The weekend is over and I didn't accomplish a thing (academically at least).
Leading worship at Brentwood yesterday went awesome and being in the middle wasn't as terrifying as I thought it was going to be. It was a blast and my hat even fell off during 'You'll Come' in the 10:45 service. What can I say? We like to rock out hard. I have a ton more to say about this, but I'm too exhausted to do so. Another time I suppose.
Today was a really long day: philosophy test on epistemology, Greek class on 2nd and 1st declension (gag me), two lectures back to back from both Andreas and Marni Kostenberger, and then over to Martha and Beth's for some homemade soup and chit chat.
All in all, it's been a pretty normal past couple of days. The apartment, to no surprise, looks completely different now. A trip to the Goodwill, Michaels, and Lowes were involved.
Oh, and Mom called today to tell me that Dad was in the hospital; I still don't know what for, so if you could, please say a quick prayer for him. My family and I would greatly appreciate it!
I'm going to bed now,
-C
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Lipstick and Leading Worship
For a lot going on, there's not really a lot going on.
It's all pretty typical, really.
Oh, except for the fact that I wear lipstick now - and yesterday, get this: I even wore eyeshadow.
I know.
If I keep this up, soon enough I'll be racin' around Lynchburg in a pink Cadillac sporting who knows what else on my face. Shimmer? Blush? God forbid shimmery blush.
A slippery slope, that make-up.
I've gotta say though, it does make me feel a little older: a little more dignified and put together. Who knew lipstick could do such a thing? I'll tell ya who - Mary Kay Ash: and look where it got her. Genius, genius woman.
::
So I've been leading worship for Dr. Rose's Evangelism class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It's made up of 500+ freshmen girls. Fun, right?
Yesterday we sang 'You'll Come' and then went into a few choruses of 'What a Savior'. It was a beautiful 4 minutes. Simply beautiful. The girls were so encouraging before and after I got up to lead worship and a handful came up one by one to let me know how much they appreciated me leading. I've gotta tell you: that really meant a lot to me, so thank you girls.
I think it encouraged me for a couple reasons:
1. Everyone except for those on the front row have no idea what I actually sound like, so when they're thanking me for leading worship, that's exactly what they're thanking me for. They're not saying "thanks for having such a pretty voice". There's no sound system in the classroom besides one microphone, and I've found it to be best used by being held up to the guitar. The most important thing is that they can all hear the music, because without the microphone up to the guitar, I can be playing as loud as possible and the girls on the left and right, middle and back, still can't hear. Not leading vocally makes it semi-difficult if the girls aren't familiar with the melody of the song, but I always encourage the girls who are familiar to sing it out loud so the rest of the class can follow along with them. So far, they've been familiar with the songs (B. Sharp was kind enough to hook me up with Campus Bands' repertoire so I know which songs are being led on campus), and the entire class has become the voice. My voice on the other hand, is usually gone afterwards because I'm literally yelling direction and encouragement in between verses and transitions, but it's so. much. fun.
2. Leading worship isn't really "my thing" - meaning, it doesn't come naturally. Aside from teaching God's Word, it intimidates me more than anything. Sure, I can sing - but singing doesn't equate leading worship. This has been such an interesting learning process in leading: because of the circumstances, I don't necessarily have to sing word for word, therefore, my focus has been more on the actual leading. God is always so brilliant in how He chooses to teach us and grow us. I love it...
...and He's always right on time.
I walked into band practice last evening, swatting off stink bugs as I opened the door, said my usual hellos, and made my way up to the right side of the stage as usual. I sat down my guitar case, got Taylor out, and went to set her on my guitar stand, except there was already a guitar on it: Nic's guitar. I looked at it kind of funny for a second or two, and then headed to the left side of the stage, where I automatically assumed I would be...but there stood Ben, with his amp and guitar.
"Wait. Does that...mean...?"
Yes, it does.
I look to my immediate right, one squinty eye, face all scrunched up, and there stood my empty guitar stand. In the middle of the stage.
I don't know why Nic refuses to tell me these things beforehand.
-C
It's all pretty typical, really.
Oh, except for the fact that I wear lipstick now - and yesterday, get this: I even wore eyeshadow.
I know.
If I keep this up, soon enough I'll be racin' around Lynchburg in a pink Cadillac sporting who knows what else on my face. Shimmer? Blush? God forbid shimmery blush.
A slippery slope, that make-up.
I've gotta say though, it does make me feel a little older: a little more dignified and put together. Who knew lipstick could do such a thing? I'll tell ya who - Mary Kay Ash: and look where it got her. Genius, genius woman.
::
So I've been leading worship for Dr. Rose's Evangelism class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It's made up of 500+ freshmen girls. Fun, right?
Yesterday we sang 'You'll Come' and then went into a few choruses of 'What a Savior'. It was a beautiful 4 minutes. Simply beautiful. The girls were so encouraging before and after I got up to lead worship and a handful came up one by one to let me know how much they appreciated me leading. I've gotta tell you: that really meant a lot to me, so thank you girls.
I think it encouraged me for a couple reasons:
1. Everyone except for those on the front row have no idea what I actually sound like, so when they're thanking me for leading worship, that's exactly what they're thanking me for. They're not saying "thanks for having such a pretty voice". There's no sound system in the classroom besides one microphone, and I've found it to be best used by being held up to the guitar. The most important thing is that they can all hear the music, because without the microphone up to the guitar, I can be playing as loud as possible and the girls on the left and right, middle and back, still can't hear. Not leading vocally makes it semi-difficult if the girls aren't familiar with the melody of the song, but I always encourage the girls who are familiar to sing it out loud so the rest of the class can follow along with them. So far, they've been familiar with the songs (B. Sharp was kind enough to hook me up with Campus Bands' repertoire so I know which songs are being led on campus), and the entire class has become the voice. My voice on the other hand, is usually gone afterwards because I'm literally yelling direction and encouragement in between verses and transitions, but it's so. much. fun.
2. Leading worship isn't really "my thing" - meaning, it doesn't come naturally. Aside from teaching God's Word, it intimidates me more than anything. Sure, I can sing - but singing doesn't equate leading worship. This has been such an interesting learning process in leading: because of the circumstances, I don't necessarily have to sing word for word, therefore, my focus has been more on the actual leading. God is always so brilliant in how He chooses to teach us and grow us. I love it...
...and He's always right on time.
I walked into band practice last evening, swatting off stink bugs as I opened the door, said my usual hellos, and made my way up to the right side of the stage as usual. I sat down my guitar case, got Taylor out, and went to set her on my guitar stand, except there was already a guitar on it: Nic's guitar. I looked at it kind of funny for a second or two, and then headed to the left side of the stage, where I automatically assumed I would be...but there stood Ben, with his amp and guitar.
"Wait. Does that...mean...?"
Yes, it does.
I look to my immediate right, one squinty eye, face all scrunched up, and there stood my empty guitar stand. In the middle of the stage.
I don't know why Nic refuses to tell me these things beforehand.
-C
Sunday, September 12, 2010
A Change in Direction
Evan: Heyyyy! What's up?!?!
Me: Oh, you know...just trying to register things.
Evan: oh dear! Isn't that really hard and confusing?
Me: yyyep.
Me: Oh, you know...just trying to register things.
Evan: oh dear! Isn't that really hard and confusing?
Me: yyyep.
Most of the time, I try really hard to make these blogs somewhat entertaining. You know: light-hearted and interesting to read. Funny that I care so much because I didn't get a single 'A' on any of my papers for English 202 or American Literature. It took everything in me not to drop those classes and "take them later". Yeah, you know what I mean. Wink, wink.
I feel as if my blog is in a bit of a conundrum.
I started it when I was 20 years-old with the intention of documenting everything preceding my move to Lynchburg: counting down the days, dealing with financial aid, getting my hair chopped off, packing up, moving in, etc.
The purpose of course changed once I got here: I wasn't anticipating it anymore, I was living it. I kinda quit writing as much when I finally got here: most in part because I'm in college and there are a million other things to do like homework (ahem...cough, cough). Before I knew it I was moving off campus and into my own apartment, taking summer classes, serving at Brentwood, dating someone, changing my major, working at the bookstore, not working at the bookstore, not dating someone, not doing homework but instead choosing to write yet again, another pointless post.
Things just, change.
I mean, I even blog about domestics from time to time. Things definitely change. I just wish my posts weren't all so sporadic. I want some sort of direction, but alas, life is sporadic: constantly getting stirred up and shaken around. 'Registering things' is really just a matter of refocusing. My blog is really just about being here in Lynchburg and that can obviously mean a ton of different things at any given moment of time; thus, the need to take a breath and 'register things'.
Whew.
Now that I'm back to being a religion major and back to being single, my blog will yet again, start sounding different. There are new people to introduce you to and new experiences to share. I'll try my darndest to make it all sound as cohesive, as purposeful and as interesting as possible. Not that you probably care either way, but as with everything we do or take on: I'd like it to matter.
I'm here ultimately because Christ led me here. Even though life here continues to keep changing, that much hasn't changed. I know that wherever I am, whatever I'm doing, and whoever I'm becoming, Christ is there.
So: we're going to continue on into a new semester then. I really hope I get a job, all A's, and a puppy.
...Talk about sporadic.
-C
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Gabriele
I'd like to call her my best friend even though we've only spent about a total of four days together. She got married this past Saturday and it absolutely killed me that I couldn't be there in Germany for her on her big day. She's the most beautiful, most genuine and most God-fearing young woman I've ever gotten the privilege to meet and she's such a blessing to my life even half way across the world.
Congratulations Mrs. Diener!
-C
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Legitimate Fellowship
"Love is helping people toward the greatest beauty, the highest value, the deepest satisfaction, the most lasting joy, the biggest reward, the most wonderful friendship and the most over-whelming worship; love is helping people toward God." -John Piper
I've been finding out how truly blessed I am by the people God has put in my life.
I love Lynchburg.Friday, September 3, 2010
In Order to Have Something to Give
What if I got a job for the soul purpose of having something to give?
If that were my main motivation in getting and working a job while attending school full-time, I'd make it work. I'm way less apt to work hard if it's merely for myself, but to have the face of a child without food, or education, or family ingrained on my mind - or a woman enslaved in the sex industry ingrained on my heart - a higher sense of urgency would come into play.
Just a thought.
-C
If that were my main motivation in getting and working a job while attending school full-time, I'd make it work. I'm way less apt to work hard if it's merely for myself, but to have the face of a child without food, or education, or family ingrained on my mind - or a woman enslaved in the sex industry ingrained on my heart - a higher sense of urgency would come into play.
Just a thought.
-C
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
As Clever as You Can
Every time I open a New Post page, it's because I feel like I have something worthwhile to say, but then when I finally get to that blank page, I....well, blank. It's incredibly annoying.
Just kidding. I'll try.
I'll go ahead and warn you now that for the rest of the semester you'll most likely be reading a lot of quotes from Mr. Clive Staples (probably due to the very reliable habit I've formed at blanking out and having nothing worthwhile of my own to say). I'm required to read through his entire Signature Classics in my Philosophy class these next four months: so much fun. I'm a week in and already my brain is chock full and I'm finding it hard to let it all "marinate" so-to-speak. We read a couple chapters every night, and every couple chapters is enough to keep me thinking for a solid few days, if not an entire week. As if my mind isn't blown away by Lewis enough, the fact that I get graded for reading his books tears it into imperceptible shreds.
Another class that's blowing my mind right now is my hermeneutics class. I'll never read the Bible or listen to a sermon the same way again. I'm sure what I'm learning will show up in some of my blogs in the future, but for now it's more than I can even fathom to explain.
The more I learn the more I realize I know practically nothing. I feel very much like a child, and while to keep the heart of a child is one thing, obtaining a "grown-up's head" is another: but of course it is best to have both and to try, to best of our ability, to keep it an even race between our heart and our head. In Mere Christianity, Lewis reminds us that Christ tells us to not only be "as harmless as doves", but also to be "as wise as serpents." Our hearts and minds were created to work in tandem, not for one to be neglected and the other to be held superior. Sometimes I think I lack the ability for either one, but if it all begins with a fear of the Lord, therefore to have a teachable spirit as most children ought to have (because I definitely know of some children who have anything but a teachable spirit) - then I'll begin there. And excuse me, but holy crap (!) do I want that to spur me onwards to sharpen whatever intelligence I'm capable of: to be as clever as I can while being as compassionate as I can. We should all want that, lest always be limited and bound into a slavery of sorts: neither knowing the love or the knowledge that we're capable of knowing. What is worser still? Hindering others from knowing it in the same instance, by way of our ignorance in never disciplining ourselves to learn what we can. This is where the kicker comes in for me personally; my children will only know as much about the Lord and His Word and theology and in pursuing righteousness as I do.
...and that gives me a little more incentive as well.
Told you I'd be quoting him a lot.
-C
[Insert C.S. Lewis quote here instead].
Just kidding. I'll try.
I'll go ahead and warn you now that for the rest of the semester you'll most likely be reading a lot of quotes from Mr. Clive Staples (probably due to the very reliable habit I've formed at blanking out and having nothing worthwhile of my own to say). I'm required to read through his entire Signature Classics in my Philosophy class these next four months: so much fun. I'm a week in and already my brain is chock full and I'm finding it hard to let it all "marinate" so-to-speak. We read a couple chapters every night, and every couple chapters is enough to keep me thinking for a solid few days, if not an entire week. As if my mind isn't blown away by Lewis enough, the fact that I get graded for reading his books tears it into imperceptible shreds.
"The proper motto is not 'Be good, sweet maid and let who can be clever,'
but 'Be good, sweet maid, and don't forget that this involves being as clever as you can.'"
-C.S. Lewis
Another class that's blowing my mind right now is my hermeneutics class. I'll never read the Bible or listen to a sermon the same way again. I'm sure what I'm learning will show up in some of my blogs in the future, but for now it's more than I can even fathom to explain.
The more I learn the more I realize I know practically nothing. I feel very much like a child, and while to keep the heart of a child is one thing, obtaining a "grown-up's head" is another: but of course it is best to have both and to try, to best of our ability, to keep it an even race between our heart and our head. In Mere Christianity, Lewis reminds us that Christ tells us to not only be "as harmless as doves", but also to be "as wise as serpents." Our hearts and minds were created to work in tandem, not for one to be neglected and the other to be held superior. Sometimes I think I lack the ability for either one, but if it all begins with a fear of the Lord, therefore to have a teachable spirit as most children ought to have (because I definitely know of some children who have anything but a teachable spirit) - then I'll begin there. And excuse me, but holy crap (!) do I want that to spur me onwards to sharpen whatever intelligence I'm capable of: to be as clever as I can while being as compassionate as I can. We should all want that, lest always be limited and bound into a slavery of sorts: neither knowing the love or the knowledge that we're capable of knowing. What is worser still? Hindering others from knowing it in the same instance, by way of our ignorance in never disciplining ourselves to learn what we can. This is where the kicker comes in for me personally; my children will only know as much about the Lord and His Word and theology and in pursuing righteousness as I do.
...and that gives me a little more incentive as well.
"Anyone who is honestly trying to be a Christian will soon find his intelligence being sharpened: one of the reasons why it needs no special education to be a Christian is that Christianity is an education itself."
-C.S. Lewis
Told you I'd be quoting him a lot.
-C
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