I'm in Dallas

Today I'm attending the Beauty From The Heart Conference in Dallas. I'm very excited!

Why didn't we learn?

I just read the latest World magazine which featured an article on Tienanmen Square because today is the 20th anniversary of the event. Even while depicting the horrible atrocities, the article drove in the point that one of the worst days in China's history became a turning point for the growth of Christianity in China. The number of Christians in China has skyrocketed from just a few decades ago and continues to grow today. Some commentators point to the Chinese people becoming disillusioned with the system of democracy as part of the reason for the rise. Perhaps the Chinese placed their hopes in democracy to save them from an oppressive Communist regime which would thus solve the problems in their lives. But they realized on that day when their emboldened protests came to a bloody and violent stop, that a new government system did not hold all the answers. Only Christ could make things right.

Further on in the magazine, I read another article about an exhibit in New York on “French literature during the Holocaust.” It talked about the corrupt horrors committed in France and the feeling of Antisemitism that still haunts humanity today.

My question is, “Why didn't WW1 and 2 start a Christian revolution and revival?”. After experiencing all of that evilness at the hand of men, why didn't we learn like the Chinese that the only hope in the world is Christ? Why does it seem like Christianity in America has taken a downturn since the mid-20th century? Why did we find, a couple decades later, a generation of rebellion?

When I was little, I hated hearing the news. It was just too scary and I wanted to stay in the happy, innocent world I knew where the worst problem was how to get back at my annoying brother for teasing me. I hated those glimpses of a bigger world that only seemed to have troubles and more troubles. My view was that everyone was sad and depressed because no one knew how to fix anything right. But now that I'm older, I see more clearly not only how naive I was, but, ironically, I also see how my childish perception caught much of the truth of reality. The world does have a lot of problems, mankind can't solve them, and people are scared. But I was ignorant of the fact that I don't need to be scared.

Now, by seeing this senseless violence, I better understand the extent of how depraved our world is. And I think it's right to understand that because in the midst of human hopelessness, Christ shines brighter. He is Sovereign. He is all-powerful. He is our Answer.

Enabling Comments

It's the beginning of June and time for a change. Under the encouragement of some friends, I've enabled comments for Hastings Haven. I disabled comments near the beginning of this blog, and recently I've been thinking about allowing comments, but was hesitant for two reasons:

1. It might become another way to spend too much time on the computer.

2. I should write for an audience of One.

But here's what I've decided (at least at this point).

1. I told one of my friends this first reason, and she said that comments are one of those things that are not bad in and of themselves. Rather, as she noted, "It's all in what you make of it". I think that's very true. So I'm going to give commenting a chance, and if it does end up being a time distraction, I'll disable them again.

2. I think everyone should always do things for an audience of One. But I still have so very much to learn, and as the Body of Christ, we can help each other grow stronger. As long as comments are used to "build each other up" (1 Thess. 5:11) and don't tear one another down, I think that comments can be used to edify and encourage.

With all that said, you are welcome to comment! Even if you just want to say "Hi", I'm always happy to hear from you.

How Twins Are Made

Worship

Worship: An expression overflowing from a delight in the Soveriegn goodness of the Father, the forgiving love of Jesus Christ, and the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit.

Oh Lord, You are so wonderful to us all.

One year ago today...

One year ago today, a special part of my life died. The woman who taught me how to read and helped shape my worldview breathed her last breath on earth, and life as I knew it would forever change. February 12 might be just another day for many, but for me it holds a deeper meaning--the anniversary of a bygone saint: my grandmother, Virginia “Granny” Hastings.

A wash of memories has poured over me today. I see myself washing the dishes with her, arguing across the table with my brother Paul while she would listen in and occasionally referee, showing her the books someone gave me, complaining that fractions are too hard, playing my new game with her, receiving a reminder to practice piano, ranting about the travails of growing up as she patiently listened, watching her dice tomatoes, re-living the weekend as I told her about my most recent adventures, riding to my weekly piano lesson, watching Antiques Roadshow together, listening to her tell stories about her life as a little girl. The memories extend for years...

My grandma was more than my cook, cleaner, home school teacher, babysitter, and even more than just my grandma. She was one of my best friends. I write this as I sit in the house where she lived. The house where I would come over and eat her home-cooked scrambled eggs in the morning, run to when I had a hurting boo-boo, a new joke, a funny idea, a hard math problem, a new dress, or gum in my hair. And one year ago, it was here where I sat in the rocker by my grandma’s hospice bed, listening to her breaths strain for more air as her lungs failed her, the feeding tube automatically cranking in more food from time to time, the gentle hum of the oxygen tank providing pure oxygen through the tube. Gradually her breathing slowed and then stopped altogether. There was no need for the machines anymore so we turned them off around 6:30 p.m. One year ago.

Life is different without Granny around. No more kisses on my “ouch”ies. Two less listening ears to share my thoughts. I miss the hugs. I miss all of her.

Nevertheless, God has been faithful, and I’ve come to find a new kind of normal.

While I was writing this, the phone in her house just rang. Only my family calls this phone anymore, so I picked it up expecting my mom or dad.

“Hello?”

“Hi, this is Jeff with Feature Films for Families. Is Virginia there?”

“Um, well, she’s…"

Talk about awkward. What am I supposed to say?

“She’s unavailable.”

“Well, I’ll just call back another time.”

"Actually, she won’t be avail…”

“Thank you.” Click.

You can call again, Jeff, but she will never pick up the phone.

I’m only now beginning to realize the effects of one of my grandma’s actions: her prayers for me. I always knew she did that, but I never gave it that much thought. The fruit of those prayers will continue to reap a harvest long after she’s gone. And now I can’t even begin to thank her. Literally, I can’t. At least not face to face.

Learning from the past can be difficult to do because there’s a question necessary to ask, but hard to answer. Do I wish I had done things differently? Sure, I do wish some things had been different. I think the answer anyone would give if they were honest with themselves is “Yes”. And I’m no exception. Now I see things that sometimes I lacked in showing her: respect, compassion, obedience, patience, and understanding. At times, I assumed she just wouldn’t understand what was happening so I wouldn’t bother to explain.

What does it mean to live with no regrets? There are no more chances to do it over again with Granny. But as long as there are others in my life, there’s still opportunity for change.

The greatest lesson I learned is not one my grandma verbally told me, but one that her life and my life shared. No one is ever too old or too young to influence someone else’s life. For all of you current and future grandparents, you don’t have to be a see-you-on-the-holidays-grandparent, but instead you can be involved in the greatest treasure God has given you--your posterity. My grandparents made the choice to live close by to their grandkids, whether or not that made their life easier or harder. And by doing so, they became the molders that shaped the next generation, because my brothers and I are the ones who remain even after their lives on earth have come to an end. I can never thank them enough for the lessons taught, the memories given, and the legacy passed on--simply by being there for me.

One year ago today, my grandma died. But that’s not how I think of it. One year ago today, my grandma finished the work on earth that God had for her to do, and then she went to her real home to be with Jesus.

Pray for Tyler Farver

My fellow Rebelutionary, NCFCA competitor, and dear friend Hannah Farver has requested prayer for her brother, Tyler. Apparently, he was in an ATV accident this morning (January 17th), and is in an extremely serious condition. To follow Tyler's progress and read more updates, you can visit Hannah's blog: www.beautyfromtheheart.org/2009/01/urgent-prayer-request.html.

"But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love..." Psalm 33:18

Mary's Dream

Mary's Dream ~Author Unknown

"I had a dream, Joseph, I don't understand it, not really, but I think it was about a birthday celebration for our Son. I think that was what it was all about. The people had been preparing for it for about six weeks. They had decorated the house and bought new clothes. They'd gone shopping many times and bought elaborate gifts. It was peculiar, though, because the presents weren't for our Son.


"They wrapped them in beautiful paper and tied them with lovely bows and stacked them under a tree. Yes, a tree, Joseph, right in their house. They'd decorated the tree also. The branches were full of glowing balls and sparkling ornaments. There was a figure on the top of the tree. It looked like an angel might look. Oh, it was beautiful.

"Everyone was laughing and happy. They were all excited about the gifts. They gave the gifts to each other, Joseph, not to our Son. I don't think they even knew Him. They never mentioned His name. Doesn't it seem odd for people to go to all that trouble to celebrate someone's birthday if they don't know Him?

"I had the strangest feeling that if our Son had gone to this celebration He would have been intruding. Everything was so beautiful, Joseph, and everyone so full of cheer, but it made me want to cry. How sad for Jesus - not to be wanted at His own birthday celebration.

"I'm glad it was only a dream. How terrible, Joseph, if it had been real."

The Enemy of Thankgiving

There is a very devious enemy who revels in residing inside a person's heart undetected to the victim. It wages battle every day against you and me. When this enemy wins even a bit of ground, it's hard to truly be grateful for what God has given us. It hinders authentic thanksgiving.

Our foe's name is Pride. Even while God has extended the riches of His grace to a sinful humanity, nevertheless we cannot seem to comprehend or appreciate what that means because of a pride-filled heart. For some the question pertains to "Why do I need a Savior when I'm as good as I am?", but for most Christians pride manifests itself through looking down on others, a judgmental spirit, criticism, and the need for approval (which is our ego needing to be coddled).

How can I be thankful for what others have done if I'm centered on the "good" which I have done? Why count the blessings I have received from God when I get a good feeling from the "blessings" I have bestowed? The answer is because nothing I have done is anything compared to the good and the mercy God has given. Nothing. Our pride suffocates when we die to ourselves at the foot of the Cross. Herein lies our daily battle.

Quotes On Pride:

Jonathan Edwards:

[Pride] is . . . the first sin that ever entered into the universe and the last that is rooted out. It is God’s most stubborn enemy!

"Pride is much more difficult to be discerned than any other corruption because of its very nature. That is, pride is a person having too high an opinion of himself. Is it any surprise, then, that a person who has too high an opinion of himself is unaware of it?"

Charles Spurgeon:

"Pride is self-deceit. Those who are sure that they have no pride are probably the proudest of all. Those who are proud of their humility are proud indeed. The confidence that we are not deceived may only prove the completeness of the deception under which we labor.”

C. S. Lewis:

"The essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere flea-bites in comparison. It was through Pride that the devil became the devil. Pride leads to every other vice. It is the complete anti-God state of mind.

If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realize that one is proud. If you think you’re not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed."

John Stott:

"At every stage of our Christian development and in every sphere of our Christian discipleship, pride is the greatest enemy and humility our greatest friend."

God:

"But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word." (Is. 66:2)

"But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' " (James 4:6)

60 Seconds With A Living Hero of the Faith

Author, pastor, and theologian John Piper is one of my modern day heroes of the faith. I love his books, his teaching, and his ministry Desiring God. All of it has helped me to more fully grasp the message and heart of the gospel as well as to understand that the purpose of man is to be completely satisfied and happy with God as our supreme treasure in life. Dr. Piper opened my eyes to the beauty of Christian Hedonism. When my family found out John Piper had a Desiring God conference coming to Austin, we immediately decided to attend the event, giving up a debate Round Robin and my last cross-country meet of the season.

After all of that, do I even need I to expound on how special this picture is to me?

James 3: A Story

Here's a great short film made by Desiring God ministries. My brother Pat posted it on his blog.

Growing Up

Hour after hour, day after day, week after week. It all adds up, and we grow older.

Today, I turn fifteen. 15. I like it. It seems good. I guess I have a year to find out.

But it makes me think. If every birthday is a chapter in my life, then one day I'll find out that I'm on the last chapter, right? Chapter 78, Chapter 53, Chapter 36, or maybe Chapter 15. Will I look back and wish the storyline had been different?

Sometimes I wish I could be a teenager forever - full of energy, ability, and potential. But sooner or later I'll die (yes, that's blunt). What will matter then? What will last? People who know me will die too, and I will lie forgotten 6 feet under the ground. Sounds depressing now, yet even if my existence is forgotten here on earth, I don't think that I'll care at the time. I'll be too busy worshiping God. He knows my name among millions of others.

As I grow older, the question pops up all the time, "What are you going to do?" The answer is found in pondering what the point of life is and consequently how I should live my brief chapters. Of course, live to the fullest. Sure, live all out. Take the risk. But that will still fade away. What does it mean to leave a legacy? Is that important anyway?

Last week, I read Ecclesiastes. It is a very depressing book about the futility of life and how everything we do is a "vanity of vanities". Oh, how it resonated with my heart as I reflected on how true it was! Is there anything that is not just "striving into the wind"? At the very end of the book comes the answer:

"This is the conclusion when all has been heard, fear God and keep his commandments." ~Ecclesiastes 12:13

It sums up what life is about: God.

Of course, I've known for years that "the purpose of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever" as the Westminster catechism says. Sure, I agree, but it was so generic that I could never fully grasp how that truth specifically applied to my life. But now I have a better understanding because of...a tomato.

Co-Creator of VeggieTales and voice of Bob the Tomato, Phil Vischer recently told his life story at a chapel service at Baylor University. God gave Vischer a big idea to create Christian children's animated films, and it became an actual reality as his company, Big Idea, began to thrive and reach out to thousands of families all across the world. Then it all came crashing down due to finances and some unwise business decisions. The company closed and was auctioned to a secular company, and Vischer lost it all. Amidst a very trying time, Vischer asked God why He would give someone a big dream, grow it into a thriving ministry reaching thousands, and then let it die?

It was then that Phil Vischer heard the quote I wrote in my last post:

"He who has God plus many things has nothing more than he who has God alone."

That quote helped me understand that the only thing that matters in life is God. Nothing else matters. The purpose of life is "To know God and to make Him known" as the famous slogan goes. And now I understand it. If all I ever did was know God closer and deeper, I would have lived my life well. Only one thing makes life meaningful: God. He is so great, transcendent, merciful, righteous, and gracious that He commands us to "love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength" (Mark 12:30). Everything really does mean EVERYTHING.

Life is about God. It seems like I'm saying the obvious. I guess I am. But I pray it becomes more and more real in each of our lives this coming year.

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness. And all these things shall be added unto you." ~Matt. 6:23

God Alone

"He who has God plus many things has nothing more than he who has God alone." - C.S. Lewis

Think about that quote. That means:

"He who has God plus a wonderful, godly family has nothing more than he who has God alone."

"He who has God plus a beautiful house and fancy car has nothing more than he who has God alone."

'"He who has God plus a perfect SAT score has nothing more than he who has God alone."

"He who has God plus a thriving ministry reaching thousands has nothing more than he who has God alone."

It's easy for jealousy to creep under our skin when we look at the possessions, the gifts, the talents, the circumstances, the family, or the ministry other Christians have. But in reality, it's all about Him. Nothing else. It's all about Jesus. God alone.

Christa Taylor is hosting a Modesty Carnival for the next couple of weeks. Check it out!

See Spot Run

Sports is one of those areas that I believe has been idolized by pop culture which exalts outward appearances and temporal things. The "in" crowd at schools are made up of the Football Stars and the Cheerleaders. You notice that the heartthrobs in tween/teen movies such as "High School Musical" and "Air Bud" are captains of their sport. Apparently today: Sports Star=Cool=Popular.

Of course, there is the other side of the issue that of not exercising enough which is very prevalent as well. The "People-Don't-Get-Enough-Exercise-Because-Their-On-Their-Video-Games, -Ipods, -Laptops, -and TVs" statistics are true. The obesity statistics can prove that they're true. Or for some teens (like a lot of home schoolers who mostly read, study, practice music, and use the internet), they simply don't eat much so that they don't have to exercise yet can still remain thin.

Balance. That's the magical word. The key is keeping our body fit, active, and strong while not letting it define you, plant pride, do it for attention, take over too much of our time, or make our bodies an obsession. Easier said than done though, right? Sometimes we find ourselves leaning both ways... at the same time... because it is hard to live out a "healthy" balance (no pun intended). We'll never do it perfectly.

I love playing many sports (my favorite is Ultimate Frisbee). I played on the community basketball team from grades K-6th. It was fun, but playing beyond that point wasn't an option. So now I run. I ran in the fall of 05 and 06 with a home-school cross-country team. In 07 there was no team. This year my team has been practicing pre-season during the summer, and our first meet of the year is this Saturday in Wimberly. Hello Pain, Heat, and Total Exhaustion, I'm expecting to meet you.

My modern day running hero is Ryan Hall. He's a solid Christian who ran the Marathon in Beijing for the U.S. getting 10th place in the world. In this video he was still training for the Olympic trials, but it tells his testimony and he shares how running brings him closer to God. Check it out:

Brother's Blog. Bookfair. Rebelution.

Just to let you know, lately I've been posting on my brother Paul's blog. I'd like to say that I'll post more often on here now, but I can make no promises. You'll just have to wait and see. Quite honestly, blogging is not high on my priority list, and I hope that reading my blog is not high on your list either. =)

Today, my family went to the homeschool bookfair, and we head out tomorrow morning at 4:30 am to attend The Rebelution Conference in Dallas! I AM SO EXCITED! Please pray for a safe trip tomorrow both ways (it's going to be a long day), and check out the Rebelution website.

My Newest Cousin

Introducing Leah Sirin Mynhier! She was born on Tuesday, May 20, 2008, at 5:20 a.m., and I absolutely love all 6 pounds and 12 ounces of her. Oh, what a precious darling (only a girl would say that :-)!

Disregarded Beauty

Life is more beautiful than any of us can begin to understand. And normally we don't even try to comprehend. The glory of just being alive. Of breathing fresh air, tasting the goodness of milk, listening to trees rustle or a Casting Crowns song, soaking in the rain, a little girl's smile, laughing at a joke Paul told, the gleam of the sun on the skyscrapers in downtown. Oh, life is so full and vibrant and delightful, if we only look around, and take the time to saturate ourselves. To count our blessings.

But we become busy, and we forget. Instead, we get caught up in the ruts, the rituals, the things that aren't going our way. If only our happiness was content with God's way and not our way. Everything would be so much easier. But our desires and sin nature won't let that happen. Praise God for sanctification.

God, please mold my will, my heart, and my desires to where you want them to be. To be content in all circumstances. Help me to surrender. And everyday to see the beauty in life.

Of course, there will still be the times when we feel like nothing can get rid of the pain, the grief, the hurt. BUT...

"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Ps 18:2

Sometimes, healing is even more beautiful because we come closer to our Comforter.

By far, the most beautiful thing in the world, is the grace of God. Oh, how sweet the sound! I fall so, so, so short of being consumed with the gospel, short of being gripped and awed by the cross, and short of living it out. But that's why I'm thankful he gives me grace, and picks me right back up to keep moving forward.

This is the heart of my journey for the rest of my life.

~Christy

Paul Graduates

Paul graduates from high school at 2:00 pm this afternoon. We've waited for this day for a long time. I am extremely excited.

The Norris Family

Recently, I've been reminiscing over memories from our church's family mission trip to Morelia, Mexico in January of 2007 (here was my post about it). Imagine my surprise when the other day, I came across this page about the Mexico missionaries our church supports, the Norris family. Currently, the kids are actually 6 years older than the website states. I also found a testimony by Mr. and Mrs. Norris here. They work with Christian Missions In Many Lands (CMML). I'm privileged to know such a warm, open family dedicated to serving God wherever He leads, even when it means overcoming the obstacle of a different language and culture. May God bless their ministry.

~Christy