A Sunday Afternoon Post

Today was my last day teaching 2nd grade. It was a great blessing to see some of the impact the Lord has given me with the children. I've been with my 2nd graders for two years, so Ive seen some of them just grow and mature. I've been blessed to have earned the respect of most of them after many months work. I am going to miss them SO much - I know many of them are not saved and I just feel a burden to see them come to Christ. I hope some day some of them will come to me and tell their testimonies of God's salvation. I do trust that my Father will grant salvation to some of them. What a blessed day it will be to hear the work of my Lord in their lives. Maybe in a year, maybe in five years, maybe when I'm much older. It saddens me so much to not be able to teach them the Word, but I have great hope that the Spirit that causes change and growth is going to work!



My kids are so dear to me, I've been so blessed to have taught them for so long. We often think of serving as doing things for God, as blessing others. But, the Lord has used my service in teaching these kids to bless me so abundantly! In being faithful to serve each Sunday Ive seen the Lord give grace to persevere and provide energy. In being faithful to discipline the children when its hard Ive seen the Lord change hearts through his Word. Life is difficult, life is hard, adults are caught up in the worries of today. The business and academic world are abstact and brutal. But kids are honest, kids are joyful, kids are forgiving. What an amazing joy its been to work with them! I have learned so much through having to teach the Word almost every week. Studying Scripture to teach, meditating and praying for the lessons has taught me so much about the Lord and about his works. I've been challenged, convicted, and encouraged by the lessons I've had to prepare. God has so faithfuly used the Word to work in my own life as I've sought to share it with my kids.

I will now be helping out with leadership in kids ministry. When I announced to my class that I'd be leaving the classroom to help oversee the ministry my little brother Jared stood up and gave me a fist bump and said, 'That's awesome Mr. Matt, be a leader.' I was encouraged by that. I won't get to interact with the kids much, but hopefully what I will be doing will impact many of their lives. And eternal impact is what's important.

Had lunch with my brother. We just spent a good time talking about the future and life. Life is busy, life is now. But, God is with us today and gives so much grace always! It was good to be encouraged by his example of steadfastness, perseverence, prayer, love. I am very, very thankful for my brother. I am truly blessed by the Lord to have a friend who offers encouragement based on the Word, who loves in Christ, and whose main desire is to see the Lord honored with his life.

To finish... work hard for the glory of Christ! What we do today has eternal consequences. May the Lord bring salvation to the kids who are lost, and bring maturity to those who are saved!

In the Beginning of the End

Well, two weeks down.

Its been quite a while since I've posted here. About 8 months. Wow, no one is probably checking anymore, but I thought I'd write anyway.

I finished my second week of what will, Lord willing, be my last semester in grad school. Its going to crazy. About 75 books, 2 extremely difficult tests, and a multitude of ariticles, papers, and assignments. So far this has been a very awesome semester of homework, though. haha! I'm taking classes on modern German history, Byzantium, nineteenth century world, and taking my tests in modern American and Soviet. In each I get to look at church history! Its so incredible! In what seems like such a field dominated by secular interests I have seen Christ honored in each of my classes in readings. German: God's providence in the translation of the Bible into the vernacular, and the rediscovery of Biblical salvation. Byzantine: despite the hypocracy and blaspheme of the time, the Lord still honored his name in various ways. World: I get to write a paper on English missionaries in South Africa, New Zealand, China, and India. In my research I'm reading 1800s journals of missionaries seeing the mighty hand of God working to bring children to himself. Soviet: the good old Soviets tried to kill god. They failed. God is alive and powerful. Modern US: I get to study church history from 1865-present. Despite the liberal theology that has grasped our faith today and despite the arguement that there are more atheists and less believers - God has preserved his church and true believers through each and every generation.

I think of Eph 3: Now to him who is able to do far more adundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work in us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Oh the blessings of studying history! Who can claim that it is dull? It is the workings of our great God who is constantly revealing himself to generation after generation of those saved by grace. History is not fatalistic - it has an ending. Its ending is the complete glorification of our Lord Jesus Christ!

In church I am moving towards ministry towards teachers instead of the children. As of today I will no longer be teaching regularily. Oh, I had a blessed 'last' day of teaching! God is good! My children asked me some amazing questions, and God gave me wisdom and passion to answer their questions. We talked on the giving of the Word, the preservation of the Word, the humility of Christ, and the judgment in the end days and the glory that will given to Christ! Kind of broad, but the Spirit was moving the lessons along so well. I have seldom seen the children ask questions like today, and I have seldom had verses and answers come to powerfully. God was at work today! We made palm branches in class to act out the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem. My brothers and sisters reading this - please ponder how utterly amazing it will be to honor Christ in all his majesty when he returns!

There have been trials and hardships this month, the rejection of Christ by several of my friends, sickness, business. But, God is a faithful fortress and shield and a help and a rock to those that run to him! Psalm 18.

Solo deo gloria.

Glorious and Mighty

There’s a newer song by Sovereign Grace that I have come to love this week. Its called “Glorious and Mighty.” Part of it goes:

Majesty, Your glory is shining
Brighter than the moon and the stars
Marveling, we honor and fear You
Above all gods

Glorious and mighty, You’re awesome in beauty
Joyful songs we raise
Glorious and mighty, You’re awesome in beauty
Greatly to be praised

The song is simple, only three verses. But all point to the glorious God revealed in Scripture. Glorious and mighty He is! This week I’ve been struck by the theme in this song in mainly two ways.

One, He is mighty. I am but weak! Last week I got little sleep (paper time…) and I’ve been extremely tired and weak the last few days. I’ve seen just how little energy I posses when I stand alone, but what strength there is to be found in God. I’ve worked my longest week in several months, given a presentation at school, and God has provided enough strength to get me through both. There’s a verse, in Corinthians I believe, that says to be reminded that the power which raised Christ from the dead is at work in us sanctifying us today! Now, I can’t fathom how much power God possesses to raise Christ (and create the world and sustain it!), but I believe that I can trust my Lord to provide the strength to love Him, obey Him, fear Him. Its sometimes easy to see God provide the power to get us physically through a day – I can say ‘gee, I couldn’t have done that work without God’s help.’ Its harder to remember that it is only by God’s mighty sanctifying hand that I can be made into His Son’s image. Or, possibly to remember that God is mighty and working. Its so sad, but its true. My sinful heart wants to think that I deserve the credit for obedience, or love, or discipline. But, I do all things because of Christ! Do I remember how mighty my God is? Stand before a mountain and be humbled – God spoke it into existence. And that is just but one mountain! I stand amazed at the transforming power of Christ in the lives of the believers around me and in my life. God’s power is incredible.

Two, something I was hit with today is that God is above all gods. I’ve been stressed lately, and I think much of my stress comes from putting my trust in myself or others. All people are sinners, and therefore have the potential of letting me down. I am a sinner, and I let myself down. But God, He is infinitely perfect and glorious! I always laugh at the foolish Israelites, they carved wood figures and then worshipped them. Stupid huh? But, I do the same thing! I create gods and worship them over the true King. Sinful, yes? Disobedience = sin. I don’t think I pause enough to remember that when I don’t seek and love the Lord will all my heart I am being disobedient. How easy it is to throw idols this way and that and arrange them on the table of life. But, they eventually disappoint, they will never please. While I look at my pretty idols my heart is not really content, it wants to worship the Lord. My Sunday School lesson for tomorrow is on King Solomon’s disobedience. Ouch. The Lord has a gracious way of convicting! I praise the Lord that he shows us our sin, because if He didn’t reveal it, I’d never know I am such need of Him! Psalm 103 says, ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity.’ O, may my soul not turn to idols but praise the living God!

Easter Weekend

So, I had a great weekend.

Thursday I spent about 8 hours at the Central Library in downtown Los Angeles. Probably one of my favorite places in LA next to the LACMoA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) and Walt Disney Music Hall. Found so many great resources for my papers on Robert Service (a Soviet historian) and the 1916 Kazakh Revolt. Went to a concert of Mozart's Reqium... beautiful. Fun day with my roommate Andre.

Friday I helped out the children's pastor at church. I have come to really respect the man... he's got a huge heart for the children and a passion to see the parents actively involved in their children's relationship with the Lord. Had lunch with he and his wife... so fun. Went to the Good Friday service at PBC. Then, went to Olive Garden with my best friend. Had a blast, then watched 'Blood Diamond.' He's an MK from SA, so he has an interesting insight into things African. Went back to my college days... and stayed up talking with him until 3am! haha. So nice, though! Miss living with some of my bros...

Sunday I went to G-Com with a friend for their sunrise service. Good traditional service. Then 'taught' the 2 year olds... hilarious. They are so different from my 1st and 2nd graders! Went to a pastor's house and got to fellowship with my old discipler and some really amazing people. A real blessing! Great to be at a home since I could not be at mine. Went to another family's home, and had a nice time. Then, had my two Josh's over for dinner. Love those guys. It was so nice to spend the day with my family in Christ! I missed my own, but was thankful that I'm not alone here in SoCal.

Today I had fun at Baja Fresh with Josh and Stephen. Fun to be with them both! Don't get to be with both of them together much any more... it reminded me of old times. One told me that he wished i was still in Hotchkiss... I really do miss living with a few of my brothers. But, I'm thankful for where the Lord is taking me. Maybe i'll get to live with some of them in the future.

Well, I'm stalling from writing my papers... so until later... praise Jesus for the grace He gives abundantly to those who call upon him. He gives much joy and peace when we delight and trust in Him! how amazing is that!

Your Righteousness is like the Mighty Mountains

I was blessed to spend two days up in Bishop with two of my best friends this weekend. I had never been to the Eastern Sierra's... wow... what a beautiful area! Driving into Owen's Valley and into Bishop was incredible. I saw a peek of Mt. Whitney's peak! After being surrounded by crowded San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys... it was such a blessing to escape and go to the mountains with some dear brothers.

The mountains get above 12,000' ... that's about triple the size of Mt. Diablo! These mountains are magnificent... and its so incredible to think about how the Lord spoke them each into existence! God's power is amazing, yes? I think of the Psalm,
"Your Love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your judgments like the great deep. Man and beast You save, O God."

We bouldered at the base of the mountains, at the Buttermilks. What amazing scenery to climb in front of! I hadn't been bouldering in over a year, but it was so much fun! I got a few boulders and it was quite a blast! Had a great time being with my buddies and talking, chilling and reading. Had a sweet time talking to my good friend on the way back home.

Today had church - main service was on God's omnipotence. Was a beautiful match to this weekend's experience. Pastor Scott talked about God's power in speaking into existence all of creation, and how we should praise Him for that awesome power! In Sunday school I got to teach the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ! Got so pumped up to share the Gospel with my kids! Oh, I love them so much, it is so humbling and exciting to share the power of God to my kids! It is so incredible to share Christ!

Sunday Reflections

So I haven’t updated here in a very long time. Too long, probably no one reads this anymore. But I just had a day that was a true blessing from the Lord and thought I’d write about it.

Started off with a prayer meeting at church at 7am. Then, a sermon by one of the missionaries my church supports from Uganda. Great! On what God desires in His servants: a humble and contrite spirit, and a trembling at His Word. Oh, how do I need to grow in each of those areas!

Helped with 1st and 2nd grade. Such a blessing to be with my kids. Love them to death. Had to talk to a kid about loving God and obedience. I’m not I ever realized how hard it was to discipline until recently. Growing up you always think teachers and parents are annoyed and even angry sometimes when they have to discipline. I never really realized that discipline stemmed from great love and a desire to see a person honor God. It’s been a cool challenge to learn that.

Did the ‘coordinating’ for 3rd service. Talked to one man. He told me his mom’s testimony: his mom’s sister had picked up some tracks from a church, brought them home and left them at his mom’s place. The man’s aunt was not saved, but had just gotten the tracks for no real reason. The man’s mom read the tracks, read the New Testament, and God called her to Himself! What a glorious testament to the amazing work of God!! Had three of my lil buds help me out. Funny times.

Then, this week it was one of my best friend’s birthday and his sister’s as well. So, an amazing family in the church invited the three of us over to celebrate their birthdays. I teach their youngest son in my Sunday school class and have taught two of their other kids. What a blessing to hang with a family, and their family provides such a godly joyful example as well! So much fun! Seriously, I love them so very much. So great to celebrate the life of my friend. Love him so much – God has blessed me with a great brother.

Heard the testimony of a pillar couple in our church. Found out that she was saved when she was 35 and he at 37. They almost divorced and were having a bad marriage. But, God being rich in his mercy, called them to Himself and restored their relationship with Him and built up an amazing relationship with each other. God is good! At night church got to sing with one of my Sunday school kids. So encouraging. He was so excited to sing ‘Blessed Assurance.’ What blessed assurance do we have that in Christ we are justified and will be glorified with Him one day! Amen.

SoCal Fires

Well, there is a big fire near where I live. I can see flames reaching over the mountains several miles from where I am. But, compared to last years 'ring of fire' surrounding SCV, this really doesn't hit my hometown as much. This Sylmar Fire is a devasting one, but thankfully, at this time, it does not appear to be heading towards me. The fire is to the south of me, located on either side of the I-5 where the 14, 210, and 118 converge. Pray for those that are being affected by it! This fire is a massive one, and the winds are ridiculous right now.

Snipets of Grace

So I don't have one 'big' thing to write about. Instead I'll write about little things the Lord encouraged me this week. Some aren't that little actually...

1) Got to serve at the Fall Festival at my church. I worked with my 1st and 2nd graders. It was such a joy to play a bunch of crazy games with them and have them cheer me on during the leader competitions (I won the whipped cream eating contest...)! It was a bit of a shock helping out with the 1st and 2nd graders in August... now those kids have become so dear to me. One drew a picture of me today and gave it me... the picture is complete with thick rimmed glasses! haha.

2) A dear friend of mine had a friend of his saved! Praise the Lord! I got teary hearing him tell of God's amazing grace. My friend not even a year ago was not walking with the Lord. In the Spring he came to me and confessed much sin, and I realized that God had worked mightly in his life that day. I knew that the change that was taking place in his life was only by God's good grace. Now, my friend was telling me about his friend getting saved and how excited he was to see God work in someone who he never expected God to work in! What an amazing thing it is to see the cycle of grace. My friend who normally has little emotion over anything was borderline giddy when he told me about his friend's salvation. A year ago today my friend would have never been excited about the Lord or His work... now thanks to God's work in his life he is rejoicing over our Lord's work! Amen!

3) An older gentleman delievered some paint from another store to my job on Saturday. He was a very joyful fellow. When I signed my name on the delivery ticket he mentioned that my name was a biblical name. I smiled and said 'yes, Matthew was a tax collector but was saved.' He smiled wide and said to have a blessed day. I thought how cool it was to be encouraged by a brother in Christ. He was old, African American, and I had never met him before... but my brother encouraged me that hour. We didn't need anything in common, we have Christ already.

4) I've gotten to enjoy much good fellowship with my roommates, a dear friend, and my brothers and sisters in Christ. My time spent with some of them is short, but what a joy my time is with them!

5) Sunday night dinners continue to be an encouragement to me! Tonight was no exception. It's such an amazing blessing to have fellowship with my dear brothers and sisters.

6) I got to have lunch with a very godly couple, Micah and Molly. What amazing examples of Christ's love, service, and encouragement.

Its 9:42pm

I'm not really sure what I want to say.

I'm in one of those moods where you want to write, but there's not one thing that shouts 'write about me'!

Life is interesting. Nothing 'big' is happening, but the Lord is revealing to me what it means to live a 'normal' life. Gone are the days of college, and now working life becomes more real. I love school so much it seems strange not to have it. Life in college can be so simple... its more a challenge to get involved in others lives, to serve, to stay in and study the Word, to seek fellowship... and yet all those things are possible by God's grace. It's just a different challenge to do those things when you're in the real world.

I miss NorthCreek, but I am beginning to love Placerita more and more. I am torn between two amazing churches where people love God so much. I am blessed to teach the 1st and 2nd graders on Sunday morning (this week's lesson: Joshua and the battle of Jericho!), Awana on Wednesday, and be involved in different bible studies - one on 1 Corinthians and one on 2nd Corinthians!

Well, that's all for trying to blab tonight. Hopefully my thoughts will be more cohesive later!

Fall Thing

Last night was Fall Thing. A group of 6 of us went out to a Chinese Resturant before and had a blast, and then had the party in Echo Park, and then went to Denny's afterwards. I should write something about life, but I'll wait a couple more days when I'm not exhuasted! haha.

It's Been Awhile...

So I'm not sure if anyone reads this anymore. Summer rushed by with its typical craziness and somehow I have not signed in here in almost 2 months.

I am now living back down in SoCal, just a few blocks from where I attended college. I am attending and serving at the same church I went to during my time here. This year I will be teaching 1st&2nd grade on Sunday mornings and 4th-6th grades for Awanas. I haven't really worked with either age group exclusively before, so it should be a fun challenge and joy to serve those children!

I learned a lot over the summer... maybe I'll do a fun little history blog about it sometime soon. But for now I had something different in mind.

I have been in SoCal for two weeks as of today and just wanted to reflect on those two weeks a smigen. Working (almost) fulltime has shown me a more complete picture of what the 'real world' is and how desperately it needs Christ. Seeing customers and co-workers so far from Christ is a bit of a jolt to my system. The 'Master's Bubble' does exist, and I don't think its necessarily a bad thing - God taught me so much in that environment, but bursting somewhat out of that bubble I've seen the wretched state of a world opposed to Christ more fully.

Doing delivers for my job all over the LA county I see a lot of sin being proclaimed as a respite from worries and cares. Sex, booze, and wealth are the selling points for businesses. City life is different than old suburbia... the sins of both might be the same but city life proclaims its sins on billboards.

I've been thinking a lot about sin and how we interact with it, comfront it, deal with it. I've haven't come to absolute conclusions on everything just yet, but i think understanding the nature and severity of sin helps us as Christians understand the culture around us that hates the Lord. When people swear, act angrily, act loose, or whatever actions offend us... its good to be reminded that those people are not beyond the reaches of God's glorious gospel. God came to save the sinners not the righteous! Its the sinners who need His message of salvation. When people swear against our Lord we should not be surprised... those whom the Holy Spirit has not regenerated cannot do any good. The people that steal, lie, cheat... we were those people before God opened our hearts to his grace!

People seemed surprised by sin. My coworkers always complain that the world has gone down the tubes since their childhood. Has it? Has the world gotten worse? Why are people surprised that politicians aren't trustworthy, that other nations war against each other, that theives break in and steal, that crime seems rampant? Do we not understand the severity and awful digusting vile sin that has corrupted our very nature! NO we are not a good human race, NO we are not kind, loving, unselfish. Man is wicked. Read the histories of Germany, Russia, Darfur, Serbia, China, Japan... the men who committed countless atrocious acts were no different than the gentleman who lives across the street! Sin is devastating, far more awful than most people realize.

But praise be to God that he sent His only Son to die for our sin! Oh what wretched creatures we are, and yet how powerful is His love and grace!! I want to worship and cry out praises to His name for His love is higher than we can ever understand. Oh that our world would only fall to their knees in repentance and humbless and confess their sins to the One who grants forgiveness. He gives grace beyond measure to those that trust in His holy name.

Wednesday Afternoon

I just off the phone with one of my good friends. It was great to catch up with him and hear about what is going on in his life. As the conversation closed, we talked a little bit about going through trials.

Earlier today I was reading through MacArthur's commentary on James. James 1.2-10 says, "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. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf on the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away. Blessed is a man who preservers under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."

That's kind of a long passage right there, but it's all great truth. MacArthur lists several great things about going through trials; they strengthen our faith, they humble us, wean us from depending on earthly things, call us to a heavenly hope, reveal what we love, teach us to value God's blessings, and they teach us to comfort others in trials. He also talked about how we should respond to trials; with a joyful attitude, an understanding mind, a submissive will, a believing heart, and a humble spirit.

The last response was echoed by my friend when i was talking to him. He asked me how i was doing and wanted to hear how i was growing in the Lord through the trial. My friend is going through a trial, too, and he reminded me of the need to be humble. We are to be humble before the Lord in a trial, and be humble before others as we care for their needs above ours (Philippians 2). While life can seem hard, I have friends who have lost their jobs, friends who can't find jobs, friends who are struggling with disconentment, friends who are having trouble paying for school, friends whose parents are dying. We all don't necessarily understand what it is like to experience those things, but we all have experienced God's abundant grace in our own circumstances. God gives us the strength to endure trials, and He gives us the strength to love and care for others even in our trils. Its so easy to be selfcentered and selfish. Praise the Lord for his grace to perserve and for his grace to make us more like His loving Son.

Reflections on Grace

I haven’t updated for 3 weeks! Time is flying by so much faster than I realized it would.
I have enjoyed being home: gotten to hang out with some friends, worked on my 30-page senior history paper, read 3 books, gone dancing once, hung out with my family, went on a ridiculous day trip to 10 cities, hiked from peak to peak on Mt. Diablo, … and gotten to keep in touch with my beloved Hotchkissians.

Earlier this week I read one of my favorite passages in the Bible: John 1.

I wish I could write about the entire passage, but I’m just going to talk about a section of it. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. … And from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace.”

One, one of the phrases that always sticks out to me is that Christ is full of “grace and truth.”

Two, that from Christ’s fullness we have received “grace upon grace.”

I decided to mull around my reference books to get some background on these passages. What I found was encouraging, so I thought I’d share. Truth is what accords with reality. Truth is not abstract, but revealed in the actual person of Christ. He is truth because he is the revelation of God. Boice said truth “did not come to the world through philosophy or through any other form of human speculation. Truth came into the world through Jesus Christ.” That’s just astonishing to me whenever I think about it. Christ, the Logos, is truth. In him there is no falsehood. Christ revealed in the Scriptures is true. Amen! And Christ was full of grace.

Because of man’s sinfulness we do not deserve anything from God. We deserve to have awful, miserable lives. Yet God gives his children grace upon grace. I think even as Christians we forget how much the Lord blesses us with. As Christians we have peace with God. We are no longer enemies and under the wrath of God, we are no longer in bondage to sin, we have hope in Christ! If we lived in awful circumstances, yet knew Christ, could we complain? We’d have enough to forever sing praises. And yet the Lord gives us so much more than even that ultimate gift.

We’ve received grace upon grace.

I love how Verbrugge explains ‘upon’: it denotes a perpetual and rapid succession of blessings, as though there were no interval between the arrival of one blessing and the reception of the next. ‘Grace’: is poured out in overflowing fullness. MacArthur says grace is that ‘abundant supply [that] will never be exhausted or diminished; grace will continually follow grace in a limitless, never-ending flow.’

Ironside applies it: We are not called to live upon past experiences. Many of us remember when were first saved of the grace that was poured into our souls when that took place… but that is not our experience today. That was grace indeed, wondrous grace! What we have now should be grace against grace, grace following upon grace, all down through the years.

How apathetic can we become to grace. May it not be! As James says, every good gift is from above. Everything good is from our Father. How much do we have to be thankful for, how much grace are we showered with daily, hourly. Do we praise Him for his kindness, mercy, faithfulness, justice? Do we praise Him for fellowship with our fellow believers? Do we thank Him for his grace in covering our sins? Do we thank Him for answered prayer? Do we thank Him for his Word?

Psalm 86:8-13.
There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord; that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depth of Sheol.

If you know Him, praise Him.
If you don’t know Him, why do you not trust in the One who is full of all truth and grace?

50th Post - and last one from Hotchkiss

So, it's very late and I'm having trouble staying awake. But...

I just wanted to say what a blessing it has been to live in Hotchkiss and attend Master's. The Lord has taught me so much through my friends here and I leave Master's with a meloncholy heart. I am so excited to see where the Lord will take me soon, but I also am reflective on my time here. I have been shown so much grace while at Master's in so many ways - and to leave this context is a bit hard.

So, congrats to Tanner and Jimmy - my fellow HUB graduates, and all my other friends who have graduated tonight!

Wed-Thur-Fri

These past few days have been amazing. I've had a lot of fun and been blessed to see the Lord's grace in different areas very clearly.

On Wednesday I had my last lecture of my college career! So strange to be done with "class." I have one book report, a 30 page essay, and two finals, but that's it. That's all that left for me to do before I get my diploma! Crazy. Thankfully, my large paper won't be due for several more weeks. I also hang with my best friend and then chilled at Baskin Robbins with friends. Wednesday night I also got to see a friendship restored. It is so sweet to see a friendship restored by the Lord. I've seen it in five relationships this year at Masters, and everytime I have been so amazed at how the Lord works. He always works in a mighty way that I can't understand. It's been so humbling to see my brothers and sisters walk like Christ.

Yesterday I didn't have class, but kept busy somehow. Had homework, then lunch with Tanner and Beaks, coffee with Telle, took a friend on an errand, and then spent the rest of the day at the Keller's. I absolutely love Joe and his family. I can't begin to say what a blessing it was to spend time with them. Joe is such an example to me. It was so great to spend time cooking with them, hanging, running to the store. The Lord has taught me so much through Joe, and it was a blessing to be able to spend time with him before I leave Masters. I think Hotchkiss/Placerita Baptist/Joe are the three things I'll miss the most about being here.

Today I went to my last chapel. Hung at Starbucks with one of my professors and my class. Wrote a five page paper. Went to McDonalds. And saw Iron Man with Tanner, Matt, and Ryan. Amazing movie, and it was a blast to hang with those three!!

At Baccalauratte Chapel with Jimmy, Tanner, and Ryan.
At 31cent Baskin Robbins night with Beaks and Tanner.
Hanging with friends.
One of my favorite guys: Joe Keller.

Good Friends, Lots of School

Time has flown by so fast since I last posted. I've written two major research papers, one of the Decembrists (fascinating!) and one on John Quincy Adams's time in Russia as our first minister to Russia. Those two things consumed much of my time last week, but I was still blessed to hang with some friends and enjoy some good times of fellowship, and a trip to Santa Barbara. Oh... and I got history major of the year award!! AND... Tanner and I won for dorm spirit in the school competition! Go Hotchkiss!!

Today is my best friend's birthday. So, Happy Birthday bud! It is cool to look back a year ago when we didn't know each other that well to today where we have a good friendship. I am so blessed to call him friend and brother! I think he's probably taught me the most out of any of my peers. It's been cool to watch his life lately - he's got an amazing relationship with an godly girl and is a great example to many, he passed his ridiculous senior exam, is working towards what he is doing with his life, and is preparing to serve the Lord in New Zealand for several weeks. It's really cool to see the Lord working in his life.

I've been so blessed with great friends here. Some that minister so much to me, and some that I have been privlidged to minister to. It's cool the 'circle' that friendships take.

I have two weeks left at Masters. That is incredibly exciting and makes me a little bit sad, too. It's strange to have opposing feelings. But I don't want to write about that just yet.

Spring Party

Last night our school hosted their annual "Spring Party" at Union Station in Los Angeles. After a very spirited 'dorm day' at school (where Tanner and I sweeped any competition for most dorm spirited!), Hannah, Stephen, Jenna, and I headed down into Los Angeles to go the party.

The room was amazing! It was built in the 20/30s I imagine, and had a bar (stocked with soda and grendine - served to us by our RD's), a huge bar filled with desserts, and huge posh areas to sit down and talk. The four of us met up with my good friends Tanner, Valinda, Matt, Abi, Amanda, Adam, Jimmy, Sarah, Brian, Stacie, Jody, and Ryan. It was a blast! Hannah and I got to go around and mingle, take ridiculous photos, and have a good time being surrounded by my good friends. After the party, most of us headed down to the pier at Santa Monica to hang for a bit. It was a gorgeous night!

Well, now I need to write a 10-page paper on the 1825 Russian Revolution led by the Decembrists. =)

Sunday Update

I got a card from someone today that was really encouraging. The last few days have been peaceful as I've seen the Lord's strength in my weaknesses, but they have also been taxing. The Lord really blessed me with the card that quoted:

Psalm 31.1-3
"In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me."

Sometimes you have those moments when you feel the Lord sends you something where you see his grace in such perfect timing that you stand back and praise him. You're encouraged by the actions of others, but the timing is just so perfect that you fall to your knees in praise to the Lord. That's how I felt today when I recieved that card. I read the first half of the card and just stopped and thanked the Lord for being Him being my rock this week. He has just poured grace and peace and mercy upon me abundantly.

The second half was encouraging as well. God has been showing me so much grace through several friends here. From my best friend to a friend I have not seen in weeks, the Lord has just reminded me over and over of his goodness. In hard times its so good to be around those who praise the Lord. What a blessing my brothers and sisters are that I have in Christ! My 'extended' family is such a blessing.

This morning in church we sang Psalm 62. I first learned this song in the back of the CALTC building in Almaty, Kazakhstan. I remember it vividly. "Only in God is my soul at rest in him is my salvation, he only is my rock, my strength, and my salvation. My stronghold, my Savior, I shall not be afraid at all. My stronghold, my Savior, I shall not be moved." It's a simple, melo, understated song, and Psalm 62 has so encouraged me in so many circumstances. When will the peace and strength of my Lord not comfort? I've seen the Lord give me peace in the blood of Christ, in witnessing to Kazakhs, in sitting down with homeless in Skid Row, in leaving friends, in confronting people in sin, in so many circumstances and situations. God alone is my rock and salvation.

Sunday Reflections

So I wanted to write this yesterday, but I had too much to do until now.

Saturday was a rough day for school, but it ended really well. My best friend and I stayed up late on Saturday and talked about a variety of things. I have been so busy lately, and it was really encouraging to spend time talking with him. I walked away with a deeper love for the grace of God that night. The more I hear about my fellow believers' lives, the more I end up encouraged by the workings of our Lord. Between my best friend, and hearing the testimony of another friend this weekend at a birthday party, I have been moved towards trusting the Lord more in his gracious works. I can think about my own lif and how the Lord has called me and be amazed by God's grace, but the more I learn about my fellow beleivers and the innumerable ways in which the Lord has drawn people to himself the more I just am filled with joy and awe our God! Saturday night (Sunday morning...) I went to bed just filled with a joy, a joy in knowing more about how the Lord has worked. Praise the Lord!

Sunday morning... went to church with my friends and Scott closed his message by quoting two verses:

Psalm 107.28-32
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Isaiah 43.2-3a
When you pass through the water, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Now, here's the cool part... After church I went to prepare to teach my Sunday school lessons. I opened up my curriculum and the verse for the week was the quoted Isaiah verse! It was so encouraging to read that and teach to my kids that God is with you in hard times.

And the Lord is. He's always there when you're going through hard times. Praise the Lord and rejoice in his goodness.

2 Timothy

So in theology class today I decided to read 2 Timothy. The Lord really encouraged me and challenged me.

Here are some quick thoughts and commands from the book:

God gave us a spirit NOT of fear...
... but LOVE, POWER, and SELF-CONTROL

GOD called me because of his own PURPOSE and GRACE

Be STRENGTHENED by the GRACE in CHRIST JESUS

Pursue RIGHTEOUSNESS, FAITH, LOVE, and PEACE

Be KIND to ALL
Be able to TEACH
PATIENTLY endure evil
CORRECT with GENTLENESS

So that "God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured to do his will."



I had a challenging and encouraging conversation with Siona today. I was definitely encouraged in Christ's grace during our conversation, and it was joyful to rejoice and glory in his grace together. But, I also feel challenged to an even more radical love and more dependent prayer life. The Cross can break the chains of any sin. The grace of our Lord can cover the most vile of all sins. May we be reminded of the grace we've been shown, and may we plead with the world to repent and receive that wonderous grace!

Ona and I talked about the fact that Christ is alive! Amen. We talked about being so amazed at Christ and so joyful in his grace that that knowledge and experience of loving and walking with him causes us to rejoice to in all circumstances. We know Christ and therefore rejoice. I feel like words on this page can't describe what I'm trying to convey.

Praise the Lord for his grace! And plead with the Lord to show that grace to sinners!