A good fight to live

It's time for a little honesty.

If you've spent any time on social media sites as of late, I'm sure that you've noticed the plethora of posts about free speech and freedom of religion.  If so, then you've also seen many pages with lists of things to do before you get married, and responses with "better" ideas, plans, and dreams.  I've read political pieces about the economics of our country and world.  Many authors put their talent to use and right about the things that they really care about, while others respond in anger and ill-spoken language.  We are a society that speaks most often in rash statements, selfish words, untimely replies, and overall bitterness.  What does this say about our world's focus and goals in life?  You can fill in the blanks. 

Even in the church, we have been overtaken by similar feelings and reactions.  We're worried about the state of our world and country.  We talk about holding on to our constitutional rights as Americans, and take action when they are compromised.  We write about our plans, ideas, and dreams for what we want to do.  We talk about little things that don't really matter in the long run, but are fun to argue about every once in a while.

Is this wrong?  Not necessarily.  

Is there more?  Yes!  

At the end of his life, the apostle Paul wrote a final letter to his young son in the faith, Timothy.  These were his last words calling Timothy and all believers who followed after to live for the Gospel and strive for godliness.  If anyone would have a perspective on life, it would be Paul, and Scripture affirms this fact.  He said,

"I have fought the good fight, 

I have finished the race, 

I have kept the faith.  

Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, 

which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award me on that Day, 

and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing"  

What a novel idea!  Here's a man in prison at the end of his life facing certain death.  He's not claiming rights or innocence.  He's calling for higher living.

Living for Christ isn't easy and Paul would be the first to tell anyone that.  He even made a list of all the persecutions and terrible things that he faced to encourage the Corinthian church that God's grace is sufficient for everything!  For Paul, life wasn't about fighting for freedom; he lived in the freedom of Christ.  He didn't make plans for retirement on the beach; he knew that to "live is Christ, and to die is gain..."

Good Fight, Good Race

As I was thinking about this, I thought, what would I say as my last words to my best friend?  Would I thank them for being such an encouragement in my life?  Would I thank God for His blessings.  Would I tell my last wishes?  I don't have an answer yet, but I don't think I'd talk about the fight it was to live!  

Reality check. 

Paul fought the good fight.  He lived for one purpose: to glorify Christ by spreading the gospel of grace.  Paul ran the race of life well.  It started on the road to Damascus and spread on from there till the day he died.  Once his life was captured by the mercy and grace of God, he lived for something better and bigger and more glorious.  He kept the faith that was entrusted to him.  There was nothing that he had to do to keep himself in God's "good graces".  He recognized and repeated over and over that the gospel was given to him by God, and he was a steward of that ministry.  He was faithful.  

And his hope?  Though not sunk in a bank account or person or job, he was assured of the hope of heaven through the resurrection of Jesus Christ!  His hope was the righteousness of God finally and fully being realized through the completion of his sanctification in Jesus Christ.  

What of the crown?  Isn't that worth something?  Yes, it's the testimony of God's strength in his life to live a life that pleased God.  It is just one thing to receive humbly, then cast back at the feet of the Great I AM.

Life Well Lived

I get tired of seeing so many people live for so little.  It's one thing to expect it from the masses, but when you see your brothers and sisters in Christ doing the same thing, it's pitiful!  

We've become comfortable with the way that our world exists.  Romans 1 is playing out, and we watch it happen from our arm chairs, blessing the fact that we've been saved from the fires of hell.  We're comfortable letting sinful thought patterns take root in our minds.  We take human philosophy, tie a pretty bow around it, and say that nothing's wrong.  We compromise the truth for what sounds better and more politically correct.  We are more willing to listen to what rich men and women have to say, than what God has said in His word.  

Something's wrong!

We live for so little if we do not live every breath of life for the God who made us, saved us, works in and through us, and rules over all things.  We live for nothing if we are not pursuing godliness for the glory of God.  We live for nothing if our hearts are constantly being pulled away from loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind, to bow to this idol and that addiction.  We have no goal in life if we don't love God first and then the people around us.  We have no purpose in life, if we live for ourselves.  

Life is a gift.  Each breath you take and step you walk is God's mercy.  We are nothing apart from God's sustaining hand holding us together.  

Live for more; live for Christ.

Life is nothing if not lived for the glory of God through the gospel.  

It's rolling off my fingertips.

Sometimes it is hard to write down exactly what you are feeling and thinking.
Sometimes I wish that I could just make the words in my head come out onto the page.
Sometimes I think it would be nice if the screen could read my mind.
Sometimes...

Today, I am thankful.
Thankful for salvation in Jesus Christ.
Thankful for His faithfulness in my life.
Thankful that God is working all things in my life to bring about His ultimate glory.
Thankful that life is not about me.
Thankful that life does not change because of my choices.
Thankful that God is completely sovereign.
Thankful that my sin, all of it, is forgiven.
Thankful for time to spend in the Word.
Thankful for the Holy Spirit and His work to make me more like Christ.

And for the "little" things...

Thankful for life.
Thankful for Saturdays.
Thankful for family.
Thankful for friends.
Thankful for warm blankets and a cozy cup of coffee.
Thankful for creative ideas and projects to work on.
Thankful for books to read.
Thankful for sunshine.
Thankful for healthy bodies to run around with.
Thankful for...

It's just life, now...

There are some days that feel like they shouldn't be.

No, this isn't a melancholy statement, because I know that many of you have thought the same thing.  

Today was Tuesday.  

But all day, I had to keep looking at my phone (because calendars have escaped me) to see what day it was.  And every time the screen lit up and announced the day, I promptly thought to myself how it didn't feel like a Tuesday.

You see, it's just life now.  Life, as living and breathing and moving and loving.  It's an alarm clock in the morning, ushering in a new day.  It's the groggy hello that comes from your mirror as you walk by.  It's a creative breakfast of whatever you find in the fridge, like scrambled egg sandwiches, or a bowl of cereal with strawberries and bananas. (Don't make fun...Simple can be creative too!)  It's the lovely walk to work, a time for some exercise, memorizing verses, and praying.

Life is starting a "new" job.  Or rather, the same job, just a full-time position.  It's talking to people, hearing each individual story of God's grace.  It's investing in lives that He loves.  It's living grace to those around me.  It's ministry.  It's people.  It's life.  

God's grace for "simple" life is amazing.  Because it's the same grace, mercy, peace, and love from God that is immense enough for difficult storms and "normal, boring" life!  The same God of Moses, who championed over the Egyptians through God's power and lead an entire nation thousands of miles, is STILL MY GOD.  The same God of Paul, loves Bekah thoroughly!  

Life.  It's fascinating, really!  

  

March of Things: the unexpected #6

I'll admit, today (Wednesday) was not "ordinary", which is fine.  It is nice to have a day, just a random day, that keeps you on your toes, so to speak!  For most people, randomness is okay; and for me a general attitude of spontaneity is great.  (Then there are times when we all just need Normal, Logical, Routine, Ordinary...)

When I went to youth group tonight, I was expecting just that, normal, routine and ordinary.  Funny how God changes your plans...:)  So what happened?  God gave me the opportunity to talk for a long time to a unbeliever, who has some different views about God, the Bible, and Christianity.  It was good.  To my shame, it has been too long since I've had a conversation like that!  It was a blessing to just listen, show the love of Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to speak through me!  Especially when we are not expecting such an experience...God is faithful.  And I must remember 1 Peter 3:15, to "...always be prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks a reason for the hope that is in you with gentleness and respect."

Thursday:: Brother Sam's 21st Birthday...:)  It was so wonderful to get to talk to him on the phone for a while!  I am so thankful for my family, and can't wait to see them in a week!!!

Friday and Saturday:  The days are a blur....

folding brochures for work

                                                                    listening to my Pandora stations on shuffle

                 reading "Bondage of the Will" by Martin Luther for class

                                                                                                    practicing the piano and violin

    working on a little crafty/recycle project

                                                                                              loads and loads of laundry

                                         cooking yummy food

                    sleeping

Here are some random pictures of some of my favorite people...:)

The Parker family...(*tune "Adam's Family" theme music)

My hall (some of us...)  

       

MoT: Tuesday came with a flurry #5

Some days come and go without any fanfare.  They are the "normal" days.  Tuesday came today with the prediction of rain.  And it snowed instead!  It was a beautiful snow with huge fluffy flakes.  They didn't stick to the ground, but it certainly made the word moist and lovely!

Today at work, I had a special project to work on.  We are making a large sign and needed to trace the image on to the board.  After finding a antique projection machine (picture a grenade launcher/laser shooter), from the library, we set to work.  

Here's Bertha!  

It was a fun task!  I enjoy the change from the ordinary, and doing some kind of physical labor/art project are always enjoyable.  We completed the first few steps, like tracing the image and then outlining the words. Though going into professional sign-making is a tempting offer, I think I'll just stick with my job and do things like that at random times!  

Do you enjoy doing random or out of the ordinary things?   

21 reasons...pt. 3

The final installment of things that I loved about my year being 21!  

Christmas Break 

I think that I was looking forward to this Christmas break more than some of the others.  Part of the reason is that this would be the first time going home since August.  I was looking forward to a glorious 3 weeks at home!  To start the adventure off, I had to fly home by myself.  (Not being a frequent flier, this was a new adventure for Rebekah Parker J)  Because my break started earlier than CBI’s, I was able to make a trip up to the school and visit my friends there.  
The time with my family was really nice.  I have realized how much I have taken my family for granted, especially when I lived so close.  God knows our days, I don’t.  We should love and cherish the family that God has given to us, for we don’t know the future! 

January 21^st, 2012 – celebrating my ½ birthday!!! 

I have very sweet friends!  They love me very much.  I am so blessed!!!  For this outings occasion, we were celebrating my ½ birthday.  (It was actually a week past my ½ birthday, which would have been on the 13^th)  For this celebration, Celeste, Alisha, Valerie, Beth, and I went out for breakfast to Andre’s, a Swiss pastry shop!  We had a grand time, the food was yummy, the location was quaint; it was a great way to celebrate!!! 

Moving to the new dorm!!! 

Calvary Bible College had a momentous move across the street to a new property this past January.  At least the students got to move into the new dorms!  It was a great day of packing, loading, hauling, shoving, and going up and down lots and lots of stairs!

Skiing in Missouri???  Feb. 4^th, 2012

I’ve been skiing before in places in Colorado and South Dakota, but never in Missouri!  That is until February!  A group of friends from the school decided to take a Saturday trip to go skiing.  It was a fun group of people that descended upon the slopes (steep hills).  The day was really nice, and almost too warm!  And, no one broke any bones!  J

Ladies conference at MCC

The month of March got off to a great start with my churches Ladies conference.  We watched several speakers from a previous “Desiring God” conference.  The topic was the “Supremacy of Christ in a Post-modern World”.  It was a great weekend spent with other women, talking, praying, and listening to God’s Word being preached.   

Spring Break at Home

What do you do when you have 10 days off of school???  Go home!  My room-mate, Valerie, lives in the same area that I do, so we decided to car-pool and go home for Spring Break.  I got to see all of my family—which is getting harder since we are all spreading out!  I sewed a bridesmaid dress for my friend’s wedding in June.  I spent some much-needed time in the kitchen (Philip and I even made our “traditional” egg-rolls).  And then, Valerie and I traveled 12 hrs. back!  It was a great trip!    

Easter at Celeste’s (St. Matthew’s Passion and Handel’s Messiah)

Easter is Not about pretty pink bunnies, or egg-hunts, or candy!  It is a time that is set aside by our calendar to remember the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus!  Many times, Easter celebrations consist of Good Friday and Sunrise services.  This year was not so typical!  My friend Celeste, invited me to her house for the Easter weekend to spend time with her family.  In addition to that, she got tickets to go to the “St. Matthew’s Passion” by Bach, and “Handel’s Messiah”.  What made the performance better was that I had just sang the “Messiah” at Christmas.  The music was still fresh in my mind.  There were many times when I wanted to jump up and start singing with the choral!  (Don’t worry, I didn’t!) 

Banquet

Spring just wouldn’t be complete without a Senior banquet.  This year at Calvary, the juniors planned a beautiful masquerade banquet, complete with masks!  My date was the lovely Un Joo Christopher!  We had a good time!  Thanks, Junior class!!! 

Random Outings with friends (dates with the Colonel and the Pacifist)

Beth, Alisha, and I started a tradition of going on a date at least once per semester.  It all started out when we would go out with Beth’s car, lovingly named “the Colonel”.  We trooped off in December to IHOP, to enjoy a nice piping hot cup of Caramel Hot Chocolate!  Sometimes, we just drove around for a while.  Or drank iced tea while star-gazing.  By spring, Beth had a new car, this one was not quite as intimidating, so we named him “the Pacifist”.

And this doesn't include all of the trips to the Plaza, shopping trips, Starbucks runs, and many more adventures!   

God’s provision for the future

Now, you may be thinking why this is one of my reasons for loving being 21.  You see though, it was about this time of the year—Feb/Mar/April—that I was in limbo concerning the plans for the next months of my life.  Basically, I knew what I would be doing till June 1^st, and then the calendar stopped! 

“Silly Bekah, is that too hard for God?!” 

No, and this is why I loved this time of life.  It was hard.  Very hard.  But the lessons that I learned from trusting in God and taking steps of faith were needed!  God is so good to provide for His children!  Need I say any more?

Graduation

The long awaited day came with baited breath!  It was finally here.  All the months of studying and studying were over.  We were graduating!  All of those painful hours of figuring out transfer credits and such were finally paying off. 

I graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Biblical Studies. 

Trip to the zoo with my Family that came for Grad.  

Evidence tour

The month of May was booked solid with Evidence venues.  Our group was granted permission to live in the dorm till we were done in Kansas City.  It was really nice not to have to move All of our stuff out of the dorms right after graduation.  We had a few days to chill, and then hit the concerts hard!  It was a great time.  We did a lot of concerts in the KC area and also did a weekend in central Kansas and a week in Nebraska.  Aside from singing, the other great plus was traveling with Gracia Burnham, the missionary from the Philippines that was held hostage for over a year.  It was encouraging to hear the story of God’s mercy and grace in her life as she was trudging through the jungle. 

Rodeo Bible Camp 2012

After the Evidence tour, I had three days to get home and get ready for our churches Rodeo Bible Camp.  (talk about switching mental gears FAST, from singing to rodeo!  Whew!)  I was very excited to be able to be apart of the whole week of camp (last year I was only able to be there for a couple of days).  I was excited to get to minister to the kids.  And I was helping lead the music, which was a wonderful new experience for me!  God really worked in the hearts of the kids that week!  Many were saved, and all were challenged in their walk with God! 

The music part went well too!  God is gracious, even with my piano playing!!! J 

The Wedding Month 

 June shall now be dubbed “The Wedding Month”.  The first wedding was in Northern California, which precipitated another plane ride—actually, Becky’s dad picked me up from the airport in a small 4-seater airplane because he was giving a flying lesson, so it was two plane rides!  It was great to visit that area of the country again.  Wow, are those mountains gorgeous!!!  Becky had asked me to be one of her bridesmaids, and I was honored to be there for her.  We got to decorate and prep and do all of the pre-wedding things!  It was a beautiful wedding! 
Just two days after I returned from Cali, I jumped in my car to head two-and-a-half hours west of us for another wedding.  This was the wedding of a dear, childhood friend, Jackie.  She asked me to sing and be her personal attendant.  I was already in “wedding” mode, so the prep and decorating was a snap!  I was also so honored to be my friend’s personal “slave” for the day.  It was some much fun! (but only for a day!!!)    

    

Of dictionaries...and prolific hugs

You know those times when you say a certain word in a sentence that you believe is grammatically correct, and then the person you are talking to gives you a really odd look?  Then, you start thinking, "Wait, was that the right word?"  "What did I just say?"  "What does she think I mean?"  With these questions in mind, your face becomes a mask of quizzical-ness as you evaluate what it was that you just said. 
Now, I know that I am not the only one that has experiences like this!  (I think :)

My story has to do with the word "prolific".  I used it in the context of a friend of mine giving another friend a hug.  "You hugged her prolifically."  To this comment, we both started laughing.  Then the questions ensued. 

"What?" 

According to the dictionary, prolific has several different definitions, including: producing offspring, young, fruit, etc., abundantly; highly fruitful: a prolific pear tree. (2) producing in large quantities or with great frequency; highly productive: a prolific writer. (3.) profusely productive or fruitful (often followed by in or of ): a bequest prolific of litigations. (4.) characterized by abundant production: a prolific year for tomatoes.

Therefore, in the sentence that I used, giving hugs prolifically just means that they are given in abundance.    But does this really work? 

With this thought in mind, I realized how many "creative" words I think I know and yet may not.  There is definitely something to be said of expanding your vocabulary! 

Word of the Day: appertain; to belong as a part, right, possession, or attribute. 
Synonyms: apply, be characteristic of, be part of, be pertinent, be proper, be relevant, bear, have to do with, pertain, refer, relate, touch upon, vest

Try to use this word today.  It appertains to the development of your vocabulary! 
And tell me what you think of prolific hugs!!

February 22nd: a summer-like day

What made me happy about today?

Sunshine.

Warm breeze blowing.

People playing volleyball outside.

Singing.

Genesis class.

Laughing during Evidence rehersal.

Birds chirping outside. 

Can you guess?? :)

O Happy, Day!!!

February 20th: Monday

*que epic music*

Monday...

*music slowly gaining momentum*

Monday...

*cymbals crash, etc*

Monday...

Yes, today was Monday.  Now, I suppose that you are wondering..."What's with the epic music and cymbals?"  

And frankly, I just thought that it would give you a nice audial picture of my anticipation for a NEW week complete with starting Monday on the "right" foot!  :)

Honestly, there are some weeks that you just dread starting.  There could be any number of reasons, such as a huge homework load, a unpleasant job, or lack of sleep (which makes Everything Look Horrible).  Need less to say, I was very excited about starting a new week.  

Reason #1:  I am a people-person.  I love spending time with people.  Most of the time, I get energy and encouragement just from spending time with people.  So, Sunday night--being filled with "people time"--spurred me to loads of energy and kept me going on Monday!  

Reason #2: In chapel today, a student at Calvary spoke.  He lost two of his fingers in a table-saw accident over Christmas break.  He just shared all of the things that God has been doing and teaching him through the hard time!  God's grace is so good.  Praise Him!

Reason #3: Study-time in the Library.  On the days that I don't work IN the library, I sometimes like to go and study in there.  Even though there are usually some people still around, the atmosphere is quiet, and you are surrounded with books.  

Reason #4: Do I really need another reason to be happy!?!  I don't think so.  

Thank you Lord for the start of another week!  You are good! 

I am happy!

February 19th: Sunday night supper and IHOP

Sunday night's are always an adventure.  This is the only night that the dining hall isn't open, and students are free to prepare their own food.  Those who have "stock-piled" are usually safe from starving.  I would also argue that no one ever starves; we are happy, fatty college students who are very blessed.   But there are also those that are willing to invite students over for supper. 
Tonight, some girls and I were invited to eat tacos at Lelia's house.  We had so much fun and the food was really yummy.  Here are some of the highlights:

• Sarah's first time in Philly Hall (campus married housing).  She cried and cried and cried.  Of course, the large bowl of onions that she was cutting didn't help her out at all. 
• At some point in the conversation, someone was talking about eating bugs.  And so it was decided by proxy that if you have to eat a worm, leave it in a bowl of applesauce (changing the applesauce regularly).  Then, because worms eat what is around them, they will eat the applesauce and then taste like applesauce when you have to eat them.  
• To change the conversation (I don't like talking about eating anything slimy or wormy...:), I suggested that on a "higher note" we move on.  Celeste then proceeded to hum a "higher note".  Catching the tune, I immediately started thinking of the Christmas story, where the angel appears to the shepherds.  So Celeste and I started quoting from Luke 2.  Crazy...:)  Yes, I suppose we were a little. 
• From there the "higher note" became a competition to see who could talk in a monotone, sing-songy tone. 
• As the conversation began to come around to more spiritual things, we all shared how God brought us to school and what all took place in our lives to come.  It was encouraging to hear of God's faithfulness in the lives of fellow sisters in Christ.  God is good! 
• Finally, the evening began to wane and we all had to get going (i.e. homework, homework, and more homework).  But as we were leaving, Lelia asked us to sign her guestbook.  Now, you would think that when she wanted us to sign something, she would have a book, or picture, or wall...but NO, she wanted us to sign her shower-curtain!

With all the fun that we had at Lelia's, I didn't think that the night could get better...but then Beth, Alisha, and I decided that it was time for another date with "the Colonel" (a.k.a Bethie's monstrous car illustriously named Colonel Stanley Mustard) to I.H.O.P. (the house of pancakes)

Last semester, the three of us went on an late-night "date".  We all enjoyed the time so much that we decided to make it a regular thing.  So, we made a decision, hopped into the Colonel, and drove to IHOP!  
It was a grand adventure!  We laughed a lot, and ate some yummy desserts, and drank some yummy coffee.  We had a good time of just talking about things.  Not necessarily "life-changing" issues, but just stuff that was on our minds.  It was a blessing to enjoy and be comfortable with friends.  
All in all, the day was FABULOUS!  Not only did I get to go to church in the morning for fellowship and instruction in the Word, but then I got to hang out with a lot of really neat girls!  
Thank you, Lord, for good friends.  And days to enjoy with them...
It was Happy!  

February 16th: phone calls to home

I love my family very much.

I really like talking with them.

Sometimes, I realize how much I have taken them for granted.

Which is easy to do when you seen them often.

I am thankful for them.

So what made my day today?

Talking to my Dad...

He is a very busy pastor of a small-town church.

And I am busy.

Most of the time our schedules don't cross.

So when I call home, I talk to my Mom or brothers or sisters.

But this time, I talked with my Dad.

It was INTENTIONAL.

(I have been learning about the need to be intentional with people. You know how you say that you are going to pray for someone, or do something to help someone...and then you forget. We have to be intentional otherwise, most of the time, we won't do it!)

It was good to talk to my Dad about different things and issues that have been going on.

And about our concerns for those issues.

It was a GOOD time!

It was HAPPY!

Brothers!

Growing up with brothers is an experience quite unlike anything else.

Yet, I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Having brothers provides me with a different outlook on the world.

Basically...

I love my brothers!

One of the "many" funny brother/sister pictures of Graham and I. This is from CBI choir tour trip to the East Coast! This is the Liberty Bell!


This is my "little" BIG brother. He obligingly took a picture with me because I was leaving early on Christmas break.

Philip and I conquering the kitchen, with egg-rolls! This is just one of the many adventures that we have had...:)

Did I mention my brother Joel? He is just simply funny! He always gives me a hard time and wants to do "boy" stuff...go, figure! :)

Graham: the musician, adventurer, *slightly* narcissistic, king of the grill, mechanic, fellow-road tripper, friend.

Sam: Mr. Incredible, football player, role model, "teddy bear", my "little" BIG brother, breakfast chef, friend.

Philip: the character, amazing sense of humor, photographer, painter, computer savvy, fellow egg-roll maker, friend.

Joel: 100% boy, always moving, ornery, joke-ster, great smile, always sporting a "new" hairstyle, friend.

I am so thankful for the family that God has placed in my life! I love all the different personalities and persons that make up my family. I wouldn't know what to do without even one of them. I am thankful for the friendships that we have, and I know that my brothers will always be my friends! I am thankful that even though I am not able to be with them all the time, I know that they love me and are thinking of me. (especially when I can't be apart of their lives, go to all their sporting events, or concerts, or movies, or just be around to "hang out".)

God is good through all the seasons of life!

A summer adventure...

This is going to be the first of many blog posts about my *new* summer home! Most, if not all, of my adventures will take place in the beautiful city of Billings Montana. I am working with Big Sky Bible Church to start some children's programs, with the goal of spreading the Gospel and bringing new people into the church. Marsha--who is working with me--and I are organizing the various parts of a 5-day club and a Vacation Bible School. Lord-willing, we are going to hold our first club starting this Saturday for the children in our neighborhood! It is a very exciting and daunting task, but God is in control!

This is now my fifth day as a "Montanan" and I am enjoying every minute of it. My place of residence is a split level home on Winchell Lane. I love having a little space of "my own" (it really isn't my own, but it adds a happy ring if I say it...:).

One of my first tasks as a house-dweller was to mow the lawn. Just a word of advice: make sure that you know how to shut off the mower before you start mowing! If this gives a clue, my moment of panic began as I was mowing and the thought popped into my head..."I wonder how I will turn this thing off...?" In order to justify myself, the mower was broken and so you had to pull the spark plugs in order to turn it off. (I wasn't the only one to make the mistake!)