2014 Memorable Moments

      2014 has been an incredible year. I have had many memorable moments. When I look back on the year, I remember times of extreme happiness and joy. I also remember times of exceptional difficulty and tears. I remember times of fun and laughter and times of sadness. However, what stands out the most, above all these circumstances, is the incredible fact that I can see the Lord’s hand and His faithfulness throughout it. As I look back on the year, I can see how each situation, no matter what it was, was working together for my good and His glory (Romans 8:28). It’s a beautiful thing to be able to look back on situations that I did not understand at the time but chose to have faith anyway and see how they were essential for later events. Jesus truly is faithful and trustworthy!

Here are some highlights from my year:

January- 

I started off the year with some wonderful friends celebrating New Year's (a year ago, wow!) at a friend from high school's house. About half of my graduating class was able to get together and celebrate. It was a fun night! 

After I came back to school for the second semester of my sophomore year, we started the manor ministry back up again! It was such an incredible time of standing in awe of the Lord answering prayers! 

February-

My incredible grandfather on my mom's side went to be with the Lord. Though this was a very sad time, we all had comfort and peace through it. It was also a sort of family reunion. He also passed around the time of my Spring Break. Therefore, I was able to be with family for that week. Another evidence of Jesus' perfect timing! 

We also threw a surprise party for our "second mom" in Campbellsville! There were so many people gathered in her house! 

My friends and I also took a trip to Indiana for a Pacers Game and stayed the night at my house. 

March-

Spring in Campbellsville = more trips to the lake for hiking and bonfires! 

Our friend, Tyler, came home on break from the Marines. 

April-

My Campbellsville family took a hiking trip at the natural bridge in Red River Gorge. We stayed in a cabin for the weekend. 

We also celebrated the last day of manor ministry for the semester and how faithful the Lord was throughout it! 

May-

We finished up the semester school, then hosted a guys night to honor our brothers in Christ! 

My best friend turned 22!

Nikki and I started working at Dairy Queen. 

June-

My little sister graduated from high school!

I went home for this month, took some online classes. I got to catch up with some friends from high school and our Bible teacher, Mr. Wild. 

July-

Late night trips to the lake continue...

I turned 21 and was blessed to have my best friend Junia surprise and have Nikki throw a wonderful surprise party!

August-

I got to visit family in Illinois before starting school back up. We also celebrated Katie's birthday!

September-

My little sister turned 19!

I got to fly out to Colorado for the Ellerslie Alumni Reunion!

My good friend Hannah from my freshman year came to visit us!

October-

We helped out at Laura's wedding

Trips to the lake continue, of course. 

November-

A group of us go to see Lecrae and Andy Mineo in concert. It was incredible!

We attempted to skydive and drove to Indianapolis. We also stayed the night at my house, which led to many adventures. 

I got to celebrate Thanksgiving at home with my family.

My best friend since 7th grade got radically gave her life to the Lord! 

December-

We celebrated Christmas with our manor kiddos!

We kept this cutie for a week.

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My wonderful grandpa on my dad's side went to be with the Lord. Though this was incredibly hard, Jesus is faithful and sustained and strengthened us through it. 

I've gotten to catch up with many friends and family, both at home and in Campbellsville. 

Currently, I am taking Jan-term courses and preparing for Spring semester. I'm looking forward to all that 2015 holds and am even more excited to grow in the Lord and see what adventures He has planned for this coming year! 

The Secret to Self-Control

I think it took a while for me to actually understand what “self-control” meant. I guess I knew that it was a good thing to have, but I don’t think I actually got what it truly is. See, growing up I equated self-control to trying really hard, gritting my teeth, and not doing what I really wanted to do because I knew it was wrong or something I shouldn't be doing. However, this never really seemed to work well. Therefore, youth leaders would talk to us about the importance of self-control, but I don’t think we ever really thought of it as more than a nice idea or a virtue that we should esteem.

Once the Lord got a hold of my life during my teenage years, and I was being discipled in Gospel Truth, I began to wonder about this self-control thing. I knew that it is impossible for us to try to live as God calls us to in our own strength and that we must have the impartation of His Spirit to live the lives that He desires. But how did that fit in with self-control? How does me trying to control my fleshly desires correspond with letting Jesus live His life in and through me? I remember just simply pondering this one day then asking my friend what he thought it meant. He said it very simply, but it has always stuck with me.

“Self-control is self being controlled by the Spirit.”

This past week I've been doing a Bible study on the Fruit of the Spirit. As I studied about this term self-control, my friend's definition was proven to be accurate. The Greek word for self-control comes from two root words meaning “in” and the Greek word kratos, meaning power or dominion. The word kratos is used 12 times in the New Testament, and 11 of these times it is used only in terms of Jesus. There are also several words used for power in the New Testament, but this word for power is power that is actually acted out or power that is in use.

Therefore, self-control has a root definition of “being in a power that is acting and put to use.” This means that if we are in Christ, we are in this power. Self-control is simply letting Jesus have our lives to do with as He sees fit and then exercising His authority and almighty power over sin.

So,practically, this would mean that when that temptation arises, instead of trying to combat it with our own willpower or determination, we can reckon upon the fact that we are IN Christ and that we have His power and authority to act on our behalf. So, we can say “no” to the temptation with God’s authority and out of His power.

And this is the secret to the flesh and selfish desires being controlled in our lives. Sure, we’ll give in to selfish desires but only when we choose to not reckon His power and authority over that area or temptation. Jesus Himself will never fail.

Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. Meaning, it is a product of the Spirit’s work in our lives. The Holy Spirit will produce it in us if we yield to Him.

Oh what a Jesus! 

Little ones, you have my heart.

Dear little ones, you have my heart.

Some of you I've known for over two years now. We've gotten pretty close.

Some of you I haven't known for that long. But that doesn't change how much I love you. 

I've learned a lot over the past few years and have definitely made my fair share of mistakes. But there are two things I want you to know.

1. You are precious. And I'd do anything for you.

2. You've changed my life forever. 

Choosing to Trust

Sometimes, life is just hard. Sometimes, it just hurts. Sometimes, it’s just difficult. And sometimes, it’s just painful.

And though all these things are true, Jesus has been teaching me a lot of these times of pain and trial. First, where is my focus during these times? Are my eyes fixed on Jesus or upon my circumstances? Because it’s really easy to look at my circumstances and feel overwhelmed or discouraged. But what if I choose to look at the God of my circumstances and realize that they come because they are part of His sovereign, divine, perfect will for my life? They come because He wants to refine me, purify me, and make me more like Himself? And trials and pain is the avenue to do such things.

You see, it’s not about me. It’s not about how I feel. Or what I want my circumstances to look like. Or what my ideal situation would be. It’s about Jesus. And Him receiving the glory that He so deserves. Today in church my pastor mentioned that a man in the church recently pointed out that he believes he may have gotten cancer so that he could witness to his doctor. And my pastor asked if we would be willing to do whatever it takes if it was part of God’s will and would bring Him glory.

Jesus provides the strength that I need for that day. It can feel like I’m walking through knee-high sand at times or trying to walk in the ocean against the waves that are coming against me. However, the important thing is to keep going. Jesus’ grace is sufficient. It may seem impossible, but if God has called us to something, it means that He has the ability and the power to enable us to live according to what He has called us to. So even though it’s hard, it’s part of His calling, so Jesus is going to give us everything we need to go through it, not just in survival mode but to thrive joyfully in a way that leaves the rest of the world amazed.

Finally, I just need to trust. I've known this truth for a while. However, lately I've been learning that I have to choose to trust Him. It’s not enough to just acknowledge that I’m going to trust Jesus. I have to actually choose to trust Him. So, when life feels overwhelming and the bait is placed in front of me to get stressed or worried, I must choose to trust my God. When life gets hard and all I want to do is just quit, I have to choose trust Him. There aren't any exceptions. I trust Him in every situation, no matter what it may be.

Because He’s faithful, and He’s going to work everything out for His glory and my good. And that’s something I can bank my life on. 

At What Cost?

I read this in Streams in the Desert Devotional today. It stood out to me so much that I decided to share it on here. Are we willing to count the cost and follow Christ, no matter the pain that it may involve, in order to share in His glory?

"God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Gal. 6:14).

They were living to themselves; self with its hopes, and promises and dreams, still had hold of them; but the Lord began to fulfill their prayers. They had asked for contrition, and had surrendered for it to be given them at any cost, and He sent them sorrow; they had asked for purity, and He sent them thrilling anguish; they had asked to be meek, and He had broken their hearts; they had asked to be dead to the world, and He slew all their living hopes; they had asked to be made like unto Him, and He placed them in the furnace, sitting by "as a refiner and purifier of silver," until they should reflect His image; they had asked to lay hold of His cross, and when He had reached it to them it lacerated their hands.

They had asked they knew not what, nor how, but He had taken them at their word, and granted them all their petitions. They were hardly willing to follow Him so far, or to draw so nigh to Him. They had upon them an awe and fear, as Jacob at Bethel, or Eliphaz in the night visions, or as the apostles when they thought that they had seen a spirit, and knew not that it was Jesus. They could almost pray Him to depart from them, or to hide His awfulness. They found it easier to obey than to suffer, to do than to give up, to bear the cross than to hang upon it. But they cannot go back, for they have come too near the unseen cross, and its virtues have pierced too deeply within them. He is fulfilling to them His promise, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me" (John 12:32).

But now at last their turn has come. Before, they had only heard of the mystery, but now they feel it. He has fastened on them His look of love, as He did on Mary and Peter, and they can but choose to follow.

Little by little, from time to time, by flitting gleams, the mystery of His cross shines out upon them. They behold Him lifted up, they gaze on the glory which rays from the wounds of His holy passion; and as they gaze they advance, and are changed into His likeness, and His name shines out through them, for He dwells in them. They live alone with Him above, in unspeakable fellowship; willing to lack what others own (and what they might have had), and to be unlike all, so that they are only like Him.

Such, are they in all ages, "who follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth."

Had they chosen for themselves, or their friends chosen for them, they would have chosen otherwise. They would have been brighter here, but less glorious in His Kingdom. They would have had Lot's portion, not Abraham's. If they had halted anywhere--if God had taken off His hand and let them stray back -- what would they not have lost? What forfeits in the resurrection? But He stayed them up, even against themselves. Many a time their foot had well nigh slipped; but He in mercy held them up. Now, even in this life, they know that all He did was done well. It was good to suffer here, that they might reign hereafter; to bear the cross below, for they shall wear the crown above; and that not their will but His was done on them and in them.
--Anonymous

What's your Mission Field?

Recently I heard a rather convicting and profound quote. A man named Ryan, who has been serving in Haiti, said “Being a missionary is really just living the genuine Christian life somewhere else.”

One major thing that the Lord has showed me these past few years is that wherever He has put me is the place that He has ordained to be my mission field. Our typical picture of a mission field would be in the jungles of Africa or some other faraway place with people who have never heard the Gospel and speak a language that we have never heard of. However, a college campus, a work place environment, and just hanging out with friends are all “mission fields.”

Leonard Ravenhill said, “The world out there is not waiting for a new definition of Christianity; it’s waiting for a new demonstration of Christianity.” Some people have heard at least aspects of the Gospel before, especially in the United States. But what would happen if we went into each situation with a “missions” mind-set? Instead of thinking about what I want to get from my time in college, what I need to get done at work, or how much fun I want to have hanging out with a group of friends, what if I instead focused on how I can pour the love of Christ into them? What if I focused on how I can serve them and take the lowest place for them? We would think of doing these things if we went on a mission trip, but many people every day are watching our lives because we profess to be Christians.

“By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one to another.” John 13: 35

What sustains you?

This morning, I read a verse that always causes me to stop and simply meditate upon the rich words contained therein.

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26: 3-4

The word “stayed” literally means to lean upon, support, trust in, sustain. In this frazzled world where I feel, at times, that I’m running around like a crazy person throughout the day, God gives a promise for perfect peace. Most people would tell you this is impossible, that no person can actually have perfect peace throughout the day.

I would tell you that it depends on what your focus is, who/what your support is, and where you’re putting your trust in.

We’ve been trained in our culture to turn to media and other people when we are stressed out and just need a break. I find this to be a temptation in my own life. When I have been completely stressed about homework, the pile of assignments that need to be turned in, or a long day at work, it is a temptation to go home and just veg out in front of a movie. However, this does not provide true refreshment. Real peace is available.

1 Corinthians 15:58 commands us to be immovable. It doesn’t say, “Be immovable, except when… (you’re stressed out because of school, work, etc). It simply says to be immovable. And if God commands us to do something, it means that He provides what we need to do it. So, what if we chose instead to focus our minds upon Jesus, to lean upon Him for our support? What if we chose to let Jesus sustain us instead of turning to other things?

A week or two ago God revealed something incredible to me. I had been feeling overwhelmed because of the homework and assignment load that this semester required of me. It did not seem as though I would have the time to get it all done. However, He showed me that since this is what He has called me to for this season, He literally must provide all that I need.

Therefore, I choose to simply rest in His promise. I choose to fix my mind upon Jesus. He has my life under control, and I trust Him. 

My Summer Captured

Testimony is a powerful tool. The Word of God declares “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the Word of their testimony.” The word for “testimony” in the Greek is the same word we get “martyr.” Therefore, in order to have a testimony, one must be a living martyr, dying to self daily, in order for Christ to be evidenced to the world.

Each season of my life I can look back and stand in awe of the Lord’s faithfulness and provision. This summer is no different. He continues to amaze me and leave me breathless by His majesty. I have fallen more in love with Him this summer and seen Him prove faithful time and time again. Here is a glimpse of my summer in pictures: 

It included time with my family and getting to be crazy with my cousins. 

My little sister graduated from high school, and it was a privilege to be at her graduation and her graduation party. 

It also included getting to pour into some precious kiddos that I love dearly and that the Lord has burdened my heart for. 

I also had the privilege of spending time with friends that have basically become my family.

I got to reunite with old friends that mean so much to me. 

I celebrated my 21st birthday. 

We ate ice cream. Kinda a lot (as in every day). 

And, of course, went on many adventures.

I'm excited and expectant for what Jesus has planned for this next season, as the next semester of college starts Monday.