PERSPECTIVE

being the single women we are and at the stage of life we're at, my best friend and i frequently discuss the topic of singlehood and marriage. and while we have our hopes, we know that ultimately, we are called to be content wherever we are and we can trust that God will give us the best for us. this morning, however, i gained a new perspective that i'd never really noticed before...

That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. "Teacher," they said, "Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and have children for him. Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. Finally, the woman died. Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?"

Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. But about the resurrection of the dead--have you not read what God said to you, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob' ? He is not the God of the dead but of the living."
~Matthew 22:23-32~

wait. what did Jesus say?

At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

hm. so if this is the eternal perspective, why is it that we fret so much about finding that "special someone" again? i'm not saying marriage isn't important. just maybe that we place too much emphasis on seeing it happen in our own lives, especially in light of all the people who are passing into eternity Christless. definitely something to think about.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

~2 Corinthians 4:18~

ZZYZX

yes, folks, there is actually a street named Zzyzx in California. how it's pronounced is a very good question. :)

i'm back in town and yes, i had a wonderful time-off with my parents. seeing as Christmas is approaching, i thought i'd dedicate this entry to my thoughts on Mary, the mother of Jesus.

ever since a very long time ago, i've always felt attracted to the character of Mary. there was something about the way she was described in the gospels as treasuring up memories of Christ in her heart - the way she appreciated every moment of the situation she was in. it wasn't until last week that i could pinpoint why i liked her so much.

the first reason why i admire Mary is that young as she was, she allowed God to interrupt her plans for her life - she was wholly surrendered to God for His purposes. she walked with courage and she didn't worry about her reputation. i'm somewhat at a point in my life right now where God's "interrupting my plans" so to speak. i have much to learn from her. :>

secondly, arguably, Mary's was made to be a mother. that was her purpose. from my childhood days, i've always wanted to be a mother and i've felt that that was what i was made for. so knowing that God made Mary to be a mother encourages me when most of society today doesn't think too much of motherhood.

anyway, there's a rather personal entry for ya. ;> *sigh* back to the Christmas cards i go... :>

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
~Luke 2:19~

QUICKIE

praise God for getting me through this semester!!!! wow. it was intense. and i'm still not used to being on break. :D anywho, i'm going down to the land of casinos and flashy lights for a week. i'll be back dec 14th. in the meantime, for anyone who cares to remember, please pray for me as i search God's heart for my future. i'm taking some time during my vacation in Las Vegas to hopefully make some decisions about my school/post-school career (ironic location, i know). thanks to all of you who sustained me through prayer and encouragement this year. what an adventure it has been! (and i know there'll be much more coming!)

k, gonna leave you with these words to ponder:
There is a need for leaders who will "mobilize the people of God for adventurous and imaginative mission."
-- Paul Beasley-Murray as quoted in Out of the Comfort Zone by George Verwer

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
~James 1:5~