God will always provide

I know that my posts on here are anything are not exactly 'religious' when it comes to frequency, but it is a true blessing to have this means of communication. My internship here in Iowa officially started this week, and I really enjoy all the people I work around, and being involved in work around the corn plant where I currently work. We had orientation last week in Illinois, which was a great experience, getting to meet all the other interns and see how we all came from such different places. So far I haven't found a church here yet, and only two people I see at work are Christian that I know of so far. It's pretty amazing how, when one is put in a situation where there are few believers that you know, your spirit will really be crying out to God for nourishment. Try it and see, it's a great way to not take 'just going to church on Sunday' for granted!

It is great spending time with my roommate here and the other interns, but it can also be very lonely too. For instance, we were all hanging out yesterday, at a concert and then a bar, but it got worse when they wanted to go to a strip club. I was the designated driver, but they were surprised that I didn't want to go in with them. Not that strip clubs are my scene mind you, but a part of me didn't want to feel left out either. But then I remembered it is not my job to be liked. Whenever people I work with can't understand why I don't drink with them, swear like a sailor with them, or go places they do, I have to remember the world hated Christ first. Were it not for God's grace, the world couldn't possibly hate or dislike me, because I would be a part of it. There is more than just a good time at stake here; it is for the name of our God.

Reading Romans, I was greatly encouraged when I came across "How then shall they call on whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him in whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" (10:14). Wherever I am, this is my calling to be the salt of the earth and give dominion back to its rightful owner. Each one of my co-workers, fellow interns, and bosses all belong to Him, and I will 'proclaim thy faithfulness to all the generations." (Psalm 89:1)

Gotta love summer :)

Not with a bang, but a whimper

Today was my last two finals, just a few labs to do tomorrow and I'll be all done! It's actually kind of funny, I thought one of my exams was tomorrow when it was actually today. Late last night I was studying and all of a sudden I heard this voice speaking, saying I should check my schedule. As soon as I did I noticed my exam was actually on Tuesday! Ironically enough it was the same class I missed the midterm in for the same stupid reason, but at least I went this time. God is indeed good!

Psalm 107
"When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow, He pours contempt on princes, and causes them to wander in the wilderness where there is no way; yet He sets the poor on high, far from affliction, and makes their families like a flock. The righteous see it and rejoice, and all iniquity stops its mouth. Whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understand the lovingkindness of the Lord." (39-43)

When I was in Atlantic City over spring break, one of the things I couldn't help but notice was the plethora of poor people that were all over the rather unpopulated city. In stark contrast to the glamorous looking casinos (ok, a far cry from Vegas, but you get the drift), they were everywhere you turned, in wheelchairs, selling stuff, or talking to...themselves or someone, I know not what. One thing I can't get out of my mind is one woman, who was singing in the most awful voice, banging a piece of silverware against some tin. She looked wildly crazy, but as I got closer to her I noticed the song was singing was none other than "Blessed be Your Name!" While this may seem to be straying from the portion of the above Psalm, all who are righteous should observe what it is that the poor who have little in this life hold on to. If we as a nation didn't fear the thought of poverty so much, perhaps we never would have had this 'stimulus bill' or have seen this economic crisis like we have. The glory of Jesus is that He is enough, no matter what we have in this life. "Oh that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His works unto the children of men!" (Psalm 107:8)

I know I have been in limbo the past few days, what with two finals this week and a field trip and what not, but if Paul was able to write epistles to Timothy in prison, and joyful and hopeful ones at that, my excuses ain't nuttin but limp noodles.

"Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness." (Romans 4:4-5).

How great would it be to have absolutely nothing to your name, and have someone come up and offer you their mansion, lamborghini, sportsbike, etc., for nothing at all? Even that alone would not compare to the offer we have in Christ, a blank check signed by blood made out to us. One of the biggest dangers in being an active part of the church is the potential for prayer meetings, bible studies, etc. to become routine. If your heart is not perpetually fully submitted to God, in no time at all you can find yourself living a life of religion, rather than a life of love and grace. I say that not to discourage anyone, but rather to encourage. Like Mark said on Friday, if you want to grow in your faith, you really need a pure heart. Don't let going to church, prayer meetings, etc. ever become burdensome. The moment it does, the enemy can trap you into thinking you must labor for God's love, and that is a sheer and utter lie. No father loves His children any more or less if they do wrong, or else his love is not truly genuine. How much more so for our Father in Heaven!