If He Comes Suddenly...

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host:
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

 

On campus, we have times of worship that are set aside to just sing God's praises together.  It's incredible to stand in a room, or outside in the middle of God's creation in one instance, and worship the Creator all together.  I find that so many of the lessons that God teaches me comes not through the sermons and messages that I hear on Sunday mornings or in Chapel throughout the week, but through the songs that we sing to praise Him.

 

God is so deserving of worship, and no doubt He takes joy in His children when we join together to sing for Him, but our journey with God can't stop there.  At the church that I grew up in, the verse above, the Doxology, was always sung after the offering had been collected, a form of thanking God for the gifts He has given us and offering them back up to Him.  I have learned to associate this Doxology with a monetary offering, however, at the end of each worship session on campus we join together in singing the Doxology, despite the fact that no offering has been collected.

 

The first time we sang the verse together I was confused, but quickly realized that this was just yet another form of worship.  This was offering our lives up to God, rather than our money. 

 

There is so much more to following Christ than simply praising Him through song.  We must follow Him and join Him in the mission field, regardless of where we are, because the mission field is all around us.  God didn't give us the most amazing gift in the world for us to keep to ourselves, He sent His Son so that we may live in Him and spread His love to the people around us.

 

Some people are called to follow and serve Christ overseas, but so many of us are called to serve right where we are.  God is always calling us to His mission, there is no "someday" about it.  Jesus could return at any moment, and Mark 13:36 says "if He comes suddenly, do not let Him find you sleeping."  I was told by someone recently that if you aren't actively doing God's work in the world, then you aren't truly following Him.  There is so much more to worship and following God than just singing and attending Bible studies.

Transitioning: God's Love

Well, this is it, everyone.  I arrived at Grove City College on Thursday, and even though it has barely been two days I feel as though it's been over a week.  Everything is going well here, well, everything except for the desk chairs that are constantly rocking backward and making loud noises.  I have been extremely touched by the care of each of the people I encounter here, and by the prayers and thoughts that I am receiving from home.

Everyone on campus has been nothing but friendly and helpful, and it is apparent that when the faculty, Orientation Board members, and RA's say that they've been praying for us and excitedly awaiting our arrival as freshmen, they mean it.  It's incredible to me that so many people who hadn't met me before Thursday could care so much about me.  God has created such amazing people, and such an amazing place here, and I am so thankful that He found a place for me at this college.  I strive to show God's love to others as the people who have been here to welcome us to campus have shown God's love to me.

I have also been blown away by the amount of prayers and well-wishing that I have been getting from people at home.  It means so much to me each time I get a text or someone says something on Facebook, wishing me an easy move in and adjustment, letting me know that they're thinking about me and praying for me.  It really shows me what it means to be the Church, not to simply go to church.  The Church is not a place to worship on Sunday mornings, the Church is the community developed by Christians going through life together.  I knew so many of these people who have been checking in on me and praying for me cared for me at home, but it is so heart warming to know that their love extends this far, too. 

So thank you everyone, and thank you God for making this transition so much easier for me, and for showing me the love of Christ.

Gratitude Journal-Day 4

Gratitude Journal-Day 4

So today I've been thinking about traditions, and different seasons. I'm extremely thankful for the things that make certain times of the year oh so special. There are certain things that have happened year after year for me during certain holidays or times of the year, and it makes me so happy when they happen again, and so excited for them to happen. The Christmas music that I listen to every year makes my heart swell, and though I so desperately want to listen to it earlier and earlier this year, I have to stop myself, because if I don't, then it's not as special anymore, and it loses the meaning for me. There are certain things that I will not allow to be changed. For instance, as we were getting the house ready for Thanksgiving tomorrow, my dad suggested that we make the cranberry chutney tonight, instead of tomorrow, and I instantly said no. Every year for almost as long as I can remember, I wake up on Thanksgiving morning, get dressed, and go downstairs and help my daddy make the cranberry chutney. I am so thankful for the traditions and memories of different holidays and times of the year that make life so special!

Gratitude Journal-Day 3

Gratitude Journal-Day 3

Today I'm really thankful for people. People who I don't know, people I do, I'm just thankful that God put us all here in this world together. Today I went to a flea market with two of my best friends, and there was a man there selling phone cases, he had cases for all three of our phones, and he was really nice. It made my day seeing somebody in such an upbeat mood!

I'm really grateful for the ability to solve conflicts. God sends us little trials to get closer to Him, and He also gives us the ability to overcome the trials. It's not always noticeable, but there is always a way out. "This, too, shall pass"

Gratitude Journal-Day 1

Gratitude Journal-Day 1

So I'm going to start something new, and from now until Christmas I'm going to try and post about at least one thing a day that I'm thankful for.

I'm so thankful for my friends. All of them. I am in awe at what amazing friends God has given me. I have people who I can turn to about anything, people who I can always have a good time with. They genuinely care about me and they want me to be happy. I was standing in church this morning watching, listening, and singing along to many of my friends singing praise songs, leading our congregation in worship of the Lord, and realized how amazing they all are. This isn't the first time that I realized what wonderful people all of them are, it happens quite often. Even though I sometimes feel like there's nothing good going on, I should remember how amazing these people are. For a while I was having kind of a tough time with finding friends who care, and who want me to be happy, but recently God has given me some of the most amazing people ever.

I'm also thankful for the church that I am a part of, and my fellow Christians. I have been extremely blessed in the recent years with showers of love and care from people all throughout the church. My Christian faith has grown a lot in the past couple of years, and I have so many people who are growing with me and so many people who are leading us. It's through church that I met and became close to many of my best friends. God has been pouring out blessings through the church for me, and sometimes I don't even realize how amazing they all are until they're gone.

My family is always there for me, and I am extremely grateful for that. I know that I can always talk to anybody in my family, and even though we don't always get along, we love each other, and there isn't anything that I would change. It's simple, the way we care about each other, I am the oldest of three children, and though we have our arguments, I wouldn't trade them for the world. My parents always care about us, and always want us to be happy, and they are amazing parents.

There's a lot to be grateful for in the world, and sometimes I don't realize it, because sometimes I let my troubles cloud the way for them. I really am blessed in my life.