The Time In Between

You were there when your Father said
Let there be light
You obeyed when He whispered
Son, You have to leave tonight
To spend nine months in a mothers womb
Three days in a borrowed tomb

But it’s the time in between
That brings me to my knees
Knowing you came for me
And all that I can't be
I'm amazed, so amazed
And I thank You for the time in between

Don't take much for this crazy world
To rob me of my peace
And the enemy of my soul
Says You’re holding out on me
So I stand here lifting empty hands
For you to fill me up again

But it’s the time in between
That I fall down to my knees
Waiting on what You'll bring
And the things that I can't see
I know my song’s incomplete
Still I'll sing in the time in between

So many ways
Your love has saved the day
And I'm grateful for them all

But it’s the time in between
The middle of two thieves
That says everything
It’s the reason I believe
I'm amazed, so amazed
And I thank you for the time in between
Oh Lord, I thank you for the time in between

Time In Between by Francesca Battestelli

Have you guys ever thought about what Jesus does for us between his life and death? The lessons we learn from the parables he taught? The morals he sets for himself as an example for us? The way he treated people, and how he blessed people in the bible? I've been thinking about how we focus so much on his life and death (which in itself is so amazing).

Shifting gears a little bit, lets talk about what Jesus did for us. The biggest lesson I learned this year so far. We freaking suck at realizing the suffering Jesus went through for us. Not only persecution throughout his life, but a painful, torturous, humiliating death. Why did he die? He didn't do anything wrong. He died for US. We see a deer on the side of the road and feel more sorrow for that dead deer than we do for our savior. You know what I mean? Praise the Lord that he rose from the dead, how cool, but seriously people. Our faith is based on the fact that our Savior died for us, and yet sometimes we feel no emotion towards it.

Chew on that.
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Let me tell you about my life now. It's really good right now. The biggest blessing in my life is my core. They're so freaking great! Cedar Bend went really well. I couldn't have asked for a better weekend, with a better group of people. The weekend wasn't easy for them, or for me. But we all grew. I grew too. I learned so much from them, and I still learn a ton from them. I learn how to love people better. They love each other so much and I can take so much out of that. I'm super blessed to know them all. All of them have so many unique and interesting, and amazing qualities in them. I can seriously see myself becoming better and better friends with them throughout this year, and even the next two years I'll be here. I'm super blessed.

Sometimes, though, I wish I could be a better role model for them, a better encourager for them, and a better PA to them. I feel sometimes that I don't give my all into the group, and I don't like that. The group dynamics are exactly what I prayed for, yet, I feel I could do so much more for them. They deserve to be encouraged more, to be loved more. I think I can do it. Actually, I know I can do it. I'm going to do it.

Classes are still hard, and time consuming. I added a semester so it wouldn't be as hard, but I know I can get through this semester. I'm super blessed to have a few classes that I actually enjoy to keep my mind off of those silly ones that I dislike.

My attitude is sometimes not okay. Sometimes I become too protective of my friend's hearts that it isn't good for me, or them to see. Sometimes I care too much about my friends hearts and not enough on my own. Sometimes I don't even know what I'm feeling about different things, I just worry about what other people are feeling about them.Yet, sometimes I know exactly how I'm feeling and think it's weird that other people think they know what I'm feeling but really have no idea.

At this point in college, here is what I'm feeling. The relationships I have formed now are enough. I don't feel the need to form new friendships with people because I'm not going to be around much longer. My friends are incredible. Don't get me wrong, I love meeting new people, but I can only become deep with people I have deep relationships with. (I'm so glad my core is a part of this). I freaking shared my testimony with them. I don't share that with a lot of people. How cool.

That is really my life. Thank you good and faithful blog readers, and facebook stalkers reading my notes. Please comment if you feel the need. Also, pray that I am an effective leader to my core group. Pray that the Lord will provide me with the tools I need to help further their walks with Christ. That is truly what I want.

Love,
Marc

I'm learning

I'm having the time of my life this year. It's been so refreshing. My core group is really great. They care about each other, and that is so good to see. I can't even compare them to last year. Both great for different reasons. They love the Lord, they love each other, and they love to just hang out and have a good time. I love it. I love watching them thrive, and grow. We go to Cedar Bend on Thursday. I'm excited about that too.

I have incredible friends who love me. I've had so much fun with friends (mainly E&B, and those adventures), and it's been cool to get to know new friends (like Oliver and Aaron). I've had the time of my life.

With all the greatness of this year comes stress. I'm stressed out about this year. I'm taking 17 credits, plus i'm in COR100 with my group, so needless to say, I'm pretty busy. I'm so blessed to have the time to hang out with my friends and core, but this semester has been taking a huge tole on me. I haven't spend nearly enough time with Jesus, and I haven't spend nearly enough time on myself. I've been learning this last week that I need to find more about who I am, and really strive to find who I am through Jesus. I know quite a bit about other people, and forming relationships with other people, but I just don't quite have a grasp on who I am.

This happens quite a bit. I can almost hypothesize it happening every year. I get super weird, quite, and kind of depressed even when I am having fun with people because I simply get burnt out on giving. Sometimes I give more than I have to give to people, and that isn't fair to me, and to them. Even if they don't know it, I can't give something out that I don't have. I've been learning that lately.

So all in all, the Lord has put the right people in my life for the goals I need to accomplish this year. Just please be in prayer for me. Pray that I don't get burnt out. Pray that I find the people who can support me, and that I allow Jesus to spread his love to my heart, so that I can pour out more on people. Pray that I stay encouraged this semester.

I'd love to pray for you too. Just let me know how.