Change of Pace

It's funny how the same old things you've encountered for nearly four years can all of the sudden transform into something grand or even awe-inspiring. Tonight, as I walked across my beautiful campus, my mind was fixed on the idea of getting safely back to the dorm room so I could get in my nice cozy bed and fall fast asleep. After all, it was past my bedtime. But tonight, as I took those hasty footsteps one after the other, I looked up and noticed the starry sky with just a hint cloudy gray. It was the same sky that's served as my canopy ever since my time on this earth began. But only tonight it was the painting of such beautiful, encompassing detail. Without warning the pace of my steps diminished within seconds. I couldn't help but stare at the beautiful picture. I began to slowly force my glance downward from the seemingly tiny bundles of light in the sky to the tops of the buildings I've spent so much time since I was 18. I wanted to consume everything I could get my eyes on. I never noticed how lovely the view of FBCC's steeple is when you're looking from the Quad or how the columns at the front of Provine Chapel are so inviting. God has blessed us with such visual beauty but we live our lives in such haste, we fail to enjoy it. I want to take advantage of what little time I have left here to revel in every detail of its greatness.

Wasted Affections

I think of the things I spend most of my time thinking about, and I am ashamed. We're called to live a life of radical devotion to our Lord. If I were truly devoted to my Lord, my thoughts would be dramatically different. I can look at my affections as attachments. How many attachments do I have that do not glorify my Father? Too many to count. Learning to take every thought captive seems impossible, but then again I serve a God that can do far more abundantly than all I ask or think. I don't want to waste my time on the petty things of life. If I'm truly devoted to something, it has my full attention. I would do anything for it. My desire is to be FULLY devoted to my Savior. How could I not desire that after everything He has done for me? This world has nothing to offer me. I've spent so much wasted time on things of unimportance. I see it as wasted affections.

Beautiful, Sovereign God

You love me,
So away from all else I walk.
Further from my comfort
I'm at a loss for words.
Joy so fulfilling- beyond all comprehension
Desires for others to feel it too.
You guide me.
I'm going wherever you lead.
Eager eyes blinded
Everything to the side
With You in my gaze
I can't turn away- not ever
You're all I want
My heart's desire
Consume me.
God, you're beautiful
My beautiful, sovereign God.

No Need To Fear

Just to give you an idea of the church we are staying at, I should tell you that it is old. Very old. We're talking squeaky, afraid-of-the-dark-because-there's-so-many-rooms-and-hallways old. Yikes. Halley and I went to change over some laundry tonight, and halfway there we ran back because of the unidentifiable noises. I'm hoping it won't be so scary when it's filled with people. But then again I've learned something. Well, I should probably say that I am learning something. I should be fearless. Even in little circumstance such as this, I'm learning that God is in control. Why should I worry about the boogy monster? Or the shadow that looks like someones head next to the door slightly cracked open. I'm reminded of the Acts of the apostles soon after Jesus' death and resurrection. Sometimes I find chills running down my spin when I imagine what it must have been like during that time. People were getting arrested. People were being filled with the Holy Spirit. "And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the work of God with boldness." Acts 4:31. When I think about these times depicted in Acts I think of opportunity to fear. Crazy things were happening. When I think about about life I think about ample opportunity to fear. When I think about my God, I think about an Almighty Being who encompasses fear. My God is with me always, even to the end of time.

World Changers 2

6/4/09
After a long day of setting up, we've finally settled down at Crawford Avenue Baptist Church. Upon arrival, some of the first words of advice that made its way in our ears, was that we needed to be aware of our surrounding. Low and behold, right across the street is a drug house. That house is apparently on the corner where other types of business takes place (if you get my drift). We were told we had to lock the doors every time went through them. All of the doors have chain locks due to previous break-ins. Thank you God for the opportunity to minister in such circumstances.

World Changers

We're all trained up and ready to go. Tomorrow well will begin our first project in Augusta, GA. We'll be staying at a baptist church with about 300 hundred 6th through 12th graders. I ask that God will calm our nerves and allow everything to go smoothly. It's easy to think of all the things that could possibly go wrong, but I am constantly reminded that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Why should I fear? I expect great things from a God who is great. My God is faithful and all glory goes to Him. I ask God to keep our hearts and minds focused and pure, continually seeking His will. We're off to change the world....

Faith Shaken or Strengthened?

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with the power through His spirit in the inner man, and that the Messiah may dwell inside your hearts through faith. I pray that you being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God's love, and to know the Messiah's love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think--according to the power that works within you--to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Ephesians 3:14-21

Why do you believe what you believe? When asked that question, what would your response be? I've been challenged this semester. In Philosophy of Christian Religion, we explored why we believed what we believed. In response, this is my decree:

I will choose to serve my God daily for the rest of my life. I realize now more than ever how much love is based on decision. Love IS a decision. Love isn't easy by any means. It is life altering. It is commitment. I will never have ample evidence to believe what I believe, but I have faith. This is enough. I am forever His.