chants and plays drums and screams the entire time. There are some devoted people when it comes to soccer. It was a sold out game too. The stadium was totally packed. Everything was said twice, once in english, and then again in spanish. A nice cultural experience. (Actually I think its pretty great to be reminded that Americans aren't the only people on this planet.)
Oh and apparently at a soccer game it is totally ok to wear a scarf in the middle of summer. Not so sure about that one. But, we won, 1-0. I know, high scorin game. End result, Brit is totally into the soccer scene and this won't be the last game I'm at. Sorry dad. 
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Just a Few...
Well, as each week flies by I am left speechless by the work of the Holy Spirit here on this earth. God is filling me with this uncontrolable desire for people to know Him. I wake up each morning and wonder how anyone could do the same without knowing that Jesus has rescued and restored their life. I want people to know the joy that I have everyday. If I could just share the littlest bite size of the grace and peace that I walk in everyday, there is no way anyone would go back. It's not that I want to tell someone that their wrong, I just want them to know. I want them to know that there was a man who came and has rescued them from pain. I want it so bad for them. For the people who live in my flat, the friends who have been hurt by their families, the people I work with who are searching for life, the kids who run around the neighborhood wondering why any of this is worth it. All of them. I want them to know Jesus. Cuz He would change their life. And I really, really believe that.
If you could be praying...some situations have come up at WestRidge, and the current guy leading worship will be stepping down for the next year. This means that I will be stepping into his place and leading worship for the church. Pray that God's Spirit would fill me and use me to bring others into His presence. Pray that I can lead well and the way that God desires for me to. Pray that worship would happen daily in this church community, and that I could be just a small part in pointing everyone straight to Jesus. I know that God is asking me to step forward in this way and I am really, just honored and blessed to be a part of something so great here. Also, if you could be praying for the situations that have led up to this, that healing and restoration would come and that God would be worshipped in all of it.
If you could be praying...some situations have come up at WestRidge, and the current guy leading worship will be stepping down for the next year. This means that I will be stepping into his place and leading worship for the church. Pray that God's Spirit would fill me and use me to bring others into His presence. Pray that I can lead well and the way that God desires for me to. Pray that worship would happen daily in this church community, and that I could be just a small part in pointing everyone straight to Jesus. I know that God is asking me to step forward in this way and I am really, just honored and blessed to be a part of something so great here. Also, if you could be praying for the situations that have led up to this, that healing and restoration would come and that God would be worshipped in all of it.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
The Little Munchkin
I've been hit with a new understanding of Jesus the past few weeks. In one of the books I was reading for my internship I came across the statement "Jesus is not the church. And the Church is not Jesus. We can't get those two things confused." And so it got me thinking...what the heck does that mean??
So, I reverted back in my head to sunday school as a cute little munchkin, with long blonde curly locks, and remember hearing over and over again, "Jesus is always with you" "No matter what Jesus will never leaver you" "Jesus is everywhere" "Jesus is always always always (you get the picture) with you" And so I think I (and a lot of other munchkins hearing the same things) started to create an understanding of Jesus that was this thing, this being, this spirit, that was everywhere, all at once, with everyone, never leaving. Because as far as I know, humans can't do all those things, so Jesus, even though he was a human, kinda lost that human feel to him. Because he was everywhere, and always with me.
Now when I came out of my munchkin dream from Sunday school, I realized that the the "weird floaty spirit thing" that was always with me, was, and is, the Holy Spirit. Jesus, even though we don't talk about it much, after He died, overcame death by resurrecting His body, appearing to his disciples, and then ascending into heaven to sit at the right hand of God. It says in Luke chapter 24 verse 36 that "Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." It says he STOOD AMONG THEM. And of course, like any normal human being, they figured they were going crazy and seeing ghosts. I would too. But nope, this was the real deal. Jesus tells them in verse 39, dudes Im not a ghost, I am flesh and bones, touch me seriously. And then to top the whole shindig off he goes and is "taken up into heaven." And as far as I know, thats the last we have seen of Jesus. So, if my steps are right here...then Jesus is with God, still as real as he was when he walked on this earth. Now THAT IS THE JESUS IM TALKING ABOUT! Jesus is with us, yes, always, totally, because when you read on, Jesus' SPIRIT comes down to earth and empowers us and lives with us and breathes with us. The Holy Spirit is always with us. Jesus, is a real person, who lives with God right now.And not on big fluffy clouds in the sky singing twinkle twinkle little star...
But seriously guys, how rad is that? That Jesus is alive, and His Spirit is here with us. God has really renewed that idea in me. This is a big deal, and I want to tell other little munchkins with curly blonde locks that Jesus sent His very own Spirit to be with them everywhere everyday, and that Jesus is real, and that one day everything will be renewed and restored where we can live with THAT Jesus here on earth. Take that little munchkin.
P.S. I never really got back to the original question I started with from the book, but I learned some other really cool things so I figure I don't need to for now.
So, I reverted back in my head to sunday school as a cute little munchkin, with long blonde curly locks, and remember hearing over and over again, "Jesus is always with you" "No matter what Jesus will never leaver you" "Jesus is everywhere" "Jesus is always always always (you get the picture) with you" And so I think I (and a lot of other munchkins hearing the same things) started to create an understanding of Jesus that was this thing, this being, this spirit, that was everywhere, all at once, with everyone, never leaving. Because as far as I know, humans can't do all those things, so Jesus, even though he was a human, kinda lost that human feel to him. Because he was everywhere, and always with me.
Now when I came out of my munchkin dream from Sunday school, I realized that the the "weird floaty spirit thing" that was always with me, was, and is, the Holy Spirit. Jesus, even though we don't talk about it much, after He died, overcame death by resurrecting His body, appearing to his disciples, and then ascending into heaven to sit at the right hand of God. It says in Luke chapter 24 verse 36 that "Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." It says he STOOD AMONG THEM. And of course, like any normal human being, they figured they were going crazy and seeing ghosts. I would too. But nope, this was the real deal. Jesus tells them in verse 39, dudes Im not a ghost, I am flesh and bones, touch me seriously. And then to top the whole shindig off he goes and is "taken up into heaven." And as far as I know, thats the last we have seen of Jesus. So, if my steps are right here...then Jesus is with God, still as real as he was when he walked on this earth. Now THAT IS THE JESUS IM TALKING ABOUT! Jesus is with us, yes, always, totally, because when you read on, Jesus' SPIRIT comes down to earth and empowers us and lives with us and breathes with us. The Holy Spirit is always with us. Jesus, is a real person, who lives with God right now.And not on big fluffy clouds in the sky singing twinkle twinkle little star...
But seriously guys, how rad is that? That Jesus is alive, and His Spirit is here with us. God has really renewed that idea in me. This is a big deal, and I want to tell other little munchkins with curly blonde locks that Jesus sent His very own Spirit to be with them everywhere everyday, and that Jesus is real, and that one day everything will be renewed and restored where we can live with THAT Jesus here on earth. Take that little munchkin.
P.S. I never really got back to the original question I started with from the book, but I learned some other really cool things so I figure I don't need to for now.
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