JOHN

I'm reading through the book of John and 1 John and memorizing a passage of scripture with the other proteges:

"As a father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.  My command is this: love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you obey what I command. I no longer call you servants because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead I call you friends for everything that I learned from my father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: love each other." 

                       -John 15:9-17

There is so much there. I'm loving reading John straight through because it's so much easier to pick up on the repetition and what he continues to repeat is very important. Not only does John repeatedly talk about things in his gospel...it's obvious that Jesus was constantly saying the same things, we just don't listen sometimes!  He is always talking about life, truth, love, and obedience. I have a lot to work on and I'm thankful for His patience!

still surreal

Here I sit on my couch, sipping coffee, writing letters, watching a movie and journaling and I realize still can't believe that I'm living in DC sometimes.  I'm sitting here writing notes to family and friends and when I put my return address on the envelope I still have the instinct of writing my Rochester address.  It's kind of crazy how time flies because while it still feels so surreal I also feel like I've been here way longer than 2 months.  I'm not the only one...one of the regular customers at Ebz didn't believe me when I said that I've only lived here for 2 months.  It's sort of amazing how easy it is to move and settle in when we put our faith in God.  Left to my own device I would probably not be here right now and if I was here I would still feel like a stranger, but God calls His people and doesn't make them go alone...He goes with them.  No matter where we move, no matter what jobs we take, we can still feel settled in because the God of the universe is always with us no matter where we are.  Regardless of how many awesome people I meet here and the fact that I love my job...without God it would feel less meaningful and I'm sure the peace I have would be anxiety instead! 

Thank you, God, for never leaving your children to go alone...the journey is only made worthwhile when we stop and recognize we're on it with you!

too much information

Today Michelle had someone come into work and teach us about food safety regulations in order to become certified in it.  It was a lot of fun and it's really neat that we'll be food service certified because there needs to be someone that is certified there at all times in case a health inspector comes by.  The certification is good for 5 years nationwide, but only 3 years in DC, Maryland or Virginia.  Anyway, I'm very grateful for her setting this up because it's a very important thing to have in this kind of business.  However, we heard a lot of information today that I just would have rather not known...things that have to do with other food service places that don't follow the rules and what can happen to someone after eating in such a place.  We heard story after story after story that disturbed me and all day long I have found myself analyzing the health of certain situations.  I'm glad that I'm informed, but some of that stuff I just wish I didn't have to see or hear about!  

 Too much information...the man that ran the course told us that Elvis Presley died with 62 pounds of fecal matter in his system! That was just one of the MANY stories that blew my mind.  There were also some interesting stories about ice machines, pop machines, the bathroom, and hand washing practices! I'm glad I'm more educated, but sometimes I'd rather not know! But as they say, now I know so I can't ignore it! I guess the course works because I don't think any of us that took it are going to allow anywhere near what we saw in those videos happen in Ebenezers! In the long run though it didn't stop me from eating...in fact, I went to Fuddruckers tonight after work with a couple of co-workers!

kneeling

You ask me what I think of the war

You ask me what I think it was for

You ask me what I think of our policies

My position-my only position is

Kneeling-my position is

Kneeling-my position is kneeling

You ask me what I think of the Right

You ask me what I think of what's Left

You ask me what I think of your certainties

My position-my only position is

Kneeling- my position is

Kneeling-my position is kneeling

You say I must stand up-for what I believe

But when I stand up-well I'm down on my knees

I'm kneeling-my position is

Kneeling-my position is kneeling

In light of the events happening a week from today when there will be a new President elected it obviously calls to question many issues and opinions.  Being in the Nation's Capital during this time is very interesting because so many people's lives revolve around which candidate in fact wins.  The dynamic has proven to be very diverse.  Many people will talk to you as if they already know how you're voting for...and I'm thinking to myself how do you know when I'm having a hard time deciding.  I have to admit that during the prelims I was feeling strongly one way and I continued to allow my own personal feelings and desires rule my thought process. I looked at the facts, but I was mostly moved by the sway of the people and getting caught up in the atmosphere that is around me.  Over the last week I realized that I never took it to the Lord in prayer and committed it to Him.  Oswald Sanders says in his book on Spiritiual Leadership: "we all know it's indispensable, we know the Scriptures call for it, yet we often fail to pray" I was brought back to this song by Ceili Rain called "Kneeling" and was struck by the idea once again...that our position should be kneeling.  Of course I have opinions about things, but God KNOWS the outcome of November 4th already so why not consult Him in our uncertainties, fears and doubts as we decide who to vote for in a week?  It's interesting because after I started intentionally praying about this my heart changed and my vote will now be different than it would have been.  I'm continuing to pray for this election and the Nation in such an important and scary time in history!  May HIS will be done as we KNEEL and recognize His provision over it all!  

time

It's ironic that my blog is called "time on my hands" when I feel like I don't have much of that lately.  However, while I might not have time on my hands in terms of free time I do have time on my hands in the sense of opportunity.  Last year I was inspired by my dad to meditate on a verse in Ephesians about redeeming the time.  It is found in chapter five verse sixteen:

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,  making the best use of the time"

I hadn't thought about that verse in awhile, but I have been reading a book by Oswald Sanders called "Spiritual Leadership" and he addresses the issue of time, referencing this very passage.  I was brought back to the many times I thought about this verse and how it related to my life! I have to remind myself every day that I really do have time on my hands because God has me in His. I need to evaluate the best us of my time...redeem the time...cash it in for all it's worth.  God gave us 24 hours in a day for a reason and as Sanders says there is always enough time to do the will of God, we just have to use it wisely!  God is faithful in providing opportunities and resources, our faithfulness is displayed in what we do with what we are given.  

Redeem the time...it truly is on our hands and we will be accountable for what we choose to use that time for.  I know there are better things I could do with my time than I always do, but as I continue to seek God I am confident that He will continue to nudge me and refine me especially in my use of the time He gives me!  Many people say that they cannot find enough time to spend in the word, or praying and meditating, or even find enough time to visit with people.  Sanders quotes someone as saying that he doesn't find the time he TAKES the time...I want to TAKE the time to live my life in a way that is pleasing to God so that at the end of my life I can say that I truly redeemed the time and lived wisely before Him!  

seasons

Even though I am used to seasons changing because it happens all the time I am still amazed at God's creation and the different forms of beauty that it embodies! I feel that it is a good reason to throw a party and that's exactly what we did at the Foxhole (the name of my house) this weekend!  We had a BYOP party...Bring Your Own Pumpkin!  It was great to have different friends from different circles come together with food centered around pumpkins and enjoy one another's company!  There were some hard core pumpkin carvers and it was a great night! It made me very thankful for my house and house mates..I was proud to have people over because I feel so blessed by the situation that I'm in, living in a beautiful house with wonderful house mates! Plus, we had all the candy corn you could ask for...what could be better?

a home for the homeless

"A refuge for the poor, a shelter from the storm

This is our God

He will wipe away your tears and return your wasted years

This is our God

Oh....this is our God

A father to the orphan, a healer to the broken

This is our God

And he brings peace to our madness and comfort in our sadness

This is our God

This is the one we have waited for,

this is the one we have waited for

This is our God

He brings glory to the humble and crowns for the faithful

This is our God"

I have been thinking about this song by Chris Tomlin all week! When we read scripture we see Christ meeting people where they are, meeting their needs and touching their heart.  Living in DC it is common to see homeless people when I walk to and from work.  It would be easy to try to avoid them and I sometimes have the impulse to walk very quickly the other way, but God is showing me that although I might not have much to give I can offer love to them.  Before moving here I had a very sheltered view of the homeless, but many homeless people frequent Ebenezers and I learned quickly that although they might not have a home like the rest of us, we can offer them a home every time we interact with them.  Just as the church is not the building and we are called to be the church...I believe that Christ came to be a home for the homeless and as followers of him we are called to be his hands and feet.  Yesterday a woman came into Ebenezers who seemed a little bit out of it and she was stumbling around.  I immediately felt uncomfortable, but God used it as an opportunity to once again break down stereotypes.  She ended up purchasing an orange juice and while I was ringing her out she started smiling and singing the song that was playing and mumbling something about the first time she heard the song.  At that moment I'm sure she had a sense of being "home" and I had a sense of how Christ must have felt when interacting with various people of all walks of life.  It was second nature for him and I believe it needs to become part of our DNA as well!

I'm on my way, but I have a long way to go! Praise God for his faithfulness in opening my eyes and changing my heart! 

feelings

A lot has happened (once again) since my last post! Jenny and Jack got married on October 12th and I was in Rochester for four days for the occasion.  It was GREAT to see my family and friends! It really made me realize and appreciate their presence more in my life, especially coming back to DC and not having them here! I obviously miss them a ton, but one of the greatest realizations that I had on my way back to DC was that I want them to be HERE...so that they could be a part of what is happening in this city! I feel such a strong love for this place already and there is so much to be done here! It's exciting to be a part of something that is bigger than yourself and see God work...my heart is still full of gratitude and awe of the perfect plans of God!

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving when my family is coming down to DC to spend a few days exploring the city and enjoying each other!  Not only that, but I have so much to be thankful for that I feel like every day is Thanksgiving! I am learning so much and really growing spiritually through books that I'm reading and people that I'm talking to and doing life with! It's a challenge when you're so busy doing something that you love to make sure that you are taking time to be still and know that He is God, but I am trying to cherish that time and not forget the reason why I'm here and that is because of the hand of God!

With feelings of love and feelings of missing those I'm far away from stirring around in my heart it is hard to describe exactly the state that I'm in, but all I can say is that God is good and continues to provide! Whenever I hear a familiar voice from home I am reminded of the journey that brought me to this place and I can't help but smile out of love for that person and for the sovereign God we serve!

So, that being said...I think a slideshow of wedding pictures is in order!

So Good

I know that it has been awhile since I posted a blog and I honestly think about it every night before I go to bed, but I have been so busy doing so many things that it just slips away! I guess if I was asked to sum up my experience here thus far using a song it would be "You Have Been So Good" by Paul Baloche.

You have been so good to me

You have been so good to me

I came here broken, You made me whole

You have been so good 

You have been so good

You have been so good to me

You have been so good to me

You have been so good to me

I came here mourning, You gave me joy

You have been so good

You have been so good

You have been so good to me

How can I thank You?

There is just no way...

How can I thank You?

Lord, how can I repay

for Your kindness,

for Your tenderness,

for Your constant presence here with me

You have been so good

You have been so good

You have been so good to me!

While that does not begin to describe the experiences that I have here...it does represent my heart everyday that I wake up and walk to work! Some updates are that I FINALLY got my license (after 4 trips to the DMV) I definitely learned patience and perseverance! I also got a SmarTrip card for the metro...which is basically a sign to everyone that you are no longer a tourist! I went to a Michael Buble concert in Baltimore and had a blast! Last, but not least, I am coming home on Thursday for Jack and Jenny's wedding! :) I have been keeping track of stories in my journal that I am going to post on here because I really have to pinch myself somedays as a reminder that I'm not in a television sitcom!

Look for a new post soon...with juicy stories of my life in DC (aka stories of how amazing God is and always will be)