Thankful

I have been particularly mindful in recent days of how the Lord has grown me in the course of this fall semester. As the semester approaches a seemingly abrupt halt, I find myself overwhelmed by the refinement that has taken place in my heart and the renewing of my mind. My boyfriend and I had a conversation about this very this past Sunday over lunch, discussing with one another what the Lord has done in our lives and how we have seen Him growing the other. We both came to the sweet, very humbling, realization of just how thankful we are. How often we take things for granted. I have been more mindful than ever before of how good the Lord is, how undeserving I am, and how so many things have so evidently fit together in this plan He has already set in place for my life. Tonight, we found ourselves talking of such thanks again as we were driving around town in his car and listening to a beloved Caedmon's Call song. So I will leave you on that note as I return to my final research paper of the semester.

You know I ran across an old box of letters

While I was bagging up some clothes for Goodwill

But you know I had to laugh at the same old struggles

That plagued me then are plaguing me still

I know the road is long from the ground to glory

But a boy can hope he's getting some place

But you see, I'm running from the very clothes I'm wearing

And dressed like this I'm fit for the chase
'Cause no, there is none righteous

Not one who understands

There is none who seek God

No not one, I said no not one
So I am thankful that I'm incapable

Of doing any good on my own
'Cause we're all stillborn and dead in our transgressions

We're shackled up to the sin we hold so dear

So what part can I play in the work of redemption

I can't refuse, I cannot add a thing
'Cause I am just like Lazarus and I can hear your voice

I stand and rub my eyes and walk to You

Because I have no choice
I am thankful that I'm incapable

Of doing any good on my own

I'm so thankful that I'm incapable

Of doing any good on my own
'Cause by grace I have been saved

Through faith that's not my own

It is a gift of God and not by works

Lest anyone should boast

What does it mean, then, for a woman to be “kept safe from Satan”? It means, among other things, that she will not yield in her mind to false notions of what it means for her to be a woman and in particular a woman of God. It means that she will respect divinely set boundaries in the exercise of her spiritual gifts and ministry calling in trust and obedience to God’s Word. (A. Kostenberger)


“Someone is teaching women principles of womanhood. Is it the church, or the world?” (J. Ligon Duncan & S. Hunt)

1 Corinthians 10:31

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

May He be glorified in sleep deprivation and in the deep lines that have recently developed under my eyes....

For anyone who wanted me to post a picture...

It's like Pretty in Pink meets Revenge of the Nerds

"Lady in the Water" and Bob Dylan

I find myself unable to fully wrap my thoughts around Lady in the Water. There were just enough open-ended aspects that left me wondering at the meaning and turn of events in the film. What I did pick up on, however, were the intricate details that could easily be brushed aside by some. Some critics viewed Signs as a feeble attempt at a film about aliens taking over the world. How can such a line be in a movie and not compel you to consider more:

"People break down into two groups when the experience something lucky. Group number one sees it as more than luck, more than coincidence. They see it as a sign, evidence, that there is someone up there, watching out for them. Group number two sees it as just pure luck. Just a happy turn of chance. . . . But there's a whole lot of people in the Group number one. When they see those fourteen lights, they're looking at a miracle. And deep down, they feel that whatever's going to happen, there will be someone there to help them. And that fills them with hope. See what you have to ask yourself is what kind of person are you? Are you the kind that sees signs, sees miracles? Or do you believe that people just get lucky? Or, look at the question this way: Is it possible that there are no coincidences?"

The Village is full of such lines that cause my heart to stir, such as:

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Lucius: Are you not angry you have no sight?

Ivy: I see the world, Lucius Hunt. Just not as you see it.

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There are countless aspects of Lady in the Water, as mentioned, that had me pondering whatever underlying purpose was hidden beneath the storyline. It wasn't until listening to the soundtrack that I began seeing the wonderful details come together.

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In the time of my confession, in the hour of my deepest need

When the pool of tears beneath my feet flood every newborn seed

There's a dyin' voice within me reaching out somewhere,

Toiling in the danger and in the morals of despair.

Don't have the inclination to look back on any mistake,

Like Cain, I now behold this chain of events that I must break.

In the fury of the moment I can see the Master's hand

In every leaf that trembles, in every grain of sand.

Oh, the flowers of indulgence and the weeds of yesteryear,

Like criminals, they have choked the breath of conscience and good cheer.

The sun beat down upon the steps of time to light the way

To ease the pain of idleness and the memory of decay.

I gaze into the doorway of temptation's angry flame

And every time I pass that way I always hear my name.

Then onward in my journey I come to understand

That every hair is numbered like every grain of sand.

I have gone from rags to riches in the sorrow of the night

In the violence of a summer's dream, in the chill of a wintry light,

In the bitter dance of loneliness fading into space,

In the broken mirror of innocence on each forgotten face.

I hear the ancient footsteps like the motion of the sea

Sometimes I turn, there's someone there, other times it's only me.

I am hanging in the balance of the reality of man

Like every sparrow falling, like every grain of sand.

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Not only are illustrations of the Lord's plan seen in this particular film, but this is evidence that such lyrics to a Bob Dylan song move one to seeing and savoring Him for His sovereignty in such unexpected ways. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. ~Philippians 4:8-9