Isolation...

Algebra: An exercise to tax the limits of the brain.

Integers have been spinning around my head of late. I struggle to see the necessity of mastering this skill, but I’m trusting that those older than me know why I must submit to this twisting of brain cells. I’ll admit, I do enjoy it sometimes. So far one of my favorite things to do is solving formulas for a variable. It’s like a puzzle. You have to move things around and get rid of things until you have isolated the variable and its value is shown on the other side of the equals sign. Take this equation for example: 1/5(10-15x)+5=3

In order to find the value of x we have to isolate it. To do that we have to strip it of all that surrounds it and is attached to it.

The other day I heard someone refer to our relationship to God in mathematical terms - God being the constant; us being the variable. Somewhere between peaceful sound sleep and sub-consciousness my mind (as it often does lately) started thinking about math. But this time into the equation swirled God. Suddenly it hit me. I am the variable. God is the number on the other side. Throughout my life there have been things, even good things, that have inexplicably been taken away from me. Recently it seems to be intensifying. I have felt...isolated. Is this what I need in order to finally find my value in Him? Stripped of all that surrounds me, pulls me, and that I desire? Even that which is in and of itself good? Must I be isolated?


But the beautiful part of the equation is that whatever is done to the x is also done to the number on the other side. "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are,...[And since] He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted." (Heb 4:15; 2:18 NKJV) Every time something has to be given up, stripped away, purged, He knows how it feels because it was done to Him as well. And at the end I will find my value in Him alone.


Do you know what the meaning of Algebra is? No, it is not the above meaning. :) It is derived from an Arabic word al-jabr which means...restoration.


Oh God, do al-jabr in my life. Even if it means isolation!

Bill and Danny...

Yesterday was an amazing day. Today promises to be the same. When you get a glimpse of God's hand guiding your life it is an amazing experience. Yesterday was completely orchestrated by God. Everything happened so precisely that the end result could not be mistaken as a chance occurrence.

Through a series of events I found myself waiting in the hall way of my community college for my mother to pick me up. Class had let out early, so she was not there yet. As I waited in the hall way one of my math classmates, Danny, came in the front doors. We greeted each other, and he asked how math was going. I said it was ok, but that I still need to finish my homework quiz. So he sat down and started helping me with it. Just then his friend, Bill, came in and, seeing us working on math, came over. They both helped me finish my paper, I thanked them, and we got up to go our separate ways. We chatted a little about math and how we struggle to understand it at times. I mentioned my gratefulness for the promise in James where God promises wisdom to those who ask. Danny kind of rolled his eyes. Bill said that he only knew two Bible verses. I expected him of course to quote John 3:16. Instead I was shocked to hear him quote Revelation 13:18, "Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666." 


What followed was an hour discussion unlike I have ever had before. I drew several times on my canvassing lessons. When we parted they asked if we could continue the discussion the next day (today). Danny said he is Agnostic. Bill said, "What I believe is so confusing I don't know what I believe." They are searching whether they now it for not. And God is wanting to be found of them. Their view of life is more than I can explain. It is really hard to talk to someone who doesn't know what they believe, and who believe that what you believe is fine for you but not fine for everyone.

In short, I find my self with five loaves and two fish to feed a multitude. I'm sure glad I know Jesus! If you would pray for Bill and Danny when God brings them to your mind I would be most grateful. I covet your prayers as well. 


The link below is an interesting video trailer I watched a while back. Following last nights conversation I have ordered it. :)


001 [Re]:ally

Weak things...

Amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic. - Author Unknown

"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence."  1 Corinthians 1:25-29


"Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord." Zechariah 4:6



After the ascension of Jesus, doctors, lawyers, priests, rulers, scribes, and theologians listened with astonishment to words of wisdom and power from unlearned and humble men. These wise men marveled at the success of the lowly disciples, and finally accounted for it to their own satisfaction from the fact that they had been with Jesus and learned of him. Their character and the simplicity of their teachings were similar to the character and teachings of Christ, in reference to which the apostle uses these words: "God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence." [1 COR. 1:27-29.]--Vol. 4, p. 378. {GW92 245.1}


As in earlier ages, the special truths for this time are found, not with the ecclesiastical authorities, but with men and women who are not too learned or too wise to believe the word of God.  {COL 79.1}
Those who receive Christ as a personal Saviour will stand the test and trial of these last days. Strengthened by unquestioning faith in Christ, even the illiterate disciple will be able to withstand the doubts and questions that infidelity can produce, and put to blush the sophistries of scorners.


The Lord Jesus will give the disciples a tongue and wisdom that their adversaries can neither gainsay nor resist. Those who could not, by reasoning, overcome satanic delusions will bear an affirmative testimony that will baffle supposedly learned men. Words will come from the lips of the unlearned with such convincing power and wisdom that conversions will be made to the truth. Thousands will be converted under their testimony.
Why should the illiterate man have this power, which the learned man has not? The illiterate one, through faith in Christ, has come into the atmosphere of pure, clear truth, while the learned man has turned away from the truth. The poor man is Christ's witness. He cannot appeal to histories or to so-called high science, but he gathers from the Word of God powerful evidence. The truth that he speaks under the inspiration of the Spirit is so pure and remarkable and carries with it a power so indisputable that his testimony cannot be gainsaid.--8MR 187, 188 (1905).
Many, even among the uneducated, now proclaim the words of the Lord. Children are impelled by the Spirit to go forth and declare the message from heaven. The Spirit is poured out upon all who will yield to its promptings and, casting off all man's machinery, his binding rules and cautious methods, they will declare the truth with the might of the Spirit's power.--Ev 700 (1895).  {LDE 205, 206}

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."  2 Corinthians 12:10

What a beautiful picture!

GYC 2010

I was thinking about GYC the other day. Wondering if it is really worth going to. Is it just a fun place to be? a place to hang out with my friends? a place to be able to say I went? Have the three I've experienced really changed me?
As I pondered these questions I realized some things were true. It caused me to consider my true motives. It is a wonderful blessings to be surrounded by likeminded friends and enjoy their fellowship. But if that is my sole purpose for attending to the neglect of the spiritual renewal offered there then it's worth is lost on me. It is tempting sometimes to relish the thought of the chance to rub shoulders with the "elite" at such gatherings as GYC. But if I do not accept their challenge to live a life more fully surrender to my Savior, if I put them on a pedestal, if I consider it a greater privilege to make their acquaintance than to enter into the presence of the Almighty morning by morning, I have dishonored them and my Lord.
Am I perfect for having attended GYC? No. I come each year having gained victories, but also having encountered new battles.
In conclusion, GYC for me is a waymark. I can look back and see how things have changed since I was last here. I can see how God has led me, guided me, directed me, moved me, grown me, broken me, changed me, and remember His faithfulness to complete the good work He has started in me. It is a place I can look back to and see the commitment I made to God. It can encourage me when I feel like I am all alone in this pilgrim way to remember the thousands of young people around the world climbing with me.
Coming to GYC doesn't mean you will change. It is not a magical place. You cannot just come, sit back, and expect to be different when you leave. Change is possible. Change is what God wants. He wants to go deeper with us. But we have to give Him permission to search the depths of our soul. GYC provides a place to do that, but it is only realized by those who enter into that soul searching place with God.
For anyone considering attending this conference, whether for the first time or again, I would encourage you to do so. But I would also encourage you to not just let GYC a place. Make GYC a lifestyle. Let us live the commitments we make, use the tools we gain, witness as fervently and as unashamedly, all the other 360 days of the year.  Let us truly be the Generation for Youth for Christ.

Strength...

What does not kill me makes me stronger.

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

It kind of describes my summer. Days packed full of experiences that stretched and pulled me out of my comfort zone. Some made me think about whether I was serious about my commitment. I am. But I've seen a lot more of my self. I've seen a lot more of how much I need Him. But what does not kill me makes me stronger. And He promised that His strength is made perfect in weakness. I held onto that promise many numerous times this summer. Sometimes with the last quaking ounce of faith I had in me. If anything, this summer taught me I'm capable of more than I thought. But only if He is sustaining me. It's not easy. But it is incredibly fulfilling.

...out of weakness were made strong.. Heb 11:34

...Let the weak say, 'I am strong.'" Joel 3:10

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2Cor 12:9, 10