Big-C Church

I've been thinking lately about what it really means to be a member of the Church today. The Church is Christ's body. The body is made of different parts. It's not all arms, or all spleens, or all ears. Each part is completely distinct, yet all are interdependent. I read this last night by CS Lewis:

For the Church is not a human society of people united by their natural affinities but the Body of Christ, in which all members, however different, (and He rejoices in their differences and by no means wishes to iron them out) must share the common life, complementing and helping one another precisely by their differences.

[Ever feel completely blown away by an author's ability to coherently verbalize your own thoughts?] 

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Another thought I've been thinking away...why do we have so many churches (little c)? Shouldn't the body be more united? Is the problem not enough Christlike churches, therefore more planting is needed, or is it the lack of community and fellowship among churches that leads to the problem? Granted, I attend a newly planted church that I know is God-centered and God-honoring. But what I mean is, can't we get back to the simplicity of just community and fellowship? I hope that we can but am not sure that we could. I have a great friend, Ah-reum, who is a Korean raised as a missionary kid in Africa. She told me that, coming to America, she was just astounded by the number of churches. This struck me. a) We take for granted the availability and convenience of our churches, and b) Why are there so many? I pray that our churches can be more united. There are many churches with many views, but my prayer is that the churches that are Christ-centered can work side-by-side, and the churches that aren't so Christ-centered will be reached by those that are.

What is big-C church and little-c church to you?

New Self?

Last year's new is this year's old.

Last night, God brought to mind Ephesians 4:24. Looking back on my past blogs, I feel really selfish. It's easy to rant and ramble on about my own life, but how often am I bursting to talk about God? That verse reminded me that now that I've been transformed by Christ, that change, and what a huge change it is, should be evident to myself and others.

" ... and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

New: completely revised, altogether modified to become better. In Christ we are made new. There is no other process in life that offers anything close to that. God's love is just that powerful. God's "new" doesn't change. What was once new to God is never outdated; it's ALWAYS going to be new.

Self: We are still us. God's promises aren't meant to scourge our identities away. His love is meant to enhance them. But again, because we still are ourselves, transforming into this new self doesn't mean all of our temptations and shortcomings will disappear. They're still going to be there. It's just that now, we have an escape. Rather than run aimlessly when sin attacks us, we can run to God. God's promises are full of direction. 

How are we showing people that we're new creations?

Learning to Cope

3 days ago I lost a friend from high school to suicide. He was wild and crazy, and people didn't give him credit for much...he let people think of him that way. I was fortunate enough to see a side of him that many people didn't. During my junior year, I would walk back and forth to lunch with Patrick. One day he said, "Hannah, you know exactly who you are and you are okay with that. Whoever is with you is a really lucky guy." I will never forget that. I still thought about it even before Patrick died. He had a kind heart that many people didn't expect from him. I always had some sort of intuitive fear that something would happen to him, that we would lose him. I didn't really keep up with him after senior year, but he did leave an impression on me. His life and death have brought to my mind how little I pray for those who I know are hurting. I was upset and confused when I heard the news, but that was the first time I had thought about Patrick in a while. I don't want to be that way. 

Today, I pray for Patrick's family, that God's peace and comfort would surround them. I pray that the do not turn away from God but run to him. Please pray.

How have you dealt with the tragic loss of a friend?

Oh, Happy Day ...

The B was a mistake. I have a 92 in Art Fundamentals. :)

Finally! Activity!

my two favorite things as of now: the pool and antm

So, I've been trying to find some sort of athletic...something that I enjoy. Tried running, and that was fun for a while, got a bit monotonous, and I ended up just giving up. I felt like a sqautty wannabe next to everyone else. So today I tried swimming at the SAC, and I must say, it was absolutely wonderful! I am a firm loather of sweat, and swimming perfectly compliments that. Usually when I exercise I get bored or too tired after about 20 

minutes, so I just quit. I was in there for 45 minutes today! I

 definitely want to keep this a habit because swimming is such a great workout for all parts of your body, not to mention I feel so relaxed from it. 
Ah...so for the third day in a row there is an America's Next Top Model marathon on, and tonight at 8 is this season's finale. Needless to say, I've been glued to the TV for a bit. I enjoy the show but at the same time feel lazy and guilty for watching some much television day-to-day when I have tons of other stuff I want to do with this precious and long-awaited free time. There are so many books I want to read, and now is the time for that.

This one's for you, Cara...

So today I got my last grade for this semester - and it was a B. In my easiest class. To be quite honest, I was/am completely vexed. I made all A's on my projects and 1 B, an 88. I'm a little irritated because I still don't know my grades on the last 2 projects, but I do know that of our 2 artist reviews and the final, I made all A's. I've emailed my teacher, called him, emailed him again, called him again - no, I'm not above begging. I'm also not against speaking with someone of higher authority in the art department. For now, I'm going to breathe, breathe...breeeeeathe.

On a brighter note, today I was fuming in my bed, trying to take a nap when my phone rang. I was nervous that it might be my teacher (ever want to talk to someone but am terrified by that idea at the same time??). Ah, what a wonderful surprise. CARA! It's been less than a week, but I feel totally lost without all my close friends from school. We just picked up where we left off, whining and laughing about grades and life and all that jazz. It was absolutely fantastic. Occasions like that do remind what's important in life. That call came right when I needed it. Thanks, Cara. :)

1 day down, 14 to go...

Today was my first day of May Term. 3 hours of Environmental Science - long yes, but we did watch Planet Earth. I'm hoping for more days like that. I'm feeling so ... adult. Ha, just saying that kind of negates it. I'm living at the Honors House while I'm here for May Term. It's an actual house, and last night I did some grocery shopping (with Brad...hehe). It feels weird to have a house to yourself (I do have a housemate...but still!). 

Okay, so again with the weird motherly instincts. Last night I dreamt that I had a child - and yes, I do remember what he/she (no, can't remember the gender, lol) looked like. That was the strangest part, that I woke up and could remember what the child looked like and what it felt like to hold it! Don't know what to make of that...well, it was kind of exciting.

Mmmm.....finals........

Well, today I took my next to last final. It was for Graphic Design, and I actually had fun with it. We had to redesign the cover of our textbook. The attached photo is my finished version. Tomorrow I have New Testament, and after that, I'm technically done. I will, however, be here for 2 1/2 more weeks for May Term...yeah, it kinda sucks, but it was my choice because I need to get science credits in, but that's so hard during the regular school year because of all the studio hours I have. Ahh...the life of a busy college student. I truly do love it.