Words of Wisdom from Derek Zoolander

"I'm pretty sure there's a lot more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good looking. And I plan on finding out what that is."


I am very thankful for Mary and how she always makes me laugh. And I am thankful for friends that attend things I plan. And I'm thankful that there's some interest in getting a college group to go to MHBv at the 5. :)

Sunday Night Refresh

Ahh going to evening services always leaves me refreshed and ready to go to school the next morning. Bring it on! Jill and I have decided we would like to get a group together to go to MHBv at 5 every week. And I am praying for the courage to invite non-Christian friends from school and work. I've just never really gone about asking and don't want it to seem like one of those non-feeling people who preach at you. And the only time I've ever asked someone they said "sorry I'm busy". Ugh.

So I will spend this week praying for opportunities and looking for those opportunities, and courageously, in faith, stepping out and taking Jesus up on the challenge of living life in a risky way.

After all--what is my faith without challenges?

This Defines It

People often ask why I want to work in law enforcement. I wrote this for a scholarship in one of those moments of inspiration and it really defines my reasons.

To be the change, to be the difference, to be the hope for someone—all of that is possible as a police officer. Every day police officers go to work and save lives. More specifically, I desire to work as a police officer in a K-9 Unit. Twice a week I volunteer at Echo Glen Children’s Center—a place where kids convicted of felonies live, go to school, and learn how to re-direct their lives. While there, I hear stories about how K-9 officers and their dogs have tracked down many criminals and uncovered stashes of narcotics. Knowing that as a K-9 officer I could help teens’ lives by putting drug dealers behind bars, that as a patrol officer I could alter a child’s future by removing him from an abusive home, that as an officer in general I could inspire youth to pursue the high road, all of this defines why I desire to work in law enforcement. I know that the road to a career in law enforcement is long and difficult. But I am driven. I know anything—even the most difficult things—are possible when I put my mind to the task at hand. “My” kids at Echo Glen may have learned how to be a good citizen from me, but working with them pointed out a direction for my future.

 I am excited to see how God leads as I pursue this field of study.

Twenty-four

24 hours don't seem like nearly long enough for one day. At least not when that day includes homework, seeing a friend, working, working out, spending time with Jesus, and sleeping. Maybe I just won't sleep. ;)

But I don't think I'm quite at the stressed out point yet. Just trying to figure out the best use of my time. Last night at cg we talked about Solomon and how when God gave him one wish, he asked for wisdom. I think, honestly, that would be my request too. So much of life would be easier if I KNEW I was doing God's will.

I am thankful for:
lattes
early morning coffee and Melinda
no school on Fridays
mango tangerine candles
my job and co-workers

My hero (3)

So far I've posted about heroes from the Bible and from older people who are like mentors to me. This third person is a different type of hero. She's the person who I can trust. She's the person who knows me well enough to call me out on things I'm doing wrong. She's the person who will talk with me for hours about life. She's the person who can point everything to Jesus and inspires me to live in view of him. She's the person I can text at any point of the day and she'll respond. And she's the person who I know really does pray for me.

Every day (and sometimes multiple times in a day) I think God for Emily Yeaton and that He's allowed her to be in my life.

Emily may not think of herself as a hero, but she has no idea how much she's taught me. In my mind, a hero is not just someone who saves the world. It's a person who you can look to for advice or as an example. Just in the past few months through her Jesus has been teaching me

1. how to be content and even thrive wherever God puts you
2. how to identify idols in my life
3. be anxious for NOTHING
4. that God will always provide a listening ear in my time of need

I love you Emily Yeaton.

P.S. She does save the world....in her spare time

Second day burn-out

Is it bad that I'm 2 days into school and already spending the evening eating ice cream and watching The Bachelor when I should be working on scholarship applications? *sigh* Well I have discovered that this quarter will be absolutely insane. One of my biggest priorities will be to stay grounded for the next few months. I know I have the potential to lean towards over-committing and getting overwhelmed and forgetting what is really important. So I'm hoping my Christian friends and especially community group members will help me when I get off track and not be afraid to call me out and ask if I've been spending time with Jesus.

Evidences of God's Grace:
Having 3 unexpected friends in classes with me
Endurance
Some good times reading books by godly authors

Piper and Rainy Days

I spent this morning pumped and ready for my first two classes of Winter Quarter 2010! After 25 minutes in the parking lot, I finally found a parking spot and dashed to my class, knowing I'd be a little late. Fortunately, since it's the first day, the teacher was just going around the circle inquiring about how much dance experience each of us had. After the brief "getting to know you" session she informed us we were done for the day. That's supposed to be a 2 hour class. And then I have an hour before my next class. So I ended up having 2 1/2 hours before my next class (which is now in 10 minutes).

The ever-present rain made me want to just curl up with a book and--glory be--I had packed my Bible and Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper along with my school paraphernalia. So I spent a good hour and a half with Mister Piper discovering what it means to live for Jesus at work. Let me share the conclusion with you...

Secular work is not a waste when we make much of Christ from 8 to 5. God's will in this age is that his people be scattered like salt and light in all legitimate vocations. His aim is to be known, because knowing him is life and joy. He does not call us out of the world. He does not remove the need to work. He does not destroy society and culture. Through his scattered saints he spreads a passion for supremacy in all things for the joy of all peoples. If you work like the world, you will waste your life, no matter how rich you get. But if your work provides a web of redemptive relationships and becomes an adornment for the Gospel of of the glory of Christ, your satisfaction will last forever, and God will be exalted in your joy.

 Amen