Christmas Banquet fun!

The Lady RAs on campus: Katey Merriman, Christy Zbylut, Karen Kay, Amy DeMings & Brittany Prime

My lovely roomate Sarah and friend Zach.

Evan and I

Testify courtesy of a little photo editing. :)

Caught being silly with the camera...I don't remember what we were laughing about but we laugh often about life, so I'm certain it was a good time.

The boys wanted us to pose creatively...so we crouched down in our puffy dresses and pretended like we were telling secrets - they always complain about girls telling secrets...so once again, this was fun.

Amy and I

Flowers...roses actually. (Yes, I finally got flowers, not a potted plant.Yippee) ahha The flowers are from two of my guy friends Anthony and Evan for Christmas banquet and helping coach soccer. Very sweet.

Testify (minus photo editing) singing "All That Thrills My Soul"

Mikey and I at the banquet table. (He commented that he likes this picture because our eyes match - I have to agree about that.)

Mikey is a superhero, EVEN at Christmas Banquet...Isn't that a sweet belt?

The gang or "team" as Sarah would say: Evan, Sarah, Zach and I.

Kathy Shanks and Joette (a.k.a- Hershey's Kisses - they worse size 72 pants together and 'hobbled' (I believe that would be an appropriate term) around at banquet.It allowed for some good hearty laughter.)

RA ladies with photo-editing.

Our group for the evening: Christy, Evan, Ally, Zach & my wonderful roomate Sarah

Roomate fun again...we decided to kick up our heels and have a little fun.

My amazing prayer partner Carly Kruse and I.

Me smelling the pretty flowers from Banquet.

Natalie Pendell from Randleman, North Carolina. It blesses me everytime I think of how God has brought her to Bethany. One year ago she was laying in a hosptial bed dying, of an unknown disease, untreatable to human knowledge and quite hopeless. We prayed for her on Chorale tour last year when we traveled down south and God healed her body. Bless the Lord for restoration power!

textbook insight

I was reading in one of my counseling textbooks today and I stumbled across a quote I found both interesting and in my opinion quite eye opening and truthful:

"Change is inevitable, growth is optional."

Do I hear an Amen?

grief

Never has a week been so bogged down with overwhelming news of defeat and struggle.
The body of Christ at Bethany is wounded...
My heart is grieved for those who are struggling.
The enemy gained a foothold and has capitalized on it.
Our campus is struggling.
My heart is overwhelmed with the events and reality of the past week.
Never have I wept so painstakingly for the hurt of someone else.
What is it like to feel pained and broken for someone in the body of Christ caught in sin? It is sickening. It makes you nauseous, unable to function and work, exhausted, broken...and thankful.
We have been praying for God's holiness to consume this campus, and indeed God is at work...but the enemy is a prowling lion seeking to kill and destroy.
He destroys innocence, perverts beauty, distorts perceptions, and creates apathy.



If you think to this week please keep our campus and the family of Christ here in your prayers. Pray that God will bring healing, restoration and will make this place Holy and set apart for his work and glory. When the body of Christ hurts, we all hurt..when the body of Christ is wounded, we are wounded too. Don't forget that! We so often do...

As I write I am listening to a song by David Crowder entitied "Wholly Yours" - the words seem rather appropriate:

I am full of earth
You are heaven’s worth
I am stained with dirt, prone to depravity
You are everything that is bright and clean
The antonym of me
You are divinity
But a certain sign of grace is this
From a broken earth flowers come up
Pushing through the dirt

You are holy, holy, holy
All heaven cries “Holy, holy God”
You are holy, holy, holy
I wanna be holy like You are

You are everything that is bright and clean
And You’re covering me with Your majesty
And the truest sign of grace was this
From wounded hands redemption fell down
Liberating man

You are holy, holy, holy
All heaven cries “Holy, holy God”
You are holy, holy, holy
I want to be holy like You are

But the harder I try the more clearly can I feel
The depth of our fall and the weight of it all
And so this might could be the most impossible thing
Your grandness in me making me clean

Glory, hallelujah
Glory, glory, hallelujah
You are holy, holy, holy
All heaven cries “Holy, holy God”
You are holy, holy, holy
I want to be holy, holy God

So here I am, all of me
Finally everything
Wholly, wholly, wholly
I am wholly, wholly, wholly
I am wholly, wholly, wholly Yours

I am wholly Yours

I am full of earth and dirt and You

flash back to 2nd grade

Today I dressed like "fall" and several people said I looked very cute. Looking cute somehow becomes a foreign concept when you are 20 years old...and it made me chuckle as I had flashbacks of 2nd grade...and how no matter the years that pass by,boys still think we're cute when we wear braids or "pig tails" as they may call them.



Some days it's just nice to simply be...to laugh, joy, and remember 2nd grade.

20

20 years of life have I, 20 years of life.
I had an amazing date with the Lord tonight and as we shared a birthday supper, I came across a journal entry that caught my attention from early in September.

" Unto You oh God, I give my life.
Before You, I recognize this no small sacrifice,
For all You ask of me, is to faint with longing for Thee.
As I follow the call, the world seems quite small,
For inspite of my fears, I know You are near.
You whispr Your Word in the depts of my being -
a longing arises from within my soul-
I recognize you alone must control -
every hope, desire, and dream from above.
Your joy is my strength -
my weakness, Your glory.

Soft whispers of love dance upon the wind. Leaves rustle as the season prepares to begin. To everything there is a season - though sometimes we fail to see - a purpose amongst the lessons, the trials and the change. Father help me embrace Thee with all that I am - abandoned to the world - a warrior of the King. My destiny's uncertain, though I know it's in Your hands - I can't help wonder, if somehow I'll understand.

Dance sweet whispers of love on the wind - remind all God's children of the life He's placed within,

How silently, how silently - I long to hear Your voice - it seems that at this moment I have no other choice. I surrender all my time and resources - to allow Your work in full - to penetrate the deepest parts of all I am for Your glory.

"Behold, I make all things new. Christy just hold on - "

Quietly I wait for Thee - Long I long for You - to see.
To crawl in Your lap, see the world through Your eyes -
with a child like faith, to learn of You - to know You -
to grow in Your likeness and to reflect Your glory. "

* I am thankful for a God who loves me. All glory, honor, and praise to the One who has granted me life and breath for these 20 adventurous years and who will continue for His determined amount of time to grow me more into His likeness.

hearts cry

"Great is Thy faithfulness Oh God my Father..."
"Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus...just to take Him at His word, and to rest upon His promise, just to know thus saith the Lord..."

Who can measure Your promises?
Who can compare to Your vastness?
None has such majesty as You!

This month Lord, wreck me of all I am.
May I find myself before Thee on my face...humble me before you that I may increase in faith and obedience to You.
Tune my ears to hear Your voice alone.
May the cry of my heart be to know You more.
I want to know You Lord!

Change me God!

"O praise the One who paid my debt, who raised His life up from the dead..."

"Moo-moos are stylish...

...enough said"! :)

art

Lately I've been experimenting with my creativity by painting images on canvas the Lord lays on my heart. Here are a glimpse of two I recently painted. One was for my Mommy's birthday (which is this Monday!) and the other for a woman we babysit for who is having a little girl in a few months.

missing

Today I miss him -
My Sussex walking, puddle hopping, friend-time scheduling, English-accent talking friend.
Exploring forest pathways in the dark of night, laying on a rocky road to gaze at the stars.
Singing silly tunes and skipping because we can - how my heart swelled with appreciation for this very special friend.
A portable drummer was he pounding out fun beats as we sang crazy songs and laughed about random thoughts and dreams.
Touring foreign states, taking moonlight walks - we grew in our fellowship and learned of shared thoughts.
Quite far away he is right now, training to make his country quite proud.
Smarter than most, through this journey he'll coast.
I remember the city and exploring with him there.
His music, his interests, were always worth care.
Classical instruments, flamanko, and jazz -
He had lots to offer and had lots to add.
Fort-making, nap-taking, sunrise watching partners were we.
Climbing the Bluffs at 5:00am was quite the idea indeed.
Our adventures were many, our ideas were profound.
Word games a plenty, big vocab to spare, skipping through Sussex, we had little to fear.Uno-spinning we went, in a game never ending, eventually he thinks he won, I think we need a rematch to be sure.
Cows across town twice struck our fancy...climb them with did, now isn't that chancy?
Big dorky headphones, none could wear quite like he.
His smile made me joyful for we knew what was there.
Goodbye was full of breaking and unsureness about where.
It's been a short while, but indeed it seems long.
Hours away are we, and quite strong he's become.
Sometimes I just miss him lots, what shall I do?
"Good-night for a little while!" We often would say..."goodbye for a little while" was not a fair trade.
I hope to soon see him, our visit would be grand.
I've missed him in soccer, in singing, and such, particularly since I don't explore Sussex as much. It's quite dark and scary without my friend there, we'd clearly established he could take on a bear. To protect me he promised, he'd always be there, I never once doubted if he were sincere.
Perhaps the near future will provide an opportunity to visit and have him here.
I'm trusting the Lord for I know He knows best. He'll guard my heart if in Him I find rest.
Oh smiles and rainy walks I surely do miss.
Our friendtime was treasured, and undoubtedly missed.
Aurevoir Mr. _________ you know who you are.
Maybe sometime soon you won't be so far.
Far far away,far away is he...indeed this friend is missed, indeed for him I'll pray.

taken by His love

God's love is unfailingly good.
I am overcome with His intimate love and majesty.
Lately I have been filled with words and music.
I can't seem to stop singing new songs I've never heard of before.
I know the Lord is birthing in me the ability to praise Him and to write for Him.
Every Sunday I steal away for a time simply to listen to His voice, and to write what I feel prompted to.
Recently I've felt compelled to actively pursue what God is doing with all of these words.
I want to put them to music.
I don't want to just have words.
I want to create for His glory.
I feel as though I'm supposed to somehow and somewhere acquire a guitar, learn to play it, and to open myself up to plans the Lord may have for me by using that ability or skill.
I've been praying for Him to supply. I have agreed that if He supplies, I will learn, listen, go, seek, do, sing, whatever it takes - for His glory alone.

Lord, your love is astounding!

rest - what is it? what does it look like?

Something we often fail to do in our culture is to take the proper time our body needs to rest. We neglect even the smallest opportunities to rest, like sitting down for a few moments on a busy day, or taking a bubble bath when you have an hour to spare, or closing your eyes as you walk down the street to class allowing the wind to blow softly on your face.

Quite often, most of our days are consumed with a "go go go" mentality, and regardless of all the to-do lists, countless daily goals, and expectations, we somehow manage to fail at something. Why is this? - I think it is because we neglect to rest.

The past few weeks have been very spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally draining. At times I was so caught up in going that I did not have time to "sit and rest" - I had to "rest on the go". I realize that sounds like an oximoron, but bear with me. Regardless of how mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually taxing the past few weeks have been, my cup has been filled overflowing. Why? I have chosen to find my rest in Yahweh. The Lord has breathed strength into my body everyday with a faithfulness and consistency that can only come from Him. He has brought joy in the midst of fatigue, and fullness in the midst of near emptiness. He fills my cup.

I have come to appreciate and recognize that resting in the Lord isn't always a "stand still" practice. Oftentimes, a gentle breeze will remind me of His love or the words of a sweet song will enter my heart. Starting my day by reading a daily passage of His word allows it to stay fresh in my mind and He helps me recall His promises throughout the day. Honestly, regardless of how tired I sometimes feel, I am resting. He surrounds me and carries me. (Ps.68:19).

My idea and expectations of true-rest have changed significantly over the past month. During the past week I have rested by:
-Puddle jumping in a thunder storm
-Standing in the pouring rain
-Napping after a soccer game
-Eating yogurt and crackers
-The sunshine strip on the walk down the hill
-Closing my eyes and listening to the words spoken in chapel
-Standing in awe of Him, patiently with no concern of time

Thank the Lord for rest - He alone fills my cup, overflowing!

These words filled my heart yesterday with great rest and wonder:
"I see the Lord, seated on the throne - exalted.
And the train of His robe, fills the temple with glory...
And the whole earth is filled - the whole earth is filled-
And the whole earth is filled - with His glory.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy is the Lamb..."

calling all prayer warriors

It is officially Spiritual Advancement Week here at Bethany and already we are witnessing God moving in powerful ways. God is breaking the hearts on this campus, calling people unto Himself to seek Him, to get on our knees and to cry out to God to heal our land. We're entering battle, and we're prepared to fight.

Several of us are fasting this week and gathering together to seek the Lord and to press through for this campus. Every evening there has been a prayer walk at 10:00pm where we gather in groups and walk the famous loop praying as the Spirit of God leads.

Victory is coming to this place...a near revival is at hand. We covet your prayers at this time.

Our remaining services are:
Wednesday 7:00pm - follwed by a time of intercession on the hill
Thursay 10:00am and 7:00pm - also followed on the hill

God is breaking down strongholds in the lives of our beloved brothers and sisters. Joy is replacing sorrow, darkness is fleeing with the light - hearts are breaking and falling deeply in love with Yahweh. Repentance is near. Healing is on its way. The Healer is coming in all of His glory and power to change this place and make it Holy before Him.

Prez quoted I believe C.T Studd in last evening's service as saying, "Satan laughs at our worship, but he trembles at our prayers."

Will you join us in praying for this campus, North America and the world at large? Pray that this week will be an extention of the beginning and that this place will never be the same. The glory of the Lord is rising among us. We're embracing the challenge, weak as we are - We are going to battle. I plead with you to interceed for this campus and the many souls here, as well as the extentions of our families and churches represented here. God is going to change this world. It's starting now. It's starting here.

May all glory be to God, our Father, our Savior, our Refuge, our Maker...He is near!

stillness and waiting

Recently I've been swamped with the passage in John 15 that speaks of Jesus being the vine while we are the branches. This passage also says that the vine will prune off any branches that are not producing fruit, and promises that if we remain in Him, and His words remain in us we can ask anything and trust it to be granted. I'm overcome as I glance at verse 16 which says, " You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name."

My heart has been breaking and there are many inexplainable "unknowns" in my life at the moment such as: What's next? When will I know? Where am I to go? Who? Will this really be an opportunity? Are you closing these doors? Do you want me to step by faith into this? etc.

As part of the PLC ( a discipleship group on campus that also has a scholarship aspect tied to it) we were challenged to make a covenant with the Lord during corp camp in Cape Breton. Part of my covenant with the Lord was to steal away, intentionally once a month for a date with Him. I felt led to choose the 13th of the month because eventually it will fall upon my birthday and I can't imagine better company to spend your birthday with than the very one who knit you together in your mother's womb and carried you out on your special arrival day. He created me, has grown me, continues to stretch and change me more into His likeness and regardless of how far I am from who He's made me to be, He still loves me, is mindful of me, and desires an intimate, fellowshipping, absolute relationship with me. The God of the universe somehow takes delight in me, as small, weak and frail as I am and empowers me by His grace and Spirit to do work for His Kingdom! How amazing, eh?

I realize I got a little sidetracked in talking about the Lord in the above paragraph, but the point of my sharing that aspect of my covenant for this year is to offer a testimony of praise for the date we had yesterday. Uncertain of where to go I felt led to a small picnic bench on the far side of campus. I carried my Bible, water, crayons, a coloring book and nailpolish. I sat in the sun painting my nails and enjoying the soft breeze kissing my face. Next I spent some time coloring and pondering the Lord's creativity and how neat it is that He's fashioned us with desires and talents to be creative and to express His creativity through us. In closing I spent some time reflecting on Psalm 27.

Verse 14 stuck out and encouraged my heart. It reads, "14 Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord."

This is where my life is at right now. I'm waiting...I'm trying to be patient, and I'm finding rest and challenge in the stillness.

In closing, Here are the words to a verse I was inspired to write to the tune, My Jesus I Love Thee :

With all things uncertain, my life in Your hands.
The path that You've woven, I choose to asend.
My Jesus You chose me. You called on my name.
And now I will follow - in joy or in pain.
-Christy L. Zbylut

remembering

Six years ago on the crisp early autumn morning of Tuesday, September 11th...I sat in my small country school room and stared at a tv screen wondering what was going on. Recognizing the background as New York City, a place I'd visited just a month prior with my dance group, I was a little excited, until the cameras zoomed in and a sickening pit formed in my stomach.

Today, I remember...do you?
I pray the Lord will shower His peace upon those still grieving and that His joy will penetrate to the deepest parts of those who have been saved and healed. I'm thankful for all the servicemen who have spent countless hours away from their loved ones, missed the birth of their children, and even more so, those lots in combat.
That historical day has been on my mind all day, at different times and I can't help but think how blessed are we? Who am I that the God of the universe would be mindful of me and the smallest things of my life...that He would grant me breath and life each day anew, all for His glory. I never climbed the Twin Towers, but I saw them as part of the beautiful NYC skyline just a month before they were no more. The countless stories of delays and circumstances on that day are astounding. How could one not recognize the Holy God of all in an event like that? Even more so, how could one not recongize His love at all times in each day? I am so thankful to know the truth, to be loved and called by Christ, forgiven and made new. I am burdened and heartbroken for those who still need to hear and even more for those who refuse to hear.

Lord, help us remember and remind us of your hand in our lives this day!

christy's witty thoughts apres midnight

- Things are no longer taken at "face value" but "facebook value".

- Apparently a social networking system exists in which people must choose whom they associate with and whom they ignore. This is especially necessary when relationships end and one with whom the situation has nothing to do with makes themselves feel awkward about life and fails to see a way to remain friends with both parties.

- Those who remain uninformed must proactively acquire information or look foolish.

- Chocolate is wonderfully delicious. (no I'm not eating any this late.)

- A little game of duck-duck goose and ring-around-the-rosy keeps you young at heart.

- On a long hot day, nothing feels better than a good sweat(exercise) and cleaning off.

living in the townhouses

my desk

the lovely bookshelf

a beautiful mirror

our refridgerator...complete with ABC magnets

the first blueberry pie I've ever eaten and helped bake avec Amy

a side view of our room

my bed and sweet comforter picked out by my awesome Mom!

sporting and representing the fashionable Townhouse RA Trucker Hat

"I'm singin' in the rain..." Yes, I dressed like this for Bethany Live.

Picture Day was today...this is what I looked like with my new haircut.

my lovely world map hanging in our room to represent our love for the world and my determination to study world geography

our sweet curtains

greetings from Canada

Just wanted to notify all you dear friends that I an indeed alive and well - in Canada.

The weather has been gorgeous and campus is once again a bustling place filled with unpacking, greetings and the classic 3 welcome to Bethany questions: (What's your name? What are you studying? Where are you from?) Conversations are rarely in depth for the first week or so...but there has been much dancing and singing of praise music in Apartment 220 and many greetings and hugs from beloved brothers and sisters...all awaited for over the summer months.

I'm truly in awe at the wondrous work of our great God and how He showers us as His treasured children daily. God has truly shown Himself real and faithful in the smallest of things in my life...a greeting from an old friend...a phone call from one who makes me heart smile in a way few would understand - a way I'd care to share with the occasional person, but nothing more.

God is good.
My heart is being broken, blessed, stretched, healed, strengthened, convicted, and I am enjoying basking in the loveliness of our Lord.

Special things are occurring in my life at this time and I'm finding as I stand or sit in the silence and simply listen...words,songs, etc. are being poured into my heart. It's one of the strangest experiences I've ever had, but I choose to embrace it and commit to give my all in using the gifts and opportunities God is/has placed in my life.

Blessings beloved friends!
I'll update soon with pictures from the past few weeks.
Keep our campus in your prayers!

a summer project

This summer I was given the task of putting on my creativity cap to create, build, construct, and execute successfully several "giant" games for our Giant Health and Satefy Fair during the Caribou Cares About Kids Festival, held annually each year in town. My adventure also included the constructing of a giant movie screen from paint, sheets, staples and wood for a family movie night under the stars. I have no pictures of the movie night, but I will say the park was filled with many little ones, teenagers, parents, grandparents, etc. and everyone seemed to have a lovely time. Our summer efforts turned out to be a huge success. Below are few glimpses of the process of creating some of these games and the movie screen.

packing frenzy

Only 4 sleeps remain until I cross the border for another year of living in the wonderful land of Canada.

Today I've come to the following conclusions:
1) I dislike packing
2) I'm not much fonder of unpacking
3) No matter how many dates you go on with John Adams, his biography is still 700 pgs. long and takes forever to read.
4) Just as I'm getting acclamated to sleeping in my bed at home, I have to move to a new one.
5) The bite of fall is in the air.
6) Co-ed softball is officially over and with it, the bulk of summer.
7) I have far too many clothes to choose from including a mountain of t-shirts, some dating back to early grade school. (I've never figured out why they give little kids t-shirts they can wear until they're in college.I suppose it's kind've neat for the college student to look back and say "Hey I wore this in 5th grade." leaving out, of course, the fact that it was practically a nightgown or something.)
8) No matter how long your "remember to bring list" is, everytime you turn around, you find something you forgot to write conveniently next to something else you didn't even think about bringing until you saw it.
9) I'm thankful for people who are easy to work with.
10) Sisters are good for taking your mind off endless tasks you need to accomplish and helping you procrastinate for a time.

I'm quite excited to get back to school, however, the more I think about what I have to do before I leave - the more this scheduled time frame is making me kind of claustrophobic.

fear not My child

When talking to the Lord about some of my hearts desires, a hymn we used to sing at church when I was a little girl came to mind:

Fear not My child
I'm with you always
I know every thought
And every tear I see...
Fear not My child
I'm with you always
I know how to care for what belongs to Me!

I love how sometimes when we question life, circumstances, and paths, how the Lord, sometimes remaining silent, others speaking loud and clear - showers us with a Father's love. He lavishes us with sweet reminders of who He is and the power He alone has. He is faithful!

the missing ring

Upon graduating from the 8th grade my parents got my a very pretty ring with my birthstone. I treasured this ring and felt pretty when I wore it, the shining topaz shimmering in the sunshine of early summer. I did not own this ring for long until it went missing. Just after beginning highschool and relocating to a new home where we currenty reside, my ring went missing.

With a little sister in the house who loved to play dress up and who had - on occasion- been caught trying on this ring...all fingers pointed to her as the culpret of the missing ring.

Fast forward roughly 5 years - to today - Jessica was in our living room tonight trying on every pair of jean she owns, causing us all to burst into fits of laughter as some pairs were a little too snug, some too filled with holes, some cleverly decorated with safety pins and some in mint condition. As she picked up a random pair from the pile she reminded us that I'd given them to her a number of years ago. She flung them around in the air for a split second, just long enough for all of us to hear a " tink, clink, tink, think tink....tiiiiiink." Caught off guard by this noise and the knowledge that something had fallen from the pants we all said in unison, "What is that!?" All we heard was, " No way! OooohhhhH!"

After a few moments of gloating by Jessica, basking in her guiltlessness and following an apology on my part, she handed me a treasure I thought was forever lost - my ring.

It's amazing how my ring could have at any moment gone missing and I would never have known...poor Jessica, assumed as the culpret all these years and voila, one evening trying on jeans, the ring appears.

roots, rocks and a little perspective

Today we adventured on our last day of biking to the Nordiac Heritage Center in Presque Isle. As our bikes departed on the single-track trails, up and down the hills we went, slipping on roots, rocks, and every other weed and branch one could imagine present in the woods. Needless to say, I was slightly unamused.

As our promised descent from this place approached, I began to find myself rather frustrated thinking we were on our way down the mountain and wondering why exactly we were still climbing gigantically steep hills. Once again, I was unimpressed and an unimpressive attitude began to fester in my heart.

Mounting once again on my seat, I began to relentlessly pedal over rocks and roots galore...recognizing my frustration and poor attitude, I began to ask the Lord for strength and to change my attitude. Suddenly, I heard a voice - not likened unto a whisper nor a yell - it was an assertive, plainly sweet voice calling, "Look around Beloved."

Quickly, as though a switch had been turned on inside of me, I found myself smiling and instinctively taking in with my eyes the breathtaking view around me. As I forgot about the awful roots, rocks, and mud beneath me, this is what I began to see:





Though I strongly believe woody trails should be reserved strictly for jogging, strolling or hiking, I'm thankful for the opportunity to recognize mountain biking isn't my thing. I am a big fan of road biking, and biking to a destination. When I'm out trampsing among trails I feel lost without a purpose, consumed by the slippery roots, pesky bugs, and jagged rocks. I've learned much about pushing my physical limits this past week and today I learned once again to how much I need to bless the Lord at all times. Instead of thinking about myself I needed to change my perspective, to look beyond what my wheels tred upon and instead, to glance up, to recognize the beauty our great Lord has prepared for us and I was blessed to see today.


Here's to turning in my trail maps and retiring from my week in the woods...

inspirational training

Yesterday I went biking with a group of CRX kids (Caribou Rec. Xtreme- an outdoor summer program) to Fort Kent’s 10th Mountain training facility. Complete with much grass, hills, rocks, and roots, our atmosphere assured us we were surely in for a day of interesting riding.

Something I found particularly interesting was when we first arrived at the facility the place was bustling with various athletes diligently going about their training regimens. A red flag was raised to alert all visitors of the athletes training. I was amazed at their discipline clearly visible on the course. Quite literally these athletes eat, sleep, breathe, and train for the biathlon.

With this in mind, I have to wonder – shouldn’t we as Christians have a “similar” training regimen in our daily walk with the Lord? Shouldn’t we eat, sleep, breathe, and train with His purpose on our minds, His work as our workout, and His will as our drive and motivation?

I think our lives often get too crowded and overwhelmed with fillers that soon turn into excuses to stray from a training regimen. For anyone who exercises (or attempts to) on a regular basis, perhaps you can relate. How many times do we find ourselves saying we’re too tired or too busy to go for that run or take the dog for a walk? How often do we let the weather (humidity, rain, sunshine too little or too much) dictate when and where we go as we slowly begin to neglect our physical training? Are we getting enough sleep? Are we eating the right foods?

Considering our spiritual lives, how often do we plan to exercise our talents and giftings for the Lord and never get around to doing so? How often to we promise to pray for someone, leave a note of encouragement, or truly study the Word, and simply forget, or get too busy with life?

What would happen if the biathletes watched movies instead of shooting their rifles – or – ate potato chips instead of protein? What would happen if these athletes only ran when the weather was conducive to their absolute comfort? We all know their training would suffer and certainly their performance in the big competition would suffer as well. Their standings would certainly fall below their expectations and they would likely disappoint those who had invested much time and energy into their training through encouragement, sponsorship, etc.

I wonder what habits and comforts I’ve let mar my training regimen…physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually…and which of these things are holding me back from being all the Lord wants me to be at this moment for His glory.

our meeting

Thank you all who offered your prayers for the situation I shared in the last post. I am grateful for your words of encouragement.

This evening that brother in Christ and I met together at Tim Hortons (the place where all serious talks take place, right?) and I shared my heart, asked for forgiveness and shared my desire to glorify Christ in our friendship, whatever that may look like and whatever dynamics it may encompass.

We shared in laughter and caught up on life with small talk.
I'm thankful for this opportunity to grow and change, once again, more into the image of the One who made me, loves me and cares so deeply for me...my Jesus.

God is good and I'm beyond words thankful for all He has in store in both the near and immediate future...I'm ready to keep on growin'...

my awful attitude

It's amazing how sometimes as Christians, we think we're done with a certain issue or circumstance in our lives...until it pops up again, quite unresolved, with the need of deeper more careful resolution.

I thought I was finished with a certain part of my life and to be straighforward and quite honest, the attitude of my heart has gone quite sour toward a certain brother in Christ and I haven't the vaguest idea as to exactly why. All I know is that this evening my Mom called me out on this 'anger' of sorts that has been dwelling in me...and all it took was a few moments of quiet reflection to pin point something my heart has been musing on for awhile...I'm not finished resolving this circumstance...and God is in fact calling me to lay myself down, to cast aside my self pride, to be vulnerable with this person and to glorify God at all costs of myself. The Lord has caused me to realize I am not finished growing in this area of my life and for Him to release me to do things that I both desire in my heart and He's called me to do...order for Him to grow me...I need to let go. I need to deal with this attitude of my heart that has consumed my thoughts and behaviors.

The Scriptures tell us in Matthew 12:34,"out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Proverbs 23:7 states, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." WOW!! Right now that would mean I am essentially acting like an awful person, speaking awful things. It's a scary realization for sure. I have been very selfish and prideful, believing there was no real issue with my attitude at all and that my Mom was just misjudging my attitude. My mouth has not been speaking lately what I want in my heart to reflect, about a certain brother in Christ. A hatred of sorts and disgust really has wedged its way inside of me and I honestly don't know 100% how to deal with it.

I felt prompted to call this individual tonight after church, knowing inside I must first confess my attitude and behaviors, ask for his forgiveness, and somehow be honest about life I guess. I want to figure out what the Lord has in store for the both of us as brother and sister in Christ.

I want more than anything to grow in the Lord...and I know the Lord wants me to grow in Him...because of this I need to lay down this issue, freely of all self pride and let the Lord have His way in me, to cleanse me head to foot in this issue and to recognize that when in fact this issue is dealt with, my growing will never truly stop. I want to claim victory in this area of my life...to walk in freedom with a heart that spills and overflows with an abudance of things that glorify Christ.

I now await a response from this brother and I'm hoping his heart will be willing and open to talking...and listening really to me. I covet your prayers for strength and humility during this time. Also, please pray he returns my call and we are able to talk.

I'm quite thankful to have a conscience and a God who loves me enough to point out the junk in my life that can be only demolished by Him and replaced with things that honor Him.


I enjoyed the sunshine and time for thinking today...

buggies

For anyone who exercises, or finds themself quite joyful outdoors, do you think smiling while you run or bike could result in a lovely collection of bugs on your teeth?

Whenever I go running or biking, bugs always pelt my face, so I wonder...as I find humor and joy outdoors, is it possible I am also collecting a lovely smile full of buggies?

Every once in awhile, I imagine someone returning from an exercise outing and smiling, only to find their teeth speckled with buggies, like the grate of a car. Strange, I know...but what does one think of while they're running and being pelted by bugs?

heart desire

I've been reading several books this summer for PLC and one of the books on the lineup was Hannah Hurnard's book, Hind's Feet on High Places.

This book really made me think and this passage, spoke somewhat of a yearning desire in my own heart, something that's tugged at me through reading this writing in it's entirety:

"Set me as a seal upon thine heart
Thou Love more strong than death
That I may feel through every part
Thy burning, fiery breath.
And then like wax held in the flame,
May take the imprint of thy Name.
Set me a seal upon thine arm,
Thou Love that bursts the grave,
Thy coals of fire can never harm,
But only purge and save.
Thou jealous Love, thou burning Flame,
Oh, burn out all unlike thy Name.

The floods can never drown thy Love,
Not weaken thy desire.
The rains may deluge from above
But never quench thy fire.
Make soft my heart in thy strong flame,
To take the imprint of thy Name."

my last name

I often joke about being the smartest kid in my preschool class - afterall, I had to learn the whole alphabet to spell my name. What do I mean? My last name is Zbylut...Z-B-Y-L-U-T, and as one can clearly observe it begins with a 'Z' or 'Zed' in Canada. My name is very Polish, and very unique. I've lived my whole life at the back of the line, it's just a natural thing for me.

Aside from all this, I'd have to say one of the greatest parts of having a unique last name is how people both attempt to say or spell it. Today, I was reminded once again of my preschool days learning to spell Zbylut.

Arriving home from work, I discovered a package on the kitchen table. It was addressed to my mom, and therefore, had this silly sight not caught my eye, I would have walked away without a second thought. However, what my eyes beheld was quite a humorous sight. In all the 19+ years of life, I've never seen an attempt at our last name go quite so wrong. The package read something to the affect of:
Rita Dbylut
----------
----

For those of you who think I spelled Zbylut wrong above by accidentally pressing D instead of Z, I shall inform you, whomever sent this package, hand wrote our name that way. Dbylut. (Neat!) I chuckled thinking, for sure, this guy takes the cake of poor spellings of our name. It's practically up there with Zibilt, Zibblet, Zyblut,Zoblut, Zibillet, etc.

Dbylut...who knew!? :)

Nicole & Cale's Wedding

Last weekend I had the privilege of taking part as a guest at two dear friend's wedding. Watching their love grow and get stronger over the past year and such has brought my heart great joy and makes me excited to fall in love one day with the person I'll walk down the aisle and greet. The weather was beautiful and the ceremony shined with Christ's glory. God is faithful!

Nicole and Cale, God bless you!

Cool Slideshows!

my 1st cavity

Two weeks ago I went to the dentist a clean toothed young woman. As I left I held an appointment card for today and the voice of Dr. Smith ringing in my head, "Yep, that #13, deep grooves, what a shame, we'll have to drill it."

Apparently I have "deep grooves" in my teeth (lucky me), and the dentist unfortunately discovered a cavity at my last cleaning that most people get when they're much younger. I was told that you either get it in that tooth or don't...apparently once something gets stuck there it's practically impossible to get it out...so I got a cavity. (neat!)

Bear in mind here I've never had any dental work done beyond brushing, flossing, and a number of years ago that gunky bubble gum flavored flouride...I was even spared having my wisdom teeth removed when they decided to disappear (Thank you Lord) when I went to the orthodontist.

When I arrived at the dentist early this morning I had a realization. The feat of some 19 years and 8 months cavity free fades away as you lie reclined in the leathery dentist chair. I wonder, who invented paste that makes your gums go numb? I feel bad for the people who tested the stuff. What a not nice feeling it is to have your mouth droop and 1/2 your throat go numb as the gunk drizzles down. Why does the needle they shove into your gums have to be so big? Is that necessary? Big needles are scary.

I once thought I liked the dentist - now I'm reconsidering. :)