Random Thoughts on Seeking God’s Presence

• Psalm 137:5-6
  

  "If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget her skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy."
  

• Basically, the psalmist says "If I don't put Jerusalem first, let my life fall apart." In the OT, Jerusalem was exalted and honored because it signified the dwelling place and the presence of God. Today, that dwelling place is within us. God's presence lives in
  us. And just as the psalmist realized, if our chief joy is for anything but the presence of God, our lives will fall apart. In my own life, when I desire anything more than I desire God's presence, I immediately lose all my joy and strength, and even little things start to overwhelm me.
  
• I love what Sean Smith said at SALT in January: "What we value we will recognize. Therefore if we value the presence of God, we will learn to recognize it." This is so true, and so practical. If I value a friend, I will learn to recognize their face, their voice, their personality. In the same way, if I truly value the presence of God, I will learn to recognize it. I will learn to recognize His voice.
  
• Joshua 20 tells the story of the cities of refuge being established. Basically, if someone accidentally killed someone else, and a friend of the victim sought to kill them for it, that person could flee to one of those cities, and the pursuer couldn't harm them. This really mirrors God's presence. When we stumble and fall into sin, the enemy will jump at the opportunity to attack us. But instead of running away, we must flee to the presence of God. It is only in His protective hands that we find safety. It is the one place that Satan cannot enter and harm us.
  

  Another thing that struck me about this was that, if the person fled to the city, they had to admit what they did. They couldn't just run there and then pretend everything was fine, and still be protected. They had to say "Hey, I messed up; help me!" In the same way, we can't hide our sin and remain in God's presence. To find protection, we have to humble ourselves and admit "Lord, I really messed up, and I need Your forgiveness and protection."
  

• One day as I was praying for an upcoming Chi Alpha meeting, I started reading in Joel where God says "In the last days I will pour out my Spirit . . . " Then for some odd reason, my mind wandered back to this passage in Isaiah 29. And it was definitely the Holy Spirit, 'cause the two passages are not related in the least. :) Anyway, in Isaiah 29 it talks about a man being thirsty, and dreaming that he is drinking, but when he wakes up, his thirst is not quenched. God said, "Andrea, My presence is not like that. My presence is real. When I pour out my Spirit and my presence, you will be filled. You won't walk away saying 'I still feel empty; like it was just a dream.' My presence is real."
  

• The more time you spend in God's presence, the more of His heart He will give you, and the more sensitive you'll become to His leading. And the more of His heart He gives us, the more like Him we become, and the world notices that.
  2 Corinthians 2:15
  "For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing."
  We have to remember that we are Christ's aroma to the world, and we do carry the presence of God wherever we go. In my life, there have always been those people where it's like "I just want to be around you, because it's like being in God's presence," so evident was His hand in their lives. And we are all that fragrance to the world. We have to remember that. As my friend Nate says, "My classmates may never read Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John, but they read the gospel according to Nate every single day." You may be the only Jesus some will ever see; so what do they see when they look at you?
  

(This is actually based off of a Bible study I led a couple of weeks ago. Just some food for thought.)

Since I can't think of anything creative to write

This is a 250-word essay I wrote for a scholarship application, and I thought it'd give you a good overview of where my heart is.

“Just get through this part of my life.” That was my mindset last fall when I began my first semester at NDSU. I am a pre-nursing student, and the academic pressure placed on nursing students is tremendous. My goal was simply to get into the Nursing program and do well in school. However, through a series of divine interventions, my viewpoint began to shift about halfway through the fall semester. I began to see the campus of NDSU not as a trial to be endured, but as an empire to be conquered; and as a world to be impacted. When I get to the very heart of the matter, academics are not the most important thing about school. It is about the people around me. How can I impact this campus in a lasting way? When I walk away from this campus, what kind of legacy will I leave? Will I just be another student who did well academically and found a well-paying job, or will I be a student that God used to change lives? Jobs come and go, and money can be made and lost all-too easily; but the souls of those around me will last forever.

As a nurse, I will have the same opportunity. Working in a hospital will allow me to have a lasting impact on those around me. I may be the only one to show love and compassion to the hurting in this world. And that’s the greatest joy I can think of.

Something to think about

This pretty much sums up exactly what I've been learning the last couple of weeks.

God doesn't ask for our opinion; He asks for our obedience.

Yes, I'm still here . . .

. . . even if it doesn't seem like it. :) As is always the case during the school year, I don't have time to write much, but school's going really well. My classes aren't bad, and I'm LOVING being with my awesome girls all the time (and I think I've gained about 10 "big" brothers too). :)

Anyhow, like I said, I don't really have time to give a bigger update. Chi Alpha is continuing to grow and be used by God, and I honestly could not be happier being so involved with it. Sometimes I just want to quit school and just do ministry full-time; until I remember why God called me here in the first place. But someday hopefully I'll be able to do both (well, I guess I am doing both even now). But yeah, God is so good, especially through the trials of the last few weeks. I am SUPER SUPER RIDICULOUSLY EXCITED for spring break!!! I'm going to a lake cabin for four days with some amazing girls for some sweet devotion, worship, and fellowship time. I can't wait! But I can't believe how FAST this semester has flown--I really don't want to be half done already! :( Lord, teach me to number my days.

Okay, that's about all for now. Don't be surprised if you don't hear from me for a while; college will do that to you . . okay, so some people would say spending so much time with your friends will do that to you . . . whatever. :) But if you think of us, please be praying for our area. We are preparing for another huge flood, and we'd appreciate being lifted up in prayers for that.

Dustin

Well I must admit that never in a million years would I have guessed how timely that quote I put up was.

Most of you probably already know this, but it's been weighing heavily on my mind this whole week, and I'm asking for your prayers. Last Saturday a classmate and friend of mine was involved in a horrible vehicular accident, and he died early Monday morning. Dustin was a freshman in pre-pharmacy, and we had a number of classes together. From the minute I first met him his joy and love for life were so evident, and they were contagious. In the little time I knew him we loved to goof off before and after class, talk about classes and instructors, joke about who knows what, and share stories from our Chi Alpha friends. He was a sweet man of God; one who loved to talk about Jesus, and who wasn't afraid to share his faith. And though we feel he was taken from us much too soon, my friend Steve (who knew Dustin even better than I did) said something last night that really put things in perspective. He said "As hard as it is, I just keep thinking, 'If it had been anyone else in that accident . . . ' If it had been either of Dustin's friends who were also involved, they wouldn't have been welcomed into heaven. Instead, God chose to take one of His own home."

Yes, it's still hard. It still stinks walking into class and not seeing Dustin's smiling face. I still miss hearing his teasing and laughter. But on the other hand, I have to be glad it was him, and not any of the others that were with him. And while we're down here pushing through the pain, he's rejoicing in the presence of his Savior.

So I'm asking you, please be praying for his family. They need to be lifted up and covered in prayer now more than ever. And please be praying for his friends here on campus; not only that they would find healing and rest in God's presence, but that they would be able to carry Dustin's legacy, and bring people into God's kingdom through this trial. We miss you Dustin, and we can't wait to see you again.

Quote of the week

"Don't tell God how big your storm is; tell your storm how big your God is."

As you've probably guessed . . .

. . . school is back in session, and I really don't have time to write. But since this afternoon I'm stuck on campus 'til 5, I thought I'd give a brief update.

This month has been kinda interesting . . . but it's been sooooo good to be back on campus. With every passing day I am loving being here even more. I know I'm exactly where God wants me, and I am so content to be here with all the amazing people He has surrounded me with. One of my friends and I were talking yesterday, and at one point she said "I love school. Wait, no. I don't really love the school part; I just love being here. I love the campus, and all the people." That is so where my heart is. The homework part of school hasn't been too hard--though I have tests coming up next week so we'll see how those go--and I am LOVING being with my campus family! This week I got done with most of my homework over the weekend, and it worked out perfectly 'cause I have been or will be getting together with like 6 different people, besides small group, Chi Alpha, and just seeing people in the Union. :)

Yes, there have been challenges along the way--earlier this week was not a fun time, and I struggled a lot. But God is faithful, and I know He works all things together for my good. Here are the lyrics to one of my favorite songs EVER.

Nothing can separate
Even if I ran away
Your love never fails
I know I still make mistakes, but
You have new mercy for me every day
Your love never fails

You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night
But joy comes in the morning
And when the oceans rage
I don’t have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me
And Your love never fails

The wind is strong and the water’s deep, but
I’m not alone here in these open seas
'Cause your love never fails
The chasm was far too wide
I never thought I’d reach the other side
But Your love never fails

You make all things
Work together for my good
Yeah You make all things
Work together for my good

~Chris Quilala

Per Hannah's request . . .

. . . Here are some pictures of me with my amazing friends during my awesome weekend in SD.

Molly, me, Leah, and Rachel

Megan

Carlina

Tori (one of my roomies for the weekend)

Tiffany (another awesome roomie)

I don't really have time to write about the trip, but suffice to say it was AWESOME!!!!! God's presence was there in a way you couldn't miss. The worship was intense, the teaching challenging and convicting, and the fellowship sweet. I got less than five hours of sleep each night, but it was so worth it, 'cause I spent so much time drawing so much closer to God and my friends.

Anyhow, I'm back on campus for another semester, and am super excited to see what God has in store for me. I'd really appreciate your continued prayers; it won't be long before I start the application process for the nursing program, and it's beginning to overwhelm me a bit. And also, for continued favor in my classes; I made the Dean's List last semester, and to have a chance of getting into the program, I pretty much need to do the same thing this semester. More than any of that, though, is that God would continue to use me in amazing ways, and that I would continue to be able to pour into the lives of those around me. And that I would continue to grow and be stretched.

New Year's Eve

This past New Year's Eve is one I know I will not forget for a long time, and I hope the memory never fades. We've gotten together with the same friends for NYE for a lot of years, so of course we continued that tradition this year. However, this year I had more fun than I have in a long time. My friend Hannah and I decided that, since we had NO pictures of us together, we were going to have a mini photo-shoot. So after supper and playing games with our families, we headed up to her room to have some fun. And boy, did we ever have fun. Apparently the whole house heard us laughing, and I could definitely believe that. At times we were laughing so hard we were on the ground crying. I think we took around 50 pictures, but here are some of my favorites.

Hannah looks like she's used to this or something; what's up with that? ;)

You've been hanging around my brothers too long.

Yes, that is a clown wig she's wearing with the Western stuff . . . don't ask.

Nothing is as encouraging as the prayers of a friend.

I've known Hannah since I was about five, but in the last couple years I've gotten to know her so much better, and I am blessed to be so close to such an amazing friend.

2010

My friend Amy wrote this earlier today, and I thought it'd be a good way to start this post.

"An optimist stays up 'til midnight on New Year's Eve to see the new year in. The pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. Personally, I was glad to see that both occured successfully."

I think that pretty much sums up what I thought yesterday, too: both relief at the end of last year, and excitement at the new year. Last year was quite the year, and I was ready to move on. It was a rather rough year, with my family having to deal with some trying circumstances. I think we dealt with more deaths in 2009 than we have any other year. We battled a major flood, and had to learn to overcome the stress and anxiety that caused. And I had to work through more changes and transitions in the span of about four or five months than I ever have in my life. And while that's not necessarily a bad thing, it was hard. But then again, I look at what God has done and brought forth through it all, and I must say it was also a great year. In the last few years God has totally thrown open the doors for campus to receive the hope of Jesus Christ, and seeing the fruit of my parents' labors has been amazing. When we first started hearing of the amazing ways God has been using Chi Alpha to transform students' lives, and how it's growing, and how the kids are so totally on fire for their Savior, God told us "You were a part of that. All the years you spent praying over the campus, pouring into students' lives, being My Light; this is the fruit of your labor. The walls are being torn down, and you had a hand in demolishing that stronghold." And now that I'm so deeply involved with Chi Alpha, and involved on campus, I can see it in an even greater light, and it's overwhelming to see God move in this way. It's overwhelming to consider that He would use us to help make it happen.

And of course I could go on and on and on about the last three or so months, and how they've pretty much been the greatest months of my life. I've grown more in the last two and a half months than I had in the last ten years. And I've been stretched more than I think I ever have. I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams.

So, looking back on the year 2009, yes it was hard. But it was amazing. And for all the pain and confusion that we may have battled, I wouldn't trade it for anything, because I know that God has and will continue to use it to further His kingdom, and to draw us closer to Him. And that's all that matters.

So now the question is: What will we do with 2010? Will we continue to hold on to the pain and bitterness of the past, or will we hang on to Jesus with all that we are and trust Him to guide us into victory in the coming year? I don't know about you, but I am so excited for this year I can hardly stand it. I'm SO excited to get back on campus and continue to pour into people's lives, and see God move in mighty ways. I can't wait to see how He's going to stretch me and use me. Yes, I know there will be trials to overcome, but that's just it: we "overcome by the Blood of the Lamb." I'll leave you with one final thought. It's something I've been realizing the last couple of months, and while it can be hard, it is--at least in my life--so true.

When you ask God to teach you and stretch you: 1) He will always do it in ways you don't expect; and 2) He will often do it in ways you don't necessarily want.
But it's so worth it.