Walkabout

Student Life Ministry in Brisbane, Australia with Amanda DeCesaro

I have always connected well with music, all music. In general, I have a very eclectic taste, but especially when it comes to music. Rhythm and melodies are important to me but what really gets me are lyrics. My housemates and friends get annoyed that I can listen to the same song a zillion times and not get sick of it, but there is just something to be said about a songwriter's ability to include depth and truth in such a short script. There are songs for every emotion, situation, and occasion. There are songs about every kind of person, idea, and belief. I can't get over how much I love and appreciate music; sometimes I remember to thank God for giving us music. He is the inventor of every rhythm and tone. Not many people know that I connect best with God through music: when I feel close to Him I can easily sing ad lib to Him, songs only He will ever hear; when I feel distant from Him there are several songs that remind me where to seek Him. There are so many passages of Scripture that I remember because of a song and there are so many memories I attach to a chorus.

We are going through BAM (book a month) Bible studies with our student leaders. We just finished Galatians and this coming week we will be studying 1 Peter. I remember that book of the Bible as the one we studied when I first came to Australia on Summer Project for 7 weeks in 2008. I can remember things God was teaching me back then with Peter's words and now still as I have been reading through it again I am reminded of what I still need to learn. I am also seeing new things in the verses, especially concerning my recent struggles.

And once again a song and God's Word has my heart in a flutter.....

I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all, no
If You touched my face would I know You
Looked into my eyes could I behold You

What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean
Are You fire, are You fury
Are You sacred, are You beautiful
What do I know, what do I know of Holy

I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees

What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean
Are You fire, are You fury
Are You sacred, are You beautiful
So what do I know, what do I know of Holy

What do I know of Holy
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame
And a God who gave life it's name
What do I know of Holy
Of the One who the angels praise
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love

What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean
Are You fire, are You fury
Are You sacred, are You beautiful
What do I know, what do I know of Holy
What do I know of Holy
What do I know of Holy

-Addison Road, "What Do I Know of Holy"

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." -1Peter 1:6-9, 13-16

Again and again I am reminded how short I fall of the glory of God, and how alien holiness is to me. But because Christ dwells within me, how can I not crave holiness? That is why for me, lately, I have been suffering many trials inwardly and I grieve myself for my many shortcomings. Because, what do I know of Holy?

Among all the busyness this month we found some time to enter a music video contest. It was so much fun filming it with Dani, Lauren, Alycia, and Emily.



We drove around in an old manual jeep that we borrowed from a University of Queensland missionary. As you can tell we got a kick out of that jeep. The video also gives you a glimpse of Brisbane this time of year, beautiful, huh?



Emily and Alycia on our one day roadtrip

Alycia and I spent the morning at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary


Living in Australia is definitely living a solar powered life;-)

Love, Amanda



Contact Me

amanda.decesaro@gmail.com

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