La la la la . . . .

I have yet to figure out how to add videos, so you will just have to click on this to see the song I am currently in adoration of.  It's fun and different. Trust me . . . you've heard it. 

China

So, if you have read my profile, my facebook, or my Twitter, you have probably come to the conclusion that I have an thing for China. I must say, this is very true. For a few years I have wanted our family to adopt from China specifically, but, unfortunately, we have too many kids! Really, we do. The government itself doesn't allow families with more that four minors living in their home to adopt. It was really a sad "dead end" to the hope I had that something could be done, or a rule could be waved in our favor. I've resigned myself to the fact that one day, it will be my time to do it- before I have over four minors living in my home, and after I turn 30 (another rule/requirement). Since nothing can be done on that subject (the subject of adoption, that is) at this point in time, I have decided to focus on the here and now. I have a burden for China and things can be done for the Chinese that isn't exclusive to a certain age or a certain number of children, or, in my case, siblings. I have "looked" at mission trips hosted by different organizations for about a year now, but just never found the right thing. I am happy, overjoyed really, to say that this October, 2009, my dad, two other friend and I will be traveling to China for a little over a week. I will not disclose the details of our objection on the trip right now, but would really appreciate prayer in this matter. Our original plan was to leave either the 2nd or 4th of October, but possible flights for that time seem to be saying the 1st is the most probable. I am 3/4 of the way to my goal for financial support, which is a huge blessing.

Many thanks to the Orchestrator of the trip, and for His provision in making it possible.

Wan' an!

So, yes, I am still quite alive . . .

Sorry for the tardiness of my posting.  Some of the fault lies with my just being too lazy to do it, and some with my feeling incapable of writing anything worthwhile to read.  But, what is a blog for anyway?  

I am happy to declare through out the "www" that I have finally read Jane Austin's "Pride & Prejudice".  It was, in a word, lovely.  Austin's quality in depicting her ever cherished story far surpasses all of the films made in it's honor, even the BBC version.  For some time I have said that "I am not a fan of Jane Austin, I am a fan of her work", but no more can I fully say that with any level of honesty.  Her characters have such an overwhelming depth when their life and conversations are read from the hand of their creator.  Such depth that I had never even noticed when watching the movies.  

So, summer seems like it should be coming to an end.  I must say that I am no fan of summer weather, and or summer activities.  I really prefer indoor activities above the outdoor, outdoor activities like sports, sports, sports, and sports.  I am fine with other things outside, like bonfires, hiking, walks for the sole purpose of enjoyment (I suppose that is similar to a hike), and other non-threatening things.  

Right now I should be doing noting aside from knitting. There is girl on the Rebelution Forum that is going on a missions trip and needed scarves and other knitted and crocheted items, so of course I volunteer.  How many scarves have I made?  1/20 of one.  Well, I did complete one, but I liked it so much that I have decided to keep it.  That seems rude, doesn't it? Anywho, I will do it . . . hopefully before her departure.  

This seems to be a very monotonous post. 

Finally . . . "The Mortification of Sin"

There were many key points in “The Mortification of Sin” that were profound and life reforming, but I wanted to mainly expound on chapter 8-“Humility”. Owen’s opening statement was this (and the very skeleton of the chapter): “We need to be exercised with such meditations as will fill us at all times with self-abasement and thoughts of our own vileness.” That one statement already defiles everything our culture teaches. It denies self-esteem, the self-confidence that “you have the right to obtain”. In my own life I see that if the knowledge of neediness for God is absent in my life then I am not seeing the depths of my own ‘vileness’. When you thoroughly meditate on your own wretchedness and compare it to the glory of Christ you cannot possibly remain ignorant of your need. Then comes the awe of the deep love of God for wanting to save you. Another point of Owen (paraphrased): we can come to a deep realization of our ardent need for God by seeing our inconceivable and infinite distance from Him.
Humility is a very important tool for mortification any way you look at it. But, also, true mortification is a work of the spirit, but we still have an obligation as believers to pursue holiness and sanctification . . . accompanied by the grace of God.
Another point- Consider the men of old and their view of God. This slightly applies to my post “Access and the Cross”- the difference between our communion with God and the view of God the people of the OT held. A considerably large change has come to pass on this topic.
Habakkuk says: ‘I hear and my body trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters my bones; my legs tremble beneath me . . . .’ “Such were the thoughts of the men of old. When they saw God, they thought they would die. The Scriptures abound in these self-abasing considerations.”-John Owen.
I know that true mortification of sin will never be obtained until we leave this world, but the pursuit of it is a significant and (I’m sure) rewarding portion of the journey in the life of a believer. I could never convey every aspect of this magnificent and superlative read, hence my STRONG recommendation that you read it for yourself and discover its life altering truths.

New Post!!!!!

I was recently informed- by a loyal reader (who refuses to share their cookie recipe)- that I have not posted in a while. For anyone who may be wondering . . . I am finishing a book and am planning on posting on it as soon as I am finished.
Zai jian!

Yellow, Green, and Red

I have not been a licenced driver for an exorbant amount of time, which, once you learn the product of my observation, presents this question: "Is it just me?". I have noticed, time and again, that when one is driving along and they come to a traffic light there are always four possibilities . . . one, you might have to stop, two, you may be forced to slow down, three, you may be given leave to keep going, four, you may be given leave to keep going. Number one applies to a red light, number two applies to a yellow light, number three applies to a green light, and number four applies to a yellow light (in most cases). When most people come to a traffic light and it turns yellow, they generally speed up to get through instead of slowing down. I don't know why, but I really do find that humorous. From the beginning of your life you learn that red means stop, green means go (according to my drivers ed teacher, green actually means "proceed with caution" . . . I don't know about that one), and YELLOW generally means slow down . . . even Barney says so! Anyway . . . I'm not quite sure where this one came from.

Access and the Cross

I am aware of the fact that blogging gives one the opportunity to relay thoughts. But, sometimes there is simply too much. The "Mortification of Sin" book is going well (if you have ever read you know how tiny it is and are most likely thinking that I should have read it in an hour, but there is just too much to take in for a speed read session). Many truths are being revealed to me with with the turn of each page.

I have too much on my mind to share all, but I really do want to mention a few things that have "stuck out" to me lately. About two weeks ago in small group, access came up. Access comes in many forms and relates to many things. The access we (by we I mean the adults--I listen) were discussing is our access to God. It is really amazing, beyond amazing really, the access we have to the creator of the universe. This also falls in line with adoration of the cross, for me. Recently I found that I had lost an adoration for Christ and His sacrifice. You may be thinking that I am a complete heathen and a wretch, and to that I must reply, "I am". I can honestly say that it was a very distressing time, but I also believe God has used it to teach me to value Christ more than I ever have. Back to "access". My Mom has always read the Bible to my bothers and I in the mornings around or after breakfast, and when reading the Old Testament I find myself getting very . . . well . . . bored. I feel horrible about it. One of the reasons is the descriptions of the many things the people of Israel had to go through to gain access to God. And it wasn't even them personally--it was the Priest, essentially a Levite that was aloud to go before God. To them it was normal. To me, a part of scripture that causes me to nearly fall asleep. I can say that now I really am trying to put forth more of an effort to appreciate it, and, with God's grace, I think I have had at least some success in that area. I have learned to have a greater value for it. It all really does tie together . . . . If you lose an adoration for the cross then you must look at what Christ and the power of His sacrifice has given us . . . access. When you lose adoration for our access to God . . . look to Christ's sacrifice. And, as in my case, when aspects of scripture pertaining to the sacrifices, the priests, the alters, and the critical way and order in which it was performed bores you, then you can first look to the cross, then to the acces. It really sounds simple now as I write it, but merely meditating on these things has made an impact on my life that has been far from simple.