Pondering

The human body is absolutely amazing. So often I find myself thinking just about hearing and how incredible it is… there is just no fathomable way that it should work as well as it does. Really if you think about any part of the body, it is just beyond belief that it works the way that it does. There is no conceivable way that all the parts should be able to function effortlessly (for most of us) and in perfect harmony. It is a miracle that any of us are even living, breathing, moving, hearing, seeing, thinking...WOW! And while medical advances have come so far that we are able to replace parts of the body with prostheses and such, we can never do as good a job as the Creator does. What we can give never works as well as the way He designed it and almost never lasts a lifetime. He is just so incredible, and the work of His hands is beautiful. He does all things well.

Life

One day during my devotional time, this thought came to my mind: “Don’t let life happen to you. Let life happen through you.”

The first phrase described me to a T, for I tended to see life as something coming at me. I felt like a worn-out dartboard. I was using all my energies to shield myself from the darts of life’s trials.

But the second phrase, “Let life happen through you,” presented a different approach. Instead of dodging life’s fiery darts, I was to let God’s life and love be channeled through me, blessing me on its way to blessing others.

I chose that day to become God’s pipeline instead of life’s dartboard. Then I could begin living more effectively for Him.

Some days I revert to being a dartboard, but I soon run out of the love and power to bless others. Then through confession, faith, and obedience, I reconnect myself to my heavenly supply center and resume pipeline living.

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul mentioned the many troubles he was facing. Yet he was determined to be a channel of blessing by allowing God to work through him.

What about you? Are you a dartboard or a pipeline? It’s a challenge and a choice for every believer.
—Joanie Yoder

I love lightning!

I'm sitting on my bed working on a research project and watching the lightning out my window. It's super cool because it lights up the whole sky and it reflects off of the buildings across the street, too. I love thunderstorms... we just don't get enough of them here in Dallas. I wish it would even rain here every once in a while because I enjoy rainy days, except that Dallas drivers tend to go 20 below in such circumstances. I think I actually like doing research, even though it seems to be a 4-letter word and we're practically programmed to hate it (NOT saying that I particularly agree with this teacher's intentions... but I do kind of like learning about meningitis and hearing loss). I'm just hoping the electricity doesn't go out because I can't see myself doing this by candle light. Too many papers all over the place! I think tomorrow is going to be a day of productivity - at least I'm hoping so. I would like to see dad and the fam but having finals right around the corner on top of these projects is not favorable for sitting around enjoying a Sunday afternoon in the backyard. I have been lucky enough to see my dad two days in a row this week, which is extra special because he travels a lot. I missed talking to my fiance (Shawn-face) today because of silly project and trying to book a flight to Chicago in August. It's hard to talk to camp friends since they have about a 2 hr window each week. I wish I could be out there, driving boats and tractors and watching thunderstorms from the front porch of the infirmary. I think I'm handling being away rather well... but I am looking forward to a visit as soon as I get through finals and stuff. Wow I thought I hated this blog thing, but it's amazing how appealing it is when I'm supposed to be working. I guess I've given my brain a sufficient breather now and I better get back up on it. I hope the lightning continues. It's kind of mesmerizing.

Callier smells.

Callier (the place I go to school) has some of the grossest smells. I do not understand. Gross! Lori and I are still in the midst of moving in. All of our stuff is piled up all over our new apt. I think it will be fun once we get settled in. It's just hard to get things done and try to pass classes at the same time. Next week we have finals already. Summer school goes fast. Then we start a new class. I'm hoping it will allow me to be more lazy than my current classes... we'll see. If not, maybe I'll quit school and go work at camp. Now that sounds like fun!

Sudden Urges

You know sometimes I get the sudden urge to run around naked.
But then I just drink some Windex. . .


It keeps me from streaking.

(I did NOT say that)