If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him (1 Corinthians 8:2-3).

As a student of Moody Bible Institute, I often suppose that I know many things.  Especially things concerning God and His Word.  Systematic theology is a puddle of information that I must soak in, to ensure a diploma and a life of service to God.  But then there are moments (such as this one) in which I realize that my supposed knowledge concerning soteriology, pneumatology, eschatology and other such ologies grant me nothing more than a head full of knowledge, which often does nothing more than make one arrogant.  Sure, there must be a place for such knowledge, but I'm learning that such a place is not necessarily close to the heart of God, which is where I so long to be. 

Over the past three years of study, seeking all the knowledge I could find concerning God and all He encompasses (which is quite a lot!), I have found one simple truth to be useful:

It doesn't matter what I know... What matters is that God knows me.

I love Him.  I desire His presence with me and His word in me.  Not so that I can know about Him, but so that I can be known by Him.  There is no greater knowledge, after all, than the knowledge that I am known by the dearest and best in all that exists.  It's no wonder the psalmist cried, "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me!" (Psalm 139:6)

Father, as I begin this fourth and final year of Bible school, I pray that you would form within me a love for you that is so pure that all the knowledge I could retain about you would mean nothing to me compared to being known by you.  Thank you for knowing me as you do.  Help me only to love you as you deserve.

So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.  For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.  Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall...
Lord, I long to enter into Your eternal rest!  Yet for now I am so thankful for the glorious rest you have given me -- a rest not from my physical labor on earth, but from my spiritual striving to find salvation in my own merit.  Thank You, Jesus, for the work You did on the cross, that I may rest in You and cease my own work for Your favor.

Yet, what an interesting paradox I find here... "Be diligent" to enter Your "rest."  In other words, I must strive not to strive!  May I ever strive only for Your glorious rest, Oh Lord!

I don't normally like to use my blog as a journal, detailing all the day's activities.  But yesterday's activities were particularly wonderful, so I have to share them!  Eric planned a very lovely dinner, reserving a table at (le) Bistro Zinc, an authentic French restaurant very close to our place.  Despite my annoying insistence to pry out of him the location of our dinner, he remained strong and able to surprise me with this remarkable choice.  Although the meal was a little more expensive than our typical evening out, it was worth every penny!  ym...  Steak & Frites... delectable.  After having spent a few months in France, I can say that this was definitely the most authentic French atmosphere I've experienced since then.  If you live in Chicago and love all things French, you must check it out!  (It's just a short walk from Europa bookstore, too, if you enjoy reading books in foreign languages like French, Italian and German...)  I only wish I had room left for le crepes de chocolat!







Amazing, eh?  I've fallen in love with Portuguese music... on Valentine's Day, no less.  It was such a lovely Valentine's surprise, between the charming French bistro and the enchanting Portuguese music... Definitely a day to remember.  Or at least to blog about, so that perhaps I may remember...  :)


*I say "supposedly" because we still aren't totally sure if that song was actually Portuguese or, oddly enough, Croatian.  Every bit of information we find about it seems to lay claim to Croatian.  However, after performing it, a few people came up to me proclaiming that they loved the Portuguese song... including a woman who was from Portugal and understood every word of it!!  But when I talked to a guy there whose parents are Brazillian, he said he could not understand it and believes it was Croatian.  Aiaiaia!  So, I really have no idea what language it is, but the Portuguese lady seems to be the most reasonable resource in this investigation...  If you ever get a chance to look up "U Plavu Zoru" by Pink Martini, I'd love to hear your side of this story!