Will we trust the One Outside the Story?

Sometimes I have these thoughts come to me at the oddest times, when I'm not thinking about anything related. This one occurred to me yesterday, when my sister made a comment about her recent reading.

She is reading through The Lord of the Rings again, and she expressed her mild [amused] frustration at the characters. They are about to engage the enemy in the Battle of Minas Tirith and are - understandably! - a bit concerned about whether they will even live out the night. Will Aragorn make it safely through the Paths of the Dead? Will Rohan's forces arrive in time? Will they come at all? Will this character survive? Will that character die in battle? All legitimate questions, we would say. However, my sister, having read the book before, knows exactly how it all will turn out. She knows that the battle will be won by the allies and that many of them do not only survive the battle but live on a good many more years in relative happiness and safety. Of course a few of the beloved characters suffer wounds or even death, yes - but that's all known! I commented to Melissa, "But the characters don't know that." Of course not! They are inside the story, still awaiting the end of the tale and the victory in the battle.

Then it hit me - we are in a Story too! And we fret and worry too, not knowing how our lives, or our friends' lives, or the life of our country, will turn out in the end. But there is One who is outside the Story who already knows and is not concerned. We, the little characters stumbling about on the earthly terrain of our world, are only able to see what is directly ahead of us. We are not given the power to see how it will all pan out in the end. We are not even given vision-like glimpses of the future, like Seth Border from Blink. It is only given to us to live each day as it comes.

The difference between you and me and Frodo, Gandalf, Pippin, Aragorn, Eomer, and the others is that we know the One who is on the Outside, the One who already knows the ending to our Story. Nay, the ending to HIS Story! For He not only knows the end - He wrote it! In fact, He has even stepped down into our Story and become a character in it, right alongside us. And He asks us to trust Him that it all will end well. In fact, in a way far beyond the ending of any fairy tale written by anyone before, we will indeed live "happily ever after", in the courts of the King.

But the details of today, tomorrow, and the day after that, and the days after that, are not within our sight. We do not know what characters will survive, we do not know about each individual battle. And it's okay. Because the Author does know, and He asks us to trust in that.

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:1-4)


"And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.' (The Last Battle, C.S. Lewis)

From tonight's worship service

Okay, so these aren't actually whole songs. They are mere parts of longer songs. But these parts are words that stuck out to me because of something that has been going through my head recently.


taken from "Come Away from Rush and Hurry"

Come, then, children, with your burdens –
life’s confusions, fears, and pain.
Leave them at the cross of Jesus;
take instead His kingdom’s reign.
Bring your thirsts, for He will quench them –
He alone will satisfy.
All our longings find attainment
when to self we gladly die.


taken from "This is My Father's World"

This is my Father's world
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King, let the heavens ring
God reigns, let the earth be glad

Music, music, and...more music?

So apparently all that has been on my mind in regard to this blog right now are.....yep, you guessed it - songs. Songs that speak to me, in some way, in that moment. And I'm not sure that actually can be counted as a "blog", but rather as a collection of random music that I like. But since I'm not sure there are many (if any) readers that would take time to stop by my humble little "blog" on a regular basis anyway, I'm just going to do what I like. And for those of us who do actually read what I post, I hope that these songs touch your heart too. :)

"Hello Lord"

This song really speaks to my heart right now, as I'm waiting on guidance from God regarding a couple matters. It's not always easy to wait for an answer or a push one way or the other. This song reminds me that I need to wait on God in patience and in prayer, until He chooses to reveal His will to me.


"Hello Lord"
by Sara Groves

Hello Lord, it's me, your child
I have a few things on my mind
Right now I'm faced with big decisions
And I'm wondering if you have a minute, 'cause
Right now I don't hear so well
And I was wondering if you could speak up

I know that you tore the veil
So I could sit with you in person
And hear what you're saying but
Right now, I just can't hear you.

I don't doubt your sovereignty
I doubt my own ability to
Hear what you're saying
And to do the right thing
And I desperately want to do the right thing
But right now I don't hear so well
And I was wondering if you could speak up

I know that you tore the veil
So I could sit with you in person
And hear what you're saying but
Right now, I just can't hear you.

And somewhere in the back of my mind
I think you are telling me to wait
And though patience has never been mine
Lord, I will wait to hear from you
Oh Lord, I'm waiting on you

Right now I don't hear so well
And I was wondering if you could speak up

I know that you tore the veil
So I could sit with you in person
And hear what you're saying but
Right now, I think you're whispering

Speechless

Another song by Steven Curtis Chapman...

My words fall like drops of rain.
My lips are like clouds.
I've said so many things, trying to figure you out.
As mercy opens my eyes, my words are stolen away.
At this breathtaking view of your grace...

And I am Speechless
I'm astonished and amazed
I am silenced by your wondrous grace.
You have saved me
You have raised me from the grave.
And I am Speechless
In your presence now.
I'm astounded as I consider how
You have shown us the love that leaves us speechless.

So what kind of love can this be
That will trade heaven's throne for a cross?
To think that you still celebrate
For finding just one who was lost.
To know you rejoice over this
The God of this whole universe.
It's a story too great for words...

We are speechless
Oh how great is the love
The Father has lavished upon us,
That we should be called the sons and daughters of God

We are speechless
We stand in awe of your mercy
You have saved us
(from the grave)
We are speechless

Live concerts!

I was able to attend a live concert by Steven Curtis Chapman this evening and thoroughly enjoyed it! One of the songs he played, one I had heard before but certainly did not mind hearing again, was "Magnificent Obsession". This song is another prayer for my own life - that I would be consumed with a love for my Lord, that nothing would stand in front of Him in my affections and priorities. So I thought to share it with you....whoever you, my readers out there, are. :)

Lord, You know how much
I want to know so much
In the way of answers and explanations
I have cried and prayed
And still I seem to stay
In the middle of life's complications
All this pursuing leaves me feeling like I'm chasing down the wind
But now it's brought me back to You
And I can see again

This is everything I want
This is everything I need
I want this to be my one consuming passion
Everything my heart desires
Lord, I want it all to be for You, Jesus
Be my magnificent obsession

So capture my heart again
Take me to depths I've never been
Into the riches of Your grace and Your mercy
Return me to the cross
And let me be completely lost
In the wonder of the love
That You've shown me
Cut through these chains that tie me down to so many lesser things
Let all my dreams fall to the ground
Until this one remains

This is everything I want
This is everything I need
I want this to be my one consuming passion
Everything my heart desires
Lord, I want it all to be for You, Jesus
Be my magnificent obsession
My magnificent obsession

You are everything I want
And You are everything I need
Lord, You are all my heart desires
You are everything to me

You are everything I want
You are everything I need
I want You to be my one consuming passion
Everything my heart desires
Lord, I want it all to be for You
I want it all to be for You

You are everything I want
You are everything I need
I want You to be my one consuming passion
Everything my heart desires
Lord, I want it all to be for You
I want it all to be for You, Jesus
Be my magnificent obsession
Be my magnificent obsession

Another song...

"Faithful One"
-Selah (?)

I find no hope within to call my own
For I am frail of heart, my strength is gone
But deep within my soul is rising up a song
Here in the comfort of the faithful one

I walk a narrow road through valleys deep
In search of higher ground, on mountains steep
And though with feet unsure, I still keep pressing on.
For I am guided by the faithful one.

Faithful, faithful to the end,
My true and precious friend,
You have been faithful,
Faithful, so faithful to me

I see your wounded hands, I touch your side
With thorns upon your brow you bled and died
But there’s an empty tomb, a love for all who come
And give their hearts to you, the faithful one.

Faithful, faithful to the end,
My true and precious friend,
You have been faithful,
Faithful, so faithful to me

And when the day is dawned and when the race is run
I will bow down before God’s only Son
And I will lift my hands in praise for all you’ve done
And I will worship you, my faithful one.

Music

How is it that music - songs, in particular - can touch our hearts and our minds in a way that ordinary words can never come close to doing? How they can stir us to greater and higher thoughts, they can touch our restless souls and bring a divine peace. 

One music artist I have come to love is David Phelps. I would like to share the following song of his with anyone who is out there reading. I hope it connects with you the way it connects with me. 

Give All to Him 

-David Phelps 

You don't say a word 

But I know you're so afraid 

Trying hard to take the step of faith 

You're so confused 

And you're so alone 

Standing face to face with the unknown 

Every need you have, God already knows about it 

But still He longs to hear from you

I believe if you put your trust in Him 

That is where the road of faith begins 

If His eye is on the sparrow 

When it comes to me and you 

There is no place He won't go 

And nothing He won't do 

Like a mother cradles  a child 

His grace covers us somehow 

So whatever you go through 

God will take care of you 

Change is never easy 

But it's just a part of living 

There is so much more than we can see 

A higher place so far above it all 

Is ours when we're faithful to His call 

'Cause if His eye is on the sparrow 

When it comes to me and you 

There is no place He won't go 

And nothing He won't do 

Like a mother cradles a child 

His grace covers us somehow 

So whatever you go through 

God will take care of you 

We don't know (We don't have to understand) 

The how's, the why's, the when's, 

So give it all to Him 

 

'Cause if His eye is on the sparrow 

When it comes to me and you 

There is no place He won't go 

And nothing He won't do 

Like a mother cradles  a child 

His grace covers us somehow 

So whatever you go through 

God will take care of you 

I know He will 

You'll be all right 

'Cause He'll take care of you 

Regarding cars and pedestrians

Hmm, cultural differences. They can be interesting to observe and get accustomed to. Even semi-small things like how traffic operates. 

So another thing that has taken me a while to get used to here is the small matter of crossing a street. :) 

Apparently the unspoken rules (well, they may be spoken and even written somewhere...) is that when a pedestrian crosses at a crosswalk, any oncoming cars have to wait until the pedestrian has crossed, or at least is out of the car's way. On the other hand, if the pedestrian crosses as if what we call "jaywalking", then the pedestrian has to wait and the driver has the "right-of-way". 

As a result, this American has had to face her fear that the-car-won't-stop-for-me when crossing in a crosswalk, though she has partially paused her crossing more than once when a car approached. But then the car stops and I feel safe to continue walking across. :) 

Random Observations & First Impressions...of Spain and Spaniards

* Everything is later here, both beginning and ending. 

- e.g. The first class at the centro (where I take classes here) does not even start until 9:30 am. 

- e.g. It is not uncommon for people to be out in the town (in a bar, etc.) until the wee hours of the morning. 

* Spaniards are very direct people: while they don't [necessarily] intend to be rude, they speak what they think and don't bother with what Americans consider 'common courtesy'. 

- e.g. When my señora (hostess) wants me to do something or needs help, she doesn't ask "Can you come and help me with this?" - she tells me, "Ven, hija (Come, daughter - what she usually calls me). Do this for me." 

* One is not easily admitted into their affections, but once you are, you're treated like a family friend. 

- e.g. My señora sent my roommate and me to a tienda to meet a friend of hers. When we first entered, the woman's expression read (to me) "Who are you and why do you ask for me?" But upon hearing who we were, her entire face changed and her behavior was then, "Ah, you are friends! If I can help you with anything, let me know!" 

- e.g. If the person passing you on the street does not know you, he/she will walk past without even looking in your direction, acting like you're not even there. 

* If two people who do know each other meet on the street, they will 1) stop to chat, or 2) wave as they walk past and call out "¡Luego!" (This means "later". Why they say this, I don't know.) Maybe it depends on the level of acquaintance. 

* Spaniards are very touchy people, much more so than Americans are (or permit others to be).  They will not usually refrain (depending on, again, the level of acquaintance) from standing very close to you and even taking your arm while talking to you. It can be both awkward and amusing to experience. It is very common to see friends (especially/mostly women) walking arm in arm. 

* Fashion is the way to dress! For younger women, for example, this means short skirts over leggings and knee-high boots. For older women, it means long [fur] coats. ...Facial piercings at times. ...All types of hairstyles. 

* It does rain and snow a lot during the winter. :) 

* Spain is a country of walkers, not drivers, whether in a town like Segovia or in a major city like Madrid. The streets are always filled with people - except between 2:00 and 5:00 (the siesta/closed-business hours. 

* They are very free with romantic physical affection, as well as that between friends. It is very common to see couples embracing and/or kissing in the street. 

* Smoking is also popular and it is permitted in many places, including bus stations. 

Well, that's enough for now. But I'm sure I will have more later. :) 

¡Estoy en España!

Well, I made it here safely. This is only my first day after arrival, but I already think I'm really going to enjoy my time here. The city is lovely - and I'm staying only five minutes [walking] away from that famous aqueduct built by the Romans back in the 1st century! How cool is that?! Well, I'm not going to write more now, and I'm not sure how often I will post updates, but I'll try to post some more later on. Pero, por ahora - ¡adios! 

Quotage

"Every experience that God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see." 

-Corrie Ten Boom 

"The great thing, if one can, is to stop regarding all the unpleasant things as interruptions of one's 'own', or 'real' life. The truth is of course that what one calls the interruptions are precisely one's real life - the life God is sending one day by day; what one calls one's 'real life' is a phantom of one's own imagination. This is at least what I see at moments of insight: but it's hard to remember it all the time." 

-C.S. Lewis 

My, how time flies!

Well, I am now 21 years old. Hard to believe! And I thought 18 felt old. :D Anyway, I had a wonderful celebration! All my grandparents (two grandmothers and a step-grandfather) were here, as well as a surprise visitor from TN. We had a lot of fun! And I always enjoy birthday calls, so thanks to those people! 

Going to bed now. (It's actually 13 minutes past the end of my official birthday, so this is technically late. Oh well.) 

Photos of Segovia

Though I plan on writing more about my time in Segovia later, here are some pictures of where I will be living for three months. Enjoy! 

 

This first one is a map of Spain. Although Segovia is not listed, you can imagine it as being 60 miles north/northwest of Madrid, in central Spain. 

The second is a rooftop-view picture of the city.  

The third is the famous Roman aqueduct still standing, hundreds of years after its construction, in Segovia. 

Then is Alcazar Castle. 

The last is the cathedral of Segovia - also an impressive sight. 

Pondering the old year....moving on to a new

So a friend prompted me, via a note on Facebook, to write down some thoughts about this year that is quickly drawing to a close. As I like to call it - "muddling". (What I mean by this is that, while I would like to call it profound meditations, sometimes my thoughts come out somewhat muddled.) 

What events have occurred in my life during 2008, and what are some things God has taught me through them? 

* I became a sophomore, a second-year student at the college I so dearly love. A blessing in and of itself. Seeing as I entered my freshman year not knowing how long I could stay there, I thank God for giving me a third semester there and for allowing me to plan a third year. This college has changed me in more than one way. During my several months there, I have been challenged academically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. To be honest, I was a bit unsure about a non-denominational college. Not that I don't mingle with people of other religious backgrounds - not at all the case - but I was unsure as to how that would play out in classes and relationships. I have found it, however, to be very good. I have had opportunities to discuss, even with my Christian friends, our differences and similarities in belief. I have been challenged to discover why it is that I believe the way I do and to make sure that I am following the Word of God, and not men. 

* I have formed many new friendships, among freshmen, members of my own class, and upperclassmen. I have also better established older friendships. These people - mostly girls - have blessed me in ways beyond count! They have sought to know me for who I am; they have supported me through trials and rejoiced with me during happier times. They have put up with my moments of insanity and loved me in spite of them. Thank you so much! I love you all so much! (Ephesians 1:15ff) 

* I have become closer to my family, these people who have known me my whole life and never given up on me. You mean so much to me! Thank you for your love, your support, and everything you do for me - whether recognized or unseen. And ditto to all that I said in the previous paragraph. :) 

* I have learned in a better way how trustworthy and caring our God is. "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The LORD is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.'" (Lamentations 3:22-24) Even during times when I had no idea what God was doing in that situation, or what I was supposed to do, He brought me through and taught me to trust Him in spite of my fears and blindness. 

I'm sure there are so many more things I could add, but for now, this will have to do. I can always add more later on. 

So what about next year? Well, for starters...

* I have the amazing opportunity to study in Spain for three months. This would probably not be an option, were it not for the minor detail that I am a Spanish major and so am required to take a study-abroad semester. (Bummer, huh?) My feelings would tear me in multiple directions when the random-and-twisted paths of my mind take me to Segovia: 

- I have never liked goodbyes, even temporary ones, and saying goodbye to my friends at school was harder than I had anticipated. I will miss them while I am away, and I am saddened by the fact that their lives will continue on though I am absent. And I'm not yet done with goodbyes...there are still my family members and friends here. 

- I am nervous about living with complete strangers in a foreign country for three months. And about having to rely on a second language, in which I am conversational but not yet fluent by any means. 

- I am psyched about the opportunity to live abroad for a short time - in Europe!! - and experience another culture. 

.........................So, in all, I have very little to complain about. Actually, let me take that back. I have NOTHING that is worthy of complaint because everything that comes my way, whether I see it as "good" or "bad", comes from my heavenly Father, who knows better than anyone else what I need. And yet how often do I grumple and whine as one of the Israelites in the wilderness! If I stop to think about it, I am trying to tell God that I know better than He what I need and how I should live my life. 

Father, teach me to depend upon You for everything and to praise You in everything. 

Fashion and Style

I was recently browsing different websites and came across the blog of a young lady who has her own boutique business. She loves elegant fashions and beautiful styles. The jewelry is lovely and the other items are old-fashioned looking! These two are probably my favorites. Her blog is fashion- and style-themed, and is currently serving as her own commentary on the costumes and other attire in the Olympics. I highly encourage you to go check out her online store - if not to personally support her growing business, then at least to pass on the news to a friend. 

Two Thoughts from "Redeeming Pop Culture"

1) Everyone is familiar with the infamous question "If your friends all jumped off a bridge, would you jump too?" that every mother asks. It has become something to invoke a groan, a sigh, or a rolling-of-the-eyes. Yet there is much truth and wisdom to this question! Why should we blindly do something that we should recognize as harmful - or even evil - just because "everyone else is doing it" (whether family, friend, or stranger; whether Christian or unbeliever). We joke about not being one to "go with the flow", about "standing out from the crowd". Yet how many times are we tempted to do a particular activity, or dress a particular style, or talk a certain way just because it is popular. Now there are many things out there that are perfectly innocent and harmless...but just as many, if not more, that aren't. Christians should live purposefully, as T.M. Moore says, and "think Christianly" as to what we do and why we do it. 

We are to live "in the world but not of it." We can, with a good conscience, enjoy pop culture, but we need to be mindful of what is good and edifying (that which will help us to grow in Christ) and that which is not. 

2) If I may quote from Moore from chapter 4 of his book Redeeming Pop Culture: A Kingdom Approach.... 

"Taste is highly personal. This is both the good news and the bad news. That taste is highly personal is good in that each Christian can be encouraged to identify and develop his or her own tastes to the fullest. I don't have to like the same music as my son Casey, and he doesn't have to like mine. We are free to indulge our individual tastes and to be content in the consumption of our own cultural cuisine. 

"The bad news is that, besides possibly leading us into cultural activities and enjoyments that do not further our kingdom interests, our individualized tastes can tend to make us cultural snobs, denouncing or at least ignoring every form of popular culture that fails to suit our taste. The problem with this is that, in so doing, we can seem to condemn those for whom such forms are a source of meaning and pleasure. Unless Casey and I can learn to revel in our personal tastes and, at the same time, to respect, take an interest in, and try to understand one another's tastes, we shall have difficulty fulfilling the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves. Moreover, unless we can manage to get beyond our own tastes to develop new ones--or, at least, to appreciate why others might--we shall have difficulty gaining an entrée for our kingdom mission among those whose tastes range far afield from the eternal purposes that occupy us." 

What Moore says even later is that judging something's worth should not come just from personal preference. That question should be answered by questions such as "Is this pleasing to God?", "Does it lead one to a better view of God?", and "Is this something that presents truth and goodness?" 

A question of pleasure

I have made a great discovery today - and I owe it all to John Piper. I was reading the chapter on worship in his book Desiring God. Piper was renouncing the idea that we should not seek pleasure in our worship of God, the idea that if we find personal benefits in worship of the Divine, we dishonor God. He says, rather than this, God is more honored if we find abounding pleasure in worshipping Him. 

With these words, a memory came into my head of a time when I was visited a very close friend. Being the animal-lover that I am, I enjoyed spending some time with the family pets - two dogs and a cat. The cat, I was told, does not often "take to people" very quickly; however, she let me pet her a lot and even purred at this attention. My friend did not believe me when I told her that the purring indicated that the cat liked me. She said, "She only lets you pet her because it pleases her and she likes it." But now I see that this statement is wrong (to some degree, at the very least). No animal - especially a cat - would let someone come near her whom she did not trust or like. If she did not like me, she would not have found pleasure in me giving her attention! Her fear or dislike would cause her to run away. 

How much more true is this when related to worship of our Creator, Savior, and Lord! If we were brought into His sanctuary dragging our heels or with a mere sense of human duty, the act of worship does not glorify God. Rather, the mere fact that one can find great pleasure, even happiness, in singing songs of praise to Him or learning more of Him, or conversing with Him in prayer honors Him as One worth our worship. 

Lord, may we enjoy worshipping You more and more every day of our lives! 

Learning from Spurgeon

"Behold the man!" - John 19:5 

If there be one place where our Lord Jesus most fully becomes the joy and comfort of His people, it is where He plunged deepest into the depths of woe. Come hither, gracious souls, and behold the man in the garden of Gethsemane; behold His heart so brimming with love that He cannot hold it in -- so full of sorrow that it must find a vent. Behold the bloody sweat as it distils from every pore of His body, and falls upon the ground. Behold the man as they drive the nails into His hands and feet. Look up, repenting sinners, and see the sorrowful image of your suffering Lord. Mark Him, as the ruby drops stand on the thorn-crown, and adorn with priceless gems the diadem of the King of Misery. Behold the man when all His bones are out of joint, and He is poured out like water and brought into the dust of death; God hath forsaken Him, and hell compasseth Him about. Behold and see, was there ever sorrow like unto His sorrow that is done unto Him? All ye that pass by draw near and look upon this spectacle of grief, unique, unparalleled, a wonder to men and angels, a prodigy unmatched. Behold the Emperor of Woe who had no equal or rival in His agonies! Gaze upon Him, ye mourners, for if there be not consolation in a crucified Christ there is no joy in earth or heaven. If in the ransom price of His blood there be not hope, ye harps of heaven, there is no joy in you, and the right hand of God shall know no pleasures for evermore. We have only to sit more continually at the cross foot to be less troubled with our doubts and woes. We have but to see His sorrows, and our sorrows we shall be ashamed to mention. We have but to gaze into His wounds and heal our own. If we would live aright it must be by the contemplation of His death; if we would rise to dignity, it must be by considering His humiliation and His sorrow. 

[italics mine] 

***************************************** 

This really hit me tonight, as I had just been thinking on my own sorrows and troubles. And now I have only to be ashamed of my pathetic, self-centered thoughts. Does He not already know my thoughts and fears and problems? How can I give in to these earthly meditations when neither my mind nor my soul is edified by such? This is a lesson I am learning very slowly: that I think of myself far too much and of others far too little. As forefront to my mind as these things may be, many others have far greater issues to bear than I do. 

...I am still amazed sometimes by the realization that my heavenly Father really does know exactly what I need to hear! 

Let us learn from the wise

"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have." 

-Thomas Jefferson