Monday, June 2, 2008
Full Weekend
"I once took a little dog through a course in obedience school. One of the lessons he had to learn was to respond to my voice only. There were forty-nine other dogs and their masters in the circle, adn commands were given by more than one person at a time. Each dog had to distinguish, out of all hte noise, the one voice that called to him. so do we who are trainees in God's obedience school. We learn to love the sound of His voice, and our obedience to Him, in matters large and small, changes us into His image, "from glory to glory" (2Cor 3:18). That is a promise."
--Be Still My Soul, by Elisabeth Elliot
Are you listening to His voice among the other sounds calling out to you? Are you being obedient?
Monday, May 26, 2008
UnEqual
"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?" 2 Cor. 6:14
What does "unequally yoked" mean to you? Some believe it just means you can't marry someone who isn't a believer, however I would never call someone a "best friend" if they aren't progressing in their faith. I believe we are called to reach out into the world, but should we rely so closely on someone who doesn't believe Christ is their Savior. Or should you even engage in a dating relationship where the boy isn't leading, or isn't stronger. Just some thoughts for today.
What does this verse mean to you? How strict are you on engaging in intimate (meaning anything past a friend) relationships with non-believers? Go read the whole chapter and see if it sheds anymore light with you. Please, tell me what you think.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
One Word
1) Leader
2) Judgemental
3) Confident (but not arrogant)
4) Honest (but not rude)
5) Good Advice Giver
6) Good Friend
7) Needy
8) Dramatic
9) Demanding
10) Inquisitive
11) Reserved
12) Observant
As each word reach my ears, I just stopped. Some I was really excited to hear, others I was kinda blown away from what they said. Now I know that what people think of me doesn't matter, but it put a lot into perspective. Obviously, I have some things I need to work on, and it was obvious which friendships were healthy and which weren't. I think sometimes we need to stop and evaluate how we're doing. Some of these things would have NEVER come to my mind (aka "dramatic" and "needy") so it's a good thing to get a perspective from those who were close to you. Just a random thought from today. Feel free to leave any comment you'd like.
(So it's official, all of my friends have graduated high school...)
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Enrollement
Introversion (I)
I like getting my energy from dealing with the ideas, pictures, memories, and reactions that are inside my head, in my inner world. I often prefer doing things alone or with one or two people I feel comfortable with. I take time to reflect so that I have a clear idea of what I’ll be doing when I decide to act. Ideas are almost solid things for me. Sometimes I like the idea of something better than the real thing.
Paying attention to physical reality, what I see, hear, touch, taste, and smell. I’m concerned with what is actual, present, current, and real. I notice facts and I remember details that are important to me. I like to see the practical use of things and learn best when I see how to use what I’m learning. Experience speaks to me louder than words.
The following statements generally apply to me:
- I remember events as snapshots of what actually happened.
- I solve problems by working through facts until I understand the problem.
- I am pragmatic and look to the “bottom line.”
- I start with facts and then form a big picture.
- I trust experience first and trust words and symbols less.
- Sometimes I pay so much attention to facts, either present or past, that I miss new possibilities.
Thinking (T)
When I make a decision, I like to find the basic truth or principle to be applied, regardless of the specific situation involved. I like to analyze pros and cons, and then be consistent and logical in deciding. I try to be impersonal, so I won’t let my personal wishes--or other people’s wishes--influence me.
The following statements generally apply to me:
- I look for logical explanations or solutions to most everything.
- I make decisions with my head and want to be fair.
- I believe telling the truth is more important than being tactful.
- Sometimes I miss or don’t value the “people” part of a situation.
- I can be seen as too task-oriented, uncaring, or indifferent.
Judging (J)
I use my decision-making (Judging) preference (whether it is Thinking or Feeling) in my outer life. To others, I seem to prefer a planned or orderly way of life, like to have things settled and organized, feel more comfortable when decisions are made, and like to bring life under control as much as possible.
- I like to have things decided.
- I like to make lists of things to do.
- I like to get my work done before playing.
- I plan work to avoid rushing just before a deadline.
- Sometimes I focus so much on the goal that I miss new information.
ISTJ
Quiet, serious, earn success by thoroughness and dependability. Practical, matter-of-fact, realistic, and responsible. Decide logically what should be done and work toward it steadily, regardless of distractions. Take pleasure in making everything orderly and organized – their work, their home, their life. Value traditions and loyalty.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Graduation
"I do not think I'm ready."-says Prince Caspian to Aslan
"For that reason I know you are."-Aslan
As today grew closer, I felt like I wasn't ready. So much of my time was wasted on things that didn't matter the next day. But as always, God thinks I'm ready, so I must be. Here's to the next part of the journey!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Why?
Why must I see such evil things when I close my eyes
When I open them to the world it makes me realize
God made the world for good not for all the pain we see
But man disobeyed God's wish and took the fruit upon the tree
Why must I see such hurt and sorrow everywhere I go
It makes it hard to realize but at least I know
That God made the world for good not for all the pain we see
God sent Love in the form of a man to die upon a tree
Why must evil rule the world we know and live in now
Its hard to say we'll make it through but I know we will somehow
Cuz God made the world for good not for all the pain we see
And the Spirit lives in you while the Man on throne with He
Friday, May 9, 2008
Hmmmm....
1) Bombs--I was under attack, and a lot of it was with the stuff at church, but I wasn't ever hit because I was hiding out in Central LifeKIDS. For a while things would be ok and then out of nowhere something else would happen.
2) Significance of the people:
Lori--our main interaction is at church, we're both incredibly busy
Hannah--our friendship fades in and out (busyness), but we always end up together
Chris--we go through a lot, but always end up ok in the end
Taylor--just in my life for short periods of time, but is always focused on what's ahead of him
Family--at the time, I didn't involve my parents in much of my life, so they didn't know what was happening (but that's changed, so don't worry)
The people in the field--I think they were all people I knew and that had a part in my life.
3) Don't know about the field
4) Warehouse--I'm hiding from something big that I'm supposed to be apart of, but won't join without coercion and support
5) Mountains--they are a place of peace for me
6) Bombs--get ready, they're coming again.
So whether or not you think this dream had any meaning, you have to admit, it was strange. :) I don't know what I think, sometimes I think God speaks to me through dreams. You can believe as you will (and I'm the first to admit I over-think A LOT), but here it is. Take what you will :)
Monday, May 5, 2008
A Dream
"I was at church, downstairs in the LifeKIDS Central Offices (if you have been there, I was between Kendra and Shawn's desks). I was with lots of people (around 7), but the only person I remember is Lori. Next thing I know, bombs (almost torpedo-like) come through the walls and we all hit the floor and covered our heads. After about 5 min, the bombs stopped and we all got up and none of us were hurt. We gathered ourselves up and go on doing what we were doing. About 15 minutes later, bombs (again torpedo-like) and the same thing happened, we all hit the ground hoping we didn't get blown up. Next thing I know, I had left the church and I'm with Chris and Hannah. We're walking South on Coltrane from 15th to 33rd. Next thing I know, Hannah is gone and I'm just walking with Chris. As we approach 33rd, everything around us turns into ice: the road, the green trees, the cars---EVERYTHING was ice. Then, Taylor is in his car and passes Chris and I in the intersection. You can barely see into his car, but you could see his face. I kept yelling at him to go check on his dad (remember bombs just went off) and he kept pointing behind him. As he went through the intersection, two kids on bikes followed him. He was just gonna make sure they got home safely. Chris and I walk through the intersection, but we had to pull on the iced trees to get up the hill, but we made it over the top together. Where there are houses on Coltrane after 33rd, there was just a field--a field that had never had anything on it, but it was full of families. We (Chris is still with me) run through the field searching for my family. I found them sitting in their lawn chairs, chatting away as though nothing had happened (remember, bombs just went off at church). I ran to them making sure I was ok, but they didn't hear me. All they asked was what I was doing, and I told them I wasn't sure. Hannah and her family coming running over, and soon all of my parents' friends are with us. Chris, knowing Hannah and I had made it to our families, went on a search for his and he walked across the field to 33rd and Bryant. The rest is kinda fuzzy. I was in this big warehouse, but I was hiding in the rafters. A spotlight kept trying to find me, but it never did. Below me, there was dancing and singing, almost like they were putting on a production. A guy was in the rafters as well and he convinced me to join in the dancing. So now I'm dancing in this circle. Next thing you know, this same guy is pushing me out the front door telling me something bad is gonna happen and we have to hide. I think more bombs might have been going off. So he pushes us out the door and he makes a run for it, but I just stood on the outside of this warehouse. To my left are mountains of great size. The people I traveled to Chihuahua with are with me now and we are climbing these mountains. We get to a plateaued spot and we, along with some kids we picked up from somewhere, are sitting in a circle, holding hands. Just as we sat, bombers come in from behind the mountains and I'm yelling to this group, "WE SHOULD MOVE!!! MORE BOMBS ARE COMING!!!!!! WHY WON'T YOU LISTEN?!?!?!"
Here's where I woke up. I know it's long, but I wanted to give details. Craig said to write it down, so I did. Do you think there's any significance in the dream? What might your interpretation be. Look soon and I'll show you what my friends and I came up with. They thought it was such a bizarre dream, it had to have meaning....keep in mind, I have the gift of prophecy...I don't know...
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Lessons Learned from Toy Story
1. Jealousy is NEVER good.
2. Sacrificing old friends for "new, cool" friends generally isn't a wise thing (sing with me "Make new friends, and keep the old..." I don't know the rest...) Like my parents say...don't burn bridges
3. Embrace who you are to your Owner and don't let other "toys" convince you that you were worth more than your Owner knew.
4. Sacrifice always comes with love.
If you don't know the story, I suggest you go rent them both. I'll do a quick summary of the situations of the lessons, but I don't want to make it too long.
1-When Andy gets Buzz, Woody gets jealous. He was always the favorite, but now he lives under the bed instead of on it. His jealousy goes so far that he "pushes" Buzz out the bedroom window.
2-The other toys fall for Buzz's newness and immediately turn their back on Woody. They keep the two from getting home and almost get Buzz blown up by Sid, simply because they had traded in their trust of Woody for Buzz.
3-In the 2nd movie, Woody is stolen and is sold to a museum in Japan. He came from a TV series and his "co-stars" convinced him, Andy wouldn't love him forever and he should give up and sell himself. BUT in the end, Woody remembers Andy will always love him and returns with his new friends.
4-Buzz risks his life to rescue Woody all because Woody once risked his.
What lessons have you had to learn. Just in the last few months, I've experience each of these at least once. What other movies have you learned from?
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Glorious One
Our hearts are bowing reverence
And we're surrounded by
The glory of Your presence
With every creature every tongue
We're lifting our voice to the Glorious One
Glorious One
Glorious One
Light of the world
You outshine the sun
King of all Kings
Eternity sings
Glorious One
God of infinite worth
With hands that carve out the ocean
You hold the universe
And still You run to the broken
With every heart that's been redeemed
We're lifting our song to the Glorious King
There is none more beautiful
There is none more wonderful
Glorious One, by Steve Fee
Monday, April 28, 2008
What do we do without a leader???
"3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”
John 10:3-5
Go here and read the rest of the story. My question--can you recognize your Father's voice? Have you ever been lost and then you hear His voice? Any cool stories you have hearing Him?
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Be Still My Soul
"I realized that the Bible itself is full of written prayers, including the one Jesus taught His disciples when they asked for a model of prayer. "Our Father who art in heaven...(Matthew 6:9-13) The older I get, the more I use that prayer and the more I realize that virtually everything that really matters is contained in that one prayer. I am not praying to get an answer to every question or a solution to every problem, but rather to put my whole live and all the lives of those whom I love in the light of heaven."
How has your prayer life changed as you've grown older? What are your favorites ways to pray? Do you have any prayers you pray every day?
Memories
Sunday, April 20, 2008
OKC---
***Side note...only 3 more weeks until graduation! I can't wait! I'm headed to Edmond now for Konnect!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Lesson 1....
Here's something that amazed me about my experience in Chihuahua: 1) I didn't eat half as much as I usually (I can only remember being hungry once...on the way home--Domino's night) 2) I slept very little, I mean like 3-4 hours a night (not once did I feel worn out from exhaustion) 3) I did some major work out and managed to always make it up the mountain (in my own time...another lesson, so stay tuned).
The whole week I pulled so much strength from my Jesus. When I painted all day without rest, He guided my brush. When I spoke after having no sleep, He guided my words. When I ate enough food to be polite, but not enough to fill my tummy, He gave me the Bread of Life. When I felt I couldn't walk any longer DOWN the mountain, He sent me a friend to walk with. When I needed a day of silence, He spent the whole day at my side, just listening, but never speaking. When I doubted I could make it UP the mountain, He sent me a helping hand. When the journey seemed like forever, He sent me a guide. When the blister grew on my foot, He gave me a friend who let me borrow their socks. When I knew I couldn't walk anymore on my knee, He brought someone to carry me. When I was in pain, He sent a friend I could lean on. When I needed some encouragement, He sent me a beautiful sunset. When I felt lonely, He blessed me with a sunrise. When I needed some real food, He blessed me with potatoes and ketchup. When I needed affirmation I was doing a good job, He spoke through everyone around me.



Get all your strength from Him, He's all you'll ever need.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Nothing left...
When a baby was born in the night
And those who came far, who followed the star
Were seeing a heavenly sight ...
a heavenly sight.
Well the years hurried by, and the boy, now a man
Could make the blind see with a touch of his hand
He was born to be King -- he was Rabbi and Priest
But the best that he had, he gave to the least ...
He gave to the least.
He was born and he died, almost 2,000 years ago
He laughed and he cried, he felt all the fears we know
But what does it matter? A story so strange ...
Even if it is true, what does it change?
What does it change?
Well he spoke like a prophet -- like no one they’d heard
This simple young carpenter -- crowds hung on every word
He hated injustice -- He taught what is right
He said “I’m the way, and the truth, and the light.”
His friends soon believed that truly he was the one.
The Savior, Messiah, God’s one and only son.
But others, they doubted, they did not agree
So they took him, they tried him,
He died on a tree ...
He died on a tree.
God has made a way
for all who mourn and grieve
Death will never be the end
if you just believe.
There is nothing left to fear
nothing Heaven knows
For he died for us to give us life
and to give us hope He rose
He died for us to give us life
And to give us hope He rose."
This is from "An Easter Carol" produced by VeggieTales. We were watching it today at work and I had kinda tuned out the lyrics--after all I had already seen it so many times--but I just happened to tune in to
"There's nothing left to fear, nothing Heaven knows.
He died for us to give us life and to give us hope He rose."
As most of you know, I've really been battling some fears. For the first time in my life I can say I'm genuinely scared of change. But as I'm facing this huge change (graduating high school, friends going to college, going to a different campus...and the list goes on) I have to remember Jesus suffered the worst just for ME! No matter how many times I'm hurt, no matter how many times doors keep closing, no matter how many times people leave, I always have hope...my Jesus never leaves me, He never hurts me, and He will always open the RIGHT doors at the RIGHT time. (Go check out the video by clicking on "An Easter Carol" at the top...)
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Journey back home!!!!
Thanks for sticking through this all and reading it! It's amazing all God did in me. I'll be posting what I learned from people and from My Jesus in the next few weeks!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Day 6
We've got one more, the journey home...look for it on Thursday!!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Day 5
I'm almost finished, we've got one more day, plus the journey home. Thanks for reading. I know this is taking a long time.
Monday, March 31, 2008
The Stand
"I'll stand, arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all.
I'll stand my soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours."
---The Stand by Michael W. Smith
How many times do we forget that we must be surrendered to His call 100% in order to find fulfillment? I know I forget a lot. From the time I was 13 I knew God was calling me to ministry through LifeChurch. I've been waiting for a job for what seems like forever and just when it opened, my mentor suggested I continue growing and start serving at another campus. Let me just tell you all, I've NEVER attended another church and even when I go to another campus it's with all my friends and family. But after this suggestion from my mentor I was reminded all we can ever do is surrender our lives to His plan. We never know what He might be calling us to next. I believe whole-heartedly I am called to ministry, but like I always say, just wait for the right timing, because there's not timing like His timing. All we can ever be is His and just let Him have control. All this to say, I'm leaving my home campus of Edmond to venture out and start serving at OKC. I'm excited, but nervous. But I'm choosing to believe God has an even greater plan for me, and I'm excited to see it! So don't forget: we are surrendered to His call and it is the best!!!
