So, I decided to start chipping away at my "I'm finally out of school and can read some of what I want to" reading list by reading "the me I want to be" by John Ortberg. I really think it will be a good one to read as I am beginning a new phase in my life. As I read the book, I will post some of my reflections and some of my favorite quotes from the book on this blog. Any thoughts are welcome! It should be a great conversation :~)
Chapter 1: Learn Why God Made You
Reflections
Around the same time I started reading this book I came across an amazing son by FFH. The song is called “I Want Your Best”. The second verse says,
“I’m trying hard to keep from giving you advice,
It’s like teaching Shakespeare how to write,
Or Monet the way to paint another scene.
But there’s just something in this amateur that thinks
That my opinions what you need on how to work in me.
But I am only clay, and clay probably shouldn’t speak.
I want your best.
But what if your best is brokenness,
Would I be broken?
I want your best.
But what if it’s less than what I ask
Or what I’m hopin’?
What if your best is here in the waiting,
Here in the going through the motions?
I’d still be trusting all I am,
And all I have,
And nothing less,
To Potter’s hands.”
In chapter one Ortberg states, “It is humbling that I cannot be anything I want. I don’t get to create myself. I accept myself as God’s gift to me and accept becoming that person as God’s task set before me.” God is the creator of the ends of the earth, the potter in other words, and we are his creation, the clay. When the Bible speaks of new creation, it is not suggesting that we will be exchanged, but that we will be restored… redeemed… to our God-designed uniqueness. There is a me that I want to be but I don’t get to create myself and I don’t get to request that God make me a certain person. The me we all should want to be is the me that God created us to be.
Quotes
Life is not about any particular achievement or experience. The most important task of your life is not what you do, but who you become.
Your “spiritual life” is not limited to certain devotional activities that you engage in. It is receiving power from the Spirit of God to become the person that God had in mind when he created you – his handiwork.
God made you to flourish – to receive life from outside yourself, creating vitality within yourself and producing blessing beyond yourself.
Your uniqueness is God-designed.
God wants you to become a “new creation”. But “new” doesn’t mean completely different…
God wants to redeem you, not exchange you.
It is humbling that I cannot be anything I want. I don’t get to create myself. I accept myself as God’s gift to me and accept becoming that person as God’s task set before me.
Your longing to become all you were meant to be is a tiny echo of God’s longing to begin the new creation.
“The me God made me to be” is measured by my capacity to love. When we live in love, we flourish.
I asked a wise man, “How do you assess the well-being of your soul?”
He immediately said, “I ask myself two questions”:
~ Am I growing more easily discouraged these days?
~ Am I growing more easily irritated these days?
At the core of a flourishing soul are the love of God and the peace of God. If peace is growing in my, I am less easily discouraged. If love is growing, I am less easily irritated.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
What College Taught Me...
I used to think that my college education was defined by the amount of knowledge I attained while sitting in a chair in a classroom listening lecture number 91,279,047,553,851...but there is so much more to it than that. Now that I am a graduate of Ohio Northern University I can look back and say that the most important things I gained from my experience were not the lessons I learned in the classroom. The most important things I learned were those that changed my approach to life outside of the classroom.
What I know now that I didn't know then...
#1 ~ People are worth it...
Every late night (or all-nighter) I had to spend working,
Every test I didn't study for until the hour before,
Every paper I had to beg for an extension to complete,
Every presentation I finished writing as I was walking to (or sitting in) class,
Every meeting I missed,
Every practice I left early (or woke up at 5am to get in),
Every class I skipped (because I had to sleep at some point),
Every chapter of every text book that I never read,
was absolutely undoubtedly worth...
Every movie I watched for the 3848750038 time,
Every story I told over and over again, laughing harder every time,
Every pancake I ate at 10pm,
Every cup of coffee I had at Northern on Main,
Every dinner I ate out that I couldn't afford,
Every pizza ordered at midnight,
Every spontaneous but necessary drive home,
Every smile shared,
Every tear shed,
Every joy lived and re-lived,
Every fear embraced and conquered,
Every one of the people in my life.
I will admit that when I started college I expected to finish knowing what I was going to do with the rest of my life (or at least the next stage of my life). If I would have maintained that expectation I would be writing this as an absolute failure. Instead I decided that if I could finish with any idea of what God wanted me to do and where he wanted me to be, I would be satisfied. Today I don't know what exactly God is calling me to but that's okay. Its quite the accomplishment to honestly say that I'm trying to follow the path that God has set before me. The ability to distinguish between what God is doing in me, with me, for me, and through me, and what God wants me to do for him is a difficult dialectic. I can say that I have made this distinction. Success!
#3 ~ It really is who you know...
If I didn't know my high school English teacher I would not have been in Ohio after I graduated high school nor would I be a member of Stillwater UMC. If I didn't attend Stillwater I would not know the family that I live with now nor have an interest in multi-site ministry or the United Methodist Church. Knowing this family allowed me to finish my Associate's Degree at Sinclair Community College. If I didn't know a member of the Board of Trustees for Ohio Northern I would not have transferred to ONU after completing my AA at Sinclair. If I would not have known this Board Member I would not have known the people I had to ask for money to pay my tuition and would not have graduated with my Bachelor's Degree. If I wouldn't have known my Uncle in Nashville, TN who owns The Diekhoff Company, I would not be moving to Nashville and working for his company as a church liaison. What's more important than knowing all of these people? Being willing to let God use these people in my life.
#4 ~ Humility is strength...
This lesson builds on #3. Knowing the right people and meeting new people are important, but if you can't humble yourself enough to ask them for help, to let God use them, the benefit is lost. Networking is a great tool but so is a hammer. Tools are only valuable if you use them. If you need help, ask for it. If you don't know, say so. If you're wrong, admit it. You will be stronger for it.
#5 ~ Balance is everything...
There will always be things on your "to do" list. There will always be relationships that require your time. There will always be hobbies and interests that you want to stay involved in. There will always be a God who deserves everything that you can give (and a whole lot more). There will always be...
All of these things matter. Life is one heck of a juggling act. So set your priorities accordingly (making room for yourself and that which energizes you). Keep your balance!
#6 ~ Hallmark is still around...
...and for good reason.
Every month my grandmother sent me an allowance check in a greeting card. You would think that as a poor college student the check would be the most exciting part of receiving that card. It turns out that the most important part was knowing that when I was overwhelmed, overextended, overworked, and beyond stressed, someone was thinking and praying about me because they love me. No amount on that check could make up for the note that I received on that card every month. For anyone who is surprised that Hallmark is still making greeting cards...mark my words. There is a reason.
What I know now that I didn't know then...
#1 ~ People are worth it...
Every late night (or all-nighter) I had to spend working,
Every test I didn't study for until the hour before,
Every paper I had to beg for an extension to complete,
Every presentation I finished writing as I was walking to (or sitting in) class,
Every meeting I missed,
Every practice I left early (or woke up at 5am to get in),
Every class I skipped (because I had to sleep at some point),
Every chapter of every text book that I never read,
was absolutely undoubtedly worth...
Every movie I watched for the 3848750038 time,
Every story I told over and over again, laughing harder every time,
Every pancake I ate at 10pm,
Every cup of coffee I had at Northern on Main,
Every dinner I ate out that I couldn't afford,
Every pizza ordered at midnight,
Every spontaneous but necessary drive home,
Every smile shared,
Every tear shed,
Every joy lived and re-lived,
Every fear embraced and conquered,
Every one of the people in my life.
The time that I spent with the people that I care about is time that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. I can always make more money but there are only 24 hours in a day. This was time well spent.
I will admit that when I started college I expected to finish knowing what I was going to do with the rest of my life (or at least the next stage of my life). If I would have maintained that expectation I would be writing this as an absolute failure. Instead I decided that if I could finish with any idea of what God wanted me to do and where he wanted me to be, I would be satisfied. Today I don't know what exactly God is calling me to but that's okay. Its quite the accomplishment to honestly say that I'm trying to follow the path that God has set before me. The ability to distinguish between what God is doing in me, with me, for me, and through me, and what God wants me to do for him is a difficult dialectic. I can say that I have made this distinction. Success!
#3 ~ It really is who you know...
If I didn't know my high school English teacher I would not have been in Ohio after I graduated high school nor would I be a member of Stillwater UMC. If I didn't attend Stillwater I would not know the family that I live with now nor have an interest in multi-site ministry or the United Methodist Church. Knowing this family allowed me to finish my Associate's Degree at Sinclair Community College. If I didn't know a member of the Board of Trustees for Ohio Northern I would not have transferred to ONU after completing my AA at Sinclair. If I would not have known this Board Member I would not have known the people I had to ask for money to pay my tuition and would not have graduated with my Bachelor's Degree. If I wouldn't have known my Uncle in Nashville, TN who owns The Diekhoff Company, I would not be moving to Nashville and working for his company as a church liaison. What's more important than knowing all of these people? Being willing to let God use these people in my life.
#4 ~ Humility is strength...
This lesson builds on #3. Knowing the right people and meeting new people are important, but if you can't humble yourself enough to ask them for help, to let God use them, the benefit is lost. Networking is a great tool but so is a hammer. Tools are only valuable if you use them. If you need help, ask for it. If you don't know, say so. If you're wrong, admit it. You will be stronger for it.
#5 ~ Balance is everything...
There will always be things on your "to do" list. There will always be relationships that require your time. There will always be hobbies and interests that you want to stay involved in. There will always be a God who deserves everything that you can give (and a whole lot more). There will always be...
All of these things matter. Life is one heck of a juggling act. So set your priorities accordingly (making room for yourself and that which energizes you). Keep your balance!
#6 ~ Hallmark is still around...
...and for good reason.
Every month my grandmother sent me an allowance check in a greeting card. You would think that as a poor college student the check would be the most exciting part of receiving that card. It turns out that the most important part was knowing that when I was overwhelmed, overextended, overworked, and beyond stressed, someone was thinking and praying about me because they love me. No amount on that check could make up for the note that I received on that card every month. For anyone who is surprised that Hallmark is still making greeting cards...mark my words. There is a reason.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Winter Update Letter!
Grace and peace to you and yours!
I pray that you are receiving this letter at a time of joy and comfort this holiday season. I am writing because it is that time again. What a blessing it is to be able to share life with all of you in a variety of ways. So many things have happened since this summer, I hardly know where to start.
My summer internship at Central Ave. UMC turned out to be a fantastic experience. It has served as an opportunity to learn more about myself and God’s will for my life, as well as a springboard for future opportunities. It was designed to facilitate an exploration of calling and I discovered a calling in multi-site church development. I hope to pursue a vocation in this field of ministry but only time will tell. As a result of this discovery, I decided to drop my religion major to a minor and take additional classes of interest. So far I’ve taken a class on Entrepreneurship and a class on Personal Selling.
In addition to it being a great experience, I was able to walk away from the internship with tangible skills. One in particular is the ability to tell my story as more than a testimony, as a sermon. Since this summer, I have traveled to a couple of churches to preach and I enjoy every minute of it. Through relationships I’ve made this summer, I have been able to speak in other contexts as well, such as a Young Life leaders retreat.
Since the start of the school year, I have also been attempting to build my professional network. I’ve had the opportunity to meet with leaders in multi-site churches and church consulting from Ohio and Tennessee. The meetings are always interesting and educational. I have made some great connections! As I continue to work on models and processes to assist churches with multi-site development, I know the information gathered through these connections and the connections themselves are priceless.
Unfortunately, due to the amount of time and energy I have given to these endeavors, I’ve had to shuffle around my campus activities. I am no longer an active member of the golf team, as of the end of fall season. I will continue to support the team in the spring, however, I will not practice every day or compete. My other campus activities have continued. I lead two small groups, one as a Bible study and one as a life group. I am the Event Coordinator for the Collegiate Entrepreneur’s Organization. I sit on the Student Advisory Board for the Communication Department of the Arts and Sciences College. Last but not least, I sing in People of Worship which is an outreach ministry through the chapel.
My last new development is…a job! Beginning on January 5th, I will work for the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church as a conference consultant specializing in youth work. The contract runs through June and only demands 15 hours of time a week. It’s a step in the right direction!
At this point in my life, so many things change so quickly. For more frequent updates and thoughts, follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/TAShanks, on Facebook at facebook.com/tiffanie.shanks or on my blog at tiffanieinministry.blogspot.com. I’m not sure what life will look like after graduation in May but I know that God is in control. When the time is right I’ll know the plan. Until then I’m enjoying the ride!
In Christ,
Philipians 1:3
Tiffanie ♥
I pray that you are receiving this letter at a time of joy and comfort this holiday season. I am writing because it is that time again. What a blessing it is to be able to share life with all of you in a variety of ways. So many things have happened since this summer, I hardly know where to start.
My summer internship at Central Ave. UMC turned out to be a fantastic experience. It has served as an opportunity to learn more about myself and God’s will for my life, as well as a springboard for future opportunities. It was designed to facilitate an exploration of calling and I discovered a calling in multi-site church development. I hope to pursue a vocation in this field of ministry but only time will tell. As a result of this discovery, I decided to drop my religion major to a minor and take additional classes of interest. So far I’ve taken a class on Entrepreneurship and a class on Personal Selling.
In addition to it being a great experience, I was able to walk away from the internship with tangible skills. One in particular is the ability to tell my story as more than a testimony, as a sermon. Since this summer, I have traveled to a couple of churches to preach and I enjoy every minute of it. Through relationships I’ve made this summer, I have been able to speak in other contexts as well, such as a Young Life leaders retreat.
Since the start of the school year, I have also been attempting to build my professional network. I’ve had the opportunity to meet with leaders in multi-site churches and church consulting from Ohio and Tennessee. The meetings are always interesting and educational. I have made some great connections! As I continue to work on models and processes to assist churches with multi-site development, I know the information gathered through these connections and the connections themselves are priceless.
Unfortunately, due to the amount of time and energy I have given to these endeavors, I’ve had to shuffle around my campus activities. I am no longer an active member of the golf team, as of the end of fall season. I will continue to support the team in the spring, however, I will not practice every day or compete. My other campus activities have continued. I lead two small groups, one as a Bible study and one as a life group. I am the Event Coordinator for the Collegiate Entrepreneur’s Organization. I sit on the Student Advisory Board for the Communication Department of the Arts and Sciences College. Last but not least, I sing in People of Worship which is an outreach ministry through the chapel.
My last new development is…a job! Beginning on January 5th, I will work for the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church as a conference consultant specializing in youth work. The contract runs through June and only demands 15 hours of time a week. It’s a step in the right direction!
At this point in my life, so many things change so quickly. For more frequent updates and thoughts, follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/TAShanks, on Facebook at facebook.com/tiffanie.shanks or on my blog at tiffanieinministry.blogspot.com. I’m not sure what life will look like after graduation in May but I know that God is in control. When the time is right I’ll know the plan. Until then I’m enjoying the ride!
In Christ,
Philipians 1:3
Tiffanie ♥
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas!
When I think about Christmas I think about three things…faith, hope and love. Imagine that? I don’t think of them in that order though. See, I first think about hope. I think about what great hope the followers of Jesus in the 1st century could have in the fact that God had chosen to come down as the Son of Man to be our salvation. He came down to bring us out! But, where do we get our hope? “Faith is the substance of all things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.” Our hope comes from our faith that Jesus is the Son of God, sent by God to be crucified, dead and buried, and to rise again. But that doesn’t happen until Easter. Nowadays its only a few months between Christmas and Easter. In the 1st century there were 33 years between Christmas and Easter. 33 years of faith. 33 years of believing in things that they hadn’t seen happen yet. So, faith in what? Faith in knowing that God has sent His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Why, would God do something like that? “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” Because He loves us THAT much.
So, when I think about Christmas, why do I think about faith, hope, and love? Because that’s all we really get until Easter! We get faith that Jesus is God’s only Son, hope in God's promise to his nation, and the love of God's sacrifice.
So, when I think about Christmas, why do I think about faith, hope, and love? Because that’s all we really get until Easter! We get faith that Jesus is God’s only Son, hope in God's promise to his nation, and the love of God's sacrifice.
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