i shall not want

the LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

today I read psalm 23. and I was shocked. I shall not want? I don't think I've ever thought about it. I've been wanting a lot lately. Not bad things, just things I don't have. but I read it and read it and read it and read it some more because I don't think I quite get it. God's a shepherd. He's my shepherd. He's my good shepherd. So I won't be wanting.
The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out... "I am the good shepherd." [john 10]

jesus tells us like a million times that he's a good shepherd. He either thinks we're really stupid or it's just really important. I never think of God as my shepherd because, to be frank, I don't know anything about sheep or shepherds. I'm sure it was a strong metaphor in the days of david, but I have to sit and ponder a bit for it to have any bearing on my real life. but I'm willing because I actually think it's a pretty big deal. It's a big deal because he takes care of me. He knows what's best and will lead me into righteousness. He restores my soul. So when I want what I don't have, I like thinking about god being a shepherd and me not wanting. I can't help but think that he who did not spare his own son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Then I feel completely ridiculous for making idols and worshiping created things rather than the creator.

let's talk about grace, baby

This week, during bible study with some first year girls, we were talking about some basic foundations of walking with Jesus. We dissected Ephesians 2:8 and I asked them to paraphrase the verse in their own words. When I asked what it means that we're saved by grace, one girl responded oh so matter-of-factly, "Oh grace. Kori, you love to talk about grace. Grace is unmerited favor!" I asked what she meant by unmerited favor and she said "grace is not getting something that you deserve. [pause] Wait... that's mercy. Grace is getting something that you don't deserve."

Every now and then, I think that if I have to wait for thirty minutes for a girl to show up one more time or if I get brushed off by one more Indian student I'm going back to America. More often, though, I'll listen to a girl tell me about how she finally doesn't feel like she needs a guy to make her feel valuable. Or that she really wants her friends to know Jesus. Or how she just doesn't know if this whole God thing is really worth it. Or that the Lord is creating in her this desire to read his Word. And holy smokes. I can't believe I get to talk to students every day about how the gospel fits into real life. So I talk about grace a lot. Because it's impossible to begin understanding the intensity of the cross without grasping grace. So when my girls start to get grace, I get to see unmerited favor shift from a mental definition to a heart that moves to the rhythm of the gospel a little more closely.

And then I seriously wonder if I don't have quite possibly the coolest job in the whole world.

a good friday (not THE good friday...)

living life with niumai, a first year girl I disciple. hammock time. She was such a trooper (after putting up a little sass) for getting in wearing a skirt. I LOVE spending time with niumai. She's a ball of energy and is learning so much. Today she told me how she's getting to experience that as you walk with the Lord closer and closer, he produces fruits of the spirit in your life. YES!! :)
Gosh dang I'm missing my bike. I almost made this impulsive purchase the other day. I'm still considering it. Also currently nostalgic for the days of: taco bell, pandora radio, and kavin (little brother). And don't even pretend like this picture didn't crack you up.

As a side note, we're planning a girl's weekend retreat for the end of September! I'm reeeeeally excited.

Also, follow me on twitter: korieberle. You could be my 31st follower...no big deal.

whooops

I forgot I had a blog. So sorry about that. Life is getting really exciting here! We had our student conference a month ago! It was a BLAST. Seriously. A lot of students attended and the American summer project team was partially here for the week. The second semester of classes just began at USP and as I'm getting to meet with students, I've been hearing all about the different ways the Lord used the conference to teach them more about who He is. It's so cool.











I went to New Zealand for a couple weeks! I think the most beautiful place I've ever been. 1 week international conference + 1 week traveling = incredible glimpse into god's heart for the nations and some of his most masterful creation. The conference gave the fijian students a chance to broaden their worldviews and challenged me too! The Lord started to incline their hearts towards the lost and he planted seeds in so many student's that I am confident will blossom into being sent to the ends of the earth.








arrival.





there were university students from all over the world: japan, malaysia, australia, indonesia, singapore, thailand...










the crew (sans rob)











with the kickoff of semester #2, I'm getting back into a pseudo-normal routine. Everyday I get more and more excited about the girls I'm meeting with this semester. And I'm not just saying that because I'm in fiji doing ministry and those are the sorts of things I'm supposed to write on a blog. I'm seriously stoked.

I attended my first fijian birthday party today. An 8 year-old's Spongebob Squarepants celebration. Spongebob cake and all. I arrived in costume (obviously) as Squidward. Jealous?

Thanks for reading. No more empty promises about blogging more. But I will put in a good effort to write something in the next week. or two :)