Joyful Trials

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything...Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test , he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:2-4, 12

This is my favorite passage in the Bible, not just because it's good stuff, but because it outlines the pattern of mine and my family's life. These words speak volumes to me.

When I was in the third grade (I was living in Lubbock, TX at this point) the Sr. pastor at our church left....followed by roughly 76% of our congregation. Because our church was so large, we were not able to keep paying many of the staff members due to loss of tithes and offerings. My dad was one of those staff members as an Associates Pastor. But this was only the beginning of a new journey for the Reinhardt family.

Soon after my dad was released from the staff my parents felt a call to Vancouver, WA. We moved and for the first 13 months in a new home both of my parents were unemployed. Yet, God had provided a way for us to live. And I don't mean just off of scraps. We had a home, plenty of food, and yes, money for fun.

Moving along...ever since our move, up through highschool, I had personally struggled with relationships. I had a hard time making friends and keeping the ones I had. To top it off, I had two older sisters...which resulted in low self-esteem. Even though I eventually broke free from the comparison game and finally became my own person, I still didn't have strong, healthy, memorable relationships. The only real support I ever recieved was from my family and my home church. So pretty much I was getting alot of encouragement from youth leaders, pastors, influential older people. All of it was and still is very appreciated, but I didn't have the same support and love coming from my peers.

But God still had a plan. He called me to the field of ministry and gave me a heart of worship. I came to Ozark and everything has been uphill since then. My dad has recently founded his own ministry known as "Dweller at the Thicket Ministries" and has yet to begin writing ten books that God has placed on his heart. Not to mention, the Lord has saved our family from financial ruts numerous times. We've all suffered our part. And we've all overcome.

So, "consider is pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds..." Persevere and recieve the crown of life that God has promised. He has saved me oh so many times and I know he will continue to do so. And let this be an encouragement to you. I know that times get hard and almost unbearable. Things will seem impossible. My life is living proof that nothing is impossible. Cliche, I know. Just be joyful always and matters will become easier. Not easy, but easier. But God brings peace and fulfillment. And He has a crown awaiting you...

You Are What You Worship

While I was home over Christmas break I picked up a tiny blue book called "The Air I Breathe: Life as a Way of Worship" by Louie Giglio (I strongly recommend this book). Within less than 100 pages, Giglio explains that we were created by God to worship (Him, of course). We are naturally motivated to worship; it's a drive inside of us that cannot be denied. Now, here's the catch: God gave us free will. Not to choose to worship or choose not to worship, but what to worship. We all worship something. One of my favorite quotes from Giglio's book is this: "We become what we worship. If you don't like who you're becoming, take a quick inventory of the things on the throne of your heart."

So, who are you? In other words, what do you worship? When you find the answer to both these questions, ask yourself this, "Do I have a good life?"

When I came back to school fromChristmas break, the pastor at the church I attend in Joplin started a sermon series, beginning with worship. He pretty much regurgitated Giglio, but then said this (and this is my paraphrase of what he said): "When we worship as a way of life then we fall on our knees in complete humility and bask in the presence of God." We were created to worship God! Worshiping anything else, not only belittles God in your heart, but it brings instant gratification. Worship God brings eternal satisfaction! Psalm 96: 4-6, 9 says,

"For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols,

but the Lord made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary...

Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness..."

When we worship the things of this world, we are worshiping idols. An idol, according to dictionary.com is "An image of a divinity; a representation or symbol of a deity or any other being or thing, made or used as an object of worship; a similitude of a false god." (italics added) But God made the heavens and the earth! Splendor and majesty are before Him! He is splendor and majesty! Why worship man-made stuff? Worship something that will bring you eternal joy and everlasting peace. When you come to worship God, he will bring you relief. Now doesn't that just sound peachy? And I don't mean to ask that sarcastically. Life is good because God gave us life and our way of life is to worship...HIM.

Sickly Blessed

So yesterday classes were canceled because of an ice storm that came in the other night, and today classes were canceled again because of all the snow we got yesterday. I'm pretty thankful 1) because I didn't have to take a test yesterday at 7am, 2) I got sick yesterday and am still a little under the weather today (and I was supposed to have six classes today!). The only bum part is that the entire campus, other than the Student Center and the Caf, is closed, meaning I can't put in practice hours for voice or piano.

Anywho, yesterday I was sweetly reminded of the kindness and generosity of the students here at OCC. I only have a cold, but I was feeling pretty darn crummy yesterday. People obviously took notice that I wasn't myself because I am generally a loud and energy-filled person. This was not the case yesterday. But instead of the typical, "Are you sick? Hope you feel better" and then just walk away vibe, I was greeted with "Jordan, are you feeling alright? What is it that you have? And is there anything I can do to help? I have medicine!" And this wasn't just coming from my close friends. Nearly every other person around me was showing complete sincere concern. The girls on my floor offered me airborne, tea, sudafed, nightquil. Another girl in our dorm lent me some honey for my tea. Even the guys were showing concern! One of my friends, Jim Landis, would frequently call or text me just to check up on me and to see how I was feeling.

Seriously, the people here take the time and effort to get to know each other, to invest in each others lives. The people here really do care from the core. And I am so blessed by it. Back at home I didn't have true relationships. Not even one person that I could run to and spill everything without the fear of being judged or rejected (except for my parents and youth leaders). Not one person among my peers...until I came here. And now I have so much love around me, that I don't even know what to do with it!

My point in all of this to say...love people. Show concern. Invest in each other. You truly don't know what a blessing you could be. I can't tell you how good I feel, despite this blasted cold. Every heard the phrase, "Never frown because you never know you may be falling in love with you smile"? Well my version of that for this scenario, "Never stop caring because you never know whose life you could be touching." If you're going to ask someone how they're feeling, dont just respond to their answer with "well, I hope you feel better", or, "I hope things work out for you." NO! Dont pretend to care because doing that is being transparent. People will see right through you. If you really care...prove it.

The Birth of the Midnight Burritos

So I've never done this kind of thing before: writing about my thoughts. I was inspired by some fellow OCC students: Jim, David, Tom, and Charlie to start my own blog when I started reading theirs. And I'm sure you're wondering about the burrito title. I just ate one. And it's midnight. I couldn't think of a title and David gave me "Midnight Burritos" (since he and Charlie just bought me one) to "commemorate the night of its birth." I thought it was pretty nifty.

Anywho, since I'm a first timer and it is now past midnight, I don't really have much to write about. It's what? Three hours past my bedtime? I'm not a night person. I've always been an early riser. Some of my best memories are spent at 8am with my parents on the back porch, cup of coffee in hand, and a plethora of thoughts and questions discussed together, all which will be saved for future blogs when I'm not half asleep. My dad's an intelligent man and chalk-full of wisdom. And my mom's quite the encourager. It stinks being so far away from them alot of times (I'm from Vancouver, WA, by the way, but am currently in Joplin, MO attending Ozark Christian College).

Well then, I am definately about to fall asleep on my keyboard.
Hey, look! My first blog ever!