Prayer Cont’d

Soooo yes… I’m not certain what is going through my head this morning- except that I need to go for a run, and yet I find myself in my workout clothes sitting in front of the comp.. It’s a beautiful day outside too! Aww- well, it’ll happen sooner or later.
Did you all figure out a day for baking goodness?? I have a somewhat crazy week coming up, but if I can squeeze it in, I most definitely will.
I have to say that I’ve been loving our dg this year!! It has felt very REAL and I’m LOVING getting to know you girls!! I only wish we could see each other more… At least next semester hopefully I will be able to stay for the whole time…
For all you ONLINERS… I say that we should start some deep convos on this thing! I was thinking about the prayer talk we had on friday (ps- a big shout out to Annika and Andrea for doing the study!) What were the five prayers??
1. God, break me.
2. God, search me.
3. God, send me.
4. God, stretch me.
5. God, use me.
I wish I could have been there for the rest of the study… But, one thing that I was thinking about is that God promises to do all of this anyway… He desperatly wants us in relationship with Him, so to do that He searches, stretches, breaks, sends and uses whether we give Him permission or not. I was told once that you don’t have to ASK for what God has already promised us- it is more fitting when receiving a gift to RECOGNIZE it as a gift, and GIVE THANKS for it- rather than asking for it while it is being given to you. The example given was “why do you ASK God to be here, when he has PROMISED to never leave you or forsake you??!!” But, that being said- I think God cherishes it when we ask according to what He plans to do- ASKING IN HIS WILL… I don’t think God is angry or annoyed when we make a statement (recognizing) a question (asking)- but I DO think that He wants us to claim what He has already said (he IS with us) … and in this case, to claim that He has control over us, and to PRESENT a WILLING PLIABLE heart to God in TRUST that when he breaks us, HE WILL pick up the pieces!! That is FAITH in action. But, like you guys said on friday, these are really tough, HARD things to ask God to do… All of them involve SACRIFICE on our part, PAIN on our part- and often feelings of LONILESS and CONFUSION along with that. These are such HARD prayers to pray… I often find myself only half-heartedly wanting to pray them… It’s like you were saying Annika, about having to choose between comfort and sacrifice. I find myself on a daily basis being confronted with that… “Do I really need to buy this top?? But it is soo cute!!” or “Do I really need to stay up late to talk with God?- I’m soooo tired!!” or “do I really need to make-up with my sister??- I’m sooo angry with her!”… It’s interesting though, because COMFORT isn’t the enemy- God desires GOOD things for us… comfort is actually a really wonderful gift! But we tend to fall back on it wayyyy too much- Shying aways from pain is instinctual.   It seems like it is the finest of lines that only God can see… HE determines what is right for us at each time in our lives, and when sacrifice produces the most good…. I can only come back to the fact that He appreciates even a half-hearted willingness- and He can use that.. and eventually He will produce MORE genuine willingness in us. He is IN CONTROL. and HE will gently shape us- even if that means He must STRETCH, BREAK, SEARCH, SEND and USE us.

Welcome to the Bamboozlers’ Blog!

Well, here it is! Welcome to the blog of the U of C C4C 2006/2007 girls D.G. hosted by Lydia and Zoe, a.k.a. THE BAMBOOZLERS!

This blog can be a place where we girls stay in contact throughout the week, talk about God, scripture, the D.G., our everyday lives, share stories, plan outreaches/parties, or anything else you can think of!!
If you have any ideas for the blog, write a post about it and place it under the category “blog”. If you have any brainstorms for the D.G., post about it under the category “D.G.”

Zoe’s brainstorming for more categories:
1) Sharing stuff that makes us smile (The “Whatever is’s” from Phil 4:8)
2) Sharing creative stuff we’ve done like poetry, pictures, songs etc.
3) Discussing Biblical stuff, e.g. the Nephilim
4) Plain old blog posts about how we’ve been doing (physically, intellectually, relationally and spiritually)
5) Random thoughts about random things
6) Good quotes we’ve come across or words of the day
7) Contact info (password protected, I’m thinking)

Okay, some of those were kinda redundant. Just some thoughts. I’m looking forward to seeing the categories that actually develop over time.

This blog is public, so feel free to bless all viewers with your thoughts. However, if you have anything personal to say that you want to be viewed only by your fellow bamboozlers, protect it by a password.

Remember, true friendship is a safe place to let things matter, so feel free to share what matters to you!

Love you all(ready)!
-Zoe