2 Corinthians 6:4-10

 "But in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; as unknown yet well known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things."

To Him Be The Glory

From reading a post Ashley had quoting John Piper, I was struck by the realization that we should not only reflect on what Christ has done for us but should also reflect of who He is.  God described Himself as the "I Am."  He is, by nature, self-existent, holy, and awesome!  He did not need to die in order for Him to be the wonderful God that He is, but, in dying to save us from our sins, He displayed all the more vividly the surpassing greatness of His love for us and showed us that He truly is wonderful.  No person who considers himself to be good can truly love Christ or appreciate what He has done by dying on the cross.  Only when each person recognizes that it was the vileness of his own personal sins that nailed Jesus to the cross can that person accept the true forgiveness that Jesus paid for by dying for us.  When we look at who Jesus really is, we can say along with the angels, 

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." (Revelation 5:12)

Busy But At Peace

The more times that I go through hectic weeks, the more I see that there really is no need to worry because God is in control.  This week, I have three tests and two projects to accomplish, but God has given and will continue to give me the strength to study hard to prepare for them.  I find that the more difficult things God allows me to go through, the more I can really appreciate His love, the more I learn to be more like Christ, and the more I learn to love Him in return.  One of my favorite verses during difficult times is the following:

Proverbs 3:5-6   "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

I was able to take a nice break from all the work by striking set for the play I was just in (The Pirates of Penzance).  We completed the task and had everything cleaned up within two hours.  Looking back at my experience in the play, it was not the play itself that made all the rehearsals and performances so much fun.  What made it so much fun was all the great people at the play.  I made new friends and got to know old friends better.  I thank God for all the people I got to know through the play! :)

I have had the opportunity to perform in the last two plays put on by Fine Linen Drama.  In the first one, which took place during the spring 08, I played the character Pike in the play the Prince and the Pauper.

Me as the villainous character Pike!

In the play the Pirates of Penzance, I had the pleasure of playing a not-so-fierce pirate under the mighty Pirate King, Joel.

 

I also got the pleasure of being one of the not-so-brave policemen.  The pretty lady next to me is my mom! :)