Where Do You Want to Be?

How often do you think about the end of time? For me, it's a pretty regular thought. I find myself, fairly often, thinking of what it will be like when Jesus comes in all His glory. I don't know if I'll be alive, if my children will be alive, or if their children's children's children will be alive. What I do know is that Jesus will come, and those who are dead will rise and those who are still on earth will witness something glorious--and will be called up as well.

Oftentimes, I find myself wondering what it would be like if I was still alive. And, if I'm alive, what will I be doing? That leads my mind down a strange and twisty path of what will OTHER people be doing when Jesus comes to take us home? My mind goes a million directions, but today I want to ask you a very specific question: if you could choose what you were doing when Jesus comes, what would it be?

I've thought of a few answers myself:

1: How great would it be if Jesus came while I was worshipping? During a spirited chorus of 'We Shall See the King Someday', the clouds are opened and we see our Lord descending from on high. Talk about a marvelous occasion!

2: How wonderful would it be if we were studying the Bible with someone? Perhaps a new convert--someone who has clothed themselves with Christ by being buried in baptism. As we sit there, breaking open God's word together, Jesus comes. How amazing and thrilling it would be!

3: How remarkable if I were praying when the Lord came? As I thank God for His marvelous gift of Jesus, and the unbeatable sacrifice He made for my sins, that same Jesus appears in the sky. The joy on that occasion would be unspeakable!

4: What if I were helping someone in need when Jesus came? Jesus tells us that when we do "to the least of these" we do unto Him. How wonderful, then, to be helping Jesus (aka someone in need) when He came!

5: What if I were having a personal time of study? What I were reading about Jesus' ascension into heaven, and then He came back just as He left? What a beautiful moment, to already be in such a mindset, and to have my Lord come down to take me home!

When I think about these situations (and aren't there a million more?), I have to ask myself a question: if these are things I'd like to be doing when Jesus comes, why am I not doing them now!? We know that the hour that Jesus will come is unknown by anyone except God Himself. We know that Jesus will come as a thief in the night, and that we aren't going to know when it is. There's no way to foresee it happening. So why, then, are we not busying ourselves with good works and great moments that would be pleasing for Jesus to find us in when He comes?

On the flip side, what are some things that you would HATE to be involved in when Jesus came back?

1: I would hate to be found in a position where I am being unfaithful to my spouse/future spouse. I would hate to be caught up in a fit of passion that has not been sanctified by my Lord. Would He be pleased with me?

2: I would hate to be found in immodest apparel when Jesus came. I know that our bodies will be changed, and there's no way I can know what that body will be like. Will it be angelic? Will it be clothed at all? I have no way of knowing anything other than it will be transformed into something that resembles Jesus. Still, I shutter at the thought of standing before the King of Kings in short shorts or a tank top or a bikini or anything else that would be so unbecoming of a child of God.

3: I would hate to be skipping worship when Jesus comes back. What if it were time for all of the saints to be assembled, and you were nowhere to be found. Perhaps there was a tournament that you just "couldn't miss". Perhaps you don't "do" mornings and you just didn't want to get out of bed. Whatever the case is, you skipped out on meeting with the people of God, and now Jesus has come back. I would HATE to be found in that position.

The same question arises: if I'd hate to be found in these positions, why do I put myself into them when I don't have any idea when Jesus will come back? It is a very real possibility that Jesus will come back tomorrow? What will you be doing? It is a very real possibility that Jesus will come back on Sunday, will you be worshipping? Throughout the week, will you be busying yourself with things that are fitting for a saint, or will you be doing things that would find you ashamed and embarrassed on that last day?

Let us think soberly about these things and only involve ourselves in things that are fitting for a child of God. Let us put off the things that would make Satan proud on that last day.

Must-Tell Monday: Recipe Edition

I love Pinterest. Unfortunately, a lot of the recipes require a lot of ingredients or a lot of time or a lot of money or, let's be real here, a lot more expertise in the kitchen than I have.

Every now and then, though, you find a super simple recipe and you get ridiculously excited about it. That was me with this yogurt cake.

I went on an on about this cake (just ask Robert) before I'd even made it because I was so curious. Yesterday afternoon, I hit the ground running. The original recipe came from this site, but I've modified it just a bit.

Ingredients:
1 box devils food cake mix
2 packages of Dannon Greek nonfat vanilla yogurt (5oz package I think)
1 cup water
1 container cool whip (lite)

Directions:
In a large bowl mix (by hand--I whisked) water, yogurt and cake mix. It will be difficult, but you're just working off some calories so it's no big deal. The mixture ends up looking like a weird pudding-icing hybrid, but that's how it's supposed to look.

Put into a 9x13 inch baking pan (I used dark not glass) and bake on 350 for 20 mins or until the knife comes out clean.

Let cool, then top with cool whip and enjoy the yummy moistness.

*If you like mint flavoring, I recommend getting some junior mints and placing them on the cake IMMEDIATELY after you get the cake out of the oven. When they melt, spread around like a thin layer of icing, then top with whipped cream once cooled. If you have some left over, top the cool whip with the rest of your mints. Or don't. I tried it both ways, and just plain is fabulous.

**Also, the best part of this recipe (to me) was being able to lick the bowl/spoon/whisk with no shame! No raw eggs, no nasty oily taste. Just cake batter flavored yogurt. Yummy! I may just put some of that in the fridge instead of baking it and pretend I'm eating yogurt all the time. You may see a quazi-healthy cake yogurt post soon. =)

Tough Stuff Tuesday: Friends in Need

Last Tuesday, I posted something about two dear friends of mine who are in the midst of a trial. There trial is continuing today, and may very well be at its climax.

In lieu of a fresh, long, thought-out post today, I'm writing a plea. Please pray for these dear friends of mine and their newborn baby who is facing open heart surgery today. Please pray for strength for baby Cullin, wisdom for his doctors and nurses, and strength and composure and peace for his dear parents. There are so many people praying for them today, but please, take time to mention them in your prayers, too. I am so impressed by the amount of people I've seen coming to the aid of these dear friends. Most impressively, though, is that our Heavenly Father hears every single prayer uttered to Him on behalf of this precious one.

Please mention Cullin, Jake, and Shea Stoffregen in your prayers today. Thanks ahead of time.

Tough Stuff Tuesday: Seeing God in Trials

I have two precious friends who are in the midst of a trial right now. Their first child, Cullin, was born on Sunday night with some serious health issues. He has been on nitric oxide and a ventilator, and will have open heart surgery sometime soon.

I can only imagine what they're going through. I can only offer prayers on their behalf, because I simply do not know anything else more powerful. And yet, I read this message from a strong, godly new mom this morning:

"In our weakness, God's strength is so evident. Please continue to pray that God will continue to strengthen precious Cullin."

How many of us would be able to boldly, calmly say those things while facing such uncertainty and heartache? How many of us would ACTUALLY lean on the Lord for His support, and trust that He knows best--when we're actually thrust into the trial?

It's so easy to say we trust. It's so easy to say we'd rely on Him. But how faithful would we actually be to that end?

I am so thankful that I have two special friends, a dear brother and sister in Christ Jesus, who are showing me what it truly means to trust and depend on our Almighty Father. I will continue to pray for their precious newborn, and also for myself--that should I ever be faced with such a difficult and trying moment, that my strength would come from God and my trust would be ever in Him.

Please join me in praying for these two special people and their little boy.

"The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works....Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul form death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord, He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, just as we hope in You." -Psalm 33:13-15, 18-22 (emp. mine)

Must-Tell Monday: Musings

There are just some things I don't understand. Ok, there are a lot of things I don't understand, but today I'm choosing to put those into blog format. Maybe you can help me with the answers.

1: Why are women's pants so against pockets? Do designers think women don't need pockets, or that they don't enjoy putting their hands in their pockets? On nearly every single pair of jeans/dress pants that I own, there are either no pockets, faux pockets, or pockets that are sewn-up, and when you tear out the stitch, there's not even room for you to place enough change to get a Diet Coke at McDonald's.

I like pockets. I think lots of women like pockets, otherwise putting pockets in dresses wouldn't be such a big hit. So here's a thought: let's put real pockets on women's pants. Okthanks.

2: Why did Allegra have to go over-the-counter?

During my junior year at Freed-Hardeman, I came down with some ridiculously painful headaches. The on-campus doctor thought I was having migraines, and gave me some medicine in hopes of curing my ailment. They didn't work. So, I went to my hometown doctor and he told me that I had chronic allergies. Actually, he made me feel like an idiot: "You have chronic allergies. How could you not know you have allergies?" Ok, so maybe he didn't say it just like that, but that's about how it felt. Regardless, I've been taking allergy medicine once a day since then. I think it has something to do with life in Tennessee. It hates my sinuses.

After going through Zyrtec and Claratin and realizing that they didn't work even the least little bit, I switched to Allegra. Fortunately, the generic brand was available and so I only paid about $5 for a month's supply. NOW? Now that they've so graciously decided to make Allegra over-the-counter? It's 14.99 for the off-brand, $24 for a 30 day supply of actual Allegra. Ridiculous I say!

3: Why does Diet Coke taste different depending on what form it is in? For instance, Diet Coke out of a can tastes remarkably different from Diet Coke out of a 2 liter. Nothing can compare to a Diet Coke from the fountain at McDonald's--yet Burger King's fountain Diet Coke is mildly repulsive. It's all Diet Coke! Why doesn't it all taste amazing??

4: Why do the signs at malls reserve parking spots for "expectant moms"? I think the sign should say "Reserved for those at least 6 months pregnant", otherwise people will just take advantage. I mean, I'm not pregnant, but I expect to be a mom one day. Can I park there?

5: Why is there a "next" button on Hanging With Friends but not on Words With Friends? It drives me crazy about every day.

6: Why do people feel the need to pull out in front of you and then immediately turn? It's like, "Hey! I'm your dose of patience today!"

7: How did I grow up saying Reese-y's piece-y's instead of Reese's pieces and why didn't someone tell me otherwise??

8: Why is running so awful?

9: Why haven't you started listening to Mindy Gledhill yet???

10: Why don't you comment already? I need answers!!

(wordless Wednesday)

(wordless wednesday)