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.