My Life in Light of Grace

Berry Picking Time!

2010-07-13T11:47:00.000-07:00

Dating: the formal, or sometimes not so formal, going out with the opposite sex to get to know and bond with each other. An activity between two people of aquaintance or of love.
Date day, for David and me, happens once a week. It's a day we always look forward too because no matter how busy life gets, we force ourselves to stop and enjoy each other. For how long this will last, I don't know. We hope to be able to do it even with screaming kids in the house. For now, I look to thursdays or sundays, when we get to do the things on our check list that we've always wanted to do. Recently, we went to Huber Farm and picked berries with Tootsie. We packed a lunch, loaded up the car and was on our way. Now, in the past, a trip to Huber meant some how both of us were in a bad mood. We don't understand it, but this time, we were determined to have a good day. Lunch under a big tree by a pond was wonderful!

Picking Blackberries was a joy and we were so surpised to see so many berries that were ready and ripe for the picking! Tootsie had a blast eating all the ones she could find on the ground. The great thing about picking your own is you can snack on the produce and try it out before you buy :)

Off to Blueberries we were! Neither of us had picked blueberries before. Hint: Just craddle a bunch of them in your hand while still in the vine and then roll them around gentley in your figures and the ripe ones will just fall off into your bucket! The minor problem was Tootsie getting away from us in the blueberry bushes and we ended up hearing her barking at a local farmer a couple yards away....oh little dog... However, by the end of the picking, we were so hot from the sun and so full from snacking on berries that I could have slept right there in the berry bush.

Huber also makes their own wine, ice cream and cheese. We decided to tie tootsie to a block and run in to get some ice cream. David came back out to give her some cool water to find she was gone. After 10 minutes of waiting for him to come back, I checked outside. HUSBAND AND DOG were gone! But where? Come to find out, Tootsie got loose from her tie and bolted across the parking lot to the pond to get a good look at the geese it the water. David had run after her and three women were helping to choral her. Much to their disappointment, when they left to help with Tootsie, their huge cart of berries fell over and spilled their freshly bought produce all over the ground. How do you apologize for something like that?! David offered to buy their produce, but they were sweet about it. Man, oh man,...a little dog is just like having three kids! HA!

Through Lenses...

2010-06-30T15:20:00.000-07:00

Some of you many know that I have another blog. Yes...I admit it, I am a blog adulteress, I cheat on this blog with my other blog page. Well, my other page is about the art and pursuit of cooking. Some of you might also know that I have recently taken up a new art form: discovering the world through a lens. Photography has been fun for me, but I really look forward to expanding my endeavor in it. It is so much harder than I thought, yet I do not want to force it. Some people are just good at seeing the world this way and capturing it. For now, I will show you a few pictures that I've taken that when ever I look at them, I remember why i love the sound of my shutter on my new Canon camera.

Our Sweet 3 year old Dachshund, TOOTSIE in her new Life Jacket, Canooing with us.

Heather's Horse, Cluseaux.

Cameron and her chickens, the very precocious 4 year old.

One very un-aware little girl at our cousin's wedding. My favorite shot of the day!

Early Worm...

2010-02-11T03:43:00.000-08:00

6 am- Wake up call
7 am...
I am sitting in class, trying to retain the reason for producing classes before the sun comes up. Current friends have started realizing that I have a blog page. Old friends have stop reading my entries because I stopped writing about 2 years ago. There is too much that has happened since my last written thoughts...it is pointless to write it all down. I am assuming that people, if any will/do read this, will gain what has changed through my entires and pictures posted over the next...however many days I can keep this blog thing up again.

I have also endeavored upon a cooking challenge and blog, the link is below... hope you enjoy!

To put is straight, life has been... well... gee... I don't think I can sum it up in one word, but maybe if I absolutely had to, I would say... life is ... nope... not coming to me. David and I just got our new bed frame for our bedroom. It's a beaute, a whole lot better than sleeping on a mattress on the floor anyway. Tootsie can still jump up into it, which means we've had to come up with a back up plan (not so succesfully) to keep our cute little weiner out of our bed.

On the topic of writing again, I have been sparked. To keep an update of yourself, thoughts and learnings can be a very important thing, especially when you have long distant friends (yes, that was a shout out). Even more, though, is the fact that I am finally in the stage of life that I have always longed for (being married now) ... it would be a travisty to quite journaling now! It would be like shunning all my other entries (here and in personal journals) so as to not show the fruition of what I so earnestly prayed for for so long!

So, with that... I'M BACK IN ACTION... more to come later (with pictures)!

MY NEW BLOG ON COOKING!!!
http://persuingatasteofcooking.blogspot.com/

Second-Hand Encouragement

2008-01-28T21:05:00.000-08:00

So, I have found myself in a rather strange and yet uplifting situation. I have a friend who is going through a very rough time right now. She is a child of God and loves Jesus with all her life and heart, yet she suffers greatly under a depression. Through out the last few months, I have been really drawn to her by the Spirit and have found myself wanting to reminder her of the good in her life. I have been committed to encouraging her with scripture, prayers, notes, flowers, time, and any other thing from God that I could muster up.

At times, it is difficult for me to encourage her when I myself have been dealing with my own "issues". However, God has shown me much grace and the Spirit has dealt me much patience, for this I am ever thankful and praising. I guess I could say that God is answering I prayer that I've been praying for years: that is that I would better learn how to encourage others. Since praying this, God really has given me some friends that really needed biblical encouragement and in it has given me tools to sharpen others.

However, for the first time in a while, God started to encourage me through my own words to this girl. I stopped mid-sentence today while talking to her about not fearing and really just clinging to Christ to get through your day, because I was suddenly struck with the idea of taking my own advice. The only way I can explain it is that it is like a cigarette giving nicotine to a smoker. I felt the need to suck in the left over smoke (encouragement) and take it in deep! I found it to be addicting...! Just as smoke stains our mouths and hands and leaves an overwhelming smell, so too must the word of God and the encouragement of the Spirit must stain the words of MY mouths and the work of MY hands. And the words of the LORD will be a SWEET AROMA to your life for the glory of Him who gives it.The very words that the Holy Spirit was giving me, to give to this girl, were also being used to speak into my life. The work of God is endless, undeniable and unstoppable! It cannot be denied that God gives us joy, though we should have none...

So, it is these words that fed both her and me that I give to you now: "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (ps. 73:26)

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens" (ps. 68:19)

"When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?" (ps. 56:3-34).

"But I call to God, and the LORD saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me." (Ps. 55:16-18).

"Be still and know that I am God" (Ps. 46:10)

"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God" (Ps. 42:5)

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety" (Ps. 4:8)

These are just a few...I hope you seek God today and know that as you encourage others, the second hand encouragement just might minister to you as well. Peace and Blessings

Failure to Evangelize in a Postmodern World

2008-01-21T14:33:00.000-08:00

This is a sickness I hope to purge myself of as I cling to listening to God’s voice rather than my own.

Last night two other girls and myself went to Java to get some studying done. It was a rather pleasant evening, all bundled up on the couch with the fire place in front of us, and all deep in thought from what ever book we were each reading. Through out the evening, I had been curiously watching a women who was sitting at the bar working on something at her computer. She sipped a glass of red wine and every now and then took a look around the room at everyone. Finally, I moved to the chair closest to the fire and began to read my Bible and journal some prayers to God. This is what I read:

“Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked”. –Psalm 82:3-4.

I then began to ask God that he would put more unbelievers into my life and then use me to share the truth and light of the gospel with them. To minister and disciple them and do the work of the kingdom. Then I read some more…

“They know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken”- Psalm 82:5.

My heart began to hurt for the lost, whose eyes are veiled and have no hope, for those who have not tasted and seen the Absolute Good. I asked God to help me “fight laziness, pride, deceit, frustration, worry and ill-confidence so that my own sin would not hinder me from being used to reach the lost” (written in my journal). Just then, the woman at the bar came and sat next to us on the couch. I noticed she was reading a book so I asked her what book she was reading. It was the new, and very famous, book called “Eat. Pray. Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert (not a Christian world view book).

The woman then informed me that her divorce was made final just the day before and she was told that this book was good to read to help and relate to her situation. It is about a women who gets a divorce and her struggles through it, how she turns to prayer in her time of need (though she doesn’t share the gospel in her book, but instead says that any religion will be just fine…ergo Postmodern), and then travels all around Italy, India, and Indonesia to find peace, comfort and joy. As this woman explained the book to me I asked her what viewpoint was the women coming from, from a Christian point of view or what. Her answer led me to realize that neither the author nor this woman, were saved believers in Christ.

Here it was! My opportunity! God answering my prayers almost instantly! I felt a huge burden to share with this woman what could really bring her peace, joy, and comfort. I knew that I needed to reach out to her. I wrote my name, contact information and a small note to her on a piece of paper. It was inappropriate, so it seemed, to speak about it to her opening then and there, but I wished I had…OH HOW I WISHED I HAD. What ended up happening is that she left and as she left, I with held that note. I never handed it to her. I DID IT AGAIN LORD! I DISOBEYED! Here, I just prayed for the Lost and that I would be bold, and I just let her walk away, not knowing if she will ever hear or if I will ever see her again.

I am ashamed to say that in those few moments, my sin revealed to me was greater than I had thought. It was in that moment when I refused to give her the note that I began to say that Satan’s lies were better than God’s truths. I was acting as a God-Hater and a self-lover. I could hear Satan telling me that I had nothing to offer her that would comfort her, that she would think me crazy, that I was trying to be “too spiritual”, and that I would be doing a foolish thing to give her a piece of paper…as if she would actually call me to talk. AND I BELIEVED HIM!!!

Talking and thinking about it today, I’ve learned one of my closer weaknesses and find myself utterly disgusted by it. God is moving in me, and others, to see that His voice is the only one we are to obey. I feel, in a way, like a fake or phony, but from here I can only go forward and up to stand rebuked, corrected, encouraged and trained by God all at one time. So…I urge you and others, DON’T FAIL TO EVANGELIZE IN THIS FALLEN AND POSTMODERN WORLD. There is truth, you know it, and everyone else needs it!

Consuming Idols...

2008-01-11T09:50:00.000-08:00

In the quiet hours of the morning, I woke up longing to be close to God. I needed to drink His peace and savor His word. I prayed and talked to our Maker. My heart has been so clenched and drowning lately. As I laid there in bed, trying to talk to God, I allowed myself to be consumed with a fear, a fear that crippled me and effected me so much that it worries me that I am so easily corrupted.
Over the past semester I have allowed myself to be greatly effected by something. It started out as being under control and not an issue at all, but then it grew and became more complicated. For so long I thought it was all okay, but then I went on Christmas break... Over the break I realized that I had been putting this thing in my life as an idol. I regarded this thing and longed for it so much so that I began to resent it.
The Holy Spirit showed me my error and I began to pray and cling to Christ that I might purge myself of the mindset of this sin. I've been fighting since, but while I've been fighting, I've realized that part of me still doesn't want to let this thing go. It would not be such a fight, nor would my heart hurt so deeply, if I just trust God and really want to get rid of it. So, this morning, as I fought against my own flesh, God spoke to me and revealed to me this point:
I've been missing the point. The point is, I need to put God first. The point is, God is answering my prayers. I prayed and asked Him a while back that he would take the desire for this thing away from me and give me the strength to deal with it, AND HE IS!!! I should be thankful for the pain that comes along with it, for God reminded me about Romans 5:3- "We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
What sweet words we have from the God who know us more than we could ever know ourselves. I had not payed attention to my first love, but I see it now. I SEE HIM NOW! While this doesn't make the struggle any less difficult, it does give affirmation that God is working this for good and that I have hope that HE IS GIVING ME STRENGTH to let go!

Homecoming...Nestalgia

2007-12-21T11:38:00.000-08:00

So I'm here, back in California. After being away for over four months, I find myself back at my roots and loving every minute of it. A series of things has happened. I went to some Christmas parties and did some fun things with family, but on the 18th of this month, I turned 23 years old. It's actually quite scary turning another year older, but some how I am also overwhelmingly excited to see what God is going to do with this year of my life.
Imagine waking up at 6 am to the sound of your two best friends singing "Happy Birthday" and then telling you to get up for your birthday fun to begin. I would imagine that anyone would have reacted the same way i did...rolled over and went back to sleep. Finally, when i got up, Laura Moore and Katie Bolling took me to get some chai...my favorite and then we went on a pleasant walk up Mount Rubideoux and watched the sunrise. The theme of this year's birthday was "Nestalgia" which means: " a wishful longing for and adoration of things, events and people of the past...a sentimentality. If you know anything about me...you know this defines ME! I am very sentimental! Anyways...the day just got better when they took me out to my favorite restaurant (Olive Garden) and we reminisqued (can't spell) in all our memories together over the years. I got a great compilation of gifts showed on me, but most of all...I got to experience Christ's love and friendship through my three friends: Laura, Katie and Lawson.
Being back has been overwhelming and fun, but I must say that though I don't want to go back to Kentucky, I still look forward to this next semester ahead of me and can't wait to see what God will do. He is good and knows all that is good for me. So, thank you all for your prayers, support and birthday wishes. Until next time...Love Jesus so much that it drives you to preach him to all you meet!

Turning Leafs: a story of all great firsts

2007-11-16T07:58:00.000-08:00

I have this thing about "firsts"...I love them! If you know me well, you know I have an admiration for oranges, I think they are purely and absolutely wonderful because when I look at them I like to look at them as if I am seeing it for the first time. When you look at an orange (or anything for that matter) as if it's the first time, there is in expressable happiness, curiosity, enlightenment, thankfulness, and a great picture of God's grace.

Well...these past few weeks, I have had the pleasure of seeing fall for the first time. I will say that fall weather is colder than I imagined and all I'm asking for Christmas from family is WARM CLOTHES! However, when I'm standing outside in the fridged air, i no longer am aware that my nose and toes have no feeling, but instead am captivated by the many colors of the trees around me. Crimson reds, canary yellows, burnt browns, and illustrious orange is all I see! The best part about fall, by far, is when the wind picks up and it seems to rain leaves. It makes me want to dance, it make sme want to sing a praise song, it even makes me want to be outside in the COLD air.

For those of you in Cali...I'm sorry! But, this should give you a desire to come visit me and see the beauty of fall and the glory of God in the face of REAL SEASONS! Some pictures are included below!

The Devourer

2007-11-04T12:54:00.000-08:00

Satan has been really attacking the girls on my hall lately. God is allowing for many of them to be tested in unimaginable ways. Each one is growing stronger in faith and personality, but in the mean time it's been really rough.

There are several sicknesses going around, relationship problems, church issues, and even mental issues. On top of all these, finals week is quickly approaching and stress levels are rising. Through all of this we are to: "Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him" Psalm 33:1. How often it is that we hear preachers preach and teachers teach that we should praise God at all time, in all situations, and in all seasons of life. Well, here's our chance. This life, here in America, has it's worries, but how foolish we are if we think our lives are worth woe-ing over. Others have written about torture, sex-trafficing, murders, and deathly diseases. These things are also included in the call to give God praise through...! Imaginable!

Yet, the end of that same Psalm gives us why: "We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you" (vs. 20-22).
God is worth it, we have hope, and his is victorious over all things that the devourer seeks to attack us with.

If you get the chance, please remember my friends here in prayer, but don't forget the others whose sufferings are greater!

A Swiftly, Turning, Heart... (the update)

2007-09-26T14:21:00.000-07:00

Okay...I've had enough of all you friends getting upheaved about me needing to update my blog...so here it is...CHEERS!

I've done a billion and a half things since my last entry. Below are a few pictures of friend, places, and good ol' southern experieneces that I've run into over the past month. I hope you enjoy them and the comments!

SOUTHERN SEMINARY FALL FESTIVAL

Yes...we has a fall festival...it was complete with games, prizes, real southern BBQ and even a hot air balloon ride. My number was called and I got to go on the ride...it was pretty thrilling!

BACK 2 SCHOOL BASH!!!

Picture 9 seminary men living in one big house, a tradition that has lasted for 7 years, and a bunch of random people getting together for some food and fun... once you've got the picture in your mind, you've seen what the back to school bash look likes here in KY. These are some of the girls on my hall! Love, Love Love them!

LATE NITE JAVA AND GAMES

The girls on my hall and I went out to this really great coffee place and played Baulderdash until they closed...it was a great night of first connections, team work, and random personalities.

THE KENTUCKY STATE FAIR!

So, this isn't the best picture of me and Ash at the fair, but I couldn't find the better one. ANYWHO!...yes yes...I went to THE state fair...it was perfectly and utterly HICKISH..complete with goat racing, allegator wrestling, and tractor rides. ASHLEY just had to see the cows... it was hilarious!

MAMMOTH CAVES

I large group of us went to Mammoth caves natural park. We made a big day of it and toured the historical route. This picture is of the entrance of our cave... when you stand in front of it, the natural flow of the cave and the earth causes their to be a gushful wind that feels like a natural air conditioner! A-MAZING!

RED RIVER GOURGE---sweetness!

We just got done rock climbing an 5.8 mountain side. Red River Gourge is one of the top places in america for rock climbing and camping...the whole trip was terrific. I also bought my first rock climbing harnis for the trip...whoo whoa!

Us after a night out in the wilderness. We hike a mile or so off trail and pitched our tents in the middle of no where...best out door camping trip of my life!

So...that's a glimps of what I've been up to. Don't think it's all been fun and games...HEBREW class is kicking my butt and I have more reading to do in this semester than all four years of CBU combined, but God is getting me through all of it. I can confidently say that though I wasn't for a long time, I am now starting to be happy here. God is showing me the beauty of this country and a new passion for the gospel. Please continue to pray for guidance and for zeal!!! Love you all!

THE southern seminary spots

2007-08-13T12:09:00.001-07:00

So, here's a peak at what my new school looks like. It's now home for atleast a semester...

One angle of where I live: William Williams Hall (william's Hall for short :) )

Our beautiful library...7th largest in THE WORLD...yeah...that's right!

Thus far my favorite place on campus...three reasons: In the shade, away from everyone, and under beautiful trees!

Where to magic happens...our courtyard where we play utlimate and flag football. still not as good as CBU's fo' sho'.

Answering Prayers...

2007-08-11T20:26:00.000-07:00

I am going to admit something pretty embarissing, but no one can deny that they've done it. Last night, I cried myself to sleep. I really hit bottom and felt so alone (hints the pic of the broken jars). But the title of this blog isn't "Me with a view of the bottom". NO...it's about God answering prayer...

In the darkness of last night, I could only cry out to God. I had tried to call friends or talk to some one, but soon I realized that life in Riverside goes on with out me. It was just me and God. I admit that I denied ever wanting this and that I would do anything to just go home. What I realized then, was that God is answering my prayers of dying to my self and showing me a life of real sacrifice. (Yes...other's around the world are sacrificing more than me and in different ways). With no one else to talk to in those late hours, I was forced to rely on and talk to God first. To find true comfort in Him...no one else. No other friend or family member was there, just the Lord and I found He must satisfy even that part of my life. Sure, I've known that, but now I've experienced it. It's more difficult than I thought because I am more selfish than I realized, but it's good for my soul- I can feel it...I just know it!

Sometimes I get caught thinking that prayers aren't answered and that they are useless...but then God proves me to be a fool and a "Mr Thomas Doubter". It's been a long time comming and there's still a long way to go, but God is taking this fool and SHOWING her how to die to herself and trust HIM...

IT'S ALL TO BITTER SWEET...

Foolishness

2007-08-08T15:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, so today...conviction set in. If you've read the top portion of my profile you would know that I talk about living each day as it should be: an undeserved gift from God. What I had to come to grips with today is that I am here in Kentucky for a reason, and even though I may not like it, I have been given a gift, completely and utterly undeserved. I should charish that gift and my time here because it is from God. I may not understand why or how or for how long I will be here, but in the mean time, I must thank God for this life- no matter where I am at.

My apologies to any one who read this and saw contradiction in my life. I am sorry for what seemed to be a fakeness and foolishness. I am challenged with the truth of Grace and hope you are as well. Please pray for me as I try to see this day and the rest to come, here in KY, as gifts from God that are undeserved, yet freely given!

Hair be gone!

2007-08-06T16:25:00.000-07:00

So...this is it... THE NEW DO. Let me know what you think of me cutting off 15 inches of my hair

WHAT WAS I THINKING...

2007-08-06T16:17:00.000-07:00

Okay...so here I am. In Louisville, KY...ALONE. The first day has...well been misserable. Yes, it's the first day, but I have this strange feeling that this place and these people just aren't me (if that makes any sense at all). How discouraging it was to show up to the campus, have no one help me with luggage, them not explain anything to me (food, laundry, supplies...etc), and then see my dorm. It's an old run down room with four walls and bare bed and a window that doesn't open. Just for effect...I added the pictures.

So, I guess the top question on my mind today is: WHAT WAS I THINKING?

A new hobby

2007-08-03T00:35:00.000-07:00

I recently picked up playing a little tennis. I hadn't played since high school and even then it was just once on some random courts that we found. My first go around was a few weeks ago with Keith Holcolm. He taught me a lot and I got the hang of it, but was by no means a "tennis player". Tonight was only my second night play. I headed out with Janelle, Taylor and Calan. I got to work on my back hand, serves and short shots. I think I've improved, but either way, I had a lot of fun.

As a teen, I always thought tennis was for rich snobs who only cared about big boats, write sweaters, and little skirts that showed their spankies when they went for the ball. (I was a bit narrow minded back then). Tennis has multiple rewards: it's a GREAT workout- minus the fact that my right arm always feels so much buffer than my left after I'm done (lol), it's a great time to interact with friends, it's a great way to relax and focus, and it's also good to just be a little goofy- if you aren't too into the game. I feel lucky to have friends who have taught me a new sport and I look forward to buying a raquet and balls of my own...who knows...maybe I will start a new movement of tennis matches at Souther Seminary...! Stay tuned for an update on "Christal's Tennis Journey".

The Beginings...

2007-08-01T16:06:00.000-07:00

So...here I am ... a new blogger! Kind of fun and interesting. I was actually never going to start a blog, just cuz I thought no one would be interested in what I am doing, but I ran into a few friends who requested that I start one for one reason...I am moving to Louisville, Kentucky!

That's right!...you heard it... I will be another X-cal baptist person lost to Southern Seminary starting this monday (the 6th). Now, more than ever, seems to be the best time to start a blog and let you all know what life in the South ends up being like- from my perspective. The concept of moving has been accompanied by thousands of emotions and divine interventions...too many to list. I have made an effort to spend time with those whom I love and will miss, but no matter what I do, say or think, this great unknown adventure, I believe, will be very different from what I've thought.

So...as I lift off into a whole new season of life, I look forward to bringing those who have influenced and shared life with me over the last several years. I hope you enjoy my blogs and pics as I will try to keep them both updated! I love you all...

for the glory of God

Ink & Blood
CHRISTal WALKer