Made for Eternity

Day 103

You know when you are on a break, and you get all confused about which day it is? You sleep and wake up at weird times, you lose all sense of normalcy, and the time on the clock never feels right.

Much as I like days off, I can’t handle too many of them in a row. I really do like routine and structure. I like doing things, being busy (in a I-have-enough-to-do-but-I’m-not-overwhelmed-with-craziness kind of busy, which is a busy hard to find). Guess it’s a good thing I don’t have off that often. I work at the library every day of the week, and of course I’ve always got the daily school stuff going on.

So when the library is closed and I don’t have anything really pressing for school or clinic, I feel strange, like there’s something I’m forgetting to do. (That reminds me – I need to pay my credit card bill. Like right now.)

Today was that way. It’s a Friday. Felt like Saturday. I slept in, had a good talk with a friend on the phone, putzed around, watched a movie, did a little homework – I couldn’t help myself. It was nice. I really needed the break.

Still, I’m kinda looking forward to Monday. I got things to do.

Onward.

Spiritual Vitamins for Believers, Part 12:

1. I am delivered from the law (Rom. 7:6).
2. I am not under the law but under grace (Rom. 6:14).
3. I have God’s laws written in my heart (Heb. 10:16).
4. I am joined to Jesus Christ (Rom. 7:4).
5. I am a partaker of Christ (Heb. 3:14).
6. I am identified with Christ in His suffering (2 Tim. 2:12; Phil. 1:29; 1 Pet. 2:20; 4:12-13; 1 Thess. 3:3; Rom. 8:18; Col. 1:24).
7. The knowledge of God is made known by me (2 Cor. 2:14).
8. The savor (aroma) of Christ is made known by me (2 Cor. 2:15-16).
9. I am an epistle of Christ (2 Cor. 3:3).
10. I am being changed into Christ’s glorious image (2 Cor. 3:18).
11. I am being perfected (Phil. 1:6).

Day 104

Clinician: “When you write all messy, what’s that called?”

Little Client: “You . . . you . . . (pause before lightbulb goes on) you ribble.”

So I guess I’m ribbling. Right now my life feels very ribbly. I’m grouchy. I’m irritated by my co-workers, my clinic responsibilities, and the fact that the group study rooms are locked when they should be open.

Maybe I didn’t get enough sleep last night. Maybe I got up on the wrong side of the bed.Maybe I’m just giving my sin nature the rein it shouldn’t have. I have a feeling that the last option is the correct option. Actually, I know it is. I have a choice – to react in my flesh to what’s going on, or respond in a manner that will be pleasing to the Lord.

Life in this world will never run out of irritations or messy situations. These trials, whatever their size, are opportunities for growth, for relying on the Lord’s strength and not my own. The “ribblings” of life can be a source of true joy as I reflect on the One who solved my biggest problem when he died on the cross and rose again.

James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (NAS)

Day 105

I heard a meterologist say that this morning, and it is indeed true. It’s 28 degrees, with 30 mph sustained winds, a 14 degree windchill and flurries. Last week we hit 80 degrees. Must be spring in Milwaukee.

Currently I am at work standing beside a man (a very big rugby player man) in a pink bunny suit. . . I’m guessing that’s another sign of spring in Milwaukee?

Onward.

It’s important to remember the Lord is interested in the details of our life. Yes, I know he cares about the big things – occupations, schools, marriage (or lack thereof), places to live, the church we go to, but he also has the hairs of our heads numbered. He cared about mildew in the Old Testament. He cares about the details.

Including contacts.

I really needed new contacts a couple weeks ago. I ordered them up, and because my eyes have such awful astigmatism, they had special order them. Which took a while. Then there was the minor credit card issue. When they finally sent them, they FedExed them overnight, which they thought would make it more convenient for me after the long wait. It wasn’t. I always order stuff to come by USPS because I’m rarely home when FedEx or UPS stops by. And the buzzer in my apartment doesn’t work.

When Monday afternoon rolled around, I was frustrated. My old contacts were bugging me and I had missed the FedEx guy, so now I would have to find someone to drive me over to the FedEx place to pick up my contacts. It wasn’t that big a deal, really, but I just wanted my contacts without inconvenience to others and me.

Then I remembered the Lord (which, by the way, is always a good thing to do). So I prayed. I prayed either that I’d somehow bump into the FedEx guy coming to try a re-delivery, or I’d find someone willing to chauffeur me to South 3rd St.

Yesterday afternoon, I returned home and noted that there was no “we missed you” door tag on the outside door, so I thought the re-delivery hadn’t been made yet. Then I walked inside and saw a box propped up against my apartment door – my contacts! On top of the container was a dutifully filled out door tag with an X by the box that said “we could not deliver your package because a signature is required.” Yet there it was, delivered. I don’t know how, but it was.

I just had to smile and thank the Lord for his provision, and for answering my “little detail” prayer in such an unexpected way.

Day 106

Wanna have some fun? Go to Google Maps and look up driving directions from Chicago to London, England. Or L.A. to Warsaw, Poland. Or Paris, TX to Paris, France. You’ll actually get them.

Good luck with your travels, though.

Onward.

Spiritual Vitamins for Believers, Part 11:

1. I died to sin (Rom. 6:2).
2. My “old man” was crucified with Christ (Rom. 6:6).
3. I have been crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:20).
4. I have crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts (Gal. 5:24).
5. I am alive unto God (Rom. 6:11,13; Gal. 2:19,20).
6. Christ is my life (Phil. 1:21; Col. 3:4).
7. I can walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4).
8. I can serve in newness of spirit (Rom. 7:6).
9. I can live unto righteousness (1 Pet. 2:24).
10. I died to the law (Rom. 7:4; Gal. 2:19).

Day 107

Besides the first day of spring, this is probably my favorite “lesser” holiday. On this day, the games count. On this day, I am always certain the Phillies will begin their march to their first World Series championship since they won it three weeks before I was born back in ’80. On this day, “next year” is finally here.

In honor of Opening Day, I present a family tradition. My grandpa, my mom, my sister, and I have all memorized Ernest Lawrence Thayer’s classic poem “Casey at the Bat”. What better way to celebrate the beginning of a new baseball season than with a tale that encompasses the great range of emotions inspired by the game? It’s got it all: the hope, joy, anger, frustration, and of course the inevitable disappointment that is absolutely intrinsic to baseball. Bart Giamatti said it best when he wrote: “It breaks your heart. It’s designed to break your heart.” 

But we keep coming back for more.

Casey at the Bat

The outlook wasn’t brilliant for the Mudville nine that day;
The score stood four to two, with but one inning left to play,
And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,
A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game.

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, “If only Casey could but get a whack at that.
We’d put up even money now, with Casey at the bat.”

But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,
But the former was a lulu, while the latter was a cake;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat;
For there seemed but little chance of Casey getting to the bat.

But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,
And Blake, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball;
And when the dust had lifted, and men saw what had occurred,
There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third.

Then from five thousand throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It pounded on the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.

There was ease in Casey’s manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Casey’s bearing and a smile lit Casey’s face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt ’twas Casey at the bat.

Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt.
Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.
Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
Defiance flashed in Casey’s eye, a sneer curled Casey’s lip.

And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped.
“That ain’t my style,” said Casey. “Strike one!” the umpire said.

From the benches, black with people, there rose a muffled roar,
Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore;
“Kill him! Kill the umpire!” shouted some one on the stand;
And it’s likely they’d have killed him had not Casey raised his hand.

With a smile of Christian charity great Casey’s visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the dun sphere flew;
But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said “Strike two!”

“Fraud!” cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered “Fraud!”
But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed.
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
And they knew that Casey would not let that ball go by again.

The sneer has fled from Casey’s lip, his teeth are clenched in hate;
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey’s blow.

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
Somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville; mighty Casey has struck out.

Play ball! And go Phils!

Onward.

Spiritual Vitamins for Believers, Part 10:

1. I am a member of His body (1 Cor. 10:17; 12:27; Eph. 3:6; 4:25; 5:30).
2. I am a stone in His building (Eph. 2:20-22; Heb. 3:6; 1 Pet. 2:5).
3. I am a branch in the Vine (John 15:1-7).
4. I am a child of the kingdom (Matt. 13:38; compare Mark 10:14-15).
5. I am born again into His family (John 1:12-13; James 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:3,23; 2:2; 1 John 5:1).
6. I am one of God’s people because He graciously claims me as His own (1 Pet. 2:10; Rev. 21:7).
7. I am a fellow citizen with the saints (Eph. 2:19).
8. I was baptized into Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27).
9. I was identified with Christ in His death (Rom. 6:3-6,8-11; 2 Cor. 5:14; Col. 2:12,20; 3:3).
10. I was identified with Christ in His resurrection (Rom. 6:5,8,11; 2 Cor. 5:15; Gal. 2:20; Col. 2:12; 3:1).

Day 108

AKA April Fool’s Day:

“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.'” (Psalm 14:1).

Don’t be that guy. You will regret it on the coming day when you meet the very One you denied even existed.

Those (very, very few) of you who keep up with this blog may notice the change. I figured new month, new look. The Cheerios make me feel . . . cheery.

I got an email from my brother Pete in Sudan yesterday in which he detailed his battles with various parasites (e.g. hookworm). And when I say detailed, I mean detailed. It was not a tale for the weak of stomach.

The funny thing was that as I was reading the letter about his illness (among other experiences), I felt a strange creeping jealousy. Not jealousy about his physical trials, mind you, but an envy about where he was. He’s where I want to be. He’s in Africa. When my thoughts go in that jealous direction, I have to rearrange my thinking and remember that I am right where God wants me (see yesterday’s entry).

I don’t want to live in a world of “what-ifs” and “if-onlys”. I want to live in such a way that I am delighted in what God has chosen for me. I want to live with a satisfied attitude that will match Paul’s heart when he was in chains in a Roman prison. I don’t want to be one who wishes that others’ lives were mine. I want to be who I am, where I am, at this time. Simply put, I want to be content.

1 Timothy 6:6 “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” 

Day 109

I’m in my last full semester of classes for my M.S. in speech-language pathology (before a year of clinical placements) and am having more and more of those “Why am I doing this?” and “Do I really want to be doing this for the rest of my life?” moments. These usually occur after bombing out on a neuro test or during a dust dry class on the ins and outs of bureaucracy, the intracacies of Medicare, and laws with names like PL 94-142 , or when I am struggling with finding the appropriate jargon to use while filling out a client report. Paperwork is the bane of my existence.

It’s times like those when my thoughts flirt with dropping out and moving to, oh, I don’t know. Somewhere in the South Pacific where no one cares about what the glossopharyngeal nerve innervates or who should get Medicaid benefits or if you’ve filled out your therapy summary with the correct terminology.  ‘Course, since I tend to be inordinately practical (and very much in debt), those thoughts don’t last long. . .

On the top of my bookcase in my little studio apartment sits a picture from last semester, taken of us clinicians with the kiddos in our early literacy and language program. It’s a cute picture of our bright-eyed 4 and 5 year-olds, but to me it means a whole lot more than just that. Those kids were my first clients; they were the ones who taught me that I would love what I do. Like any children, they could be trantrum-y and snotty (both literally and figuratively), but when they “got” the concepts we worked so hard to teach them, when they threw their arms around me, when I saw their smiles and heard their belly giggles, I forgot about the downside of the job – the paperwork, the hard classes, the long-winded education laws. I just saw the kids.

I saw the good moments.

So, that picture is an encouragement to me. Yes, there is a monotonous side to the work, but what job doesn’t have that? I look at those faces beaming up at me, and I recall the Lord’s leading me. To Milwaukee. To this school. To this profession. And not just to a profession – to a minstry to people for the glory of God.

Phil 3:14 “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (NAS)

Day 110

This is what the view from my hometown of Kijabe, Kenya looks like as I write this entry (thanks to the webcam that updates minute-ly):

I always loved watching storms move across the valley – there’s a fierce beauty in the sheets of rain and forboding clouds, a magnificient interplay between land and sky. It was truly a blessing to have had this as an “ordinary” part of life.

See for yourself at: http://kijabe.org/cgi-bin/longocam.cgi

Onward.

Spiritual Vitamins for Believers, Part 9:

1. I am complete in Christ (Col. 2:10).
2. I am beloved of God (Col. 3:12; 2 Thess. 2:13).
3. I am disciplined by my Heavenly Father (Heb. 12:6-7).
4. I am part of that group that Christ is not ashamed to call His “brothers” and “friends” (Heb. 2:11; John 15:14-15).
5. I am a child of Abraham (Gal. 3:7).
6. I am Abraham’s seed (Gal. 3:29).
7. I enjoy the blessing of Abraham (Gal. 3:9).
8. I am a child of promise (Gal. 4:28,31).
9. I am a sheep in His flock (Luke 12:32; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 2:25).

Day 111

I noticed my feet. I glanced down, and there they were, as they have been for the past 26+ years, sitting (standing?) unassumingly at the end of my ankles. I stopped brushing and just stared at them staring back at me against their background of gray linoleum.

I usually don’t notice my feet – they are packaged in socks and shoes for most of the day and under my covers at night (or sticking out from the end of my blanket in the dark). To tell the truth, I only pay attention to them when they hurt, like last year when I had a bad bout of tendinitis in both of them at the same time. That was unpleasant.

But this morning they got noticed for no other reason than that they were there. They aren’t particularly good-looking feet, but as I considered them this morning with toothbrush in hand, I realized how amazing they are. They uncomplainingly carry me around campus at the rate of five miles a day. Ever since I started walking at the ripe old age of 22 months, it’s been these two feet that have transported me up and down mountains, along dirt paths and grassy fields and concrete sidewalks in cities and towns and little villages around the world. They have hiked, skipped, run, walked, and stumbled. They have been scratched, bruised, strained, blistered, calloused, impaled with thorns, and one of my ten toes has been broken. Yet they faithfully carry on. Pun very much intended.

In case you can’t tell, today I am very grateful for my feet. Thank you, Lord, for your wonderful design. 

Onward.

Spiritual Vitamins for Believers, Part 8:

1. I have been called with a holy calling (2 Tim. 1:9).
2. I am a partaker of the high, heavenly calling (Phil. 3:14; Heb. 3:1).
3. I have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Pet. 2:9).
4. God foreknew me (Rom. 8:29; 1 Pet. 1:2).
5. God predestined me to be conformed to Christ’s image (Rom. 8:29; Eph. 1:5,11).
6. I have already been glorified according to God’s mind and purpose (Rom. 8:30).
7. I am eternally secure in God’s love (Rom. 8:38-39).
8. I am chosen in Christ (Eph. 1:4; Col. 3:12; 1 Thess. 1:4; 1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 17:14).
9. I am complete in Christ (Col. 2:10).

Day 112

No, he really didn’t say that. Today’s Office (mis)quote by the venerable Mr. Scott is in honor of the 145th anniversary of the Battle of Glorieta Pass, which took place on 28 March 1862 in New Mexico.

Who knew the Civil War stretched all the way to New Mexico? Not me – you learn something new every day.

A total of 4300 troops fought at Glorieta Pass; the losses included 38 Union dead, 36 Confederate dead, and a combined 134 wounded, according to history.com. The Yanks emerged victorious over the invading Rebels, who were driven from New Mexico for good in June of that year.

I never knew about the Battle of Glorieta Pass until today. Still, I’m thankful for those men who fought and died for our freedom in this small battle in a great war.

Onward.

Spiritual Vitamins for Believers, Part 7:

1. Christ is in me (John 14:20; Col. 1:27; Rom. 8:10; 1 John 4:4).6
2. The Spirit of God dwells (John 6:56; Gal. 2:20; 1 John 3:24; 4:12-16).
3. My “earthen vessel” houses a great Treasure (2 Cor. 4:7).
4. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19).
5. I have been blessed with the gift and pledge of the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 1:22; Gal. 4:6; Eph. 1:13-14; 1 Thess. 4:8; Tit. 3:6; 1 John 3:24; 4:13).
6. I have an anointing from the Holy One (1 John 2:20,27).
7. I am one of the “called” of Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:6; 8:28-30; Jude 1; Rev. 17:14).
8. I have been called unto the fellowship of God’s Son (1 Cor. 1:9).
9. I have been called unto eternal glory (1 Pet. 5:10).

Day 113

I’ve don’t think I’ve ever been the best at anything I’ve ever done. Not the best student, not the best actress, not the best poet, not the best clinician, not anybody’s best friend. I have done all right in school (going on 19 years of schooling now – I’m about ready to be done), I love acting and writing, I enjoy working with people in clinic, I have several very close friends. Still, I really don’t stand out in a crowd. I’m pretty normal. And you know what? I like that. I have a niche in ordinariness.

The danger of being ordinary though, is that one is easily fooled into wallowing in mediocrity. I can put my life on cruise control and just slide along. That’s not good. I can glorify God in my appropriate ordinariness. I will not bring him glory when I am merely mediocre.

Onward.

Spiritual Vitamins for Believers, Part 6:

1. I am to the praise of His glory (Eph. 1:6,12).
2. I am light in the Lord (Eph. 5:8).
3. I am a child of light (Eph. 5:8; 1 Thess. 5:5).
4. I am a “peculiar person,” even God’s special, purchased possession (Tit. 2:14; 1 Pet.2:9).
5. I am a priest who can offer spiritual sacrifices (Heb. 13:15-16; 1 Pet. 2:5,9; Rev. 1:6; 5:10;20:6).
6. I am a king who will reign (Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6).
7. I am privileged to have fellowship with the Father and with the Son (1 John 1:3).
8. I dwell in Christ (John 6:56; 1 John 3:24; 4:13,15,16).
9. Christ dwells in me (John 6:56; Gal. 2:20; 1 John 3:24; 4:12-16).
10. I am in Christ (John 14:20; 2 Cor. 5:17).

Day 114

I love it – we’re barely into spring, and God decides to plunk a couple days of summer down for us. Yesterday was beautiful. Today’s even better. Tomorrow, we’re getting rain and a quick cool-down. But I don’t care.

Right now it’s sunny. It’s 66 degrees at 9 AM. It’s no-jacket weather. It’s a gift from “the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow”(James 1:7). He is good.

Life is good.

———–

Spiritual Vitamins for Believers, Part 5:

1. I am rich because of Christ (2 Cor. 8:9; Rev. 2:9).
2. I am blessed with every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3).
3. I have obtained an inheritance (Eph. 1:11,14; Heb. 1:14; 9:15; 1 Pet. 1:4).
4. I have been appointed to obtain salvation (1 Thess. 5:9; Heb. 1:14).
5. I am His inheritance (Eph. 1:18).
6. I am a partaker of His promise in Christ by the gospel (Eph. 3:6).
7. I am a new creature (creation) in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:10; 4:24; Col. 3:10).
8. I have been renewed by the Holy Spirit (Tit. 3:5).
9. I am accepted and highly favored in the Beloved One (Eph. 1:6; cf. Matt. 3:17).
10. I have been seated in heavenly places with Christ (Eph. 2:6).

Day 115

Feeling small is a good thing. I wish I recognized more often that I am merely “a hairy little biped on a speck of cosmic dust”. A speaker I heard at a conference described us that way, and it stuck with me as an excellent description of what humans are. It is humbling. I have a hard time feeling proud when I have a correct perspective of me: little, insignificant me.

And to think that the God who created this universe of which I am such a minuscule part cares about me – my head can’t understand that. My words fall flat.

Ways to feel small:

1.Take a look at some galaxies (photographed by the Hubble Telescope). No these aren’t stars – these are galaxies. Makes our little Milky Way seem small . . . and there are billions of galaxies. For more amazing pictures, do a Google image search for “galaxies”. It’s quite stunning.

2. Climb a mountain.

3. Watch a sunset.

4. Watch a sunset on a mountain.

5. Stand at the edge of the ocean. I recommend the Indian Ocean off the coast of Kenya, but then, I’m just biased.

6. Watch a lightning storm.

7. Read this:

Isaiah 40:12-31 (NAS) Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, And marked off the heavens by the span, And calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, And weighed the mountains in a balance And the hills in a pair of scales? . . . ¹⁵ Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, And are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales; Behold, He lifts up the islands like fine dust. . . ¹⁷ All the nations are as nothing before Him, They are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless. ¹⁸ To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare with Him? . . .²¹ Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? ²² It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. . . .²⁵ “To whom then will you liken Me That I would be his equal?” says the Holy One. ²⁶ Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, Not one of them is missing.

There’s an estimated 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars in the universe, according to NASA. And our God calls them ALL by name.

Wow.

Thank you, Lord.

Day 116

He calls up the info desk looking for a master’s thesis. Unsure of the title. Not certain how to spell author’s name. But it has something to do with a semiconductor.

“Couldn’t you just do a keyword search for ‘semiconductor’ in the catalog?”

“Sure I can, but I’m just letting you know, sir, there’ll be a lot of results.”

“That’s OK.”

I dutifully type in “semiconductor”.

“Sir, there are 977 results for ‘semiconductor’ in our catalog.”

“Well, at least we narrowed it down.” He sounds genuinely pleased.

In my mind, I’m laughing. Yes, yes we did, sir. After all, we started with 1.4 million books and have ended up with a mere thousand. Needless to say, the conversation eventually ends with the conclusion that the patron might need just a tad more information in order to find the thesis.

Such is a moment in “the wonderful world of reference”, as my boss calls it.

Onward.

Believers’ “Spiritual Vitamins”, Part 4

1. I am a son of God (Gal. 4:5-7).
2. I belong to Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:29; 5:24).
3. I have been adopted (Gal. 4:5; Rom. 8:15,23).
4. I am an heir of God and joint-heir with Christ (Rom. 8:17; Tit. 3:7).
5. I am an heir of the grace of life (1 Pet. 3:7).
6. All things are mine (1 Cor. 3:21-23).
7. I possess all things (2 Cor. 6:10).
8. I will inherit all things (Rev. 21:7).
9. I am enriched by Christ in everything (1 Cor. 1:5; 2 Cor. 9:11).
10. I am a fellow heir (Eph. 3:6).

Day 117

Yes, somewhere in India this is taking place. So, if you ate the cow’s beef, what would that taste like? (The carnivorous cow is most likely safe from such a fate, considering the country in which it resides.)

Still, it could give a whole new meaning to “tastes like chicken”. . .

Onward.

Believers’ “Spiritual Vitamins” Part 3:

1. I am redeemed through His blood (1 Pet. 1:18,19; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14).
2. I am redeemed from the curse of the law (Gal. 3:13).
3. I am redeemed from all lawlessness (Titus 2:14).
4. I am bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23).
5. I am delivered from so great a death (2 Cor. 1:10).
6. I have been delivered from this present evil world or age (Gal. 1:4).
7. I have been delivered from the power of darkness (Col. 1:13).
8. I have been delivered from the wrath to come (1 Thess. 1:10).
9. I will not come into condemnation or judgment (John 5:24; Rom. 8:1).
10. I am a child of God (John 1:12; Rom. 8:16; Gal. 3:26; 1 John 3:1,2).

Day 118

I’m not big into basketball, college or otherwise – I’ll go to a Bucks game and enjoy it thoroughly, but I don’t follow the sport like I do baseball or football. This is in spite of the fact that I attend basketball-crazed Marquette.

Then March Madness rolls around and it all changes. I find myself rooting as if my life depended on it for teams like Virginia Commonwealth and Long Beach State. It has nothing to do with brackets – it’s all about the underdog. Like George Mason last year. Like UNLV tomorrow. Unfortunately, not like Marquette. We lost in the first round this year. Again.

The same thing happens with the World Cup – last summer I scheduled my breaks at work for times when the games were coming down to the wire so I could go upstairs and catch the last few minutes on the big screen. “Let’s go Trinidad and Tobago!” “Let’s go Angola!” Only once every four years am I this into soccer, at least until all the underdogs are eliminated. I watch exclusively for the upset. France and Italy in the final? Snooze. Unless you like France or Italy, of course.

Sometimes I have to break my rules and cheer for good ol’ number one. Grandpa’s got me rooting for Kansas, his alma mater. But if they meet the Runnin’ Rebels or the Butler Bulldogs, I’m definitely going to be torn.

Onward.

Ten more “spiritual vitamins”. These taste great!

1. My sins have been taken away (John 1:29; Heb. 9:26; 1 John 3:5).
2. My sins have been completely purged (Heb. 1:3).
3. My sins will never be remembered by God (Heb. 8:12; 10:17).
4. I have been washed (1 Cor. 6:11; Tit. 3:5; Rev. 1:5).
5. I will walk with Christ in white (Rev. 3:4-5).
6. I have been healed by His wounds (1 Pet. 2:24).
7. I have been forgiven all trespasses (Col. 2:13; 1 John 2:12).
8. I have been fully justified (Rom. 4:5; 8:30; 1 Cor. 6:11; Gal. 2:16; Tit. 3:7).
9. I am reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:18-19; Col. 1:20).
10. I am made nigh by the blood of Christ (Eph. 2:13).

Day 119

This phrase was inadvertently coined by my co-studier late last night as we pored over our notes for an 8 AM fluency disorder test. She meant to say “borderline stuttering”, one of the stages in developmental stuttering, but it came out a little wrong.

Here is the official definition of this new term from Katie’s Inexhaustive Dictionary of the English Language:

bor-der-line stud-y-ing v. 1. the act of studying while watching the NCAA basketball tournament (and anything else on television), instant messaging with friends, or listening to Sean Hannity rail against liberals. 2. the act of studying when one is so exhausted from one’s extraordinarily long day that one reads the same sentence out loud five times and it still confuses one. 3. any studying done when one’s full attention is not on the topic in need of being studied.

Example: “Man, I really did bad on that test. Must’ve been from all my borderline studying.”

Onward.

There’s a great collection of “spiritual vitamins” out there compiled by George Zeller that is entitled “215 Things That Are True of Me Now That I Am Saved.” It’s incredibly encouraging for a believer in Christ to meditate on these truths, as they capture different nuances of our infinite salvation and Savior. They are exclusively for those who have trusted Christ alone for salvation; they are not true of unbelievers. Here are the first 10 (more to come):

1. My salvation is fully accomplished (John 19:30).
2. I have eternal life as a present possession (John 5:24; 6:47; 1 John 5:11-13).
3. I have Jesus Christ as my present possession (1 John 5:12).
4. I know the one, true God (John 17:3; 1 John 2:3; 5:20).
5. I have been saved by His grace (Eph. 2:1-10).
6. I have been justified by His grace (Tit. 3:7).
7. I have passed from death unto life (John 5:24; 1 John 3:14).
8. I have been made alive by God (Eph. 2:1,5; Col. 2:13).
9. I have been made fit for heaven (Col. 1:12).
10. I have the forgiveness of sins (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14).

Day 120

My professor from India was talking about his country and the people who go selling vegetables door-to-door (this anecdote was shared during our class on neuromuscular disorders – go figure). It reminded me of our vegetable ladies back home. They are some of the hardest-working people you’ll ever come across, making their living by carrying massive bags of potatoes and spinach and bananas and mangoes up and down the hills around our town for hours every Tuesday and Saturday. I haven’t thought about these ladies for a long time. Funny how a single mention of something can bring back such a flood of memories, especially of one veggie lady  – Cucu (pronounced “show-show”; it means “grandma” in Kikuyu) – the wizened tiny feisty woman who carried what seemed to be the biggest sack of produce. Mom could never turn her down – even if she’d already gotten everything on her list, she would buy some bananas or a head of lettuce – something. I think about Cucu and I can’t help but smile.

So thanks, Dr. Bhatnagar, for bringing up this happy memory in the midst of power point slides on ALS and myasthenia gravis.

Onward.

I had a prayer answered today.

The answer to my request was “no”.

Am I OK with that? Yes, I am. I asked specifically, God answered specifically. Since “no good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly”(Psalm 84:11 NAS), I can trust that what I requested was not a good thing for me at this time.

“For I know whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.”

Day 121

It’s spring tomorrow at 7:07 PM Central time, which brings up an interesting thought – why do Marquette and many other schools have spring break entirely in winter (i.e. last week)? Maybe it should be renamed “late winter break”. The terminology loses a little bit of it’s zing, but it’s also a little more accurate, especially since we in Wisconsin are predisposed to getting massive snow storms around that time.

At any rate, it’s spring tomorrow, and this baseball-starved girl is looking forward to 3 PM today when the Brewers take on the Cubs on Channel 41. Am I a big Brewers fan? Not really. Do I usually cheer on the Cubbies? No. But it’s baseball. Again. Finally. This can mean but one thing:

Did I mention that it’s SPRING tomorrow?

Onward.

2 Chron 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that he may strongly support those whose heart is completely his. (NAS)

There it is in 2nd Chronicles – a great nugget of truth and encouragement. The Lord is here to “strongly support” us as we respond to him with our whole heart. That’s a great motivation to serve the Lord – we have nothing to lose and only his strong, faithful support to gain.

Day 122

Yesterday, two of my dear friends got engaged. It was an event that was very well planned out by the groom-to-be, starting with a mini-play acted out by believers from church with very fake British accents and crazy names. (I was Katie the Exuberant. Nah, that doesn’t fit at all . . .well . . . um . . . maybe a little . . . sometimes . . .)

Although we weren’t actually there for the moment when Jeff got down on one knee and asked Caroline to marry him (and she said “yes”), it was still an honor to have a small role in that once-in-a-lifetime event. These are the moments to treasure – for them, of course – but also for us as onlookers. In the impending marriage of believers who are walking with the Lord, we can catch a glimpse of the love that Christ has for his bride, the church. 

“And when in scenes of glory/We sing the new, new song/’Twill be the old, old story/That I have loved so long.”

In that wonderful forever, we’ll never stop singing of his incredible love for us.