I just discovered that APU’s own Vivian Chukwuemeka was omitted from Nigeria’s Olympic team! Why? Because the committee is less than “fair”, from what I hear. Read the article in Sports Illustrated.

Seriously, this annoys me so much! She is SO talented, and could bring honor to her country…but because she has had “confrontations” with the committee in the past, she was not selected. They say it is because she failed to meet the qualifications during the trials; however, two other girls were allowed to compete even though they did not meet the standards.

Anyway, please read the article. I’m just so sad because she has worked so hard, and she is such an amazing person!

I once again would like to call attention to the new blog “Debate Team” which is linked on my sidebar. It is an ongoing discussion forum with 5 contributors (including yours truly), and it is beginning to pick up speed!

If you have anything you’d like for us to debate, post a comment on there, and someone will probably post about it!

Check it out!

Not too much to say today! Finally was able to get into my boss’s office, to get the files of work that I was supposed to be doing while he is on vacation in the Midwest…so I have plenty to keep me occupied!

Last night’s worship team practice was wonderful…it was the first time in 3 weeks that our whole team has been there, and as we practiced, it was an incredible time of worship.

We also began preparing for our church’s first annual “Concert on the Lawn”, which is August 13th, at 7pm. Our pastor decided that it was time to share the collective talent of the worship team members, so we are doing a concert!

If you live in the area, our church is First Baptist Church of Glendora, located at 505 N. Grand Avenue, Glendora (California).

This concert will be a time of worship led by the worship team, but will also showcase the worship team members. I am singing two songs (and playing guitar for those songs), and most of the worship team members are doing something as well. We have SO many talented musicians, many of which have their own bands and write their own music. I’d encourage you to come, bring friends, for a great night of fellowship and great music!

Yesterday, a man decided to visit his parents in Glendora. So he drove from Atascadero, which is about a 4 hour drive. He parked across the street from his parents house, and the mischievous kids who lived across the street slashed all four of his tires. By the time he noticed, it was 7pm…he had the car towed to Wal-Mart’s Tire and Lube Express, as it was the only place open at that time of night.

I know you are wondering where on earth this is going: TRUST ME! I have a point! 🙂

I spent all afternoon at my new apartment yesterday, unpacking some stuff, etc. I got into my car to go to see some good friends play at a local coffee shop…and it wouldn’t turn over.

Now, I have my “Certificate of Proficiency in Auto Repair”, and I knew that it had to do with the battery…the lights were still coming on when I turned the key, so I knew it wasn’t dead…called Dad, he said to call AAA (“Triple A”)…they came, jumped the battery, and said that I needed a new one. The guy said “Better get to Wal-Mart before 8pm!”

It was 7:58pm.

I started praying. I knew that there was no way that I would be able to get there before 8:10 or 8:15pm. I felt a peace, though, and knew that God would take care of me somehow!

I drove up, and it was 8:10pm. I left the car running, and ran over to talk to the associate who was nearest me. I explained my situation, and asked if there was any way that they would replace my battery, even though they were closing. He asked the service manager, and he agreed.

Why did he agree?

Because they were in the middle of replacing four tires.

If that poor man hadn’t have had to get his tires replaced, and if it hadn’t taken so long, I would have been stranded in Orange County this morning, with a car that wouldn’t start.

This morning I decided to read the story of Abraham and Isaac again…and I realized just how much faith Abraham had! He trusted that the Lord knew what was best, and that the Lord would take care of him somehow…he was willing to sacrifice his beloved son to follow the Lord’s commands…

WOW!

And the Lord provided…at just the right moment, He provided a ram, and explained to Abraham that He had merely tested his faith and his heart. Abe passed the test.

As I daily work on surrendering my life unto the Lord’s will, this is a prime example of how when I don’t worry about things, He provides. He takes care of me. He will not ever leave me! Though a car battery is a trivial matter, it once again affirms in my mind just how much God cares about the little things in our lives…every detail…every hair on our head…

And yet I am so reluctant to give ALL of my life over to Him! Why? That’s what I’m trying to figure out, and trying to ‘get over.’

This morning I read a quote from Oswald Chambers…

“Tell God you are ready to be offered,

and God will prove Himself to be all

you ever dreamed He would be.”

That quote leaves me with lots to ponder, and many more things to work on…am I truly ready to be “offered”? Hmmm….

Do you ever read a passage of Scripture and just sit in wonder at the words therein?

Yesterday morning, as I was journaling, I decided to read a passage in John. I opened up to John 15, and read 15:1-17. It is a very familiar passage to me; yet, new meaning and a fresh perspective accompanied this passage. I love how the Lord does that! You can read something a hundred times, yet each time you gain a new understanding.

I also love how when the Lord is trying to teach me something, He uses EVERYTHING around me to get His point across!

In this passage, the word “remain” is used eleven times…ELEVEN…I’ve always been taught that when something is repeated, it is important. Jesus tells us to REMAIN in His love, REMAIN in Him, REMAIN on the vine….He doesn’t tell us to DO anything…He says to REMAIN…

The most important things I picked up from this passage were:

• That we were to love God and love others (v. 10 and 12).
• That Jesus chose us, we did not choose Him (v.16).
• That we are FRIENDS of Jesus (v.14-15).
• That we are to REMAIN in Him and in His love…

Does that passage say that I should always be doing something? No…it simply says that we are to remain (which means to “to stay in the same place or with the same person”) in Jesus and in His love…and when we remain, we will grow, we will “bear fruit”

And yet, how often do I just simply sit with Jesus and enjoy His presence?

How often do I sit at His feet, like Mary, and listen to what He has to say (Luke 10:38-42)?

Like Martha, I always have to be doing something…it’s just the way I was made. But, something God has been teaching me through my reading and through outside observations is that I need to learn to just relax, to just sit and be in the Lord’s presence…I need to be more like Mary, and be willing to “lay aside the worries of my day” for the chance to spend time with the Lord. I need to draw near to Him each day for nourishment, just as the branches remain connected to the vine.

I need to learn to just “be“…

Wow…a lot to ponder today. 🙂

This morning was perfect…the air was cool and crisp…the marine layer covered the sky, which is my favorite type of morning…and I was well-rested (after sleeping from 9-9:30pm and going to bed at 10:15pm!!)…wonderful!

I also just got a package from my “secret pal” (from my church in Red Bluff). Each college student has a secret pal/prayer partner each year they are away, and we receive notes, goodies, etc. throughout the year. I got a package today! I am excited–especially because they again included the BEST hot chocolate in the world, Land-O-Lakes. I know that my mom must have spread the word to my pal that I wanted some more! I have not been able to find it ANYWHERE down here, and it is seriously the best hot chocolate! I am going to make some right now! 🙂

I moved this weekend, and I helped my new roommate move from her old apartment into our new one. I am SO tired of moving! I haven’t even really unpacked anything, because I just wanted to leave it there. I will probably start unpacking things later this week, but it isn’t really a priority. Our power will be on today, which doesn’t really mean much to me since I am house-sitting this week. But, I am moved! It’s just sad because I really enjoyed my roommates/apartment this summer…it’s not like I live far away now, but with our busy schedules, who knows how often we’ll be able to get together.

Other than that…God is good! I am so excited to see what He does in the coming weeks! I am trying to learn how to relax (with the help of a friend), because that is something I am not very good at. 🙂 Paige comes back in less than 2 weeks!! Sara will be here on the 15th!! I can’t wait to see all these people! 🙂

Good times…

Since I won’t be posting tomorrow, I decided to post my poem today.

My writing is a major part of me, and in it I try to be real and express what I’m feeling deep within. This poem is no different. It is NOT my best work, by any means, but that’s okay. It helped me to “get out” what I was feeling inside.

So, understand that I feel very vulnerable after posting a poem, especially when it is only 3 days old…but enjoy it, and leave nice comments if you like it! 🙂  If you don’t like it, please don’t tell me. I’m VERY sensitive about these things! It is untitled as of now…

There are twists and turns on this path I tread

With little notice of what lies ahead.

But, I will follow and I will seek

For You are strongest when I am weak.

Unexpected crossroads, I must make a choice

I wait, I listen for Your still, small voice.

Some paths cross, some diverge

I cannot merely follow an inclination or urge.

I must look to You, and You alone

For You will guide me, wherever I roam.

Alpha, Omega; Lord of my life

Through every hardship, through every strife.

Through every victory and every defeat

Through times of joy, when I feel complete.

I know I can trust You to light my way;

Then why do I struggle, argue and sway?

Why do I question Your perfect plan

The power of the Great ‘I AM’?

Oh, Lord Almighty, lead me on.

This road is narrow, windy, and long.

I am weary, tired and worn

From the endless distractions and storms.

You are the Lord of my entire being,

Not merely my advisor, or Lord of some things.

I know not the direction or the length of this road

Only the Maker whose hand I hold.

You created the stars, the seasons, the light

Still You hear every thought, every laugh, every plight.

How wondrous You are; such a mystery

That the Creator of the Universe cares deeply for me.

Help me to ponder this great thought each day:

You will never stop loving, or leading my way.

Though I often wander, stumble and fall,

Your love is with me, through it all.

Lesa Close

July 26, 2004