Jo’s BJU Approved Blog

I picked up this book in May called The Valley of Vision. I hadn’t had much free time toward the end of the school year, but I started to read it last night. Here is a prayer I read this morning that really encouraged/convicted me.

“O God, most high, most glorious, the thought of Thine infinite serenity cheers me, for I am toiling and moiling, troubled and distressed, but Thou art for ever at perfect peace. Thy designs cause thee no fear or care of unfulfilment, they stand fast as the eternal hills. Thy power knows no bond, Thy goodness no stint. Thou bringest order out of confusion, and my defeats are Thy victories: The Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

I come to Thee as a sinner with cares and sorrows, to leave every concern entirely to Thee, every sin calling for Christ’s precious blood; revive deep spirituality in my heart; let me live near to the great Shepherd, hear His voice, know its tones, follow its calls. Keep me from deception by causing me to abide in the truth, from harm by helping me to walk in the power of the Spirit. Give me intenser faith in the eternal verities, burning into me by experience the things I know; Let me never be ashamed of the truth of the gospel, that I may bear its reproach, vindicate it, see Jesus as its essence, know in it the power of the Spirit.

Lord, help me, for I am often lukewarm and chill; unbelief mars my confidence, sin makes me forget Thee. Let the weeds that grow in my soul be cut at their roots; grant me to know that I truly live only when I live to Thee, that all else is trifling. Thy presence alone can make me holy, devout, strong and happy. Abide in me, gracious God. “

Still waiting…

Marquette’s a no-go so I’m checking into PA.

I got $600 this week for my China trip. That leaves me only about $500 short of the amount we were supposed to raise. I have to pay for my own spending money, but other than that I should be fine now. Yea!

Still waiting…I still haven’t heard back from Marquette, so hopefully tomorrow. I guess I’ll go ahead and check out the school in PA next if this doesn’t work out. Long day at work today. I’ve worked 10 and I still have 2 left. Fun times…I practically live here right now, but I am thankful for the job.

Run To You-Ginny Owens
I used to see the world in black and white
Now I find myself lost in a fog of grey
I thought the good guys always won the fight
But I’ve learned life simply doesn’t work that way
I once believed if I loved others they would love me too
But I’ve seen that isn’t always so
I thought the inner peace would come from trusting who I am
But it’s really about trusting who I know

So when the winds of change try to blow me over
And the shadows of confusion hide the truth
I will hope in the One who is forever
I will run to You
I will run to You

Ever since the moment life began
Humankind has tried to solve its mysteries
So many things we cannot comprehend
So we draw conclusions that we can believe
Well, I know that Your hands have placed the earth upon the seas
And pitched a tent in the Heavens for the sun
The Author of the universe is the Father who loves me
So only one conclusion can be drawn

When I face the questions that seem to have no answers
And I know my friends are but a precious few
I will hope in the Love that never changes
I will run to You

Though the perils of life seem so great
And hope seems so frail
You never fail, no
Shadows may not disappear
But You’ve always made it clear
Truth will prevail
You will prevail

So…not student teaching at Faith. I am now pursuing a school in the Chicago area. Keep me in prayer as I try to make this decision. I have no idea what to do so I’m praying that God will not allow me to be accepted at any school he doesn’t want me to student teach at because I really need some clear direction. Obviously Faith wasn’t God’s will. I’m hoping this Chicago thing works out, but I have several choices after this so we shall see…

Isaiah 55:8,9 (ESV)For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Whenever I make a decision, I always think through all the details and plan everything out perfectly (or so it seems humanly speaking). Yet, if it is not what God wants, He closes the doors no matter how perfect things seem to me. I am glad for his clear direction even though I do not understand why he is changing plans that seem so set and so obviously right to me. I know he is not holding anything good back from me. He only wants my best, and He is working in ways beyond my understanding to bring me to the place where He wants me.
I’m holding onto that because I know it is true.

“Stained Glass Masquerade”

Casting Crowns

Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small

Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they’ll soon discover
That I don’t belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything’s okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I’ll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation’s open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who’s been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who’s traded
In the altar for a stage

The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Then we really fall apart

But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be

Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay

So I ended up getting off work early tonight so I could actually go to prayer meeting. Yea! I love my church up here. Everyone seems so sincere. I’ve been to so many churches where everyone tries to present themselves as super spiritual or some people just seem bored of church. Tonight when everyone was praying, it was just moving to hear people talking to God from their heart. Well I’m heading off to bed. I am super tired, and I have another long day of work tomorrow. Today I find out whether or not I will be student teaching up here.