Your Mercies are New Every Morning

I took my first Christian History test today. Everything from Jesus to 1204 . . . no big deal. Actually, I was thankful to find my hours of studying paid off or at least I think it did.

Seminary has been incredible, but I must admit that there have been few if any days I have left history and scriptures classes encouraged by humanity.

Ever read through the Old Testament? I'll be honest, I've never sat down and read books through the way they are meant to be read.

Holy cow. I.t. i.s. a.w.f.u.l.

Story after story God's people, people he loves and forgives over and over again, people he delivers and rescues when they whine and cry only to forget him mere verses later, fill the pages. Want to read about incest, horrific rape, brutal violence, adultery, and every other awful thing you can think of? Don't go rent a R-rated film, read the Old Testament. Humanity . . . we're not looking so good.

Christian history . . . not any better. Fights, torture, schism.

It has left me noticing myself in the stories and wanting to hide. At the same time, it has helped me realize that our universal church is not in a new "off and lost" place. Rather, we are in the same place we have always been; making choices that bring us away from the Trinity, choosing (like the Israelites) to worship other Gods (money, work, "success") and so quickly forgetting the one who came to restore us.

Although the track record of Christians is hardly impressive, I have been overwhelmed by the undeniable grace, patience, and unconditional love God has and continues to give to his lost, selfish, conditional children.

Praise you God, for your mercies ARE new every morning and I would surely not survive without them.

life-giving

I'm a big believer in intentionally seeking out things and people that give you life and fill you up.

Although seminary has been difficult and stretching, God has responded to my need to be filled by others in an overwhelming way.

Ray and I joined a life group of young married couples a few weeks ago. Most of the group has been together for several years, yet they warmly welcomed us and have made us feel like family. They have the incredible (healthy) ability to go from have having fun, to being completely vulnerable and honest.

The joy that characterizes our new-found community and the passionate commitment each couple has to one another fills me with life.


Praising The Provider today and grateful for His love.

"To say that God cannot limit himself seems not only contrary to divine revelation in which God is constantly interacting but also illogical. A God who is so great that he cannot in any way limit himself is not so great after all and turns out to be more like a timeless principle than a relational person."


Dr. Olson is seriously messing me up.

One year in pictures

Not exatly what I'm supposed to do during study time

I got up early to finish some reading, but decided I've give an update instead.

I'm about to begin my third week of seminary and finally feel like I'm on top of the wave of work instead of being sucked under it. Seriously friends, I did not know I was capable of reading this much information in a weeks time. Most days my head hurts from reading so much theology, history and scriptures. My professors continue encouraging the first semester students to stick with them; promising that "everything will be okay." Ray pre-warned me that one of the main purposes of the first semester is to ruin everything you have ever learned about Christianity and make you question it all.

He. wasn't. lying.

Thankfully, I'm really enjoying classes and the environment. Not the mention, I'm learning to reign in the automatic response of a mini panic-attack when people start arguing in class.
Ahh, growth.

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While teaching bearobics for Baylor (had 60 people at the first turbokick class!!), I'm also working in the student services office at Truett and some how landed the unofficial party planning position. So, to kick off the year Texas style, Truett hosted a Bar-B-Que and square dance a few weeks ago! The couples who came to teach us were precious. Pictures coming soon.


Marathon training you wonder? Yeah, me too. The first three weeks of training went so well and I was loving it! Sadly, during a P90X workout with Ray last week I popped something in my left knee out of place and then back into place. Needless to say I've injured myself. And since the doctor is wooo expensive (I really don't want someone telling me to stop working out . . . slightly too addicted to my job) and I teach several times a week, I figured I'd better cool the running and focus on saving my knee for turbokick, cycling and yoga.


I have tons of pictures to post and promise to do that in between paper writing this weekend! Also, my sweet blogging friend Whitney has created a DIY frenzy in the Miller house. Cleaners, laundry detergent, "no shamPOOing." Whoo. It's incredible people (and saves a ton of money). More to come, more to come.

Time to get back to my Evangelicals and Tradition

Happy Sunday (and One year Anniversary to me and Ray!)