I dream of a world.

I am dreaming of a world. A world where darkness doesn't exist. A world where pain and suffering are no more. A world of new beginnings, and happiness. A life eternal, full of enjoyment of God, and one another, where the days go on forever, and the sun never goes down. Where anger, guilt, greed, divorce, adultery, aren't even in people's vocabulary. Where the beauty of the sea, and the colors of the nations are alive. Can you picture it? Sometimes, I can. 

This week we have been studying Revelation, and I got a glimpse of what God has been trying to tell the world since the very first time that he spoke to Abraham. Today, as I was trying to make sense of my role as a Christian i was just struck by the absolute truth that God is ruler, and that we are to worship him for who he is, and what he has dreamed for us. A dream that we could never dream without him. In the mean time, our goal should be brokenness over the people of the earth that don't know the truth about who God is. Our lives, as best we can(which isn't even close to perfect) would be to live as if we believe our God is coming back, and he loves the world so much. What that looks like, only each person's true talents, and mind's can reflect the reflection of what God had in mind of putting you on the planet. So i dare each one of us, including myself- do we look into his face, see his love, shrug off the ambitions of self, and be captured forever? 

These few months of SBS has showed me really how much I took my life for granted. I have learned about God his amazing love, and patience that he allowed his creation to spit in his face, literally(Matthew 26:67), that in itself has blown me away. The patience of God is incredible. Father, forgive them for they know not what they do brings a whole new meaning. God has begun to bring me to a place where I can no longer see why I should have my way.  That he came for us, the biggest losers(in the truest sense of the word) lived out life, as a winner, a winner over selfish desires, and was a pure, and living example of what a life for God could look like, if we will only say, Father, have your will. 

I pray that everyone who reads this questions their intentions in life, and questions who they are living for. Themselves, or God. Whether you be a believer, or not in Jesus. 

Jason

The Gospel of John

I thought it would be nice this week for me to post a small taste of the work that we are doing.  We studied the Gospel of John last week and it really impacted both of us strongly, particularly with who Jesus really is and how much he loves everyone.  The writing below is a theme summary of the book.  For each book we study, we pick one prominent theme from the book and trace it throughout the book.  We write this summary after we have studied and written about more of the details of the text of the whole book.  This theme summary is part of our final application.   

        The theme that appeared to be most prominent in this book was Christology, or the personhood and character of Christ.  This book is packed with descriptions of who Jesus was and the function that he has in the world.  The book starts right away with who Christ is and basically covers all the aspects and themes about him that will be expounded upon in the book. (Chapter 1)  He is described as the Word, or embodiment of all wisdom, that he has been from the beginning, with God, and he is God.  He is described as life and the light of men.  He became a man and is the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.  Jesus is the only true God, and he reveals God. (Chapter 1:1-18)  Some of the most significant statements about Jesus are the ways he described himself.  He describes himself as living water (v 4:13-14) and also as the bread of life (v 6:35).  He refers to himself as God, I am. (v 8:58)  Jesus also calls himself the good shepherd (v 10:11, 14).  He refers to himself as the resurrection and the life (v 11:25)  Jesus calls himself the way, the truth, and the life (v 14:6), as well as the true vine. (v 15:1)  All these illustrations pointed to aspects of his character and the way he acted toward his people.  

        To the original readers of John, these ideas would have been a lot to take in.  Certain things would have spoken different things to different people, for the readership of this book was likely quite varied.  Regardless of their background, these descriptions of Jesus would have showed a few main points: that he loved them, and they must believe in him in order to have eternal life.  They would have seen him as the one they were looking and waiting for, whether they were Jews waiting for a promised Messiah or Greeks seeking ultimate knowledge.  Jesus is portrayed as the eternal hope and rest for all, who brings life and healing to a world that is broken and desperately wicked.  They would have seen in him a God who can identify with their sorrows and troubles and who is not afraid to be personally involved in their lives.  To the Greeks particularly, this would have been quite revolutionary, for their understanding of God was that they would never attain him, but had to strive through many levels of spirituality and knowledge throughout their lifetime.  The Jewish readers would have particularly identified with all the analogies Jesus gave about himself.  They would have seen him as both their spiritual and physical provider.  They would have realized that only in him could they find true life and be near to God.  

       The things that Jesus meant to the original readers are very similar to the meaning he has to today's readers.  A much more diverse audience has access to this book today, but these words about Jesus are timeless and relevant to all people.  All are looking for life, wisdom, and sustenance, whether they realize it or not.  Jesus is portrayed in this book as the answer to all man's problems.  He is the only one who can truly unite people and bring peace to the earth.  Most of all, he is the only one who has answers to the questions of the soul.  Not only does he bring more abundant life on earth, but he also brings eternal life, the true hope of glory for weary souls.  Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly" in John 10:10.  This is ultimately what he means to us all.  

Hope you enjoyed this and that it gave you a small picture of what we are learning.  Know that Jesus loves you deeply and he gave everything so that you could have life, to the fullest.      Erika

Happy New Year!

We pray that 2011 is a wonderful year for all of you, filled with blessings and surprises.  We so enjoyed visiting with some of you in Houston this Christmas.  I just wish we had more time, but I guess it always feels like that when you live far away.

Sorry we didn't write in December- it was a bit of a crazy month!  We had quite a bit of work to do, both school and otherwise, to prepare for Christmas break.  The last week of classes was full of projects, presentations by us, an exam, and of course, snow.  It went really well, and God helped us finish it all in time.  We both did a student teaching presentation on the book of 2 Timothy during the last week of classes.  To be honest, I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did.  It was about a 25 min. presentation that gave an overview of the book, as well as zeroing in on a specific part of the text.  Neither Jason nor I had ever taught part of the Bible like that, but we ended up really enjoying it and seeing new things in the text that we hadn't seen before.  2 Tim. was the last letter that Paul wrote before he died, as far as we know.  It was great to see the spiritual legacy that Paul was, in effect, leaving to Timothy, especially after studying all of Paul's books back to back and understanding his heart for the gospel.  Getting a glimpse of Paul's life really challenged me.  He was willing to share Christ's love with people no matter what it cost him.  He had such a passion for people to come into God's kingdom and experience true hope in their lives.   Paul went to Rome to share the gospel with them, knowing that it would cost him his life.  I know I don't yet have the kind of love and dedication that Paul did, but I pray that God gives me this passion for people more and more.

Christmas break was much needed and a refreshing time with my family.  I really missed them, and both Jason and I treasured the wonderful time we had with them.  They took great care of us and treated us to delightful meals, ice skating, and movies.  We enjoyed sweet times with my grandparents and good friends, also.  Jason and I enjoyed a late Christmas celebration with Danny's family as well.  He really enjoyed getting to know them a little better, as he had only met them at our wedding.  Then, I surprised Jason with a one-night getaway in San Antonio.  He had never been there and we made it into an early one-year anniversary trip.  It poured rain, but we still enjoyed the Alamo, Riverwalk, and our charming B&B very much!

I can't express how grateful I am to have all of you as part of my life.  Though we are really far away now, I will never forget your love and support.  Jason and I both were reflecting a lot this Christmas on how good God has been to us, and how he takes such great care of us.  Your love and prayers and care for us are such a big part of that.  Thank you for blessing us and taking an interest in our lives.  We love you all and are so thankful for you!