So if you can't tell, I'm sort of obsessed with this whole blog thing--perhaps it's because I know there are a million things I need to be studying right now, but for whatever reason (procrastination or otherwise), I ran across this devotional and thought I would share.
"Often, we as Christian women get so involved in meeting the needs of others that we forget to take time to refresh ourselves. If you have flown on a commercial airliner lately, you will recognize the speech which the flight attendants recite just before take-off. It goes something like this, "In the event of a loss of cabin pressure, an oxygen mask will automatically be lowered. If you are sitting beside a child, first secure your own mask before applying the child's."
Why would they advise you to do that? Are they promoting an "adults over children" philosophy? Hardly. They realize that unless you as the adult are getting the oxygen you need, you will be of no help to the child, and you will both perish.
Jesus, filled with absolute love and compassion, went to the mountains to spend time with His Father in prayer, to renew His weary body and soul. When the crowd pressed in upon Him, He suggested to the disciples that they all get away from the crowd and go to the mountains alone.
Are you getting enough "oxygen " in your life to be of maximum benefit to those around you? It is not a selfish gesture to set goals allowing you to "refill your cup." Just as an an empty teakettle will crack or melt as the heat under it is turned up, so you also will break as the heat of life is turned on "high" when your "cup"--your emotional and spiritual life--is dry."
How true! May you find time today to refresh yourself in the spring of Living Water!
...and now, back to studying. :)
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Scripture memorization...
An hour and a half to go before my first final of the semester... I've been memorizing Ephesians 1:1-14 for this final, so I thought I'd share this beautiful passage about the grace of God. More than memorizing it for this test, I pray that it takes root deep in my heart (and yours!)!
"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God. To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ according to his pleasure and will--to the praise of his glorious grace that he has freely given us in the one he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure which he purposed in Christ to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of all who are God's possession--to the praise of His glory."
Jude 24-25
"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen."
"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God. To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ according to his pleasure and will--to the praise of his glorious grace that he has freely given us in the one he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure which he purposed in Christ to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of all who are God's possession--to the praise of His glory."
Jude 24-25
"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen."
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Back in the ville
I got back into town yesterday afternoon greeted by two of my favorite people in Louisville, complete with a pumpkin spice latte. They know me too well. :)
Since not too many of y'all have seen my apartment here in Louisville, I figured I'd post a picture of the living room.
I am so blessed to have a roommate who already moved all of her furniture from Texas, so I didn't need to worry about how to get furniture from Delaware. Just one more way that God has cared for me in Louisville! Guests are always welcome--come visit soon!
After I got back to the apartment, I had some time to catch up with my roommate, Anna, before heading off to study for finals this week. There is so much information that needs to squeeze into my tiny brain! I'm finding it hard to concentrate (hence the blog update), but the more I think about it, the more grateful I am that I get to spend hours studying Scripture! How gracious of God to set this time aside in my life where my purpose is to learn and study about HIM with very few other things demanding my time and energy! I need to not take this season in life for granted, and embrace the time that I've been given to study. Lord, cause me to be faithful in this season!
Since not too many of y'all have seen my apartment here in Louisville, I figured I'd post a picture of the living room.
I am so blessed to have a roommate who already moved all of her furniture from Texas, so I didn't need to worry about how to get furniture from Delaware. Just one more way that God has cared for me in Louisville! Guests are always welcome--come visit soon!After I got back to the apartment, I had some time to catch up with my roommate, Anna, before heading off to study for finals this week. There is so much information that needs to squeeze into my tiny brain! I'm finding it hard to concentrate (hence the blog update), but the more I think about it, the more grateful I am that I get to spend hours studying Scripture! How gracious of God to set this time aside in my life where my purpose is to learn and study about HIM with very few other things demanding my time and energy! I need to not take this season in life for granted, and embrace the time that I've been given to study. Lord, cause me to be faithful in this season!
Friday, November 23, 2007
Fun times in DE :)
Today was a day of visiting! I started the day by braving the mall with my good friend Alicen in search of some good Black Friday sales. The time spent waiting in line was perfect for catching up and we were able to pick up a few key items along the way! This afternoon I ventured down to Newark to hang out with Emily and Stacey (freshman/sophomore year college roommates) and their husbands (Matt and Pete). It was SO great catching up with them, and the time just flew by! Pete and Stacey are, Lord willing, moving to Harlington, TX in June for Pete to start his residency with the mission they volunteered in this past summer! Keep them in your prayers!
I'm sad that my time home was so short this trip--there were so many people I wanted to see, but I am thankful for the time I got to spend with my family, and can't wait to see everyone at Christmas!
Tonight we celebrated my younger sister's 20th birthday. Her actual birthday isn't until the 29th, but since Austin and family are going back to South Carolina on Sunday, and I'll be headed back to Louisville tomorrow, we decided to celebrate early. We ended up at TGI Fridays for dinner and then went back to mom's house for some cake and ice cream.
(Left) Me and my twinkie (twin brother), Andrew at dinner. He came to the rescue while I was home by lending me his car on several occasions to go visit friends. Thanks brudder!
(Right) Me, Mom, Jocelyn (my niece) and Nykiah (my sister-in-law) after eating some yummy cake.
The whole gang (below) minus Murray and Delaine. (Mom, Andrew, Austin, Adrienne, Jocelyn, Me, Nykiah and Justin) There's never a dull moment with the Hinksons!
Jocelyn and I had matching vests, so we made sure to get a few pictures together. She is growing up so fast!!
All in all, a great visit home. I can't wait to come back for Christmas!
I'm sad that my time home was so short this trip--there were so many people I wanted to see, but I am thankful for the time I got to spend with my family, and can't wait to see everyone at Christmas!
Tonight we celebrated my younger sister's 20th birthday. Her actual birthday isn't until the 29th, but since Austin and family are going back to South Carolina on Sunday, and I'll be headed back to Louisville tomorrow, we decided to celebrate early. We ended up at TGI Fridays for dinner and then went back to mom's house for some cake and ice cream.
(Left) Me and my twinkie (twin brother), Andrew at dinner. He came to the rescue while I was home by lending me his car on several occasions to go visit friends. Thanks brudder!
(Right) Me, Mom, Jocelyn (my niece) and Nykiah (my sister-in-law) after eating some yummy cake.
The whole gang (below) minus Murray and Delaine. (Mom, Andrew, Austin, Adrienne, Jocelyn, Me, Nykiah and Justin) There's never a dull moment with the Hinksons!
Jocelyn and I had matching vests, so we made sure to get a few pictures together. She is growing up so fast!!
All in all, a great visit home. I can't wait to come back for Christmas!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Starting the season out right...
It's not even December, but the Christmas music is already playing throughout the house, and this morning my mom and I started making millions of different kinds of Christmas cookies to be given out during the holiday season. You can't see it in the picture very well, but there are 6 different kinds of cookies represented!
(Mom and me posing for a quick shot in between the baking festivities. What a fun morning!)
(Mom and me posing for a quick shot in between the baking festivities. What a fun morning!)
So much to be thankful for!
This Thanksgiving there is just so much to be thankful for...
*God's grace and mercy to an undeserving sinner such as myself
*Friends and family to come home to in Delaware
*Friends to miss in Louisville
*A job that I enjoy and that pays the bills
*A roommate that I can "laugh at the days to come" with
*A church family and a great care group
*The ability and opportunity to pursue a masters degree
*Good health
*Fall leaves
*Gingerbread Lattes
*Laughter
*Black Friday sales :)
*Good food (especially Miss Zeniah's Banana Pudding! YUM!)
*Jumping in piles of leaves with the kiddos
*Beautiful sunsets
...and SO much more!
How humbling it is to pause and consider how blessed we truly are!
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him..." Ephesians 1:3-4
*God's grace and mercy to an undeserving sinner such as myself
*Friends and family to come home to in Delaware
*Friends to miss in Louisville
*A job that I enjoy and that pays the bills
*A roommate that I can "laugh at the days to come" with
*A church family and a great care group
*The ability and opportunity to pursue a masters degree
*Good health
*Fall leaves
*Gingerbread Lattes
*Laughter
*Black Friday sales :)
*Good food (especially Miss Zeniah's Banana Pudding! YUM!)
*Jumping in piles of leaves with the kiddos
*Beautiful sunsets
...and SO much more!
How humbling it is to pause and consider how blessed we truly are!
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him..." Ephesians 1:3-4
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Trendy in the airport
I have never felt so high-tech or American than I did this morning as I sat in the Cleveland airport, 
typing on my ibook, listening to my ipod and drinking a non-fat sugar-free gingerbread latte from Starbucks, with my cell phone next to me, ready to text the latest flight updates.
Sitting there, watching busy travelers rush past in search of elusive boarding gates, I was astounded by how blessed I am. Not only do I have all of these high-tech gadgets and a ridiculously priced cup of coffee, I am able to afford a flight home to visit family and friends. The blessing of family and friends is worth more than any computer or cell phone (or ridiculously priced cup of coffee) because no matter how many computers I acquire or airplanes I board, it's the people you come home to that matter most.
And yet with all of the material and financial blessings, and the abundance of family and friends who love and care for me in so many ways, I praise God that I can echo the apostle Paul when he says, "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." (Phil 3:7-11)
So many things to be thankful for this holiday season...
Oh that I may know Christ more and in my heart consider all else rubbish.
typing on my ibook, listening to my ipod and drinking a non-fat sugar-free gingerbread latte from Starbucks, with my cell phone next to me, ready to text the latest flight updates. 
Sitting there, watching busy travelers rush past in search of elusive boarding gates, I was astounded by how blessed I am. Not only do I have all of these high-tech gadgets and a ridiculously priced cup of coffee, I am able to afford a flight home to visit family and friends. The blessing of family and friends is worth more than any computer or cell phone (or ridiculously priced cup of coffee) because no matter how many computers I acquire or airplanes I board, it's the people you come home to that matter most.
And yet with all of the material and financial blessings, and the abundance of family and friends who love and care for me in so many ways, I praise God that I can echo the apostle Paul when he says, "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." (Phil 3:7-11)
So many things to be thankful for this holiday season...
Oh that I may know Christ more and in my heart consider all else rubbish.
Thanksgiving
I found this article on a blog I check regularly, and thought it would be an appropriate way to kick off the holiday season. May we all take some time this week to praise God with grateful hearts for His unfailing love and mercy!
“The Woman Who Brought Us Thanksgiving”
by Harold Ivan Smith
Most Americans associate Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims. Fifty-one survivors of the Mayflower gathered to celebrate after their first fall harvest. Governor William Bradford proclaimed it a day of thanksgiving.
But during the next century and a half, thanksgiving was an irregular celebration, varying from community to community, dependent at times upon the religious and political climates and the attitudes of individual governors.
Then the victory of the Americans over the British at Saratoga in October, 1777 prompted the Continental Congress to set aside December 18 as a day of thanksgiving and praise to be observed by all the colonies.
On September 28, 1863, Sarah Josepha Buell Hale wrote President Abraham Lincoln urging him to make the annual Thanksgiving “a national and fixed Union Festival.” By this time, she had built the circulation of her magazine, Godey’s Ladies Book to 150,000. Hale’s letter could not be ignored. Nor her editorials. Her annual Thanksgiving editorial in Godey’s opened with Nehemiah 8:10: “Then he said unto them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy unto our Lord; neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’”
Hale argued, from her strong Episcopal faith, that if Nehemiah set aside a time of thanksgiving in a time of national stress, “in a time of national darkness and sore troubles, shall we not recognize the goodness of God never faileth, and that to our Father in heaven we should always bring the Thanksgiving offering at the ingathering of the harvest?”
Lincoln weighed the matter and decided that the timing was right for something that would promote national unity. He ordered Seward to draft the proclamation.
Early on October 3, Lincoln read the proclamation: “The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and helpful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature that cannot fail to penetrate and soften the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.”
Seward wrote, “No human counsel hath devised, nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gift of the most high God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.”
Lincoln commended Seward for a project “well done” and then focused on the last paragraph: “I do, therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.”
“The Woman Who Brought Us Thanksgiving”
by Harold Ivan Smith
Most Americans associate Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims. Fifty-one survivors of the Mayflower gathered to celebrate after their first fall harvest. Governor William Bradford proclaimed it a day of thanksgiving.
But during the next century and a half, thanksgiving was an irregular celebration, varying from community to community, dependent at times upon the religious and political climates and the attitudes of individual governors.
Then the victory of the Americans over the British at Saratoga in October, 1777 prompted the Continental Congress to set aside December 18 as a day of thanksgiving and praise to be observed by all the colonies.
On September 28, 1863, Sarah Josepha Buell Hale wrote President Abraham Lincoln urging him to make the annual Thanksgiving “a national and fixed Union Festival.” By this time, she had built the circulation of her magazine, Godey’s Ladies Book to 150,000. Hale’s letter could not be ignored. Nor her editorials. Her annual Thanksgiving editorial in Godey’s opened with Nehemiah 8:10: “Then he said unto them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy unto our Lord; neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’”
Hale argued, from her strong Episcopal faith, that if Nehemiah set aside a time of thanksgiving in a time of national stress, “in a time of national darkness and sore troubles, shall we not recognize the goodness of God never faileth, and that to our Father in heaven we should always bring the Thanksgiving offering at the ingathering of the harvest?”
Lincoln weighed the matter and decided that the timing was right for something that would promote national unity. He ordered Seward to draft the proclamation.
Early on October 3, Lincoln read the proclamation: “The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and helpful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature that cannot fail to penetrate and soften the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.”
Seward wrote, “No human counsel hath devised, nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gift of the most high God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.”
Lincoln commended Seward for a project “well done” and then focused on the last paragraph: “I do, therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.”
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