Can you say... GEEK

This week was my first week of classes at MacDiv. I find it hard to believe that I am in Seminary. I just sit in class and eat up all the words of the professors like a starved child. I remember when I was a kid and my friend Jenn used to practicing preaching on the phone to me. She was the one who was going to be the preacher (and hopefully she keeps that up) and I wanted to be the missionary -- I still do.  Now we both find ourselves in Seminary (though she may be finished by now and I am just beginning).  It's just crazy to look back and see how God has been leading us and I wonder where He will take us in the future. All this week I kept thinking, "wow, I am so privileged to be here" and "why me?" Why am I in seminary?  I guess I won't know until later but I plan on enjoying the journey.

Freedom

I was sitting outside today reading my Bible. I was reading Galatians which is all about the law and faith.  It talks about how we can get so caught up attempting to justify ourselves by trying to live up to God's law instead of allow God to justify us through our faith in Him.

As soon as I finished reading the last chapter, I heard a scratching noise. I went to check it out and I discovered a chipmunk was caught in a trap. He was running back and forth in the cage trying to escape. When I lifted up the trap door to release him he just stood there instead of running to freedom.

I realized that often we are like that chipmunk. We try and try to work hard and do good to please God. Even things that are good, such as spending time reading the Bible, can become a trap to us as they become something we have to do to please God instead of doing it because we want to build a relationship with Him. We become trapped by our legalism. Yet, Jesus came to set us free. He is standing at the trap door holding it open for us to walk out. Yet we get so caught up in our trapped mentality that we don't accept the freedom He offers.

Thank God for the grace and freedom He gives to us!
(As for the chipmunk...he eventually gained the courage to walk out of the trap.)

Another Transition

This summer should be called the summer of decisions. A few weeks ago I read the book "Is That Really You God" by Loren Cunningham. (If you haven't read it, I recommend you do.) This book got me thinking and I realized that going to Summit just wasn't jiving with me. I was going because certain individuals recommended that I continue with my education, and, after having a little ousting match with God, I felt a peace with the decision. So, I decided that I would return to Summit for another year. However, going back to Summit seemed pointless to me: it would be expensive to go back to BC, I would have no health coverage there, and I would just be getting a certificate. Many individuals whom I talked to this summer recommended that I consider doing my masters. The problem was that the idea of doing my masters overwhelmed me and I had no clue what I wanted to do it in or where to go. A week ago my pastor asked me to come and talk with him. He recommended that I go to McMaster to do my masters in theological studies. He even called them to see if I could still apply this late in the game. Needless to say, after much prayer and confirmation, I will be attending McMaster Divinity College instead of returning to BC. I am super excited about this change in events and I have this crazy peace about it. The best part is that I get to be around my family this year, I can continue to volunteer at the Door and be involved with my church in Collingwood. It seems like every question mark that I have had about returning to Summit has been answered. This decision has clearly been a God thing. So now on to yet another chapter of my life.

The Door

Working at the Door has been such an awesome opportunity as it is basically missions on our own front step. The teenage years are a time when kids are evaluating life and trying to figure out who they are. They go to extremes to both create an identity for themselves and to be accepted by others. What amazing opportunity for us to step in and provide for them a place where they are accepted and to guide them towards finding their identity through Christ. Through building relationships with the youth who come here we are able to offer them hope. 

Over the course of the summer, I have been able to sit down and really get to know one of the young girls here. One time when we got together we talked about her hopes and dreams. What she wants to do with her life. Where she wants to go to school in the future. I told her that God has a plan and purpose for her life. I challenged her to work hard towards those dreams and not get distracted by life's ups and downs. I wish you could have seen the smile on her face after that talk. I wish life were easy and I could rest assured knowing that she will make all the right choices, but I know that is not always the case. My prayer is that she will encounter God, because I know that if she truly encounters Jesus it will affect her life and He will revolutionize her world.

Struggles and Blessings

Today was a bad grocery shopping day. It was bad because because I was tempted like crazy. They say never to go grocery shopping while hungry; well, the same can be said about going grocery shopping while experiencing cravings for food you can't eat. Today I had a mighty craving to enjoy either a delicious chocolate chip cookie or a mouthwatering brownie. Somehow the gluten free and every other kind of allergy friendly options just did not look satisfactory.

Well, I decided that I would treat myself to a special dinner instead so, obviously, I headed to the Asian foods aisle. I had to forgo the butter chicken idea, but I decided to go for Pad Thai. Then I had this crazy idea of modifying my favourite green salad (which is actually made out of pistachio pudding) into an ice cream...minus the dairy part. Dinner and dessert was scrumptious. I don't know which part I like better.

Anyways, the point of writing all this is to say, isn't God good. It is like God knew I was struggling and gave me something good to eat that won't make me sick. I may have enjoyed my dinner and dessert more than I would have enjoyed the cookie or brownie. Isn't God good!

Braeside

This coming week is youth camp at Braeside so I am taking kids from the Door to the service on Tuesday night. It may only be one person who comes, it could be four...but please pray for us that night. Please pray for our safety and also for awesome conversations on the way there and back and that God would touch their lives. I really want to see these kids making good choices -- including choosing to live for God.

THE DOOR

This week I began a new job -- working at a youth drop-in center here in Collingwood. I am super excited about it as the job entails building relationships with the youth here and just loving them and walking with them on their journey in life. Please pray for me as I begin this job that I would be able to just be real with them and that my life would reflect Christ. As well, please remember them in prayer, that those who have already chosen to believe will grow in their faith, and that those who are are not, would see that there is a God who loves them and  that they would choose to follow Him.

Thanks for your prayers :)
Beca