trapped and smothered

I'm beginning to feel trapped and smothered by this world. How can I break free from the chains that hold me back?-- The chains of consumerism, materialism, of wanting the newest and/or nicest anything. I'm growing sick of the ideas of pluralism and tolerance. There is truth, but not everyone's truth is right. My soul is restless; it's time to move out of this shell and move on. It's like the crustaceans that grow out of their old shell and search for a larger shell to grow into. Our lives are transformed by Christ. We must live out this transformation. We must leave behind our old ways and seek new ways of living.

I've finally began to read The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical by Shane Claiborne and have been challenged by my current lifestyle. (I use the adjective "current" because I'm going to change.) One of my favourite parts is typed out below:

Back at college, I had asked one of my Bible teachers if he still believed in
miracles, like when Jesus fed thousands of people with a couple of fishes and a
handful of loaves. And I wondered if God was still into that stuff. I wanted
miracles to be normal again. He told me that we have insulated ourselves from
miracles. We no longer live with such reckless faith that we need them. There is
rarely room for the transcendent in our lives. If we get sick, we go to the
doctor. If we need food, we go to a store to buy it. We have eliminated the need
for miracles. If we had enough faith to depend on God like the lilies and the
sparrows do, we would see miracles. (48-9)

Yesterday, I was somewhat disappointed when I walked into the sanctuary to know that we had a guest speaker. I haven't been around long enough back at my home church so I always delight to hear sermons from our new pastor. However, our special guest was Brian Stiller, the President of Tyndale University College and Seminary. His powerful message was titled "Resident Aliens" and the focus passage was Hebrews 11. He really emphasized that faith is stepping out in such a way that without God's intervention, we would otherwise fail. This goes hand-in-hand with the passage I quoted above. It takes faith to see miracles happen. No faith, no miracles.

I'm ready to see some miracles.

Goodbye to the Circus

Numbers 6:24-26

"The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord shine his face over you and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."

What a blessing to have traversed three years of my undergraduate years with this amazing group of people. Each with their own talents, gifts, stories, they are people to be treasured and appreciated. Through these people, I have learned what is faith, love, hope, prayer, and more. These friendships may seem temporary, but they are eternal. Even if I never see them again, there is the confidence that we will meet again in heaven and have a party like none other. Truly, this is a Year that I have learned so much from in terms of stepping up to be a leader, to be bold in faith and confident in prayer. Am I sad to see them go? Possibly, just a little. I am ever more thankful that God brought us all together to be a part of the great work He is doing in KCCF. Grads, come back and visit us from time to time! We'd love to see how you are doing.