Discipleship, Milk Shakes and C.S. Lewis

Our first week of school is over and we are certainly looking forward to all we have to learn in the upcoming year.  Tanner and I are each enrolled in the following classes: Biblical History, Old Testament Bible Books Study: The Prophets, and Biblical Discipleship.  In addition, I am taking a class regarding the history and biblical context of mission work while Tanner is taking a class about preaching in Christian ministry.  What an amazing opportunity we truly have ahead of us.  Perhaps my favorite thing about our class schedule thus far is the time carved into our schedule for spiritual reflection and prayer.  On Tuesday mornings we have school wide Chapel, allowing time for the student body to come together to worship and listen to a devotional message.  On Tuesday afternoons, we have an hour for “World Focus” prayer.  During this hour, we break into small groups to pray for specific regions in the world and pressing issues and needs prevalent in the respective region.  We also have Midday prayer on the afternoon of Tuesday through Friday.  This might be my favorite aspect of the schedule as we gather together and take time to reflect and think through God’s faithfulness even in the normal happenings of a school day.  Even in being here just one week, I have realized the benefits and appreciated the joy it brings me to diligently stop the hustle and bustle of everyday life in order to consider God’s faithfulness and grace ushering me through even what may seem routine.  

Tanner and I have already been assigned a couple of papers, and we have eagerly begun working away.  Tanner is working on his Biblical History question in which we must discuss certain aspects of King Solomon’s reign as it is portrayed in I Kings.  And I have chosen to tackle our Biblical Discipleship assignment first.  We have been asked to develop a ministry approach to discipleship that might work within our own home Church.  We have certain guidelines we must follow and requirements to meet.  I have read quite a bit today about discipleship within the first century church.  Discipleship was a process, determined and decided and a life-long event in first century Christendom.  When one became a Christian, he or she became a committed follower of Christ.  I don’t know if any of you have experienced this in your own faith communities, but sometimes we cheapen this idea of discipleship to simply some program we must complete or something to cross off our religious checklist.  I have sometimes mistaken discipleship as a quick fix, when in reality the beauty of discipleship is that it lasts a lifetime.  We are committed to the process of becoming more like Christ, daily learning His ways and following in His footsteps. The culmination of discipleship is when we see our Father face to face and hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25). 

 God has led us to a truly beautiful place for an amazing journey together.  Tanner and I have had the privilege of meeting so many wonderful new friends at Belfast Bible College.  The diversity of age, ethnicity, life experiences, and theological perspectives and opinions is so exciting.  But one common thread ties us all together, and that is the hope we have in knowing Christ as our personal Savior.  Many of my new friends have stories of extreme brokenness and pain woven into their past.  The pain of poverty, abuse, abandonment, loss of loved ones, addictions, depression . . . the list could go on.  I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t have a past painted with the dark colors of pain and grief.  And yet in midst of all the brokenness, God has somehow shown Himself faithful and worthy of all trust and all praise.  He has drawn each and everyone of us to a new understanding of His character, leading each of us to a deep yearning to know more of who He is and how we might effectively make His renown known throughout the whole earth. 

On the practical side of things, some of you might be wondering if I took any adventures into town or around our new city here in Northern Ireland.  Yes!  I have had quite a productive week in Northern Ireland.  Tanner and I officially opened a bank account here so that we can pay our school fees, we attempted to visit the Doctor so as to register for health care but we must return on the 28^th of September, we took a big shopping run to Super Tesco (thanks to our lovely friend Shelley who transported us there and back), we consumed TWO Jenz milkshakes (more about this later), I took my first visit of this stay into the Belfast City Center to activate our Cell Phone, and I went on an amazing drive through a bit of the countryside to see my friend’s, Shelley, house and meet her lovely family!  Whoo . . . what a whirlwind.   Shelley introduced us to Jenz milkshakes.  Jenz is a little shop off of Lisburn Road that sells milkshakes, coffee and sandwiches!  But, their signature item is the Hippy Shakes.  A Hippy Shake is sort of like a Blizzard or McFlurry in that you pick one out of like 20 candy bars to mix into your vanilla milkshake!  It is a bit overwhelming for indecisive people like me, but I REALLY loved the Oreo Hippy Shake.  If we lived in a Utopia, I would drink an Orea Hippy Shake every day, but unfortunately calories do count even here in Northern Ireland.  I also had a blast seeing Shelley’s house this week and meeting her family!  Her house is beautiful, and the drive from her house back to Belfast Bible College was simply picturesque.  I felt like I was in a movie!  And Shelley’s family was so welcoming, so interested in America and what life was like back home.   It made me miss my own family and friends!  

Today is winding down, and tomorrow will prove itself another day in our Northern Irish adventure.  We are taking a C.S. Lewis tour tomorrow afternoon, and I am really quite excited!  While I have read many of Lewis’ works, perhaps A Grief Observed is one of my favorites.  Maybe because it is the most recent piece of his I picked up; however, I appreciated Lewis’ uncanny reaction and response to grief and the monster it can be. 

May I end with a quote I read in one of my readings today, it comes from a man by the name Cyril of Jerusalem.  He said, “It is the sincerity of your resolution that makes you ‘called.’  It is of no use your body being here if your thoughts and heart are elsewhere.”  When we reflect on our life, on our jobs and current duties as perhaps students, teachers, wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, etc., may we realize that our work is only sincere if we do it with the entirety of who we are.  And perhaps we might venture back to what I mentioned at the beginning of this blog: discipleship.  In our pursuit of knowing Christ and making Him known to the world around us, are we investing ALL of who we are?  Christ deserves our all, may we endeavor to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him more whole-heartedly today than we did yesterday (Matthew 16).

Comments

[Christine Gordon and Family in MA]

thank you Emily! I am so thankful for your blogs; although we have never met...your precious life has blessed mine. His light shines through you for all to SEE.
sounds like your first week went well! I would love the CS Lewis tour.

I have promised our Lord to pray for you and your family until we SEE Him face to face.

My husband and I started our journey to parenthood in July 2001 by celebrating the birth of our son Geoffrey the same day our Lord took his twin Cassandra Grace home to be with Him. Most bittersweet day of our lives....so I have tasted a glimpse of your great loss of Maria.

Praying on WITH HOPE,
Christine Gordon and Family in Boston

[Christine Gordon and Family in MA]

if you ever make it to New England when you are back in the states; I would love to treat you both to a milkshake! :-)

[Ashley Varnadore]

Emily! It is so good to hear that you and Tanner are doing well! Josh and I's hearts have always desired to have a get-a-way to just study the word, soak in it constantly without other responsiblities tackling our minds. Praise the Lord! He is taking us through a season of soaking, resting, and breathing the truth of His character in the midst of a storm. His ways are so powerful, so perfect, and completely drenched with His immense and intimate love for us individually. :)
Praise God for lifetime discipleship! Your heart and experience blesses me sister. I'm excited to continue to read what the Lord does while you focus, study, and soak up those around you and what the Lord wants to do in you. He loves you so much!
Thank you for sharing.

[Valerie]

I always enjoy reading your blogs! Thanks for keeping us in the loop! I know it must seem strange at times to open up so much to the masses of strangers who feel that you are a part of their family somehow....thanks for trusting us enough to share your personal lives with us!!

I love your insights and the quotes you share as well! You often have a different perspective on them than what I originally see when I read them, which is awesome! It challenges me to read things more deeply as well as to see if there is more than one way I can apply something to my life. Love it!!

Also, very happy to hear that you guys are having such a great time in Ireland! It sounds like a trip of a lifetime and I especially love how much devotional, etc. time has been built into your schedules! It's a reminder that I need to try to schedule more time for God into my usually-hectic schedule. Too easy to get busy and distracted, then I wonder why God feels distant.....Thanks for the reminder about discipleship too! :-)

[Kristen]

I've really enjoyed reading your most recent posts. The one for today was especially encouraging as it reminded me to be the hands and feet of Christ even in the most mundane of circumstances. It does no good to wish for something else when God has placed me right where I am and for a specific purpose. Thank you for your words of encouragement and wisdom. Enjoy your time in Ireland, it sounds amazing!!

[MBC]

Emily, I love reading what you and Tanner write. I miss you, my grown up little girl and bestest girl buddy! I love hearing of God's faithfulness to you and Tanner. Remember, cling to God, then Tanner...and Tanner...God, then Emily. I love you both so very much.

Mom

[lori in nc]

Thanks for sharing!! Your insight is amazing. Keep on sharing with us as you give us lots to ponder in our own lives.

Lori Oakley

[Gretchen, Northern California]

The Richards in Northern Ireland
www.tannerandemilyrichards.blogspot.com

[Melody M]

I love reading about your adventures in Ireland. I know that God is teaching you a lot there. Ireland sounds and looks like a gorgeous place. I would love to go there someday.

[Stephanie]

I absolutely loved the quote you posted towards the end. I am so often guilty of my heart and mind being somewhere else as I struggle to find my place here at school. Thank you for the reminder to be present for Jesus here and now in this place He has me.

[aunt j]

em..keep blogging because i thoroughly enjoy reading about what you & tanner have been doing. god bless you and i'll keep praying for you both. i also commented on tanner's blog.. love you..

[gwen]

hey sister ... just checking in on you guys ... it sounds amazing the journey you are on w/ God and we will be praying for you and tanner over the next year ...

and I am w/ ya on the shake ... i wish one a day was doable for the waistline ..

love ya

[Vanessa Schaecher (from Nebraska)]

Emily...so many profound thoughts in this post. Thank you for sharing bits of what you are learning...particularly the quote you ended with spurs me on to live each day full of purpose and with my entire being. I pray God will help me remember that.

You & Tanner are in my prayers.

I look forward to hearing from you again!

[Sandy B]

Emily,
Wow. Do you feel like your brain is being drained out only to soak up all that you are learning? Thanks for sharing and ditto on the advice from you mom. She is a very wise woman. Always God first.
Hey, if you think about it I am in China in October. Wonder if you will pray for the trip and that God will use me to bless those that I am going to encourage. 3 locations in 10 days. Should prove to be an exciting trip.
Looking forward to your next post,
Sandy B

[Elisa Hammons]

I was reading about you Discipleship class and paper. Modern Reformation Magazine's (Michael Horton) latest edition has a series on discipleship that is really interesting and reflects a lot of what you were writing. My husband is a PCA pastor. He's recently worked on a piece aligning his philosophy of ministry to a plan for shepherding and assimilation. So many see discipleship as a program, not a way of life and heart beat for the church. That alignment perhaps is a key to discipleship. You know what it is you believe- how can you apply it not only to your own life, but to disciple others as commanded to do? Many churches see discipleship as a church-growth program, but by doing so, they have taken their eyes off Kingdom growth.
I believe that discipleship ties in strongly to sanctification. Discipleship is an ongoing process in our lives, not only are we to be discipled through out our entire walk with the Lord, we are to disciple others in their walk. Discipleship is not just something we DO but who we are. Discipleship is a living, breathing organism and not a program to be resuscitated each time church numbers decline.
Please forgive me if I seem to be lecturing. I just love talking about this stuff and it's such a huge part of our lives- especially after just writing that plan recently.
May God bless you in your studies.
Elisa Hammons

[Cindi M.]

Emily,
Thanks for sharing your journey with us. Just curious: what is the weather like there? I doubt I'll ever get there. I haven't even made it to Tennessee yet to eat at "Barbara's!" :)

[kristyn]

Yayyyy! I loved hearing from you Emily! I am sooooo happy to hear of this journey for you and Tanner. Enjoy your weekend! Love you friend!

[Gretchen, Northern California]

Happy one year Anniversary. I hope you do something special to celebrate. I know it is Oct 3rd here but with the time difference I think you are already enjoying this milestone.

[Claudine T in MD]

Just wanted to wish you both a happy anniversary. I've been praying for both of you, especially these last few days. So thankful the Lord placed you away in Ireland for this season of time...and to celebrate this first anniversary. "May the joy of the Lord [always] be your strength...He is a shield for those who take refuge in Him."

"The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace...the Lord watch over all your going out and coming in both now and forevermore." May the hope you have in Him prove daily to be "an anchor for your souls."

With love in Christ,

Claudine T in MD

[WendyM]

Emily -

What an exciting journey you are undertaking -- blessings to you and Tanner in all things. May I recommend Dietrich Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship as a wonderful and profound resource in your discipleship studies....

In Him,

Wendy

[PA Campus Minister's Wife]

LOVE the quote. Thank you for sharing. May God richly bless you.

[Jenni]

Emily,

You don't know me, but since I love your dad's music and am encouraged by the faith of your family, I like to follow all of the blogs... : )

Anyway, I just decided to comment today that I also am a huge fan of C.S. Lewis and I am jealous of the tour you went on! : )If there is anyone in history that I could go back and meet, it would be Lewis. I wish I could sit and observe him discuss deep subjects with others. His mind amazes me. "A Grief Observed" is also my favorite work of his. At first it scared me when I started reading it. When I read his thoughts in the beginning, I guess it frightened me to see his doubts, questions, and anger since he obviously was such an anchored man. Yet, as he resolved his book with trust in God, it encouraged me like nothing else - the questions and anger are ok, necessary, and even good because they are real. Godly people go through all this (we just don't realize it because people often hide these struggles), and a person of true faith deals with all of that and then comes to the conclusion that God is good. mmmmmm....amazing!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the blog. I appreciate you!

[propecia]

When did humans start drinking cows milk, or any other type of
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[rahul]

what a cutie blog,very lovely,desigen is phenomenal

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