Love bade me welcome

Love bade me welcome, yet my soul drew back,

Guilty of dust and sin.

But quick-ey'd Love, observing me grow slack

From my first entrance in,

Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning

If I lack'd anything

"A guest," I answer'd, "worthy to be here";

Love said, "You shall be he."

"I, the unkind, the ungrateful? ah my Dear,

I cannot look on Thee."

Love took my hand and smiling did reply,

"Who made the eyes but I?"

"Truth, Lord, but I have marr'd them; let my shame

Go where it doth deserve."

"And know you not," says Love, "who bore the blame?"

"My Dear, then I will serve."

"You must sit down," says Love, "and taste my meat."

So I did sit and eat.

--George Herbert

Just breathe

I was standing waste deep in water, gasping for breath. I love to swim. It had been a while since I had last swum, and I wanted to go for a long distance. On the last few laps I decided to give it my all and see how fast I could swim the pool. It wasn't very fast, but it certainly winded me, and therefore I was standing in the pool, trying to recover by taking deep gulps of air. I was so thankful for lungs that could fill with the life giving oxygen.

So many times we take air for granted. Breathing comes so naturally that we don't think about it, even though we use air constantly. Certain types of air are irresistible: salty sea air, balsam scented mountain air, and snow laden, crisp winter air. We might not realize how important breathing is until we are limited in our supply. When playing long sections on my oboe, I am so thankful for the composers who leave one or two rests to recuperate my lungs.

I was reading the other day in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 "pray without ceasing". It reminded me of a quote from Ellen G. White

“Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is the secret of spiritual power. No other means of grace can be substituted, and the health of the soul be preserved. Prayer brings the heart into immediate contact with the Well-spring of life, and strengthens the sinew and muscle of the religious experience. Neglect the exercise of prayer, or engage in prayer spasmodically, now and then, as seems convenient, and you lose your hold on God. The spiritual faculties lose their vitality, the religious experience lacks health and vigor.”—Ellen G. White, Gospel Workers, pp. 254, 255

How often do we pray? Do we take long intermissions in our prayer life and end up depleted as I was after swimming? Do we breathe prayer and cleanse our spiritual lungs as often as we cleanse our physical lungs? Without respiration there is no life. Lord, remind me to breathe prayers to You throughout my whole day.

Busy

Recently my life has consisted of...

I am so thankful for...

But most importantly, I am indebted to...

Forever student

I love studying biology. Yes, I know I'm a typical biology major, but I feel that the more that I study about biology, the more I realize how little I know, and how much I want to know.

My favorite part of the week is my Vertebrate Natural History lab. Wandering outside looking in crevices for lizards, or peering into streams for fish, is so exciting. The intricacies of the animal kingdom are fascinating.

It's a good thing that I have many more years of study ahead of me, because I doubt that I will ever get my full dose of studying in. I think I will be a professional student.

That's why this morning I was so excited to read this excerpt from EGW's Prophets and Kings. She had been describing heaven in glorious detail:

"There every power will be developed, every capability increased. The grandest enterprises will be carried forward, the loftiest aspirations will be reached, the highest ambitions realized. And still there will appear new heights to surmount, new wonders to admire, new truths to comprehend, fresh objects of study to call forth the powers of body and mind and soul." (PK 731)

Can you imagine? Having our whole, uncompromised minds that can soak up every bit of information that we acquire? The greatest thing to look forward to though, is that the Creator of all living things will be our professor.

John

Happiness is dating my best friend

Happiness is having God as the center of our relationship, for God is the center of happiness.

Maine...

...Is beautiful

The Great General Conference

For the past few weeks I have been working at the 59th General Conference Session in Atlanta Georgia. For those who might not know, the GC is a time for leaders (called delegates) in the Seventh-day Adventist church to get together and vote on different important issues to direct our church. Delegates are not the only ones to go to the sessions though, it is a time for people to come from all over the world and connect with other Adventists, and get spiritual refreshing. In the evenings and mornings, wonderful speakers from all over the world give devotional talks and updates on the missions in their Unions.

I was working with a team of Oakwood students at the information booths for the convention. This gave me a great opportunity to meet new people, as well as see many old friends walking past.

My team at our information booth

One of the many highlights of my time there was people watching. It is so heartwarming to observe people reconnect with those who they haven't seen for 15 years or more, and look at the utter joy on their faces as they embraced for the first time in decades.

Some good friends that were missionaries with us in Malawi

Another highlight was the sheer abundance of nationalities that were present at the meetings. Even though there were so many nationalities, they all were joined together with a bond of brotherly love. It reminded me of the song "red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in God's sight".

Some friends I met in Russia

With 80,000 people together working for the Lord, made my mind turn to Jesus' return. Think of the people from "every nation, tongue, tribe and people" all gathered together in one big "General Conference" in heaven! Not only will we see people who we haven't seen for 15 years, but we will see grandparents, parents, brothers, and sisters who have died long ago. We won't just see famous preachers and evangelists like Mark Finley, we will also see people like Abraham, Joseph, the apostles Peter, John, and Paul. We won't just see musicians like Wintley Phipps, we will also see J. S. Bach, Vivaldi, and Buxtehude. People from every country, every religion, every region of the earth will be living peacefully together, because they all love their Redeemer.

Wintley Phipps

The best part of the great reunion in heaven, will be meeting our greatest Desire: Jesus. Our God who died for us, that we might be together with Him.

We have this hope that burns within our hearts,

Hope in the coming of the Lord

We have this faith that Christ alone imparts

Faith in the promise of His word!

We believe the time is here,

When the nations far and near

Shall awake and shout and sing

Hallelujah, Christ is King!

We have this hope that burns within our hearts!

Hope in the coming of the Lord!

Sharpening knives

Last Saturday night I had nothing to do. This is a very rare occurrence in my life, and I realized that I must quickly fill that vacant block of time with something useful. That is when I came up with the bright idea of sharpening our knives in the kitchen. I pulled out my sharpening stone and blithely began to stroke away. Sharpening dull knives took longer than I had expected. Several hours later, I was getting a little tired of my newfound occupation, but continued on my mission, convinced that sharp knives were well worth the effort.

Standing by the kitchen counter with knives scattered around me made me think of Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." The Bible is a tool that needs to be acuminated through constant use. Through prayer, the Holy Spirit will sharpen the Biblical concepts in our thoughts, making them useful to our lives. Let's not allow our Bibles grow dull with neglect, but continually read and pray for the great Stone to sharpen our spiritual swords.

What many do not know about Maryland

Maryland state bird: Baltimore oriole (it's beautiful to see these bright spots of sunshine in the forest)

Maryland state flower: Black eyed susan

Maryland state crustacean: Blue crab (believe me, if you go swimming in the summer in the Chesapeake Bay, you will understand why this is our state crustacean)

Maryland state insect: Baltimore checkerspot butterfly

Maryland state reptile: Diamondback terrapin (The Terrapins are also the name of Maryland University's basketball team)

Maryland state song: Maryland my Maryland (interestingly, this was written to encourage Maryland to join the Confederate States of America. Lee ordered his troops to sing this song as they marched through Frederick, but were given the cold shoulder since Frederick was staunchly for the Union)

Maryland state tree: White oak (we had the largest white oak tree in America, until it was blown down in 2002)

Maryland state dog: Chesapeake bay retriever

Maryland state boat: Chesapeake bay skipjack (incidentally, these are the last working sailboats in the US)

Maryland state sport: jousting (yes, that's right, baseball is just a little too modern for us)

And to top all

Maryland state dinosaur: Astrodon jonstoni

Jeremiah and car doors

I shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. I was in a parking lot between a proverbial rock and hard place. To be exact, my finger was situated all too snugly between the car door and the frame of the car. We have been using a rental car this weekend that does not have an automatic lock, so each door must be locked separately. Somehow, while locking up the car, I miscalculated the time that it would take for the door to close compared with the time it would take to move my finger from the door frame. So there I was, with finger in a locked door, and no way of escape.

I quickly looked around to see if anyone could lend a hand. The car next to mine had three people gathered around it talking about their vehicle. I gave a pleading gaze their direction and entreated them to lend a hand. One of them (I take to be the car dealer) looked up, gave me a disapproving glare, and then quickly shifted his glance back to the car he was so intent on.

I was quite stuck. I had no way to open the door because of the security of the bolt, I couldn't reach through the opposite door, because I couldn't maneuver myself around with a finger caught in the door, and I couldn't simply press a key to open the lock. I tried pulling and wiggling my finger out, but it wouldn't budge. There was nothing else to do. Then it struck me! I needed to pray.

I have been reading Jeremiah in my devotions recently. Judah was in terrible straits. They had been in the grasp of the Devil for centuries, and they were about to be taken into captivity. God was pleading through Jeremiah for Judah to return their loyalty to God, to leave their dangerous courting with evil, and turn back to God. He promised that if they but showed a desire for God He would "deliver you from the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem you from the grip of the terrible (Jer. 15:21)."

I was not "flirting with the evil" car door, but I certainly felt like I was in "the grip of the terrible" when I cried out to God. I mustered up all my strength and with a mighty pull, I wrenched my finger away from the abominable door.

Though it was a relatively small thing for God to do for me, I was reminded that God can save us when we cry to Him, whether it be something like saving us from cars, or saving us from eternal death. We must never forget to call out to Him in our every need. His promises will always hold true.

Almost done...

Two finals down...

Ornithology...

Chemistry...


Two more to go...

Issues of natural science and religion...

History...

God is so good!

Definitions

Basis of Evolution=Selfishness

Basis of Creation=Selflessness

Peace on earth, good will to men

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had roll'd along th'unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bow'd my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

~ Henry W. Longfellow -- 1863

Praise the Lord that everything is in His hands, and He will come again and bring peace!
Merry Christmas everyone!

Life-lessons in 13.1 miles

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." -- Hebrews 12:1-3

Last week I participated in a half marathon. The run took place in Boyds/Germantown Maryland, a picturesque spot with sunny horse farms and big, shady trees overhanging the road. As I was running, I couldn't help thinking of Paul's words in Hebrews 12, where we should run the race of life with one Goal in site. As I was reflecting during the run, I thought of several life-lessons that can be deduced from a simple, endurance run.

1) As we were setting off, a torrential downpour met us, and from then on we had intermittent showers along the way, this kept us runners refreshed and cool. Whenever the sweat of the world is covering us, God sends us "showers of blessing" to refresh us on our journey.

2) Every two miles us weary runners were refreshed by water and Gatorade, and as we run our race of life we are revived along the way with the Water of Life and the bread of God's word.

3) At the time when it was most needed, trainers, bystanders, or other runners would shout out words of encouragement. This would cheer us all and we would in turn send words of encouragement to others. In rough times on this earth God sends us messeges of hope to us, to "look up, it's not far now" and "keep going, one step at a time". These make us all the more willing to press on and build others up.

4) To be honest, there were miles that I was in great pain, and other miles that I just wanted to give up, yet I kept in mind how I wanted to finish the race. In the same way when we run the race of life there are times when we are discouraged or just want to give up, but keep pressing on towards the goal of being with Jesus.

With our great Trainer by our side, no matter what difficulty may arrise, God will be able to pull us through and give us a crown of glory when we meet our goal.

Humorous God

God has a sense of humor.

Last week I felt that I really needed some solid time in prayer. Even though I believe that we should always be engaging in prayer, this time I particularly felt that I needed some uninterrupted time with my Lord.

I knelt down and began speaking earnestly with God. Just then, my dog, Tinka (who had been resting peacefully by my bed), decided to get up and start grumbling at me to pet her. Unwilling to be distracted, I continued my prayer, but this time asking God to avert the distraction.

Tinka thought about it for a while, and since she did not get the response that she wanted, promptly lay down on my legs! Now I was virtually "pinned down" to praying! God changed the distraction to a blessing, and in a way that made me laugh! He has such a sense of humor!

Only two years

A few weeks ago a lady came to Fredheim. She is about fifty years old, and has a big, friendly smile, and brilliant, twinkling eyes. When you look at her, you wouldn't realize that she has only, at most, two years to live.

I have never met a person with such love of others and bright outlook on life, even when her own is slipping away. I often sit at her table during mealtimes, and never a day goes by without the whole table bursting out with laughter because of jokes she has made.

The most impressive thing that I have seen is that she is such a strong Christian. She always speaks about how God has transformed her life, and that one day Jesus will come again to save the whole world. She always mentions that whatever happens, whether she lives or dies, God knows the end from the beginning and He will make sure that everything will "work together for good, to those who are called according to His purpose."

She really lives a life worthy of her Savior and Friend, Jesus.

The Savior and the Rock

I am gulping for air, my head is sinking under the foaming waves. I begin to disappear in the murky depths. I cry for help.

I hear a voice! A strong, friendly hand reaches down and pulls me out from certain death.

He sets me on a solid Rock. He holds my dripping self close to Him, and tenderly promises never to leave me. As long as I want Him there, He will stay with me, and keep me on the solid Rock, no matter how the waves crash about it.

He has saved me. No, I will never leave.

I agree

"If I had to choose, I would rather have birds than airplanes."

-- Charles Lindbergh

I agree

"Only a tiny sparrow"

I am only a tiny sparrow,
A bird of low degree;
My life is of little value,
But the dear Lord cares for me.

I have no barn nor storehouse,
I neither sow nor reap;
God gives me a sparrow's portion,
But never a seed to keep.

I know there are many sparrows;
All over the world they are found;
But our heavenly Father knoweth
When one of us falls to the ground.

Though small, we are never forgotten;
Though weak, we are never afraid;
For we know the dear Lord keepeth
The life of the creatures He made.

I fly through the thickest forest,
I light on many a spray;
I have no chart nor compass,
But I never lose my way.

And I fold my wing at twilight
Wherever I happen to be;
For the Father is always watching,
And no harm will come to me.

I am only a little sparrow,
A bird of low degree,
But I know the Father loves me;
Have you less faith than we?

-- "A Christian's Secret to a Happy Life" Hannah Whitall Smith

Appearances

She was pudgy and always had acne on her face. Because of this, she was never popular at school. As she studied, other kids whispered about her "ugly" looks. She had a tender heart though, and always stuck up for other kids that were laughed at. She was a friend to all those who needed one...

She was slim and spent several hours each morning putting on makeup and doing her golden hair. She knew she was "beautiful," and wouldn't acknowledge other "less popular" people. As she walked, people would whisper about the "beauty" that just passed...

My question about these two analogies is: "what makes a person beautiful"? Is the amount of makeup, or the nice clothes make you more beautiful than others? If you are not popular, does that make you of less worth than others that are?

1 Samuel 16:7 states: "For God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

The Bible states that our outward appearance will be changed when Jesus comes anyway. Our inward appearance is something that we will have for eternity.

I would like to propose to my blog readers to spend less time trying to make your outward appearance more attractive, but try to adorn your heart in such a way that it is pleasing to God.