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.

Miss Mississippi College

Why in the world am I doing this scholarship pageant? Let me tell you.

Once a young girl realizes that they're not the most beautiful girl in the world like their dad has told them since they can remember, they look to the so called definition of beauty defined by magazines and media and they strive to be just like it.  After years of desiring to look taller, thiner, and so on and so on, I've come to a new conclusion.  I like the way I look.  I look at this pageant as a way to celebrate God's creation.  If I'm not mistaken, this wonderful powerful being knows exactly what he's doing.  This is my opportunity to say, "God, I praise You for making me in your image. Thank you." So Thursday night I'm going to offer everything I am for His glory. I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Thank GOD!

Life and Love

Having lived life now for almost 21 years, I find it to be utterly and inconveniently confusing. Quite honestly I'm extremely perplexed by it all- every bit of it. It seems like everything is so uncertain. As a woman it is instinct to desire security. Sadly, life doesn't offer security. Really terrible things can happen. You can lose someone you love, people you love can choose to walk away, you can be physically injured, people can hate you, you can lose your job, wars can go on for years.... and so on and so on. What is my response to this? LOVE. I thoroughly believe as Christians it is a duty to give everything we have for the glory of God while living this life- every ounce of our being. My dad once said that he wanted to be all used up when he left this world. We have the armor of the Lord to guard us through this inconsistent life. By golly I'm going to strive to love with all of my heart without expecting anything in return. Oh the boundaries that could be broken with the courage to love with all of your being knowing full well that you can be heartbroken at any moment. Brave is the woman who loves with everything she has with nothing in return. What would life be like if I, Audrie Cirlot, gave up my life for the Lord? I would strive for the betterment of those around me. Would my world be a better place? I think so. You'd think by now I've learn that life isn't about me. As humans we feel as though we need everything to be equal, especially when it comes to relationships. Jesus Christ was far from striving for equality when he died for us. Just as humans and life are inconsistent, they are unequal. This life is dirty and sometimes painful but all together it's beautiful. Through pain comes strength.

Freedom

Freedom...What is it, and how do we acheive it? Maybe freedom is the ability to try something or be soemthing without the fear of failure or rejection. Who would I be without fear?
Freedom is a mighty powerful thing. It can cause pain and at the same time it can bring great success and joy. The freedom I'm talking about is the freedom that sends peace throughout your body because you're not afraid. It's confidence. It's contentment.
Where can I find this freedom? That's the amazing part...Christ. Christ gives you the freedom to be yourself, and yet he loves you anyway. My freedom is with me everywhere I go, if I could just take hold of it. I'm free to love and be loved. I'm free to take risks. I'm free to be beautiful and powerful. I'm free to be ugly. I'm free to fail. I'm free to cry. I'm free to laugh. Christ is my freedom.

Love Song

I'll exalt You, My God, My King
I'll praise Your name forever
I will speak in praise to You oh God
Let ever Creature praise You.

When I fall down, You pick me up.
When I am dry, you feel my cup.
How do I express my love for You
When a thousand words could never be enough?

I delight myself in You oh Lord
To give me my desires.
Only You can satisfy my soul.
I give you all I am.

When I fall down, You pick me up.
When I am dry, you fill my cup.
How do I express my love to You
When a thousand words could never be enough?

I love You, Lord
I give my life to You, Jesus
You set my soul a blaze.
Your love is running through my veins.

The "Music Major"

I consider myself lucky, or as my dad would say, "blessed". He is right. "Blessed" is definitely the right word. I'm blessed by a Savior who loves me beyond my comprehension and greatest imagination....I am blessed to have a passion that keeps me up at night dreaming of the next time I'll have a chance to express it. What is this passion you may ask? It starts with a few notes and is guided by rhythm, carried out by motives, contiued by tempo and steered by pure, raw emotion. It has existed as long as the Church, and can carry far more weight than any plain, spoken word. Music. A simple, five-letter word with so much power. It has the power to change people whether for just a short moment or and entire lifetime. It takes you beyond the mundane into a world of incandescent beauty. It can be breath-taking or awe-inspiring. It's beautiful. What would dance be without it? What would movies be like? Commercials? Travel? Church? LIFE?
Thank you, God for an outlet of expression that is so amazing!

Uniquely Created

Why do I spend the majority of my time trying to be something I'm not or perhaps striving to be someone I was never meant to be in the first place. Welcome to the life of Audrie Cirlot. After spending years worrying over the simplest things I've finally come to a realization. So, here's my chance to share it with you..Here's what I've learned: God created you uniquely to fulfill the plan he has for you. I find myself on a daily basis worrying about my failures and the things I'm not good at. We constantly compare ourselves to those around us believing they have something we don't. I am thoroughly convinced that God created me the way I am for specific reason. In return, my responsibility is to try my best and use everything I've been given to bring glory to Him. It's a slap in God's face when I consider myself ugly or not good enough. I was created in the image of Christ. What an honor? It's refreashing to know that everything isn't up to me (thank goodness). My only requirement is to follow Christ and give Him my heart daily. I want to be used by the Lord. Do you?

Across the Quad

Something about walking across the quad sends clarity throughout this noggin of mine. A different perspective is achieved allowing for great opportunity to think about the big picture rather than the view limiting me to what's right in front of my face. This piece of earth that has felt my many thousands of foot steps will never realize the impact of its path leading to my future. It's at night when it obtains and releases its all-knowing wisdom. Each step sends an epiphany straight from the heels of my feet to the very center of my brain. It is here where God uses this bit of earth to speak His ever so soft whispers of guidance. This guidance becomes so evident and so real that I can even smell it with each new breath. I've learned that God is so big and I am so small. I've learned that I don't want to live a life that is ordinary by any means. I want to change the world for God's glory.