There Is Love, Love, Love...

After the last tear falls
After the last secret's told
After the last bullet tears through flesh and bone
After the last child starves
And the last girl walks the boulevard
After the last year that's just too hard

There is love
Love, love, love
There is love
Love, love, love
There is love

After the last disgrace
After the last lie to save some face
After the last brutal jab from a poison tongue
After the last dirty politician
After the last meal down at the mission
After the last lonely night in prison

There is love
Love, love, love
There is love
Love, love, love
There is love

And in the end, the end is
Oceans and oceans
Of love and love again
We'll see how the tears that have fallen
Were caught in the palms
Of the Giver of love and the Lover of all
And we'll look back on these tears as old tales

'Cause after the last plan fails
After the last siren wails
After the last young husband sails off to join the war
After the last "this marriage is over"
After the last young girl's innocence is stolen
After the last years of silence that won't let a heart open

There is love
Love, love, love
There is love

And in the end, the end is
Oceans and oceans
Of love and love again
We'll see how the tears that have fallen
Were caught in the palms
Of the Giver of love and the Lover of all
And we'll look back on these tears as old tales

'Cause after the last tear falls
There is love

-Andrew Peterson



What a fascinating concept-When all else fails, there is love. When the world failed, there was love. When Christ had to die for us, there was love. When sin pursues and entangles us, there is love. When to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be, there is love. When I've made mistakes, there is love.

When I'm broken on my knees, there is still love.

The love of God is something that no man can comprehend or even begin to imagine. It is deeper than any ocean on earth's surface, higher than any mountain on any planet, and wider than the universe's whole expanse. It is pursuing, captivating, encompassing, and enduring. It follows us on whatever path we choose to take.

As I sit here in my room on a Monday afternoon, I'm watching the snow fall thick and fast. Watching snow has never made me think about it this way before: There is a covering so white-white as snow-that hides our blemishes and faults from a just and mighty King. And the only reason we are covered by this holiness is because of a man that hung on a bloodstained cross for our iniquities. By His stripes we were healed. By His wounds we are forgiven. And by the thorns that pierced the skin on His head, we will be called sons and daughters of Christ. Watching this Indiana snow fall, I am more and more enthralled by the idea of love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness-By the idea that grace falls like rain and His love covers our sins, to give us the purity, innocence, and wonder of a child that sin stole away. We're made white as snow through a sacrifice of blood.

Someone loves us an awful lot.

Faithfully Waiting,
-Rinny

(This weekend has been really fantastic! On Saturday, I did the boring ins-and-outs of dorm room cleaning, weekend homework, and reading assignments. Then a few girls on the wing watched "Up" and we talked til wee hours of the night. On Sunday, I went to church at IWU's College Church (a bit of a traitor thing to do, I know) and actually loved it. Really great message and wonderful worship. At lunch, I talked with Jamie, our DA, and it was really awesome hearing about her experiences at Taylor over the last four years. She encouraged me to put my roots in Christ, and not in Taylor-something she said she learned the hard way. Later Sunday night (besides celebrating the Colts play-off win!), Megan and I went to a Latin/Zumba dance class at The Well (our on-campus fitness center-super nice!) to get our "dance bug" out. It turned out to be really, really fun and we're hoping that we can make it a Sunday night work-out! I believe that's all the fun stuff for now-Please be praying for us as we have a final on Wednesday, then we head to Michigan until February 1st. Thanks!)

When The Blessings Continue To Be Poured Out...

…We shall continue to praise Him.

Wow! What a crazy few days it has been! After arriving on campus on Saturday, going to church on Sunday, and then reuniting with all the FISPers Sunday night, I’ve had lots of laughs and little sleep. First of all, the blessings I’m receiving are continuing to be poured out, and I’m so grateful. It was wonderful seeing all of my Ireland friends again, and we’ve been able to remember quite a bit about the good old days, when life was perfect and homework was really non-existent.

Honestly, the first two days here were…downers. It wasn’t the same as Ireland, it was really cold, and we had more homework over the last few days than all of our finals combined for Ireland. So, there was (and is continuing to be) a culture shock.
But God is good, and His blessings are endless. The wing that Megan, Leah, and I are on is FANTASTIC (“EIEI 1EO, We came here to let you know, We’re rough, we’re tough, we’re beasts, and you’re gonna be our dinner feasts! 1EO!”) The girls have been super welcoming and encouraging, and almost half of them have been to Ireland through Taylor, so they know where we are and where we’re coming from. Whether it’s the prayer time every night before dinner or the movie watching in our PA’s room, these are women of God and they are such a blessing. Our chapel services have been incredible so far as well and I can’t imagine skipping one for any reason. They’re very real and very insightful.

Second, our Bible Literature class is really, really great. It’s hard, but worth it. Our professor makes the Old Testament come to life and he is challenging us with thoughts, questions, and evidence that will make us think.

Third: Confirmation, confirmation, confirmation has been the theme of this week. This is where I have been especially grateful, as I feel that I have sort of been walking blindly, on faith, about where I’m going. A) Without a doubt, I know I am supposed to be here, now. That has been brought up time and again. B) I am supposed to serve in this community. There are so many options, but I’m looking into a Special Ed program or a homeless shelter/kitchen to be really tied into the community. God has opened door after door for me, and I will no longer wait for Him to push me through. C) I will travel again. Between J-term trips, short missions trips, spring break missions, and the biology pre-med trip to Ecuador, I will go abroad more. The only problem is choosing just one at a time. Taylor has so many options for outreach, and it is unbelievable how missions orientated they are. D) I need to be involved with TWO (Taylor World Outreach) somehow, someway. Again, confirmation has been a big thing this week.

However, our wing chapter is Psalm 40…“I waited patiently upon the Lord”. Megan and I read a devotion about “waiting on the Lord”. I’ve seen it in class and while reading “My Utmost For His Highest”. That’s been another central theme this week-waiting for God. I am also grateful to be at Taylor, because the whole idea is the integration of faith and learning. I feel like it would be so easy to run out and do all those good things at once, but maybe some things God is asking me to wait on. I’m excited to be here, because I want to know how to balance passion and patience.

Well, I have an Old Testament to finish by the 20th, so I have some more reading to do. However, I will keep you all updated about my whereabouts and howabouts!

Enjoy this weather, enjoy this season, enjoy Jesus!
-Rinny