I was going through my journal and realized that I hadn't posted this. I think its good, so here it is!
As I reflect back on the past few weeks, I started to realize that I've been crying a lot. Its not because I've been upset or sad, but because I've been grateful for the ways the LORD has been moving in my life. Time and time again the LORD's goodness has overwhelmed me and I cannot hold back the tears.
How good He is to us all! He loves us for who we are, the wretched sinner who everyday betrays her Beloved. I mourn over my sin and weep with gladness at the forgiveness I've found. The LORD is a God of redemption and love, punishing me with grace. In no way do I deserve any of the things which He so abundantly gives. I run and I struggle, kick against the goads, only to find they are keeping me on the narrow and straight. When I see my wounds, He is there to bandage them. When I sin, He is ready to forgive. When I run away, He waits eagerly for my return.
Praise be to God for the forgiveness of sin and redemption of souls! Shout His name with gladness, for His steadfast love is great!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Dear Fellow Blog Stalkers
Hello Friends,
I know its been a while since I've posted last, don't worry, good things will be coming soon. I just need some more time to think about all the things I want to say! I have a running list of topics I want to write on, they are just spending some time marinating at the moment. So for your fun and enjoyment, here are some facts about myself.
1. I have three sisters and we all have blue eyes. So do both our parents.
2. I love being a nerd.
3. I find useless trivia to be one of the best things ever. Also hyperbole.
4. I work at the front desk of the Administration and Finance office at SSU. The full time receptionist, Susan, also sits up here with me. She plays the same online radio station every day. Smooth jazz. Too bad they only have 12 songs that they play over and over and over...
5. I often enjoy asking people to tell me something I don't know when there is a lull in the conversation...its fun to see what they come up with!
6. Even though I am an English major, I really don't know a lot about grammar or have an extensive vocabulary. These are things I am working on.
7. Beverly Hills 90210 is one of my guilty pleasures. Also listening to Beyonce (please don't judge me).
8. I didn't learn how to spell the word "vacuum" until my sophomore year in college. Oops!
9. I don't like eating bananas plain but I really do enjoy them in other food (bread, pancakes, milkshakes, etc.)
10. My favorite punctuation mark is the parentheses.
11. I like to go to bed earlier than the normal college student (10.30 or 11) and then wake up earlier as well (sleeping in is 8).
12. I truly enjoy sarcasm, but my favorite type of humor is wit because it is subtle and you have to pay attention to get it.
13. I quite enjoy going to museums. It doesn't really matter what it is about, I mostly go to art museums.
14. I love Jesus.
15. My favorite comfort foods are biscuit goodie and stinky cheese casserole. Wright family favorites!
16. Cooking is one of my favorite things to do.
17. As much as I know this is completely against any sort of 21st century "I am woman hear me roar" type of thinking, I would love to be a housewife.
18. Aesthetics are extremely important to me. Sometimes I think I'm shallow because of this.
19. I'm completing this thing at work. I get paid to do this. I also get paid to go on adventures with Katelynn (one of the other student assistants). One of our favorite things to do when things are really slow is to sneak off to the Pub on campus and fetch nachos.
20. I really like to write. Sometimes I just sit around and think of cool titles for things and hope that something will come up from that. More often than not I just have a list of cool titles hanging around my desk/journal waiting to be written.
21. I will drive all the way from Rohnert Park CA to go to Leatherby's Ice Cream Parlor. It has been done on several occasions.
22. I really enjoy making strange faces at my friends. But the best thing is when they respond with an equally strange face.
23. I want to be someone who gives away most of the money they make off of their career.
24. I say the word "fabulous" far too much.
25. I am an unashamed blog stalker. Also I stalk people on Facebook. Its just a sign of affection.
I know its been a while since I've posted last, don't worry, good things will be coming soon. I just need some more time to think about all the things I want to say! I have a running list of topics I want to write on, they are just spending some time marinating at the moment. So for your fun and enjoyment, here are some facts about myself.
1. I have three sisters and we all have blue eyes. So do both our parents.
2. I love being a nerd.
3. I find useless trivia to be one of the best things ever. Also hyperbole.
4. I work at the front desk of the Administration and Finance office at SSU. The full time receptionist, Susan, also sits up here with me. She plays the same online radio station every day. Smooth jazz. Too bad they only have 12 songs that they play over and over and over...
5. I often enjoy asking people to tell me something I don't know when there is a lull in the conversation...its fun to see what they come up with!
6. Even though I am an English major, I really don't know a lot about grammar or have an extensive vocabulary. These are things I am working on.
7. Beverly Hills 90210 is one of my guilty pleasures. Also listening to Beyonce (please don't judge me).
8. I didn't learn how to spell the word "vacuum" until my sophomore year in college. Oops!
9. I don't like eating bananas plain but I really do enjoy them in other food (bread, pancakes, milkshakes, etc.)
10. My favorite punctuation mark is the parentheses.
11. I like to go to bed earlier than the normal college student (10.30 or 11) and then wake up earlier as well (sleeping in is 8).
12. I truly enjoy sarcasm, but my favorite type of humor is wit because it is subtle and you have to pay attention to get it.
13. I quite enjoy going to museums. It doesn't really matter what it is about, I mostly go to art museums.
14. I love Jesus.
15. My favorite comfort foods are biscuit goodie and stinky cheese casserole. Wright family favorites!
16. Cooking is one of my favorite things to do.
17. As much as I know this is completely against any sort of 21st century "I am woman hear me roar" type of thinking, I would love to be a housewife.
18. Aesthetics are extremely important to me. Sometimes I think I'm shallow because of this.
19. I'm completing this thing at work. I get paid to do this. I also get paid to go on adventures with Katelynn (one of the other student assistants). One of our favorite things to do when things are really slow is to sneak off to the Pub on campus and fetch nachos.
20. I really like to write. Sometimes I just sit around and think of cool titles for things and hope that something will come up from that. More often than not I just have a list of cool titles hanging around my desk/journal waiting to be written.
21. I will drive all the way from Rohnert Park CA to go to Leatherby's Ice Cream Parlor. It has been done on several occasions.
22. I really enjoy making strange faces at my friends. But the best thing is when they respond with an equally strange face.
23. I want to be someone who gives away most of the money they make off of their career.
24. I say the word "fabulous" far too much.
25. I am an unashamed blog stalker. Also I stalk people on Facebook. Its just a sign of affection.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Thank You, Oswald.
I came across this Oswald Chambers quote today:
Sanctification means being made one with Jesus so that the disposition that ruled Him will rule us. It will cost everything that is not of God in us.
I've heard that God desires all of us. I believe this to be true, as we find in scripture that He is a jealous God. When we fully give ourselves to Him, it does cost everything of us. Our entire being must be forfeited at the foot of the Cross, willing to give ourselves completely to the One who created and loves us. When we drop to our knees in repentance and thankfulness, we must not let pride get in the way of the Lord having His way with us. We cannot tell the Lord, "Oh no, my shame is too great for you. My feet are too dirty, you cannot wash them."
Peter has a similar instance with Jesus at the Last Supper in John 13:
Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. So He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, "Lord, do You wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, "What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter." Peter said to Him, "Never shall You wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me" (vs. 5-8).
We cannot ever be too stained to be remedied by the cleansing blood of the Lamb. It may cost us everything, but it is worth losing it all. The Kingdom of God costs everything, and at the same time is worth everything.
Sanctification means being made one with Jesus so that the disposition that ruled Him will rule us. It will cost everything that is not of God in us.
I've heard that God desires all of us. I believe this to be true, as we find in scripture that He is a jealous God. When we fully give ourselves to Him, it does cost everything of us. Our entire being must be forfeited at the foot of the Cross, willing to give ourselves completely to the One who created and loves us. When we drop to our knees in repentance and thankfulness, we must not let pride get in the way of the Lord having His way with us. We cannot tell the Lord, "Oh no, my shame is too great for you. My feet are too dirty, you cannot wash them."
Peter has a similar instance with Jesus at the Last Supper in John 13:
Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. So He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, "Lord, do You wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, "What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter." Peter said to Him, "Never shall You wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me" (vs. 5-8).
We cannot ever be too stained to be remedied by the cleansing blood of the Lamb. It may cost us everything, but it is worth losing it all. The Kingdom of God costs everything, and at the same time is worth everything.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
(In)Significance
This is something that I wrote during finals week but just decided to post.
It definitely was one of those days. Cold, rainy, finals week, gray. I felt so insignificant.
Having no finals, I volunteered my day to go into work for some extra hours, welcoming the extra money. But instead of sitting at home with nothing to do, I sat at a desk all day instead. Sure, I watered the plethora of poinsettias in the office, did minimal filing and answered a few phone calls, but the majority of my day was spent doing nothing of significance.
It was four thirty and time to go home. Joyfully I walked out of the office, looking forward to the time I was going to spend at home with my roommates. It was my night to cook and I was making a Wright Family specialty, Stinky Cheese Casserole. Right as I was about to throw it all in the casserole dish to cook, my phone rang.
A local number came up, urgently screaming for my attention. Resisting the urge to silence my phone and not answer, I picked up. It was Kelly, the older brother of the young man I tutor. He was wondering if I was coming in today, he was under the impression that I was going to be there at five; it was now forty-five minutes later. Racking my brain for any solid conversation with his mom the week earlier, I explained to Kelly that I was supposed to come in only if the needed me and was waiting for a call. Frazzled by the miscommunication and slightly frustrated, I told him that I would be there in twenty minutes.
Oh, how I did not want to go! I was looking forward to a quiet evening at home when I could read and go to bed early. So against my plans was what was being thrown in front of me!
As I drove to their house, I prayed that God would grant me an extra measure of patience. Knowing that I was tired and easily irritable, it was not the best time for me to engage in something demanding.
I arrived and Keegan was already sitting at his computer waiting for me. His assignment was out on his desk and he was staring intently at the words on the page. I hope he's focused today, I though to myself as I sat down. I don't know if I can handle it if he isn't.
Just my luck, for the first half hour Keegan was easily agitated, distracted, and panicked. The cerebral palsy acts up when the weather is cold outside and was giving him an extremely hard time today. His muscles contracted in his arms and pulled them close to his chest, his jaw pulled open wide and his breath happened in harsh-sounding gasps. It is a hard thing to watch when you know that you can do nothing to stop the pain you see in his eyes. The muscles contorted in ways that he did not intend. His hands were raw from unintentional biting, his fingers curling up into unbearably tight fists.
All I can do is watch. I try to encourage him to take deep breaths as he stares at me with wide eyes, undoubtedly thinking that if only he could control his breathing in a moment like this he would. But no words come out, only heavy, uncontrolled breathing. No words have ever come out, only very basic vowel sounds and yells of protests come from him, contributable to the advanced palsy.
Finally he calms down enough to focus and write his last rearing response for the semester. At this point I am already tired and my patience is wearing thinner every moment. I ask the Lord for more, and graciously the Lord lends me some.
We finish the assignment and I leave to go home. The radio gets turned off in the car as I drive down their street. I sigh loudly and start to pray. I tell the Lord of how worthless my day was, how I did nothing, how I produced nothing, how insignificant I was on the whole. As my thoughts formed into words spoken aloud to my Creator, my eyes welled up with tears. "Why, Lord? I've lived another day and yet have nothing to show for it. I've done nothing!"
I remembered James's words to the Jewish bretheren who were scattered abroad: Rejoice! If one was happy , rejoice; if one was mourning, rejoice; giving thanks to God in all circumstances. Desiring this in my own heart, I turned from the "woe is me" mindset to one that was thankful.
I remembered the ways in which the Lord redeems and loves me every moment I live, how He paid to set me free, how He loves me. I remember that He has adopted me as a daughter of grace, inviting me to sit at the table where I don't belong. When I am in the full love of the Lord, I cannot see my brokenness. Not one is insignificant to the Lord.
It definitely was one of those days. Cold, rainy, finals week, gray. I felt so insignificant.
Having no finals, I volunteered my day to go into work for some extra hours, welcoming the extra money. But instead of sitting at home with nothing to do, I sat at a desk all day instead. Sure, I watered the plethora of poinsettias in the office, did minimal filing and answered a few phone calls, but the majority of my day was spent doing nothing of significance.
It was four thirty and time to go home. Joyfully I walked out of the office, looking forward to the time I was going to spend at home with my roommates. It was my night to cook and I was making a Wright Family specialty, Stinky Cheese Casserole. Right as I was about to throw it all in the casserole dish to cook, my phone rang.
A local number came up, urgently screaming for my attention. Resisting the urge to silence my phone and not answer, I picked up. It was Kelly, the older brother of the young man I tutor. He was wondering if I was coming in today, he was under the impression that I was going to be there at five; it was now forty-five minutes later. Racking my brain for any solid conversation with his mom the week earlier, I explained to Kelly that I was supposed to come in only if the needed me and was waiting for a call. Frazzled by the miscommunication and slightly frustrated, I told him that I would be there in twenty minutes.
Oh, how I did not want to go! I was looking forward to a quiet evening at home when I could read and go to bed early. So against my plans was what was being thrown in front of me!
As I drove to their house, I prayed that God would grant me an extra measure of patience. Knowing that I was tired and easily irritable, it was not the best time for me to engage in something demanding.
I arrived and Keegan was already sitting at his computer waiting for me. His assignment was out on his desk and he was staring intently at the words on the page. I hope he's focused today, I though to myself as I sat down. I don't know if I can handle it if he isn't.
Just my luck, for the first half hour Keegan was easily agitated, distracted, and panicked. The cerebral palsy acts up when the weather is cold outside and was giving him an extremely hard time today. His muscles contracted in his arms and pulled them close to his chest, his jaw pulled open wide and his breath happened in harsh-sounding gasps. It is a hard thing to watch when you know that you can do nothing to stop the pain you see in his eyes. The muscles contorted in ways that he did not intend. His hands were raw from unintentional biting, his fingers curling up into unbearably tight fists.
All I can do is watch. I try to encourage him to take deep breaths as he stares at me with wide eyes, undoubtedly thinking that if only he could control his breathing in a moment like this he would. But no words come out, only heavy, uncontrolled breathing. No words have ever come out, only very basic vowel sounds and yells of protests come from him, contributable to the advanced palsy.
Finally he calms down enough to focus and write his last rearing response for the semester. At this point I am already tired and my patience is wearing thinner every moment. I ask the Lord for more, and graciously the Lord lends me some.
We finish the assignment and I leave to go home. The radio gets turned off in the car as I drive down their street. I sigh loudly and start to pray. I tell the Lord of how worthless my day was, how I did nothing, how I produced nothing, how insignificant I was on the whole. As my thoughts formed into words spoken aloud to my Creator, my eyes welled up with tears. "Why, Lord? I've lived another day and yet have nothing to show for it. I've done nothing!"
I remembered James's words to the Jewish bretheren who were scattered abroad: Rejoice! If one was happy , rejoice; if one was mourning, rejoice; giving thanks to God in all circumstances. Desiring this in my own heart, I turned from the "woe is me" mindset to one that was thankful.
I remembered the ways in which the Lord redeems and loves me every moment I live, how He paid to set me free, how He loves me. I remember that He has adopted me as a daughter of grace, inviting me to sit at the table where I don't belong. When I am in the full love of the Lord, I cannot see my brokenness. Not one is insignificant to the Lord.
This is What Happens on Christmas Eve
Well, it has officially started. One of my best friends and roommates for the past four years(!) has gotten herself engaged!
Danielle Stanton will sometime (hopefully within the next year) become Mrs. Brian Swanson. Woo hoo! I can't wait to be a part of their life together. Many blessings on the future Swanson family!
Danielle Stanton will sometime (hopefully within the next year) become Mrs. Brian Swanson. Woo hoo! I can't wait to be a part of their life together. Many blessings on the future Swanson family!
The happy couple
Brian's stellar choice in rings
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Attributes
The summer before I moved to college I worked at a stationery store called Papyrus with my sister Kate a girl named Tarissa. We remained friends for a short time afterwards and kept in contact via email. I haven't heard from Tarissa in ages, but whether she knows it or not she has profoundly influenced me in ways I have a hard time describing.
In one of these long-ago emails, she had mentioned something about choosing an attribute of God to focus on for a year. Each year she would pick a new one and try to gain more insight and practice into that specific characteristic. I thought this was a great idea and have been doing it since (I think).
My first attribute was courage. I hear often from various people and sources that the most often-repeated commandment in the Bible is to fear not or some variation of it. So I spent a year on courage, learning when to speak and when to hold my tongue, when to act and when to wait. It takes courage to listen to the Lord and seek discernment and then to do what He has lead you into. Following after Jesus takes courage.
My second attribute was faithfulness, to constantly say yes to the things that the Lord has called me to be faithful to. Relationships, friendships, reading my Bible, praying, my studies, resting, finding counsel, being counsel for others, leading with InterVarsity, serving and loving those around me. It has been teaching me to be selfless while still caring for myself and doing my best to rest well and find the rest that Psalm 23 talk about.
So for the Year of Our Lord 2009, I will be choosing the attribute of generosity. Its something that the Lord has been placing on my heart for the past couple of months and has always been something that I've admired in others. I've heard that the patterns that people develop in college will most likely stay with them throughout the rest of their lives, so we better start practicing them now. It definitely is something that I want my life to be marked by. Pray that I learn it well.
In one of these long-ago emails, she had mentioned something about choosing an attribute of God to focus on for a year. Each year she would pick a new one and try to gain more insight and practice into that specific characteristic. I thought this was a great idea and have been doing it since (I think).
My first attribute was courage. I hear often from various people and sources that the most often-repeated commandment in the Bible is to fear not or some variation of it. So I spent a year on courage, learning when to speak and when to hold my tongue, when to act and when to wait. It takes courage to listen to the Lord and seek discernment and then to do what He has lead you into. Following after Jesus takes courage.
My second attribute was faithfulness, to constantly say yes to the things that the Lord has called me to be faithful to. Relationships, friendships, reading my Bible, praying, my studies, resting, finding counsel, being counsel for others, leading with InterVarsity, serving and loving those around me. It has been teaching me to be selfless while still caring for myself and doing my best to rest well and find the rest that Psalm 23 talk about.
So for the Year of Our Lord 2009, I will be choosing the attribute of generosity. Its something that the Lord has been placing on my heart for the past couple of months and has always been something that I've admired in others. I've heard that the patterns that people develop in college will most likely stay with them throughout the rest of their lives, so we better start practicing them now. It definitely is something that I want my life to be marked by. Pray that I learn it well.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
All Right, I'll Do It.
Amanda tagged me. I'm not exactly sure if there is something I'm supposed to write in particular, so I'll just write whatever the heck I want.
1. I'm supposed to be writing an astronomy research paper right now. I have all the research done, waiting on my computer for me to transfer it into something manageable and non-plagiarized. I have the first two paragraphs done, and I was on the NASA website and then got distracted... Oh blogs.
2. I love being a nerd. I think it runs in the family. If you have ever met anyone else in the Wright Family, you will know why I am the way I am. We are all knowledge junkies, we love trivia, and often have useless tidbits of information to spout off at any time. The name of Paul Revere's horse? Brown Beauty. The place where Jeb Steward was shot? The Yellow Tavern. The first First Lady to appear on television? Betty Ford. And much, much more.
3. I really like recycling. And I hate bottled water. Why bottle something and sell it for 1000000 times the price it really costs you to produce it when consumers can actually get perfectly fine water that is drinkable and won't cause them bowel issues right out of their taps at home? Not to mention the amount of energy and waste that goes into making those dumb bottles. Just get a Sigg or a Kleen Kanteen. Spend 20 bucks on one and it lasts you literally years, and can save you a lot of moolah in the long run.
4. I sometimes laugh like a machine gun. Short, loud, and obnoxious, I get this from my dad. I look like him and laugh like him. We both wear glasses. My BFF Shannon sometimes makes guns with her fingers and pretends like she is shooting things when I laugh. This only makes me laugh harder.
5. I love Jesus. I think most people know this, but its just fun to say sometimes. I LOVE JESUS!
6. I have nothing more to say at the moment.
People I'd like to tag who probably won't do it:
Juliann PerkinsSaturday, November 22, 2008
I've Been Published!
Okay, okay. So I admit the title may be a little misleading, but true nonetheless. I had an editorial published in the Sonoma State Star newspaper. I read a scathing editorial by one of the professors at SSU and couldn't help but reply. Here is what he wrote:
Dear Editor,
If I was a California Chicken I'd be celebrating right now. As a human, it was a Black week--Uncle Tom in the White House, gay marriage down in flames here in Jesus-land.
It is appalling that a slim majority of America-hating Christo-fascists, these bigoted Bible-thumping, born gain (*yes, he did forget the "a" in again) blue-noses, can so easily trample the First Amendment guarantee of Separation of Church and State and the Fourteenth Amendment guarantee that All Citizens Are Equal Before the Law.
They have put their theology into our State's Constitution and they have put a Special Right for special classes of citizens into our State's Constitution as well. (The Supreme Court should be outraged--but it won't be.)
"Ba-RAACK Ba-RAACK BaRAACK!" -- I'm trying to sound like a celebratory chicken.
RL, Professor of Mathematics
So, here is what I wrote in reply:
Dear Editor,
I am writing in response to "Shocking results: Animal rights trump gay rights [Issue 12].
As one who identifies as what the author calls an "America-hating Christo-fascist," and a "bigoted Bible-thumping born [a]gain blue nose," I believe that his accusations were both unfair and inconsiderate.
As followers of Jesus, many Christians today, including myself, felt torn between the two sides of Proposition 8. On one hand, it is immensely hard to divorce oneself from the words of the Bible that looks down on any sort of sexually promiscuous lifestyle (1 Corinthians 6:8-10). And looking to the other side, they see God's desire for His children to promote equality in His Kingdom and for all in it (Job 31:13-15; Proverbs 22:2).
It seems that with this proposition, the Christians of California have come to an impasse. If they cast their votes yes, they are participating in the marginalization of a people group; and if they cast their votes no, they contradict their own moral and doctrinal standards of the Church. Undoubtedly a catch-22.
I am shocked at the author's immediate blame placed upon the Church for the success of this proposition. I am convinced that this proposition was not passed solely on by the influence of Christians, rather, I know many who voted No on Prop 8 because they felt it to be unjust; and they mourned with the gay community as they watched it pass.
It is the job of Christians to love people in the same manner that Christ loves the Church, regardless of their personal choices or lifestyles. The Lord desires nothing more to love His children and to see them loving one another.
Tamsen Wright, a follower of Jesus
So whaddaya think?
Dear Editor,
If I was a California Chicken I'd be celebrating right now. As a human, it was a Black week--Uncle Tom in the White House, gay marriage down in flames here in Jesus-land.
It is appalling that a slim majority of America-hating Christo-fascists, these bigoted Bible-thumping, born gain (*yes, he did forget the "a" in again) blue-noses, can so easily trample the First Amendment guarantee of Separation of Church and State and the Fourteenth Amendment guarantee that All Citizens Are Equal Before the Law.
They have put their theology into our State's Constitution and they have put a Special Right for special classes of citizens into our State's Constitution as well. (The Supreme Court should be outraged--but it won't be.)
"Ba-RAACK Ba-RAACK BaRAACK!" -- I'm trying to sound like a celebratory chicken.
RL, Professor of Mathematics
So, here is what I wrote in reply:
Dear Editor,
I am writing in response to "Shocking results: Animal rights trump gay rights [Issue 12].
As one who identifies as what the author calls an "America-hating Christo-fascist," and a "bigoted Bible-thumping born [a]gain blue nose," I believe that his accusations were both unfair and inconsiderate.
As followers of Jesus, many Christians today, including myself, felt torn between the two sides of Proposition 8. On one hand, it is immensely hard to divorce oneself from the words of the Bible that looks down on any sort of sexually promiscuous lifestyle (1 Corinthians 6:8-10). And looking to the other side, they see God's desire for His children to promote equality in His Kingdom and for all in it (Job 31:13-15; Proverbs 22:2).
It seems that with this proposition, the Christians of California have come to an impasse. If they cast their votes yes, they are participating in the marginalization of a people group; and if they cast their votes no, they contradict their own moral and doctrinal standards of the Church. Undoubtedly a catch-22.
I am shocked at the author's immediate blame placed upon the Church for the success of this proposition. I am convinced that this proposition was not passed solely on by the influence of Christians, rather, I know many who voted No on Prop 8 because they felt it to be unjust; and they mourned with the gay community as they watched it pass.
It is the job of Christians to love people in the same manner that Christ loves the Church, regardless of their personal choices or lifestyles. The Lord desires nothing more to love His children and to see them loving one another.
Tamsen Wright, a follower of Jesus
So whaddaya think?
Sunday, November 2, 2008
A Lesson in Disobedience
As the child of a teacher, I've always prided myself in being somewhat of a nerd. Homework is done on time, tests were never failed, and anything less than your best was never accepted.
Even when I moved away from home and went to college, I was that nerdy kid who did all the assigned reading and rarely skipped class. The picture of disappointed parents would always pop in my head if I thought about playing hooky. In my head they would say, "We are paying for you to become educated, Tamsen, not socialized." The line would never fail to get me in class.
Things didn't really change until recently. It was the weekend of Fall Conference, InterVarsity's first (and big) conference of the year. I was excited to go but also slightly overwhelmed at the amount of reading that was due the following Monday. Being the ever diligent student, I brought the 180 page linguistics book with me and had full intentions on reading the entire thing.
Friday night had come and gone, as well as the majority of Saturday. We had an hour before dinner, to be followed with our night session, free time, then bed. I looked at my reading. Only 137 pages to go.
My mind kicked into panic mode. I became moody and worried. For some reason I felt slightly nauseous at the thought of how much I still had to do.
The dinner bell rang and we all filed inside. The meal continued and we put our trays away. Twenty minutes until we had to go to the session, and I was trying to be a good student and do my reading in the cafe area. My friend Robbie came up to me and asked if I was doing the reading for the class we had together on Mondays. "Yes," I said, exasperated. "There is so much to do and I just don't want to!"
He looks at me and says, "You are actually going to d it?"
I think to myself, "Of COURSE I'm going to do it!!! Isn't that what I'm at college for?" Thankfully my tongue was not as quick as my thoughts and I merely sighed.
"You're such a good student, Tam," he says to me. Too bad I'm still stressed.
I continue to think about his words, his disbelief in my desire to do my homework. Why should it surprise him that I would be diligent to my studies? Why was it bothering me this much?
I finally understood. I was being a Martha when the LORD desired for my heart to be like that of a Mary. Luke recounts the story in the 10th chapter of his Gospel, with Jesus proclaiming, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and trouble about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken from her" (Luke 10:41).
Mary had chosen the better. She had opted out of busying herself with what was expected of her by her sister Martha and sat at the feet of Christ, ready to hear His every word. In doing my reading and being faithful to my studies, I was not sinning. I do not think that Martha was sinning when she was serving and hosting Christ and the disciples. And yet in her seemingly disobedient act, Mary was the one who was praised. She chose to sit and listen, she was allowing her heart to be changed and molded by the teachings of Jesus. How much better!
At the next opportunity, I promptly closed my book and put it in my backpack for the remainder of the weekend. I was ready to hear from the LORD.
*Author's note: Mom and Dad, don't worry, I'm still doing my reading. I promise I won't fail out of my classes! :D
Even when I moved away from home and went to college, I was that nerdy kid who did all the assigned reading and rarely skipped class. The picture of disappointed parents would always pop in my head if I thought about playing hooky. In my head they would say, "We are paying for you to become educated, Tamsen, not socialized." The line would never fail to get me in class.
Things didn't really change until recently. It was the weekend of Fall Conference, InterVarsity's first (and big) conference of the year. I was excited to go but also slightly overwhelmed at the amount of reading that was due the following Monday. Being the ever diligent student, I brought the 180 page linguistics book with me and had full intentions on reading the entire thing.
Friday night had come and gone, as well as the majority of Saturday. We had an hour before dinner, to be followed with our night session, free time, then bed. I looked at my reading. Only 137 pages to go.
My mind kicked into panic mode. I became moody and worried. For some reason I felt slightly nauseous at the thought of how much I still had to do.
The dinner bell rang and we all filed inside. The meal continued and we put our trays away. Twenty minutes until we had to go to the session, and I was trying to be a good student and do my reading in the cafe area. My friend Robbie came up to me and asked if I was doing the reading for the class we had together on Mondays. "Yes," I said, exasperated. "There is so much to do and I just don't want to!"
He looks at me and says, "You are actually going to d it?"
I think to myself, "Of COURSE I'm going to do it!!! Isn't that what I'm at college for?" Thankfully my tongue was not as quick as my thoughts and I merely sighed.
"You're such a good student, Tam," he says to me. Too bad I'm still stressed.
I continue to think about his words, his disbelief in my desire to do my homework. Why should it surprise him that I would be diligent to my studies? Why was it bothering me this much?
I finally understood. I was being a Martha when the LORD desired for my heart to be like that of a Mary. Luke recounts the story in the 10th chapter of his Gospel, with Jesus proclaiming, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and trouble about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken from her" (Luke 10:41).
Mary had chosen the better. She had opted out of busying herself with what was expected of her by her sister Martha and sat at the feet of Christ, ready to hear His every word. In doing my reading and being faithful to my studies, I was not sinning. I do not think that Martha was sinning when she was serving and hosting Christ and the disciples. And yet in her seemingly disobedient act, Mary was the one who was praised. She chose to sit and listen, she was allowing her heart to be changed and molded by the teachings of Jesus. How much better!
At the next opportunity, I promptly closed my book and put it in my backpack for the remainder of the weekend. I was ready to hear from the LORD.
*Author's note: Mom and Dad, don't worry, I'm still doing my reading. I promise I won't fail out of my classes! :D
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