Part 1: The Start of Something New

You know how the movie opens. Sparkling notes of the Wildcats, Gabriella with a book, Troy playing basketball, all is as it should be. In this unknown location, the “teen party” for New Year’s Eve has begun. (Side note, have you ever been anywhere that called itself a “teen party”? That may be what it is, but does anyone actually call it that, ever?) Soon, Troy and Gabriella are singing their first duet … “This could be the start of something new, it feels so right to be here with you” … and we are all instantly captivated.

Well, today is not New Year’s Eve. And although it is almost September, unless you are starting a new school, you probably don’t even want to think about school right now. And if you are out of school (like me), well then, work continues just like it did all summer. While I like New Year’s Eve, I’ve never found anything remotely special about them. Yeah it will only be 12:01am on January 1, 2012 once, it will also only be 3:29pm on August 25, 2012 once as well. And once I got to college and staying up past midnight was not for fun anymore, the whole New Year’s experience was all but ruined for me. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the parties and noise, but I would be just as happy with it at 6pm the following day. I say all this to say that the iconic nature of Troy & Gabriella singing that song on New Year’s Eve makes no difference to me. But the song is just so catchy…. (it’s okay. It’s playing in my head too.)

Isaiah 43:18-19 (NCV)

"Forget what happened before, and do not think about the past. Look at the new thing I am going to do. It is already happening. Don't you see it?”

This is one of my all-time favorite chapters in the Bible. (If you don’t mind, I’d suggest you go read it now. Then we can walk through it together.) I can remember spending hours laying on my bed reading and re-reading and re-reading this chapter as a teenager. There is something so comforting and loving about this chapter that made me feel like a princess every time I read it. “I have called you by name, you are mine” (verse 1), “Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you” (verse 4), “Fear not, for I am with you” (verse 5) “You are my witness and my servant whom I have chosen” (verse 10), “I am the Lord, your King” (verse 15). Although this was not originally written TO me, I often feel like it was. If you read carefully, you can see how the Lord is talking to the people of Israel, bringing back memories of the Exodus from Egypt and the many miracles He performed on their behalf, but it speaks so much to my own life. When life gets overwhelming, this is the chapter I turn to so I know I’m not alone in the madness.

But then, right around verse 18, the mood of the chapter changes a bit. See the beginning was all a reminder of everything that God was and is to His people, all the things He did for them and how He has proved to be a faithful friend and provider and God. But then verse 18 starts this emphasis not on God’s part, but on the people’s role in this relationship. It seems that the Israelites often got so consumed with what God had done in the past, that they neglected to maintain an ongoing relationship with their God once they were no longer in that mindset. Verse 22 goes on to speak of how the people had forgotten about God and their responsibilities in worship. They got so lazy that they wanted God to do everything for them. But this was not okay. And in our lives, this is not okay.

For church kids, the summer often bring about emotional & spiritual highs. Youth camp, missions trips, even times of intense personal devotion bring us closer to God in ways that we never thought possible. People, young and old, are often liberated from sins and distractions in times like these; their Exodus experience if you will. Times in your life and mine when God shows up in big ways and makes Himself known. And these times are amazing and life changing and awesome. But that’s not the end of the spiritual journey. As society heads back into more routine for the fall, it’s not okay to live off of those spiritual highs throughout the year.

Isaiah 43:18 "Forget what happened before, and do not think about the past.”

I hate to break it to you, but what happened at youth camp is not all that important if the work that God started in you then is not continuing now. And it is God’s work to continue, but the verses that follow this one remind us of our responsibility in this work. You have an obligation to continue in your worship, even if the worship band is not playing. You have an obligation to keep praying, even if the altar is not open. You have an obligation to keep serving, even if it’s not half way around the world. You have an obligation to keep repenting, even if no person is prompting you.

As we begin this new minute of life, let’s continue to strive for God as He continues to work in us. See, this could be the start of something new…

Isaiah 43:19 "Look at the new thing I am going to do. It is already happening. Don't you see it?”   

We're All In This Together: Introduction

Confession #1

This was a shower idea. You know what I’m talking about. The kind that just hits you while you’re washing and you can’t stop thinking about it. The kind that makes you jump out of the shower and run around the house looking for a piece of paper and a pen so you don’t forget it, completely disregarding how much water you are dripping on the floor while you write your thoughts down. (I’m pretty sure this very predicament is why Aqua Notes were invented, but I just can’t bring myself to spend $7 for 40 tiny sheets of paper.)

Confession #2
Jesus has a sense of humor. A good one. See although I am all female, there is something about girls that just annoy me. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not you as an individual I have a problem with, it’s just the species as a whole. I’ve found that most girls can’t stand the drama and cattiness that comes with a group of females, yet this trend remains. And although most girls feel this way, I feel it quite strongly. I never had many girl friends and, frankly, I like it that way. Yet in spite of all this, Jesus thought it best to give me a strangely strong connection to younger girls. Even beyond this, a burden for the spiritual education and teaching for girls. Geh. Yeah, He’s funning. Also “ironic” is the strange way that I relate to younger girls as well, which brings me to my next confession.

Confession #3
I love teeny-bopper media. Like a lot. Music, movies, tv shows, even the occasional stupid magazines. I could lie to you and tell you that I watch these shows or listen to this music to stay current with culture, and that’s how it started, but now I participate because I love it. Glee, Justin Beiber, The Jonas Brothers, even Wizards of Waverly Place. But none, I mean NONE, tops my book more than High School Musical. I simply can’t get enough of Troy and Gabriella. I know, I’m lame. But you know you love it too, so we’ll be lame together. (And let me say, if you don’t love it, you may want to consider finishing the introduction and then cease reading. I won’t be offended. Promise.)

Ok, so what am I getting at? I’m about to write a blog-devotional thing. Not based on High School Musical, but using the movie as a sort of spring board to talk about stuff. So that’s the plan. I’m pretty excited. That is my grand shower idea. What do you think? Worth while? Well, I’m going to start and see what happens. Let me know what you think, since, well, ya know, we’re all in this together :)

Book Review: "Humble Pie"

“Humble Pie” an autobiography by Gordon Ramsey

As part of my absolute love for the work and person of Gordon Ramsey, I found this book at a used book store and was enthralled to read, and now review, it.

This book provided a very easy-to-read overview of the beginnings of the life of Gordon Ramsey, the world renowned chef. It glossed over his family life as a child, growing up in a large family with an abusive father as well as many of his starting places as a chef. Gordon's story continued to the writing of the book in 2008, but gave less details the closer the story got to present time.

I had so much for with this book. Although I was terribly disappointment by its shortness and general lack of detail, it provided good insight on "Gordon, the early years". The humility with which Sir Ramsay approaches both his life and his cooking still shocks me. It made me giggle the brashness that he writes with as well as his word choices; he writes just like he talks. Ultimately, this short read was a great read to see how Gordon Ramsay's life began.