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| Jesus have mercy on my generation.That is my prayer. I myself am included in that prayer. My Spirit is
deeply moved. I can't tell if it is sorrowful or joyed or just calling
to me. I pray all the time that I would die to myself, but I know
little of dying to anything.
I just got done reading the account of the martyrdom of Perpetua
and Felicity. These were early women of faith who died in the Roman
arenas. This account and others like it are true testimonies to what
our faith is and what our faith should look like. They were peacful
people who wanted nothing more than to bring glory to the Lord. I look
at my life and life as it is now and it's almost like we live in some
dream world. I went to the dermatologist today because I want better
looking skin, and this is not uncommon in today's Christians. Comfort
is expected, freedom is taken for granted, and persecution is when a
friend stops hanging out with us because we talk about Jesus Christ or
when hollywood makes a movie dissing the Church. I think we have no
idea what it means to live in the spirit and die in the flesh because
of it. We hope that we will live long, comfortable lives, experiencing
every good thing and expecting every good thing, but really we don't
know what a good thing is. A good thing is knowing the Lord so deeply
that our Spirit wants nothing more than to be with him even if it means
pain, even if it means shedding our precious blood, even if it means
getting our hands dirty, even if it means facing torture. I struggle
with spending time with the Lord because I want to sleep a little
longer...because I NEED sleep. if i can't sacrifice a couple of hours
of sleep to feed my spirit then I need a rude awakening. I feel like
reading these accounts are pretty awakening. One account was of a
Maccabean woman who had seven sons. She was forced to watch all seven
of them be tortured to death, one at a time starting with the oldest
and ending with the youngest. she and all seven of the brothers stayed
strong to the end. their view of life, and pain, in light of the glory
of the Lord is truly inspiring and life changing. we forget the power
of the Spirit. I would like to encourage anyone who wants to, to read
these accounts. they are beautiful and amazing. Perpetua herself was
the author of her account up until the day of her sentence, then
another brother in the Lord, told the rest of her story. he ended with
this:
O most valiant and blessed martyrs! O truly called and elected unto the
glory of Our Lord Jesus Christ! Which glory he that magnifies, honors and
adores, ought to read these witnesses likewise, as being no less than the old,
unto the Church's edification; that these new wonders also may testify that one
and the same Holy Spirit works ever until now, and with Him God the Father
Almighty, and His Son Jesus Christ Our Lord, to Whom is glory and power
unending for ever and ever. Amen.
If you would like for me to e-mail you the martyrdom of Perpetua and
Felicity and of the Maccabean woman and her seven sons, let me know.
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| crepes!today, I went to class...business as usual for the most part. this
entails having class from 8am to 6:20pm (with some breaks inbetween). I
finished a good book during our public speaking lecture. The professor
looks just like my mom...with black hair. It's so weird watching her
make the same faces my mom does. Anyways, the book was very good. It's
called The Way of the Heart.
It talks about seeking God in solitude, silence, and prayer. Henri
Nouwen is the author and he models the book after, well the Bible, and
also the sayings and lives of the Desert Fathers. This was a group of
early Christian men who fled the world to seek the heart of God and to
truly connect their heart with His. They are very simple and basic
principles, yet they are so profound at the same time. Here is a
wonderful little taste of the truness of this book. This exerpt is
taken from the section on the prayer of the heart:
"The
prayer of the heart is indeed the way to purity of heart that gives us
eyes to see the reality of our existence. This purity of heart allows
us to see more clearly, not only our own needy, distorted, and anxious
self but also the caring face of our compassionate God. When that
vision remains clear and sharp, it will be possible to move into the
midst of a tumultuous world with a heart at rest. It is this restful
heart that will attract those who are groping to find their way through
life. When we have found our rest in God we can do nothing other than
minister. God's rest will be visible wherever we go and whoever we
meet. And before we speak any words, the Spirit of God, praying in us,
will make his presence known and gather people into a new body, the
body of Christ himself."
I love that. So I've been benefitting from the inspired words of the
late Henri Nouwen...and not my public speaking professor. oops: ( After
class, allllllll the roomies and I went to the CREPE VINEEEEEEE! soooo
good. it was a good time. I love my roommates. God is so good.
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| making outjoel says for me to write about the intamacy with Jesus that is available to everyone. i think i'll just say.
your hair is everywhere.
i love Jesus.
im back on xanga.
and.
i'm not making out.
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| WHERE OH WHERE HAS SAVANNAH GONE????
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| i know i never use xanga anymore...but ONE COMMENT?? it's been weeks and i've gotten one comment...i'd say the xanga world has officially died. geeez, thanks myspace...puh.
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