"Man does not live on bread alone...

...but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

I read those familiar words (Matthew 4:4) the other day and had this kind of revelation: For thousands of years, men lived on the Law and the Prophets. God's Word was their sustenance. But suddenly, when the Messiah, the Christ, finally arrived, "the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us" (John 1:14). And men saw that not only could they not live on bread alone, they also couldn't live on God's Words alone. The standard was too high. They all fell short.

Ultimately, men could live only on the WORD made flesh. Because of Him, we truly live--life abundant, and life eternal. "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." We live on all the words leading up to (and foreshadowing the coming of) Christ...and then finally on Christ Himself, the perfect, final Word.

What I'm Reading

Third Watch, the third book in a new series by Bodie & Brock Thoene called the A.D. Chronicles. And wow is it good! The first (First Light) started off slow, but got excellent...the second, Second Touch, met my expectations...and this one is matching if not surpassing those two. They're set in the time of Christ, but stories are told mostly from the perspectives of countless minor characters in the gospels: a blind beggar, a Roman centurion, lepers, etc. And such rich Jewish history and information--I am learning how much we miss out on by not knowing all the Jewish heritage that laid the foundation for our Messiah! If you're looking for a captivating fiction read, I highly recommend these. And now with the close of this commercial, back to my book.

Just Call Me Grace

So today at work, I was talking with my co-workers (imagine that) and we were reminiscing about the training we went to last week in Chicago. One of the presenters was Miss Virginia 2002, and she was obviously a beauty pageant queen. Not because she was drop-dead gorgeous (though she was very pretty), but also just because of the way she carried herself. She smiled like a beauty pageant contestant, she talked and walked like one...I know I'm stereotyping here. I have nothing against beauty pageants, really. Anyway, I was talking about how in a demonstration, she even turned around in circles like she was in a beauty pageant. And as I turned in circles across the office to imitate how she had done it, I tripped over a chair and fell down. This, apparently, is why she was in a beauty pageant and I was not. Oh well, it was good for a laugh :)

Me? Miss Spontaneity?

Who says I'm not spontaneous? Normally, I would: this extreme "J" on the Meyers-Briggs indicator thrives off of plans, routines and schedules! But on Saturday, I threw that out the window and took a spur-of-the-moment trip to Marion. First I got to visit Maria briefly...then I went to my friend Amanda's bridal shower! (She's the one on my left in the photo.) It was so great to see friends from school--we snapped this picture of former Sojourn staffers. Yea for spontaneous road trips! And yea for a fun evening with my old roommate Stephanie in Fort Wayne after that.

Funk

I'm kind of in a funk today. Incidentally, every time I use the word "funk," I am flooded with warm memories of Lakeside. These come from the wonderful camp tradition of waking up every morning to the sounds of Pure Funk--"Brickhouse" and "Everybody's Kung Fu Fighting" were the favorites--and from the lovely Katie Andrews. I'll never forget Katie's comment after a long night of no sleep and no showers the next morning: "Guys, I have a funk." Love you Katie :)

So I guess a funk can't be all bad, if the word itself makes me smile because of those fun memories. I feel better already. Here's a shout out to all my old camp buddies who might read this. Section Porch forever ;)

Twelve Things

I Love:
being mentioned in others' blogs
old friends who know all your history
sweet pea
massage chairs
puppies
cranking the CD player in my car

I Hate:
hot, humid bathrooms where you can't dry off after a shower (right Kathryn? :)
cheap TP
sinus headaches
pearberry
alarm clocks
feeling overwhelmed and stressed on a new job

Wedding Date

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a wedding date! Finally! After much drama, we've booked a photographer and settled on July 2, 2005. Let the countdown begin...

In Remembrance

A friend forwarded me this site today: http://home.comcast.net/~sept11/

It'll take a long time to download if you have a slow connection, but worth checking out--it's moving. Hard to believe it's been three years...

I Am

Currently Playing: Ginny Owens, "I Am" (from Something More)

This is not a new song...but it's been on repeat in my car lately and it still gives me goosebumps every time.

"No, Lord," he said
"You've got the wrong guy.
Simple conversation gets me tongue-tied
And You're telling me to speak with a maniac king
Or could it be I've lost my mind?"
"And besides, I am weak
Don't You want someone strong
To lead them out of Egypt
When they've been there so long
And anyway they won't believe You ever spoke to me..."
"That's not your problem," God replied.
And the rest is history

"There's a bigger picture you can't see
You don't have to change the world, just trust in Me
I am your Creator, I am working out My plan
And through you, I will show them I Am."

"Now, Lord, are You sure?
He's just a shepherd boy.
Too small for battle gear, with a giant to destroy
What on earth can he do with five stones and a sling?"
"It's not your problem," God replied.
"Cause I can do anything!"

"There's a bigger picture you can't see
You don't have to change the world, just trust in Me
I am your Creator, I am working out My plan
And through you, I will show them I Am."

I am the first, I am the last
I am the present and the past
I am tomorrow and today
I am the only way

"Great Lord," she said,
"I'm just a simple girl
You say that I will bring Your Son into the world?
How can I understand this thing You're gonna do?"
"That's not your problem," God replied...

"There's a bigger picture you can't see
You don't have to change the world, just trust in Me
I am your Creator, I am working out My plan
And through you, I will show them I Am."

The Sex Lady

I started my new job today...Susan, the girl who's training me (I got hired because she's moving in two weeks) informed me this morning that kids may refer to me as (because they have called her) "the sex lady" or "the sex police." That made me laugh out loud...ah, the joys of abstinence education :)

It was overwhelming, but I had to keep reminding myself that the first day (actually, the first several days) of a new job is always overwhelming. Lots to learn and absorb and get used to. The day did start off with an eye-opening meeting--a task force for "teen health issues" in our county. It's frustrating, Susan explained, because we are the only people on the task force who actually promote abstinence-until-marriage only. The others would say, Well, abstinence is best, but the kids will do it anyway. So we need to give them contraceptives and equip them to have safe sex.

Okay, first of all, it is not safe just because you're using a condom or whatever. SafeR, maybe, but not safe. And second of all, how ridiculous is that? This is the equivalent of telling children, "You shouldn't play in traffic. But, we know that you are so dumb, you will anyway, so we will teach you how to try and dodge speeding cars." Hello!!

Thus ends my first day as "the sex lady."

"Nudity Builds Community"

Another quick note: this made me laugh and I can't resist passing it along. A certain college friend of mine, who shall remain nameless, informed me that she has been running around her dorm floor in skimpy pajamas, informing the residents of her (all-female, don't worry) hall that "Nudity Builds Community." Hahaha...yeah, I'm going to resist further comment and just leave it at that.

Only in America

On Saturday I saw something that I have never before seen in my life. I am pretty sure it is unique to "small town America"--or to be more specific, "The Middle of Nowhere, Indiana." I went to the Grabill Country Fair with some girlfriends (shout out to Jaala, Sara and Aeron if you're reading this :) and we saw...

Lawn Mower Square Dancing. To quote Dave Barry, I swear I am not making this up. This event featured eight old people on riding lawn mowers. While the loudspeaker blasted hee-haw music, a woman on the stage called out the square dance, and these lawn-mower-riding-dancers would drive their mowers in circles around each other according to the appropriate movement: do-si-do, promenade, swing your partner, etc. They even had headsets on so that they could hear the music and the dance calls over the roar of eight lawn mowers. It was unreal.

Wow. Only in America.

You're Hired!

It's official: after a formal interview with members of the CPC board today, I have been hired as the field coordinator for Project Respect in Williams County! This means I'll be establishing and maintaining contacts with the schools in our area, setting up meetings and presentations, serving teachers, providing curriculum--and ultimately, going into the schools (junior high and high school) and giving presentations that promote abstinence until marriage. I am really excited!

Reason #358 Why I Hate Being a Girl

Uncontrollable crying for no apparent reason.

I had my first wedding meltdown today :( I'm in the process of trying to schedule a photographer, which on the surface doesn't sound that hard or stressful. But the lady we wanted, who comes highly recommended by two of my best friends, isn't available on our original date. So that means calling the church and reception site to check other dates, calling other photographers and getting their availability, pricing info, etc...it's a headache and a half. Add that to the fact that doing the long-distance relationship thing just gets harder every minute, and the fact that I'm naturally incredibly indecisive and hate making decisions, and I was a little stressed and frustrated today.

I know most of the thoughts and emotions I was having were irrational, selfish, unfair, etc...and yet I still cried! Why do girls do that??

Fourteen Things

I Love:
snail mail
pizza subs from our hometown pizza shop
Hallmark's "fresh ink" cards
county fair food
New York City
French manicures/pedicures
sleeping with lots of covers

I Hate:
movies where the actors mumble incoherently
DQ blizzards without much candy in them
the fact that my cell phone only works in my bedroom, not in the kitchen
when girls wear immodest clothing
stores and catalogs with classy, attractive, modest clothes I like but that are way overpriced
rodents of all kinds
cleaning showers