times like these

Oh, and one more thing. Time is starting to disappear (especially weekends), fears and worries are at bay. Suddenly, I heard this song, and all was quiet:

Newsboys- "The Tide"


think i'll wait for the tide
seems it's all i can do right now
there must be a reason
i've run aground

i'll wait for the waves
to come
by the moon and the tide
like a man and his bride
i will wait
on you, Lord
and we will run so far from here
to your.........safety

think i'll lie in the sun for awhile
maybe inside out
i've been leaving messages for you
i'm sure it will all work out

and i know the waves
will come
by the moon and the tide
like a man and his bride
i will wait
on you Lord
and we will run so far from here
to your.........safety in the storm

there is courage for the simple man
to the holders of secrets and scars
learning to stand with reaching arms
we'll wait till the very last
no matter what will be
you're always good
always good
to me

listen, speak, obey!

Well, wow it's been a long time since I posted. I'm officially on vacation, as a college graduate, in a very transitory time in my life. Our lives. It's a funny thing, to move from "my" to "ours". Even as I'm getting the house ready and thinking about a life and a future, the word "ours" just keeps getting stuck in my, our, heads :P When we talk about visiting my family or his family, that is no longer the case, it is OUR family. Singular. When we talk about vacation times and even weekends, it is our weekends. Together. It is not the fact that we absolutely must be together all the time, but the fact that we enjoy each other and want to do things that will further our leaning towards each other. And did I mention we like each other? A lot. Michael started work this week, and even though that means about 40 less hours/week that I get to spend with him, it has some perks ;) We get to meet new friends and think differently (his co-workers, people from church, etc). Evenings and weekends have meaning, time is sectionalized instead of one lump sum. He has alone time at work to plan dates and be excited about them (I'm an acts of service gal, he's a qualitytime, so this is HUGE for me!). I have more alone time to re-energize and think through life. We get a sneak peek into our future together. He will probably work at a job like this for the next 23 years. And, Lord willing, I get to be by his side :D

As some of you know, we are leading the Navigators summer Bible study in Colorado Springs. Since we are some of the only grads sticking around and sticking with Navs, we were asked, and agreed because it would be a great service opportunity as well as a good transition for us (not students, not singles, not married). We're studying 1 John. This week, we studied 2:1-14. One of the biggest parts that stuck out to me was this comparison between being saved by works, and acts of obedience. 1 John 1:9 says "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." Salvation and forgiveness are FREE gifts. We surrender our pride, show humility, admit our wrongs, and we are saved. Some ask, then, why we should try to be good people if we are saved no matter what we do. I believe the answer lies in 1 John 2:5-6 "But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did." So, in effect, sure we can accept God's grace, but in order for us to live the best possible lives and be made complete, we must strive to be like Jesus. In order to have complete union with Christ, we must follow his ways and the way Jesus made. The phrase "love truly made complete" in the original text also means that if God's love is abundant in our hearts, we will want to follow Him. Imagine if Michael asked me to make a lunch for him. Even though there are better things I could do with my time, because I love him, I would make a lunch for him. Since God's love is so abundant in my life and my heart, I WANT to follow him, I WANT to obey him. That's what love is, obedience and service out of a commitment. It is not based on feelings of loveydovey or overwhelming passion or attraction. I love Michael, but I loved God first and last (and everywhere in between), and I will obey his commands then, too :)