Great Expectations

As I was reading through the Gospel of John this evening I noticed a reoccurring theme in which Jesus tells his disciples,

"Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." (John 16:24)

I read more chapters than usual today since I had some free time, so as I was reading and searching for my Wonderful Thing for the day I noticed that from chapters 13-16, Jesus really emphasizes that if we ask for anything in His name it will be given to us. I feel like I encountered this same verse at least four different times throughout those chapters. Then finally, after reading John 16:24, it hit me that maybe this is important. Jesus was really trying to drive home a point to His disciples here. So now here I sit, chewing on these words and trying to decide where Jesus was going with this. So anything we ask for in the name of Christ is going to be given to us? If I pray right now:

Lord, I really want to get an A on all of my finals this semester but I don't feel like studying for them. Any chance you could do that for me? I would really appreciate it.
In the name of Jesus Christ I pray,
Amen.

Does this mean I am going to get A's on all of my finals now? Obviously we know that we don't always get everything that we ask for when we pray for it. Although I am sure that if God wanted me to get A's on all of my finals He could do it. Wouldn't that be nice? So what in the world was Jesus talking about when he said these words?

Here is what I have seemed to uncover. When praying that silly prayer above, notice that I threw in the whole "…but I don't feel like studying for them" line. Is that what Christ has called me to do? Be lazy and not work to the best of my ability? I don't think so. It seems absurd to come before Christ and ask Him to perform such a miracle for us if we are not even going to be glorifying Him in the process. If we truly are dwelling in Christ, making His desires our desires, then what we ask for is going to be in line with what He wants to give us anyways. We are not always going to get the things that we want, but I think it's funny when we look back on our past struggles to see just how God got us through these things. We may have asked Him for one thing, only to receive something totally different. What is that all about? Well, 10 times out of 10 that something different that we get from God is better than anything we could have even thought to ask for. God has a funny way of doing that. We ask for one thing, God gives us something different, we are frustrated, and then we take a step back and just look at what God has given us and we can't help but stand in awe at how awesome He is! He knows better than we do what we want and what will bring our hearts contentment.

So really we may not always get exactly what we want but it is always what we need. It is always better that what we could have asked for. Looking back on this past year, it has been nothing like I would have expected. I came in asking and praying very different prayers than walking in. The best part is, that while this year has been tough, I think I have received greater gifts by far than what I could have thought to ask for. Sophomore year really is the toughest, no doubt about it. I have come so far, learned so much about myself and others, and I have learned even more about the Lord. He has placed people in my life this year that I will forever be grateful for. Just thinking about it now, I never in a million years would have predicted my life to be where it is right now. It almost brings me to tears because God is so faithful!

I came in Sophomore year with all of these expectations, many of which have been completely shattered. Expect the unexpected, because God is more that capable. Honestly, coming into this year I was not a fan of Grove City College, but now there is no other college that I would rather be at. I came in having a lot of acquaintances and very few close friends, my high school boyfriend, and a relationship with God that was not much a relationship at all. I am now leaving the year with the exact opposite of what I came in with. I would argue that I am friends with pretty much the greatest people on campus, and everyone else is missing out. The best part is that I have friends in a bunch of different groups, all of which are very different from one another. That is how I like to roll. Hands down though I would not have made it through this year, especially not this semester, had it not been for Becca. If that relationship right there is not a testimony to God knowing what He is doing then I don't know what is. Freshman roommates, not by choice, and now almost inseparable. God is good. And while I no longer exactly have a boyfriend, I have (and still am) learned a lot about myself in terms of relationships and commitments. Despite the fact that I am walking out of sophomore year "single" (in some weird sense of the word), I am walking out with one amazing best friend. Together we have come a long way this year. And once again God deserves all of the credit, because this is another relationship I never would have dreamed to ask for. It all seems to good to be true. If not for him I would not be where I am right now. I am starting to get a little too sappy so I am going to leave it at that. All I know is that whatever God has in store for the future, I will forever be thankful for what He has done these past 7-8 months. And the best thing that I am walking away with at the end of this year is a relationship with Jesus Christ that is stronger than it has ever been. While I mess up daily and I am in no way deserving of His love, He has my heart. My eyes are fixed and centered upon Him. This is by far the best gift of all. This makes me hopeful for the future. I feel like after this year, all that I have been through, and all that I have learned I am ready for just about anything. I am ready to take hold what God has planned for me and run with it! I was not planning on reflecting upon all of this quite yet, but I just sat down, began to type, and this is what came out. I know it is a little long, so if you actually took the time to read it all I give you credit. All I can say now is be excited! Christ is ready and waiting to bless your socks off, all you have to do is ask Him.

The Great Debate

I am taking a few minutes break here because I need to do something other than study for a few moments. I just finished an Organic Chemistry exam, but now I only have 4.5 hours to thoroughly study for my Genetics lab final. Who in their right mind gives a 3 hour lab final that is exactly like all of the other exams? Not to mention we have another real exam on Monday and the final next Saturday. I don't really know who this lady thinks she is. There is nothing that I can do about it though. I really just need to keep trying my hardest and pray that I pass this class. Dang. I just got hit with some tiredness. I say its time for a little tea.

This weekend is going to be quite an exciting one because my dad and possibly aunt and grandmother are coming out to spend the day with me on Saturday! I have a lot of work that I need to be doing, and a Genetics test to study for, but at the same time I am very excited that I will get to see them. They are coming out mainly because I have a jazz band concert tomorrow afternoon. Concert starts at 1:05pm, be there if you can. I am playing 2 solos for this one! Although they are not going to be very good because a.) I still need to break in 2 new reeds by tomorrow afternoon and b.) I just found out that I was playing them on Monday. So I have had less than a week to pull them together.


I got some pictures from the RA scavenger hunt! The one with the 4 college students (2 girls, 2 guys) that is our amazing staff for next year. Moving on to more serious matters, I have been getting into a recent debate with a good friend about Christian Universalism, the idea that eventually everyone is going to heaven. Until recently I did not know or care much about it, but now I am utterly intrigued. I am not going to get into it here, but I would suggest looking into it. The few people that I have mentioned it to around here immediately wrinkled their noses and proclaimed how dangerous it would be to hold such a view. They did not even want to listen to what I have heard or read about it. As far as most Grovers are concerned, John Calvin has all the answers. I don't think I will ever be able to accept Universalism as truth, but I have gained a bit of respect for it. I don't really see why it can't be considered a main branch of theology, right on up there with Calvinism and Armenian belief. That might be a dangerous thing to say on here, but I can take it.

So I have recently been thinking about people and why they hold the views that they do. People are stubborn that's for sure. Most people are not up for listening to what others have to say and really thinking through their beliefs and viewpoints. Where then do our initial beliefs come from? Mainly I think it has to do with how we grew up. If you grew up in a contemporary church that preached Armenian theology, then that is what you are going to have faith in, it is what you feel most comfortable defending. The same is true if you grew up Reformed, Catholic, or Universalist. I strongly believe that once those beliefs are ingrained in you, you have a hard time looking at anything else without bias. So how then do we get any answers? How do we know truth? My answer is that we don't. God is the only one who really knows, and I think that we are all going to have a bit of a laugh when we get to heaven. Many of the different theological views behind Christianity probably all have different pieces of the puzzle right, maybe some more than others. To say that Calvinists, Armenians, or whoever else has all the answers would be, in my opinion, arrogant and probably wrong. I think it is extremely important to study as much about theology as you can. I have recently developed a love for it because it has encouraged me to dive into the Word and to seek the Lord for proper wisdom and guidance. I may never have all the answers, but it is going out and seeking Him that is important. That is all for now! I am getting sleepier and sleepier as I write this so its time to take a caffeine break. Enjoy the weekend ahead!

Ending Things

The madness has begun! I don't know how many more posts I am going to have time to write the next two weeks with all that I have going on, but since I am currently skipping class I figured that right now is the perfect time to partake in such an activity. In two short days it is going to be May! I can't believe how fast this semester has gone. I presume this next month is going to be pretty quick as well. Hopefully. This was the month I was looking forward to for so long, but that time has come and gone. I am not dreading it, I just want it to come and go, quickly and painlessly. There are many reasons for my feeling this way. The end of the year is coming which means that packing and goodbyes are in order. One particular weekend is going to stick out like a sore thumb, I feel like its days are starring at me every time I glace at a calendar. I may be running a half-marathon instead, or there is the possibility that I could have a job. It really does not matter what I am doing, I want that weekend over.

The preparations for next year have already begun. The wonderful apartment RA staff has already begun bonding and getting to know one another. We are all pretty excited to see what God has in store for us next year. Last night the current RA's in the apartments put together a type of scavenger hunt for us that sent us milling around campus for a good hour. It ended with a trip to the grocery store for graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows, and then finally to a secret destination about 20 minutes off campus. We arrived at a spot in the woods with a cute little creek and waterfall, and a campfire with the RA's and RD's all ready for us. We stayed there for a little while talking about the past year and our expectations for the year to come. It was nice to take some time during the week and just relax a little bit, reflecting on what God has done and what He has in store. Lauren and I decided to play a game of chubby bunny which we ended up being a tie at 6 marshmallows each. The guys found their enjoyment by hurling firey logs off of the waterfall and watching them hit the water. The entire campfire was in the creek before we left. Boys will be boys.

I don't really have much more to say for the time being. I read my Bible this morning, but I have yet to uncover my W.T. for the day. That is on my list of things to do this afternoon. God has been good lately. Despite all that hit the fan this weekend I still know that He is working in my life. I am fairly confident that everything that has happened was all Him. He is preparing me for something great. This summer all that I want to focus on is my relationship with Christ. Everything else seems to have fallen by the wayside, because when it comes down to it He is all that matters. This doesn't mean that we should neglect all of our other responsibilites, because clearly that is not Biblical either, but that in those other activies Christ is the focus. I think that this attitude puts all that we do in a new light, giving a spin on life that we have not seen before. It gives you a drive and motivation that are not your own. Overall it is a wonderful position to be in, arugably the best. Sorry not much for words of wisdom today, just some generalities I suppose. It has been a crazy week with not much time for thinking and reflection on what to blog about. I hope that everyone is enjoying their last weeks of school. The end is in sight!

The Death of Chivalry

This entire year I have felt that once I think things are going well and I have finally figured things out, on comes another attack. Well, this time it is not so much anger or sadness as it is gratitude. Let me begin by saying that God is good. He has ways of timing things perfectly. Despite how painful it may seem at the time, you eventually realize that there is an overarching purpose. On that note, I still don't think that justifies the actions of some people. I don't like being lied to or when my emotions are messed with. We girls are emotional, confusing, moody, and a number of other things, but we still deserve to be treated with respect. I think some guys think they can just have their way with us and then just jump off of the train whenever they want to. Throughout the Bible men are called to be leaders and to treat women with respect. In our generation that sense of respect, leadership, and chivalry are lost, even among many of our Christian guys. The verses I am going to post here have a lot to do with marriage, so bear with me. Even as friends and brothers in Christ I believe that guys are called to treat girls in such a way.

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value." -Proverbs 31:10-11

"Husbands love your wives, just as Christ love the church and have himself up for her." -Ephesians 5:22

"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers." -1 Peter 3: 7

When girls are not treated in such a way I slowly begin to lose hope. Don't get me wrong I know there are many guys out there who do just as the Bible calls them to, there are just many more who don't. Right now I have never been more thankful for my friends on the racquetball team, especially the guys who really do look out for all of us girls. It is funny that their insight to our guy problems is usually spot on. They know when someone is truly a gentleman and when they are a complete tool. Unfortunately we don't always listen to them, but they are there for us a couple of months down the road when our hearts are in pieces.

Despite the situation I am trying to pull out the best in people, so maybe sometimes they just loose their way and ending up hurting people without even realizing it. This past month has all began to crash down upon me. I know that I am also to blame for a lot that has happened, but I also know that I have already been forgiven. I have not asked to get continually slapped in the face but that is what I feel like is happening. After this month I think I am going to have some serious commitment issues. Not only will I not be able to trust myself but now I am going to have a hard time trusting guys. Well, I can think of one that I still have confidence in.


On that note, lets talk about some of the happy things that happened this weekend! I went to McConnell's Mill yesterday afternoon with a bunch of girls on my hall. It did not end so well, for reasons stated above, but it began excellent! We explored a bunch of caves, did some hiking, packed lunch, and walked by the creek. I took this awesome picture of Julie with there cool flowers that we found. I love taking pictures and capturing memories! I am thinking about asking for a nice camera for my birthday this year. Then yesterday evening I went out to Pittsburgh with a few of us girls and went to Dave & Busters. Last night I found out more concerning this whole situation which was just icing on the cake, but despite that it was fun to have the girls to talk to about it. I think we learned a lot about people not always being who we think they are. Today is a beautiful day! I am not feeling so hot though and my stomach has been bothering me since last night, but that could just be stress. I am hoping to get outside for a little tennis at some point. I should probably end this here and get some work done now. Hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy the beautiful day ahead of us!

The Wonderful Thing

As human beings, while we can be spontaneous, we will often spend hours, days, months or even years preparing for those big events in our lives. College for example is years of preparation for our future career, you plan months for your wedding, and spend hours preparing a paper. If you were going to run a marathon you would spend 4 months preparing for a race that lasts approximately 4 hours of 1 day. Four months preparing for something that lasts 1 day! How much more then should we be preparing for eternity? It is rather daunting when you think about it. Do we even have enough time to adequately prepare then?! The answer is no. We can and should be preparing, every moment of every day, but we are humans and therefor we are sinners. Alone we just don't have it in us to ever prepare enough for what is ahead. Thankfully we are not alone! Can I get an Amen? Billy Graham was once asked if he had only 3 years left on earth to minister, how would he spend his time? When I first heard the question I was certain that he would choose to go out and reach as many people as he possibly could in those 3 years. Instead he replied, "I would prepare for 2 and minister for 1." Preparation is what brings us closer to the Lord, it is how we learn to discern His will for us, to hear His voice, making sure that we are not acting on our own impulses, but His.

So how exactly do we prepare? The most important, taken from the sermon in church yesterday, is getting into the Word. I think we forget how important the Bible is, how powerful the words of God are. Hebrews 4:12 says it all:

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

The word needs to be active inside of us, playing a role in our lives. Derek Prince once said that, "Your attitude towards God's word is your attitude towards God himself," and I would have to agree with that. We live in the United States of America, there are more Bibles than people, yet how often do we pick it up off the bookshelf and begin to read? We need to uncover what God has for us, to digest it, think, meditate, and pray on it. Only then are we going to begin to truly know the heart of God, to feel that He is active and alive in us. Our pastor yesterday challenged us to get into the word in the morning and to read until we discover our W.T. for the day. One Wonderful Thing that we read that morning that had an impact on us. We need to keep that in our hearts for the remainder of the day. What better to have God's word to meditate on from the time you get up in the morning until you fall asleep that night? The second thing that we should be doing to prepare is prayer. Prayer is your plow. Get down on your knees and come before God. Let him go before you and prepare the path ahead.

It amazes me how the Lord operates. My ideas for this post came from both the R.A. retreat that I went on this weekend (which was amazing), and the sermon I heard in church yesterday. Together they made some great points and allowed a new post to be created. Lately the creative juices have been flowing like Niagara Falls. Every time I get an idea that I don't want to use right away I put it in a Word document for later use. Right now I have so many that I don't think I am going to get around to using all of them. I take ideas from throughout my day, lectures or sermons that I have heard, conversations with friends and family, and of course verses from God's word that I have read. I should compile everything and write a devotional some day. Lord willing, maybe I will. It would be quite a scatterbrained devotional though since my ideas jump all over the place.

So this weekend was quite a weekend. I had some great times with some amazing friends. It is sad that each weekend is drawing closer to the end of the year. I do not want this year to end! I don't even know what I did this weekend, but it was not school work. I got to know my amazing R.A. staff (Next year is going to rock!), went out for for Di's 22 birthday, did a lot of running, played some racquetball and dutch blitz, and soaked up the sun. The weekends here only get better with each passing week. The difference between this year and last is still baffling. Which ultimately brings me to my W.T. for the day:

"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.
The statues of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are trustworthy, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.
The ordinances of the Lord are sure, and are altogether righteous."
-Psalm 19:7-9

When it comes down to it, the Lord knows best. Giving Him your heart, placing all of your reliance upon him that is what revives, makes wise, gives joy and light, what endures, and what is righteous. What is your W.T. for the day?

The Nine Questions

Apparently on facebook lately there has been a note going around in which you create a mosiac about yourself. Since I have deleted by facebook account this is my attempt at doing just that. It is a little something that represents me. And it is a Friday night on which I have nothing better to do. Enjoy!

1. What is your first name? Alexandra
2. What is your favorite food? Italian
3. What is your favorite color? Pink
4. Favorite drink? Good ol' fashioned Coke
5. Dream vacation? Ireland
6. Favorite hobby? Racquetball
7. What you want to be when you grow up? Teacher (Not just in the classroom, but in life as well.)
8. What do you love the most in life? Jesus Christ
9. One word to describe you? Bright

There she is. Does it look like me?

Reminders

So why is it that these hard times and these trials come? Since yesterday I have been asking myself that question. Well, it is not so much why they come because I can feel that. Without them I would not be in the place that I am now. I would not be this in love with Christ, I would not be learning to love him, to center my life around him, I would not be humbled. My question is more a matter of why do they keep coming? It can be frustrating to think that when you finally get see the light at the end of the tunnel and you are coming out, you know that eventually there is going to be another tunnel ahead. Does that bother anyone else? It is not so much bothersome as it is scary. What if through one of those hard times I really jump off the deep end and turn away indefinitely? Well fear no more! Each of these trials that we go through ultimately strengthens us, giving us a deeper love and a deeper understanding of Christ and who He is. The more I learn, the more I want to be close to Him, to never leave His side. And as these feelings get stronger and stronger, it makes the hard times easier to handle. So with each struggle that you go through, give thanks! You have made it this far, there will be an end. The Father is not going to put more on your plate than you can chew.

This afternoon I was reading my Bible, and as I read John chapter 2 something seemed to jump out at me. Verse 11 (after Jesus changed the water into wine) says:
"This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him."
Then verses 19-22 say:
"Jesus answered them, 'Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.' The Jews replied, 'It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?' But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken."
So where am I going with this? Both of these verses caught my attention, because it was after each of these significant events that the Bible proclaims that the disciples believed that Jesus was the Son of God. Did they not believe Him when He first called them to be His disciples? Or when He performed many miracles right in front of their eyes? Did it really take them until Jesus rose from the dead 3 days after His death before they figured out, yes this guy is legit!? My initial reaction was frustration towards the disciples. I mean they actually with their own eyes saw these miracles and heard Jesus' teachings! How much better could they have had it? But then it hit me. Jesus is working right in front of me too. Right in front of my very eyes I can see all that He is doing yet I choose to deny Him just as much, if not more than the disciples did. Just because Jesus was physically present with them does not mean that it was easier for them to follow Him. The Spirit is working in my life each and every day, but how often do I take that for granted? How often do I deny Him? Luckily He keeps on working on us, He never gives up! While He was here Jesus performed miracle after miracle, He proclaimed who He was time and time again in hopes that we eventually we would get it! He does not give up. So each time the disciples 'believed' was almost a renewing of their faith. Nothing like a swift kick in the behind to remind them that they are serving God the Father, Jesus Christ, the One and Only! Praise God for His persistence and His willingness to work with us, for He never gives up.