What if we lived like we knew without a doubt that Christ and Christ alone is enough for us?
-He would provide our needs for the day
and if He didn't we would still be ok
if we died, then He was calling us to heaven
- think if we really, really lived that way, how different would we be living?
-Not putting ourselves first in anything but looking to take care of others
-Not even worrying about our own needs because God will provide for those
-We would show Jesus' character
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Monday, April 8, 2013
nothins ever gonna be the same
Once you see Jesus... Nothin's ever gonna be the same
Because I know that nothings ever gonna be the same
From this day on, everythings gonna change
And I'm scared
Oh I'm scared
Radical isn't easy
And it won't be the same
Everything must change
There's going to be a point in your life when you realize following God isn't easy, isn't popular, isn't normal, and isn't always fun. In the past week what I've been learning about God is I can't have Him and this world. You can't have your cake and eat it too. You can't have God and have the things this world treasures. Because this world is sinful and God is holy. Mashing them together makes a muddy mess- God calls the mix lukewarm and He says "I will spit you out of my mouth."
It's not going to work. The more you learn about God the more you will hate your old self and you will hate the world's selfish ways. You will hate sin and be convicted of things you never before realized were wrong in your life. You will be torn away from old friends and lose trust for people you used to admire. You will value things differently. Everything will change. And you find yourself feeling this total identity crisis- that's where I'm at.
There comes a point when you have to make a conscious decision: Will I choose God and sacrifice my own desires, friends, talents, and even dreams?- everything I am now and once stood for?
Or will I forget/deny Christ and keep living in my comfort zone?
Choosing to ignore the question is rejecting Christ and the Holy Spirit's movement in your life.
Revelation 3:14-22
See this is the thing I hate about so many Christian movies, Christian books, and the whole "goody goody" Christian reputation. We see pictures of beautiful Christian girls, that are athletic, smart, kind, popular, talented, have beautiful boyfriends and are living just like every other girl in the world.
We see Christian girls in beauty pageants and wearing bikinis at the beach- they look and act like everybody else, except for better: extra pretty and extra popular. Now don't get me wrong- I believe that God will bless His followers and make them joyful. But is it really the desires of this world that He chooses to fill? Or will He change the heart of the follower first and change their desires to His desires?
Honestly I'm sad and scared because I'm at this crucial path right now where I choose total God or total complacency. I'm not going to lie. I like where I'm at right now (this saddens me and scares me). I like being a Christ follower but not too radical. You know being the kind of Christ follower that tries to make everybody happy... NO! Following Jesus will give you enemies, opposition, and persecution. If your life is missing all that are you really serving God where He wants?
I've finally came to this crossroad. I hate the "too spiritual" attitude and the "goody goodyness". I have been called "goody good" and "perfect" far too many times in my life. I HATE those memories. I HATE those names. Yet if my old friends and family are going to see it like that- then so be it.
I'm choosing today that I want God for every part of my life. I want to spend more time with Him and put Him before my old friends because I know that He is the only thing that matters. I know that while this will be hard- especially at camp this summer- with Christ I can overcome.
Matthew 5:13 You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
Because I know that nothings ever gonna be the same
From this day on, everythings gonna change
And I'm scared
Oh I'm scared
Radical isn't easy
And it won't be the same
Everything must change
There's going to be a point in your life when you realize following God isn't easy, isn't popular, isn't normal, and isn't always fun. In the past week what I've been learning about God is I can't have Him and this world. You can't have your cake and eat it too. You can't have God and have the things this world treasures. Because this world is sinful and God is holy. Mashing them together makes a muddy mess- God calls the mix lukewarm and He says "I will spit you out of my mouth."
It's not going to work. The more you learn about God the more you will hate your old self and you will hate the world's selfish ways. You will hate sin and be convicted of things you never before realized were wrong in your life. You will be torn away from old friends and lose trust for people you used to admire. You will value things differently. Everything will change. And you find yourself feeling this total identity crisis- that's where I'm at.
There comes a point when you have to make a conscious decision: Will I choose God and sacrifice my own desires, friends, talents, and even dreams?- everything I am now and once stood for?
Or will I forget/deny Christ and keep living in my comfort zone?
Choosing to ignore the question is rejecting Christ and the Holy Spirit's movement in your life.
Revelation 3:14-22
“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. ...
1 John 2:15-16
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the worldSee this is the thing I hate about so many Christian movies, Christian books, and the whole "goody goody" Christian reputation. We see pictures of beautiful Christian girls, that are athletic, smart, kind, popular, talented, have beautiful boyfriends and are living just like every other girl in the world.
We see Christian girls in beauty pageants and wearing bikinis at the beach- they look and act like everybody else, except for better: extra pretty and extra popular. Now don't get me wrong- I believe that God will bless His followers and make them joyful. But is it really the desires of this world that He chooses to fill? Or will He change the heart of the follower first and change their desires to His desires?
Honestly I'm sad and scared because I'm at this crucial path right now where I choose total God or total complacency. I'm not going to lie. I like where I'm at right now (this saddens me and scares me). I like being a Christ follower but not too radical. You know being the kind of Christ follower that tries to make everybody happy... NO! Following Jesus will give you enemies, opposition, and persecution. If your life is missing all that are you really serving God where He wants?
I've finally came to this crossroad. I hate the "too spiritual" attitude and the "goody goodyness". I have been called "goody good" and "perfect" far too many times in my life. I HATE those memories. I HATE those names. Yet if my old friends and family are going to see it like that- then so be it.
I'm choosing today that I want God for every part of my life. I want to spend more time with Him and put Him before my old friends because I know that He is the only thing that matters. I know that while this will be hard- especially at camp this summer- with Christ I can overcome.
Matthew 5:13 You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh
What's stopping you from living 100% on fire for Christ? For following His will? Is it your friends, your business, your schoolwork, or your fear of not being accepted to people that matter to you? Today I'm choosing God no matter what happens because God alone is enough for me. I encourage you to pray to God and tell Him you are willing to surrender even your dreams to Him and follow Him wherever He leads, despite the consequences.
What's stopping you from living 100% on fire for Christ? For following His will? Is it your friends, your business, your schoolwork, or your fear of not being accepted to people that matter to you? Today I'm choosing God no matter what happens because God alone is enough for me. I encourage you to pray to God and tell Him you are willing to surrender even your dreams to Him and follow Him wherever He leads, despite the consequences.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Beautiful mess
God has been so good to me this month! So good! I just went to my Daniel Fast 28 day banquet and I even shared my testimony in front of a large group of friends. I definitely recommend the Daniel diet to all of you. Even if you don't need to lose weight, the Daniel diet will make you feel better about yourself, and can help you spiritually, physically, socially, and mentally. I am starting the Daniel Diet again because I love how it makes me feel. Now though, I will be eating eggs and veggie meat as well as fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and rice. I am also going to not use facebook until school gets out and try to continue with my God time with Christ.
I'm so excited for Peru! I have a lot to do still and a lot of money to raise, but I'm definitely trusting God. My mom and I have a ton of questions, but that's ok. This summer I want to focus on preparing my heart for what God wants to do in me and get spiritually ready for battle. I also want to start focusing on my Spanish. During worship tonight a really cool thought was mentioned. Christ had to wait 30 days before he could start his mission on earth as an active missionary and superhero! Isn't that crazy? Don't you think God was anxious? But he was a diligent, prayerful man of God. He waited until God said go. Thinking about this, I was like hmmm what does this mean for me? I believe God did say "go to Peru". I guess what this makes me realize is I need to get ready. I need to prepare for what God wants me to do. We need to get ready. The second thing it makes me think about it waiting to date. God's going to put the right guy in my life at the right time- I really and truly believe that. I'm going to wait until God leads.
Homeshow was today and last night. It was so much fun! I'm so thankful for what God has done for me with gymnastics this year. I'm also thankful it's almost over! Gym Masters takes up so much time and I really need to focus on my schoolwork.
I got to see my mom this weekend and it was a huge blessing. Families are so crucial and can be such amazing support systems for our lives. I praise God for giving me the family I have.
I guess right now life for me is beautiful. It's all coming together. You know how you can just see God in your life and how He's been working. But I can't get proud, no haughty eyes come before a fall. I could do nothing on my own. Gym Masters- ya right. Peru? Get real. My mom? Too expensive. These are crazy dreams God has made come true in my life! He has blessed and I am praising Him. I am a mess- but God makes beautiful things out of our messes.
Surrender your life to Him. I urge you. He wants to transform your life into something beautiful!
Thursday, April 4, 2013
4/4/3
John 16:32 Behold the hour cometh that ye shall be scattered. Chambers: "Jesus was not rebuking the disciples, their faith was real, but it was disturbed; it was not at work to actual things. The disciples were scattered to their own interests, alive to interests that never were in Jesus Christ.
After we have been perfectly related to God in sanctification, our faith has to be worked out in actualities. We shall be scattered not into work, but into inner desolations and made to know what internal death to God's blessings means.
I was thinking last night of all God's blessings to me. He has answered a lot of my dreams: Gym Masters, going to Peru, letting my brother work with me at summer camp, my mom is coming up to visit today.. It's easy to serve God when things are going well and you don't have big problems or concerns. It's easy to love God for His blessings.
There will be these amazing times of joy in your life- when you can truly see what God is doing and how he has lead you in the past. But there will be times of darkness too, and it is important that in these times you don't lose hope. For God is doing a mighty work of transformation in us. He is taking our selfish ways and replacing them with Holiness and love. It will be an identity crisis- self vs Christ.
Have you ever heard of the Prosperity Gospel?
The prosperity Gospel is sadly being taught in many protestant churches today. It's a common spiritual principle- not a Biblical one- but a selfish one.
The Prosperity Gospel says that as spiritual Israel- Christians are entitled to well being. This is interpreted as economic prosperity and physical health.
Because they are made in the image of God, Christians have been given power over creation: their own souls, the material objects around them.
All the wealth in the world will be transferred to Christians before Christ returns, then they will deliver the Kingdom to him.
It also teaches that Jesus lived His life on earth as a rich man, claiming that because Judas was a treasurer, Jesus was rich.
Out of 4 of the biggest mega churches in the country, 3 of them teach a form of the prosperity Gospel. Joel Olsteen teaches the prosperity gospel.
For believers in the prosperity gospel, faithfulness means perfect health.
Prosperity Gospel followers also believe that you can claim what you will for God and He will give it to you.
So what does this matter? And how does it affect you? The prosperity gospel is being taught more and more to Christians these days. You may find yourself believing a few of the lies like "If I'm not experiencing God's blessings, I'm not following Him." Or.. "God wants every Christian to be rich. What's wrong with me? Why am I not rich?" "Why am I not healthy? I tried to follow God and now I have cancer."
The thing is, this world is so messed up. If the prosperity gospel is true then what about Job? And why was there no room for Jesus in the inn? Why was Paul persecuted like so many martyrs in Christian history? Why are children all around the world dying because they don't have enough to eat?
You dare to blame that on God? Or to say their walk with God is not strong enough? We, sinful humans, are not entitled to anything- not wellbeing, not money, not blessings. We are entitled to death because of our sins but because of God's grace we are freed.
Because we choose to live with Christ we must suffer with Him also.
Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. John 15:20
There will be times when your walk with God is full of blessings. There will be times when God calls you to wait patiently on Him, to be still and know that He is God. Finally, there will be times in life when God calls you to struggle, to fight through evil, sufferings, temptations, or persecutioin. God promises that He will be with you through all of life and He can use every situation to draw you close to His character.
After we have been perfectly related to God in sanctification, our faith has to be worked out in actualities. We shall be scattered not into work, but into inner desolations and made to know what internal death to God's blessings means.
I was thinking last night of all God's blessings to me. He has answered a lot of my dreams: Gym Masters, going to Peru, letting my brother work with me at summer camp, my mom is coming up to visit today.. It's easy to serve God when things are going well and you don't have big problems or concerns. It's easy to love God for His blessings.
There will be these amazing times of joy in your life- when you can truly see what God is doing and how he has lead you in the past. But there will be times of darkness too, and it is important that in these times you don't lose hope. For God is doing a mighty work of transformation in us. He is taking our selfish ways and replacing them with Holiness and love. It will be an identity crisis- self vs Christ.
Have you ever heard of the Prosperity Gospel?
The prosperity Gospel is sadly being taught in many protestant churches today. It's a common spiritual principle- not a Biblical one- but a selfish one.
The Prosperity Gospel says that as spiritual Israel- Christians are entitled to well being. This is interpreted as economic prosperity and physical health.
Because they are made in the image of God, Christians have been given power over creation: their own souls, the material objects around them.
All the wealth in the world will be transferred to Christians before Christ returns, then they will deliver the Kingdom to him.
It also teaches that Jesus lived His life on earth as a rich man, claiming that because Judas was a treasurer, Jesus was rich.
Out of 4 of the biggest mega churches in the country, 3 of them teach a form of the prosperity Gospel. Joel Olsteen teaches the prosperity gospel.
For believers in the prosperity gospel, faithfulness means perfect health.
Prosperity Gospel followers also believe that you can claim what you will for God and He will give it to you.
So what does this matter? And how does it affect you? The prosperity gospel is being taught more and more to Christians these days. You may find yourself believing a few of the lies like "If I'm not experiencing God's blessings, I'm not following Him." Or.. "God wants every Christian to be rich. What's wrong with me? Why am I not rich?" "Why am I not healthy? I tried to follow God and now I have cancer."
The thing is, this world is so messed up. If the prosperity gospel is true then what about Job? And why was there no room for Jesus in the inn? Why was Paul persecuted like so many martyrs in Christian history? Why are children all around the world dying because they don't have enough to eat?
You dare to blame that on God? Or to say their walk with God is not strong enough? We, sinful humans, are not entitled to anything- not wellbeing, not money, not blessings. We are entitled to death because of our sins but because of God's grace we are freed.
Because we choose to live with Christ we must suffer with Him also.
Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. John 15:20
There will be times when your walk with God is full of blessings. There will be times when God calls you to wait patiently on Him, to be still and know that He is God. Finally, there will be times in life when God calls you to struggle, to fight through evil, sufferings, temptations, or persecutioin. God promises that He will be with you through all of life and He can use every situation to draw you close to His character.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Princess
I said I'd write from the heart: *guys please don't read this post
I have to be a princess for Gym Masters Homeshow.
When Coach asked me yesterday, I was like ummm sure. I didn't understand why he would pick me. Out of every girl on the team I feel like I should be picked last for that role. Maybe I'm being too hard on myself, but princess was never my strong suit.
Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
Romans 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba Father.
Romans 8:16-17 "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
The cliché saying is you are a daughter of Christ- a princess.
When coach told me I would be a princess for homeshow, yesterday, at first I didn't understand why. After he justified his reasoning saying that I was the only girl not in the games routine, I was just confused and at shock. A little happy maybe, a little excited maybe, and a little embarrassed.
Starting at camp last summer I've been fighting with the whole "captivating" woman of God aspect, and "embracing my feminity". Ok actually let's just stop with the captivating part, we're definitely not to the feminity stuff yet ;)
This whole princess thing really speaks to my heart and some of the things I've been struggling with.
Because deep down inside, I don't feel like I'm good at being a girl. I don't feel like I'm really pretty or graceful or glamorous haha ok definitely not glamorous. But I have a really hard time with letting guys be the leader and letting them help me and see my heart. It's a lot of trust issues. Some of it comes from how I was treated when I was younger. I didn't mind actually just being the tomboyish girl that nobody considered dating. I loved my childhood, playing in the mud, and fighting with my brother.
But now I'm actually maturing and I'm realizing that I want to be captivating. I want to be taken care of, treasured, wanted, loved: those "gross" things and "romantic" things are starting to look more appealing. But it's hard to make that transition because playing tough is so part of what I am. I love being wild and free, and playing hardcore. I just want guys to see that deep down, despite the fact that I play hard, I'm still a sensitive girl who needs to be loved and taken care of.
Haha I hate these confessions! I sound like such a.. girl ;)
Anyways, God created me as a woman. Despite my constant complaints, honestly I'm really glad. The heart of a woman desires three things : to be romanced, to play a role in a great adventure, and to have beauty to unveil. I guess I can say God is truly working in me because He's helping me mature and see that these are God-given needs and realities in my life.
It's not easy to step out in faith and say "I am a princess in Christ." I know that almost every girl on this earth has issues and many girls are self-conscious about their physical appearance or personality, despite how much they try to play it off. America's celebrities and models don't make it any easier on us to feel we have to compete with others to be beautiful. It's scary when you take that step and choose to put your confidence in Christ and say that because your identity is in Him, you are a princess. You are the daughter of the King, worth treating well and taken care of. It's scary but it is a reality and a necessary step in following God in faith. He is working to heal our broken hearts that have wounds from the past and the lies we have been told.
Romans 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba Father. Ask God for the strength to believe in yourself. To believe that you are worthy of being called His child, worthy of being called beautiful, and worthy of being loved.
I have to be a princess for Gym Masters Homeshow.
When Coach asked me yesterday, I was like ummm sure. I didn't understand why he would pick me. Out of every girl on the team I feel like I should be picked last for that role. Maybe I'm being too hard on myself, but princess was never my strong suit.
Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
Romans 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba Father.
Romans 8:16-17 "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
The cliché saying is you are a daughter of Christ- a princess.
When coach told me I would be a princess for homeshow, yesterday, at first I didn't understand why. After he justified his reasoning saying that I was the only girl not in the games routine, I was just confused and at shock. A little happy maybe, a little excited maybe, and a little embarrassed.
Starting at camp last summer I've been fighting with the whole "captivating" woman of God aspect, and "embracing my feminity". Ok actually let's just stop with the captivating part, we're definitely not to the feminity stuff yet ;)
This whole princess thing really speaks to my heart and some of the things I've been struggling with.
Because deep down inside, I don't feel like I'm good at being a girl. I don't feel like I'm really pretty or graceful or glamorous haha ok definitely not glamorous. But I have a really hard time with letting guys be the leader and letting them help me and see my heart. It's a lot of trust issues. Some of it comes from how I was treated when I was younger. I didn't mind actually just being the tomboyish girl that nobody considered dating. I loved my childhood, playing in the mud, and fighting with my brother.
But now I'm actually maturing and I'm realizing that I want to be captivating. I want to be taken care of, treasured, wanted, loved: those "gross" things and "romantic" things are starting to look more appealing. But it's hard to make that transition because playing tough is so part of what I am. I love being wild and free, and playing hardcore. I just want guys to see that deep down, despite the fact that I play hard, I'm still a sensitive girl who needs to be loved and taken care of.
Haha I hate these confessions! I sound like such a.. girl ;)
Anyways, God created me as a woman. Despite my constant complaints, honestly I'm really glad. The heart of a woman desires three things : to be romanced, to play a role in a great adventure, and to have beauty to unveil. I guess I can say God is truly working in me because He's helping me mature and see that these are God-given needs and realities in my life.
It's not easy to step out in faith and say "I am a princess in Christ." I know that almost every girl on this earth has issues and many girls are self-conscious about their physical appearance or personality, despite how much they try to play it off. America's celebrities and models don't make it any easier on us to feel we have to compete with others to be beautiful. It's scary when you take that step and choose to put your confidence in Christ and say that because your identity is in Him, you are a princess. You are the daughter of the King, worth treating well and taken care of. It's scary but it is a reality and a necessary step in following God in faith. He is working to heal our broken hearts that have wounds from the past and the lies we have been told.
Romans 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba Father. Ask God for the strength to believe in yourself. To believe that you are worthy of being called His child, worthy of being called beautiful, and worthy of being loved.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
I got accepted to Peru!!!!!
This is totally crazy, I got accepted to Peru!!
I am so beyond excited right now because I absolutely know without a doubt that this is where God wants me!!.
Going to Peru: Amor Projects is going to be a little different than I thought because there have already been 8 other students accepted to Amor Projects from Southern. There will be a lot of us college students and we will be program leaders. So that will be different from what you normally expect going as a student missionary. I can't wait and I can't believe this is all real and it's really going to happen.
Thank you God for working it all out and I'm so excited to serve you!
Now I just have a lot of paperwork to be done, shots and meds to be taken, and money to be raised.
EGW says: The way has already been prepared. "By passing over the ground which man must travel, our Lord has prepared the way for us to overcome. It is not His will that we should be placed at a disadvantage in the conflict with Satan. He would not have us intimidated and discouraged by the assaults of the serpent." Desire of Ages pg 122-123
My goal is to start spending an hour with God every single day. I need to start focusing on Christ more. Let's look at Paul who said "For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified." He was totally devoted to God- so much that the other things in life didn't matter. I want that, but at the same time it' a constant fight between sin/ self and the Holy Spirit in me.
As Chambers' writes "The abiding characteristic of a spiritual man is the interpretation of the Lord Jesus Christ to himself, and the interpretation to others of the purposes of God. The one concentrated passion of the life is Jesus Christ. Whenever you meet this note in a man, you feel he is a man after God's own heart."
Now it's interesting to me to read this and to think about Paul and compare Him to my life or so many other Christians and the way we live our lives in America. Paul was famous for preaching for Christ. He was known for His relationship with God- nothing else. Not His cooking, his jokes, his basketball skills, and the club for kids he established. Now this is just me thinking, but maybe if we stopped getting so busy with so many things in different directions, we would have time to focus on Christ and His ministry: the thing that truly matters. I'm not saying that you shouldn't have fun, spend time with family, or friends, but Focus: your focus should utmostly be on one thing and that thing should be Christ Jesus.
I understand the joys of multitasking and getting involved with so many different areas. This year in college I am part of Gym Masters, Southern Scholars, various campus ministries, intramurals, and lifeguarding. But because I am part of so much, I honestly cannot focus on any of these things. Because I am so involved with too much, I cannot give 100% to any of these areas- and definitely not to God.
This reminds me of the story with Mary and Martha.
When Jesus came to their house, Mary sat at his feet simply listening to everything He said. Martha ran around the house cleaning and cooking, doing various jobs. Mary asked Jesus why Martha wasn't helping her. Jesus said "Martha Martha," you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary s chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her."
So Focus. Take time out of your day to spend quality time with God. Give Him your best time of the day and your utmost attention. Re-evaluate your priorities so you can spend less time running around like a chicken with it's head cut off.. and following God's mission for your life.
"Never allow anything to deflect you from insight into Christ Jesus. It is the test of whether you are spiritual or not. To be unspiritual, means that other things have a growing fascination for you."
I am so beyond excited right now because I absolutely know without a doubt that this is where God wants me!!.
Going to Peru: Amor Projects is going to be a little different than I thought because there have already been 8 other students accepted to Amor Projects from Southern. There will be a lot of us college students and we will be program leaders. So that will be different from what you normally expect going as a student missionary. I can't wait and I can't believe this is all real and it's really going to happen.
Thank you God for working it all out and I'm so excited to serve you!
Now I just have a lot of paperwork to be done, shots and meds to be taken, and money to be raised.
EGW says: The way has already been prepared. "By passing over the ground which man must travel, our Lord has prepared the way for us to overcome. It is not His will that we should be placed at a disadvantage in the conflict with Satan. He would not have us intimidated and discouraged by the assaults of the serpent." Desire of Ages pg 122-123
My goal is to start spending an hour with God every single day. I need to start focusing on Christ more. Let's look at Paul who said "For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified." He was totally devoted to God- so much that the other things in life didn't matter. I want that, but at the same time it' a constant fight between sin/ self and the Holy Spirit in me.
As Chambers' writes "The abiding characteristic of a spiritual man is the interpretation of the Lord Jesus Christ to himself, and the interpretation to others of the purposes of God. The one concentrated passion of the life is Jesus Christ. Whenever you meet this note in a man, you feel he is a man after God's own heart."
Now it's interesting to me to read this and to think about Paul and compare Him to my life or so many other Christians and the way we live our lives in America. Paul was famous for preaching for Christ. He was known for His relationship with God- nothing else. Not His cooking, his jokes, his basketball skills, and the club for kids he established. Now this is just me thinking, but maybe if we stopped getting so busy with so many things in different directions, we would have time to focus on Christ and His ministry: the thing that truly matters. I'm not saying that you shouldn't have fun, spend time with family, or friends, but Focus: your focus should utmostly be on one thing and that thing should be Christ Jesus.
I understand the joys of multitasking and getting involved with so many different areas. This year in college I am part of Gym Masters, Southern Scholars, various campus ministries, intramurals, and lifeguarding. But because I am part of so much, I honestly cannot focus on any of these things. Because I am so involved with too much, I cannot give 100% to any of these areas- and definitely not to God.
This reminds me of the story with Mary and Martha.
When Jesus came to their house, Mary sat at his feet simply listening to everything He said. Martha ran around the house cleaning and cooking, doing various jobs. Mary asked Jesus why Martha wasn't helping her. Jesus said "Martha Martha," you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary s chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her."
So Focus. Take time out of your day to spend quality time with God. Give Him your best time of the day and your utmost attention. Re-evaluate your priorities so you can spend less time running around like a chicken with it's head cut off.. and following God's mission for your life.
"Never allow anything to deflect you from insight into Christ Jesus. It is the test of whether you are spiritual or not. To be unspiritual, means that other things have a growing fascination for you."
Monday, April 1, 2013
4/1/3- just my life
Mom: How do you know you'll be going as a missionary next year?
Me: I just feel it in my heart
I want to go soooo badly now. It's really going to hurt if I don't get accepted to Peru. Because I know if I don't get accepted to Peru then I better start praying bout what I'm going to do. I mean maybe Africa- because lately God put Zambia, Africa on my heart as well.. but still I just want to listen to God. If He wants me to stay here, I pray He closes the doors for me to go as a missionary.
I just don't know if I can take another year in America with all the selfishness and business. I mean I know I'll have to come back to it after going for a year. It's not like I'm trying to run away from our problems here.. even though in a way it is running away. But I really want to see the rest of the world and witness to them Jesus Christ. I want to strengthen my walk with God and learn to rely on Him. I want to see how other cultures live- not just American "capitalism" ect. I want to see how people live on $2 a day and how they find so much joy in doing so.
Today I have my interview with the SM coordinator. It's kinda like a screening process to make sure I'm the type of girl they want as an SM. Hopefully it goes well =)
I tried to donate blood today which is something normally I would never ever volunteer to do on my own. But I was going to do it because Christ gave His blood for me and so I would be more prepared for working in a clinic next year. After I got my finger pricked and they started asking questions, to my excitement, I realized I couldn't give blood because my mission trip to the Dominican was so recent. Honestly, I was like "thank you Jesus" because that looked pretty scary and painful.
I have a lot of homework and things to do this week plus Gym Master Homeshow is in 6 days!! I'm so excited, but at the same time, I really don't feel ready for it. I'm just going to have to pray and trust God that He will work and help us do good. I'm really stoked cause my mom is coming up on Thursday to see me and home show. I'm excited for her and all my friends to see it. Even though I haven't done a ton in gymnastics, Gym Masters has been a big part of my life this year. It has changed my identity, my confidence, and even my personality a little bit. It has been a great year- one I definitely wouldn't change.
I can't believe today is April 1st. April's my favorite month because everything normally gets warm, happy, and sunny. Shorts and tanktops come in, & then there's also my birthday on April 25th! I can't believe this year is almost over! It's absolutely crazy-
but then again, that's just my life ;)
Me: I just feel it in my heart
I want to go soooo badly now. It's really going to hurt if I don't get accepted to Peru. Because I know if I don't get accepted to Peru then I better start praying bout what I'm going to do. I mean maybe Africa- because lately God put Zambia, Africa on my heart as well.. but still I just want to listen to God. If He wants me to stay here, I pray He closes the doors for me to go as a missionary.
I just don't know if I can take another year in America with all the selfishness and business. I mean I know I'll have to come back to it after going for a year. It's not like I'm trying to run away from our problems here.. even though in a way it is running away. But I really want to see the rest of the world and witness to them Jesus Christ. I want to strengthen my walk with God and learn to rely on Him. I want to see how other cultures live- not just American "capitalism" ect. I want to see how people live on $2 a day and how they find so much joy in doing so.
Today I have my interview with the SM coordinator. It's kinda like a screening process to make sure I'm the type of girl they want as an SM. Hopefully it goes well =)
I tried to donate blood today which is something normally I would never ever volunteer to do on my own. But I was going to do it because Christ gave His blood for me and so I would be more prepared for working in a clinic next year. After I got my finger pricked and they started asking questions, to my excitement, I realized I couldn't give blood because my mission trip to the Dominican was so recent. Honestly, I was like "thank you Jesus" because that looked pretty scary and painful.
I have a lot of homework and things to do this week plus Gym Master Homeshow is in 6 days!! I'm so excited, but at the same time, I really don't feel ready for it. I'm just going to have to pray and trust God that He will work and help us do good. I'm really stoked cause my mom is coming up on Thursday to see me and home show. I'm excited for her and all my friends to see it. Even though I haven't done a ton in gymnastics, Gym Masters has been a big part of my life this year. It has changed my identity, my confidence, and even my personality a little bit. It has been a great year- one I definitely wouldn't change.
I can't believe today is April 1st. April's my favorite month because everything normally gets warm, happy, and sunny. Shorts and tanktops come in, & then there's also my birthday on April 25th! I can't believe this year is almost over! It's absolutely crazy-
but then again, that's just my life ;)
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