Words of Wisdom.

"Tis not that I did choose Thee, For Lord, that could not be; This heart would still refuse Thee, Hadst Thou not chosen me... My heart owns none before Thee, For Thy rich grace I thirst; This knowing, if I love Thee, Thou must have loved me first." Josiah Conder

New Thought from The Shack, a great book I can't put down...

"Mack, the world system is what it is. Institutions, systems, ideologies, and all the vain, futile efforts of humanity that go with them are everywhere, and interaction with all of it is unavoidable. But I can give you freedom to overcome any system of power in which you find yourself, be it religious, economic, social, or political. You will grow in the freedom to be inside or outside all kinds of systems and to move freely between and among them. Together, you and I can be in it and not of it." 

"But so many of the people I care about seem to be both in it and of it!" Mack was thinking of his friends, church people who had expressed love to him and his family. He knew they loved Jesus, but were also sold out to religious activity and patriotism. 

"Mack, I love them. and you wrongly judge many of them. For those who are both in it and of it, we must find ways to love and serve them, don't you think?" asked Jesus. "Remember, the people who know me are the ones who are free to live and love without any agenda."

"Is that what it means to be a Christian?" It sounded kind of stupid as Mack said it, but it was how he was trying to sum everything up in his mind.

"Who said anything about being a Christian? I'm not a Christian."

The idea struck Mack as odd and unexpected and he couldn't keep himself from grinning. "No, I suppose you aren't."

They arrived at the door of the workshop. Again Jesus stopped.

"Those who love me come from every system that exists. They were Buddhists or Mormons, Baptists or Muslims, Democrats, Republicans and many who don't vote or are not part of any Sunday morning or religious institutions. I have followers who were murderers and many who were self-righteous. Some are bankers and bookies, Americans and Iraqis, Jews and Palestinians. I have no desire to make them Christian, but I do want to join them in their transformation into sons and daughters of my Papa, into my brothers and sisters, into my Beloved."

"Does that mean," asked Mack, "that all roads will lead to you?"

"Not at all," smiled Jesus as he reached for the door handle to the shop. "Most roads don't lead anywhere. What it does mean is that I will travel any road to find you."

Opinions...

So... short blog but hoping for return posts-your turn to tell me what you think.

1. A kid at my daycare's parents told me they don't do Christmas tree, ornaments, lights, presents, Santa Clause.. nope-no presents. Instead, they wake up and have birthday cake and ice cream with decorations of birthday party to celebrate Jesus's birth. They said our culture has centered and focused everything around us and they won't give their children presents because it's not about them. May be extreme, but... sure gets the point across and she was one of the few kids who knew whose bday is on Christmas.... what do you think?

2. At the candle light service tonight at church, we all took communion. Sitting beside me, my friend said she doesn't believe communion is for everyone. She thinks only those saved in Christ should participate... .opinions?

3. There are so many children in this country and others that are orphaned. Is it selfish to have our own children when so many kids never feel love firsthand. Aren't we called to love?

These are simply just things I've heard lately and wondered what others thought. These are just your opinions and thoughts...I feel we should all form our own spirit led idea on what we ourselves believe. Just thought it would be cool to hear some response.. so please.......

HOME SWEET HOME...

So it's December 22 today and I am finally home. Home... as in Wetumpka, Alabama. However, the past couple of weeks the Lord has shown me an entire new perspective of what the word, "home" really means. Here is what home has looked like over the past couple of weeks. The next few blogs will feature bits and pieces of what I feel makes up home for me. The picture above is of my roommates. Here's a little bit about them because, they're sort of a big deal. The one pictured here with me in red is Katherine Archer. She's in her fifth year at Auburn in grad school for speech therapy. Commonly referred to as Chatty, this girl keeps me laughing. I've really enjoyed getting to know her. She's so inviting and including. She's just one of those people who just make you seem right at home in conversation. Her experience in life offers amazing advice and encouragement for me. She and I will be living in our house next semester. I'm excited to continue to grow in our friendship. The girl in the grey shirt is Katy Crane. This crazy girl is more like a roommate. She lives in the room right across from me. She may have more patience with me then anyone I've ever lived with. She puts up with the loud and unending alarms, continuous banging of doors, blaring music, and of course, just ME. Katy and I have gotten closer due to the fact that we rarely go home. We both stay in Auburn as long as we can. It's been so fun to go deeper in our relationship and see her heart for missions and for people. She just finished at Auburn and now will head to Switzerland or Australia for a semester for discipleship training through YWAM. This is an amazing opportunity for her but really stinks for me. She won't be there next semester at all so... I'm really going to miss her! The last roommate on the end in the pink shirt is Emily Stewart. Emily is a senior at Auburn and closest to my age. She just finished all her classes for Human Development and Family Studies and will study with her class in Italy next semester. Thankfully, she will be in Auburn a few weeks in January before she splits. Emily is more like the older sister for me in Auburn. Our relationship is a pretty deep one. We've had numerous conversations about the Lord and she's been an amazing influence for me this semester. Unfortunately for her, many of our conversations have included complaining, crying, looking back and selfish thoughts from me. I'm so thankful for all the advice and mentoring she's held out to me throughout the semester. All three of these girls are absolutely amazing. Look at them! Could I ask for more beautiful roommates? The semester with them has been pretty drama free with exceptions to our pet rat we like to scare each other with. This rat is so awful looking that it will never fail to result in scream or missed heart beat. The only other thing that can annoy us more is the darn door stopper in the kitchen that sticks out and makes an annoying sound when anyone hits it. We've had some mysterious events occur in the semester including cookies, a/c, dishwasher, bathroom sounds, Ellen, destroyed pumpkins, garbage fines, and other things. Overall, we had an amazing time getting to know one another this semester. I can't thank the Lord enough for such an opportunity to grow and learn from such amazing Christian women in my own house. I feel like I had to grow up a bit and at the same time add a bit of youth to the house :) Thinking of home during this holiday season allows me to miss the three girls that have really, really allowed Auburn to seem more like home for me. It hasn't been easy to adjust to another city but these girls have a lot to do with the home atmosphere that is growing in Auburn. I'm so thankful to them for allowing me to be a part of a great group of people living under one roof. I'm not looking forward to going back to our house and taking down our Christmas tree (we got a real one) and all the ornaments, but I'm definitely looking forward to seeing these girls again soon. I miss them already. They definitely make up a part of my "home" this semester.

BIGGER PICTURE.

Yesterday, I went to Auburn University's graduation. One of my close friends was graduating so I decided to sit through 2 hours of recognition and rewards. As I sat there with hundreds of graduates before me, my mind was going ninety to nothing in thoughts. One of the most significant things I could think of was this:

Sitting with 2 other graduates of Auburn and knowing some of their adventures, I realized one thing we all have in common. During college, we seem to forget the bigger picture. My two friends beside me, my friend graduating, the hundreds of graduates, and myself have all been in nights of chaos where we let uncertainty overcome reason. Those nights consist of thoughts like these: Will I ever get this paper finished on time? What the heck am I going to do about this test I had no clue about? Should I even go to class? What will my parents think when I bring home another D? How in the world am I supposed to know what major to choose? Will I ever use my major? Will I ever even get a job in the major I chose? Does school really matter? Why does it matter? I hate school. I hate college. I hate work. I hate studying. I hate class. I hate this professor.... you know what I mean. 

In life, these thoughts can be all too familiar as well: What is the point of life? Why do I do good to others and in return get nothing? Why is it so hard for me? What is the meaning of life? Why do I feel so alone? Does anybody love me? Will I ever find a mate? Will I ever get a slow day to just rewind and relax? What am I going to do with my life? Do I really love this person? Why do these people hurt me so much? Why do I look this way? How could anyone love me? So many thoughts that in the situation make life seem so hard and so pointless... right?

All those graduates have surrounded themselves with those endless question-asking nights yet, look where they are now. They are graduating! They are at the day they have been waiting for for four or more years. The day when they will march up to their teacher and receive a long awaited award for their achievements. The day is here and nothing can stop them now! No hard test, no eternal working paper, no horrible professor... they made it! The smiles on each of the graduates reflects the priceless feeling inside of achievement-They have reached their BIGGER PICTURE.

Let's tie life into this-What is our bigger picture? What day will we walk up to the stage and receive an award from our teacher that no insecurity, fear, reason, rejection, misunderstanding, mistake, failure, weakness, embarrassment, sickness, sin, pain, ignorance, abandonment, insignificant, accusing, or bankrupt thoughts can stop us? What is the point of life? What is our bigger picture? 

Louie Giglio told of this at the Passion tour in Atlanta in April-

You are like a match that when lit is on fire for 5 seconds and then is simply just left with a black stick. But, if your fire is tossed into the fire of the Lord, it will be a part of the flame of the Trinity, the flame to Heaven, the flame that impacts the nations, the flame that will burn FOREVER in Heaven.

Jesus told of this Bigger Picture in John 14-

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."

2 Peter 3:8-

"With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day."

OUR BIGGER PICTURE:

Eternity. Every day on this Earth we should be comforted in the fact that we have a Savior who loves us so much and gives us the opportunity to be a part of the bigger picture. We have our numbered days to look forward to the day when we meet Jesus Christ face to face. So in Earth, each day we are to know him more-to give Him glory with the days that He has given to us. Any day that is hard, stressful, or meaningless to us is just one day, one part in the bigger picture of eternity. So, just as those graduates were sitting in chairs in the coliseum yesterday, we too will all wait in Heaven. We will march up to the stage where we will see our teacher, Jesus. As we walk up to Him, all the hard times and sufferings will be rewarded in our diploma that reads, "Well done my good and faithful servant." We will get to meet our teacher face to face and live in an eternity free of pain. 

Be Encouraged that we have a BIGGER picture.

Further thoughts- These lyrics by Sara Groves hit perfectly on this:

Lyrics | Sara Groves lyrics - Rewrite This Tragedy lyrics

ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER.

So, now that finals are over and no more studying is done-I can study what I really want to study. THE WORD. In Ak's this afternoon and got out my bible and began to read. I'm reading in Matthew right now so I picked up in chapter 11. As Jesus fulfills the Law, he quotes what is written in Malachi. Even though what I'm about to write has nothing to do with what Jesus spoke about in Matthew, I believe that the word is alive and the Lord uses it to speak to me. I read where Jesus fulfills what was written, but then I continued to read. I came across Malachi 3:6 and it completely changed the direction of my day. It is written, "I the LORD do not change." It goes on to say, so you are not destroyed. 

I THE LORD DO NOT CHANGE.

Wow!! How extremely comforting! In a time where most of the people around me face changes in daily life constantly, and I myself have had to adjust to quite the number of changes lately, this verse can knock you down. I have friends that are leaving Auburn for good, friends that are starting to think about leaving USA for good, friends who are dealing with life changes in spiritual walk, and well... who isn't dealing with change? Last night at the Behold the Lamb concert in Birmingham, Bebo Norman said this..."Right in the middle of my inconsistency, I remember that I believe in a God that is SO consistent." It's the same thing with change.. right in the middle of change, I remember that I believe in a God who doesn't change. 

Further Encouragement: 

As I continued reading, the Lord also spoke to me through Isaiah. In Ch. 42 vs. 9, it says, "...and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you." Another Wow for me...It's just encouraging for me to remember that all things are from Him. The Lord declares new things in my life. Before they even arrive, he knows! The last verse I will leave you with that could possibly encourage you in a time of change is this... Col. 1:17, "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." THANK GOD.

He goes before us, He goes with us, and He goes after us. My favorite line, IN HIM, ALL things HOLD together. So... if you are dealing with any change, which I believe is tough, be comforted in these verses. Hold on to Him because, He is holding on to you. 

this photo-taken from a friend's camera phone of the sky...no lie.

Merry Christmas from the Brendles

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Britney

Tonight I watched this reality episode on MTV about Britney Spears. It's called, Britney-for the record. It was awesome. It's pretty much her telling her story and giving her fans insight on her life and what she's gone through. I'm definitely a fan because I feel like there's no better candidate for grace. Here's some of her words that I identified with...

"It's weird-like you can see the world, the coolest part of the world. The coolest part, but then on the other side you see the most beautiful part. You go from one extreme to the other and they're both worth it because you wouldn't see one without the other. And that cool part is real cool, but that heaven is heaven. So, it's like I've been to both places."

I realize some of you think that's confusing and terrible sense making... but I get her. I think she's amazing for still sticking with things. So, I'm adding in the lyrics from a Bebo Norman song called Britney. They wrote this song about Britney Spears and I think it's amazing.

Britney im sorry for the lies we told
we took you into our arms and then left you cold
britney im sorry for this cruel cruel world
we sell the beauty but destroy the girl
britney im sorry for your broken heart
we stood aside and watched you fall apart
im sorry we told you fame would fill you up
and money moves the man so drink the cup
i know love goes around the world we know
and you never see it coming back you never see it coming back
i know love goes around the world we know
and you never see it coming back but i can see it coming back for you
yes coming back for you
britney im sorry for the stones we throw
we tear you down just so we can watch the show
britney im sorry for the words we say
we point the finger as you fall from grace
i know love goes around the world we know
and you never see it coming back
you never see it coming back and
i know love goes around the world we know
and you never see it coming back but i can see it coming back for you
yeah, its coming back for you, yeah, its coming back for you,
yeah, its coming back for you,
yeah britney i do believe that love has come
here for the broken here for the ones like us
i know love goes around the world we know
and you never see it coming back
you never see it coming back
and i know love goes around the world we know
and you never see it coming back
but i can see it coming back
i know love goes around the world we know
and you never see it coming back
you never see it coming back
i can see it coming back for you
its coming back for you... yeah

Pregnant With Jesus!?!

I have traveled many moonless nights,

Cold and weary with a babe inside,

And i wonder what I've done.

Holy father you have come,

And chosen me now to carry your son.

I am waiting in a silent prayer.

I am frightened by the load i bear.

In a world as cold as stone,

Must i walk this path alone?

Be with me now. Be with me now.

Breath of heaven, Hold me together,

Be forever near me, Breath of heaven.

Breath of heaven, Lighten my darkness,

Pour over me your holiness, For you are holy.

Breath of heaven.

Do you wonder as you watch my face,

If a wiser one should have had my place,

But i offer all i am

For the mercy of your plan.

Help me be strong. Help me be. Help me.

Breath of heaven, Hold me together,

Be forever near me, Breath of heaven.

Breath of heaven, Lighten my darkness,

Pour over me your holiness, For you are holy.

Breath of heaven, Hold me together,

Be forever near me, Breath of heaven.

Breath of heaven, Lighten my darkness,

Pour over me your holiness, For you are holy.

Breath of heaven. Breath of heaven. Breath of heaven.

** So this may be cheesy and I may loose some of you on this...

However, these all too familiar lyrics to the Christmas song, Breath of heaven, really struck me today. As I listened in the Christmas spirit on the way to class this morning I really grew intrigued of Mary's thoughts. Of course, I am not trying to take any credit here because as you all know, I did not birth Jesus Christ. However, how similar are we to Mary. I mean, lately I've been thinking about being saved. Before I met Jesus in a personal relationship, I knew of him. I was biblically educated, but I didn't live the lifestyle. I can remember feeling so helpless at times and wishing I could have this amazing joy that other Christians had, but I just didn't know Jesus. I knew OF Him, but I didn't know him personally. As I look back now on many of my friends and classmates, I see them in destruction and it hurts me because what did I do different? Why am I on this side of the realm now? Did I just respond to His calling in my life? Why did He choose me to live out his glory? There are plenty of good people in life that don't know the Lord but if they did, I feel they would represent the gospel far better than I do. So, this is why I wrote these lyrics...

Aren't we all kind of pregnant with Jesus? OK... NO! haha.. but like Mary, we all carry Him around. Everywhere we go, everything we do, all we say... He is IN us, dwelling inside of us...(1 Cor. 6:19-20). Why? Why has He chosen us to carry His son? Why ME? We carry the light of Jesus in a world that is SO COLD AS STONE. This Earth is so dark, and life without Jesus... darker. So, like Mary, we must cry out to Him to sustain us. Help us in EVERYTHING. I love how these lyrics say..."Lighten my darkness." Jesus is LIGHT!!! What did the wise men follow? He is the LIGHT for the Gentiles. 1 John says in Him is life and that life is the LIGHT of men. We can't deny it! Also, I love the words, "Hold me together.." How many times in this holiday season is this our prayer? Things get crazy, life gets crazy... He hold us together in the palm of His hand! The second verse is why I said all those things about myself earlier. Sometimes, the enemy can lead me to believe that I am a failure, a miserable sinner, and unacceptable. I have thought.. Lord, have you ever regretted calling my name? Someone else could do so much better as I continue to fail you...This is when we cry out to Him for strength, protection, guidance. Times when we depend on Him draw us closer to him... that's what it's all about-our relationship with Him! He made us to love Him and to have a relationship with Him.

The last thing is this... I want to spend the rest of my life knowing Him and loving others. If that's in this country or 11 ( :-D ), this is what I want to do. Everything I have has been given to me by the Lord, my response is to give it back. I want to be used by Him to draw glory to His name. I want others to know, feel, hear, see and trust in the One who saved me. "I offer all I am for the mercy of your plan."

Read over the lyrics again... start celebrating the life of Jesus today!

Jesus, pour over me your holiness- for YOU ARE HOLY.