Amazing Grace

"When people ask of great men, they think of men like Napoleon- men of violence. Rarely do they think of peaceful men. But contrast the reception they will receive when they return home from their battles. Napoleon will arrive in pomp and in power, a man who's achieved the very summit of early ambition. And yet his dreams will be haunted by the oppressions of war. William Wilberforce, however, will return to his family, lay his head on his pillow and remember; the slave trade is no more." 

- Lord Charles Fox

Have you seen the movie Amazing Grace? It's about a man named William Wilberforce and his role in abolishing the slave trade.

I watched it about 2 weeks ago on my day off because I wanted to watch something that would inspire me to live a radical life. It was a great movie and after watching it I kept thinking about William's life and how he witnessed lives being killed and inhumanity taking place through the slave trade and how that burden was so strong that he lived each day and did whatever he could to stop the slave trade. 

He was haunted with images, he couldnt eat, and his health was deteriorating because he was so consumed with the abolition of slavery, so he did whatever he could to pass the Slavery Abolition Act. 

So, after watching this movie I wondered to myself...

What makes a person so burdened that their whole life revolves around a certain issue. Is is just their experiences? Is it their specific character? And many people have burdens that last for a little while and with very little accomplished in living out their convictions. What makes a conviction consume one to the point of living their lives out each and everyday for that specific burden with regards to nothing else?

For myself...this is something that I have been pondering on these past few weeks and as I live in the world, but strive not to be of the world... I have to keep myself in check each day by asking myself if I am living a life of boldness and fearlessness with the courage to stop at nothing to make the name of Christ known...

William Wilberforce...dang yo... What a great man!

the little things...

Wow, life can become so busy and overwhelming with various things that need to be done that it is so easy to overlook all the little things in life.

I remember when I was growing up how I would pride myself in doing little things for people and even judging others based upon the little things they did consistently in life. Ahahaahaa one of my criteria's for my "husband" was for me to judge if I saw consistency in giving and selflessness in the little things that he did. 

Remember in the wedding singer, with Drew Barrymore. There was a scene towards the end where she travels on an airplane for the first time with her fiance. He was sitting in the window seat and Drew was sitting in the middle seat. Drew clearly stated that she had never ridden on an airplane and he obviously had, so she expressed her excitement and how she wanted to look out the window. Now in my opinion, if he was a decent guy he would have switched seats with her. But, he was like, "ah... I like the window seat too, so how about you look over my shoulder to see outside."

EWWWWWWWWWWWWW, I was about 15 years old then and I remember thinking that he was such a jerk and how I would never ever marry someone like that. 

Ahahahaa, so yes yes, Im not married so I kept my promise to myself eh? eh? =D

But yes yes, so lately I have been praying for joy in ministry and the daily things in life and God of course has once again proven himself to be faithful.

Lately, I have been reflecting upon the things in life that are given to me daily and that I can easily take for granted.

1. People. Those I lived with, had life group with, shared a meal with, served with.

2. Encouraging emails. Ahh, thanks for taking time out to email me and share your lives. When I hear about all that you guys are doing and experiencing I am really blessed and motivated to press on in ministry because we truly do have a partnership in Christ.

3. Text messaging. This is such a good way to keep in contact with people.

4. Food. Im all about good food. I love cooking, experimenting, and eating together. The other day I ate cereal for breakfast (cereal btw is the last thing I want to eat in the morning, cus Id rather eat something warm like ramen or rice=), but yes yes... I ate cinnamon toast crunch and cut up bananas to put in. It was good...you should try it...ahahahaa...^.^

5. Toilet paper. Ahahahaa for reals. Sometimes I wonder what it was like back in the day =)...but then i stop when my imagination takes me too far...=).

So yes yes...daily things right...but things I can honestly overlook at times. Obviously there are so many more things that I can be thankful for (which I am), but at 11:30pm at night, these were the things that I remember and want to share.

Take care PEOPLES! I am going to try and update 1x weekly at least.

Miss Yous & Much Love...