Be...

This is my second year to be apart of the Wesley Foundation leadership, and at last nights meeting we were again challenged to  pray through Psalms 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God."

(If you have never done this, it's called lectio divina, which means praying through scripture to have a new prospective revealed to your spirit!) 

Go through this, and think about what you are called to BE. 

Be still, and know that I am GOD. 

Be still, and know that I AM.

Be still, and know that I.

Be still, and know THAT. 

Be still, and KNOW.

Be still, AND.

Be STILL. 

Be. 

I kept getting stuck on what I was called to be in the fall of 2010, to Be Amazed, <...click here to go to the first blog of this Habakkuk 1:5 project... and today I was still thinking about what I have been called to be for 2011, when it dawned on me that I am to Be Steadfast.
1 Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your works are not wasted."

In just the past few days, I know I have not been completely solid in my faith... with school starting back up, I have doubted where I will be in the future and worried about what the next day will bring... who am I to not fully trust in Him?
We serve a BIG God, who has tomorrow figured out, and all he asks of me is that I listen to His plan and trust in it. How incredible, right?

Be encouraged. Be amazed. Be joyful. Be full. Be understanding. Be loud. Be broken. Be vulnerable. And most of all, be open to listening with your heart and head!! 

Season of Patience

Wow!! Where did the summer go?? It’s Mid-August!! I kept opening this page up and planning to write but I just never could, its like I was blog blocked or something. But this summer has been something crazy incredible! I have been amazed by everything I’ve experience this summer and have continued to stand in awe at the perfection of my Makers plan.

Click here to go to Ecclesiastes 3. 

This summer there has been a time for everything! Things were torn down then renewed, there was a lot of dancing and also some grief. Lots of love and healing from hate, and deep searching that has to continue.

The big thing from this summer that I had to relearn was how much patience our awesome God has. I hated how quickly I picked up old sin patterns but am amazed by how incredible His grace is.

"Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn't believe even if someone told you about it.” Habakkuk 1:5
Hard to believe how patient He is, but I'm certainly amazed by it!

Saltshaker x3

Man, I love the Wesley Foundation. I love the community there. I love how Spirit filled the Body is. I love seeking and finding more alongside my beautiful brothers and sisters. I love the freedom to dance when I sing. I love how it is home. 

When I first got to Lubbock, I had no idea of the amazing wonders God would reveal to me. I mean, I knew that college life would be a different world than I was used to but would never have been able to plan how incredible this world has really been. Being at Texas Tech, it blows my mind how His plans have been unfolding in front of me and working out for His glory. 

The relational roller coaster I had with God, my spiritual highs/lows and insecurities, had been derailed. Never had I ever been so on fire and learning so much about the Truth than during the beginning of college. I was open to every experience God would show me.

I even got so bold as to tell  Him to show me what my purpose was. 

(That led to the greatest experience... but be careful if that's what you're asking for because sometimes we do get exactly what we ask for) 

I was literally humbled by His actions and so overjoyed by the peace that came from revelations of what He had been doing for years! The semester I participated in the discipleship course Saltshaker at the Wesley is one I will remember my entire life. I love how intertwined everyone's lives are by the grace of God, I realized how intertwined my life would be with this ministry. 

Since that Spiritual Encounter from being open during Saltshaker, I have been able to be apart of leading in different ministry areas at the Wesley and got to lead this last year in the course that changed my heart. Cool things have happened since 2009!

Habakkuk 1:5 "Look at the nations and watch- and be UTTERLY AMAZED. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe even if you were told." 

Had I not been apart of this huge plan, it would have been harder to see the amazing works in the small decisions. 

This summer I am leading another course of Saltshaker for the St Matthew college ministry. I am seriously amazed by the way this course changed my life when I was apart of it and when I got to lead a small group, but cannot wait to see how it will impact the lives of these young adults. 

We serve a God bigger than our plans, who has got it already worked out in the end. 2 Corinthians 4:8 "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, what is unseen is eternal." 

Eternally amazed. That's where I want to be. 

Revelations!!

So the world was supposed to end yesterday... or so a guy in California claimed to KNOW. 

Yesterday, I was at the movies thinking, "I hope the rapture isn't really today, I have stuff to do." Oh my God, how selfish was I? Later last night around 9pm (Central time) while playing Apples to Apples, I was having a sweet conversation with some friends about Revelation and how only the Spirit knows the time. My friend Scott revealed a different perspective that I hadn't even thought about... he said that even though this guy made false prophecy towards God's perfect plan, think of how many people seriously got right with Him, and now they have a chance to build the most important relationship.

How blessed am I to know my name is written in the Book of Life!! And why was I not as passionate for bringing as many as I can with me? 

The Word amazes me! The bible was written and inspired by God thousands of years ago and translated into over 2,400 languages and into ultimately more translated versions; PLUS it is a living book!! It is completely relevant in our lives. Mind blown! 

Habakkuk 2:3 actually says, "The Revelation waits an appointed time; it describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed." 

The cool thing about a revelation is that it does not just mean Revelation, as in The End, it also means reveal. That the Lord is revealing things!! Anyone who believes in the Father and knows the Son is a member of the chosen people. Ephesians 2:19, "You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household!" We are anointed through Him. 

Amazing right? Not only does He desire a relationship with you, but He also choices you to be apart of His family and the body of believers. That's a big deal! Living everyday to the fullest just got a lot more real! 

Continue to "Look and be utterly amazed!!" Habakkuk 1:5

Fellowship

I am a bad secret keeper, I’ll admit it, but I just love to be ‘in the know.’ A few weeks ago my dad asked me when I would be coming home next, to which I replied, “On the 15^th for your retirement party.” He said, “Party??” (In such a way that I was sure I had ruined the surprise!!) When I tried to change the subject quickly, he laughed and said he was just kidding, that he had known about the party. Oy I felt so bad for a minute…Well, this weekend I was out and about, up in the Oklahoma Panhandle and out in West Texas, but have finally made it back to Lubbock!! So many awesome events from this weekend, it was incredible!! 

I actually love whenever I schedule things and plan, and then things don’t go the way I planned. I literally do! It reminds me that I am not in control and that His plans are better!! 

Saturday, when I got to Goodwell I got to get away from the world and talk with friends from last summer and started to realize how blessed I am that these precious girls are in my life!! 

Whitney, me, and Genna

I know that the Lord does His work in His time, and have seen many times in my life when He talked directly to me through a friend or through a conversation with an acquaintance.  On Saturday night after all these new adventures, I was driving a friend home from dinner when we started talking about community and friendships. It was so encouraging to hear the heart of a Christian brother, who I had only met on one other occasion, be so open. It was defiantly reassuring toward something that had been on my heart.

Psalms 33:10-11 The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes. But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.

Me, Alison, Selene, Katie, Kaitlyn

Sunday afternoon, I made it back down to Andrews for the party that WAS NOT a surprise and also got to hang out with my best friend Alison. Even though we’re in different places and don’t get to talk too much, whenever we do catch up it always feels like she was apart of everything.  I have been sweetly blessed with not only amazing friends but also with awesome connections that make my heart glad!

Habakkuk 1:5 Look… and be amazed.

Since starting this project, I have been finding more and more things that amaze me! Thank you Lord for good friends and fellowship!! 

Songs About Rain!!

This is not about the Gary Allan song, but I will admit that early this morning when I work up during a Lubbock thunderstorm and watched rain streaking my window, I was singing Songs About Rain in my head.

Coming home from the movies last night, I rolled down the windows and let the cool spring air in and thought I smelled rain, but I didn't dare say it out loud incase it passed us up, like is has done basically all year. Warm in my bed, I woke up around 5 am to the sounds and lights from the storm. What beautiful sounds!! I used to live in Central Texas and didn't know to appreciate rain but after living in West Texas more than half of my life, I can honestly say it's my favorite type of weather. One of things I wonder about is how did God create rain? Did he say, "Let there be rain to water My earth," and then there was or was it like what my Granny used to tell me "Angels are washing their clothes, that's why it's raining." I don't know... but I'll ask Him one day. Something as simple and complex as rain blows my mind.

This week since the semester is over, I have been getting prepared for the summer. Two separate conversations have left me feeling beyond encouraged about what He has done throughout my Sophomore year and about the future. I have really been amazed by how the power of words can strengthen us.

One of my favorite chapters is 1 Thessalonians 5. It gives me peace to be told what to do and how to live in such a short letter. 5:11 says, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are doing." We NEEDED rain and it came... we are CALLED to encourage each other in numerous verses and whenever we are obedient, He is glorified. As I see it, a segue into how rain and encouragement tie together would be to watch and be amazed at the blessings in your world!!
Habakkuk 1:5 "Look and be utterly amazed!!" 

Chicken Soup in the springtime!!

My number one favorite book series of all time is Chicken Soup for the Soul. They are easy to read and don't require too much time... because every story is different. I love that there is a book under nearly every topic imaginable!! The name "Chicken Soup for the Soul" comes from the wives tale that chicken soup cures every illness, therefore it was good for the body. The inspirational stories in this series are meant to be good for the soul and I completely believe they are.

A few weeks ago after a trip to Barnes and Nobel, I was telling some friends at the Wesley Foundation how excited I was to have a couple of new releases to read in May. I won't name names, but the kitchen intern who is dating the girl whose name ends with an ā, laughed and said Chicken Soup books are so outdated and only for people under the age of 12 or over the age of 50. I beg to differ!! I absolutely love every book in the series. If you have never read one, I would recommend that you do asap!!

The ones I last bought were A Book of Miracles for myself, Chicken Soup for the Grandmother's Soul to send my Grandmother for Mother's Day, and Chicken Soup for the Nascar Fan to give my dad for Father's Day. In the book of miracles, there are 101 true stories of healing, faith, divine intervention, and answered prayers...right at my interests, I know!! It is so encouraging to read these sweet stories of how the Lord worked mightily in someone's life, and to be reaffirmed that our God is ALWAYS working and should ALWAYS get the glory!! In our triumphs, failures, and especially when we are in our weakest, He is always bigger and will work things for his good. Romans 8:28 says so.

It amazes me when His plans fall into place, and Christ is revealed. "Look at the nations and be utterly amazed! For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told!" Habakkuk 1:5
That's how amazed we should be when we see those everyday miracles... speechless.