Feast Eternal

On Christmas Eve morning, my family and I drove up to our best friend's house in Cherry Valley. We were going to have a brunch. Conor and Koren were home from Ukraine, Curtis and Kathy, Kylie and Trent were there. The kids were going to put on a show for us. It was going to be fun. Well, Allyson had spent Thanksgiving in Ukraine with Koren and sent a video home with her. We started to watch it and then she walked out! She surprised us for Christmas. We were all speechless. Especially my father, he had tears in his eyes. I looked over at him when she walked in and it was almost like he breathed a sigh of relief. They're all here.

That next day on Christmas morning, my Dad said something that really stood out to me. He said: "You know this morning I was thinking about the Marriage supper of the Lamb" and we all listened. He said, "I wonder if the Lord will look out at His children and say: finally, you are all here. Welcome home."

Wow. What a day that will be, when the chosen children of God surround Him at the marriage supper. We will feast eternal together.

You are all here, welcome home.

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Basics

I have been so convicted to get back to the basics.

Live simply
Read the Bible
Pray
Tithe and give away
Love others

I overcomplicate so many things. Wanna join me?

8 times a bridesmaid, never a bride?

Well, I hate that old saying: 3 times a bridesmaid, never a bride. Its like saying, you are a good friend to people and you have good friends, so you are cursed. ha ha ha. Just kidding. But honestly. and for that matter, I caught two bouquets so far and thus began NOT believing in stupid superstitions from then on.

Anyways, just 2 weeks ago, one of my best friends in the entire world got married to a wonderful man. I had that honor of standing up for her in her wedding. This is now the 8th time I have been a bridesmaid. I love it!!!!! I am so blessed with so many dear friends. I suppose if I ever get married one day, my husband better have a lot of friends, because my side will ber overflowing with attendents. I do not say this to boast about anything, but to boast in the blessings of God. I was sitting in my dress at a time in the reception when the Groom and Bride dance thinking that God has been so good to me. I wouldn't have made it through college if it weren't for my girl Kim. Same goes for all the other weddings I have had the pleasure of being in. I love being there on their special day, I rejoice with them, cry and prepare with them. It is such a blast. Seeing God's provision in providing each one a man that really fits them. God is so omniscient. Just wanted to say so. He knows all to well what we need. Can't wait to see who will be next. I say, a billion times a bridemaid, the better bride you'll be.

"This is our God, we have waited for Him,
and together we will grow, in joy and strength and hope,
and together we will show what He's bestowed
so I will stand beside you
as we walk now, hand in hand
watching as His beauty shines through, living out His masterplan,
This is our God."

-part of the song I wrote for James and Kim's special union. I love you guys. I am so blessed.

In His Hands...

Good song on the Brooklyn Tabernacle CD, Be Glad.

You don't have to worry
and don't you be afraid
joy comes in the morning
troubles they don't last always
remember there's a friend named Jesus
Who will wipe your tears away
and if your heart is broken
just lift your hands and say:

I know that I can make it
I know that I can stand
no matter what comes my way
my life is in Your hands
with Jesus I can take it
with Him I know I can stand
No matter what may come my way
My life is in His hands

When your tests and trials
they seem to get you down
and all your friends and loved ones
are nowhere to be found
remember there's a friend named Jesus
who will wipe your tears away
and if your heart is broken
just lift your hands and say:

I know that I can make it
I know that I can stand
no matter what may come my way
my life is in Your hands
with Jesus I can take it
with Him I know I can stand
no matter what may come my way
MY LIFE IS IN YOUR HANDS

Is God Enough?

Think over Psalm 73 with me.

Have you ever had someone come up to you and say: "Oh my goodness, I'm engaged! Look at my ring, look at my HUGE ring! Oh my goodness, my fiance is amazing, he is everything to me. I am SO in love! Did you happen to see my ring?!"

and you though to yourself: "Her. Why her Lord? Lord, seriously I have tried to do everything you have told me. I have been faithful to honor You in my relationships. Stayed pure, and it hasn't paid off. Why God? Why haven't You given me what I seem to deserve? I have tried so hard! and now I am so disappointed."

I was listening to a sermon online by Joshua Harris the other day. These are the thoughts from that sermon.

The writer of the Psalm begins writing about all the things that others have, he begins by being envious of the world. He is focussing on all the "wonderful" things that people are getting. They are rich, they have no worry, they are fat(in a good way), and they mock people for following God. They seem to have everything that I don't. What is up with that?

Have you ever felt that way?

Then the Psalmist realizes his place before the Almighty God. He begins to switch his focus to the sanctuary of God, and cries out. "My strength and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." "The nearness of God is my good, I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Thy works."

I realized that I thought I deserved something from God, when I really didn't. He has given me Himself and that is enough for me. and it is not enough in a sense of 'just to get by.' But EVERYTHING I need.

Are we living like God is enough for us? or are we envious of the wicked? Do we realize that He is our portion? Or do we think we deserve more from this world?

"All of You, is more than enough for all of me, for every thirst and every need, You satisfy me, with Your love, and all I have in You, is more than enough."-chris tomlin

I can only think of the words to the old hymn:

Jesus, Jesus precious Jesus. How I've proved Him o'er and o'er. Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus. Oh for Grace, to trust Him more!

God's provision

I have a wonderful friend. We met in Istanbul, Turkey and then later ended up living in the same apartment complex in Riverside, CA. We became friends and we travelled to New York City during Christmas time and took a road trip up the California coast. We had so much fun together. It was a blessing to have her in my life in the time that she was in CA. God had provided a wonderful single friend.
This past weekend I met her fiance! and once again I was reminded of God's provision. He was perfect for her. It is so incredible that Nicole waited and trusted in God and in His perfect timing, He brought her the best mate. Nicole is thirty years old and has led an amazing life. She committed to live overseas for 3 years, got her Master's degree, lived in California on faith, and moved back to Texas trusting God. That is where she met Jason. Read their story: noticenicole.blogspot.com
I think that Nicole's story is somewhat of a hopeful message for all of us out there. Not that a perfect man will come for all of us, that is not what I mean. I mean that God has everything under control. He has not forgotten us. He sees us, hears us, knows us, loves us and sancitfies us. He knows the best thing for us and His timing is perfect. Wait on Him. Do not settle for anything less. "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."

Pastor Dad

Dads are special. They love us, and care for us. Even when we are 26. My Dad has become my friend, my confidant, and my counselor. You know it is different when you are living completely on your own, how your relationship with your parents change. Slowly but surely you recognize their impact on your life, and that they are pretty cool people.

My Dad happens to be my Pastor as well. You know it is funny when he is at the pulpit, I see him as my pastor. I hear his words like everybody else and grow under his teaching. When he leaves town, I miss hearing his sermons. Besides, I think he is one of the greatest Bible teachers in the world, and I am not exaggerating. God has given him a gift of grace. The ability to communicate the deep truths of the Word to every type of person.

One thing I really like about my pastor is the privelage I have to speak with him almost whenever I want. I know that my Dad instructs his secretary that calls from his children can come through at all times and we can visit him whenever we need. He listens, loves, rebukes, counsels, intructs. I am so blessed. He gives me the truth of the Word and helps me figure out issues in my life. I value him as one of my best friends. A privelage that not many have with their pastor.

Dad, thanks for being a great dad and pastor to me.

More importantly I need to remember that I have access to the throne of God's grace. At any moment. At any location. He commands us to pray without ceasing. He promises that we can draw near with confidence to His throne and find grace to help in time of need. He loves us and promises to make us into the image of His Son. His Son, who is seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us! It is pretty stinkin awesome that we don't have to make an appointment to the creator of the universe. He sees His Son on us and says, come in! Sit on my lap, enjoy me while I love you. Wow. Thanks Dad, for showing me a little bit about the wonderful Heavenly Father we have. I love you.

Read my Dad's blog: waprice.blogspot.com

John Piper on the prosperity gospel

Finally I figured it out

What the world needs now... comments on the video above

This is a video that I have had on my myspace page for a while now. It is very true and hit me pretty hard. My good friend Colleen and I were talking about the importance of fighting against the health and prosperity gospel. Sometimes I find myself thinking that Christians will be given safety and comfort. Not true, we are given God's presence to endure through whatever life situations we go through. He is our treasure, He is enough. Man....I wish I could say that and truly mean it.

Summer lovin...

I teach high school history, and as many of you know, teachers get the summers off. The last two summers I worked full time as a youth intern and didn't take a vacation. This summer I am off, no job. Which sounded wonderful at first, but I realized that I am a person who likes to be doing something. I like to be occupied. So I have invited friends over for breakfasts, started excercising again, invest in the church a lot more and scheduled many wonderful lunch dates.

Today, at one of those lunch dates, I was sitting outside with a dear friend. Her and I were discussing the importance of theology. The question came up: "Is it okay for us girls to be so interested in theology?" I remember when I was in college I heard a boy say: "I don't want to date Merea, she knows too much about the Bible." I am not going to lie, I wanted to punch him in the face.=) Of course, I smiled and continued on with my day, but that always stayed in my mind. I was really discouraged. and just last week, another good friend and I were headed somewhere and we started talking theology. Of course, my big mouth and I were so excited to be discussing this topic and I was just carrying on back and forth. Bringing up things I have thought about and asking questions. A couple days later that same friend told me that I was a 'smart cookie,' and never really completely agreed with what they said, always challenged them. That person was not saying I was argumentative and I think they meant it in a good way. I was trying to take it as a compliment, but it hit me pretty hard. Remembering back to that comment from college, I started thinking about it again.

I read in Proverbs 31, which seems to be a good description of a Godly woman. Verse 26: "she opens her mouth in wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." Verse 30: "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Girls, I have come to a conclusion. First of all that wisdom comes from God, and we can know God through His Word. So study it, discuss it, pray over it, and live it. I think men and women alike are to be theology students. The word theology just means, the study of God. I think we should pursue theology, or God rather. He is everything, His nearness is our good. And to know that we must study doctrine, we must like theology. So get down with the truth girls and be smart. Get down girls, go 'head, get down.

In response to many requests....

I have had next to no time to write on my internet diary here, and to my surprise many people have mentioned to me that they want me to write another. Well, I had no idea my blog was even read by others out there in the internet world. Thanks for reading, you should comment more. =)

My favorite scene...

Well, I was just enlightened a couple of weeks ago. My students have told me about a new group of people. See there are Emo kids, Bros, Hardcore kids, and then there are scene kids. No one can really explain what a scene kid is specifically, but it seems to be a poser, someone who thinks they are a part of the "music scene" but really isn't. Yes, I know, weird.

Why do we do that? Why do we label people? Is it to make us feel better about ourselves, because we are feeling insecure inside? I think perhaps the people who label people and say they hate the other groups are the ones that need a little security themselves. Every one of us has something great to offer. God has gifted each of us with unique beauty, abilities, quirks, and feelings. How about we start a movement at ACA and try to appreciate something about everyone? Each of us is like a thread and we can weave together and become a beautiful tapestry.
For example, my sixth period class. There are so many versions of sophomores in that class and yet, we all seem to get along for the hour and 15 minutes that we are together. We can laugh about our different styles and respect the thoughts of each one. From the back packs and boy corner on the right, to the very stylish and beautiful girly girls in the middle, the lone ranger in the front, and the entire side of sophomore girl athletes on the left. So much variety and so much elegance. How can we think one is better than the other?

I am glad that labels like that are somewhat over for me. But this blog is dedicated to my not so scene student Matt Westerfield. Be who you are Matt, keep on with the unique, and here you go, a spot on my blog. You are great. (even if you are scene, because I don't even know what it is)
To Matt.

All you need is love....

You know not many people have been blessed as much as I have with the relationships they have with their family. My family has become my favorite friends. I love hanging out with them. If I won a trip anywhere, I would probably take my sisters. My brother is not so bad himself.=)
I have also been blessed with amazing friendships. I would like to give a shout out to those who have proven to be tried and true.

Marcella Bumpus- I love you girl and do not know what I would do without your friendship. You have blessed me so much even in just the last few months. I appreciate your support and I loved that you were there before my appointment yesterday and gave me a pep talk. Thanks.

Stephanie Rogers- No matter where life takes us, I hope you know that you will always be a kindred spirit. You are a beautiful mother and I loved watching you with Hope. Don't know what I would do without our "Target phone conversations." I love you so much!

Dan and Carrie Mahaffie- who knew that I would come to love you two so much. Your faithfulness to Christ and passion for His Word have shown me so much about life. It has been a joy learning with you for the past year in our small group. You mean the world to me. May God bless you as parents to Taylor, my favorite baby in the entire world. hee hee.

Rachel Marshman- Thanks for being the most "real" follower of Christ. I love talking about our lives and I love that you can tell me the truth. Not many people do that with me and I value you for it. You have shown me so much about pursuing Godliness in everything, motherhood, being a wife and worship leader. I hate that you are in Kentucky, but I love that you enjoy it. Don't know if you knew I appreciated you this much!

Tyler Watts: Although we are so far apart, I cherish you as one of my best. I miss you and can't wait until you are coming to visit. I miss our long talks outside at night and I keep this note you wrote me in Zanzibar in my Bible. It brings be great encouragment at very hard times. Thanks for being a great guy friend who is willing to open up.

There are so many more, but I am grateful for these today. I encourage you to thank the people you love.

What are we here for anyway?

My wonderful home fellowship group, as our church likes to call them, is studying Ephesians. Every week someone leads and we discuss a chapter. We just finished 1 and 2. I was struck by some verses in chapter one that had never hit so hard.
"Making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth." Ephesians 1:9-10

He has made known to us what is the purpose of life! So many of us(humanity) sit and wonder what this life is all about and God has chosen us and told us the mystery. His plan is to unite all things in Him, the plan that He set forth in Christ. I just think that is awesome. Our lives are not meaningless, we don't bring meaning to our lives as some existentialists would say. God chose us to lavish His grace on, to give us wisdom and insight to the mysteries of the world! What an awesome God we serve, for He is great and worthy to be praised. I don't know if this made any sense to anybody else, but it is exciting. We know that in the end God will come through. That the temptations, sins, hurts, and sorrows of this world will end and we will be united in Him.
Sometimes when I read books, hee hee, I look on the last few pages to see if it ends the way I want it to. Like if the girl gets the guy, or the other way around, whatever. If it doesn't end the way I want then I am not interested in reading it. I know, very lame, but I do. In a mystery most of the time I wait, but sometimes I peak. I cheat. Its just my personality, I like to know if it will be worth reading. So it is kind of cool to me to be able to know what is the purpose of all this and that it will end the way that it should. Yeah I know, I am a weird woman. =)

Another year has gone by...

I am a year older today. It's exciting and I am inching my way toward another decade, but still a few years away. One student approached me today and said, "Don't worry Miss Price, you are only as old as you feel!" I laughed a little. I wanted to say: "I AM YOUNG, not just feel young!"

There are so many things to look forward to these days. As I reflect upon the last 2o and a few=) years, I realize that I have changed as a person in so many ways. I remember this one moment in my sophomore year of high school, a good ten years ago, when I was sitting in Mr. Perry's english class, his door was open, it was a beautiful day, sunny, soft breeze. I remember exactly what I was thinking. "I wonder where I will be in 5 years, in 10 years." If someone would have been able to look into the future and told me where I would be, I wouldn't have believed it. I have had to opportunity to travel 4 of the 7 continents, get my Bachelor's degree, become a dental assistant, and a high school history teacher. Sometimes I get into a rut and begin to think I am leading a pretty boring life, and then I actually look at my life and realize I am just being ignorant. I praise the Lord for the things I have gotten to do and people I have gotten to know. Its a wonderful life. Its a Happy Birthday indeed.

Match.com

So. Another thing, since people only seem to read and comment the blogs I write about singleness, I thought I would write another one.

I can't tell you how many people have told me to go online. "Oh try Match.com, and EHarmony is a christian one." it is the only way to find someone these days."

I know plenty of great, Godly people who have tried those type of things. I just cannot see myself doing that. Whatever happened to single guys asking single girls to go out and have coffee or something. So many people in the Christian community are against dating. I think maybe us girls expect too much, and the guys are intimidated by that. Or do guys expect too much and girls are intimidated by that? Anyway, people say that online dating is a safe way of getting to know someone. How the heck is the internet safe?

Just wondering what everyone else thought. It seems dangerous, it seems desperate, meanwhile, I am working on the whole contentment thing. It doesn't seem like something content people do. I have pretty much decided on not doing online dating, but what do you think?

Another day in the life of high school education...

I am a teacher. Everyday I love my job and everyday I hate my job. I suppose every job is like that. I have come to the conclusion that if the love moments outweigh the hate moments then I should say at all times, "I love my job." Everyday I come in and see 125 sophomores staring up at me ready to hear what I have to say. . .
Sometimes I get to be funny and I love when they laugh, shake their heads, roll their eyes at my dorkiness, and exclaim "I love this class!"

Sometimes I get to be firm, showing them when they are out of line, punishing them for doing something they shouldn't have, helping them learn how to respect.

Sometimes I get to be sad, like when I tell the story of the Atlantic Slave Trade or the millions of jews that were murdered. They sit in silence, listening, imagining, thinking.

Sometimes I get to be serious, discuss what is important in making a political decision, hearing them say what they think, challenging them to think deeper. Asking them what is really important in life, to different people, to God?

Sometimes I get to be real and tell them that my friend has died, I loved him, I cry and they encourage me.

Maybe it is them I love. Because they are there everyday smiling at me, saying hello, asking me for advice, laughing with me, learning with me and just being them.

Yes, yes I love my job. Because of them.

"So, are you dating anyone?" No "Oh, well thats okay" Yes, yes I know.

So, for the 147 billionth time today, Valentine's Day, I had someone tell me: "You know that when I finally realized that I was content being single, God gave me my husband/wife. All you have to do is tell God, 'I am content being single' and you will really see him work in your life."

Hold up, wait a minute. WHATEVER. Just because people are single does not mean that we have not achieved some supernatural, super christian state where we can now recieve what God has been trying to give us, BUT, we just weren't content. I love(sarcastic) how people think that they earned or deserved the gift of marriage. Well, what about the GIFT of singleness? and I am so sure that peole who get married right out of college experienced true contentment with their singleness. Oh really? During college, surounded by all your closest friends, a few hundred peers, learning, and having the time of your life you experienced what REAL singleness is. It must have been so hard to come to grips with living single for the rest of your life. So in that moment of contentment you thought you achieved this forever state of "no matter what comes my way, I am content with singleness." Try being out of college for a few years, heck, living in your thirties, and handling most issues on your own.

ANYWAY, my whole point is... I hope that we singles realize that it is a gift for the time being. Amy Carmicheal, the Apostle Paul and many others who remained single their entire lives were so much more effective in the kingdom than many married people have been. Not that it is a comparison. One of my deepest longings is to be married. I really want to. Marriage is a good thing, and I can't wait, if God so chooses. And I have many respectable married friends and I am more than happy for them. I just want people to realize that single does not equal discontentment. Yes, I have times of discontentment, just like married girls, and I have times where I accept my position and submit my will to God. Lets encourage singles instead of feel sorry for them, lets learn from singles instead of think they have nothing to say, lets all appreciate God's choice for our lives and Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.

Connected Soles

My friend Tyler and met for breakfast the day he left for Vietnam 2 years ago. We were talking about the sacrifice of leaving home, for the advancment of the Kingdom and decided that we would trade flip flops. We traded and vowed that everytime we wear each pair of shoes we would pray for one another. And since in Southern Cal you wear flip flops almost everyday, even on dressy occasions, it worked. I am reminded of Tyler often when I look at my feet. It reminds me of the verse in scripture that says, "how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news." Here in Socal and Vietnam.
BUT, something terrible happened to the pair of sandals that I had given Tyler. Yesterday I opened my email and read a title of an email from Ty. It read: "Our friendship is in peril!" I thought, OH NO! I opened the email and to my surprise Tyler had sent a picture of the broken shoe and a message. I was saddened. Our footwear friendship, our slipper solidarity, our sandal sentiment (Tyler's description) had come to an end.
Even though our our slipper solidarity has ended, Tyler and I will remain friends and make an effort to pray without the shoes. I miss my friend, and thank God that friendship has been given to us, friendship that goes beyond the durability of flip flop sandals.

Things I love, in no particular order.

I love...
God and His Word
My immediate family
a good movie
a good book
laughter
tears
feelings
singing
Mimi's Cafe
black humor
Starbucks coffee
decorating
Christmas time
Choral music
New York City
different languages
little kids
French Toast with syrup
Pizza and Rootbeer
Family time
Hangin with my parents
My Dad's sermon
My mom's laugh and her cheerfulness
Church, Sundays
my church body
playing the guitar
walks
swimming
sitting in the Cloud's spa at night when it is cold in Beaumont
The ocean
The mountains
snow
skiing
waverunners
sailing
Mel and Dorothy's and bbq
Salad and Breadsticks from the Olive Garden
Memories
Driving in my Jeep Liberty
Talking with Jenni, Art and Han
laughing at Madea with Ally
My boys Rico and Big Game James
Rachel Marshman
and singing with Rachel Marshman
Yada Yada(its are band name, lol)
Sleep
My students
Especially the 4 muskateers, DB, T Nibbly, Curtis, and Drew
Talking about God with my students
especially Kristin
There are so many things in life to love. I am very blessed. This list could go on for 1,000 pages.

1,470 Years ago...

1,470 years ago a church was built in the east. I just visited that church. It is very rare to look at something that old, let alone behold a building that old.
Yes, the Hagia Sophia. Amazing. I am in Istanbul, Turkey which used to be Constantinople. It is hard to believe that I looked at a building that was finished in the year 537 AD.
So, anyway, I had a great New Years, visiting my sister who lives here in Istanbul. How did you spend your New Year?