3.31.2014

DNOW 2014 (2)



Humility. That's what this weekend's Discipleship Now was about. A church camp minus the camp, dnow's are set up for an amazing time focused on God and people.

This DNOW was awesome, just like the rest of them. It's an whole new experience for me, being one of the people leading the girls group. Sometimes it feels natural, and then other times I have no idea what to say or what to do.

One thing I learned early on in the weekend is that surrendering is not something that you can do on your own. Here I am, at the alter trying to surrender my life, then with two hands on my back, I am reminded of the fact that I'm making it about me and my ability abilities again (Philippians 3:12). This kinda defeats the whole purpose of humility, you know? It's scary to depend on others too, especially with something as important to you as your spiritual life. But God has shown me who I can trust, especially when you get to see other people's faith lived out, not played out.

I also learned that I would love to be in a position to make things like this happen more often. These kids had an encounter with Jesus this weekend...some of them for the first time. I know that some of them won't be the same, because it's all about changing your mindset and building bonds of unity. I want to be apart of that in other people lives, and help others grow closer to God.

So that was my weekend, just another intense time in my crazy life where I can unplug and focus on, The One who made me, me.

 

3.30.2014

The Path of Obedience

When trails come, as we know they will, examining your heart is something you need to do.

Examining your heart can be a scary thing, and often we don't like what we see. However, this forgotten practice raises the question: Are you giving God room to move, or is He going to have to move something out of the way? I've been in so situations before where I'm the thing He has to move out of the way.

When the troubles do come though, that's our cue to step back and just take a deep breath. It's almost a sign for us to start looking and really paying attention to what extraordinary blessing and action that God is going to take next. I can promise you that it will blow you away.







3.27.2014

Looking Backwards

It was such a long time ago that I embarked on this journey that would change my life so radically. It only takes one disaster to turn your world upside down. This is what God did to my world (and as He was holding my world upside down, part of me is convinced that He shook it a little....). Looking back now, I never would have expected all of this to even happen. It’s gone beyond my wildest dreams—even the ones that I don’t even dare to imagine.

I discovered that my God, whom I’ve been following for most of my life, loves me more than I ever, and that He’s bigger than anything else. I don’t even care about anything else when I’m standing, kneeling, resting in His light.

The thing is, no matter how horrible, sweet or painful the moments that bring about change are, the most important fact is that you fall in love with Jesus, even as he allows these trials in your life.

This video reminds me of how much I have been healed, even if it often seems like there is a long way to go.







3.24.2014

Serious Requests

With all of the exciting new things I've learned about prayer, the list of prayer requests of mine and those around me just seem to be getting longer, the requests heavier. Deeper. More serious.

Part of me just wants to feel the weight of those requests and situations to feel like I have some control of the situation. The other part of me is reminded of Hebrews 13:8,
 
"Jesus Christ it the same yesterday, today and forever."


Our God is a Sovereign God, and that's so much more than we can ever understand.
It's time for me to let go of the outcome.
I've got to stop playing God, and let Him take what is His, because sometimes all that I can do is pray.


I am so convicted in the fact that I'm learning the only place I belong is on my knees. It's as simple as that.





 

3.21.2014

All That I Am


All That I Am
By Rend Collective Experiment



 Everything's on the altar now
No holding back, no holding out
In view of Your matchless sacrifice
Take every treasure, take this life

All that I am for all that You are, my Lord
All that I have for all that You are, You're the
Pearl beyond price, greater than life
All that I am for all that You are

Selfish ambition and my pride
I'm giving up, I'm letting die
In these empty hands I have it all, have it all
The pure joy of knowing You, my Lord

All that I am for all that You are, my Lord
All that I have for all that You are, You're the
Pearl beyond price, greater than life
All that I am for all that You are

It's only in surrender that I'm free
It's only in surrender that I'm truly free
It's only in surrender that I'm free
(All I have is Yours, my Lord)
It's only in surrender that I'm truly free
I am free, I am free indeed
I am free, I am free indeed

All that I am for all that You are, my Lord
All that I have for all that You are, You're the
Pearl beyond price, greater than life
All that I am for all that You are
 


3.19.2014

After Princeton

I go to Princeton,
 
then I come back to school.

 
This is something that hit me the day I got back to campus. This is going to be a lot harder than just coming back from a normal spring break, I thought to myself. The question I keep asking myself is why am I here when I could be somewhere else? Doing something else?
 
Princeton made me realize that there is just so much more to serving than just having a career, than just finishing school and getting a job. This is all coming to light because God is showing me that He may have me do something different than what I had originally thought....
 
It's funny how writing posts for my blog challenges me to take the next step--the harder one, past the ''happy ending''.....and some days I feel like I am taking so many steps I might fall right off the edge of a cliff, no joke. Coming back reminds me of the struggle that I live in--loving my Savior with all of me is my passion and priority, no matter what kinds of things try to squash it. I just know for sure that I want to serve God with my whole life, and that's that.
 
 
 
 
 

3.18.2014

The Princeton EXPERIENCE

Yep.

I went to Princeton.


This is what I did over my spring break. Why, you may ask, did I go to Princeton, Kentucky instead of anywhere else in the whole entire world? Well, that's a great question.

My answer is that the opportunity to go to Princeton during spring break was an answer to a prayer I prayed a last semester. It's really as simple as that.

Now, the time for spring break was drawing nearer and I remembered that I had signed up for this trip. I was pretty excited to be going on a mission trip during my break instead of just going home (which would have meant doing more school work to "get ahead" or something....). And unlike so many things in the past, not knowing people is not nearly as scary as it used to be--even in a setting where you are just picking up and leaving with them. It's taken me awhile (aka my whole life, especially these past few months) to work through this. But now I see that God has been changing my heart and attitude towards people to bring forth who I really am in Him. That's a whole separate blog post though...I'll get to it eventually.  :)

Anyway, I just love how God uses a week to change your whole entire heart. Your whole entire life. Here at Princeton, I learned so much about prayer. So much more about prayer. He also showed me what it's really like to SHARE the gospel, in whatever form it may be in. He used the deliberate aspect of His nature to change my thoughts about my future. God also used a person young in His faith to encourage me in my own walk and remind me of the importance of passion, sacrifice, the hope we have and the light that it shines. God is so beautiful when He is doing His work, He is just made of grace! The love He has for me I am still learning, and my love for Him is still growing.







Lord I need you,
Oh, I need you,
Every hour I need you
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need you













So on our trip we worked with kids in a Job Corp., visited churches, a prayer center, nursing homes and a worked in a secondhand shop. Along the way we had the chance to tell our stories, encourage others, give out Bibles, laugh, have conversations, preach, live with people, sing in the car (an everywhere else), complete office work, eat with people (on of my favorite things), serve people and bring the gift of music to everyone we were with (no matter if we even had our instruments...).

These things were taken one step at a time, hour by hour, consumed with prayer--that's how we began everything. This is where the trip gets intense. I'm sure everyone who went on the trip can agree that we really encountered the full force and peace of prayer. It became apparent with the international student that went with us. Sam, a freshman from Vietnam who became a Christian three days before we left our trip. Although young in his faith and speaking only broken English, Sam got up and told his testimony several times this past week, more than many believers ever get to do (or rather, take the opportunities that they have....we are so bless in America that we can do that and nervousness be the only real issues). We watched him grow and change throughout the week, and taught him about American customs and his new faith. To our surprise, we also discovered that not only can he play classical guitar and flip pancakes without a spatula, but he can also dance.





 
You start where I belong
On my knees
On my knees
Where I am weak or strong
You meet me here
On my knees
On my knees













One night though, Sam realized the full cost of being a follower of Christ. Being from a Buddhist country, upbringing and culture, Sam's conversion is not being taken lightly. The weight of his decision came down on Sam, and we met it with prayer--the all-consuming power of prayer. Crying out to Christ, tears poured from us all and our hearts were broken, seeing the persecution that he was under from his own culture....Romans 8:18-38 was read during this time:

"18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27 And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family.  30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? 33 Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all day long;
    we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."






Lord I need you,
Oh, I need you,
Every hour I need you
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need you















This powerful night not only brought us closer to our Lord and each other, but it reminded me that this is what the family of believers is here for. Praying with you, being there in your darkest times, it's our job, our love to do that fora fellow beliver, no matter if we know them well (or at all) or not.

The very next day, Sam was talking with some of us and basically said in his limited (but growing) English, "Why shouldn't I die? Jesus died for me, so shouldn't I be willing to do the same?"

THIS is the sentence said by someone who gets it. SO MANY PEOPLE think that they get it, but in realitity they have dust in their eyes and just don't feel the daily passion that our faith and acceptance of grace gives us!

A lot of people I feel like will (and do) focus on all the disadvantages and other issues Sam may have, but the point it that he is saved, he is REDEEMED and he LOVES the Lord. Although Satan is not happy right now, and is trying his best to break apart all that God did in Sam, he will have a community of believers to fall back on as well as a already victorious God.

This grace that we have--there's no end to it--that's why it's so amazing, and the fact that because of Jesus we can become worthy of this grace.







This one thing remains
Your love never fails,
Never gives up,
Never runs out on me
And on and on and on it goes,
it overwhelms and satisfies my soul
I never ever have to be afraid because this one thing remains











Knowing and experiencing all of this just during this past week has given me a different outlook on my life because it has reminded me of the basics of my faith. I got to tell Sam the story of Jesus walking on water--it was his first time hearing it. Then when he asks you how to pray, it kinda stops you in your tracks. After explaining this (along with how to get a girlfriend in the U.S......I told him he didn't need one....), I began to see how much we have in our faith, and how different it is compared to any other faith/religion in the world.


 
 
 
 
 
 
How he loves us,
Oh, how he loves us
Oh how he loves us,
How he loves

One thing that's really different than other faiths is prayer. And boy, was this trip wrapped up in prayer. I could feel it before we even started. It felt well-prayed over. How many of you all have ever felt this feeling? Having something be well-prayed over? Sure there will always be room for more prayer, but starting off on the right foot makes so much more of a difference....it is this, I believe, was the reason that our team was so effective. Instead of there being tension because of petty issues, there was an air of goodwill and trust (which leads to self-disclosure according to my human relations text book), a unity that only developed more throughout the week. What this unity enabled us to do was stay flexible with our schedule, band together to support one another, absorb newcomers like one of our own, and work more effectively together while serving and ministering.
 
 
It is this unity that should be everywhere when it comes to believers because it so reflects the glory of God! This is what He expects from us and from our churches, wherever and whoever we or they may be.



 
 
A lot of times I think we pray but never really look for a response, when in fact, there is one. Or many, whether yes or no. So, here are just a few of the answers to prayers on this experience:
 
 
Sam realized the cost of his faith
Safety with deer in the road
Salvations and re dedications
God's hand in the music and worship
People public speaking about missions(an various other things) and affirming other's calling
Finding food that Sam could eat/liked to eat got easier
Saved people @ Beach Reach, our other team doing mission work in Florida!
Giving out Bibles!
Serving people/strangers/students together @ lunch
Herroll, Shea, Dalton and Jerroll
Music preparing my heart
GOD'S PRESENCE
Testimonies--strength to share and trust that God's words will trump mine
Someone preaching for the first couple times
Team time (aka debriefing time together at the end of the night)!
Devotions during team time
Healing sickness
Safety with as much traveling as we did, and for BR travel's too 
NAPS!
Sleep
PRAYER


  


With all that we did, I encountered something that God has been trying to tell me for awhile--
my life is from here on out, all about Him.
 
 
I thought I had given my life over, but now I can finally feel that this overwhelming devotion to my Lord doesn't end here. This is just the beginning of surrender, of love and passion and mission of truth. What a joy, what an honor, to be going on this journey, which will hopefully take me where my trust is without borders.




My Lord and my God, we come before you today to praise you for simply who you are. Thank you for your provision, watchful hand, grace and mercy and undeniable presence while on this trip. I am so thankful for the people you have put in my life, this team and our leaders and all the new friends we have made along the way. I pray that you would continuously pull these people, whether believers or not, to you, to romance them with your unfailing love because you are so beautiful. Lord,  
 
 
 
Set a fire in my soul,
One I can't contain, I can't control,
I want more of you God,
I want more of you God



 Amen.
 
 
 
  
(and thank you to the person who took the picture :) ) 



~Our Team~
Living out our passion for God




3.07.2014

Send Off

This week has been an interesting week.

With two days without classes because of snow, everyone, including the teacher's schedule has been entirely thrown off. Even I have had to increase my self-discipline to get things done.

The one thing I have loved about this week is that I have spent it in good company. Very good company. Guys, I just love people and seeing how God works through them and His overall timing. I love it, I love Him and I love them.
 
Now the week is almost over, and it really does feel like spring break. I'm not going home yet though--I'm going to Princeton, KY on a mission trip. We will be working with a women's prison and a job core (eh, I'm not sure if that's how you spell it but that's what it is).
 
So many people are praying, have been, and will be praying for it. Now that's a mission trip--one backed by prayer.
 
 
So now I ask you for prayers, ones for strength, good judgment, faith, humility, unshakable trust, and words to share the gospel and our stories. Thank you for listening, loving, and learning with me about such things. I can't wait to come back and write a post about my active, glorious God.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



3.05.2014

Seek and Sink

“Drop the hands and let the knees be weak.
Loosen the grip and let the arms open wide.
Bow that head and let the eyes close tight.
We cannot do this life.....
We cannot make this art.
Not alone.
Not on our own.
Not without sinking first.”
 
 
A Million Little Pieces
Emily P. Freeman
 
As humans we have such a tendency to get distracted and sink into our own things, into us.
 
 
Distractions, distractions, distractions. 
 
 
Us, us, us.
 
 
Me, me, me.
 
 
This is our problem. 
 
 
To fix it? Seek. Seek the Lord. His heart, His will and who He is because He is enough.
 
 
And the real healing? The only true healing, comes when we sink. Sink into everything we know our God is.
 
 
Seek His heart.
 
 
Who He is,
 
 
because He's enough.
 
 
Breath.
 
 
Sink.


Just sink.


Being able to know Him, and let Him consume us.......


This is how we die to ourselves.


This is how we heal, love and grow.


Seek,




seek, 
 

 
Sink.
 
 
 
 

3.04.2014

Psalms 29




Psalms 29:1-11
 
"Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name;
    worship the Lord in holy splendor.

 
 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
    the God of glory thunders,
    the Lord, over mighty waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
    the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

 
 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
    the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
    and Sirion like a young wild ox.

 
 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
    the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
 The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl,
    and strips the forest bare;
    and in his temple all say, “Glory!”

 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
    the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
 May the Lord give strength to his people!
    May the Lord bless his people with peace!"




 


 

3.02.2014

Did You All Know That It's March?

I just found out the other day that it was March. I coulda sworn it was still February.

Anyway, I don't know about you but I had a great weekend. I'm learning to relax and be able to just be where I am, when I am.

What this weekend also did for me was teach me that it's okay to go home. I feel like too many people are either going home all the time or never go home at all. The thing is, the imbalance of this is one of the myths about college I believed--if you are an independent person you don't go home. Being a very independent person, of course I bought into this!

This weekend really made me realize how blessed I am (of course, I already know that I am the most blessed person in the whole entire world), how much I have at home and that being blessed is a blessing, and having what I have is okay. And it's okay to want to be home sometimes, while still wanting to be here. It's okay to love being home sometimes. It's even okay to do your homework Friday night when you're home. It's okay to really miss things and people, and to let yourself miss them.

As much as people are striving towards progress and their goals, I think we forget that changing is not an overnight thing....it takes time, and time is uncertain and progress is slow.

So now I say to myself, "Oh come on, indulge yourself a little. Go home."