katie rose writes

2010 is coming to a close. 2011 is about to begin. crazy, yes? This morning I read Psalms 149 and 150. I focused in on 149:2, where it describes our God as Maker and King. And as I've continued thinking about these two attributes, I've realized that I learned a lot about my Maker in 2010. Let me explain. I've learned a lot about myself this past year. About my wants and desires, even when so often I hide them from others (something I want to work on). About my personality--I'm an INFJ (Introvert, Intuitive, Feeling, Judgmental [against myself]). And who I am in Christ-all those things, but empowered by the indwelling of His Spirit within me! Yes, it was a journey this past year into the fact that I have a Maker, who made me just the way I am, for the exact purpose He has set forth for me to follow in. That's where 2011 comes in. As I thought about my King, I was reminded of all the stories (pre-judges & kings) where God led His people into the promised lan...

...through Narnia. I'm now on Prince Caspian , so I'm almost halfway through the series. And they have been so good. But this one has been the most different from it's movie (although I haven't seen the 3rd, but I'll be seeing it this week along with reading it's book beforehand). Especially as the kids travel to meet up with Prince Caspian. There's one scene in particular I'll focus in on. If you have seen the movie, you know where Lucy dreams of the trees coming alive again and talks to Aslan? Well, in the book this is real, not a dream. And her and Aslan return to the campsite and awaken the others, although the others cannot see Aslan (just as they couldn't see him at the gorge). So, most of the lines given to that dream scene in the movie are found here. But Aslan rebukes (silently) her doubts a bit, because she would not follow him when no one else would either. And he tells her she must go to the others and wake them and follow him....

I definitely prefer happy over merry. Don't ask why, although it may or may not have to do with my love for Harry Potter. And the beautiful accent that Hermione Granger gives it. Or maybe because I just want to go to London. Or maybe it is because I've been pondering the word happy recently (see Duet. 33:29). Or maybe it's simply because I'm running on about 2-2.5 hours of sleep. Worth it though, staying up all Christmas eve with mum & sis watching The Holiday, Meet Me in St. Louis, and White Christmas / cooking for Christmas, then rising early--to a breathtaking scene of SNOW, my first white Christmas--to cook breakfast then open gifts. Merry vs. Happy. [wow, what a tangent! this was not planned!] Whereas merry is more about a lively & cheerful feeling, happy evokes a inward feeling & an outward showing of pleasure or contentment. It can also evoke a sense of confidence and/or satisfaction. And doesn't that say so much more than Merry Christmas? Ca...

Finally, finally, finally, I have begun the journey of reading C.S. Lewis' classic series, The Chronicles of Narnia . Now, yes, I love the movies. But I love reading more. There are very few movies which have been adapted from books that I love more than the original book ( Pride & Prejudice would have to be one). Anyway, so I finished the first book, The Magician's Nephew, today. Don't ask me why the movies don't go in line with the books...although I wish I knew, because I loved this book. I'll keep this short (well, I'll make the effort, we all know it probably won't happen) and focus in on one point of the book. It's near the end, and it's right after Aslan has brought the land and animals of Narnia to life. With several songs. Oh it is such a beautiful scene. But, Digory, the main character in this book (if you've seen the movie, Digory is the Professor, who has the wardrobe), desires to ask Aslan if he can take something back...

So, I just downloaded all my bank statements from the past year. And I isolated all the times I spent money on eating out, including fast food and sit-down restaurants. This list does not include coffee purchases. Haven't come to a conclusion on if that should be included in this or not. But the [not so] grant total is... $463.42 Yeah. Almost 500 bucks. Wasted. Forever lost to the pit of my stomach. This hurts me deeply. Can you just imagine with me how many could have been fed for this entire year if I had given this away? Can you imagine how much good this money could've done, if I hadn't spent it upon myself and my hunger? My hunger. Ha. I know we all hate the Caf, but comon! WE HAVE FOOD! And so I'm angered with myself. But no longer will this be stagnant in my own heart. I'm sharing it here to be kept accountable. Every time I would've stopped off to eat somewhere other than groceries or caf food, I'm putting that money back. I'm saving it...

...you say, Sit down, it's just a talk. Great song ("How to Save a Life" by the Fray, check it out here ). But really, that was the point I reached last night with God. After I posted yesterday's blog, I spent several hours scouring the internet for different charities and organizations to sacrifice my money for. And though I found some great causes, nothing truly stirred my heart like only God can (Word Made Flesh got close though, check it out here ). So I remained at a loss as I closed my computer. Letting out a sigh, I pulled out my prayer journal and began to write. I just wrote out what this thing was, the Radical Experiment and how He's already opened so many doors through Pinelake and even classes. Then I just began writing out that I'm seeking His will on the money issue. And I stopped writing for a second. Then He prompted Romans 12:1-2 into my mind. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, by the mercies (denotes compassion) of God place your...

Yesterday, I finally finished reading Radical by David Platt. It was a very good read. It was a very challenging read. Very challenging. And I cannot get off my mind this thing that sums up the book at the end...The Radical Experiment. It is a year-long commitment to do five things: 1. Pray for the entire world. 2. Read through the entire Word. 3. Commit your life to a multiplying community. 4. Sacrifice your money for a specific purpose. 5. Spend time in another context. I've been praying ever since I started this journey in this book for God to give me vision about what He would have me to do. Vision is one of those words that I have never been able to shake. A couple of years ago, I heard a pastor speak on Proverbs 29:18, which says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." And I haven't forgotten it. It was like as soon as I heard it, I memorized got. God imprinted it on my heart. We'll see how He continues working it out, but right now, I ...

Yes, I know, I should be studying. Like hardcore. But I'd much rather study the Bible. And Revelation 7 was the perfect reading for this morning. Except it made me long even more (if that is possible) for finals to be over and for Heaven to be here! Let me frame the context. Six of the seven scrolls of God's judgement have been opened. False peace, War, Famine, Death, Martyrs, and Widespread Chaos (aka the earth falling apart). So, chapter 7 comes in as an interlude, a break in the action, before the seven scroll is opened (and all Hell breaks loose on earth--quite literally). And what a beautiful pause it is. The 4 angels at each corner of the earth are holding back the wind, and another angel is holding the seventh seal poised and ready to unleash it's destruction upon the earth. But then John hears that angel's voice, saying, "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads." And God s...

Peace. That is what I'm feeling. Yeah, finals start this week. And I'm totally not prepared. I've been procrastinating like none other. But the worries are just gone. Gone. Poof. God is good. Check out this verse. You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on you, because he commits himself to you, leans on you, and hopes confidently in you. Isaiah 26:3 (AMP) Pretty amazing verse, if you ask me. And it's context is, if you go back and read the title of chapter 25 is "When God swallows up death forever..." Hmmm, that sounds familiar, yeah? Remember my last post? Jesus came proclaiming that the Kingdom is at hand! He has overcome death forever, for us! Awesome, if you ask me. So, why doesn't this affect my everyday life? That was the same question I asked myself yesterday during my quiet time. We've been reading in Revelation. And yesterday the Throne was desc...