tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77800742026313637592024-03-21T15:56:13.918-04:00Author KnownAlicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-29958351987849159892014-04-13T21:53:00.002-04:002014-04-13T22:13:47.053-04:00Hosanna<br />
"Hosanna!", they cried.<br />
"Hosanna", meaning, "Save us!", "Have mercy on us!"<br />
"Hosanna!", "Save us!", "Have mercy on us!", they cried a week before, at their hands, you saved them and had mercy on them.<br />
<br />
<br />Alicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-29917393897787577292014-04-13T21:52:00.000-04:002014-04-13T22:13:47.050-04:00The Jesus I Had Forgotten<i>Inspired by the experiences of assistant directing Godspell</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
When I was a child, I was told stories of a man who healed the blind, walked on water, multiplied food, told the best stories, and came back from the dead(which made logical sense, I mean, if He could WALK ON WATER, then, of course He could come back to life). More importantly, I was told of a man who was more than just a man and still said, "Let the little children come to me." He played with children, blessed them, and defended them. I think that's why I loved Him as much as I did. He was full of joy and life and love. He was the best thing in the world to me. As I grew up, this view of Jesus was challenged by a view of Jesus that took away fathers and grandfathers and allowed me to be hurt and confused. I still believed He loved and cared for me, but more out of desperation than belief. I did believe, but I was shaky. It was, and still can be difficult to completely trust Him. Thankfully, my trust ebbs and flows but His love does not. As I sat, night after night, watching an actor play Jesus, years after my father passing, after many trust-shaking episodes of my life, that is what I remembered. I change, my trust shakes and steadies, but He will always say, "Let her come to me." Even after I have grown up, He will always be the Jesus I adored....and more.Alicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-88883975433147178512014-04-13T21:45:00.002-04:002014-04-13T22:13:47.061-04:00Loss in Life<br />
For the first time in months, there is no need for a jacket. Grass is clearly visible. Trees no longer wear white. Birds chirp in the distance. Spring is arriving, life is returning. Yet, I still hear the crunch of dead, autumn leaves beneath my feet. The singular beauty of winter is melting away. While I am encouraged by the hope in the new, I cannot forget the loss in life.Alicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-6765332413466009372014-04-13T21:43:00.003-04:002014-04-13T22:13:47.056-04:00Grace<i>Inspired by the text of&experiences of stage managing Good Person of Szechwan.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
"Apparently, our commandments are fatal"<br />
<br />
Can one be good?<br />
Support. Encouragement. Tea and chicken nuggets. Company during a nosebleed. There was good.<br />
<br />
"A good person is not easily forgotten. There aren't many."<br />
<br />
Snide comments, stubborness, tense tones, unkind words, looking out for only one. There wasn't much good.<br />
<br />
"Are you disgruntled? Do you disapprove?"<br />
<br />
People are not always good. I am not always good.<br />
<br />
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy"<br />
<br />
One made me good.<br />
<br />
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."<br />
<br />
He showed grace.<br />
<br />
"Go&tell Peter"<br />
<br />
Maybe it's time to show a little grace.<br />
<br />
"We've got to do better. We must, must, must."Alicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-36540842949091098242013-12-25T12:33:00.000-05:002014-04-13T21:27:00.929-04:00Thank-you<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> I knew you for only a short time.</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Despite the time, you were dear to me.</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> I didn’t really get to say good-bye.</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> People tell me it’s better that way</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> That way, I never saw you in pain.</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> But you encouraged me not shy away from pain</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> So I don’t really know what to think of that.</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> But I do know that I’m thankful for you</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> And that I’m grateful to you.</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> I didn’t get to say good-bye</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> But maybe there’s still time for thank-you.</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> So.</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Thank-you.</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Thank-you for welcoming me.</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Thank-you for recognizing me.</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Thank-you for your insight.</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Thank-you for the trivial conversations.</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Thank-you for all the times you made me angry.</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Thank-you for your support.</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Thank-you for your openness.</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Thank-you for snapping.</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Thank-you for apologizing.</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Thank-you for laughing.</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Thank-you for crying.</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Thank-you for breathing.</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Thank-you for living.</em></div>
Alicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-79252893829768469702013-08-26T19:36:00.000-04:002013-12-25T12:32:49.841-05:00Let's Look at One Another!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
I sat in a hard plastic chair. Laying open in my lap wass a copy of Our
Town. But I wasn't really reading along anymore. My eyes are held captive by the
70-90 year olds reading it out loud in front of us. They sit in a row, mirroring the young’ns,
none of us any older than 25. The 95 old woman reads, “Living people don’t
understand much, do they?” She paused and silently scanned her eyes across the
row of youth. As much as my friends find it humorous when I tell this story, at
that moment, I didn’t find it funny. I think I understand. But then again, do I
really? It’s a question worth asking. It’s a question worth praying over. It’s
a question worth pondering on. At least I’m trying to understand. God knows I’m
trying to understand ma’m.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I lay
on the Webb’s bench offstage. I wasn’t going on for awhile. I could rest.
Imagine that.“This play is called Our Town” the Stage Manager says. I sigh in
contentment. Everything about this show, and my life in general felt rushed.
But not right now. In the time being, I could relish in the moment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
There wasn’t anything spectacular
about it. I watched my friend pace back and forth as he spouted out his lines.
I just listened. He finally sat down, and I sat down next to him. He must have
gone through his monologue at least three times, in a row, sometimes without my
cuing line. We sat, and stared off together. Like I said, there was nothing
spectacular about it… it was just a moment with a friend that for once didn’t
seem to be moving too fast.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
I could hear the clicking of my
heels echo throughout the hall. It was quiet. The lights reflection caused
double in the mirror. As I looked over the balcony I felt surrounded by light. Outside
was so dark. From far off though, I could still see the lights on in Walton.
Everything was around me was still. Everything around me was light. It was
beautiful. From below I heard, “This is…geographically where Emily is when she
says her good-byes.” I looked out at my college home that in a few months, I
knew I would also be saying good-bye to. Suddenly I understood Emily just a
little bit more.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was
exhausted. I was nervous. I was really ready for this weekend to be over. Act
III lay in front of me and all I wanted was to go sleep. My mind rushed through
lines. The list of homework I could be doing grew and grew. The problems I had
were swirling in my brain. My heart was pounding. I tried to take a deep breath,
which is difficult in a corset. Then there was the cue of thunder. I looked up
to black umbrellas opening around me and a blue light shining down on us. For a
play about treasuring life’s “little” moments, it’s so easy how life distracted
me from it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
That night, my stomach was in
knots. And it wasn’t the corset. It was my nerves. I couldn’t eat. I wasn’t
visibly shaking but I felt like I was. My nerves had not been this bad since I was
a Stage Manager. Despite my nervousness, the hugs in the hall, grasped hands,
thumbs up, shoulder pats, and kind words carried me through the night. Every
action and word was paired with a face and a name that I hope I never forget. I
know for sure that I will be forever grateful for them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
We sat on the stage, in full costume and make-up. I sat on a chair, lightly touching flower petals of my boquet. Once again we sat across
from the senior citizens who had inspired us months prior. They asked us
questions and made comments that sent us into roaring laughter. Despite our
ages, we had remarkable common ground. It’<i>s </i>amazing how stories bring
people together.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<br />Alicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-43095473497567370372013-08-26T19:31:00.000-04:002013-12-25T12:32:49.838-05:00Blank<br />
Blank pages sit in front of me.<br />
<br />
Blank pages waiting to be filled.<br />
<br />
Blank pages inviting experience and insights.<br />
<br />
Blank pages shouting,<br />
<br />
"Go live so that you can write!"Alicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-83855131933670816572012-12-20T10:01:00.001-05:002012-12-20T10:01:41.201-05:00Searching and SeeingI’ve said it before. I’ll say it again. I’m searching for
you. It’s not that you’re nowhere to be found, you’re just harder to find than
usual. When I hear from you, it’s like getting a letter, or a text, or (if I’m
lucky) a phone call, but it’s not like you’re right next to me like it used to
be. I don’t want to believe that’s part of growing up. I don’t want to believe
that growing up means growing distant. So I’m trying to find you. I’ve been
looking in books, old journals, talks with friends, movies, music…and I can’t
seem to find you anywhere.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For
awhile it seemed to be getting better. The Christmas season began. With every
twinkling light and with every whiff of peppermint, my soul was subtly reminded
of you. I was reminded of your joy. I was reminded that those who searched for
you did find you. I was reminded of the events that set the stage for your
arrival.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To be
honest, I was a little jealous at first. Mary beheld Gabriel. Joseph had a clear
dream. Elizabeth birthed a miracle. The innkeeper observed a desperate need.
The wise men witnessed a celestial sign. The Shepherds were covered with
angel’s light. You were so evident. You made yourself so clear. It’s not always
that easy to find you and I feel like this story almost…leads me on. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Things
happen and it’s really hard to see you. It was hard to see you when friendships
got weird. It became even harder to see when cancer returned. Then it became
more difficult with the anxiety of finals. And then a man opened fire on
children and I can’t seem to see you anywhere. I’ve learned to have faith that
you’re there without seeing that you’re there and cling to that for all its
worth…but I’m afraid I may lose my grip soon. And to be honest, I get really
confused why you’re so silent when your entry into the world was anything but
silent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But
then again…it wasn't that simple, was it? One dream and one angel visit probably
didn’t continually bring Mary and Joseph comfort when they were looked down
upon by society. Elizabeth’s high-priest husband was mute for nine months
because he argued with an angel. The innkeeper had to worry about the potential
death of a newborn and mother. The wise men had to depend on the ever-changing
sky. The Shepherds were probably scoffed at and quickly silenced. Mary and
Joseph had to flee to Egypt for years. Herod ordered a massacre. It’s not
always that easy to find you. <o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> But
just because it isn’t easy to find you doesn’t mean that you are not there. In
fact, it could mean that you are very, very present. </span>Alicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-18571159064755464652012-12-20T09:59:00.000-05:002012-12-20T09:59:28.364-05:00Christ By Highest Heaven Adored<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Gabriel
looked around the smelly, moist, noisy cave. He chuckled and shook his head. As
he observed the surroundings he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see
fellow angel Andrew standing there, smiling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Not
quite what they expected, is it?” Andrew laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Certainly
not. Not even what <b>I </b>would have
expected for the King!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “What
do you expect, as humble as He is?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “I
know…I know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “This
does not change His kingship…it actually displays the heart of His kingship.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Christ
by highest heaven adored, Christ the everlasting Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The
cry of the baby king echoed through the cave. Gabriel and Andrew turned
quickly, grabbing the sheath of their sword. Gabriel felt a sigh of relief
escape him as he saw that the fleshly, tiny, weak King Jesus was just fussing
after being positioned differently in his mother’s arms. Now it was Andrew who
was shaking his head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “He’s
a baby. I still have a hard time grasping that He’s a <b>baby. </b>And then, as if Jesus being <b>born</b> to <b>anybody </b>was not
strange already, He’s born to a <b>virgin.</b>”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Gabriel
let out a loud laugh. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Yes,
it is quite the mystery.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “By
the way, how did she take the news?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “It
went a lot better than telling Zecheriah about John, I’ll tell you that much.
See…she knew who sent me, and she respects Him and His word. She was puzzled of
course, but she was willing to accept the mystery and embrace the
incompresenbility of what was being said to her. “<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Late
in time, behold Him come. Offspring of the virgin’s womb.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Andrew
and Gabriel shared a chuckle. Gabriel slowly cocked his head as he looked at
baby Jesus. Baby Jesus. <b>Baby</b>. He was
loud, messy after just being born, wrapped in clothes meant to be burial
cloths, dependent, weak, and tired. As Gabriel gazed at the baby, he could not
help but picture the Jesus He knew. High, exalted, glorious, magnificent,
beautiful and perfect. Who Gabriel was looking at was not the Jesus Gabriel was
used to seeing at all. And yet, here He was. God, in the flesh. Not only in the
flesh, but an infant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Veiled
in flesh, the God-head see.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Oh!
Here they come!” Andrew whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Good!
I’m glad they got here…they were terrified.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “And
despite their fear…they still came.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> A
dirty, smelly shepherd approach the mouth of the cave. Mary saw him and drew
Jesus in closer to her. With a look of newfound father instinct, Joseph stood
up and confronted the shepherd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “You
need to leave.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “No!
Please, let us explain!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Us?!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Joseph
looked behind the first shepherd and saw a group of at least ten more. Joseph
sighed in frustration,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Please.
My wife just gave birth to my son-“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Did
you dress him in swaddling cloths?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Dumbfounded,
Joseph moved his head back slightly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Yes…yes,
those were the only clothes we had. I suppose we should have been more
prepared…but…wait… how did you…?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Gabriel
and Andrew smiled at each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> With
a grin, the shepherd replied,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Like
I said, let us explain. You see, we were watching our sheep when…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Gabriel
and Andrew laughed loud and long as the shepherds attempted to explain what
they had seen. Not because of the way the shepherds retold the story, but
because of the joy of the magnificent story that they were seeing unfold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Please…let
us see this thing that has happened, that the Lord has told us about!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> With
mouth agape and eyes wide, Joseph turned his head to look at his wife. She had
heard the whole thing. She returned his look with a look of equal amazement,
and nodded. Joseph turned back to the shepherds, silently nodded and guided the
shepherds into the cave. Mary placed Jesus in the manger so everyone could see
Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The
shepherds crowded around the newborn King. A silent, reverent hush came over
them. Reverent…of a child. Tears welled up in the eyes of some of the older
shepherds. One older shepherd voiced, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “We’ve
been waiting…for so long!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hail
the incarnate deity!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Joseph affectionately
touched Mary’s shoulder and she smiled up at him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Gabriel
now turned his attention from the King to the ones that He had chosen to live
among. Jesus had lived with glorious celestial beings up to this point…and now because
of His love for THESE, creatures that had been made in His image…He had come
down as one of them. He who had created them now had to be cared for by them.
Those who would have not existed without Him dreaming them in His heart, He was
dependent upon. He loved them so much. He saw so much potential in them. He had
such great and lofty plans for them. He cared about them so much, that He
wanted to be able to relate to them. He wanted to live with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pleased
as man with man to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Gabriel’s
vision blurred. He closed his eyes and tears trickled down his cheeks. He
smiled and whispered,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Holy,
Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty…Glory to my King…to the newborn King. Glory
to the newborn King!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hark!
The herald angel sings, Glory to the newborn King!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> After
what seemed like hours, Gabriel was able to open His eyes, despite the glorious
light. He was not in the cave in Bethlehem anymore. He was now facing another
kind of cave. In a garden. A cave that moments earlier had served as a grave.
It was no longer an effective grave…for the stone had been rolled away and its
inhabitant stood before the grave, alive, glorious and well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hail
the heav’n born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Gabriel
stood completely still. Jesus was alive. First He had been born. Then He had
grown. Then He had died. Now He lived again. And He was standing right in front
of Gabriel, in all of His resurrection glory. The light that shone from Him was
far more radiant than the light than all the angels had shown when they
appeared to the shepherds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Light
and life to all He brings,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Jesus
smiled at Gabriel. He reached down to His belt and unlatched a set of keys.
Gabriel’s mouth dropped open. Jesus held them up. The keys of Death and Hades.
With a grin of triumph and confidence, He jingled them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Risen
with healing in His wings!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The
memories of the past 33 years in addition to the majesty of the present moment
was overwhelming to Gabriel. For the last 33 years there had been nothing to
attract people to Him…now He was the most beautiful, glorious being on the
planet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mild
He lays His glory by!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Jesus
approached Gabriel. As tears had come at the birth of Jesus, so they came again
to Gabriel as the resurrected Christ approached Him. Jesus placed His hand on
Gabriel’s shoulder. His eyes twinkled as He smiled. He began to chuckle. Then
He broke into a loud laugh. He threw His arms around Gabriel and embraced Him.
The tears streamed down Gabriel’s face. His King was not dead anymore. Jesus
let go of Gabriel and held him at arms length. He smiled at Gabriel, and patted
His shoulders. Jesus leaned forward with a look of mischief on His face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “The
women will be here soon…I want to surprise them!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Gabriel
took a moment to look at Him. Even after all the time spent with Him, Gabriel
knew He would never totally understand Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I don’t think you have
to plan that out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Jesus
let out a single, loud glorious laugh and turned to leave. He had come to give
people hope. He had died and they had been filled with despair. Now He was
alive, and it was time to start letting them know that death did not have to be
an option anymore. It was the reason He had come to begin with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Born
that man no more may die! Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them
second birth!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Gabriel
watched his master walk into the garden. He took a deep breath, contemplating
what was to come and the amazement of the event that had just occurred and
would last into eternity. He shook His head<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “To
Him be all glory and honor…to the Firstborn from the Dead.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hark!
The herald angel sings! Glory to the newborn King!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Alicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-19262482667134475922012-11-23T23:10:00.002-05:002012-11-23T23:10:41.476-05:00Christmastime is Here<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> So many
searched for Him. The magi, the shepherds, King Herod. Christmas is seeking
Jesus. It’s seeking the fulfillment of long forgotten promises. It’s the
glimmer of hope for downcast hearts. It’s the answer that no one was expecting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I’m still seeking. I still feel like
so many of my hopes and dreams were crushed. I still feel unheard. I still feel
like I’m lost. I still feel disappointed. I still feel confused. I feel like I
have more questions than when I began. I still feel like I’m waiting for
answers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> However, there’s something in the
Christmas lights that softly glow on my street. In the hymns singing of
yearning. In the aroma of peppermint, hot chocolate or cookies. In the sound of
crinkling wrapping paper. In the laughter ringing. In Scrooge’s redemption. A
reminder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> It’s a reminder that promises were
fulfilled. That there are things to treasure in our hearts. That when things are not as they seem, it's not always a bad thing. That God resurrects hopes and
dreams. That we are heard. That there will always be a light to lead us. That
there is a cause for celebration. That just because things don’t make sense
doesn’t mean He’s not up to something. That questions are often followed by
declarations. That He does come. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> That there is hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Alicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-86628777792559010102012-10-14T23:15:00.001-04:002012-10-14T23:15:13.961-04:00Digging for Worms<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> She handed
me a woodchip. I looked down at my 2 year old student and took the woodchip
from her, slightly confused. She plopped her adorable, chunky self down on the
ground, pointed at a spot in the dirt, looked up at me and said, “Worm?” I
chuckled. The day before we had found a worm, and apparently 20 minutes of
taking turns holding said worm wasn’t enough time at all. I shrugged and went
to digging. I knew the chances were slim, but I went ahead anyway. I told her,
“The worm might be on vacation so we’ll dig for a little while but if he’s not
home we’re going to stop ok?” She nodded. We dug for 5-10 minutes. Nothing. I
told her, “Sorry, Mr.Worm went on vacation.” I put the dirt back in the hole
and went to another part of the playground. 5 minutes later there was a little
tap on my thigh. I looked down. There she was again…holding a woodchip.
“Worm.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> This went on throughout the ENTIRE SUMMER.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Relentlessly
this child would ask me to find her a worm. I mean, I know that kids like bugs,
but SERIOUSLY? After digging for 5-10 minutes, every time, we wouldn’t find a
worm. And the cycle would begin again moments later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I kept digging for two reasons.
One….because…I mean, not digging for a worm at a two year old’s request seems
like a mean thing to do. Secondly…I couldn’t help but notice the faith she had.
And it was fascinating to me. She never once thought that maybe the worm
wouldn’t show up again. I was in a really rough patch in my spiritual life and
it was encouraging to see a picture of faith in this little girl. It made me think
of my own faith, which at the time felt so weak. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Then we came to my last day at work.
As we dug for a worm, I silently prayed, “Hey. Jesus. I think it would be
really cool if you could help us find a worm.” I chuckled to myself and half
joking, half serious silently said, “In the name of Jesus, we will find a
worm.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> We didn’t find a worm right then.
But I walked to another area of the playground. I had been with a different
class the other day and we had actually seen a worm there. So, maybe there
would be one there. I moved around some dirt. Didn’t do any digging. Just moved
some dirt around. And low and behold….there was a worm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> God rewards faith that He’ll provide
and earthworm, just like He rewards faith in anything else. I know it sounds cliché,
and I don’t know, maybe it is. But it was a nice little reminder that He
really, really, REALLY does hear us. He really does recognize any amount of
faith we have. He really is overjoyed by our faith. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Oh, one last thing that I learned
from that little girl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> When she received what she
faithfully believed she would find…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> She wouldn’t let go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Alicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-67322843738544280372012-09-02T22:43:00.001-04:002012-09-02T22:43:35.891-04:00"There is, ya know, surprisingly, always hope"<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With a smile and a
bounce in her step, Amy says to the Doctor, “Time can be re-written! I know it
can! Come on!” And with that she runs into the museum<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">From my couch in front of my laptop, I
smile. I know where this is going. There are going to be new paintings! At
least one. That Tardis painting thing I see everywhere. That must be from this
episode. And just the thought that
maybe, just maybe, there could be new paintings and Van Gogh’s life didn’t have
to end so tragically…ah! What a brilliant idea.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Amy runs up the stairs
followed slowly by the Doctor. She rants on, “Oh the long life of Vincent Van
Gogh! There will be hundreds of new paintings!” The Doctor casually follows
her, saying, “I’m not sure there will.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m starting to not feel so good
about this. But it’s been such a good episode! So beautiful! It has to have
this beautiful, happy ending, right? My hopes of seeing imaginings of Van
Gogh’s potential work is getting more exciting by the second.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Come on!” she repeats.
Amy walks into the Van Gogh exhibit<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yay! Here it is! New paintings! I’m
with her all the way now.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She looks around.
Everything is the same.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s gotta be there somewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The tour guide is
heard, “And here we have the last work of Vincent Van Gogh, who committed suicide
at only 37…” <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My heart sinks. No. But…..no! That
can’t be right…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Amy squeezes her eyes
shut. She turns to the Doctor. With tears in her eyes that mine seem to be
copying she says, “So you were right. No new paintings.<u> </u>We didn’t make a
difference at all.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hopes and dreams crushed. Suddenly,
this wasn’t about Van Gogh anymore. This was about me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Doctor looks at Amy
sympathetically but wisely. “Well, I wouldn’t say that,” he says.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My heart lifts…just a little.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“The way I see it, life
is a pile of good things…”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Andrew the angel. My friend gets up
out of her wheelchair and walks. A loving family at Resting Place. My friend’s
joy-filled engagement. A place of belonging in theatre. Gold dust on my hands
in random classes and in my journal in a time of need. Extremely specific
moments of encouragement. The seniors who constantly encouraged me while SMing.
The women who surrounded me with prayer and love the opening night of the show.
Praying over my friends at the Actors Lab senior send-off. Finding out that for
my senior year I’ll be living on the same hall as my 3 best friends at Eastern.
Three prophetic dreams. Beautiful writings. A new but good change occurring within
me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “…and bad things.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Almost two months without solid
friendships. Fear of rejection. Sitting in my car late at night, sobbing, on
two different occasions because two different people had hurt me. Having to SM
a musical that brought back memories of an awkward 13 year old girl whose Dad
was in the hospital and eventually became known as “the girl whose dad died” Walking
into my room and sinking to floor, only to cry for an hour. Two very influential people in my life moving
away. A friend that once said “I don’t want to lose your friendship” stopped
contacting me. Confusing messages from God. Feelings of confliction and
self-doubt. Hopes and dreams crushed.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
The good was SO good, and the bad was SO bad….it seemed that the good
things and the bad things always just seemed to be at odds with each other. Not
only that, but the bad things almost made the good things seem irrelevant.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Hey.” The Doctor embraces Amy.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My ears perk up. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “The good thing don’t always soften the bad
things…”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The two piles of memories swarm again.
Amy and the Doctor start to become a blur. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“…<b>but vice versa the bad things don’t necessarily spoil the good things…”<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">More memories just swirling in my
head. Amy and the Doctor are a complete blur now. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“…<b>or make them unimportant.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The tears came.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And in that moment….Jesus definitely added to my pile of good things.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">References</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">(1) "Vincent and the Doctor", Doctor Who, Season 5</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">(Clip of main quote: </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjUKGfBW74o">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjUKGfBW74o</a>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
Alicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-67297797720388827832012-08-23T23:34:00.002-04:002012-08-23T23:34:13.856-04:00You Memorize Me<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“And
nothing is hidden from your sight. Wherever I go, you find me. And you know
ever detail of my life. For you are God and you don’t miss a thing…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You memorize me”</span></i></b><sub><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(1)<o:p></o:p></span></sub></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Everytime
this line is sung out, it echoes within me as well as pierces my soul. “You
memorize me”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I’m officially back at Eastern. I
STILL don’t know what this season was entirely about and I STILL don’t know A
LOT of what God was saying (and is still saying). But at least He’s near. And
at least I don’t feel alone anymore. Actually it’s quite the opposite. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> If
I’ve come out of this season with anything, it’s the knowledge that God <b><i>knows
</i></b>me. He knows exactly how to get to me and how to get my attention. He
knows the TV shows I like, the music I listen to, the bugs I hate, the food I
savor, the things in nature that fascinate me, the plays I relish, the
movies/characters that I resonate with, the things that bring me nostalgia, the
friends I love, the jokes I laugh at, the memories that hurt, the simple things
in life that bring me joy<b>…He knows me. </b>And
He uses ALL these things to speak to me. All the time. I realized that things
that are important to me are important to Him too, because they are important
to me. And He gets it. It makes Him seem more real and closer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I’ve
been walking around campus and remembering all the things that happened last
year. Good and bad. I’m enjoying the new memories I’m making and I’m looking
forward to new ones being made throughout the year. And all the while, God is
speaking. And to be honest, sometimes….heck, often, I don’t know what He’s
saying. But I know He’s speaking. I know He loves me. I know He knows me. And I
know He knows what He’s doing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">References<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(1)Song, “You Know Me” by Bethel(Loft Sessions)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Alicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-74809961453365697672012-07-12T23:01:00.001-04:002012-07-12T23:01:42.043-04:00To the Age Old Truth, We're Not Alone<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I had a dream the last week. And it was one of those dreams
that’s so real, when you wake up&you realize it was only a dream, you’re
really confused. Well, it wasn’t the whole dream that was vividly real. Stuff
like the Muppets being part of the NJHSA drama fest didn’t feel real(though
that would’ve been epic). What felt real was this guy friend who was in the
dream that happened to have his arm around me&whose shoulder/side I had
nestled into. He later said I was cute&beautiful&said he wanted me to
be his girlfriend. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now, before my family celebrates, or my girlfriends text me,
or certain guy friends start planning pranks/beat up sessions, know that this
guy&I are not interested in each other in real life. However, in the dream,
it was very real. When I woke up, I was kinda disoriented from sleeping in in
the middle of the week. A minute after I woke up, I realized that all that was
a dream. And my heart sank. Not because of him or anything, but because it
brought me back to reality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And my reality lately has felt like I am incredibly alone. It’s
no big secret that I’m single. It’s no big secret that most of my best friends
are pairing off faster than the animals on Noah’s Ark(or have new adventures
far away from here). It’s no big secret that they still love and care for me
and if they are reading this they are probably really concerned right now.
Nevertheless…sometimes….often….most of the time lately, I feel alone. So, I
dream of companionship, I dream of love, I dream of “my counterpart”<sub>(1)</sub>.
But that’s just it…it’s a dream.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now, I really don’t want to make it sound like I’m desperate.
I really don’t want to sound whiny, or dramatic, or manipulative. I’m writing
this because I know that I’m not the only person who feels this way and I know
that how I feel matters to Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yesterday, I woke up feeling depressed. I WOKE UP feeling
depressed. The day before hadn’t been a good day, so I had expectations of
another bad day. I told God I was depressed, but that was about it. I didn’t
ask anything. I just told Him and kept going on my way. I honestly didn’t expect
Him to do anything about it. I was feeling REALLY down. I was feeling REALLY
alone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then I got to eat a yummy bagel. Then I set up water
day(quiet, alone jobs are highly valued by me at the daycare). My 2 yr old
students had a BLAST during water day, which resulted in me having a blast(and
getting soaking wet). When I was working in the baby room, there was a 3 month
old who(for once) wasn’t crying&whining but instead was making cute baby
noises. For fun I played the Anastasia soundtrack on the way to school(ECC) and
that made me happy. We got out of class 5 minutes early. My mom gave me a “My
Adventure Journal”(UP). I ordered tickets to see Singing in the Rain in theaters
the next day. I snuggled with my 3 yr old niece and watched Cookie Monster
videos on youtube. Before I got into bed, I watched Doctor Who. I didn’t have a
bad day at all. I had a fantastic day…and I know that God was behind it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One good day doesn’t solve everything. I know that. I’m
probably going to feel lonely again soon. I’m still dreaming of companionship,
love, and all that jazz. That hasn’t changed. What has changed is that I’m (at
least) starting to internalize the truth that I’m not really alone. I know that
sounds cliché, but I’m not. I have Jesus. He hears my prayers. Even if I don’t see
the answer, I know now that He hears them. I know that He really does care. I’m
starting to really get that the next time that I feel incredibly lonely, I have
someone to talk to who is extremely understanding and loving about the whole
thing. And that greatly encourages my heart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The lion roars and the lamb lays down<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They live together in a whole new
town<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They’re calling me and they’re
calling you<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">From the cold hard facts that we’re
on our own<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To the age old truth, we’re not
alone. <sub>(2)<o:p></o:p></sub></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">References<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(1)<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Book, “The Divine Romance” by Gene
Edwards<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(2)<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Song, “Emma(Not Alone)” by Jason Upon<o:p></o:p></span></div>Alicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-23136918112715760392012-06-24T13:02:00.002-04:002012-06-24T13:02:23.612-04:00Wrestling and Resting<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was my third night at Resting Place since I had been home
from school, but the first time I felt like I was really home again(that’s not
a reflection of anybody or anything there, it’s more of a reflection of where I
am in the season I’m in). Anyway, I had just received some very encouraging
prayer from a YWAMer. I looked up and there was my friend Christian! Christian
had been the director of Splinter back when I was in highschool. I hadn’t seen
or talked to him in about a year. After making some general chit-chat, he
asked, “Can I pray over you?” I replied, “Of course!” I was feeling good. I was
actually feeling good. He put his hand on my shoulder and was just quiet for a
little while. Then he began singing along with the worship leader. I just stood
there with my hands open in a posture of receiving. Like I said, I was feeling
good. Then Christian said to me, “I’m feeling that…I’m getting that you feel
like your hopes and dreams have been crushed.” I nervously grasped my scarf. He was right. He continued, “I feel like you
feel like your hopes and dreams have been crushed. And you feel like that’s it.
And you feel angry. And God would have you be angry. God would have you be
angry with Him. God would have you wrestle with Him…God would have you wrestle
with Him and not your thoughts.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After
this was prayed over me I just walked around the room for awhile. Because this
prayer was so spot on it literally frightened me. I do feel like my hopes and
dreams were crushed. I do feel angry. I feel resentment and bitterness. I’ve
pushed Him away. But that hasn’t kept Him away. Because He really meant it when
He said He wouldn’t leave me. He’s giving my space in a sense (because that man
really, really loves me), but He hasn’t left me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
I was at Resting Place on Monday
night and Devin prayed that God would break over me whatever I needed. I
apparently need warmth and rest. I sat there and I felt the warm presence of
Jesus surround me. It was so comforting and peaceful. As I let Him surround me
and didn’t push Him away for the first time in a long time, I started remembering
things that had been happening for the past two weeks. Things that made me
think “I think that’s Jesus” but pushed the thought away because I had been
pushing Jesus away. I thought of the Beauty and the Beast porcelain figurines(which
my dad had given my mom) that my mom had left on my headboard for me to find
when I came home(Beauty and the Beast is a thing for me&Jesus). I thought
of the itunes giftcard my mom passed off to me the day after I realized that I
don’t have money to spend on music that I wanted to buy. I thought of the night
that I was almost asleep but then jolted awake because I felt a hand on my
shoulder. I thought of the last time I had gone to Resting Place and had been
so anxious to go home and when I did get to leave I only had to sit at 3 of the
12 lights to get home. I thought of the fact that I had been fatigued for the
past week and a half and the first time I let Jesus close to me, instead of immediately
picking at my crap, He invited me to rest with Him. I remembered all these
things and I almost began to cry. He loves me so much. So, so much.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
However, I’m still wrestling. Monday
night was beautiful and things are getting better with me talking to God, but
I’m still wrestling. Jesus and I both knew that Monday night wouldn’t solve
everything and whatever resentment I have towards Him wouldn’t be completely
resolved. In the past, whenever I was angry and God would start pouring out His
love on me, I would dismiss the anger because I figured I wasn’t angry anymore
if I could feel Him love me. But now I’m realizing that He’s saying that He
loves me no matter what I feel towards Him. I realize now that He’s saying I
can trust Him. I realize that He has not, and will not leave me. I realize that
He’s not out of reach. I realize He’s not as far away as I think He is. I
realize that I won’t be angry for long. I’m realizing what He meant when He
said, “Come to me, all who are burdened and heavy laden and I will give you
rest.” I realize that as I’m wrestling….I’m also learning to rest. <o:p></o:p></div>Alicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-63475146966697211262012-05-10T17:04:00.000-04:002012-05-10T17:04:42.211-04:00What to do, what to do....?Well. I'm home. This is weird. It's really, really weird. I feel like I'm JUST on break and not actually home. Hopefully this feeling doesn't last for too long. But the fact of the matter is, I am actually home, and tomorrow is the first day official day of summer! I decided it might be fun to post my Summer 2012 To-Do List and then at the end of the summer, write another post about what I accomplished of that list. I figured it's a fun way to start the summer and will eventually be a fun way to end the summer. So, without further ado...<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Summer
2012 To-Do List!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Have acoustic worship on the boardwalk
at Seaside w/friends and just see what the Holy Spirit does<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Do well in my summer classes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">See Newsies on broadway w/Grace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Visit the Disneystore in Times Square
w/Kristen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Learn how to sing the Hebrew portion of
“When You Believe” from the Prince of Egypt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Figure out the harmony to “Through
Heaven’s Eyes” from the Prince of Egypt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Learn the Cotton-Eye-Joe<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Learn the knee-slapping, kick bit of
choeography from Singing in the Rain<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Start picking up guitar again<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Read. Read A LOT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1984 by George Orwell</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prisoner in the Third Cell by Gene
Edwards</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Hunger Games series by Suzanne
Collins</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Great Expectations by Charles Dickens</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A book by Shane Clayborne(I’m an Eastern
student, I might as well)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cause of Discipleship by Deitrich
Bonhoffer</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">W/e else gets placed in my hands</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Browse internship possibilities<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Browse for apartment possibilities in
the St.David’s areaish(yes, I’m planning on moving out after I graduate. Lord
willing, I’ll be permanently back in Jersey about a year after I graduate)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Browse theatre jobs for after I
graduate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Do something crazy w/my hair
coloring(Icicle streaks?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Get textbooks for next semester<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Start loosely planning on Senior thesis
stuff<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Watch some classic movies <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Who Shot Liberty Valence</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(rewatch) Casablanca</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Gone with the Wind</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Anchors Aweigh</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Anything with Gene Kelly ;)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Oklahoma</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Manchurian Canidate</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Go see “The Dark Knight Rises”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Come off of coffee….well, at least, don’t
get addicted to coffee<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Go to nightwatch at RP once a week<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Keep in touch with EU peeps<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rush tickets for a Broadway show(Lion
King or Godspell)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">GIVE REBECCA A HUGE HUG WHEN SHE GETS
BACK FROM THE WORLD RACE!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Disneybound as much as possible<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lemon-lime soda w/the juice ice cubes!(I
saw it in Pintrest…ooooh Pintrest)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Get to know "Les Miserables"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Get to know "Dr. Who"</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.75in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="line-height: 36px;"><br /></span></span></div>Alicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-76119499484196839162012-05-06T21:50:00.000-04:002012-05-06T21:50:08.774-04:00New Series<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I leave Eastern in three days. Where did the semester
go? Heck, where did the YEAR go?! And what in the WORLD happened this year?!?! I
don’t have the answers to these questions, and I suspect I may never. I
seriously can’t wrap my head around the fact that I’m a hair away from being
DONE with my first year at Eastern University. I have this feeling that when I
go home, I’m going to just walk around my house aimlessly, not really knowing
what to do, and then at some point I’ll break down crying just because I’ll be
so overwhelmed. PSH, I’m almost at that point NOW and I still have three days
left! There’s just so much to process…I’m almost done. I’m ending a really
significant chapter of my life…and starting a new one. When I was at the Student
Chaplain banquet a week ago, Jo-Mo(Joe Modica, the University Chaplain) said, “Life
is a series of hellos and good-byes”. It really is. I know for me, it’s really
hard to say good-bye. But the good-byes need to be said. As well as the hellos.
So here are mine:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">GOOD-BYE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Good-bye locations that already hold so many
memories, some full of pain and some full of joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Good-bye scenic pathways that bless me on my walks
with Jesus and on my way to classes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Good-bye Sodexo and all your nonsense.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Good-bye double-room which has served as a single
room for me this past semester<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Good-bye living completely by myself…this may be a
permanent good-bye. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Good-bye Victory Christian Fellowship, Blue Route
Vineyard and Church of the Savior <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Good-bye Wayne, you little town, you quiet village,
where every day is like the one before. You little town full of little people...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Good-bye stupid lsdnviusfdgbhwoiedfhfnsdxh Hainer
fire alarms!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Good-bye to there being WaWas on every corner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Good-bye Actors Lab, where it’s OK to break the
rules and make up new ones every once and awhile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Good-bye theatre-making, an outlet that provides me
with both sanity and insanity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Good-bye Student Chaplain program and the wonderful
people/experiences it consists of<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Good-bye new friends that have blessed my life more
than you will ever understand (and I hope with all my heart that we will say
“Hello” again in the future).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Good-bye “EU 2011-2012” chapter of this current
season. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">HELLO<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hello job that is not Sodexo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hello multiple visits “down the shore”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hello state where it’s illegal to pump my own gas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hello living with my family once again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hello demonic kitty(don’t ask).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hello little notes from my little sister<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hello friends who are welcoming me back with open
arms to embrace me and available shoulders to cry on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hello Resting Place EGS becoming part of my weekly
routine again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hello Resting Place family, I’ve missed you all so
much<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hello living 20 minutes away from the greatest city
on earth<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hello “Back in NJ” chapter of current season…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Or perhaps, the first chapter of a new season? We
shall see…<o:p></o:p></span></div>Alicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-2362713622831621442012-04-24T13:39:00.000-04:002012-04-24T13:39:21.334-04:00Through Samaria<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
About a week ago, I wrote a blog
about how important it is to remember what God has done in your life. I shared
some memories that had been swimming around in my head of times when God did
amazing, miraculous things. When I was writing it, the truth of what had
happened would hit me all over again and I was undone. Like…seriously, a
canister of oil was supernaturally transported to my friend’s pocket?! And…wait…I
met an ANGEL?!? And…whoa…WHOA…hold the phone…I saw a paralyzed woman WALK?!?
That’s CRAZY!! Jesus is so, so, so good!! “God is good, all the time! And all
the time, God is good!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He’s
good all the time. And we forget that. I forget that. I think if we really had
an understanding/revelation that He really is good ALL THE TIME…we wouldn’t be
so prone to push away the painful memories. The times hurtful things happened
to us and all of a sudden, we felt like orphans because our circumstances
blocked the sight of our Father. But if He really is good ALL THE TIME…that
means remembering times when we didn’t feel (and…to be completely honest…still
may not feel) like He was there, much less that He was good. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I would
love to only remember the good stuff. The stuff that I clearly see on the
surface, “Oh yeah! That was good!” Well, yeah, it’s easy to recognize the good
in memories like seeing an angel and a paralyzed woman get healed. But what
about the times when my siblings, mom and I were either down in the basement or
downstairs at church& someone would come downstairs, talk to my mom and
after she quickly disappeared I was calmly told that my Dad was having another
seizure? What about the multiple sobbing sessions because of hurts, grief, stress,
anxiety, or confusion that I’ve had just in this past academic year? Who wants to
remember that?? I don’t. It comes to mind and my heart aches and I zone out.
It’s not fun.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
other day though, I was remembering a (not as) painful moment from last
semester. I was remembering driving to church by myself. I was so lonely. It
made me sad to remember how alone I used to be. Then I thought of how just that
very morning I had driven to church with my friend Heather and how this had
become a regular thing. All of a sudden, that memory wasn’t as painful anymore!
He was there! He saw! He had a plan the whole time! That’s when I realized
that…as much as I don’t want to…I need to remember the painful things too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t think it is a unique claim to say that
I don’t want to remember painful moments in my life. I don’t think anybody
truly wants to remember the moments where we felt pain. But we have to.
Because, the thing that I realized is, is that someday…we’ll get it. Someday
we’ll see the outline of God in that situation, we’ll see what He was doing,
we’ll see that He was THERE. We’ll see. And in the time when we have to
remember and it still doesn’t make sense, it teaches us to believe that God is
good no matter what. When new hard moments come our way, it teaches us to say,
“Well…I know that thing in my past was painful…and though I don’t know what He
was doing, I know God was still there and that He was good. So He must be here
and He must be good now.” Remembering past pain and believing that God was
there and was good in what He was doing even when we don’t see it develops
faith and perseverance (1 Peter 1:6-7).<i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also…it’s important
to remember, because Jesus remembers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In John
4, Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at the well. Before the story unfolds, John
tells us that “Now He had to go through Samaria.” Um. No He didn’t. From what I
recently learned in my New Testament class, was that Jews in their travels from
Galilee to Jerusalem and vice versa took a longer round-a-bout way to avoid
going through Samaria(due to their deep prejudice for Samaritans). Jesus didn’t
HAVE to go through Samaria. But He did. He goes through Samaria and He meets
her where she is and calls out all her pain, all her sin, and still loves her.
I think the Holy Spirit is painting a picture here of what Jesus does with us
and our pain. Unbeknownst to us, He walks through our own Samaria. He walks
through the own moments and memories and events in our life that cause us pain,
hurt and rejection. He COMES TO US and meets us WHERE WE ARE. He comes to us in
the midst of our Samaria. We don’t know that He’s walked through it, which is
why we’re so shocked when He calls out our crap. And then…possibly even more
shocked, when He doesn’t send us away. When He humors our attempted diversions
from the subject matter. When He brings us back to the truth, which is that He
is the Messiah and He knows us…and He loves us. There’s a reason why the woman
at the well ran into town and essentially said, “Come see this guy who knows
every single secret about me!” She could trust Him. She had faith in Him. She
knew He was there. She knew He was good. She had healing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of
my favorite Jason Upton songs is, “Trust Once More”. Every single time I listen
to it, it touches the sore places of my heart. But it’s so beautiful. One of
the last lines really sums up to me why we must remember…even if it’s painful.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I don’t know where
you come from.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I don’t know where
you’re going.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I only know the healing
starts<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
When we all stop
running.<o:p></o:p></div>Alicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-54713318863173498232012-04-15T19:38:00.000-04:002012-04-15T19:38:44.960-04:00Remember when...?<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> So, in case you don’t know, I’ve been in a really weird place spiritually lately. I’m working through a lot of stuff and it’s not easy. Recently, thanks to my friend Rebecca, I listened to a sermon by Bill Johnson entitled, “Developing Heart Strength” “ (<a href="http://www.ibethel.org/podcast/2012/03/13/developing-heart-strength">http://www.ibethel.org/podcast/2012/03/13/developing-heart-strength</a>). At one point in the sermon, he made the point that testimonies are meant to strengthen the believer&one of the best things you can do when you are feeling disheartened is to remember moments when God did amazing things in your life. All of a sudden, I realized why my mind had been taking a stroll down memory lane lately. God has been trying to encourage me! Wow. So…here are some of the things I have been remembering that have strengthened me and maybe it will strengthen you too:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I remember when a 2 year old girl at my daycare dropped out b/c she had started having seizures. She was consistently in my prayers. At a prayer night with my friends we spent some time lifting her up in prayer. The next day was Sunday. While casually glancing around the sanctuary I saw the little girl and her mother. After the service, I grabbed Rebecca and we went upstairs to meet the mother to pray over them. When the girl saw me she ran to me and gave me a hug(which is not typical of daycare students when they see their teachers outside class or when they are with their parents). We talked to the mom and she gave us permission to pray over her daughter and put oil on her forehead. We also prayed for the mother. I could not have imagined that would happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I remember when I got to sing at Resting Place and the place exploded with joy and praise. Later that night, I met Kristen. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I remember going home from a retreat visiting Sarah and we experienced Jesus in a way we never have before. He was so tangible, so real. It left us with the reality that He IS so tangible and IS so real. That’s all I can really say about that experience because it’s so difficult to explain. It was just insane in a way I have never experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I remember going to a Genesis prayer night. Devin said to me, “Alicia. I have a story to tell you. And you’re gonna flip out.” I laughed, “OK, what is it?”. He took out his small canister of anointing oil out of his pocket. “You see this?” “Yeah.” “I was praying over George and I found this in my pocket.” “Cool” “Alicia, I didn’t put this in my pocket before I left home. And I’ve been drumming all night. I know what’s been in my pockets. This hasn’t been in my pocket all night.” All I could do was laugh for joy. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I remember going to a Relay for Life with (Mama) Mimi, her son Ethan and Kristen. It was a really fun, blessed time with fellow believers who had each had had their dealings with cancer in some way(Mimi was a breast cancer survivor, my dad passed away of brain cancer&Kristen had some relationships that were effected by cancer). As we left the event, it was suggested that Mimi and Ethan be driven up the hill in a golfcart because there were “stones in the road.” Kristen&I met Mimi&Ethan at the top of the hill with her wheelchair. We all kinda got this feeling that there was just something interesting about the driver. After the events were actually discussed the next day, we realized that the driver, named Andrew…was actually an angel.(</span><a href="http://kristendoeslife.blogspot.com/2011/06/angels-in-golfcarts.html"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://kristendoeslife.blogspot.com/2011/06/angels-in-golfcarts.html</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The day after we met Andrew the angel, Rebecca, Kristen, (Mama) Mimi and I went to Resting Place to share all the crazy things God had been doing. Rebecca, Kristen&I talked with our Resting Place family what God had been up to and it was insanely encouraging while Mimi stayed out in the prayer room to worship. We walked out the room to find a couple praying over Mimi, contending for her healing. Long story short, after 3 hours of prayers&craziness…her son Ethan had to carry her wheelchair out of Resting Place because she didn’t need it anymore. She was walking. (And is STILL walking) (</span><a href="http://rebeccawells.theworldrace.org/?filename=mommy-walked"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://rebeccawells.theworldrace.org/?filename=mommy-walked</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I remember walking to my house from DD with Kristen, talking about how we wished Devin&Rebecca would get back together and eventually get married. They’re getting married in December.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I remember watching the documentary Finger of God at Sarah’s house. In the documentary, they talked about gold dust as a manifestation of the Holy Spirit. I casually said how I would like to see that. In October at VOA, during one of the sessions, Kristen rapidly tapped my arm. She pointed to her hand, “Look!” I looked at her hand. I didn’t see anything. “What?” I said. “LOOK!” “Your bones?” “No! Look! Sparkles!” “Where?” “There!” She tilted her hand and sure enough, her hand was sparkling“…oh my gosh.” “It’s gold dust!” “Wow.” “You got some too! Look!” She grabbed my hand and I looked at my hand with her but I could not see anything.“…where?” “There! Don’t you see that?” She tilted my hand and sure enough…my hand was sparkling. I was speechless. “…wow…yeah…what?” “It’s on your skin!” I didn’t know if I could believe it.“Was that there before?” “No, you’ve got gold dust Leesh.” As time went on, gold dust has become a common occurrence in my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> He’s faithful. I remember…He’s faithful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Alicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-69887945063822466332012-04-09T11:21:00.000-04:002012-04-09T11:21:03.648-04:00Unconditionally<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yesterday, Christians all over were singing praise songs to Jesus, reading John 20, and thanking Jesus for the work He did on the cross and through His resurrection. Christians all over are singing about His undying, beautiful, passionate love for us. Christians all over are talking about how He loves us unconditionally and nothing we do will ever separate from the love of God. Christians all over are focusing on the love that Christ has for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I think if we are we really honest with ourselves, we’ll admit that sometimes this kind of love makes us want to run and hide. I know it makes me want to run and hide sometimes. Though I’ve had the revelation for awhile that Jesus loves me unconditionally, it still makes me uncomfortable sometimes. I realized that…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When I accused Him of being cruel and inconsiderate, He wasn’t offended. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When I arrogantly and flippantly demanded things from Him, He gave them to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When I angrily dismissed events in my life, He just smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When my faith was weak, He said it was more than enough.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When I made Him the second choice, He was overjoyed to get any glance from me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> No matter what I’ve said or done, He hasn’t left. He’s not fazed. He’s not angry. He hasn’t stopped singing over me. He hasn’t stopped speaking tenderly to me. His love for me has not lessened in the least. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> It’s one thing to receive the revelation that He loves unconditionally when you’re coming out of a bad place. It’s another when you’re walking in a rough season and you realize the revelation continues to be reality. It’s TERRIFYING. When I realized how much of a reality this was, I literally wanted to stop talking to God for awhile and just cry. That kind of love is so beautiful, but don’t pretend it’s not terrifying at times.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Though it makes me squirm sometimes and it brings out hidden insecurities, it’s a beautiful, wonderful reality. It’s a reality that I can’t quite explain, but one that I’m thankful for. While it continues to break me, it also continues to bless me. He loves me SO much. He loves me unconditionally. He showers me with grace over and over and over again. He gave me the right to become a child of God. I don’t have to be afraid. Thank you Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“So we are His portion and He is our prize, drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes. If grace, is an ocean we’re all sinking. So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss and my heart turns violently inside of my chest. I don’t have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way that He loves us….oh how He loves us…”-How He Loves, John Mark McMillian<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhoFEuw2GPA" target="_blank">Skit Guys - Grace</a><br />
<br />
^This video is one of my favorite skits and really captures the beauty and struggle with grace.^Alicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-86068255652415553792012-04-02T00:14:00.000-04:002012-04-02T00:14:46.400-04:0013 Reflections<div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This semester I had the privilege of being asked to be the Stage Manager for the spring musical,, “13”. I learned a lot about myself, the people around me, theatre, Jesus, plus so much more! Anyway, I thought I would share 13 reflections about “13”:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve learned that I second guess myself all the time. I’ve known for a long time that I second guess myself, but I never realized how bad it was until I started Stage Managing. Thankfully God gave me an amazing cast and production team, and whenever I got overwhelmed, stressed&started second guessing my ability to do this job, someone would “happen” to cross my path and reassure me that I was doing a good job&were supporting me. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve learned that a 1 minute scene could result in the most complicated blocking notes of the entire play.(Kendra Dream Sequence)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cues seem scary, but they are actually really fun to call once you get the hang of it. (You say “Light cue blah blah blah, go!” and they GO!!)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Encouragement is a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Though I say all the time that Jesus cares about every aspect of my life…I often forget. He SO cared about that project, and He SO cared about me. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Speaking in an accent is jolly good fun, even (& especially if) the accent doesn’t actually exist.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Even a “simple” musical can get MAD complicated MAD fast.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The first time I ever called “Light cue 300 warning…Light cue 300 go” was one of the most satisfying things ever and it actually almost made me cry. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">9.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sitting for too long/being too tired results in 2-3 minutes of walking with Jack Sparrow swag. (Tech weekend)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">10.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The things I’ve heard and said over headset…that’s just all I’m going to say about that.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">11.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This reflection is a tad more serious and lengthy, but it was one of the most beautiful things that God shared with me through “13”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> When I was 13, my family found out that my Dad had brain cancer. He passed away when I was a few months shy of 15. Most of the memories of my adolsecnce are framed within the events involving my Dad’s sickness and death. So, sometimes, working on this musical was not easy for me, as it brought back many memories that I’m not fond of remembering. One of those times was the first time that I ever heard, “Being a Geek”. Though the song is extremely comical, the first time I actually listened to the lyrics in a musical rehearsal, it wasn’t comical for me at all. The main character sings, “But when you’re cool, you can rally when the blues attack. Every problem just rolls off your back. You can handle every slip and slide, without breaking your stride! When you’re cool, you don’t care that people disappear. You don’t care that your Dad’s not here. You don’t care that your life’s been uprooted and bent, without your consent. A geek’s afraid it’s never gonna be OK but the cool kid knows it doesn’t matter anyway. It’s the difference between being fine at 13 and the lonliest thing.” When I first heard those lines…all of a sudden, I remembered what it felt like to be a scared 13 year old who so desperately desired to have a normal life. I remembered how awful it felt when when my Dad wasn’t home due to his multiple hospital visits (and eventually his death). I remembered how my life had been “uprooted and bent” without my consent (literally) overnight. I remembered what it felt like to be afraid that it was never going to be OK. I felt like a knife had been stabbed in my gut and I was on the brink of tears. If they had rehearsed that song for much longer, I was going to have to step out of the room. Thankfully they didn’t and I was able to carry through w/my SM duties that day. From then on, it was really hit or miss whether or not “Being a Geek” bothered me, since it was supposed to be a comical number. Sometimes it did bother me. Sometimes it didn’t. During tech when we had our first dress rehearsal and saw the number to the full effect for the first time, the entire production team was DYING of laughter. When it came to the chorus, and I realized that it was actually the chorus and that it was not bothering me in the least, I said silently to Jesus, “Thank-you.” Right then, quietly&clearly I heard Him speak to me, “You see how I just redeemed that for you? I’m going to do the same thing with your actual grief.” I started laughing again, but this time it wasn’t the piece, it was because Jesus is crazy and I was SO happy about what He had just done. Who would’ve thought that Jesus would speak to me through a Motown-style song featuring haze, karaoke and dancin’, snappin’ Rabbis? (bahahahaha that song…)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">12.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have one dang memorable opening night story. We used two big rotating walls that we used as part of set changes. On opening night during a scene in Act II, I had the horror of watching the SL wall come unhinged and almost fall. Thankfully, no one got hurt and the show continued. Due to previous stress plus the scare, I wound up breaking down crying at the end of the night. Thankfully, I had my friends and director to carry me through the tears and point me to Jesus. So what initially was a terrifying experience quickly became a story that I can now laugh about as well as thank God for. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">13.<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In so, so, so many ways, SMing this show was a great experience for me. It gave me a chance to really bond with people at EU and form some really wonderful friendships. I learned about not relying on my own strength and letting Jesus carry me. I learned that sometimes the set actually comes close to falling down. I learned that people love me and are looking out for me here. I learned that God really can speak through anything. I could go on, and even if I did, I still wouldn’t be able to adequately describe this experience in just 13 reflections (this reflection in of itself was a bit of cheat). However…I can say that,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m a little bit braver, a little broader, a little bit brighter, a little bit. “<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>Alicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-37699748174238388532012-03-24T00:33:00.000-04:002012-03-24T00:33:57.208-04:00Invalid<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="text John-5-2" id="en-ESV-26202" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> "</sup>Now there is in Jerusalem by <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26202B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic</span><span class="text John-5-2" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>- </b>called Bethesda,</span><span class="text John-5-2" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> </b>which has five roofed colonnades. </span><span class="text John-5-3" id="en-ESV-26203" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26203C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup>paralyzed.</span><span class="text John-5-5" id="en-ESV-26204" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.</span><span class="text John-5-6" id="en-ESV-26205" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, <span class="woj">“Do you want to be healed?”</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="text John-5-7" id="en-ESV-26206" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.”</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="text John-5-8" id="en-ESV-26207" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus said to him, <span class="woj"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26207D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup>“Get up, take up your bed, and walk.”</span></span><span class="text John-5-9" id="en-ESV-26208" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </sup> <sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26208E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup>And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.</span> " -John 5:2-9</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="text John-5-2" id="en-ESV-26202" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </sup></span>Invalid.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">They were invalid. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I don’t remember catching that before. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">They were INVALID. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">That hit me SO hard. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Invalid. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I don’t know about you, but sometimes….often times, I feel like I’m invalid. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Because, I don’t know about you, but sometimes God wants me to do something and I feel like I can’t. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">I’m too weak. I don’t have enough strength. I’m not mature enough. I’m too self-absorbed. I haven’t been in the prophetic atmosphere long enough. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">I’m invalid.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"> And it makes me want to scream and/or burst out into tears. I’ve had so many amazing prayers prayed over me about my destiny and my future…and I feel invalid. I’ve had so many amazing Spirit-filled occurrences and prophetic things happen over the past year that neither I nor anyone else truly knows how to make sense of…and I feel invalid. I’ve slipped up, stumbled, and downright fallen….and I feel invalid. I’ve been broken and built up walls around me with the shattered pieces…and I feel invalid. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Invalid.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Invalid.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">INVALID!!!!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> When I read John 5 recently, that word made me almost start to cry. I went to bed thinking about how it had hit a tender spot in my heart as well as remembering past experiences with this passage and their significance to what I was dealing with now. I was rudely woken up at 7:50am to the fire alarm going off in my building. I ran out as fast as I could (which resulted in my being dressed in PJ shorts, a tshirt, rainboots&my winter coat). After about 10-15 minutes of standing outside we were allowed to go back inside. I dragged myself back towards my room. My thoughts were focused on getting back to my warm bed and making up those 15 minutes of lost sleep. As I reached for my doorknob, I noticed something that I hadn’t notice in my mad dash out the door. Someone had left a note on my door. It was a printed stationary piece of notepaper. On it read, “God made you as you are to use you as He planned.-J.C. Macauley “. I picked up the note and just stared at it. I was moved not only at the kindness of whoever left this on my door, but also by the fact of how perfectly timed this was. I put the note back on my door where I found it so I could easily see it (&because I was extremely tired and knew I might entirely forget its existence). I shook my head. Sometimes it (actually) scares me how well Jesus knows me. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">That note reminded me how a few chapters later in John, Jesus meets another “invalid”. A blind man. Jesus says, “It was neither the sin of this man nor the sin of his parents that he was born blind but that the work of God might be displayed in His life.” Hm. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">He sees past our brokenness. It’s not that He doesn’t see it at all. He sees the broknness. He sees why we view ourselves as invalid. But those reasons have all been redeemed through the cross. Sure, He sees it…but He chooses to see how He’s going to redeem and use those factors in our lives for the glory of God. I often forget that….to be honest, I actually forget it most of the time. And each time I remember it gets more and more liberating.<br />
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</div>Alicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-27968922026275421992012-03-23T16:13:00.000-04:002012-03-23T16:13:17.669-04:00True Sacrifice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrG8slszBoecI9BSfStkuJhQGshrPQ7LNCVdzIYdNqdWIxlXU-721ee5eMiuKJwsVPAHkwhBdDQacIVPffqqgMpTmM_zGRK4ufT4l-UULG3bTxnXgT0e1ljxz7x6438Dr4mhW7bEkd/s1600/Image03232012101454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrG8slszBoecI9BSfStkuJhQGshrPQ7LNCVdzIYdNqdWIxlXU-721ee5eMiuKJwsVPAHkwhBdDQacIVPffqqgMpTmM_zGRK4ufT4l-UULG3bTxnXgT0e1ljxz7x6438Dr4mhW7bEkd/s320/Image03232012101454.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Article I wrote for the Faith Focus section in the Waltonian(my school newspaper) =) :</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, ‘Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’ ”Luke 21:1-4 ESV<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> One would think that giving more in quantity would actually be giving more of an offering. As always, Jesus had to break the standard view people held onto. The story of the widow in Luke is an example of that. Normally Luke 21:1-4 is discussed in reference to tithing and giving to the church. There is definite value in this interpretation, but the story goes so much deeper than that. This biblical passage is about sacrificing out of our weakness. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Often times, God asks to do things that are not easy for us. I say “for us” because what is not easy for one person may be completely manageable for another. I also say “for us” because people carry personal wounds and issues that are by no means identical to another’s. God may call two students to Eastern University, and one may have that language requirement come easily to them and the other may not. God may start revealing wounds and bringing healing to a student who was not even aware that they harbored such deep cuts. What God wants from us is not always easy to give Him. It can result in worry, guilt, brooding, tears, pain, and sleepless nights. Then when we give Him what He asked for in the midst of these, we think it’s not as valuable of a sacrifice. The thoughts, “I’m not as good at this class as so-and-so”, “I don’t have as much faith as so-and-so” pass through our minds. We adopt such thoughts as truth and become downcast. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What we don’t realize is, is that Jesus recognizes when things are not easy for us. He knows us inside and out. When God asks you to do something and you have a hard time giving Him what He asked, He’s not surprised. In fact, because He knows the poverty of your situation, He honors what you give Him. The widow in Luke gave more than everyone else because what she gave was more difficult for her to give. What the widow put in the offering was truly a sacrifice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>Alicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-8543982220773011632012-03-13T21:44:00.000-04:002012-03-13T21:44:53.194-04:00(Somewhat) Speechless<div class="MsoNormal">I’m a writer.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m an actress.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m a Communication Studies major.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">And right now,<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m at a loss for words.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m dealing with really difficult, stressful, draining emotions that I can’t articulate to myself, others, or even God.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m going to God with my frustrations, but I wind up exasperated.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">And right now,<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m vulnerable.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m someone who relies so much on words to express myself, but all my words seem to just be a jumble of the alphabet.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m someone who hates debate but still feels the need to defend myself constantly.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m an artist who can only express myself through the tears that stream down my face, when I allow them to. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">And right now,<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m choosing to believe that He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">He takes me on walks and sings me Disney songs.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">He makes sure that I get a break from the stress of whatever it is that I can’t articulate.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">He sends friends to encourage me and make me laugh when I’m stressed.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">He gives me words to express how I have no words because He knows how much my total lack of words frustrates me.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">He happily stays by my side, even when I try to walk away.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">He holds my hand.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">And right now,<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m realizing that maybe I can’t speak the way I would like to because I’m finally starting to take my heavenly Father’s advice when He wraps me in His arms and says, “Sssssh….ssssshhhh….it’s going to be OK….ssshhh…”<o:p></o:p></div>Alicia Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01250755435181229769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7780074202631363759.post-8024584557045674262012-03-02T00:43:00.000-05:002012-03-02T00:43:33.907-05:00Every Captive Free<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I vividly remember when I first heard <i>Every Captive Free</i>. I was sitting on the floor at OnethingNJ 2010 and Matt Gilman sang it as the offering song. I sat there and as I listened to the lyrics, they penetrated my heart so deeply…I had no idea what to do. I had never felt such a thick stirring in my heart and I just didn’t know what to do with it. I was just confused. So I sat there…and as best as I knew how…I listened and received from the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For the spirit of the Lord God is upon me<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Because He has anointed me to preach good news<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Take away all of your sorrow and your mourning<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To give the oil of joy and a garment of praise<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For I have seen you in your captivity<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And I will open up every prison door <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So arise and shine for your light has come<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And my glory is rising upon you<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And I am dancing over you<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And I am singing over you, songs of deliverance<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And I will set every captive free<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You will be with me…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">FOR YOU ARE MINE.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> It wasn’t until months later that I found out that this song was based in Isaiah. And it wasn’t until a month or so after that did I swallow my pride, admit I didn’t know the song was based in Isaiah and asked where it was(at this point it was almost a year after I had first heard <i>Every Captive Free</i>). Indeed, Isaiah 61 :1-3 says that <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion-to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I remember thinking, <i>“This is me. This is total me. This is totally my life. Oh my gosh, this is me. I never knew this was in here but this is totally my life.” </i>God quietly said to me, “<b><i>Alicia, I have been working with you for almost 6 years to bring you to the point of fulfillment of a promise that you never knew existed.”<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He’s so faithful. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am currently in a season that involves God working through hurts and burdens that were a result of the death of my Dad 7 years ago(today). I really thought I had worked through everything. I really thought I was done. I found out in September that I wasn’t. That’s an entirely different blog post for an entirely different time. Right now, I’m working through a lot of the grief that the teenage Alicia couldn’t deal with because it was too much for her. It’s a season full of tears and pain, but one that I’m not facing a lone. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I know this season will end with new revelations about His love and His plan for me. He promised He would heal me. He promised. He promised He would give me a garment of praise instead of mourning. I know that’s exactly what He’s doing, even as I write. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">About a month ago, I was home for Nathan’s NJHSA Winter Concert. At the end of the night, Jeremy, Grace, Kristen and I got to pray over our friend Daniel, and then all of a sudden it just turned into a prayer ministry time that lasted for at LEAST an hour. Mrs. G(my high school drama teacher & Daniel’s mom)joined in near the end. As Dan prayed over Kristen, Mrs. G, Jeremy&Grace prayed over me. Mrs. G said, “I see threads of gold. Yes…I see these golden threads. You sew these golden threads into these dark and gray situations because you said “yes” to Him.” At the end of the prayer she hugged me and said, “Yeah, clear as day, I just saw these golden threads. I don’t know what that’s about.” I laughed and said, “I’ll let you know when I know.” (Note, all of this happened in the middle of a parking lot in the freezing cold…IT WAS AWESOME!)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I prayed into it and God connected the dots for me as I wrote out scripture in the background of a piece of art I created (based on a picture that God gave me over the summer of my garment of praise).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Listen O daughter, consider&give ear: Forget your people and your father’s house. The King is enthralled by your beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord. <b>All glorious is the princess with her chamber; <i><u>HER GOWN IS INTERWOVEN WITH GOLD…” </u></i></b>(Psalm 45:10-11&13)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He’s bringing me to the fulfillment of a promise that I never knew existed. He’s setting every captive free, and that includes me. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil….for you are with me. </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7BnhKk7tOZgVXT9Ol5d0TQaj1bytslOPMbjrMv52d_em5srix9t1uFby83CJXDO4P4oVVtWJwHAeZpFyezZ2J3do3AM76oztdOzvOrI6ntJTVrN07EotUIxFF-11bz24b6wBYhdD/s1600/IMG_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7BnhKk7tOZgVXT9Ol5d0TQaj1bytslOPMbjrMv52d_em5srix9t1uFby83CJXDO4P4oVVtWJwHAeZpFyezZ2J3do3AM76oztdOzvOrI6ntJTVrN07EotUIxFF-11bz24b6wBYhdD/s320/IMG_0030.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
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