Break from Greek!

So, I've been studying most of today. I feel guilty about that, but at the same time, I know I work hard no matter when and where, so I hope the higher-ups don't mind today. Heck... I'll be on the clock 6 days straight next week in Denver.
I thought I'd take a little internet break and fill you all in on what's going on in my life, since I haven't done that since the end of August. Based on my last blog, I don't know if anyone reads this. Maybe y'all just didn't agree with what I said.
Anyway, things are going well for me. Caleb and I are doing great, to say the least. Two months this weekend. (Again, not publishing too much information on here!) We spent the weekend in Texas with his family. What a blessing!
September was crazy with work. I've enjoyed these two weeks between Fall Visit and my trip to Denver. This Saturday, New Reign is opening for Acappella in Clinton, OK. Then, I fly out Monday morning for a week: 4 college fairs, 20+ church visits, 2 christian school visits and a youth group activity. I'll be ready to relax and watch some college football next Saturday after all that ;) Unfortunately, I've probably learned more about college football in the last month than Greek.
Other than Greek, work and boyfriend, my time is taken up by some intramural football (watching and playing). Our team of faculty and staff women is called "Vintage Varsity." I'll close this blog off with the quote that is printed on the back of our t-shirts.
"Old age ain't no place for sissies!" Bette Davis

Thoughts from a simple artist

Today's first hour of "work" was spent in Scott Chapel listening to Derek Webb speak about his album "Mockingbird" and his thoughts on the social issues he touches on in that amazing record. I guess "ethics" was the word he liked to use. There were a lot of things he said I've been thinking about all day. But there was something specific that I really wanted hit home for me, literally, Regina friends, listen up! I'm not going to be able to articulate this like he did, but here's the jest.
He was asked two questions specifically and I won't know which one he answered that included the thoughts I will share. 1) Is there anything good that can come out of capitalism? 2) In reference to the front cover of a recent Time Magazine, what would Jesus say to the "prosperity Preachers" of today?
We have turned worship into something that we box into Sunday, where we outline exactly what we want to sing, how we want to sing it, and what it will look like (worship teams, lights, instruments, smoke machines, powerpoint screens, etc, etc.). In many churches, it has become disproportionate to all the other elements of corporate worship (communion, sermon, etc.) and completely not related to the rest of our Monday-Saturday lives. Not only is it disproportionate, we have placed the priority of having worship "our way" ahead of looking to the needs of others. Why is this? The most important thing about worship should be our relationship with our brothers and sisters through fellowship, service, and the simple "love your neighbour" mentality. What can I do to serve you? What can I do to show you Christ in everything I do? If that means I may be uncomfortable with what happens on Sunday morning, or I think I would get more out of staying in bed, that does not matter, people! The point is that we are a part of a body of believers that MUST be unified through feeding the poor, taking care of the sick, clothing the homeless, and reaching out to the lost (aka. worshipping God with our whole lives). What happens within the confines of a building once, twice, or three times a week should be of the least importance! Not because corporate worship isn't important, but because we were called to look outwards, not inwards! Fulfilling Christ's purpose in scripture would "feed" us enough that we would enjoy the old hymns (no matter how they are sung), get meaning from scripture (no matter how it was presented), and dissipate our differences because we would see people through God's eyes in such a deeper way!
There is no way I can say it as powerfully as Derek did. I would encourage you to spend some time contemplating the words to his songs (download them free at www.freederekwebb.com) and I'm sure you can imagine how he would have said it. And, for that matter, I would encourage you to spend significantly more time in God's word, seeing how Jesus worshipped himself.
May we be people who emulate Christ because of his words, not by our church and secular culture's definitions.

Craziness!

Hey, y'all! I've been a bit absent from the blogging world. It feels like forever since I just looked at everyone else's, let alone stop to think of something witty to say on my own blog. I've been home (as my previous post said)... then home again! (which was not as good to it sounds.) So I thought I'd leave a note and give you a list of the top ten things that have happened in the last month, since my July post. Hope you find it interesting, informative, or at least worth reading: (in chronological order)

1. Ryan and Leah got married and I got to hang out with the Deal/McClellend families!
2. I stayed with Jessa and hung out with her and Carson (and Carson finally figured out I'm "kinda cool!" They've been dating for two years. I hope it doesn't take everyone else that long to figure that out!)
3. Had a few sweet walks and talks around Wascana Lake/Northwest Regina with my sister and my dear friend Tim!
4. I flew back from Regina and started hanging out with a pretty sweet boy!
5. We actually went on "dates!"
6. I flew back to Regina for Colby and Denae's amazing wedding in beautiful SW Saskatchewan!!! HUGE HIGHLIGHT!
7. I was able to visit with amazing friends and family at the wedding including Lynn Anderson, Gma and Gpa Straker, Marti Elford, the Zorn's, and great ol' Western friends that I haven't seen in a really long time!
8. I FINALLY got to see the Slywka's and the Krogsgaards after they returned from Africa! I LOVE THOSE GUYS!
9. Got back to Edmond to welcome all my "kids" to OC for Earn Your Wings. WOW! MY JOB IS SOOOO WORTH IT!!
10. Last but definitely not least (PROBABLY THE GREATEST), Caleb and I have decided to give this crazy thing called a relationship a real shot.... so, it's official, I HAVE A BOYFRIEND!!! :):):) I've found someone who appreciates who I am because I am myself (different from soooo many down here), who is sweet and complimentary to me, and who is excited to find out all that goes on in my mind and heart! How cool is that?!! Some of you may be thinking that he has no idea what he's in for, and you are probably right, but we'll see!
I'll stop now. If you want to know more, you are going to have to email me because this is about all I will say to the general reading public! And this is as public as it's going to get because I'm not a fan of the myspace/facebook dating announcement deal!

Anyway.... I'm off to Portland this afternoon for 6 days. Hopefully I will be seeing Jessa and Carson tomorrow morning! Then off to Faithquest and other things with my work buddy, Matt T, travel guide extrodinaire!
I had a 7:00am meeting this morning for World Mission Workshop 2007. For those of you that really know me, you will know that would be one of the few things I would get up that early for! I have a report to finish and packing hasn't started yet. So I need to get back to it!

Just in case you didn't catch it, I'm loving life right now! God is good!! He is totally in control, even when I forget to acknowledge that! And I pray that all of you are doing well, remembering to appreciate what you have and praise God for all blessings!

Canada: Take care of yourself!
America: Appreciate individualism more!
Students: Come to OC!!! Or if you are here already, come in and say HI. I have a new office!

I'm coming home!

I really can't believe it's already time, 3 months since I was on home turf! Anyway, I'm leaving campus in less than an hour. I just wanted to let you all know that you should get in touch with me while I'm in Regina because we HAVE TO hang out!!!! For those of you who aren't in Regina, you should come too! I will miss my OCers, somewhat...... ;) Especially if you are an incoming freshman... Anyway, just so my OC "peeps" won't feel left out... here's the pic of the day to tell you how much I LOVE OC!!!!

Prayers for the Bell's

I know that most of you who read this are from home, but just in case, I wanted to post Stephen Bell's blog. His Dad, Stan, is really sick and has had three major surgeries in Regina already. Please pray for all of them. In addition, Stephen's Grandpa, Manley Jacobs, passed away last week and the funeral is this Saturday.

GOOD TIMES!

I just spent over two hours on the phone with my greatest friend from home. I miss home sometimes. I found this picture on myspace while we were talking (thanks, Kris) which just caused me to lament even more that I wish I were in Regina this weekend. There's nothing like fireworks at Wascana Park!! I may even admit that I miss the mosquitos! Hope you all had a great holiday weekend! Only 24 more days!

I'm convicted again... now what?

These last few months in Oklahoma have been an interesting adjustment, again. In many ways, I left my Glen Elm church family in the middle of a pretty negative, self-loathing situation, to be quite honest. Don't get me wrong, I love GE and I think that God has blessed that body with amazing people and gifts. But the reality is that the last 2 years have been pretty rough on us. Along with all those struggles, many of my friends have debated about sticking through or jumping ship. You don't have to look far (well, actually just to the left side of the auditorium) to see what the majority choice was.
At the International Soul Winning Workshop (AKA: Tulsa Workshops) this year, I was elated to see that even the "stuck in the mud" Bible Belt folks are seeing the necessity of unity amongst churches. For more reaction on that, see my myspace blog.
Anyway, this week I had the privilege of going to the North American Christian Convention. This is the Christian Churches' version of "Tulsa Workshops." As a follow up of the March workshop, the NACC theme was Unity as well. I feel like this discussion has been happening for long enough and it's good to see some action finally taking place. Thursday night Jeff Walling was the speaker for the main session. Needless to say, it was amazing!!! For the first "adult" sermon I've heard from Jeff (who is usually Dudley's favourite youth rally speaker), I was more that blown away and challenged by his colourful words and ability to hit you with the truth.
With all the talk about unity among the churches, it's easy to keep it at exactly that... unity in the church! It's so easy to keep that statement at arms length, leaving to up to the "leaders" and "older people." What about unity in my life with people that I interact with on a daily basis? Or my attitude towards people in the Christian church (or Baptist, Methodist, Community churches, etc.)? For years, the C of C has had the attitude that we've got it all right. Well, I think we are finally admitting that we don't!!! Jeff told us to turn to our left and to our right and say "I'm a mess!" I could have stood up and yelled it at the top of my lungs!! Since I was only sitting beside one person, dear friend Allan Brantley, we looked at each other and added to it, "I'm a mess and I know it and you're a mess and you know it!" What a relief to say that?!? Seriously, it felt good in a way. If I ever act like I'm not a sinner who is in a big, big mess, please do whatever you have to do to get in my face and whop me upside the head!!
Here's my other question though... How do I apply this to my daily life? I have a million ideas about how I can help create unity amongst churches at my job; christian church visits, area wide recruiting events with both churches, learning more about the Christian church educational institutions, setting up shows for New Reign and Summer Singers at new churches and camps, becoming connected with Christ in Youth, Awana, and tons of other organizations out there. If I could be in control of all that, I would in a heart beat. (It's just like working with Tim Furry, Chris from Avonhurst Pentacostal, and the great people at Faith Baptist and hillsdale back home!) BUT... the reality is I am still in the c of c world where even people in my office don't agree with the unification that is taking place. Where I freeze is when the people I interact with every day oppose something that seems more valuable to the future of the church than anything I have seen in my lifetime. What about when I'm told "we can't do that yet because not everyone is ready for it"? I don't know how to handle that. What do I say?
God, please bless me with the words, patience, and insight to step up in support of building bridges but also in how to handle opposition in the face of this change. Please grant OC the vision, passion, and conviction to step up in support of unity as Jesus Christ prayed!

HAPPY CANADA DAY FOLKS!