overcome

This morning I read the scripture in Revelations 2:17 when Jesus said,
"to him who overcomes I'll give to eat that hidden manna and a white stone with a new name written on it which no man knows except him who receives it."

The best definition I've heard recently for overcoming is this:
To overcome is to succeed in dealing with problems and difficulties. God knows that throughout life there are always unexpected problems, challenges, and difficulties to get through. It's not so much whether we will have these things or not but rather how we persevere through them and get the victory reward on the other side. There is a faith that's proved of more worth than gold and we are refined through the process of pain.

I recently enjoyed coffee with a friend who reminded me of that scripture where Jesus said that all things work together for good for those who love God. She mentioned that the problem is most people don't stick around long enough to find out what those good things are on the other side of the trial or challenge.

The thing about "heavenly manna" or bread from heaven is that it's symbolic for life substance. Jesus said He is the bread of life. He wants to give us life that never goes stale and it can happen in a minute. Those desert moments remind us that we are starving for something of real substance and the things that we've counted on in the past or relied upon to fill us up along the way will never truly be able to touch the soul issues that we wrestle with on the deepest levels. But what you get from heaven is going to give you life!

That's what I love about Jesus. He is Emmanuel, God with us. There will never be any guarantee for a smooth ride but you have every guarantee and every promise that God will be with you through it all.

Can you persevere even in weakness, trials, pain? Can you cry out with a desert song of praise?
We have reason to praise our God and I believe in the midst of praise we will abound in the ability to get through every problem and difficulty!

And what about this new name? My initial thought is this. Sometimes our life is marked by pain, disease, disappointment, discouragement. Maybe the new name is something about the new place God will bring you to once you've persevered! That gets me excited.

three solid weeks

Although it may not be the best Sprint Tri I will ever do, I am spending the next three months to train intensely for the Auburn Sprint Tri. It's supposed to be a rugged course and I'm not as prepared as I was for the one in London, but i want to get back in the saddle on this. I am also toying with the idea of doing the Pyramid Lake event later this summer. Excited about it but I need to get some serious swim time in and get my running back in shape. This past week in Southern Cali I was not motivated much at all to work out and so most of what I did was walk. I guess that's ok but not four weeks out to race day. Oh well. I'm hoping I can make it happen!

My moment

The trip to California was noteworthy on several accounts. My moment came the 2nd day of the Catalyst Conference. Brooke Fraser led worship with "The Desert Song".


I hope you'll check out the video and read the lyrics.


This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

And this is my prayer in the fire
in weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames

And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and he is here

And this is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

This is my prayer in the harvest
when favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow

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A much needed thing happened in that moment. I realized it's OK and that He is with me even in the desert moments.

airports

I love to people watch. Right now I'm sitting in the Reno/Tahoe International Airport and I'm people watching. :_ I'm always curious. Where are people going? Where are they coming from? It's so interesting to think that your life can cross another one's so quickly with no direct relationship to them. They are people. You are people. They need to take a flight somewhere. You need to take a flight somewhere. And that's the end of the relationship. Interesting and funny. This world we live in.

I'm looking forward to the next 9 days in So Cal. Lots to do, but no doubt FUN will be had in between it all!

Wish me safe travels.

Jen

creativity

I enjoyed sleeping in my own bed last night after being in Reno this past week and house/teen/dog sitting the past week. In a few small ways I'm not looking forward to the upcoming trip to Los Angeles. I'm definitely excited about what I'll be doing while in Los Angeles, but not exactly thrilled about sleeping in four different people's homes and a hotel over the next 9 nights. But I'm excited to share these experiences with my good friend Lara! That's a highlight of the upcoming trip and seeing some people I love and miss who currently live in Los Angeles is also a highlight for me. I'll be sure and take lots of pictures of the ocean! I'm sure I'll be jet-setting to the coast on every possible occasion :)

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I have realized that with all this moving around, I haven't really been able to settle into the creative flow that I would like to pursue. There have been so many adjustments with this new ministry position, that my schedule just seems choppy and chaotic. I know those are feelings but I think I'm sort of a homebody snob. I need to have a place that I can create the kind of atmosphere that is welcoming and warm for me and the ones I want to have around. That's hard to do when you're living with your parents.

My mom noticed a few pieces I painted and sketched while in Budapest and said, "I didn't know you did that." I was able to tell her about the Monday nights in Budapest where I had girls over and we painted and created things. For me, there's something medicinal about it. This is one of those things I'd like to set up again very soon.

I pulled out the guitar today and practiced some chord combinations, trying to find out the sounds I like. Martin Luther had a dream and I have one too - writing and playing my own song or two on that darn guitar. It doesn't seem like I catch on quick enough but I really haven't put that much energy into it. I do enjoy it and would love to learn more. It was fun today as I went through some old files and I actually found a song that my sister and I wrote about my Grandma, probably almost 4 years ago. It's actually pretty good, if I can remember to play it at the same tempo I originally had when I created it.

The third aspect of creativity I'd like to explore is sewing. I almost wandered into a fabric store to get a pattern and start with something. But then I thought I should take one of the shirts I really like and own and make that my pattern. We'll see. I was on my way somewhere when the thought crossed my mind and didn't have a chance to do it.

Finally, if it all happens as Lara and I have been talking about this past year, we will be moving to the Sacramento area. I hope we can find a house for rent with an extra bedroom for guests and for a craft room. If we get a house, (even if we don't), I want to start a garden. Veggies that won't die easily - tomatoes, salad and then some fruits - strawberries or something.

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I've been using the RICE on my knee. I think it helps. Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. I am about to go for a run again and in the off times, I try and keep it iced and up. I think it's helping do something!

He has told you.....

I just came back from a two mile walk and as I was listening to worship music on the I-pod, I got to thinking about what it is in life that God is really after in us as humans.

I mean, there are so many variations of Christianity in the world and so many styles and people who claim Christ-following as a way of life, but when God looks at us all, what are the things He's looking for?

The reason I was asking is because I still don't feel as though I have it all figured out. As I mused over these things in the beautiful sunshine, I took in the desert landscape in Nevada (not the most picturesque for me, but it is what it is).

Then I was reminded of the scripture in Micah 6:8
"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you? But to do justice, love kindness and to walk humbly with your God."

Enough said. Now if I could just focus on that.

So what does it look like to do justice?
What does it look like to love kindness?
What does it look like to walk humbly with God?

The musing continues.

10 things to live by...

I'm house/dog sitting this week for Jeff and Teri and I thought I'd pass this bit of inspiration on to you.

This is hanging on their fridge.

1. Spread beauty.
2. Do what you love.
3. Love what you do.
4. Keep it simple.
5. Laugh out loud.
6. Go with the flow.
7. Be real.
8. Focus on the postiive.
9. Do your best.
10. Just breathe.

The only one of these that I sort of disagree with, atleast at times, is #6. Sometimes as Christians, even as human beings, we need to stand up for what is right, true and real and forgo the "flow."

That's all. :) Happy reading.