tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57523273294885242902024-02-20T05:39:17.803-08:00Fishermen, Fugues, and Fading FlowersScribbling. Playing. Creating. Living.
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us." - Ephesians 5:1-2Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-62740802934923323562014-06-06T12:24:00.002-07:002014-06-06T12:24:56.048-07:00Horse Burgers, the Post Office, and Life on Mission<span lang=""><div align="JUSTIFY">
It's a good thing that God, in his infinite, perfect wisdom, has sovereignly planned all the adventures that will take place in my life, because I would never have come up with anything this wonderful on my own. And, if I knew beforehand just what an adventure it would be, I probably would never have signed up for a ten-week internship in the Czech Republic. Yet at this moment I am sitting by an open window in an apartment in Havirov, Czech Republic, marveling at all that has happened in the week and a half since I left the United States. Praise God that he knew that this was exactly where I needed to be.</div>
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I spent the first three days of my internship in Slovenia on the 'Amazing Race.' Basically you get off an airplane, meet the six other people you'll be serving with for the summer, and then look like an idiot running around a foreign country doing crazy things with them. Highlights included eating horse burgers and bridge jumping. An interesting way to get to know people, but by the end of it we'd had some interesting experiences together and were adjusted to the time zone, so I suppose it served its purpose well.</div>
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Then they shipped me off to training for four days. I got slightly overloaded with information, sorta caught up on sleep, and, most importantly, spent more time getting to know the incredible people that I will get to serve with all summer. </div>
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Two days ago, we finally moved into the apartment where we will be living in the beautiful town of Havirov. The church here stocked us up with dishes, towels, soap, and food which was all waiting for us when we arrived. You know you're home when there's ice cream waiting in the freezer. I was blown away by the kindness and generosity that we've been shown, and already the people here have been serving us more than we could even dream of serving them. How incredibly humbling. </div>
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Although the first week here I always had a Czech national with me or another person who knew what they were doing, yesterday and today I had the wonderful opportunity to look like a total idiot while trying to complete some pretty basic tasks. There is a post office less than a block up from our apartment, and yesterday I decided that mailing some letters would be a good 'first independent accomplishment.' When I walked into the post office, I learned thst it's not only a post office and there are about ten different counters to go to for various things. I still don't know what else they do there, because all the signs were in Czech and I still only know very basic and random phrases. After standing there koukam do blba (staring into stupidity) for several moments, I worked up enough courage to ask someone for help. She showed me which counter to take a ticket for, and the rest of my visit passed without mishap. Although the whole endeavor was probably more complicated than most people would make it, I left feeling as though I'd conquered the world.</div>
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I'd like to think that I did a little better today, but I'm not sure if the people staring at me on my walk just knew that I was an American or if they could tell that I was trying to figure out where the heck I was and how I was supposed to get back to my apartment. And I suppose it's possible that no one took notice of the three girls staring at the cheese for ten minutes in the grocery store, trying to figure out which one to buy. At any rate, there are groceries in the fridge, some letters are on their way to America, and I'm only slightly sunburnt. </div>
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Although looking stupid is an important part of any cross-cultural experience, I'm learning about some other things as well. If you don't know, Bible college is one of the hardest places to live on mission, and I've definitely sensed a dryness and a lack of passion since I don't get to spend a lot of time around people that don't know Jesus. But it takes only four or five days on an internship with a missions organization to be reminded that we all need to care about reaching lost people. This past semester I was learning a lot about worship and how worship is necessarily tied to Salvation. To be saved is to be a worshiper of God, and to be in the process of sanctificiation is to be learning to worship him more completely. This week I was struck with the reality that if we really care about worship we have to care about mission. There are millions of people in the world who aren't worshipping God, and they need to be introduced to Jesus so that they can worship him. If we care about worshipping God more perfectly and more completely, we'll be passionate about reaching lost people who are spending their lives worshipping things that will ultimately destroy them. </div>
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Of course these are easy things to consider when you're in a different country with none of the distractions of home, and you have two months ahead of you with nothing to do but share Christ with people. But I don't want to forget the mission when I get home. I want to spend the rest of my life asking who are my lost friends? where can I meet more lost people right <i>now</i>? who am I helping to mature in Christ? what am I doing right now that <i>requires </i>faith? I don't know yet what that will look like in the comtext of Bible college and beyond, but I know that whatever context I'm in the mission stays the same. If I'm about worshio, I have to be about mission. </div>
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More thoughts on that later perhaps, but now it's time for a walk. Hopefully one that won't include looking like a lost puppy and will include meeting some neighbors who need Christ. </div>
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Soli Deo Gloria</i></span><br />Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-76184662481760481872014-01-25T19:10:00.001-08:002014-01-25T19:14:00.423-08:00"God Himself will be among them..."<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">When you’re 20, you think you’re invincible. You don’t even
have a big kid driver’s license yet, you’ve never experienced arthritis, and
you can’t even imagine what it’s like to be 30. Dozens of wise adults have told
you at one point or another to ‘keep your life in perspective.’ But when you
haven’t even seen 30, how are you supposed to imagine eternity?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">It’s been one year since my dear friend, Micah Stinchfield,
passed away unexpectedly while swimming in the school pool. I remember exactly
where I was when I heard. I remember being numb for almost 12 hours before the
shocking news finally brought forth tears. I remember crying through almost
every class for a week. I remember kind words, tight hugs, and compassionate
prayers from friends, pastors, professors. I remember promise after promise
from Scripture that the Lord brought to mind in the moments when I was
desperately searching for hope and comfort. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">When I was 20, I was hit hard with the truth that
‘invincible’ is not a reality. I learned that someone I loved could one day be
hiding out in a practice room to surprise me and the next day be taken from
this world without even a hug good-bye. I realized the terror of our frail,
uncertain existence. But I was also given the gift of experiencing for the very
first time the comfort of the guaranteed hope, security, and peace that can
only be found in Christ. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I had been taught for so long the importance of having my
identity wrapped up in eternity and in the promise of Salvation that can only
come by grace through faith in Christ alone. I was told over and over again
that everything we try to find our security in can be taken away by death, sin,
and suffering, unless our hope is in Christ. I knew that. I understood. But on
January 26<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup>, 2013, I experienced it. In the moments of darkness and
despair, I began to grasp more fully the reality of an eternity that is secure
in Christ, a promise that stands when everything else is taken away, and a
peace and joy that abides throughout all circumstances. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">As I look back with joy on Micah’s life and the time I had
to know him, many things come to mind. He always had something sweet to say, he
never stopped smiling, and he was always making music. He always remembered
prayer requests that I had shared and would take the time to ask about them. He
always went out of his way to encourage, to share his joy, and to reflect the
glory of his Savior. I still don’t go through a single day without thinking of
him. Sometimes the memories are all sweetness, and sometimes the sorrow is
still fresh. But always I must smile, realizing that he lived to reflect
eternity and is now there, united with Christ and experiencing what we can only
look forward to with great joy and confident expectation. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Each and every day I praise God for Micah’s life, for the
joy that he shared and for the eternal hope that defined him. Sometimes I laugh
and sometimes I cry, but always I remember what my friend taught me about
eternity. Come what may, my hope is sure, my future is secure in Christ, and
the day is coming when I, with Micah and all the other saints that have gone
before, will at last be united with Christ, when “God Himself will be among
them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no
longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away”
(Revelation 21:3-4).</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our
inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light
momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all
comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen
but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient,
but the things that are unseen are eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18</span></span></div>
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Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-74956661827008367022013-08-10T15:01:00.000-07:002013-08-10T15:06:03.375-07:00Vast the Ocean<div style="text-align: justify;">
In just eight short days I will be
headed back to Chicago for my junior year of college. I have to admit that I
was actually surprised when I was looking over some paperwork for school and
happened to glance at my academic year. Am I really halfway through? Some days
I feel like I’ve barely gotten settled into life at Moody Bible Institute and
couldn’t possibly have been there for two years. Yet other days I wonder what
my life was like before college: it seems like I’ve been there forever! But
even in the midst of my up-and-down, crazy, mixed-up emotions and thoughts
related to school, I am unbelievably excited for the opportunity that God has
given me to continue my education at MBI this year. Ever since my first
semester, I’ve had to periodically step back and remind myself that yes, I
really do go to school here. I’m overwhelmed by the blessing it has been, and I
could not have dreamed of anything better. </div>
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This year my roommate and I are
going to be celebrating the countless reasons we have to praise God. The theme
for our room is 10,000, representing the myriad of blessings and joys in our
lives and the innumerable reasons we have to praise our Heavenly Father! We
have several posters for our room to remind us, as well as a journal in which
to make our great big list of praises throughout the year. </div>
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As I’ve been preparing to go back
to school I’ve been reflecting on just a few of the many joys that have filled
my heart to overflowing, specifically those related to school. More than
anything else I’ve been struck by the reality that God has placed some amazing
people in my life. I’d like to share about just a few of them.</div>
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Ever since my very first piano
lesson at Moody, I knew that I had an incredible teacher. But it wasn’t until
this summer that I truly realized what a gift it has been to study the piano
with him for the past two years. I’ve always been so thankful to have a piano
teacher who prays for me, encourages me, challenges me, points me to Scripture
as my source of truth, and helps me navigate the questions of who I am and who
I’m trying to become. Not only that, but this summer I realized that he has
taught me to love the piano in a way that I never did before. As I was thinking
about my schedule and how I could squeeze in an extra hour of practice each
day, I realized that I have grown to love playing in a way that no one can
teach you. It has to be caught, and I caught it from the gentleman who loves
green, enjoys making up crazy stories, and teaches me to center my love for
music on my desire to serve God and pursue Him in all things. </div>
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Another person that comes to mind
whenever I think about what the Lord has taught me in my time at Moody is my
band director. He’s the professor that can always tell when my brain is a
million miles away and isn’t afraid to ask where I’ve gone. He’s the one I know
I can count on when I need a good dose of perspective on life, and he’s the
only person I know who can speak incredibly bluntly while maintaining a deep
sense of kindness and sensitivity. Usually in a sentence or two he can put into
perspective whatever frustration or uncertainty I’m dealing with. But he’s also
never afraid to let me think through things and figure them out for myself.
Although he’s smarter than I ever hope to be and can almost always give me a
perfectly satisfactory answer in about five seconds, he’s also willing to
reason through things with me, engage in an intellectual discussion, and help
me draw my own conclusions. He not only offers the wisdom and help from an
older adult that people my age need, but also encourages me to think carefully
and use the mind and intelligence that I’ve been given. He and his wife have
poured unbelievable amounts of love, kindness, and acceptance into my life, and
will forever be role models to me of what it looks like to live for Jesus in
real life. </div>
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And of course, somewhere along the
way I’m reminded that I probably never would have made it to Moody without the encouragement
of my senior high pastor. He was the one to tell me about MBI, convince me to
visit and apply, and talk sense into me when I doubted my decision to go there.
But far better than the wisdom he shared when I was deciding where to go to
school, he is the one who modeled to me what it means to root myself in the
truth of the gospel. In everything I’ve learned at Moody, whether through
classes, friends, church, or other circumstances, it always brings me back to
the truth of who Christ is and what He has done for me. And I realize that my
pastor was the first person to tell me that it’s the gospel that changes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everything</i>, defines who I am and what I’m
living for, and brings into perspective every other matter that I am confronted
with. It is the gospel that gives me true hope, joy, peace, security, and
identity, and anchors me in the midst of life’s changing circumstances. My
pastor is the one who taught me that everything about me and everything I
believe comes back to the simple yet profound truth that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jesus died so I wouldn’t have to</i>. I’ll never fully understand it,
yet each day it is my joy to learn more of what that truth means, and I will
always be grateful for the pastor who models for me what it looks like to
center myself on the truth of who Christ is and what He has accomplished on my
behalf. </div>
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There are so many more people I
could mention, lives that the Lord has used to touch mine, dear friends who
daily challenge me to pursue holiness and strive to be more like Christ. My
roommate is one of these precious people, and I look forward to celebrating
with her throughout the year the countless reasons we have to praise and thank
God. His goodness amazes me each and every day and I believe I’ll continue to
see that as I take on a new school year just a few weeks from now. </div>
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This summer I’ve been playing an
arrangement of “O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus,” and as I reflect on the great
love that I have been shown, as well as the grace and goodness that are daily
poured into my life, it is the final verse of this hymn that comes to my mind:</div>
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O
the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best,</div>
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Vast
the ocean of his blessing, sweet the haven of his rest!</div>
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O
the deep, deep love of Jesus – for my heaven of heavens is he;</div>
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This
my everlasting glory – Jesus’ mighty love for me!</div>
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Indeed, vast is the ocean of
blessing flowing from the heart of our God! He alone is worthy of glory, honor,
and praise, for all He has done and all He has promised to do!</div>
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[Soli Deo Gloria]<br />
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Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-75531490708488748102013-06-29T06:42:00.003-07:002013-06-29T06:42:53.697-07:00Jesus, Campfires, SparklesI suppose I shouldn’t be surprised to be back at my
childhood camp for my second year on all-summer staff, but some days it
absolutely blows my mind. As I see the high school girls in my cabin grasping
new truths about God throughout the week, listen to the sound of joyful worship
each evening around a campfire, receive dozens of hugs and kisses from the 2<sup>nd</sup>
and 3<sup>rd</sup> grade girls, and see God’s grace and provision in a million
ways each and every day, I can hardly believe this place exists. I am so
blessed by the campers that I get to hang out with every day, the staff that
offers constant encouragement, and the beauty of God’s creation that surrounds
us here at camp. This is truly one of the best jobs in the world. <br />
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Several weeks ago as I was contemplating the summer ahead, I
realized that camp includes my top six favorite things of all time: Jesus,
nature, youth, music, fire, and sparkles. Really, could it get any better???</div>
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Although camp life is certainly not easy, even with the days
that I wake up so tired that I worry I might throw up, the times that I wonder
if my campers learned anything over the last five days of Bible study, and the
moments when I have so much to get done that I just want to give up and cry, I
realize there is no place I’d rather be for the summer. Each day I get to watch
young girls discover more about who God is and grow in their love for Christ,
and in the process I learn more of God’s heart and gain a deeper love for and
trust in Him. And not only that, I get to be silly and ridiculous all the time
with zero negative social repercussions. </div>
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This week was my first week as a counselor this year (I was
up here for a week earlier in the summer for training), and it was a blast. One
of the highlights of the week was playing Tinkerbell for our all-camp game on
Thursday evening, a role which left me covered in sparkles, even after two
showers. Another wonderful memory from the week was dressing up as trees with
my high school girls for cabin time. And of course it wouldn’t be camp without
burnt dessert at Tuesday night cookout, bug spray wars before morning Bible
study, and having our cabins “Pink-ified” by the Pathinders (the youngest
division at camp). It was a wonderful start to the summer and I am exhausted
but ready for new campers to come tomorrow! </div>
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[Soli Deo Gloria]</div>
Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-61676373831993162522013-06-08T06:59:00.002-07:002013-06-08T07:02:20.204-07:00From a Young Person in Your Church<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I am a millennial. I grew up in the
church. I still have strong ties to the church I was raised in. Over the past
two years I have also gotten involved in a church in the city where I go to
college. </i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Many in my generation are leaving
the church, or at least the kind of church they grew up in, abandoning the
traditional local church for new ideas of what they think church should be. If
they have stayed, the church likely does not feel like home to them anymore. </i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You are the elders, the pastors, the
worship leaders, the parents, the Sunday school teachers, the members who have
invested time and energy into your local church and made it what it is today. Maybe
you specifically invested in the young people in your church. But still they
are leaving. </i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My story and my experiences are not
identical to others in my generation. My voice and thoughts do not reflect
exactly what others my age are saying and feeling. But I am a piece of the
story. While each of us has our own complicated experiences and emotions tied
to our view of the local church and no individual story can clear away all the
hurt and confusion caused by generational differences in the church, I hope
that this starts a conversation; that what I have to say will cause you to ask
other young people what they have to say; that reading my thoughts will
motivate you to share yours with me, and that together we can pursue God’s
heart for the Church.</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i> </div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am a young person in your church
and this is what I wish you knew.</i></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As you know
young people are often classified as ambitious, energetic, full of huge dreams,
and idealistic. While these are generalizations, they’re often true. We love to
imagine the endless possibilities of what could be, and we want to change the
world. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">But I know I’m not ready to
change the world yet.</b></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I recognize
that you have decades more life experience than I do. I see that you have
experimented, been trained, and worked hard to be where you are now. I
understand that you possess far more wisdom and insight than I could possibly
have gained in my short twenty years. While I do have big ideas and I can often
be arrogant, assuming I know a better way to do things than you, I do respect
your wisdom and your experience. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">And I
want to learn from you.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I want to
learn not just about the way you do things or what your model for ministry is,
but who you really are. I want to know what you think and how you interact with
the world. I want to know why you do things the way you do and I want you to
share the wisdom behind it with me. I want to learn what your lifetime of
experience has taught you and see how your years of following Christ have
transformed you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I praise God
that you are the leaders of today’s church. While I may not understand
everything you do, I recognize your wisdom and am thankful for your leadership.
Please remember that tomorrow, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">my
generation will be leading.</b> What you teach us is what we will know, and
what you model for us is what we will, to an extent, imitate. We need you to
engage with us, to show us, to love us, and to pour into us. As the future
leaders of the church, to a large extent we determine what direction we’ll
take. But, in a sense, so do you. So invest in us – it’s not just our future, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">it’s the future of the Church</i>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I will ask a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">million</i> questions. </b>If my endless questions become tiresome <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">please tell me</i>, but I am on a quest to
learn more and each conversation I have with you is an opportunity to do just that.
I want to know what you think because I’m trying to figure out how I’m going to
think. I want to know your opinion because I’m shaping mine. I want to know how
you pursue Christ because I am just learning how. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Under your
guidance and supervision, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I want to try
everything.</b> I’m still trying to figure out where my gifts are best utilized
and how I can serve the church. Sometimes I need to try things before I know.
If I’m setting myself up for failure, please tell me. Most of the time I’ll
listen, but if I don’t you have my full permission to say, ‘I told you so.’ If
you see something I’d be good at, ask me to help. If I don’t think I’ll succeed
I may hesitate, but <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I trust your
judgment</b> and am willing to try. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I am
interested in what you are doing and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I
want to help</b>. I still have so much to learn, but being involved in the
ministries you have a passion for can help me do that. As I discover my limits,
develop my various gifts, and learn how to accomplish things with skill and
grace, I want to be involved with what you are doing. Invite me to your Bible study;
let me serve with you at a weekend event; ask me to help you with prep work. I
want to experience every part of what you do in ministry so that I am
well-equipped in the future. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sometimes, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I have no idea what I’m doing right.</b>
Just as I know you welcome my encouragement, I need yours too. Often I’m the
last person to recognize that I have a good idea or that a certain area of
ministry is a great fit for me. I may not know that I did something helpful or
said something constructive. Just as often, I may not realize that one of my
ideas is really dumb or that the way I carried out a task was extremely
inefficient. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">So I also welcome your
instruction.</b> If there’s an easier, more graceful, or better way to handle
something, show me. If my idea for something is stupid, don’t be afraid to tell
me. It’s okay, because I know you’ve had dumb ideas too.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Although
many my age have left, remember <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">that
doesn’t mean I’m going to.</b> I know that it’s painful to watch as youth that
you have invested in walk away from the church that you love. I know it is hard
to pour into students when you don’t know how long they’ll be around or if
you’ll have to say good-bye to them too. But it’s also difficult for us to stay
when many are hesitant and cautious to extend us a welcome. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Most
importantly, I want you to know that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I
desire your friendship.</b> I want you to walk with me through life, share the
things that you’ve learned, and teach me to live life with the same skill and
grace that I see in you. Stop by campus sometime, let me make hot chocolate for
you, and spend time just chatting with me. Have a cookie-baking afternoon with
me. Text me. Tell me when your birthday is so I can send you a silly card. Give
me hugs. Tell me about your kids, your in-laws, your washing machine, and your
favorite music. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Know that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I pray for you</b> just as I ask that you
would <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">pray for me</b>. I pray that you
would pursue holiness in all things, that God would give you grace and wisdom
as you lead and model Christ to others, that He would make you more like Christ
every day, and that you would finish well the race you’ve started. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our
Lord Jesus – the great Shepherd of the sheep – with the blood of the
everlasting covenant, equip you with all that is good to do His will, working
in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ. Glory belongs to Him
forever and ever. Amen”<br />
– Hebrews 13:20-21</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
[Soli Deo Gloria] </div>
Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-90932774192313293232013-01-03T18:50:00.000-08:002013-01-03T18:50:10.219-08:00Life as a Stoody Mudent<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Whenever the end of the semester rolls around and I get hit
with a great big pile of stress and busyness I begin to wonder why in the world
I ever attempted another semester. I realize how crazy I was to be excited when
classes were just starting and it dawns on me that with only three short weeks
off before the next semester begins there is no way that I will fully recover
before I have to do it all over again. But, inevitably, about two weeks into my
break I start thinking about new classes, I begin getting e-mails from
professors, and I can’t help but get excited. I love reading new syllabi,
reorganizing my binder, planning out my schedule, and coming up with new
strategies for taking on a new course load. As I start to think about the new
adventures I’ll have and all the new things I’ll learn, my heart is happy and
my mind is content. I simply love being a student. Here’s why I love going to
school:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">1. I go to Bible college. Today as I read the syllabus for
one of my new classes one of the course objectives caught my eye: To gain a
greater appreciation of and a deeper trust in the Bible as the inerrant Word of
God. Wow. Seriously, I am so incredibly blessed to go to a school where my
professors’ ultimate concern is not to get certain information to stick in my
brain but to make me more like Jesus; where my classes are not designed simply
to prepare me for a certain vocation but to teach me to love, serve, trust, and
glorify God more completely.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">2. My school is in downtown Chicago. How awesome is it that
although my ‘campus’ fits into about three city blocks, I have an entire world-class
city right here in front of me, just waiting to be explored? Far beyond the red
brick walls of campus my city is full of museums, skyscrapers, concert halls,
theatres, churches, universities, grocery stores, sidewalks, and coffee shops,
each brimming with beauty, art, philosophy, tragedy, joy. What better place to
learn and grow? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">3. I am a music major. Yes it’s a ton of work and at least
twice a week I question my own sanity, but every day I have so. much. fun. Each
week I get to spend an hour playing the piano with a gentleman who is not only
brilliant but also the sweetest and most caring teacher anyone could ask for. I
get to go on two tours every year with the craziest and most wonderful group of
instrumentalists. I have my practice room invaded at least once a day by an
oboe, violin, or voice major, and if I wear purple at least two faculty members
will inevitably compliment me on my outfit.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">4. I love reading books and writing papers. About 85% of my
requirements for any course involve writing a paper or reading a book. I could
do without the tests and other random homework I have, but since that only ends
up being about 15% of my work at school I’m not going to complain. Most days I
get to just do what I enjoy and get credit for it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">5. I will never get tired of organizing things. And let’s be
honest: there is always plenty to organize when you’re in school. At the
beginning of every semester I have such a great time organizing my syllabi,
putting all the important due dates in my calendar, reordering my book shelf,
planning out my practice and study time, and reorganizing my binder with new
homework schedules and course requirements. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">6. My professors are superheroes. Not even kidding. Some of
them explain to me how busy they are and I’m pretty sure they never sleep. Yet
they always have way more energy than any of their students and are happy to
squeeze coffee or lunch with a student into their crazy schedules. Not only are
they unbelievably wise and intelligent, but they are also personable and caring
and love being with their students. I learn so much from them not only in
class, but also sitting in chapel with them, chatting over lunch, discussing a
concept after class, or praying with them about challenging situations.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">7. My fellow students are incredible. They never cease to
challenge, encourage, and inspire me. Whether we’re making a trip to Walmart,
playing ultimate on Dryer lawn, watching the sunrise at the beach, doing
homework together, talking about what we learned that day over dinner, or
discussing theology in a coffee shop, I’m always blown away by the wisdom,
grace, and love that reside in the hearts of the people I go to school with. On
a daily basis they challenge me to pursue holiness, encourage me in my walk
with Jesus, and inspire me to dream big and get creative. They’re always there
to have an intelligent and uplifting conversation and to pray with me for our
school, our families, our friends, and our world.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">8. I know it’s where I am supposed to be. Although at times
I’ve wished I could just go home and never come back to school, at the end of
the day I know that God has me here on purpose. The growth that I’ve
experienced in my time at school has been difficult but extremely rewarding.
God’s goodness and faithfulness has been shown to me over and over again in
each and every detail and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. The joys I’ve
experienced have been incredible and I’m overwhelmingly blessed by the people I
get to learn from and grow with. I am trusting that God has placed me here in
his sovereignty and he is using my time in school to make me into the person
that he desires me to be. Although I have no way of knowing what he has in
store, I know that his plan is better than anything I could even dare to dream.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">So there you have it. In a week and a half I get to begin
another semester with its own joys, challenges, and adventures. I have no idea
what parts I will like, what parts I’ll hate, what I’ll learn, or what I’ll
wish I could do over. But I am excited. I know that I am blessed and no matter
what this semester may bring I will praise God for the incredible opportunity
that he has given me to go to school. I couldn’t ask for more. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">[soli deo gloria]</span></div>
Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-50690267653145711922012-12-09T11:57:00.000-08:002012-12-09T11:57:22.703-08:00Ten Thousand Beside<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One
of the greatest joys that the end of a semester brings is the opportunity to
look back over the last four months and reflect on what I have learned and how
I have grown. Although it is easy to fly through projects, papers, juries, and
final exams without ever pausing to consider what the Lord has done in my life,
it is absolutely essential to take the time to contemplate specific ways that I
have seen his faithfulness as he has shaped and molded me throughout the
semester. Consequently, before I race through finals, throw a pile of clothes
in my suitcase, and catch a plane to Minneapolis, I would like to share the
unique challenges, discoveries, and joys that have characterized the fall
semester of my sophomore year. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Near
the beginning of the semester I had many upperclassmen girls inform me that
sophomore year was their most challenging, emotionally speaking. While I would
not necessarily say that this year has been more emotionally draining than last
year, it has definitely brought its share of weariness, loneliness, and
discouragement. Near the beginning of the semester, I was reminded that
discouragement is not an excuse to lack joy. Life frequently brings seasons of
discouragement, times when we are overwhelmed or just plain tired. But that
does not mean that we cannot have joy. The joy that we have in Christ is
absolutely independent of circumstances, and even in those times of weariness
we can rejoice in the glorious truth of all that Christ has done on our behalf.
In seasons of weariness we can also realize that maybe the people around us are
just as discouraged or lonely as we are. And as we seek to encourage others who
are weary, somewhere along the way we may discover that we are not quite so
lonely or tired anymore.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Another
important theme this semester has been that God’s plan is so much better than
my own. Near the beginning of the semester a certain professor reminded me over
lunch that when you examine your life, if something isn’t happening the way you
think it should be, it’s because what God has in store is better. He mentioned
it in the context of relationships, but the concept applies to all aspects of
our lives and has been important for me to recall throughout the semester.
Although I know Romans 8:28 as well as the next person and have always been
taught that God has a perfect plan for my life, there is frequently a
disconnect between what I know to be true and the practical working out of my
beliefs. This semester as I’ve wrestled with what I want to do with my life,
questioned where I am headed, and wondered if I really am where I am supposed
to be and doing what I am supposed to be doing, this was such an important
reminder for me. I can come up with endless ‘what-ifs’ and theoretical paths
that I could have taken, but the truth is that God has me here and what he has
for me is better. I have been challenged to consider that perhaps God’s plan
for me is bigger than I am capable of dreaming and maybe he has so much more
for me than I ever dared to hope. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
leads to the next lesson, which was perhaps one of the more uncomfortable ones
for me to wrestle with. I cannot recall what the circumstances were that laid
this upon my heart, but a simple journal entry from a few months back has
served to be a difficult but extremely important reminder: “die to the dream of
a controlled life.” Somewhere in the mid-semester busyness, in the midst of
homework woes and trying to figure out what it is I am actually doing here I
always seem to reach a moment when I am overwhelmed by all of the things that I
cannot control. This semester I was confronted with how ridiculous that is. The
glorious truth is that my God is sovereign over each and every detail of my
life and that leaves me with no reason to be anxious about anything, whether it
be homework, friendships, church, juries, or my future. When I am willing to
die to my dreams of being in control of my own life, I can find the perfect
rest and peace of truly and deeply trusting God’s sovereign hand. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Perhaps
the most crucial things that I have learned over the course of this semester
have been in regards to holiness. Certain events throughout the semester have
reminded me that none of us are immune to temptation. It is naïve to think that
I am not capable of falling into sin and disqualifying myself for ministry. It
is absolutely crucial to take holiness seriously and to pursue Christ in every
way. Every single decision I make, no matter how big or how small, is taking me
towards holiness or away from it, and each decision in the wrong direction so easily
leads to a series of wrong decisions until the problem has produced unbearable
consequences. No sin can be taken lightly and I must live each and every day
clinging to God’s grace and striving to become more like him. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
lesson has also driven me to my knees for my brothers and sisters. When
confronted with the reality of how ugly sin is, I realized that I must daily be
on my knees praying for my fellow students, for my professors, and for my
pastors. I am blessed to be surrounded by people who are doing amazing things
for God’s kingdom and will continue to transform the world. However, we must
all realize and understand how quickly our witness and ministry can be lost if
we do not guard ourselves and pursue holiness in every way. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Finally,
throughout the semester I have become increasingly aware of how much I do not
understand. It is often true that the more we learn the more we realize how
much we still have to learn, and this has certainly been the case for me this
fall. I have encountered countless things that I cannot yet grasp and endless
questions that my brain has been unable to sort out. I have found great
encouragement in the words of Anselm of Canterbury, “I do not seek to
understand in order to believe, but rather to believe in order to understand.”
I will forever encounter things in this world that I simply do not get and
questions that I do not know the answer to. Sometimes I will not understand how
the Lord is working or why he has placed me in a certain situation. In those
times, it is okay to step back, to stop trying to understand everything, and
simply praise God for his sovereignty, understanding, and faithfulness. The
list of things that I do not understand is endless, but I believe that God is
good, that he is faithful, and that his plan is so much better than I could
possibly imagine. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As
this semester comes to an end my heart is full. Although there have been
difficult moments and at times I was not entirely sure if I would make it, this
semester has brought incredible blessings and countless joys. My mind has been
blown by the faithfulness of my God and the promises he has given me. As I look
ahead to the future and praise God for what I know he will do, the final verse
of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Great is Thy Faithfulness</i> rings in
my heart:</span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pardon
for sin and a peace that endureth, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thy
own dear presence to cheer and to guide; </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Strength
for today and bright hope for tomorrow, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Blessings
all mine, with ten thousand beside!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Amen. Great is his faithfulness,
indeed! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
[soli deo gloria]</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-10766320502231212882012-09-15T19:26:00.003-07:002012-09-15T19:26:46.648-07:00The Glory of the Lord<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In many Christian
circles today great emphasis is placed on the personal aspect of God’s
character. We love to talk about our God who loves us, cares for us, and is
intimately involved in our daily lives. We find great strength and security in
the awareness that he knows us deeply and relates to us. This is both beautiful
and necessary. However, too often God’s immanence is emphasized at the expense
of his transcendence, the part of him that is beyond physical existence and
comprehension. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For awhile we can
talk about his transcendence. When we speak of him as Creator we enjoy
contemplating his creativity and love of beauty. We like to recall that he is
everywhere, that he knows all things, that he is the sustainer of life. But
keep going and we begin to get uncomfortable. Begin to contemplate his
holiness, his righteousness, and his justice, and suddenly we get squirmy. We
know that these are important aspects of his character, but we don’t want to
dwell on them too long, thinking about the implications. We don’t want to think
about the fact that our God is so holy and so just that he cannot be in the
presence of sin. We don’t want to think about the fact that he is so far above
us and so powerful that we cannot stand in his presence, but must fall on our
faces. We throw out the command to fear the Lord by arguing that it probably
means something more along the lines of ‘respect.’ </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the reality is
that any theology that doesn’t include our God’s power, justice, and holiness,
which we cannot even look upon, is severely lacking. It is dangerous to forget
that we must revere and fear (yes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fear</i>)
our God, that his glory and power are frightening to behold, and that he is
absolutely just and holy. First of all, if he is not powerful and just, he can
no longer be a good and perfect stronghold. He is a stronghold <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">because</i> he is powerful, and he is good <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">because</i> he is also righteous and just.
Second, if we forget these aspects of God’s character we are in danger of
slipping into a life of licentiousness that doesn’t take holiness or obedience
seriously. And holiness and obedience are a really big deal. If we start living
like some sins really aren’t that big of a deal we will lose our footing and
slide down that slippery slope before we even realize we’re going downhill. If
we don’t contemplate the more difficult aspects of God’s character, check our
pride and realize how small we truly are, and give him the honor, fear, and reverence
he demands, we’ll be headed down a dangerous road.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So let’s leave
room in our theology of God’s immanence for his justice, power, and holiness.
Let’s realize that our obedience is essential, and rely on his grace to get us
through every second of every day. Let’s pursue holiness and honor our good,
loving, gracious, kind, just, holy, and powerful God.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times;">"Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, <em>I fell on my face</em>." -Ezekiel 1:28</span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Soli deo gloria</span> </div>
Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-90843390138512294792012-08-21T17:32:00.004-07:002012-08-21T17:32:43.606-07:00Beauty in the City<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I believe that God loves the city.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">That’s not to say God doesn’t love suburban and rural areas.
He certainly does. But I think sometimes we lose sight of God’s heart for the
city. There’s no fresh air, it’s noisy, the traffic is insane, parts of it
aren’t very safe, it’s hot in the summer and nasty slop is everywhere in the
winter, and there’s no nature. When we think about all of these things, we
often forget the beauty of the city. But the city is beautiful for several
reasons.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">First of all, there are no bugs. Sure you may get roaches if
you’re apartment is a pit, but if you go for a walk outside, you will see
absolutely no mosquitoes, you will not get any cobwebs in your face, and you
won’t get a single tick. That is beautiful. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Second, there are sidewalks. You can walk <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">anywhere</i> that you need to go. You don’t
have to worry about freeways, putting gas in your car, or those weird twisty
neighborhoods where all the houses are the same. Fantastic.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">And one specific to Chicago, we have one of the Great Lakes.
Seriously, could it be more awesome than that? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now, wonderful as these things are, I don’t think that’s why
God loves the city. I believe that God loves people, and the city is full of
them! It’s where things happen, where culture is changed and defined, where
ideas and dreams become realities, and where beliefs are shared. The city is
where you learn and understand what different people are really thinking and
believing, how the culture is changing, what people are dreaming about, and how
you can really be an effective witness and impact the world for Christ. I
believe that God wants to reach the city and transform the people here. God’s
heart is to care for the poor, to love the lost, and to heal the broken. The
city is full of people who are poor, broken and lost, and his heart is to reach
those people! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">What an amazing opportunity it is to be living in the heart
of downtown Chicago! As I sit in my windowsill, drinking Korean tea, watching
the traffic below, enjoying the view of the beautiful architecture, and
listening to all the sounds of the city, I can’t help but be excited. God has a
heart for the city and I can’t wait to discover more of what that is and how I
fit into his plan for this city.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMR1pHZI43uEOldMefxUWP-YjzBm5SzO_5NuE993n70XcWNSXta_xBFIIOJ_TkXWTpm1CZyMkNmtJZvdKW4fjL2WpHvbXaEtw74GuFOWMgWp3QDxWP8Dv2JEOqDWY50F58mJGISzCXVvC/s1600/DSCN0469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMR1pHZI43uEOldMefxUWP-YjzBm5SzO_5NuE993n70XcWNSXta_xBFIIOJ_TkXWTpm1CZyMkNmtJZvdKW4fjL2WpHvbXaEtw74GuFOWMgWp3QDxWP8Dv2JEOqDWY50F58mJGISzCXVvC/s320/DSCN0469.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Soli deo gloria.</span> </div>
Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-35817667986927940792012-08-10T13:19:00.003-07:002012-08-10T13:20:54.944-07:00Moose Hunting and Chocolate Milk<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> After weighing the
pros and cons of becoming a nun, I long ago decided that it was not the path
for me. This summer I decided that an excellent alternative would be to become
a gypsy with some nun-like qualities. However, after some deeper contemplation
I have decided to move to Alaska and live with the Seven Dwarves. Although the
Seven Dwarves are axe murderers (this is what actually happened to Snow White),
they will immediately recognize my superb moose-hunting abilities and decide to keep me around to help them hunt moose. There I will spend the
rest of my days, exploring the beautiful Alaskan wilderness, knitting mittens,
and hunting moose. And of course drinking chocolate milk, because we all know that the Alaska pipeline is actually filled with chocolate milk, rather than oil.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bring it.</span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-4846011958267893682012-08-08T19:38:00.000-07:002012-08-08T19:38:08.079-07:00The Redeemer<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lately more and more days go by that I am
simply saddened by the world around me. As I watch people live lifestyles that
can only lead to hopelessness and self-destruction, hear horrifying news
stories of senseless violence, see the sick and helpless get abandoned and
forgotten, and learn of deep personal tragedies in the lives of loved ones, my
heart aches and longs for an answer. I want to know why there is poverty in our
world, why the helpless get oppressed, why people die of starvation, why the
elderly get forgotten or taken advantage of, why people self-destruct, why
innocent people are killed for no reason, why families get destroyed, why
people are hurting, lonely, and lost, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">why </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">all
the injustice</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">and
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how long</i> will it go on?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Some days the world around me looks so
desperate and hopeless that all I want to do is sit down and sob for every
broken heart, every torn relationship, every lost, hungry, and oppressed soul.
And I want answers. I want to know why God allowed this, that, or the other,
where God was when so-and-so prayed for this, and what is being accomplished
through all of this?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> I don’t have an answer. I could eloquently
state some good theological concepts about suffering or talk about how we live
in a fallen world and therefore injustice exists or say something about how it’s
all for a reason. But at the end of the day, even though these things are true,
that’s not what anyone wants to hear. The bottom line is that I don’t know why
injustice and suffering happen and I don’t know how long it will continue.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> But I know my Redeemer.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> I know that the God I serve has promised
that one day he will undo all of the wrongs, all of the suffering, and all of the
injustice. I know that my Savior chose the path of suffering for himself, and
if he was willing to enter into our world and experience pain and suffering
then he must have a good reason for allowing it to exist. And I know that my
God is able to do all that he has promised.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> I have hope, comfort, peace, and joy, even
in the midst of a badly broken world. I don’t need to have all the answers and
I don’t need to explain it all away. I know that my God is able and will redeem
this world and that here and now he walks with us in our pain and our
suffering. He chose to suffer himself and he chooses to come alongside us in
every hardship, every trial, every tragedy. While it would be nice to have
neat, tidy answers to all of these difficult questions, I have the only answer
I need in the hope that God is working redemption in this world. I have his
promises of present comfort and grace to walk with him through any circumstance
and future redemption of all pain, suffering, and injustice. And I have the
hope that in the light of the future glory that awaits us, even the most
horrible pain and suffering imaginable will seem small. Take heart. We serve a
great Redeemer.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is
wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light
momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all
comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that
are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are
unseen are eternal.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">– 2 Corinthians 4:16-18</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">[soli deo gloria]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-31458086332217016732012-06-30T07:56:00.000-07:002012-06-30T07:56:13.492-07:00Quiet Desperation...Breath of Assurance<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span>In the comfort of familiarity, it’s easy to
feel safe and in control. One feels as if their bases are covered, they have a
handle on things, and they are secure in routine. Independent. Composed.
Protected. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But once our routine gets rocked around, we
are driven headfirst into something unfamiliar, or something comes along that
we can’t control, our feeling of independence is shattered. We realize that
we’re never in control, we cannot find our security and safety in ourselves,
and no matter how collected we may look on the outside, there will always be
times of inner turmoil.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We realize we’re desperate.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">My summer has been crazy so far. Save the
first couple weeks after my semester ended, I haven’t spent more than a week in
the same place. I’m constantly running from one thing to the next, trying to be
prepared for whatever is next on my agenda. And somewhere in the stress and
chaos, I see it. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Desperation.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Try as I might, I will never come to the
place where I can do it all by myself. I will never quite have a handle on
things or be able to rely on my own abilities and strength to get by. My
attempts at perfection will always come up short, and anything I try to bring
to the table will never be enough.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But this desperation doesn’t have to be a
bad thing. It shouldn’t be a bad thing, because our desperation is meant to
bring us to dependence. When we finally reach the breaking point and realize we
could never handle things on our own, the door opens up for God to come in and
breath his assurance that he is our strength. He is our provider. He is our
joy. Our peace. Our Savior. Our life. When we come to the point of realization
that we truly are desperate for him, we can truly begin to depend on him. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span lang="ES-MX" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES-MX;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Desperate. Dependence. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="ES-MX" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES-MX;"></span><span lang="ES-MX" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES-MX;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">[soli deo gloria]</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-13106182823005289762012-06-01T16:07:00.000-07:002012-06-01T16:07:12.352-07:00Off-Kilter<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps the biggest miracle of the last few
months is that I finished my first year of college. Somehow, I survived another
piano jury, scraped by with some pretty good grades, and managed to build deep
friendships and get plugged in at an amazing church. In big and small ways God
has shown his goodness and faithfulness over and over again this year as I’ve begun
an incredible new chapter of my life. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The past few weeks I’ve been readjusting to
life at home in beautiful Minnesota. As I’m finally getting settled in, it’s
time to head off again tomorrow morning. I will be spending a week in Haiti,
working at a mission that my parents have been connected with since they were
in college, and then I’ll be counseling at a girls Bible camp on and off all
summer. While I’m excited for all that’s ahead, it’s easy to feel like my life
is spinning out of control, with something new flying at me just as I’ve begun
to adjust. But I think God plans it that way on purpose. Before we get too
comfortable he sends us just a bit off-kilter again, reminding us of how badly
we need him. Indeed, we must rely on him with our entire being and cling to
him, knowing that we are completely and utterly dependent on our heavenly
Father. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simple truths. Easily stated. But how
difficult to live them out! To truly surrender to God and let go of every last
detail, knowing and trusting that he will come through and be sufficient in
every circumstance. Always, when we begin to feel like we’re getting there,
something comes along to worry us or stress us out or cause us to doubt. And I
am convinced that each of those somethings were ordained by God to remind us
and to cause us, once again, to cling tightly to the hands that created all
things and hold all things together. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I
bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I
have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not
be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh
also dwells secure.” – Psalm 16:7-9<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">[soli
deo gloria]</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-65338948111721441142012-04-28T15:58:00.003-07:002012-04-28T16:02:04.232-07:00Entitlement<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Whether
or not we are intensely aware of it we all have a sense of entitlement. Some
people it is more noticeable than others. Once in awhile you meet a person how
doesn’t appear to feel entitled to much or if they do, they tend not to
exercise their rights very often. But it’s still there. I am generally a fairly
laid-back person who doesn’t mind being stepped on once in awhile because
really, in the grand scheme of things, it isn’t that big a deal. However, I do
still have a sense of entitlement. It doesn’t show itself very often, but it’s
there. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">It
most often comes out when I am in a crosswalk. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Living
in the middle of downtown Chicago, I find myself in crosswalks rather
frequently, which is probably why I’m becoming more aware of my feeling of
being entitled to something. When I am in a crosswalk I expect cars to stop for
the red light or stop sign <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">behind</i> the
crosswalk so that I don’t have to walk out into traffic to get around them. If
they fail to do this I generally walk straight at their car, turn at the last
second to walk around it, and then cut back very close to their vehicle in
order to walk the rest of the way across in the crosswalk. If I’m in a bad mood
I’ll throw in a sideways stare as I walk around them. Sometimes if I’m with a
group of people we joke about things one could do to make the driver of the
vehicle aware that you are unhappy with them for stopping in the crosswalk. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Last
week as I was walking up to church I was somewhat irked by a car that decided
to park itself in the crosswalk right in front of me. Seconds after my initial
irritation I was struck by the thought that really, I had no right to be even
slightly upset. First of all, it’s just plain stupid to be even a little bit
irked by something so small and ridiculous that makes no difference whatsoever
in eternity. Second, am I really justified in thinking that I have the right to
cross the street safely or walk where I want to? Do I really have a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">right</i> to anything? Isn’t it ironic that
I think I have the right to walk in a vehicle-free crosswalk but then turn
right around and question the right of the Creator of the universe to do
whatever he well pleases? Isn’t it strange that I hold so tightly to my ‘right’
to be comfortable, to be safe, to do the things that I want God to call me to
and not what I’ve actually been called to do? Isn’t it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ridiculous</i>?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">My
prayer would be that I learn to let go of the rights I think I have and entrust
it all to the One who has the right to place me wherever he pleases, no matter
what the cost may be. His ways are so far beyond mine that it is absolutely ridiculous
to try to hold onto my ‘rights’ in place of his good and perfect plan.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“For
my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the
Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than
your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">May
we, like Paul, lay down our rights in order to follow the path that God has
called us to, and be a part of his work of redemption, his plan that is going
far beyond what we will ever be able to see or understand. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Nevertheless,
we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an
obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 9:12 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">May
we lay it all down in order to gain Christ and take hold of that which is truly
life. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">[soli
deo gloria]</span> <o:p></o:p></span>Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-57378239782733117352012-04-06T14:06:00.000-07:002012-04-06T14:06:57.260-07:00Smoothies and Silverware<div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">On Tuesday evening I had an embarrassing moment that I've been trying all week to relate to some deep and profound truth about life. However I haven't been able to come up with anything, so you'll just have to read it, smile, and find your own lesson to take away from it.</span></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family: Times;">I was on my floor going over to my dear friend Emma's room so we could go on a smoothie date when I ran into Chelsea, who was just walking into the kitchen. Knowing that Emma wouldn't be </span>ready on time anyway, I took a brief detour to the kitchen to sit with Chelsea while she finished making some pasta. As she was pulling the pasta out of the microwave she asked me to hand her a fork. Trying my best to be helpful, I walked over to the silverware drawer, pulled it open and began my search for a fork.</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">Now, retrieving a fork from the silverware drawer should not be a difficult task. However, there was not one immediately visible when I opened the drawer, so I began rifling through the various utensils to find one. I still could not seem to locate a fork so I went to pull the drawer open a bit farther so I could see all the way to the back. Little did I know, the drawer had nothing to stop it when it got pulled out so it just kept coming, spilling knives, spoons, and serving utensils all over the floor. But still no forks. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">I stood there for a moment, surrounded by a pile of silverware, holding the empty drawer, and feeling ridiculous, uncertain of what I should do. Chelsea had of course heard the commotion that the dislodging of the drawer had caused and had turned away from the microwave to stare at me.</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">"Did you really just do that?" </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">Oops.</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">[soli deo gloria] </div>Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-40471948271118732612012-04-03T20:58:00.000-07:002012-04-03T20:58:47.000-07:00A Glimpse of Home<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This week I was blessed to have my parents visit as well as my pastor from my church back home. Faces from home are a wonderful sight when you’ve been away for three months. However the visits are always far too short and with the joy carry a hint of sadness. Once you’ve been refreshed by a taste of life back home it’s hard to begin another ordinary, and perhaps slightly dreary, week of school. And there’s always a small sense of uncertainty. After finally acclimating and settling in to life in a new place, you get a glimpse of the home you left behind and begin to feel confused about where exactly home is. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love my school and I wouldn’t trade the opportunity to study here for anything. In one sense Chicago has become my home and I have many good friends here who have become my family. But whenever I get a taste of my home in Minnesota there is a part of me that longs to be there, that can’t wait until the next break that I’ll be going home and enjoying the presence of my family, the church I grew up in, and the familiarity of the place I lived the first eighteen years of my life.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today as I was considering this it occurred to me that the sense of uncertainty that we feel in this world and that lack of ‘home’ in our lives here is a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">good</i> thing. Although the insecurity can be frightening, it’s a reminder to us that we are longing for and hoping for something so much better than what we’ll ever taste in this world. Once we’ve caught a glimpse of who God is, we will never really feel like we’re ‘home’ until we dwell in his presence for all eternity. </span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Oh taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">– Psalm 34:8</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having tasted his goodness and seen his great love for us, we can never be satisfied with anything else. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">“For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">– Romans 8:22-25</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the midst of busy days, long to-do lists, and a life that seems to go by faster and faster each year, it’s easy to lose focus and forget what we’re waiting for. But if we fix our eyes on Jesus and look toward the day when we will see him face to face, even the most dreary and ordinary days are filled with joy because of the hope we have in him. Even in the uncertainty we know that our hope is sure. And so with confidence and joy we press on, striving to become more like Jesus and give others that glimpse of what’s in store for those who have trusted in Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">– 2 Corinthians 4:16-18</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">[soli deo gloria]</span></div>Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-30767150905139619862012-02-04T18:04:00.000-08:002012-02-04T18:04:31.514-08:00Whatever is Lovely<div style="text-align: justify;">There is so much joy and beauty to be discovered each day, not just in the major events or the world-altering experiences, but also in the simple, the short, and the small. Everyday occurances and details that warm our hearts and encourage our spirits. Little moments and ordinary events that give us strength and courage to press on, reminding us that life is beautiful. They bring the sparks of color and bursts of joy that we need to keep going. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A few things that encouraged my heart this week:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lunch with profs - because they speak profound words of wisdom and truth without even realizing it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">D minor - because it aches with sorrow yet communicates a deep sense of peace.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Crumpled paper - for reasons unknown.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bach - because I get lost in the complexity and overwhelmed by the beauty.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Timely notes of encouragement - because words are incredibly powerful.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Saturday morning coffee dates - because we all need motivation to wake up on a Saturday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"He has made everything beautiful in its time." - Ecclesiastes 3:11</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">[Soli deo gloria] </div>Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-27714201834089786082012-01-29T13:07:00.000-08:002012-02-04T18:06:15.211-08:00Winter Winds<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This morning it snowed in Chicago.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was walking to church. The snowflakes stuck silently to my plaid skirt and grey pea coat. Salt crunched under my boots and the fierce wind twisted my long, straight hair into a massive blond tumbleweed. The dampness of the air crept through my cotton tights and up the sleeves of my coat making me shiver. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love winter. It’s beautiful. Harsh. Romantic. Inspiring. Cruel. Depressing. Wonderful. Cold.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Each year I’m overjoyed by the first snowfall. But somewhere as the coldest depths of January turn to icy February I begin to long for springtime – for colors, scents, warmth. With each step on the frozen concrete, as my nose and cheeks grow numb and I curl my fingers tightly into fists inside my mittens, I grow more and more impatient for the life that will again grow when spring comes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Often life feels like winter. We enter seasons where the world seems cold, uninviting. Things are bleak, depressing, and harsh. The roads are slippery with ice and the unrelenting winds whip around us. We long for the beauty, warmth, and life that spring will surely bring. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But as we continue to plod down the cold street, sometimes walking straight into strong winds and icy snowfall, we find an open door, a warm haven inviting us inside. Unlike the locked doors behind bolted gates lining LaSalle Boulevard that I pass on my walk to church, there is one door that is always open to us. God softly, gently call us to himself. He invites us in, and we leave our baggage, soaked through with snow, by the door and come. He draws us into his presence, allowing us to sit with him while we warm ourselves by the fireplace of his love. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The harsh winds still rage outside and the icy snow continues to come down relentlessly. But we are warm. Safe. Near to God, resting in his presence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[Soli deo gloria]</span> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-24503593144433353212012-01-27T19:15:00.000-08:002012-01-27T19:22:08.707-08:00Give to the Winds your Fears<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This morning as I flipped through my hymnal to find something to sight-read I came across this hymn by Paul Gerhardt (translated by Charles Wesley):</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Give to the Winds your Fears</span></b></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Give to the winds your fears, </span></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">in hope be undismayed;<br />
God hears your sighs and counts your tears, </span></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">God shall lift up your head; <br />
through waves and clouds and storms<br />
he gently clears the way;<br />
wait for his time, so shall the night<br />
soon end in joyous day.</span></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Far, far above your thought<br />
his counsel shall appear,<br />
when fully he the work has wrought<br />
that caused your needless fear.<br />
Leave to God's sovereign will<br />
to choose and to command; <br />
with wonder filled you then shall own<br />
how wise, how strong his hand. </span></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> After playing through it and reading the words carefully, I found my teacher’s collection of books containing stories behind many cherished hymns. I learned that the writer, Paul Gerhardt, experienced many painful things in his life (the death of four children while they were still in infancy, and the death of his wife after only thirteen years of marriage). When he wrote of storms, tears, and night in this hymn he had very real, very painful experiences to draw from. </span></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I don’t know about you, but the idea of giving my fears to the wind, realizing that fear is unnecessary is somewhat difficult for me to grasp. But Scripture confirms that this indeed is what our attitude should be: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God” (Isaiah 41:10). </span></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s interesting to me that God doesn’t use any qualifiers in this command. He doesn’t say, “Fear not unless things get <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i> hard and scary” or “Fear not when you feel assured of my nearness.” He tells us not to be afraid simply because He is with us and He is God. The fact that God is with us is enough to make all fear absolutely unnecessary. Our fear is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">needless</i>, as Gerhardt says. </span></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That doesn’t mean this is an easy concept to grasp or that we’ll always want to believe in God’s sovereign plan and purpose. But even when we don’t understand we are free to trust him, to give our fears to the wind and cling to the unchanging promise of our Almighty and Faithful God:</span></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am with you.</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Be still, and know that I am God</i>.” – Psalm 46:1-2, 10 </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">[Soli deo gloria]</span></div>Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-36428392239008625502012-01-24T21:01:00.000-08:002012-01-25T11:37:41.985-08:00Piano Lessons 9:00. Monday morning. Doane 408.<br />
<br />
Undoubtedly the most exciting hour of my week. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"> The first thing I notice when I walk through the door is the fresh, clean Aloe-y scent that fills my piano teacher's office. Looking up from his desk my teacher greets me warmly, as if it's been a month since I've last seen him, even though it's been only a few days. He's often wearing purple and is always wearing socks that are interesting but subtle. I set my book bag on the chair by the piano, arrange my books on the music rack, and take my seat at the piano. My teacher sits next to me in his swivel chair and my lesson begins. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> For the first five minutes of each lesson our conversation would seem quite normal to anyone listening, as he asks me about my week and reminds me of performance class, student recitals, and any other essential information. After a quick word of prayer the normality ends abruptly. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> As soon as he begins working on music all formality or reservation is thrown out his fourth floor window. He sings, dances, and gives odd and sometimes slightly gruesome analogies, and I never leave his studio without feeling like I've been through a whirlwind. I never know what's coming and half the time if someone told me what to expect I probably wouldn't believe them. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Although my piano teacher never ceases to surprise me, he also never ceases to inspire me. His dreamy and slightly forgetful nature are quite the opposite of my methodical and organized mindset, but the contrast makes a perfect springboard for learning. While he often doesn't recall all the details (I often hear things like, "someone said they started working on a duet with you. That's just wonderful! I can't remember who it was..." or "did we lay out all the pages of this piece side by side to look at the form, or was that with someone else?"), his sense of purpose and the attention he gives to big ideas reminds me to always keep the main goal in focus. I'm challenged to not get bogged down in all the details and lose sight of why I'm making music: to glorify God and reflect his creativity. I'm reminded of the joy it is to make music and I'm encouraged to pursue knew heights of excellence and greater depths of beauty.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> I've never left a lesson discouraged, and most weeks I'm running to a practice room as soon as I can to try out whatever crazy things we talked about in my lesson. Each lesson is more exciting than the last and each week I praise God that I have a teacher who brings joy and warmth to my heart, sets an incredible example of excellence, creativity, and joy, and pursues Christ in all he does. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Whatever you do, do all for the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life." - Proverbs 13:14</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">[Soli deo gloria]</div>Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-8951427557877202762012-01-19T21:25:00.000-08:002012-01-20T10:49:32.756-08:00Faith like a Child<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> How could God, if he’s truly good and truly sovereign, allow…? </i>Fill in the blank with the world’s most recent disaster or a personal story of unbearably painful events.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Something inside of us just wants to know <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">why</i>. Deep in our hearts we wonder, can we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really </i>trust that God is good? Sovereign? Is he <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">truly </i>faithful? Or has he forgotten? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday I was speaking with a dear friend, Leola. A number of years ago she had some sort of accident and part of her head is gone. She now lives in a nursing home, and although she is able to function and interact normally, she has trouble remembering things and it can be difficult for her to hold a normal conversation. She knows that something is wrong with her, but she doesn’t know what happened. She often expresses a deep desire to communicate on a deeper level, but is unable to. Yesterday we were talking about God’s goodness and faithfulness even in the difficult and confusing seasons of life. I stated that sometimes it can be challenging to trust that God is sovereign and good when we don’t understand our circumstances.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her reply?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No. God is good.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What?! Why do I make things so complicated? Why do I seek to understand completely the intricate plans of the Almighty God whose ways are infinitely higher than mine? Why do I let the smallness of my own perspective and understanding cloud my trust in God’s faithfulness and goodness?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God.” – Psalm 73:16-17<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Why do I forget how simple it is? Why do search for answers instead of just seeking <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to be in the presence of God</i>? Why do I get angry and cry out that this or that isn’t fair instead of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">praising God </i>because his plans are infinitely beyond my understanding? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> No.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> God is good.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Faith</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Like a child.</span>Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-74960613357520366472012-01-17T13:16:00.000-08:002012-01-17T13:16:14.326-08:00The LibraryAt the moment I am sitting. <br />
<br />
In the school library. I am struck by how a place overflowing with both information and art can be so effective at crushing inspiration. Sure you may be inspired by what you read here, but the place itself crushes even the smallest bit of creative energy that I may have had when I walked in. <br />
<br />
First of all, our library is a basement. <br />
<br />
With pink and grey walls. As in most libraries you have to be quiet here, and the rows of brown shelves, brown desks, and brown chairs can sometimes overwhelm you with a sense of...brown. It feels small and enclosed and even people watching is rather uninteresting here since everyone is just quietly studying and doing nothing eccentric. The only good people watching is when someone does something embarrassing such as trip while running too fast down the stairs or get stuck in the turnstyle because their fob didn't work. And since I'm usually the one that things like this happen to, I don't get the opportunity of watching from afar as these embarrassing events transpire. <br />
<br />
So. The library is not really the place for me. I much prefer to do my studying in busy coffee shops,on a noisy train, or in a colorful park. The pink and grey walls do little to encourage me in my academic and creative pursuits, especially when compared to the wonder of the wide open blue sky, the smell of leaves and grass in the fall, or the plethora of interesting people that one sees out and about in the city. While oftentimes these things can be distracting, I think that distractions are sometimes helpful, and more often than that they are inspirational. I certainly have never been inspired by staring at a grey wall or a beige copy machine, but rather by my encounters with other people and in experiencing the beauty and magnificence of God's creation. <br />
<br />
The library is useful. <br />
<br />
But the rest of the world is beautiful. Chicago is my campus, and most of my learning happens outside of the pink basement walls of the library. I could continue.<br />
<br />
But I'm in the library.Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-3366382343109300542012-01-13T06:51:00.000-08:002012-01-13T06:51:26.400-08:00How then ought we to live?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I have survived the first week of a new semester. I can’t say I enjoy getting my whole life turned around every four months, but even in the midst of the changes that a new semester brings there’s something that feels routine. My schedule is different, people have changed over break (some drastically, others not), there’s snow outside, and I haven’t yet figured out how to balance my new coursework, but the food hasn’t changed a bit, my piano teacher still brings joy and warmth to my heart every Monday, I’m still getting lost trying to transpose my homework for keyboard harmony, and most importantly God is still faithfully orchestrating all the details of my life each and every day. Some things feel drastically different and at times that’s uncomfortable, but I’m still here and I’m still excited to see all that God will do.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the middle of the stresses of week one there’s still been time for long conversations on the beach, late night walks with friends, piano dueting, and getting re<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>acquainted with my favorite study spot. Despite syllabus shock and music theory woes there’s much to be excited for this semester, and I’m reminded of how blessed I am to be here. The question I want to ask this semester is not will I conquer theory IV or will I pass all of my classes with flying colors, but who am I becoming? Am I being a good steward of the time that God has given me here to learn from some of the most amazing instructors, to be surrounded by wonderful friends who challenge and encourage me, and to prepare to serve him with my life? Am I truly seeking him and striving to become more and more like Christ each and every day? <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can complete any number of academic tasks and graduate with an impressive GPA but, as one of my favorite professors liked to say, when I’m working in ministry nobody is going to care about that and nobody is going to give me a theology test. But they’ll be watching how I live. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So who am I becoming? Who am I seeking to reflect? <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God?” – 2 Peter 3:11-12<o:p></o:p></span></div>Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-34698826283314069752012-01-01T19:53:00.001-08:002012-01-03T19:09:49.984-08:00Oak Trees and Soggy Noodles<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Feelings and faith are always governed by the truth of God’s word.” – Pastor Greg Braly<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I’ve had my share of mountaintop spiritual experiences and would like to pretend that I feel absolutely confident and sure of my faith and trust in Christ all the time, let’s be honest: on an average day, I rarely <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feel </i>like an ‘oak tree’ Christian. I often feel more like an overcooked spaghetti noodle, weak and wobbly, ready to be beaten into a pile of mush by any wandering fork that comes along to challenge my trust in my Savior. And even though I have been taught my whole life that salvation comes by grace and not by our ability to cling to God’s promises, stand unshakable in the face of various challenges, or whatever else, some days it’s just plain hard to believe that God hasn’t given up on the plate of wet noodles that my life sometimes is. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But salvation is not based on whether or not I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feel </i>assurance, and the truth of God’s promises doesn’t change depending on whether I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feel </i>like they’re true in my heart. Our emotions ebb and flow but God’s faithfulness does not. In 1 Corinthians 1 we find what I believe to be some of the most comforting words in the whole Bible:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge – even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you – so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ</i> (v. 4-9).<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">God promises that those who place their trust in him will persevere to the end. He has made himself responsible for us and he will never, ever let go. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, not even ourselves; you can bank your life on it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God also promises that he is working all things together for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). Not that when we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feel </i>good God is working all things together for good, but that he is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always </i>working <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all things </i>together for good. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Philippians 4 God calls us to not worry and instead present our requests to him and leave it in his hands (v. 6-7). Not to trust him when we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feel </i>sure and confident in our faith, but to trust him in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everything, </i>even when we feel like a ‘soggy noodle’ Christian. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nowhere does scripture tell us that we have to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feel </i>like something is true before we place our trust in it or that if we’re living for Jesus we’ll always <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feel </i>good. Rather we trust and believe God’s promises, even when don’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feel </i>like it and even when we don’t necessarily understand why certain things happen. And when we truly, deeply trust and cling to God’s promises, our emotions will eventually follow and we will <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feel </i>assured of the reality of what we believe. But even when our emotions don’t follow and we don’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feel </i>like God hasn’t just given up on us, his faithfulness and his promises haven’t changed. He is sovereign and in all circumstances he is shaping, molding, and transforming us to make us more like Christ. Even as we struggle to trust him and let him have control, God is not giving up on us or abandoning the work that he has started. He has made himself responsible for us and he will see his work to completion. He is and always will be who he says he is. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is God, and we’re not. Will we continue to love him and trust him, even when we don’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feel </i>like it and even when we don’t understand?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Will I let him be God? <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“And we all with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we do not lose heart</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2 Corinthians 3:18-4:1<o:p></o:p></span></div>Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752327329488524290.post-62492143940067935132011-12-25T20:59:00.000-08:002011-12-25T20:59:49.173-08:00Come, Lord Jesus<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“O come, O come, Emmanuel,<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And ransom captive Israel,<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That mourns in lonely exile here<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Until the Son of God appear.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My favorite Christmas song by far is “O come, O come, Emmanuel.” It captures so beautifully the sense of longing and expectancy that God’s people, the Israelites, must have felt waiting for the long-promised Messiah. I think of Simeon, who had been promised that he would see the birth of the Christ before death, and Anna, who had lived almost her entire life of eighty-four years in the temple, “worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day” (Luke 2:37) waiting for this promised Savior. I can’t even imagine what sort of longing and anxiousness they must have felt, waiting with such great anticipation for the Messiah. I think that same sense of expectancy is captured in Romans 8: <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m reminded that just as Israel looked forward to the coming of Jesus, we too look forward to Christ’s coming, when he will take us to be with himself. We should look forward to that day with the same expectancy and eager longing with which Israel looked forward to the coming of the Savior. I so easily get caught up in the details and worries of life that I forget that this life is not the end or the ultimate thing. As believers in Jesus we look forward to something far greater, and the broken world that we live in will be restored. We will be delivered from death, pain, sickness, and suffering, and we will finally be perfected and made whole and new. Sometimes the longing for that day is exhausting and painful, as we experience the brokenness and hurt of this world. But even though the waiting is difficult, we can look forward to that day with hope and joy, trusting firmly that God will do what he has promised. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“O come, Thou rod of Jesse, free,<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thine own from Satan’s tyranny, <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">From depths of hell Thy people save,<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And give them victory over the grave.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer,<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our spirits by Thine advent here;<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And death’s dark shadows put to flight.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So this Christmas as we remember Jesus’ birth and his coming to bring Salvation to his people, let’s also remember his promise to return. Let’s press on and look expectantly toward that day, when Christ will return in glory. Even in times of difficulty and pain, we can trust firmly in Christ, knowing that he is able and will do what he has promised.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Merry Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Amen. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>Lauren Snow Leopardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04911270695376423590noreply@blogger.com0