peculiar people

"you were born to privelege, and with that comes specific obligation" -Danielle Debabarack (something like that. whatever, shes a fictional character. hence, not going to get mad about me misspelling the last name)

so true, though.
let me back up..
so today i'm studying and notice on my notes on the previous page that i had made a note to look up the word "peculiar" because jonathon had used it in his message last week and that particular word had struck a chord with me. (not just because its a dc talk song either).
so the word peculiar in hebrew is actually the word cegullah.. seg-ool-law. it comes from a word meaning shut up, or closely protected. the word itself means jewel; peculiar, as in a treasure; proper good; special.

in the new testament, peculiar is translated in two instances from two similar greek words. periousios (per-ee-oo-see-os) means being beyond the usual; special; one's own.
peripoiesis (per-ee-poy-ay-sis) means acquisition; preservation.

i'd always heard the phrase "peculiar people" and taken it to mean different, or weird, or strange. like you know, aliens..in the world not of it.. that sort of thing. which has a measure of truth in it. but to be called a peculiar people is alot more than that...
not until after i looked these up did i realize that every instance in the old testament when God calls His people a peculiar people, He's making reference to them being above every other people, being a treasure to Him, valued above the rest of the earth.
Titus 2:14 says that Christ gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
---this peculiar people is one that has nothing wrong with it, one that has been perfected to be God's own, valuable, fiercely protected, and designed to be passionate after God's work.
1 Peter 2:9 says the we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people (NIV says a people belonging to God, that [we] may declare the praises of him who called [us] out of darkness into his wonderful light).
--- Read the chapter before this. 1 Peter chapter 1, after a greeting and encouragement to the believers, is a charge to be ready for action. to live holy as God is holy, because He is holy. It's a wakeup call, a reminder that as born-again Christians, we're part of a bigger picture now, and we can't go on living like we did when we were bling to the vision. We have the gospel of the Holy Spirit now (something that all creation is jealous of!); we have been made a peculiar- and so we need to live and adjust our lives accordingly, ready to play an active part.

To me, it's both humbling and emboldening. We are the treasure of God.. a singular people created and maintained singularly for Him. And with that honor, we have the responsibility to live up to that. dude..... dude.

<3

hot-air balloon

i would really really love to ride in a hot-air balloon. i mean.. i dont really have anything better to do with my afternoon, do i? yeah. i think that sounds like a good plan.

so today's brilliant lyrics belong to flyleaf.
from the song "Cassie (acoustic)"

...
perfect love kills all fear, rejoice in this deliverance!
They didn't love their life so much
as to shrink from death
inspired in their footsteps,
we will march ahead
Don't be shocked that people die;
be surprised you're still alive

<3

message in a bottle

hey you
you know, you do have a choice
i mean, i'm not saying you should or you shouldnt... in fact, i wont venture to make any suggestion either way. its not my place and i dont trust myself to make that call. cuz i mean, one way you look at it i could just be saying that out of selfishness. but then, if i took the other side, i could be just saying that because its the non-selfish thing to say. i dont know whats best for you, so i wont venture to think that i can take a step back and offer a rational answer. eh?
still though, you seem to be going to such lengths to find a reason NOT to take it.
you do have a choice. if its what you need to do then i support you friend. take it! its really up to you to weigh the one against the option... just dont choose one because you feel like you have to. i dont want you to be miserable, ya know? sometimes you gotta grow up and do the responsible thing, and sometimes you dont stand to gain all that much for the sake of being grown-up.
i guess all i'm saying.. what i think you need to hear.. is that either way is ok, and you needn't feel bad or look for justification either way. you're not going to make a bad call.

<3

p.s.
i may or may not still have my fingers crossed

What's next, God?

so i'm back in my parents house for the time being. i need to be working and making as much money as possible this summer, but finding a job is proving to be slightly more difficult here then in west texas.
I know why i came here.... i followed my heart, just like i've been doing... its time to prepare for the next chapter of my life, making decisions for the better in my life-- some things that feel like sacrifice now for the sake of the bigger picture, so to speak. And now, just like before, i know that God has led me here, and He has yet to leave me hanging so i'm certainly not worried. This job hunting business is getting a little annoying though, truth be told.

another thing that's kindof been in development... even though i came home 100% out of obedience and really for my sake, it was also partially for someone else. i mean this wasnt the reason for me coming home at this time or even a deciding factor, but at the same time i knew that part of me moving ahead with my future and preparing for the next part of my life would include moving ahead with and developing a specific relationship that's a really big part of my life. ok, i know how that sounds. in all honesty and non-mushiness though, it's not just some guy... it's the guy. it's kindof hard to explain or talk about without it sounding like a cliche "i think he's the one" some silly high school couple that follows eachother to a college only one of them really likes or somthing like that. trust me, its nothing like that. certainly there are feelings involved. but, from the rational side, it makes sense that God would include in His timing a time to move forward in relationships as well as professional pursuits. i guess i am kindof using the term "moving forward" loosely though. not a whole lot of outward movement has been made... more like just revelation about the relationship and the future as we both seek God. which is exactly the way it shuold be. this past year has been really trying in regards to this relationship, and i thank God constantly that He is so faithful and has helped us to be faithful. it's a good feeling to know you're exactly where you need to be, headed exactly where you need to be going, and having at least a broad view of where you'll end up, or who you'll end up being there with. i'm just ridiculously thankful that i get to share it with my bff. ok. enough of that. returning from bunny trail...

so with all this time i've had lately in-between job applications and whatnot, i guess i've had alot of time to think. that is, when i haven't been hanging out with friends or studying or being lazy etc. etc. the question i've bumped into a few times is, what's up next, God? i know alot of what to expect in the fall, next year, even some options after i graduate. but what about right now? what am i supposed to be doing right now? right now all i have to be doing is kindof biding my time... resting, relaxing a little, studying and building myself up spiritually, and God willing soon i'll be working a job, saving up monye. i guess i can survive doing just that for a couple of months. its only a couple of months, right?
sigh. how many times will i have to learn patience before i actually understand it? one HUGE thing that i've learned over the past year is that God's timing is perfect, and trying to rush or put things off inevitably turns out completely futile. so... yeah. things'll happen when they happen. in the meantime i'll try not to get restless or impatient...but if i do, don't be too terribly surprised. :p

<3