And it continues...

TWO: Unity of the Body

"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body - whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free - and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, 'Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,' it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, 'Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,' it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don't need you!' And the head cannot say to the feet, 'I don't need you!' On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts."

[[1 Corinthians 12:12-31]]

The Challenge Begins...

ONE: The Holy Spirit Poured Out

"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." [[Acts 2:1-4]]

"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." [[Matthew 18:20]]

Amazed

For the first time in weeks, I am calm and for whatever strange reason, peaceful and content.

Sure, it comes with its own set of questions, but... praise the Lord!

When I figure more out, I'll let you know. Right now, I'm a little confused. :)

'Night.

Mood: Worshipful Listening to: Smalltown Poets, Listen Closely
Reading: Nothing... I'm going to bed

Past the Breaking Point

Got a stack of books so I could learn how to live;
Many are left half-read covered by the cobwebs on my shelf.
And I got a list of laws growing longer everyday;
If I keep pluggin' away, maybe one day I'll perfect myself.

Oh, but all of my labor seems to be in vain;
And all of my laws just cause me more pain;
So I fall before You in all of my shame;
Ready and willing to be changed-

Own me
Take all that I am,
and heal me!
With the blood of the Lamb.
Mold me with Your gracious hand;
Break me till I'm only Yours-
Own me!

You call me Daughter,
And take my blame;
You run to meet me,
As I cry out Your name,
So I fall before You in all of my shame,
Lord, I am ready to be changed

[["Own Me"]] Words and Music by Ginny Owens: BMG Songs, Inc. (Gospel
Division)/Above The Rim Music (Administered by BMG Songs, Inc.) (ASCAP)

Let's try this again...

Hopefully, it won't get lost like my last chance at posting something on Dave's computer.

I miss my Laura... :(

It's been a few days since I talked to her and more than a week since we actually got in some decent "chat time". Considering that a lot has been on my mind and a lot of really deep discussions have gone on recently, I just really want to talk to her.

Being in the halls this year is definitely different... The jury's still out on some of the staff. I feel like every time I turn around, there's someone there waiting for me to violate some obscure rule that I don't know about or trying to find a loophole for getting me busted when my actions are according to school policy.

To be honest, it's kind of creepy.

But I have to find a way in which I can still respect those in authority over me while making sure that my witness is not diminished.

Classes are going well, though... it will be a lot of work, but at least it is only four classes (instead of six) and they're all classes that I enjoy (to some extent or another). I have some awesome (if eccentric) profs, so it's entertaining.

But I think I'm ready to give up on the "dating, relationships and marriage" topic for a while... six months to a year, perhaps? I'm just frustrated with it... and talking about it never really gets me anywhere.

It has been good to start straightening things out in that vein, though... tying up loose ends from the spring semester and finally finding an honest peace, even if it's awkward at times.

I am so blessed by the men in my life. They put up with me... and that says a lot. :)

Naptime, I think... on Autumn.

Who is "Autumn"? That's a whole 'nother story.

Mood: Contemplative Listening to: Jars of Clay, Who We Are Instead
Reading: The Art of Editing