Broken

While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy.^[When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him.

---Luke 5:12-13

Leper: Lonely, Outcasted, Diseased, Hopeless, Broken

At this point in history, there was no known cure for this disease, and not only that but you were deemed “unclean” under the Torah. It can be assumed he didn’t have many, if any friends, and his family probably didn’t want him around either. He must have heard the news of this rabbi, this teacher that had the power to heal the sick and spoke with authority, as Jesus’ ministered to the people of the Galilee. When this leper heard that Jesus was in his town he must have thought “THIS IS MY ONE SHOT AT BEING NORMAL AGAIN!” So he went to find Jesus knowing that this was it. If anyone could heal him Jesus could. This man fell before Jesus, genuinely humble and broken. He begged Jesus to heal him, knowing and believing in his heart of hearts that Jesus had the power to heal him. This man knew that if there was any hope of healing and restoration, Jesus held the power to do so.

“Adoni, Lord, only if you are willing, I know you can make me clean.”

Jesus: Compassion, Restoration, Love, Kindness, Redemption

Jesus’ response is wonderful! He reached out his hand and touched the man, first, then he said, “I am willing.” And with his words the man was healed. This man probably had not had any physical human contact in years. Yet Jesus, before the leprosy is gone, reaches out and places his hand on this man. I can only imagine the compassion and kindness that the leper felt when Jesus placed his hand on him. Then Jesus said the words that would change this man’s life for ever “I am willing, Be clean.”

The leper’s genuine faith in Jesus challenges me. He knew that Jesus could heal him, but came to him with a humble attitude, knowing that Jesus has the ultimate authority.

Jesus’ genuine compassion and kindness challenges my life. I want to share this same genuine compassion and kindness with the people God has placed in my life.

Only when our pride and self righteousness is broken can we come before Jesus to receive and experience his grace and the wonderful life he has for us.

I just thought I would share some of my thoughts. I read this this morning in my quiet time and these two verses and the story that it tells really stood out to me.

First Week

Well I made it through my first week of classes! :]

I am surprised to say that I love all of them. Stats is not bad at all, and Dr. Knofczynski is great. Our first test is a week from today. History is gonna be wonderful! Dr. Todesca is really good. He’s from Boston, so he has a funny accent. I love Music Appreciation! My prof is so passionate about music which carries over into his teaching! Concepts of Fitness is probably my least favorite class...but it’s gonna be good for me. We’re making goals for nutrition and exercise. Next week we’re doing fitness testing and an aerobics class. Psychology is very interesting. Dr. Wong is not the most charismatic prof, but she loves the subject!

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Last Sunday at LateChurch, Dave Allgire, the pastor is in a series called 26.2. The theme is running a marathon, with your eyes set on the goal. The series is focusing on how as believers our life goals should be oriented, and that is toward Christ and the Kingdom of God.

We all got a card that listed 4 areas believers can grow and prioritize. The first one says “Spiritual Growth: Live the next three months in daily prayer and scripture reading in order to be formed more like Christ and better equipped for ministry.”

Dave also brought up the point that the Israelites were commanded to bring the “first fruits” offering to the Lord. This was to be the first and best portion of their crops or livestock. In the same way God expects us as believers to give him our first-fruits. He not only expects our best, but deserves nothing but our best!!

So as a result of all this, I was convicted. In the past I have always done my quiet time at night, but sometimes it gets pushed aside when homework and studying pile up. I have committed my mornings to God. I have decided to get up about 2 hours before my classes to spend time praying and reading the word.

My prayer is that it will not become a burden to me. I want to enjoy spending time with the Lord. I am not a morning person at all, but this week has been great! I am praying that God will empower me to be persistent and also be diligent in going to bed early and getting up to spend time with him!

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I signed up for a conference with the BCM. It’s in February. The theme is finding God’s will. I’m really excited for it! I think it will be good for me. I am praying that God will prepare my heart and I will learn a lot.

I am changing my major this weekend. I’m gonna major in history. I’m not sure what I want to do with it yet, but I love history. I am praying and committing my future into God’s hands. He has a plan and that’s all that matters. Ultimately I want to be in the center of his will so that I can bring glory to his name. I just am not sure how that will play out in my future.

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Well that’s about all I have for now. I’m excited about tomorrow. If it’s sunny, which I’m PRAYING it will be, I’m going to go study in the park and spend some time taking pictures downtown! :) It should be a lovely day!

New Semester

Today was my first day back to school since December 12. That’s one thing I love about college, SUPER LONG BREAKS!  

I spent my break in Israel with my family. It was so good to be home and with them! I really miss them a lot! We went to Austria for 10 days for Christmas. The top 5 things we did in Austria:

1. Went sledding in the Alps
2. Got dressed up and saw the Nutcracker on Christmas Day
3. Went on a sleigh ride 
4. Stayed in a town called Filzmoos that looked like a winter wonderland
5. Dressed like salt miners and toured a salt mine

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I guess I’m glad to be back at school. I was really bummed out yesterday, just missing my family and not really wanting to start back to school and work, but today was good. It’s good to be back and getting back into a routine.

Well my schedule looks to be about the same as it was last semester except with different classes. 

M/W: Stats (8am), Civilizations (3pm)

T/TH: Music Appreciation (10am), Health (11:30), Psychology (1pm) 

F: Stats (8am) 

That’s basically my week. When I’m not in classes during the day, I’ll be working. I guess it all starts on Monday. OH WAIT THERE’S NO CLASS ON MONDAY!!! WOOT WOOT!!! It’s MLK Day Monday! YAHOO!