What the...Princeton!!!???

I would just like to brag on one of my best friends. She is a lovely person. Very small and cute. She is very personable (everybody loves her). She works in the nursery at our church. Her job is to work with Habitat for Humanity. So she is good with people, she has a heart for the poor (or an avid interest in community development), and she was a Maclellan Scholar at Covenant College. SO, why am i singing her praises on my blog? because she just got accepted to Princeton's graduate school program!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Isn't that amazing?
I mean just to make it fair to the rest of us you would think she'd have to be ugly, or not good with people, or mean and snobby. But no, she's not any of those horrible things.
She's wonderful and smart and we are so so so proud of her! So here's to Becky Holton, who Covenant College will be more than proud to claim as an alumnus (is that right), and whose friends are all excited that we might now have an excuse to buy Princeton sweatshirts to wear around and dream about being smart enough to go there.
We love you Becky!!!!!!!!!!

procrastination at its best...

So last week i was supposed to teach Sunday School, but i was hitting a brick wall with the material so i just prayed really really hard that the roads would ice over and sunday school would be cancelled. IT was!!! BUt that still leaves me with the problem of having to teach this week. The more i look at the passage, the more i think i am understanding what it is saying, but i still am having a ridiculously hard time figuring out how to put it on a junior high level. You know, add games, movie clips, acting---helping them see how the truth of this particular passage does and should affect the way they live their lives.
I do realize on some level that teaching the Word of God is a joy and privilege that i am unworthy of, but most of the time i focus way too much on the burden of helping them understand and don't trust in Him to work through me. Guess that's an area i have to work on.
I think i am going to post some pictures just for the fun of it... I don't think any of them are too new, but i am seriously avoiding planning sunday school. so here goes...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Hey everyone. Happy Valentine's day! I think i have found a new peace (at least for the moment) with this holiday. For those of you who have significant others i hope you celebrate well together and have a lot of fun. For those of you who are unattached, please remember romantic love isn't the only thing we have to celebrate today. So, tell your family and friends that you love them and do something nice to show them you care!
I love y'all.
Happy Birthday Megan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!

Ah, the life i lead...

So i had a long, but wonderful weekend. And yesterday was my day off. So i didn't set an alarm, thinking i would probably wake up around 9 and get the day started slowly. Wrong. I woke up at 11. It was ridiculous. I usually hate waking up that late because i feel like i've wasted half the day and it usually leaves me feeling icky. BUT apparently i needed it because i felt pretty good. It was the first time in a long time i didn't have a real agenda for my day off. i kept thinking about all the things i should be doing and resisting the urge to do them. I haven't decided if that was good or not. Although i did do laundry, which i am sure eased the mind of the family i live with, since i haven't done laundry in quite a few weeks. I am a firm believer in holding out until absolutely everything has been worn at least twice (except underwear and socks).
I have to teach Sunday School this week and next week. And it is not easy stuff. We are in Romans and this week i get to teach on identifying our idols of the heart. That's a pretty heavy job. especially since no one really enjoys taking a good long look at their sinful heart (i know first hand).
I have to say though, i am not absolutely dreading teaching as i normally do. I think this must be the work of the Spirit. Because my nature is to stay as far in the background as i can get. I was definitely one of those kids in school who never talked in class (except of course for my history class in high school because i had the best teacher in the world and i was comfortable around him).
I know, i know... You're thinking why is someone with that kind of personality doing youth ministry? Well, it is a very stretching occupation at times. I have learned to be able to approach new people instead of waiting for them to approach me. I think i am also learning that it is not the end of the world if things go wrong and my face turns blood red. (Although at that precise moment i always wish it was the end of the world).
And I love my job! I think i am totally inadequate and there are a million things i wish i did better. But i still love being able to hang out with these girls. There is nothing like the feeling you have after having a really good conversation about Jesus with one of my girls. I love the true honest times, and the ones where they share insight they have that i haven't even thought of. God is truly amazing.

lots of disconnected thoughts right now. I am really just procrastinating on planning my sunday school lesson. Pray for me! i need it.

The Lord's Resistance Army(LRA), ever heard of it?

The Lord's Resistance Army is an unimaginably violent rebel group in Uganda led by a man who brings together a potent mix of Christianity, Islam and Witchcraft. He uses his ridiculous reason to motivate his army into attacking and brutally killing many of their own people, and abducting enormous numbers of children to be brainwashed into full fledged murdering members of the LRA. The paper thin defense for his actions is opposition to the Ugandan government. I think one article says he claims to be cleansing his own people, the Acholi. The tragedies that are in progress and have already occured because of this group are too numerous to count. Only the Lord knows fully the trauma these people are enduring. The main victims of this brutality: women and children. I am linking an article and hopefully a website that will help you find out more about this fight.
Why am i writing about it, you ask?
Well, a ninth grade girl with a beautiful heart for missions, has recently heard of the plight of the Ugandan children. They are being beaten in horrible ways i cannot even describe, raped, mutilated, threatened, abducted and forced to kill one another in brutal disgusting ways. They are brainwashed and turned into soldiers, many of them no older than eight to fourteen years. I will stop describing it now because the article i am linking (and the ones linked from that page) will do a more adequate job of describing exactly what is going on.
I am telling you because my heart is now involved and we (the ninth grade girl, her friends and schoolmates and families in the area) are trying to think of creative ways to raise money and awareness for an organization that is trying to raise 20 million dollars in order to provide safe, clean places for these children to sleep, food for them to eat (many of them survive on less than one meal a day), and education that they aren't getting because of this war.
There is a dvd that i would love to show you (except i don't have a copy). It is a documentary by three guys who just decided to go to the Sudan and film a documentary. They went with no organization and no money. They came back on a mission. It is a powerful dvd. I think their website is www.invisiblechildren.com
Please check it out.
IF you have creative ideas for raising money we would appreciate your input!
If you have the space on you prayer list these kids need your time in prayer. So do the leaders---pray for true salvation for the Rebel army leader and his followers. Pray for the mission to help these kids. Pray for protection for the children from the cruel reality that is their world. Pray for relief and rescue for those already abducted and turned into murderers. And pray, for awareness throughout the Christian church.
Thanks.
Here's the link: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/001/18.30.html

Happy Birthday Gran!

Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday dear Gran,
Happy Birthday to You!

Sorry Gran, i know this is a day late, but late is better than never right?
I hope you had a wonderful birthday. I love you very much.
Thanks for being such a great grandmother (and even letting me call you Granny for a few years there). I can't wait to see you again (hopefully soon).
I love you!
love, erin

Ignorance is bliss... or is it?

"When wisdom enters your heart,
And knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
Discretion will preserve you:
Understanding will keep you
To deliver you from the way of evil..."
Proverbs 2:10-12a

I read Proverbs two this morning, and i was struck by the entire Psalm. For many years i was content to accept what others told me about Christ and the Word of God. I did not seek wisdom for myself, nor did i seek understanding. So as i read this morning i was thoroughly convicted and convinced, that seeking God through His Word and through prayer (petitioning Him to grant you wisdom and understanding and knowledge) is not only something we should do it is something we have to do (both on our own in personal relationship with Christ and with fellow believers in fellowship and accountability).I've heard it all my life, but there's something about coming to that point where you make the realization for yourself when God opens your eyes a little bit more and lets you see things you haven't seen before, even though it's been right under your nose. Proverbs speaks very plainly about "fools" and their aversion to wisdom and knowledge. For a long time i guess i was a fool.
These are my weighty thoughts for the day. Hope you find something of worth in them!
As my Gran writes at the end of each of her emails...
PTL!! (praise the Lord).
-rin

Where did my Christmas break go?

It would seem that it is now January of 2006. For all of my proclaiming relief that i am no longer a student i sure do miss the two and a half or so week breaks for Christmas and New Year's. I got 3 days off outside of the actual holidays this year. Although i will say i accomplished a lot in those few days. I got to go to St. Louis and see Matt and Shannon. I got to be in my own home for Christmas day and do our traditional Christmas lunch with our friends from church (which was great). I got to go to Mississippi with a group from the church i work for and do relief work for a couple of days. We painted, and somehow i think more paint ended up on me than on the walls (thanks to some very mischevious teenage girls!)And i got to clean my room, which for any of you who know me will know that is quite an accomplishment. I also have been reading nonstop since i got like 12 books for Christmas, and was already in the middle of another series i had to finish. I love reading. But i let it take over my life, which i could afford to do in college to some degree, but i can't so much anymore. The only thing really missing from my break was the annual trip to Panama City to see my family. I miss y'all so much! sorry i couldn't be there, but know that i was thinking about you!
Anyway, I hope you all had a wonderful time celebrating the Birth of our Lord and Savior! And ringing in yet another new year, which only means we will all turn another year older and learn things we didn't ever want to know. Just kidding i am totally excited about seeing what God has in store for me and y'all as this year swings into gear.
Until i find the time to post again...
Isaiah 40:28-31 (some of my favorite verses, brought to my attention by my beloved Papa, because they were his favorite)

Lifestyle evnagelism or fake spirituality?

I think that lifestyle evangelism in many ways is a valid concept. I think the problem is that we tend to think we have to have our lives in order, have this "joy in all circumstances" thing nailed down before we can actually be witnessing to those around us. That is an unfortunate misconception that will be difficult to correct. Here's my theory on non-Christians. They don't want to see you at your best all the time. If you don't get mad at the customer who is a total witch, or you don't have an occasional bad day they are certainly going to hate you because it will seem too good to be true. it will seem fake. I am not saying that you should deliberately sin, or that you shouldn't pray for the power to be an example of Christ to the person who makes you redo their order 6 times and then leaves no tip. What i am saying is that i agree with meg, it's what you do with the bad days and the sin they see that makes the difference. When you come to them in repentance for the way you acted, or you pray for the strength to smile and be gracious to that certain customer and it actually happens.
What is missing(or maybe was never part of) the lifestyle evangelism concept (at least in this context) is honesty. Total, raw, i am a sinner who deserves to die and can only resist the temptation to sin by the Lord's grace kind of honesty. And sometimes i will fail (in fact a lot of times), and sometimes i will be angry and sad and mean. We are still human, and they need to know that we deserved death just as much as they do. The difference is that we recognize our sin, and we repent and ask forgiveness. We cling to the Lord.
I think humility (as well as the love and faithfulness that megan mentioned)is an integral part of living your Christian faith out. It is one i know i like to forget about. Being able to come before someone and admit you were wrong,and ask forgiveness is something that might bring them closer to wondering what it is you have that they don't(even if they don't necessarily think the way you acted was wrong).
Of course i agree with everyone else, prayer is the best thing you can do for those you interact with, and pray for the boldness to verbally share the Gospel with them, because we can't live life just expecting them to ask. That's not what we're called to do. We are called to spread His Word. (keep in mind i am talking to myself here because one of the hardest things in the world for me is to open my mouth and ask someone if they have a relationship with Jesus!).
So, i know i had a lot to say and it was kind of rambling, but i hope there is something worthwhile and helpful for those of you who are reading it!
you can check out the beginning of this conversation on Lyd's blog (www.sunshineandbubbles.blogspot.com) and can link to Meg's part of the conversation from Lyd's blog.

NARNIA...My new favorite place

CAUTION: Major love affair with the movie going on in this post. If you would rather not have any opinion going into the movie, please don't read this til after you have seen it. i don't want to be responsible for raising someone's hopes only to have them not like it near as much as i did. BUT, if you want my biased opinion based on my first viewing of the movie (there will be other viewings i assure you) please proceed.

I don't know how many of you were planning on seeing The Chronicles of Narnia:The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe in theaters, but i have to say it is a very worthwhile endeavor. I had never been to a midnight movie before and i was afraid i wouldn't be able to stay awake. I assure you it was not a problem. I was spellbound.
I read every last one of the books in the last few months in preparation for this movie and i was so glad i had. So much of it looked just as my imagination had pictured it when i was reading.
I was reading an article this morning about how Disney kind of laid low on linking Aslan to Jesus. I have to say i agree with that assessment if i was seeing it from a non-Christian perspective. For me, however, it was such a beautiful picture of what our Lord and Savior endured so that we might live. There is no way to bypass the Gospel because it is spread through every pore of the books. And i felt it so keenly in several scenes in the movie.
Ok i will stop gushing so that i don't ruin the movie for all of you who haven't seen it yet (which should be most everybody because it came out today.
if you want my advice here it is: See it as soon as possible!!!
I left the movie excited because i get to see it again on Sunday and i can't wait to catch the things i might have missed the first time around.

5 reasons i am not a teacher

1. When i have to teach Sunday School i majorly stress for a week in advance. Even when i know i have a good lesson i constantly worry about it and it turns me into a nervous wreck.
2. my face turns unbelieveable shades of red when i have to stand up in front of anybody, much less keep them interested in what i have to say for 45 minutes
3. it always takes me a couple of days to recover from and forget any embarrassing moments from my teaching experiences
4.i am a procrastinator by nature and the more i procrastinate the more worried about my lesson i become and i end up not being as ready as i should have been when the time comes around
5. if i had to go through that every day of the week i would be in a mental institution by now!
All this to say: mom, Patty, Colleen, Daddy, shanny, Aunt Julie, and everyone else i know who is a teacher, I admire you much but i do not envy you!!!
(in case you couldn't tell i am teaching sunday school this week and am stressing about it).

Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday, Dear Sister,
Happy Birthday to You
For all of you who don't know this is my aunt and it is her birthday! If you want to tell her happy birthday you can leave it as a comment on my blog! she is a wonderful woman! If i had to pick one person in my life who was the greatest example of what Christlike servanthood is about it would be her. She does anything she can to make everyone around her happy and comfortable. She has such a soft heart.
So, Sister I hope you are reading this because i want you to know how much i love and appreciate you!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope your birthday is great!

Oh to be a Gilmore Girl (not really, but...)

OK, so i don't know how many of you watch Gilmore Girls at all, but there is a group of us lofters that are pretty dedicated to it. I think the main reason i love it is because the dialogue is so fast paced and witty. They have all these culture references that are funny if you have enough entertainment culture to catch them, and they are always going on endlessly about something that doesn't really need to be talked about. I have to admit that i am totally jealous. Their talking about nothing draws probably millions of viewers every tuesday night. My talking about nothing brings no one but the captive audience of my friends and/or family.
I must say i wish my blog were more like that, but i don't have the talent. So, you will have to suffer for my sarcastic, evil sense of humor, and the not so dramatic events of my every day life. (which is probably the reason i don't post all that often).
We had a retreat this weekend. 64 junior high kids. That was fun. It really was. There was one night where we all went and laid out under the stars on this big field and everyone got quiet for a good 2 or 3 minutes (which is quite a feat for so many junior high kids). Just gazing at the sky was such a good reminder of the vastness and incomprehensability of the God we serve. He is bigger and more amazing than we can ever imagine.
On a lighter note, I am getting geared up for Thanksgiving. I am even kind of excited about the drive down, but i am most excited about seeing my whole family. It will be the last time we are all together this year (since matt, shae and i will not be making it to PC for Christmas), so i hope it is going to be one awesome celebration. I am hoping for some 4-wheeler time, and some sleep time, and some good quality visit with the grandparents, aunts and uncles, and spoil the little cousins time. We shall see...
if i don't post again before next Thursday, Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!! if i do, disregard this message.

Ramblings of a tired, bored, and sick me

So i officially have a cold thing going on. I woke up with a sore throat this morning and i have had the sniffles for a few days now. I don't exactly feel bad, but i sound like i am talking with a clothespin over my nose. Which might be slightly amusing, except i part time answer phones for a living, so countless people have to listen to it over the phone. It's hard to muster the cheeful "good morning, my name is erin, how may i help you?" when you know it's gonna sound like you should be in bed with the covers over your head.
I have decided today is going to be the longest day of my life, because i get to go home as soon as work is over. I mean home, home, to my parents house. I haven't seen them in like a month or so, and i haven't been to their house since the beginning of September (it may not seem like a long time but for some reason this whole "grown up" thing makes me long for the comfort and security of my parents house and their presence.) So as soon as i get off from answering phones i am going to hop in the car and sing loudly for the next four hours. Oh yeah, i am one of the people you laught at riding down the road because i am singing with all my heart and there's no one else in the car. I can't help it, i love to sing (even when i sound like i do right now).
Time is crawling by and i am not helping myself by thinking about it so much. I think i will finish this and then dive into The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I only have a couple more chapters to go. I haven't ever read the Chronicles of Narnia before and i am trying to get them all in before The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe comes out in theaters (december 9th). I love it.
Well, to anyone who is reading this i hope you have a blessed and safe weekend full of rest. Get out and enjoy the wonderful colors of fall! The mountain is amazing this time of year. The colors are brilliant. God's creation is good, but He is better!

The Trades of Life

I was watching Greys Anatomy last night, and i began to reflect on the value of human life in the secular realm. The premise of this episode is that there is a horrible train crash and a woman and a man are both impaled by this one pole.Because of the way it went through them, they will only be able to save one life.The man has a better chance at living. it is of course an agonozing decision for the doctors, and when they tell them of their decision the woman very lovingly, courageously gives up her life. At the same time, in a different part of the hospital we get to watch two women deliver healthy babies.
The episode would have been thoroughly depressing if it weren't for the babies. It was still pretty convicting to watch a woman who didn't know Jesus, give up her life in such a calm, understanding manner(i know it was a tv show and she didn't actually die, but it still makes you think). In a pretty secular show, that was a pretty Christlike thing to portray. One of them had to die, and she went peacefully. Granted, this situation is a bit far fetched. But as i have been thinking about the lives that American Christians lead lately, i have realized that we are a little too reluctant to die. We are not very into loving each other sacrificially, dying to self and living to Christ. And we certainly aren't into dying physically so that others might live. Maybe i shouldn't say "we", maybe i should say "me".
I'm not reprimanding or hoping to convict others here, i am just kind of thinking outloud. Paul lived a life in which he was imprisoned, beaten, and ultimately killed because He was preaching the Gospel. and it's hard for me to share the Gospel with a junior high girl who has heard it all her life.
I know, way too serious food for thought for a Monday Morning, but i keep thinking about the frailness of human life, and the desperate need for the Gospel in this world. Do we really love Jesus? are we really loving out of the overflow of his overwhelming love for us? or are we moving along, hoping we don't get called to do something drastic or dangerous for the sake of the Gospel?

Can't shake it....

I have been incredibly tired for the last couple of days.I would like to think that it is because i am so incredibly popular that i have to stay out very late every night just to fit all my friends in, but in reality my life is not that exciting. Yesterday i just felt like my body was shutting down. Thankfully it was sort of a day off for me so it wasn't too traumatic. But i just kept falling asleep. I felt like i could sleep all day and all night and still not get enough rest. Thankfully it is much better today (at least so far). I will be surprised if there ever comes a time in my life when Wednesday is not the busiest day of my week. FOr that reason I am very thankful that the wave of extreme tiredness hit yesterday instead of today. I just couldn't shake it.
Other than that i have had a pretty good week so far, unlike my brother, who has apparently screwed up his knee. Matt, if you are reading this, i am so sorry and i have been praying for you (and you too Shanny). If you aren't reading my blog yet then you should start. it's fun times.
I think i have work coming my way, so i will go. just wanted my family to know i am still around (since i haven't posted in a while).

Sunday School

I am teaching sunday school this week on Romans 2. I am wading through some material right now. I would welcome any thoughts on the passage though, just for some outside (and by outside i mean anyone other than Tim Keller or me or Will because i already have those)reflections on the passage. Thanks.

Forgetful is not always good

So i tend to be a rather forgetful person. I am always losing things because i can't remember where i put them down. It seems the latest thing i have lost is a book i am reading for work. I was supposed to read three chapters of it by today, but i can't find the book anywhere. I came in a couple hours early hoping it would be on my desk, but it wasn't. I think it might be in my parents car which is four hours from here (bummer).Anyway i am at work because noone comes in this early, so i thought i would give a little update on my life.
Not too much going on. I played ultimate the other night. It was probably the best game i have played in a while. The other girl who comes to the practices is really good, so she killed me, but i enjoyed being challenged. Since that's the only sport i play regularly now, it has become one of my favorites.
I had a 6:45 breakfast this morning, which means Panera bagels, exciting. I am not, however, a morning person. So, it's always interesting when i choose to do breakfasts with my girls that early.
yesterday was the birthday party for one of the little boys i babysit. He is six today. I went to his party, and got a little idea of what it is like to be a parent. i don't think i'm mature enough yet, although i love kids.
That's about all that's going on in my world this week.i should probably get back to work.

Tmie crawls by

So it is friday and i am incredibly tired. there's no real reason for my tiredness, but it is there. I will say yesterday was a great day. I got to walk around downtown in the rain for a while and sip a smoothie with a student in my youth group, then i went out for dessert with a couple of friends of mine. I had a bit of a sugar overdose, but other than that it was an all around good time. These rainy foggy days are the days i wish for my college career back so that i can curl up with a book to read inbetween naps (and venturing outside the dorm for a class or two).
I must say, however, that the life of a youth intern suits me well. I am not much of a morning person and my schedule most days is flexible enough that i do not have to endure early morning wake-ups. (when i say early i mean anytime before 7:30 or 8am).
I wish i had something more exciting to write, but as it turns out my friday evening will probably consist of dinner with a few girls from my youth group, and an early night so i can get up and get going saturday morning ( i have some things to do before meeting my parents for an afternoon of fun-filled adventure). I get my car back tomorrow, and i can't wait. I have been without her for far too long--over a month.
Well, i will stop rambling now and leave you to your own weekends of fun and excitement.
Later!

Not so good at this writing thing...

So i don't know if anyone is reading my blog yet. I think i have only told two people the address. (one of them being my mom). I don't live a totally exciting life, so there's not too much to say. Gilmore Girls was on last night, and as always i watched it with my girl friends from the no longer existing hall "the Loft." i love the fast pace and ridiculousness of the conversations.
I found the motivation yesterday to clean my room and start decorating the walls, so it is looking a little more homey now. If you don't know i am currently living with a family that has three young children and i have taken over the 6yr old little boy's room for the year. (He sleeps in another room anyway). So hopefully it is looking less like a little boy's room and more like a 20something girl's room.
That's about all that is happening in the not-as-fast-paced-as-usual life i am leading right now. Hopefully it will pick up soon. for now, it's back to work.