howdy partner

(2)
after the well
time for a field trip
a freshman needs a friend
tag-teaming it
chaos and disorder
a country collapsing
images of riots and guns on his face
praying to the sound of gunfire
corruption wins the battle
love wins the war

lesson: dig deeper

oh hey

This blog is going to be a log of sweet stuff God has done in my life.

(1)
coming back from the gym sweaty
talking with my friend
having the worst week ever
feeling his hurt
leaving
coming back
seeing his hurt
praying for him
ending with a genuine, wholehearted, perfect hug

Lesson: I should listen when God talks.

The First Post in Two Months

God did crazy things at Chapter Camp and I could write it all out but most of you already know it.
If not, ask and I will tell.

I was watching this sermon by Mark Driscoll at Mars Hill Church tonight. It's about 2 Paul and false teachers. You may think that topic doesn't apply to you but it does. He's talks about idolatry in the world and in our lives. It's pretty enlightening.

Check it.

Craziest Thing Ever

I had the option of going to a concert tonight with Christ, Liz, and Josh. I was kind of split - I knew it'd be fun but I just started an ambitious work ahead regimen. I prayed about it and I wasn't feeling the concert so I stayed.

AND NOW I KNOW WHY GOD WANTED ME TO STAY!

I had Philippians tonight and we discussed Paul, Timothy, and E-somebodyorother -- all amazing disciples leading crazy God-centered lives. E-somebodyorother was sent to deliver a package to Paul in prison, got really sick, but kept going. He was so determined in his task (thinking about others and no himself), that he risked his life to finish his trip to Paul. Speaking of Paul, he was in jail for speaking about Jesus and Paul was joyful about his sentence! He knew it was where God had put him.

We continued to talk about what that kind of faith would look like in our lives. What if we followed Jesus' calling without hestitation, no matter what. Walking down the stairs of the LC, I told Lindsay, "That's all so cool, yet unbelieveably scary. I feel like I'll never attain that kind of life."

At the bottom of the stairs, is three guys: my friend JD, and two other guys.

JD: "Hey, do you want to live with us in a Gateway next year? We need another person."

DG: (mentally) "Haha, no way."
(reality) I skirt around the question and make my way to leave.

Halfway out the door, JD asks, "So that's a no?"

DG: "I mean, I don't know half the people. It's just..." I drift off and slide away.

But then I'm thinking...wait. Was that God talking to me? I literally was in the middle of discussing the crazy-go-for-it-God's-plan-insanity mindset/lifestyle.

And then this. Bam. Couldn't get more in my face.

I go to Seventh Street (it's a cafe for all you non-Bucknellians) and pray about it for five minutes. As in, I time it on my phone. I feel like I should do this. I feel like this is God's plan.

If you know me at all, you know I'm not a risk-taker. At all. I play it safe. I'm the one in the group of friends in the midst of doing something dumb that has second thoughts and secretly wants to stop. So I know this spur-of-the-moment feeling is not from me and my desires.

Long story short -- actually short story shorter (this whole thing happened in the span of 20 minutes): I'm living in a Gateway next year with my friend and two guys I don't know, no even their names. God is hilarious.

What a fun, amazing, insane, not scary because I haven't actually thought about it yet, feeling and hope for next year and the sweet things God has planned!

Longest post ever but so deservingly.

Yeah, about that...

In my last post, I said I was walking. And now I know why!

Spring Break was phenomenal, amazing, perfect -- just what I needed.

God really does know what he's doing.

Sidenote: I'm debating saying bye bye to the blogosphere, like Garyn did. We'll see.

Comfort and Encouragement

Today in bible study we discussed some of Isaiah 40. This is the part of the passage that spoke to me:

"They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."
- Isaiah 40:31

These are three times in everyone's spiritual journey. Sometimes after a weekend retreat or an amazing Well, we're on a Jesus high and we soar. Other times are less exciting but God's presence is still strong; we're running. Finally, when we don't feel God's presence or may feel stuck in a rut, we walk.

Lately, I've been feeling stagnant in my faith. I haven't felt anything mind-blowing or anything out of the ordinary. Some of my friends are pumped up and having awesome experiences, so what about me? This has been discouraging and I felt like I was doing something wrong or I was missing something.

Luckily, God showed me otherwise with this passage. Right now, in my spiritual journey, I'm walking. For whatever reason, I'm not prepared to run right now. The best part of what the passage tells me is that no matter what stage I'm in, soaring, running, or walking, I'm still moving closer and closer to God.

Another day living in faith and with the Spirit inside me is one more day with my Creator and Redeemer. How cool is that?

The Perfect Dad

He goes to all my games.
He doesn't care if I lose.
He stays up late to help me with my homework.
He checks under my bed for monsters.
He encourages me in all that I do.
He lets me make mistakes.
He shares his wisdom and gives the best advice.
He's available to talk whenever I please.
He wants only the best for me.
He doesn't care if I laugh with him, cry with him, or am serious with him.
He drops everything to spend time with me.
He challenges me, promising to be there guiding me.
He hugs me no matter how old I get or who's looking.
He loves me just as I am, no matter what.

My Father is the perfect dad.