Here's my heart, Lord, take and seal it

"What about those other religions?  You don't know much about them.  How can you be sure?" "Hmm...I may not know much about them, but I do know the God of the Bible. This particular God claims to be self-sufficient, in no need of anything.  Then He went and created man.  He also created free will so that there can be a meaningful passionate relationship between them.  Then this God watched man choose their own ways and creation over Him.  At just the right moment in a complete act of humility this same God became a man.  He was spit in the face by His creation yet He showed man how to perfectly love others.  He exposed the pride of religion and perfect outward appearances and brought a surefire resolution that was not subjective by a grading scale of good deeds.  Rather the story of the Bible continues that He found a resolution all by His own doing...an obedient death on a cross!  Then this God's story doesn't end there...He conquered death to prove it!  O

By chance my roommate found a flyer on campus advertising the "FEU" (Foyer Evangelique Universitaire)  It's the French word for "fire"--cute!--and it's a Bible study for the university students. The two individuals that run the campus are from Baltimore and Philadelphia who have been in ministry in France for over 20 years!  For some reason it gave me a sigh of relief that I could connect with more Americans.  After singing worship songs in French to the God of the universe, including the oldie <<J e loue ton nom Eternel>> ( Lord, I lift your name on high), we dove into a lesson on the basics for continuing our walks with the Lord. My highlight of the night was praying for another American woman who was "closer to sixty" than most of us in the room but she is going back to school to study international business.  Her hopes are to work with the Congo and set up something there.  It was the fellowship I'd been praying for.  We gig

I have three weeks off until my classes start.  Before I do a little bit of traveling these next few weekends (once to Germany--er--Deutschland ja!, and the other to the South of France) I've taken the liberty of planning my wedding.   I found Pinterest to be very helpful for ideas and I think   ranunculus with baby's breath might be the way to go  instead of peonies because  I'm told they keep longer and are less expensive--ALICIA YOU DON'T HAVE A  BOYFRIEND!   Oh, THAT.  Yes, in due time Mr. Conscience.  In my reasoning, I will never have another three weeks "off" in my entire life so I should make use of it.   On another related aspect, in my Housewife In Training sessions (also known as HWIT), I've been trying my hand at this cooking thing.  Here in my French living quarters I've discovered the cheap and great joy that is couscous.  This is thanks to my roommates that are a little more learned at this thing than I ( a TRL shout out to Jacie a

This is my second post of the evening.  Judge me if you must but I'm exhausted from this week.  I went to a pub tonight for about thirty minutes out of social obligations to my fellow 22-year-olds and then it hit me that I'm actually 65 at heart.  My room, tea, and writing were calling my name (as well as a bed which I will visit in just a few). I've had a few minor victories whilst in France this week.  At one point on Wednesday I began thinking in French.  The only thing that made me conscious of it was that I got to a word I didn't know fully and then thought, "What?!  I'm so cool!  I'm so, 'comment-dit-on' French!"  My second victory lies in the saliva I spewed across the room during a conversation with a classmate.  At that moment memories of my teacher in high school, Madame, came flooding back and I realized that my pronunciation was getting better.  C'est si bon. Lastly, I'd like to introduce you to Yves: For these

I tried to write this post over and over again.  It started about half a dozen times as a theologian, and a quarter-dozen times as a comedian.  I stopped after the ninth attempt and thought I'd sleep on it.  I know when I come across some type of writer's block it's God's way of saying, "you're trying too hard".  Finally a few days later I opened my journal and what I wanted to say was simply written down (pretty sure I avoided this at first for fear of indecent exposure of my heart). I get why David wrote about the Lord's law being "sweet" to his lips...because the more depraved you realize you are...the more you HUNGER for HIS ways and laws and things that get you out of it  [sin, see Romans 6:21-23] !  Psalm 119 "Oh, that my ways were steadfast in following your decrees!"--verse 5 "How can a young man keep is way pure?  By living according to your word.  I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your com

"There is a difference between manufacturing the Christian life and manifesting the life of Christ among you."--JR Vassar People watching at Au Fid èle Berger <<Ah, la Bible!  Moi, aussi!>> was my landlady's response when she saw the French Bible that I bought for two Euros.  I knew I'd like her.  It's funny that when there's a language barrier where some things might get lost in translation or culture, the Holy Spirit connects Madame and I.  I just got back from a time spent at "my caf é"  called Au Fid èle Berger.  It didn't take too long for me to find a place to call my own.  The cafe offers an array of chocolates, desserts, and of course the espresso that is sweet to the taste.  I mostly love the setting of this little place.  It's found under a arched, stone walkway out of the sun and onlookers, but I can people watch as much as I'd please.    At Au Fid èle Berger I was just expressing to the  Lord how I feel abo

<<Bonjour!>>  said the slightly overweight ticket-taker.  I nearly forgot I was in France when I decided to take a nap on the train to Chambéry.  You know those moments when you wake up and forget where you are? I've had plenty of those, and it's not necessarily because of the wine that flows like water around here, but several times a day I have to pinch myself to realize that I'm actually in France.  As I walked up to my house/apartment from the taxi I was overwhelmed with how nice it was.  I could only thank Jesus, it's better than I could have imagined (but isn't that how He always does things?!). Anytime I forget where I am, I need only look at the old women walking down the streets carrying a single baguette or bouquet of flowers (not kidding, they actually do that).  I love my landlady as well.  She looks a bit like a mix between Maggie Smith and an even skinnier version of Jim Carey's character in "A Christmas Carol".  I wou