IDOLS= NO.

God has been doing a lot in my life lately.  Currently I have been watching a series of sermons on the book of Jonah.  They have really been encouraging and hard hitting because Jonah is a great picture of us as humans.  The past sermon discussed what it looks like to have a new kind of obedience.  To first be obedient to God we must identify and eliminate the idols in our lives.  Idols are something we derive pleasure from more than God; and things we seek refuge in more than God.  Jonah was an idolator who was also ignorant of the grace that God had extended toward him.  For us to become compassionate like God, we have to fully understand his grace and love for us.  The want to care for others will only come after idols are removed and we strive to show compassion like God continues to show us.  Caring for others includes planting the seed and loving those two billion people who don't know Jesus.  The line J.D. closes the sermon with is, "either you are sending or walking in disobedience".  I hope that I will continue to learn more about God's grace and seriously commit to His mission here on Earth.  God has given me so much that I take for granted..but I am thankful that he gives us wake up calls.

Really?

Wow have these last few weeks been crazy!  Found out a couple of weeks ago that I have mono..oh the joy.  Kinda went through period of depression from not being able to do anything while sick, but learned the lesson of always being joyful.  The best thing that has happened to me recently was finally realizing my call to become an InterVarsity staff member.  When I think about this job it makes me so excited and happy :)  I just told my staff worker about two weeks ago, and his smile made me feel so joyful.  Thank you God for good friends!  I actually had a dream and God spoke to me through it.  He placed chapter one of Jeremiah in my dream.  This chapter directly addressed my fears of becoming an InterVarsity staff member.  Verse six-eight says "Ah, sovereign Lord," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child."  But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.  Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord.  This was so incredibly encouraging!  All the time I feel that I am not prepared or know enough scripture to be able to do this.  I really just feel that I lack so many important skills to be able to do this job well, but God knows my heart.  He WILL be with me, and will use me through my weaknesses.  Verse 10 was also a slap in the face--See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.  In InterVarsity creating a new chapter on a college campus is called building and planting!  I am so excited about this long and crazy journey ahead of me.  I want to thank God for speaking to us, and always being so faithful.  I really could not ask more of this life...