Gospel in 200 Words

The gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ. The gospel means that there is absolutely nothing I can do to earn my place with God, which... could be bad news, except that God didn’t want to be apart. So Jesus left heaven, was born a baby, lived a perfect life for his Dad, then died on the cross, and took my place.

But get this, Jesus didn’t stay dead! He died, was buried, laid in a tomb for three days, then came back to life by the power of God’s Spirit, and was seen alive by lots of people. Then, promising to come back, he went home to his Dad. Jesus’ Dad is happy with him because Jesus obeyed him perfectly.

Because he took my place, I get to take his place. God is happy with me, too! It’s not because of anything that I’ve done - Jesus did it all! I just have to accept what he did.

Now I’ve died with Jesus and I live with him. I’m a new creature altogether, free to live a life that makes God happy like Jesus. It is so good; this new life never stops being brand new! Thanks you, Jesus!

Redemption Story - Day 7

Here is a redemption story. God saves people by the preaching and sharing of the gospel. He saves people by having his people tell stories to other people about how good and awesome he is. I’m one of them. God saved me because a woman at camp, back in 1999, shared how God first saved her at camp when she was a kid. Through her story, I was able to get it, that God wasn’t just for my parents, that it’s more than just something to do on Sundays. God was choosing me, so I chose him, too.

When God saves someone, he brings them into his family. It’s adoption! It means life to the dead. Belonging to those who would have no one. Love and acceptance to the unlovable and otherwise rejected.

God is my family. The Church is my family. Jesus is my big brother who loved my Dad so much that he said ‘Yes’ when Dad asked him to die for me, for all of us. The good news is that he’s not dead anymore. He’s alive! I can’t wait to see him. He is my hope for life. He’s my everything. He is worth my everything!

Redemption Story - Day 6

Here is a redemption story. I was bought by God and I belong to him.

Little story to tell you about a picture that was drawn today. A Chinese man with a curly mustache sat cross-legged underneath his booth with the Chinese characters hanging above his head that read: Xiao Xin Wang Huo, which means “Watch out, fire king!”

He also had a cart that sat not too far off. That was his business when he wasn’t juggling balls of fire. And a little dog sat beside that cart of his. That dog was his only family and his name was Qing.

He was a very good juggler but could never attract much of a crowd because he was a rather poor man. This man, however, was never downcast. He had a good sense of humour and always knew how to laugh about the little things. He’s the kind of guy who might be my friend if I knew him.

Hope found a home in this man’s bosom. Joy rooted deep within him. Roses of peace grew up and out from within him so that wherever he went he had a garden to share. He made his friends smile.

Redemption Story - Day 5

This is a redemption story. This is a redemption story. This is a redemption story. God will save me! I am his. I am his child.

Who knew that juggling was a cardio exercise? I didn’t until just now. That’s just another thing that I am doing - taking up a new party trick that probably won’t serve me too well in the long run. But that’s OK because I got my cardio in.

This morning was exciting. I got to meet with God. I live in a very small town that has this big sports field that no one uses in the mornings. So I went there to meet God. Read the Word because that’s the primary way he speaks to me. He worth listening to, really. Got to confess some stuff to him, too, which was really freeing. He’s very forgiving.

Met a couple ladies who are servants of God out and about in the world. Asked them about their experiences in prayer. Big idea: Take small steps to move ordinary prayer to extraordinary. Next step: invite my quaddies to make prayer and Scripture reading a bigger part of what it means for us to live together. It’s important.

Redemption Story - Day 4

Here is a story of redemption. I am saved by God. I am a child of God.

After upgrading to Yosemite, I decided I wanted to change a couple desktop images. I found a nice one in the plant folder called ‘Summer Leaves’ of nice green maple leaves. Left it up for a few days but something really bothered me about it - the leaves were green. As a Canadian I felt they should be red. So I just finished editing it now so that they are indeed red. Looks nice, really nice. I like being Canadian.

...But apparently that’s all I have to say on that point.

If I were to tell you that I don’t know what exactly I’m doing, I would be lying. I am using my fingers to type you a story, a story about love, that I know so little about. Love great mysteries of mysteries. To be known and to know fully. Love. Love of Christ to his Bride the Church. Hmm. Self-giving love. Marriage. Man and woman together. What on earth! Beautiful! Something really holy and majestic. Not something to be understood systematically but by faith. That explains others things, too, I guess.

Redemption Story - Day 3

​Here’s a story of redemption. God keeps saving me. I am a child of God. I long to live a cruciform life like Jesus. Today I’m asking the Father what it looks like to lay down my life for my quaddies, without doing it to get loved back.

Today is the Lord’s day (Sunday). I get to go to church. I skimmed an interesting article yesterday about how we might not be preparing enough to go to church, and how that might be the reason why we don’t get as much as we want out of church. The writer suggested pouring over our Sunday mornings in prayer the night before to ask for God to move among us. He listed some suggestions but here are some of my own that come to mind:

- Pray for God to convict us of sin that we would repent and turn away from it.
- Pray for the pastors, that they would teach us rightly from the Word of God.
- Pray for God to save people through the preaching.

We have real hope because Jesus actually died for us. He actually came back to life. He actually gives us power to believe and obey. Amen.

Redemption Story - Day 2

Here’s a redemption story. God saves me. I am a child of God. I get to be defined by who God says I am rather than what I say about myself. That means that I need to listen to his voice; train my ear to hear it, eh?

I’m taking a course right now called Marriage, Singleness and Sexuality and learning lots. Theologians like Augustine place quite high prominence on the calling of Consecrated Virginity, which goes very largely unaddressed in Evangelical circles.

Conversely, others such as Pope John Paul II and Paul Evdokimov really draw out the beauty of the unity of masculinity and femininity as mutual gifts to one another, which in many ways reflects God’s divine character. What stands out in the course of these things is that there is deep mystery in human sexuality down both avenues, which reveal our need to thank God and seek him.

As a single woman looking forward in life, I find it interesting that, where most of the world around me pushes toward relationships, marriage and children, for the first time in forever there seems to be real choice between the two. Which shall I choose? I’ll wait and see.

Redemption Story

Here’s a story of redemption. God saved me. I am a child of God. I am not the craziness I feel inside, though it is there and often remains a long time, especially when I am alone. I talk to myself, a lot. And much more, but I won’t go into to details, because I expect that someone will read these and would at least like to safeguard my sanity, whatever remains of it, for some time yet. But in an attempt to combat my lunacity I would like to endeavour to write a little everyday, for at least one week. Two hundred words a day. Exactly.

At this exact moment the two most important people in my life are Tara Knox and Nancy Pike, because geographically they are the closest to me as my next door neighbours and friends. Puzzles they are; puzzles they are. I really admire Nancy. And I really like making Tara laugh. But here’s an interesting thought: leadership. If Nancy’s in charge, ... how can I tell her that all I really want is a hug? If Nancy and Tara are best friends, how do I fit into the mix? More next time - have a goodnight!

First Impression of Two Friends, a poem

Tara is funny.
Who is Nancy?

Third Time Ever Attending Mass

I attended Mass for the third time ever this Sunday at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Parish in Moose Jaw today for Palm Sunday. (The first two times were a few weeks ago). Everything's starting to become more familiar to me, less alien. The last two times my hands got clammy through the services, just cause. I wouldn't say I was afraid or anything but I guess it was a response to everything being so new, maybe I was nervous. But that didn't happen today, which is really cool. The more I get to know them the more I can affirm that we do share one faith, as I've been writing lately. And we had a pancake breakfast after the service!

For the time being I'm getting used to not being able to share the Eucharist with them as an Evangelical but I'm praying for the day when that will change. Were one family, with the same Lord and faith, and some big theological difference remain between us, I don't see any reason why we can't work toward visible unity in this area. Visible unity must obviously proceed from inner invisible unity, and that's something that we need to work on, too. But I think we have more in common than we often would like to admit.

Since I'll be in Moose Jaw for the summer, I think I'd like to keep attending with some regularity, maybe getting to know more people in the church. My friend Brandi, with whom I've been attending, says she always prays for the families she sees throughout the service. I think that's really cool; I want to be like that. And I want to get to know to know them better and learn if and how I can get more involved as an Evangelical.

And funny story, we went to Giant Tiger after Mass. We got out of the car and this older lady comes up to me and says, "It's so beautiful that the sun is shining!" She put her hand on my arm and so I gave her a hug in turn. She's said, "It's so good to see you." I agreed with her and smiled. I told Brandi afterward that I had no clue who she was and we laughed. She seemed like a sweet lady. Maybe I'll run into her again this summer! Fun times in the MJ. #livingthelife :)

Big Questions, Deep Thoughts, Turning Points

At certain times in my life, there seems to be moments of decisions or turning points. I'm a fourth year Bible college student working toward my B.A. in Applied Linguistics: TESOL. After this I will have one semester left before graduating. But can I share that I question where it's all heading?

I joined the TESOL program with the intention of going overseas, to serve as a Christian English teacher, sharing Christ through my life in whatever cultural, societal context I should end up in. TESOL opens doors to virtually any country in the world. But I'm finding more and more that my heart is being stirred for my own country of Canada. Honestly, it feels really confusing for me.

I am acutely aware that Canadian culture, along with North American culture in general, is essentially as individualistic as a culture can be. I am far from the exception to this rule but I'm also very drawn to learning what it means to do life in community, especially through church discipleship and through church relations. (Hence, the preceding posts about the Catholic church and my relation to it.)

As for discipleship, practical, healthy discipleship at work, I don't know that I've ever really seen this worked out in a "church" setting yet. The closest I've ever seen has probably been in my involvement through serving at Joe's Place Youth Centre in Moose Jaw. It's a Christian organization but its aim is to serve all and any youth that come through their doors. The staff and volunteers have become family. It's not exclusive to any one denomination and it provides the opportunity for volunteers to grow in their faith and unity as they pray for the youth and serve the city of Moose Jaw. Joe's Place staff and volunteers are not inward focused but seek to actively be involved in changing the lives of youth in Jesus' name, for his glory.

This is something I've actually seen happen. Take my friend DR. The first memory I have of her in 2010, before even meeting her, was the one night when my friend Jerred asked everyone to write her cards of encouragement while she was away for drug rehab.

There's been lots of ups and downs since then but she's grown so much in her faith and in her maturity since then that she's actually now serving as a volunteer and has a really beautiful heart that longs for God and the things that are good. Her journey's not done yet (neither is mine) but she's one example that I can point to and say there's been real fruit in this work.

I think that's part of discipleship, when godly people come together with a shared vision and are work towards it, like seeing lives changed. But I won't be in the Moose Jaw area for much longer. I want to engage a church, be a part of it; I want to join and commit to church and grow with them in what it means to disciple and be discipled. It's the kind of thing I want to commit my life to. But I ask myself, 'To what end?' What's the purpose in that?

Well, this semester I've been taking a course called "The Church and the Kingdom" with David Guretzki. I expect that it will be one of the most impacting courses that I've taken at Briercrest. It's a lot more political than I was expecting but it really addresses the Church's role in witnessing to the State. Not just presently but as the two have related throughout history in various cultural and political contexts.

In an email to him, I wrote, "I don't want to overstate anything, but I think it [the course] has the potential to be life changing." I say this because it relates to the gospel, the good news. On one level, I would describe the gospel as the beautiful truth that for those of us who put our faith in Christ Jesus, who trust that he died in our place for sin, we get to share in the sweet acceptance that Jesus has before the Father, because his obedience was perfect and not lacking in any way, even to the point of dying on a cross. He was buried and brought back to life on the third day according to the Scriptures. He gives everlasting life to those who believe in him. He is pleasing fragrance before God and the one in whom the Father's delight is complete. This same pleasureful acceptance that he has before God the Father is what all Christians have for themselves as they stand in Christ. God is happy with with his people because of Jesus! It's amazing! Because without him, approaching God would be unthinkable. I'd be a bloody corpse at best before God without Christ. But that's not the case any longer because of what Jesus has done for me and for his Church.

That's one way of describing the gospel. There are probably better ways to say it and the full story is much richer (read the Bible as a whole), but in nugget form that's how would say it for now. And it's something to celebrate. And to share, which is why people become evangelists and missionaries, to tell them about this good news. Still, something isn't quite complete in all that. Some people choose to make sharing the gospel their full time work (and I really admire them). It's worth doing, for sure, but I find myself asking, 'When they share about this gospel of ours, when we share it in whatever we do, what is the greater ultimate call of that gospel?'

If someone were to reply that new Christians should simply imitate those who bring them to Christ (assuming them to be the full-time evangelists and missionaries), then it would mean more people the same task of evangelizing. But what if their efforts were to be 100% successful? What if everyone in the whole world were to become Christian? Then what? Who would be left to convert? What would we do in the mean time before Christ's return if he decided not to return right then and there?

The point in asking these questions is that we need to (I need to) be thinking about what more the gospel calls us to. While I'm sure there are lots of ways to answer this question biblically, the answer that I'm currently processing is what it means to "seek first the kingdom of God" (Matt 6:33) as I've been learning about it this semester. And what I so desperately want to do is graduate so I can go out into the "real world" and start asking questions. To learn how to practice what it means for the Church as a whole to witness in the society in which she exists, to train up disciples to be this witness in every aspect of our living and breathing. And yes, for some that will mean going places overseas to share the gospel.

But that can't be for everyone. Not that it isn't or can't be for me but there comes a point of realizing that if everyone is called to go, then who is to stay? It doesn't make sense logically for everyone to go. Who will be the godly men and women who will stay and contribute to and build up society?

It's crazy how much change our postmodern world is going through these days. The Internet has literally only been around for 25 years. In comparison with the scope of history, that's nothing. We've already come so far in this short time and we can't even imagine - we can't even imagine - how different things will be just a hundred years from now.

Society as a whole is also very liberal; "we can be whoever we want, do whatever we want." Makes me sick. No responsibility, no accountability, no call to grow up into mature adulthood. But yolo. Stars like Miley Cyrus are just the mouthpieces for what society as a whole teaches us... (And what is their reward for selling that business? Riches really shouldn't be enough to lose your dignity to that extent. I don't just mean how sexual everything's become but more than that, that people would give up their privilege of being able to think clearly for themselves about what matters most for the next generation - becoming unenlightened as it were.)

Anyway, my beef's really not with Miley or any pop star for that matter (they can do what they want) but it is a crazy world that we live in and it is changing quickly. In light of this, the Church needs to work through some questions seriously. Like, 'How is the Church supposed to live in response to these changes? Will she assimilate and become accepting of everything we're told to think? Or will she stand it stark contrast to it?' And more importantly, 'How?' Because the point isn't for the Church to judge the world but it is to call it to what it was made to be in Christ.

It almost becomes a philosophical discussion, and rightly so perhaps, but it also needs to take shape in our practices as well. At this point, I really don't know what that means but what I'm trying to figure out is what my role can be in all of it. And how TESOL fits with it all... Teaching English is a valuable way to contribute in Canadian society, that's for sure - I just don't know how to care about stuff like phonology when these deeper questions are on my mind. It's like looking at sand when I want to study the stars.

Well, that's where I'm at in my life-thinking these days. Kind of stuck. Impatient to see what the next stage will hold. Struggling to sustain motivation for the tasks that are directly in front of me... But to try and end on a more hopeful note, I know that this is all a journey. Thankfully, I'm not graduating yet so I still have more time to think carefully on these things and to pray, of course. And hopefully I'll actually be able talk these things through with people who are wiser than me (not just post them on some blog for general reading).

Guess that's it for now. Keep you posted (maybe). And if you actually made to the end of all this, thanks for reading. You're a true friend.

Even When It's Hard...

...I'll sing.

Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
I will seek You in the morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You'll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days

Read More: Rich Mullins - Sometimes By Step Lyrics | MetroLyrics

Great Things

Expect great things from God.
Attempt great things for God.
- William Carey


For a quick commentary on this quote, click here.

And there is joy.

Sell everything. And go.
Release from the known.
One step closer to that unknown
Realm. "Trust without borders."
What am I thinking?

Work. Because it's hard.
But because you want to.
Because want has more to do with what you do
Than how you feel.

Two ideas.
Quite different.
Learning both.
Learning freedom in both.

And there is joy.
And it's happening.
What am I thinking?
Give thanks.

Written by Stephanie Wright.
April 5, 2014

Arrived

It's now arrived,
Adding that to the pile;
Got to get rid
Of all that's acquired.

Application to life:
Busy like beavers.
Canadian fever -
Called to simplify?

Let focus be sound.
Guarded, secured.
Let fleeting words pass.
And the one True be heard.

Written by Stephanie Wright
April 4, 2014

Kelly O'Halloran - Thank You

Dear Kelly O'Halloran,

If you should ever stumble upon this deserted blog, I just want to thank you for that time back in gr.10 music class when for the first time in my life you put a good word in for Catholic Christians, when, growing up attending Baptist churches, I had never been properly taught about who they are and how they relate to non-Catholic churches (and vice versa). I was proud. I thought I knew everything. I flatly refused to hear what you were saying, that Catholics are just as much Christians as Protestants.

I've learned so much since then and I freely say that I was wrong. I want to learn to love my Catholic brothers and sisters and you brought me to the first step of being able to say that. Thank you.

I don't know if I ever even asked you if you were Catholic or not. I don't think we ever talked about it. But if we should ever get to see each other again, it would be a pleasure to talk with you about all this stuff. :)

Sincerely,
Stephanie Wright

Here I Am

Lion kept in cage.
Tigger, wanting to pounce and play.
Me-at my desk-can't get out.
Trapped in sanity.
Let out the growl.
Can't get out.

Written on March 13, 2014
By Stephanie Wright



Writer's Memo (March 27, 2014):

I wrote this a little while ago but didn't post it immediately because it didn't really seem done enough at the time and I didn't have any time to expand on it. However, looking at it again in my drafts, I see that it doesn't just reflect a momentary feeling but rather something ongoing as I push toward the end of this semester. I felt it deserved to posted to make record of the struggle that I feel, even though the poem seems undone.

Honest

If I'm honest,
I find value in honesty.

I want to be vulnerable.
I want to share.

I want to be loved.
I want to be accepted.

I want to love.
I want to accept others.

I don't want to hurt.
I don't want to open up to hear one more good-bye.

But I want to be honest.
So I tell you how I am.

You are kind and you listen.
You pray for me.

You will leave me,
Because you must.
Or I will leave you.

Still I will share,
Because I find value in honesty.

I'll put my mask in the free box,
Hoping no one picks it up.

With Chapman I pray, "Lord, please take all of me.
And fill me up with your love!"

To be abandoned unto Christ,
To give fully to him everything.

Let me love sincerely.
Love freely and openly.

Let the heartbreak come,
For I know I am braced in you.

Let me love sincerely.
Love freely, openly.

________________________
Written by Stephanie Wright
March 12, 2014

Not Original

It's not original.
It's. Not. Original.
It's just not.

Please -

I threw it to the fire.

Here's a new scroll.
Start again.

It's not original.
That I'm.
Here.

But why the obsession?
Who are you trying to please?

The imagery -
Cliché.
The simplicity -
Boring.
The rhythm -
Nonexistent.

So what?
I don't care to hear another word.








OK. So then I'll speak to the wall.
Because I haven't even begun.
Haven't even begun to tell you,
It's not the words that I care for.
But the thing they represent.

Where I am is not original.
And I don't want original.
Original - that's not a universal value, is it?

Because if it's not original,
Then maybe it's common.
Something people share in common.

You mean like how we both need food?
You order the pizza,
Then we'll share that in common.

No...
I don't think you understand.

Our work held in common;
The strain of tenacity unoriginal.
The question of perseverance endures.
Something that we share,
Each answer comes discretely.
Unoriginal but individual.
Discrete 'yes' joins the collective...

Well, if you don't want pizza -

I do.

_________
Written by Stephanie Wright
March 11, 2014

Not Alone

The war wages:
The fight of a mother giving birth.
A king fighting for the arrival of his kingdom.
Let the fruition of her travail not be stillborn.
Let the enemy not triumph in battle.
Let a new day come.

Written by Stephanie Wright
March 11, 2014

Stubborn

The Canadian hope for a new Spring day arises fresh within.
Rises against reason.
Rises stubbornly.

I'll wear sweater without coat while the snow still towers high.
Wear Birkenstocks through the slush, though it makes me slip.

I am a stubborn person -
Don't you know?
I am a stubborn person -
And yes, I get myself in trouble.

LORD, teach me perserverance, focus, discipline.
How to work steadfast and with joy.
Till the end.
Even now, I'm nothing without you.
Even now.

Written by Stephanie Wright
March 9, 2014

Following You

You only know you love Him when you let the world go.
You only know you love Him when you let the world go.
And you let it go.

March 8, 2014

Close

Close as the blanket the covers me,
          You are near.
And you whisper:
          "I love you. I'm not going to leave you."


Written by Stephanie Wright
March 5, 2014

Tomorrow

A child does not see tomorrow,
But a mature adult learns prudence.

Written by Stephanie Wright
February 28, 2014

Early Morning at Bow Valley College

With dim eyes,
We see the sunrise.
From darkened cove,
A new petrove.
I’m finding life,
In the midst of strife.
Here comes the light,
I’m taking flight.
Coming into the day,
I can't stay away.

Written on February 25, 2014
By Stephanie Wright


Writer's memo:

I know 'petrove' is not a real English word but I wanted something that rhymed with cove. Upon googling whether it had meaning I found that Petrova is an uncommon Russian name for girls meaning 'rock' or 'stone,' coming from the Greek name Peter. And that's the meaning I would like to apply to 'petrove': In this time, I'm finding more than ever that Christ is my rock even when life seems out of control. And I guess by 'new' I mean that his strength is new to me again. :) I didn't know that I would mean it to mean that at the time of writing it but that's how I interpret it now!

Cheers!

"Nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future."

I'm away in Calgary for my teaching practicum, being billeted with some nice people that I only just met today. I sleep in the room that used to belong to their youngest daughter. I think we would have been friends. Everything about her room is artsy.

Written on her little red stool, I found the quote above in the title that came from this longer quote I just googled:

“So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality, nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure”

-Alexander Supertramp, Into the Wild

It's a new favourite. I find so much truth in it and it encourages me because I have no idea where I'm going or what I'm doing after I graduate next December. Fun!

Here's another quote of hers that I like: "forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet". I like it because it reminds me of the days I spent visiting the beautiful world of Zimbabwe back in 1997 as a kid. I like the philosophical idea of what's real. Always trying to get close to what's real. Real feet touching real dirt, not interrupted by fancy shoes or whatever else our developing world claims to offer. Just embracing simplicity and being human. Sometime I think we forget how to do that, even me.

Tycho - Next iTunes Purchase

 

Tycho - Montana Single.

Really pleased with this lyricless electronic band I just found on YouTube. Click on the link to hear their new single Montana. :)

Postmodern Outlook

Endeavour to be whomever we want,
A loss of identity yet vivant?

Written February 7, 2014
Stephanie Wright

Tell Me What Happens

A day like so many.
But so unlikely.
So far, so distant.
So... intriguing.

But so is waiting.
Waiting for the still unknown.
For what could be.
Could be... Hmm!

Could be! ...Maybe!
Don't hope for fear;
Don't be afraid to hope.
...But, will this kite now fly?

Grip firmly, now.
Don't let it slip.
Hold it tightly,
That string you've got.

Carefully, now.
Run with it. 
Let it soar,
Brush the skies!

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!
The turbulence!
Keeps me ever holding ground.
Stay up, stay level! ...Stay grounded.

It's too tricky.
The currents unpredictable.
High winds!
No control.

Dad, give me help.
Put your hand on mine.
Help me hold the string.
Teach me to fly high.

So I'm learning to trust-

"Sit there, in the passenger's seat.
Ride with me, I'm in control.
I've got this; I'm the driver."

Throw my coins to the wind.
Let them fall heads or tails.
You tell me what happens.
Here, I give you my 'yes'.

Fingers folded inward, closed.
Clenched palm turns upward. 
Opening before you, just for you...
The string, the keys, the coins. 

____________________________________
Written by Stephanie Wright
January 29, 2014