I am a planner. I like to organize and schedule everything. However, some of my best experiences have happened when things were unplanned - surprise late night chats with people, etc. So, I am asking a quick question: should we be praying for the things that are unplanned? There's only so far you can go with preparation - and in fact, you can get so caught up in preparation that you forget the actual purpose (see Luke 10:38-42).
I feel like sometimes God meets me with unexpected, unplanned situations to remind me he is sovereign and has everything under control. And I feel like this is a motivator to pray for things that are unplanned. What do you think?
Monday, September 19, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Little acts of Service
I have a really hard time letting other people serve me. Holding the door open for me, clearing my dishes in the dining hall, etc. The feminist in me sets too much value on her independence to be served.
At the same time, I often want to give people similar services. Offering to sit on the floor so that they can have a chair, etc. And when other people don't accept my service, I don't always handle it with grace. I usually continue to offer, or just do it anyways (like, I ask someone if i can take their dishes, they say, "no, I've got it" and I take them anyways).
Is service really service if one forces people to take it? Or is it fair to serve others and not let them serve me?
I definitely need an attitude check on the little things.
At the same time, I often want to give people similar services. Offering to sit on the floor so that they can have a chair, etc. And when other people don't accept my service, I don't always handle it with grace. I usually continue to offer, or just do it anyways (like, I ask someone if i can take their dishes, they say, "no, I've got it" and I take them anyways).
Is service really service if one forces people to take it? Or is it fair to serve others and not let them serve me?
I definitely need an attitude check on the little things.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Guest Blogging
I had the opportunity to guest write for another blog!
I'm really excited to get the opportunity to share my thoughts elsewhere, and I'd highly encourage you to follow the writings of the other blog's author - I've known her since I was a very young child and I've read her blog almost as long! You can find my post here:
On that note, I'd also encourage all of you to think about sharing some thoughts for CultureTwined. I think the theme is an awesome idea and I'd love to hear some of the experiences you all have had (and don't say you haven't had any, I know they exist).
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
How do you illustrate God?
Think of illustrations in a children's book when I say the word illustrate. When you have to picture God in your head, what does it look like?
I know, for me at least, it often looks different every time, but a recent picture I had looked like this:
Imagine a car. Mine was a red corolla. Now, imagine you are in the passenger seat in the front. Imagine that God is driving. I didn't visualize what he looked like so much, it was more the idea of him in the drivers seat. Now, imagine your life on the road (like, we were driving around the loop in my visual and there were big green highways signs that said "CWIT" and "IV" and "STAT CLASS" etc.) Now imagine a tape playing in the car, with the voices of the people you interact with everyday (so, my roommate, my professors, etc.)
And then, in the midst of all that noise and signs pointing you different directions all around, imagine God slowing down, turning down the tape, and teaching you, slowly and carefully, how to drive. Talking to you about some of the bigger potholes in the road.
Isn't that a nice image? It came from a variety of things:
1. the idea of constant conversation with God. At first I thought this might be distracting, but then I realized he could sort of turn down the rest of the world, so instead of adding to the cacophony, he controlled it, like a conductor.
2. remembering college visit rides/driving to work with my dad. We would talk about all sorts of things. and he'd direct me on the road as I learned to drive. and occasionally we'd listen to Tim Keller sermons and discuss them (or skit guy podcasts). And I loved those drives.
3. trying to micro-manage my schedule. That's where the street signs come in - I have a ton on my plate and it reminds me of trying to change lanes on a highway - everything is zipping by and EVERYONE wants my full attendance, full attention, full participation. It's just not possible. So if I miss one exit, it's OK - God's driving.
What ways have you illustrated him recently?
I know, for me at least, it often looks different every time, but a recent picture I had looked like this:
Imagine a car. Mine was a red corolla. Now, imagine you are in the passenger seat in the front. Imagine that God is driving. I didn't visualize what he looked like so much, it was more the idea of him in the drivers seat. Now, imagine your life on the road (like, we were driving around the loop in my visual and there were big green highways signs that said "CWIT" and "IV" and "STAT CLASS" etc.) Now imagine a tape playing in the car, with the voices of the people you interact with everyday (so, my roommate, my professors, etc.)
And then, in the midst of all that noise and signs pointing you different directions all around, imagine God slowing down, turning down the tape, and teaching you, slowly and carefully, how to drive. Talking to you about some of the bigger potholes in the road.
Isn't that a nice image? It came from a variety of things:
1. the idea of constant conversation with God. At first I thought this might be distracting, but then I realized he could sort of turn down the rest of the world, so instead of adding to the cacophony, he controlled it, like a conductor.
2. remembering college visit rides/driving to work with my dad. We would talk about all sorts of things. and he'd direct me on the road as I learned to drive. and occasionally we'd listen to Tim Keller sermons and discuss them (or skit guy podcasts). And I loved those drives.
3. trying to micro-manage my schedule. That's where the street signs come in - I have a ton on my plate and it reminds me of trying to change lanes on a highway - everything is zipping by and EVERYONE wants my full attendance, full attention, full participation. It's just not possible. So if I miss one exit, it's OK - God's driving.
What ways have you illustrated him recently?
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