Think Upon These Things

The Foolishness of the World

2008-06-28T09:07:00.000-07:00

Don't you love cows? I do!!

And yes, this post is about more than just cows :)

The picture left is from my graduation party. And you will always be in darkness as to the identity of the cow. Mua ha ha ha ha!

Anyways, I not only got to have a cow at my graduation party; I also got to be the cow at our church's annual Family Fun Fair. A little girl who lives across the street from our church saw me dancing on the street corner and asked her mom if she could go see the cow.

Her mother, Kim C., happily agreed, and across the street they came. I gave the little girl a hug and Kim took a picture of the three of us on her cell phone. I tend to be a very enthusiastic cow, and I wanted to assure Kim she would be welcome if she visited our Family Fun Fair, so I tapped her arm and then pointed to our large sign painted with details about VBS and the Fun Fair. Kim said, "Oh, you are having a fair? Well, maybe we'll go check it out!"

After I got out of the cow suit, my youth pastor's wife was talking to me and thanking me for being the cow. "No big deal," I said, "I love being the cow."

Being a cow. Such a silly, foolish thing. But really, being a cow can impact eternity.

Really, you might be saying. How's that?

Well, I had no clue of all this, but Kim is searching spiritually. She was brought up as a Quaker, and she has a lot of questions. She swapped phone numbers with my youth pastor's wife and took some information about the church.

Isn't that way cool? God can use utterly stupid, senseless things--a crazy teenager dancing around in a cow suit--and use them for His glory!

That's worth celebrating.

God uses the foolishness of this world to bring about His plan of incredible wisdom.

Every blessing!

Pleasure

2008-06-08T18:19:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

I know I haven't updated in a while. Shame on me. But I felt like I haven't had anything that I really wanted to share--until now, that is! I want to tell you about two verses that have really impacted me in the past several weeks.

The verse on that was Psalm 136:26, which says "Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever."

I decided to carry that verse around with me, but not just written on a scrap sheet of paper in my pocket or something. I wrote it on a rock. There's a lot of reasons why I did that. The first one was that it was a church-wide activity we were supposed to do. (=D) A second reason was because I didn't want my mom to find a lot of paper scraps in the drier because I forgot to transfer a piece of paper from one outfit to the next. The final reason was that I viewed it somewhat symbolically. All of God's promises are a sure as a rock is hard.

At the time that I chose that verse, I was trying to remind myself that the steadfast love of the LORD endures, even when the love of a person might fail. But God had bigger plans for that verse. He showed me how ungrateful I am towards Him, and how little I stop to thank Him. So really, the part of the verse I thought I needed wasn't what God really wanted to impress on me. That also taught me that we shouldn't just use part of a verse that might seem applicable, because God can use all of His words to teach us something.

The second verse doesn't even really go hand-in-hand with the first verse, but God sort of worked them together in a cool way in my mind. Luke 12:32 says, "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

Okay, so my brother was pumping gas the other day, and the rock I'd written this verse on starts slipping out of my pocket, and I just see the word "pleasure." I started thinking about that word in the context of the verse. I say "pleasure" all the time. (Pretty much because I work at Chick-fil-A. On Saturdays during our rush, I must say "My pleasure" at least once every twenty seconds.) Then I started thinking at a deeper level.

I say "It is my pleasure to serve you," but how often does God say that to me, and I don't even think about it? Christians today take so much of what God does for granted, and we don't think about it being His pleasure to serve us. Isn't it a cool thought to think that God has given us a kingdom (the Kingdom of Heaven), and as He hands us the rights that kingdom entails, He says, "My pleasure," even if we don't bother to say "Thank you"? Wow. That thought just hit me right between the eyes!

I stopped then and there and thanked the LORD for my share in the kingdom. Now I invite you to do the same thing.

Father, You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore!

And as the Apostle Paul said, grace and peace [out]!

A Published Review of "Do Hard Things"

2008-04-25T17:18:00.000-07:00

This review of Do Hard Things was published in my local newspaper, and I acutally know the author, so I thought I'd post the link to it here! Enjoy your books! (I am going to start mine as soon as I finish my correspondence homework. Waiting is such a hard thing!!)

~Camille

Uncommon Life, Uncommon Death

2008-04-02T15:34:00.000-07:00

Hi readers,

Probably none of you knew Chuck Spacht, but I did, and I feel compelled to tell you about his incredible life and death! When he was only forty years old, the doctors informed him that he had a brain tumor and if treated with radiation, he would probably only live another two years. He underwent the treatement, and lived till the age of fifty. He died last week.

Mr. Spacht was an example of dying grace to us all. He died as he lived: singing, praying, blessing his children, and praising God. His family wrote a God-exalting obituary for him, and the Gospel has been proclaimed even in his death.

His memorial service was awesome, beautiful, and captivating. Since he was a worship leader, videos of his family leading in worship played on the projector screen. Before the opening prayer and scripture reading, a song I'd never heard started playing.

God is good all the time
He put a song of praise in this heart of mine
God is good all the time
Through the darkest night, His light will shine
God is good, God is good all the time!

Ryan, Mr. Spacht's youngest son, motioned for everyone to stand, and with a smile, everyone began singing. The moment was electric for me, and I grope for the right words to describe it. It was a moment when everything seemed perfectly right and good in the world, and you just knew in your heart in the deepest way that there is hope in this terribly troubled world, because nothing can touch or move our God.

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21. My dad preached on this verse and pointed out that if one replaces "Christ" with anything else, death cannot be gain. Mr. Spacht showed us this by his life. He lived for the Word, and he lived for the Christ of the Word. Someone said that he wasn't distracted with the things that were terribly complicated, he was preoccupied with the things that weren't. Simple things about the character of God or about the word just struck him, and when they did, he told people about whatever it was.

Mr. Spacht always reminded me that when I play the piano in church, I shouldn't try to glorify myself. God gave me talent and diligence both, so why should I be boasting? He was an incredibly humble person, and his memorial service pointed everyone present to Christ. I can't think of a better way to die!

Well, I've blogged enough for one day. G'night everyone!

Two Foundational Committments

2008-04-02T15:08:00.000-07:00

Here is the first promise post on the Shepherds Conference!!

"Two Foundational Committments for an Eshara Life"
Tom Pennington
Psalm 1

Psalm 1- a wisdom psalm, the psalm on which all other psalms are sermons. The obvious theme of this psalm is righteousness versus wickedness, which are really the only two ways to live. Verse three tells us to sit up and pay attention to the prosperity of the righteous. Psalm 1 uses an uncommon word to describe blessedness. The normal Old Testament word is baruch. (I'm no Hebraic scholar--I write them how they sound to me :).) This word is eshara, which is a strictly human designation of blessing. (Cross reference: Jesus uses this word in His sermons, particularly the sermon on the mount.)

The tree metaphors in this pslam imply that as Christians, we have been carefully transplanted, irrigated, and cared for by God. He calls us to a life of significance instead of one that is worthless to everyone; to one that is permanent and enduring instead of one that is being driven by the wind. The tragedy is that we can and often do pursue goals of purpose in the wrong fashion: in ministry, as well as in personal life.

The wrong way is to rely on surveys, culture, props, numbers, business skill, or entertainment. The right way is the way of the righteous, and the way of the Bible! But in order to pursue the right way, we must make two foundational committments.

The first is to abandon every human way. Every waking moment we must abandon wicked counsel, the path of sinners, and scoffing companions. We are tempted to follow the advice of unbelievers through ideologies and methodologies. As a side note, here we come to another interesting Hebrew word, "derek," which means path or way. Psalm 119:104 contains this same word when the psalmist wrote, "I hate every false way." In a New Testament context, Jesus took this verse to heart and got serious about radically removing sin from people's lives. This is that same concept of abandoning every human way. The verses in Psalm 1 that talk about the path of the sinners and the seat of the scoffers does not refer to a subset of unbelievers. Instead, it refers to all believers. But it isn't enough to abandon every human way; we must replace the human ways with the right way.

Embracing God's way is the second committment. God's way is referred to as torah, His Law, His words. Psalm 107 refers to this same torah as a "delightful harbour." Pastor Pennington quickly read some verse about treasuring the Bible (Psalm 119:40, 47, 72, 97, 143, and 174). Here the Psalmist treats the Bible a little like salt water. The more he drinks, the more he thirsts. He can't get enough of the Bible! (Boy, do we fall short of that!) Moving on, the Psalmist discusses meditation, which almost has this talking to yourself about the Bible sort of connotation. The word means to reflect, think, or internally discuss the scripture with one's self. The Psalmist also tells us how often we are to meditate: both day and night. A lack of meditation is one problem in conservative evangelicalism, and that leads to a lack of personal application, which leads ot unfruitfulness. Unfortunately, some pastors are like a medicine dropper. They attempt to impart good to others, but they themselves are unchanged by the Word.

Finally, only one man has ever lived and fulfilled Psalm 1--Jesus Christ! But thanks be to God! His righteousness is credited to us!

Every blessing,
~Camille

Belated Half Birthday!

2008-03-26T13:40:00.000-07:00

This post is a belated half birthday celebration for my wonderful Sisters of the Armour!!

Erica, you are super-sweet. I love your bubble-y laugh and voice! You always make the Rondee calls full of life and adventure. I was so blessed to meet you at the Indianapolis conference!

Lisa, you can be quiet, but that usually just means you are thinking of something really good to say :) I love doing Skype calls with you so that I can hear your accent and learn more about life in your country!

Emma, as I wrote to you once, I am convinced that God created you when He needed someone to cheer Him up. You can bring a smile to my face no matter what's gone wrong with my day. You are a sister of encouragement!

Sheila, I wish I had half of your musical talent for piano. You are so diligent and motivated! Keep shining on for Jesus as His Instrument!

And last, but not least, Tiffany! Tiff, you remind me of my dear Aunt Linda. You are both always ready with an applicable verse or Scriptural principle. You are such a blessing to me, sweet thing! You are an awesome big sister.

Hugs all around!

~Nella Camille

A Week of Spiritual Growth

2008-03-15T06:21:00.000-07:00

Hi readers!

I apologize for the lack of posting. Last week I was busy every day with school, the Shepherds Conference, Chick-fil-A, and packing for a trip to Florida to visit Clearwater Christian College. This week, I've also been attempting to keep up with school, visiting Clearwater, and spending lots of time in the car traveling!

Last week was phenomenal for me! Starting on Wednesday, I watched as many Shepherds Conference sessions as I was available for! Our church streamed the audio and visual over the Internet, so people were frequenting our basement cafe more than usual. The only problem is the time difference between Cali and Pennsylvania :). The seven o'clock evening service begins at ten o'clock EST. Nuts, but well worth staying up for! I forgot my notebook with my notes (I am at a coffee shop hi-jacking some wireless and my notebook is sitting in my purse at my aunt's!), but I promise to post more about it later. Each of the sessions I heard contained several memorable quotables that I wrote down, so you can look forward to those.

Oh, and another thing that I forgot to mention. Does anyone know the song "The Power of the Cross?" The lyrics are sooooo good! We sang that song at communion on Sunday and again one day at the Shepherds Conference. I always feel so overwhelmed when I sing it.

This the power of the cross
Son of God, slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross!

I always get chills down my spine when I sing that!

Now the college part of the post :). I love visiting colleges! I feel so academic--visiting six classes in two days, taking notes, running around campus, studying in the library. Oh, I loved every minute! And I had the most awesomest (yes, I am well aware that I just used a double comparison ;) ) suit mates! Eight girls total: Linny, Amy, Sheresa, Andrea, Lani, Katie, Heather, and JoAnna. (If any of you ever read this, give yourselves a massive huggle!! You made my visit!!)

Well, I'd better get going. Check back for more updates soon!

Every blessing,
~Camille

When God Takes Away the Straw

2008-03-03T15:37:00.000-08:00

This poem was written a while ago (November, to be exact!), but I thought I'd post it now since it fit in with my Bible reading in Exodus. (And yes, dad, I'm behind, so I just read this story today :D.)

When one thinks about it, Pharoah wasn't the one who took the straw away from the Israelites. This poem is based on that view of God's sovereignty! (Some edits since the rough draft, in case you remember this one, Ms. Marla :).)

When God takes away the straw--
When you're in the Lion's maw--
When the choice is God or law--

What will you do?
What will you feel?
What will you think?
What will you know?

When my life is on the line--
When all clamour for a sign--
When I change my will to Thine--

What will I do?
What will I feel?
What will I think?
Will I resign
My will for His?

I will shout,
I will soar,
I will know,
I will resign!

Every blessing!

'Til the Storms of Destruction Pass By

2008-02-28T06:22:00.000-08:00

'Til the storms of destruction pass by
We will rest 'neath Thy comforting wings;
Please protect us, we pray, oh Most High,
And our Refuge establish us by!

Through the storms which destroy
Guide and comfort us into the Rest.
Through the storms which destroy
Guide and comfort us into the Rest!

All the children of man threaten me
With their teeth and their tongues sharp as swords,
But my God, who is able to see,
Sends from Heaven and rescueth me!

[Chorus]

Be exalted, O God, over all.
Set Thy glory above all the earth.
Those who blaspheme Thy Name slip and fall,
Unlike souls who have given Thee all!

[Chorus]

Can be sung to the tune of "In the Sweet By and By." Based on Psalm 57. Original composition, February 2007.

Thoughts on Second Peter One

2008-02-20T18:18:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking for some time now that I should write a post in the spirit of the early Think Upon These Things tradition--a Bible study sort of devotional. So, my friends, that is just what I aim to do!

My youth group has finished studying 1 Peter and is now into 2 Peter. I really enjoyed the first chapter! Several well known verses can be found here (v. 3, 5-7, 10, and 19-21). I've listed them as follows with some thoughts from each one listed underneath the verse text.

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.

His divine power--what an awe-inspiring phrase! Why would any Christian in his right mind think that he lacked anything if all things necessary have been given to us? Incredible, and yet, we are imperfect, and doubt so often!

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

I really don't have many thoughts on these verses as they are rather straightforward, other than to say that i am far from arriving! (Aren't we all?)

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.

I've written this verse in my prayer journal. 'Tis like many other verses we find in the Bible which encourage us to pursue a higher level of personal sanctification, and of course, to make our calling and election sure. I was talking with a younger girl about what this phrase exactly means. I think it means to bear fruit in keeping with repentance so that there is no doubt in your mind or anyone else's that you are a believer.

And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Isn't the Bible wonderful, my friends? 'Tis part of the "great and precious promises" alluded to in verse 4 (which I have not written out here).

These verses are all great and well known, and 2 Peter 1:19-21 deals with the great doctrine of inspiration. But I think my favorite passage in this chapter is verses 12-15. Here they are:

Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

These verses really reveal Peter's love for his audience and the Gospel. You really get a glimpse into his apostle's heart right in these few verses. As long as he drew breath, he wanted to make sure that these people still embraced the Gospel. 'Tisn't surprising to find that the "therefore" goes back to verse 10, about making one's calling and election sure.

Recently I've found myself in a situation similar to Peter's. I know people of whom I have vowed that I will not stop repeating the Gospel to them until the day I die. Maybe that's why these verses struck me so clearly.

Every blessing be upon you, friends!

~Nella Camille

A Very Rare Tag

2008-02-12T14:34:00.000-08:00

Sheila tagged me, so here goes!

:: Link to the person that tagged you.
:: Post the rules on your blog.
:: Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
:: Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
:: Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

So here goes!

1) Sweet tea runs in my blood. I'm serious.

2) I drink a cup of tea every morning.

3) I've only straightened my hair twice in my life.

4) I memorize random people's birthdays and phone numbers. Happy birthday, Samantha!! And happy belated birthday, Nen!!

5) I used to want to change my name to Nella, but then after being Nella for a while I wanted to be known by my real name. That's why I changed my alias to include Camille.

6) One of my life goals is seriously to meet someone who was born on a February 29th.

I tag Samantha, Ms. Marla, and Emma!

God's Purpose in Our Pain

2008-02-12T14:27:00.000-08:00

I listened to an excellent John MacArthur sermon today and yesterday. This quote left me stirred, humbled, and uplifted. I hope it similarly effects you!

My power just begins to operate in its fullness when you have none left. The suffering that humbles you, the suffering that draws you into My presence, the suffering that dispenses My grace is also the suffering that makes you powerful. It's when you're broken, it's when you're at the end of your own resources, it's when you have nothing in yourself to lean on or trust in that you cast yourself completely on Me that you really become powerful. As long as you keep trusting in your own ingenuity, as long, as long as you keep trusting in your own cleverness, as long as you keep trusting in your own money and your own ideas and your own strategies and you keep trusting in your own ability to solve all problems and accomplish all ends in ministry or whatever it is, as long as you operate, you're going to be weak. No one is too weak to be powerful, but many are too strong to be powerful. You want to come to the end of yourself and then you begin to see the power of God released through your emptiness.

--John MacArthur

Embrace the pain, embrace His purpose,
Make not your boast in what you claim to own.
For in humility His power's exalted,
Embrace the pain: embrace your God!

Original composition, February 2008.

Every blessing,
~Nella Camille

Huge Sale!

2008-02-09T17:57:00.000-08:00

I'm stocking up on music for the year! Sovereign Grace Ministries is selling their CDs for only $6 each, when the normal price is almost $17!! The Worship Songbook Set is also reduced by $35, making the sale price just $40! I just had to pass this on. Have fun with the music!

~Nella Camille

Girls Discipleship, Part Three

2008-02-08T10:17:00.000-08:00

I wasn't intending to write a part three for this, but I got a comment on Part Two that I just had to respond to!

Certainly something to think about. How do you go around discipling the younger girls? Do you just wait for them to ask you? (It's not likely the people I know would do that)

Just wondering how you came to be doing that.

Love Lisa

Lisa, those are some great questions! A discipling relationship doesn't form overnight, as you know, and you are right, it isn't often that a girl out-right asks to be discipled.

The first girl I ever started discipleship with (we'll call her Bella to make it easier :)) saw me reading I Kissed Dating Goodbye and said "Eiw, why would you ever want to read that book?!" I replied, "Why don't you think you would like it? Have you read it?" She admitted that she had not, but she said she didn't want to give up dating before she even tried it. So I offered to do a book study with her so that she could see what the book was really like and give it a fair hearing. She turned me down initially, but then a few weeks later, she asked me if I would still like to do the study with her. I was elated!

After reading the book myself, I thought maybe she should be a little older before reading it, but I e-mailed some adults and interviewed my parents on dating and relationships. Since then, I've had Bella over about once a month. She spends the night at my house, which gives us plenty of uninterrupted time to talk. Her being accountable to someone has really helped her! When we started accountablity she was almost always obsessed with one boy or another, but now she tries to evaluate relationships biblically. Her progress is really exciting!

So that's one story of a possible pattern: You attract a girl's attention by the difference of your lifestyle from the world's and go about showing her why purity is so wonderful.

If you want to disciple someone, the best thing you can do is ask her what you can pray about for her. Ask her what she's learned from a recent message, her devotions, or a youth seminar. And of course, make sure that you remember little things like her birthday :) Send her random cards, or give her a note when you notice her pursuing holiness avidly. These little things really touch the hearts of most girls.

I really hope this post helps you, Lisa! *hugs!*

Every blessing,
~Nella Camille

Two Piper Quotes

2008-02-04T17:01:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, three posts in one day is really too much! But our God is really "too much", isn't He!?

"Finally, the reason this terrorized and troubled world exists is to make a place for Jesus Christ the Son of God to suffer and die for our sins. The reason there is terror is so that Christ would be terrorized. The reason there is trouble is so that Christ could be troubled. The reason there is pain is so that Christ could feel pain. This is the world God prepared for the suffering and death of his Son. This is the world where God made the best display of his love in the suffering of his Son."

By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org

“Jesus Christ is not merely the means of our rescue from damnation; he is the goal of our salvation. If he is not satisfying to be with, there is no salvation.

He is not merely the rope that pulls us from the threatening waves; he is the solid beach under our feet, the air in our lungs, and the beat of our heart, and the warm sun on our skin, and the song in our ears, and the arms of our beloved.”

By John Piper, Taste and See, p. 406 (HT: Of First Importance)

See What a Morning

2008-02-04T11:13:00.000-08:00

I love this resurrection hymn which we sang yesterday! Written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend.

See, what a morning, gloriously bright,
With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem;
Folded the grave-clothes, tomb filled with light,
As the angels announce, "Christ is risen!"
See God's salvation plan,
Wrought in love, borne in pain, paid in sacrifice,
Fulfilled in Christ, the Man,
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

See Mary weeping, "Where is He laid?"
As in sorrow she turns from the empty tomb;
Hears a voice speaking, calling her name;
It's the Master, the Lord raised to life again!
The voice that spans the years,
Speaking life, stirring hope, bringing peace to us,
Will sound till He appears,
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

One with the Father, Ancient of Days,
Through the Spirit who clothes faith with certainty.
Honor and blessing, glory and praise
To the King crowned with pow'r and authority!
And we are raised with Him,
Death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered;
And we shall reign with Him,
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

For an adio clip, go here!

Girls Discipleship, Part Two

2008-02-04T10:57:00.000-08:00

A few years ago some of the ladies from our church started a Titus 2 women's group called Women of Grace. They meet on the first and third Wednesdays of every month and study a book. Past book studies have been on Shopping for Time, Spiritual Motherhood, and (currently)Idols of the Heart.

I'm not personally involved in Women of Grace. I tried to join once, but since I haven't graduated the group leaders thought my presence might change the group dynamic. (Which I perfectly understand. Our Sisters of the Armour group didn't add a sixth member because she was a grown up and we liked our young-people group dynamic :).) So instead of joining their group, I started my own ministry to the young girls in my church. We have no specific meeting time, no set topic, and no book study. But we do have fellowship!

Titus 2:3-5 says:

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

My girls don't have husbands, children, or homes yet, and neither do I. But we do know that we need to keep ourslves pure before marriage, and a good number of us would like to be mothers one day. 'Tis never too early to practice self-control, purity, kindness, or submission!

Every blessing in Christ,
~Nella Camille

Girls Discipleship

2008-02-01T19:48:00.001-08:00

Did you have a rolemodel when you were younger? I know I've had several. One is my best friend Jill. She's sweet, outgoing, funny, godly, and friendly. She always makes a point to get to know new people and help them feel included. She's been a wonderful example to me of a mentor-friend! But the biggest thing I've learned from Jill is that I need to be an example to the girls around me of what a Christ-centered life looks like.

Our youth group is rather small, but I want to see it become strong. In the past several months I've been trying to disciple the girls who are younger than me. (Funny, seems like yesterday I was the youngest in the youth group. Now there is only one girl older than me, and one guy.)

Girls have so many questions! I'm always being asked "What is modesty?", "How old do I have to be to date?", "I'm struggling. Can you help?" or some such question. Each girl is different, unique, and special to me.

I've found modesty checklists which are really helpful in defining modesty, but I still love the Modesty Survey put together by the Rebelution! I still reference it frequently, even though I should have had a year to digest it :)

Josh Harris's books answered a lot of my questions about dating, courtships, and biblical guidelines for relationships. I know that sounds rather cliche for most Rebelutionaries, but trust me, these books are musts for survival guides in a culture like ours!

But the biggest thing that can help girls is prayer. The time you devote to praying for a girl shows how much you really care about her spiritual wellbeing. Again, Jill was great with this! She prays with me regularly.

My small group (Sisters of the Armour: Erica, Lisa, Emma, Sheila, and Tiffany!!) has been a real encouragement to me in the area of prayer. I love our prayer times!! They are just so refreshing to me! We're always posting prayer requests on our blog. I just love the fellowship we have together!

So thank you to all the girls who have mentored me all through the years! If you currently aren't discipling anyone, I highly recommend it! It is a most rewarding experience!

Every blessing,
~Nella Camille

Bible Reading for 2008

2008-01-30T12:57:00.001-08:00

Thanks for the welcome back, everyone! Maybe I should take unplanned sabbaticals more often =D.

Well, once upon a time, Friday was Devotional Report day, but this week it's going to be Wednesday until I decide what series I am going to do or if I'm going to finish the Femininity series or if I'm going to do a series at all :)

This year I'm reading using The Literary Study Bible for my daily reading plan. I've only gotten behind once, and thankfully I was able to catch up, so I'm right on schedule. The Literary Bible is cool because it points out all the elements of literature in the Bible. For instance, the Bible is an anthology made up of the Pentatuch and History, Chronicles and Prophets, Psalms and Wisdom Literature, and the Gosples and Epistles. I love the way that the Psalms are outlined. I've always viewed the Psalms as unorganized, poetic rambles, but the Literary Study Bible is really helping me appreciate the parallelism and beauty of Hebraic poetry.

One recent Psalm selection was Psalm 25. Our youth group sings a song based off this poem, so I like to sing along to the beginning verses of it:

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust;
let me not be put to shame;
let not my enemies exult over me.
Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;
they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

Read the rest here.

I'm still doing book studies for quizzing. The quiz year of 07-08 focuses in on First and Second Peter. I've been able to memorize some parts of the chapters, but not as much as I would like to.

For memorizing, I'm attempting to memorize the verses at the end of the Systematic Theology chapters. I know, I know, the Camille who memorized 1 Corinthians 1-8, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, and Philippians is having trouble memorizing a few verse each week. Well, I don't know what happened, but memorizing is now on the "hard things" list--or rather, the "hard thing to find time for" list. My problem isn't my prioritization of memorization (heh--that rhymed!), it's my scheduling of memorization. But I have an awesome accountability partner!! (Love you, Sheila!)

Well, that's all I have time to blog about today. Every blessing!

~Nella Camille

Picture courtesy of www.gnpcb.org.

A Re-Launch of Blogging

2008-01-29T14:55:00.000-08:00

Hello to all readers!

I want to begin blogging anew. There is so much going on in my life, and I don't want to forget the important lessons I've been learning. I want to pass them on to whoever decides to read this blog.

I apologize that I never really started my Feminine Expression series. Perhaps I will come back to it after I regain the train of thought I was on when I started it :).

Lately I've been really studying Systematic Theology. My dad and I are listening to some free lectures off the Internet. The speaker is Dr. Bruce Ware. I have been grateful for his scriptural approach to theology! My goodness, it's so good! I highly recommend him.

I'm still working at Chick-fil-A, averaging about 16-18 hours a week. I'm a dining room hostess now, and I love it! Closing is still a challenge. I'm not a nights person, but I do that once a week.

Two weeks ago, one of our team members was in an accident and she passed away. That was very tragic for all of us who knew her, but we've become a closer family in spite of her passing.

I'll leave you with a snippet from a song, which has blessed me lately!

I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine, and you shine for me too
I love you yesterday and today
And tomorrow, I'll say it again and again
I love you more!

from "More," by Matthew West

Every blessing,
~Nella Sound-Out

Holy is the Lord, God Almighty

2007-10-12T09:35:00.000-07:00

We stand and lift up our hands,
For the joy of the Lord is our strength
We bow down and worship Him now
How great, how awesome is He
And together we sing, everyone sing

Holy is the Lord, God Almighty
The Earth is filled with His glory
Holy is the Lord, God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory

And it’s rising up all around
It’s the anthem of the Lord’s renown (4x)
And together we sing, everyone sing

Holy is the Lord, God Almighty
The Earth is filled with His glory
Holy is the Lord, God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory

Two hushed auditoriums. Two worship teams. Two different conferences*. Two different states. During two different seasons.

Yet it still produced two shining tears in my eyes as we sang it all together!

Maybe I'm too emotional, but I think this song has power. Like many of my other favorite songs, it's so simplistic. It's not some deep, theological quote. It's not delivered inspiringly. It's just simple chords and simple words working through the hearts and lives of simple people.

God, you are so awesome! "Your name, O Lord, endures forever, your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages." (Psalm 135:13) Amen!

Every blessing,
~Nella

*The conferences were the Rebelution and Realign.

Feminine Expression (Part One)

2007-10-08T12:40:00.001-07:00

Introduction

I'd like to introduce a series I've been thinking about but only just now have had the time to dedicate to blogging! I anticipate this having at least four parts: this Introduction, Femininity at Home, Femininity at Work, and Questions and Answers. (Please begin submitting your questions now via the comment section or e-mail. Your question may directly relate to one of my posts, or may simply be a general question.)

Why this series?

Think Upon These Things has been primarily a devotional blog that chronicles my Christian growth as I study books of the Bible systematically. One would expect me to be blogging about 1 Peter and Galatians, since those are books that I have been studying. Part of these posts do flow out of 1 Peter (especially chapter 3), but this series will be more topical than my others.

The more I befriend younger girls, the more I witness the decline of femininity in my generation. Oh yes, girls still like pink, but is that femininity's true expression? I think not! Our culture has abandoned femininity and masculinity for femenism.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and telling you mine!

Every blessing,
~Nella

I'm Just Not a Night Owl!

2007-09-28T14:13:00.000-07:00

Hi readers!

I suppose its time to update on the girls who's been making chicken sandwiches to the glory of God :) I'm still working at Chick-fil-A, and I seem to enjoy everything more each day! Except one small detail: closing. I am a "morning person," not a "night person." When people make me try to be a night person, I do weird things. Like flub up a strawberry milkshake and feel devious afterwards. (Okay, that might not sound bad, but I was so devious that I decided I was going to put ice down the back of a very annoying person's shirt because that milkshake made me feel so devious!)

But back to closing. Let me define my job a little bot more for you. I work in the dining room. You do just about everything in the dining room. Refresh drinks, clean tables, wipe trays, sweep floors, stock condiments, empty garbage bags, and mop, to name the main duties. On a steady day, I can keep up with all that. But did you ever consider that keeping such things clean during the day is't enough? Id est, that at the end of the day, everything needs to be cleaned?

By nine I try to have everything possible clean. (Trays, tables, garbage cans.) I then begin sweeping underneath the tables and boothes, putting at least half of the chairs on top of the tables as I do so. That way, as soon as the last customer leaves the store at 10:00 p.m., the floors are primarily clean. Next on my checklist is washing the outside and inside doors, and the play area walls (they are glass, and they get so smudged!). All the garbage needs to be in the back closet by 10:00, so that usually comes next. The rugs need to be vaccuumed, and the play room also. Then I'm free to mop and clean the bathrooms. On a busy day, closing rituals take anywhere from two-and-a-half to four hours, putting me at home at shortly before midnight or later.

Some people love closing, and it can be really funny. (Teenagers and young adults sucking helium together-- ooh!) But more than anything, it is physically exhausting to Me the Morning Person.

When I think about closing I often become overwhelmed, but I know that I have closed before successfully and that I can do it again, by God's grace! I've vaccuumed before, I've washed glass before, and I've cleaned bathrooms before. The only difference is that at work I need to do everything as best I can as quickly as I can.

While listening to Brett's session at the Rebelution conference, closing at Chick-fil-A was a hard thing that popped into my mind. Brett reminded us that our hard things grow as we grow. God knows that I can handle working the close shift at Chick-fil-A (or else I wouldn't do it!), and He equips me and gives me grace to suceed every time.

Every blessing,
~Nella

Blogger Meet-Up

2007-09-19T06:46:00.001-07:00

Yes, I'm alive, and ready to get back into blogging! I have so much to write about that I hardly know where to start. One thing I want to blog about is the Indianapolis Rebelution Conference that I attended last week! The picture, from left to right, is of my mom, Brett Harris (though my mom keeps calling him Josh. . .), myself, Natasha (my cousin), Alex Harris, and Erica (a fellow Forum member).

I can't begin to describe how the Rebelution conference blessed me. You had to be there to experience the power of over 2,000 voices surging in admiration towards the King of the Universe. Such a glorious day I will never forget!

Meeting Alex and Brett was really fun and encouraging! The crazy girl who's been haunting their Forum and blog for the past two years finally showed her face. (Just joking !) But no, really, I love meeting people from off the internet, especially people as godly as Alex and Brett. Keep up the awesome work furthering His kingdom, guys! God's doing something big through you, so keep up a willingness to be used.

Here's another picture, this one of just Natasha, Erica and me. Erica and I were really blessed to find each other in that crowd! I was waiting to have some t-shirts signed, and I saw this girl in line and her name tag said Erica. I knew someone named Erica was going to be there, that she was a member of the Forum, that she'd left me a comment on Sound Out, and that she lived in Nebraska. That was about it. So I asked her if she knew Nella Sound-Out and proclaimed that I was Nella live and in the flesh! We really hit if off. We're going to keep up correspondance via telephone and the Rebelution blogs, including participating in the same study group in the cafe.

Well, I'm off to do the hard thing called an Algebra lesson. Check back for more updates about the conference and its impact on me!

Every blessing,
~Nella

P.S. Don't you lovewhat I did to the pictures using the Gimp? I love their effects. And my real name is safe. I mutilated it from off the name tag =D.

Making Chicken Sandwiches to the Glory of God

2007-08-09T10:29:00.000-07:00

Grace and Peace to you all!

This summer, our youth group decided to read and discuss of John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life. Last night we were discussing the chapter "Making Much of Christ From Eight to Five." The basic gist of the chapter is that one's work is not just a secular thing, having nothing to do with God; one can honor God at work.

About half of the members of our youth group have jobs, and some of the younger participants were a little skeptical. How can school, listening to a teacher who may or may not know what he is talking about, be a way to honor and glorify God? So we made a list, including concepts such as having a good attitude, doing one's best, showing respect, and working hard.

I have been recently hired to work for Chick-fil-A, and I'm pretty excited. I'll be working in a nice environment, I'll be making money, and I like the operators of our unit.

So how do I intend to make Chicken (or Chikin :))sandwiches to the Glory of God? Through exemplifying these characteristics:

Cooperation -- through team work
Humility -- through interacting with others
Industry -- through my actions and attitude
Kindness -- through my words
Initiative -- through opportunities
News bearer-- through communication

No matter what your job is, you have two responsibilities to fulfil there, besides your regular duties. They are Honor God, and Deliver Mail. The first one is pretty self-explanitory, but let me explain the second one. Mail delivery is a metaphor for sharing your faith. You don't work for the USPS. You work for the GNPS- the Good News Postal Service. You are a servant of Jesus Christ, and as one of His followers, you are to spread His great news around you wherever you can, including your workplace or school.

Every blessing,
~Nella