A Line Uncrossed

My family went up to Lake Ann last weekend to stay in a cottage with a family who are close friends of ours. Needless to say, it was awesome! We went up to Sleeping Bear Dunes, thoroughly exhausted ourselves walking uphill through sand, and then, ran or jump back down in attempts at flight. We also went out for the best ice cream in America and spent an entire afternoon at the beach where I learned to skip rocks, even succeeding in ramping one up an incoming wave, and did more jumping off sand dunes with the other kids, collecting several sore or bruised muscles, a favorite new thing to do, and several pockets' full of sand from an unsuccessful jump.

But even with all the fun, we did not forget God. As I walked along the beach towards the end of that exciting afternoon and let the waves just brush my bare feet, snatches of a verse came to mind, which I later looked up and found. "'Should you not fear me?' declares the LORD. 'Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it.'" Jeremiah 5:22

No one has ever conquered the ocean. Do you realize that? We can conquer animals, land, and even other peoples to our discredit, but water is not tamable. Who can tell the waves to not approach this or that line or command seas to stop their motion? Only One. From the beginning of time, He has ruled the oceans and the chaos that they so often represent. He thought this unconquerable substance into being, dug out space for it to dwell, and then, He drew a line and commanded that here it can go and no farther. To His voice it listens...as should we.

College Prayers

Fall is arriving and with it, a new academic year begins. For those of you who don't know, I am now a freshman at Saginaw Valley State University near my home. This decision to enter the public arena of education has already been a mixed blessing.

As a Christian, I am always a stranger in a strange land, but I must admit, I feel it more here. Already, I have encountered opinions and beliefs that oppose my own, but those hours away have heightend one hundred fold my appreciation for the sanctuary and love of my family. There is nothing better than returning to them and letting go after a long day.

I have also discovered a love for the French language. I'm only three weeks into the introductory class and I already adore the pure vowels and flowing rhythms.

I pray that as I continue here, that God will use me for Himself. I am now surrounded by people who don't know Him! My prayer is that they will see Him in me.

Please pray for me as I continue this journey. Pray that I am faithful and remember how great is mercy, love, and strength of my God, and pray that I am able to testify to His salvation whenever the opportunity arrives.