Wheww! It's been a while since I've blogged.... part of that is due to my crazy school schedule this semester (17 hours + 4 labs a week + 10 straight hours of classes on Thursdays = me being exhausted by Friday afternoon), and the other part is a combination of just everything else (family, friends, Young Life, figuring out what's after college, etc.). Lately I've been feeling there are never enough hours in my day. It seems like I wake up, run around like crazy for a few hours, and the next thing I know it's already time to go back to sleep again. And by the time the weekend rolls around, I'm left feeling so physically and emotionally drained. To the point where it's become not okay.
But that's the cool part about Jesus meeting us where we are. Right where we are. No matter what state we are in, or what our circumstances may be. I truly believe the only reason I make it through Thursdays sometimes is because Jesus lends me His strength for that day.
As I was getting ready for bed tonight, I started to think about Thursdays and how much I dread them. This idea of dreading something led my mind to wander to the future and about the idea of working. And this idea of working led me to think about doing work week three years ago (congrats if you're still with me through that thought process). It was the first time I had ever done Windy Gap work week, and honestly I almost didn't go because none of my friends could (that seems so silly to me now).
Thankfully Jesus had a better plan for me than I had for myself, and I went and ended up meeting some incredible people and forming new friendships, which now I am really thankful for. Two of the people I met while at work week are named Jenny and Tyler. They were the guest performers for us, and they are A-W-E-S-O-M-E. I mean, not only are they extremely talented musicians, but they are in love with the Lord, and in love with each other and completely adorable about it. What could be better???
....And I tell you all this because their song "Faint Not" is exactly where I am right now.
Earlier tonight I got the privilege of getting to watch the movie "Beware of Christians" with a few of my friends. Honestly, I'm not exaggerating when I say it changed me. I've never been more emotionally moved or challenged by a movie before. I'm telling y'all, if you haven't seen it, you need to. While poverty and how Christ asks us to respond to it was just one of the areas explored in the movie, the underlying theme of what it looks like to go out and love on people was the basis of what the four individuals in "Beware of Christians" tried to figure out how to do.
What's even better is that two of the guys who are in the movie are COMING to Knoxville NEXT week. That's right, a week from today (Wednesday, March 14 @ 8:00 on UT's Campus) they will be HERE and have a meet and greet after the showing of their movie.
I can't even begin to explain to you how great this movie is (again). Whether you believe in Jesus or not, it's a movie that is worth seeing. The trailer can probably do it more justice than I can by writing a synopsis, so here ya go:
I know where I'll be next Wednesday night. I hope you're there too :)
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
You know Me better than Me.
It's funny how sometimes someone else knows you way better than you know yourself. I've been lucky enough to walk through life with one of my best friends now for almost 14 years. And I honestly believe sometimes she knows what's going on with me better than I do. Maybe that's because we've been through a lot together. She keeps me grounded. She keeps me humble. She knows how to make me laugh harder than almost anyone else I know. She's smart. She's funny. She's beautiful inside and out. She's not afraid to act absolutely stupid with me most of the time.
But I think the thing I love most about her is that she's real with me. She's never afraid to tell me the truth. Whether it's good or bad, easy or hard, makes me happy or sad...
And for that I'm so thankful. She sent me this yesterday, and it was something that I really needed to hear and be reminded of:
"So be determined. Don't settle for way less than what Jesus suffered and died to give you. Be honest about your relationships and be hopeful about change. You can do both, because in Jesus Christ you really do have everything you need to live in peace with God and the people he has placed in your life."-Paul Tripp
Delaney, thanks for being my best friend for so long. Thanks for pouring Christ into my life even when I make it difficult. Thanks for always being real with me. Thanks for being YOU. I'm grateful for your heart :)
But I think the thing I love most about her is that she's real with me. She's never afraid to tell me the truth. Whether it's good or bad, easy or hard, makes me happy or sad...
And for that I'm so thankful. She sent me this yesterday, and it was something that I really needed to hear and be reminded of:
"So be determined. Don't settle for way less than what Jesus suffered and died to give you. Be honest about your relationships and be hopeful about change. You can do both, because in Jesus Christ you really do have everything you need to live in peace with God and the people he has placed in your life."-Paul Tripp
Delaney, thanks for being my best friend for so long. Thanks for pouring Christ into my life even when I make it difficult. Thanks for always being real with me. Thanks for being YOU. I'm grateful for your heart :)
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Follow Me.
Today I feel weird. Actually, for the past few weeks I've felt this way. And I think know that a lot of it all of it has to do to with the fact that I'm waking up each morning and forgetting to whom I belong. I wonder why Jesus is allowing me to hurt. I get upset because things haven't turned out like I think they should have. I lie and tell myself that the things and the people of this world are important. That they matter. That they're what's going to fulfill me this very moment.
But they're not. And I know that. But sometimes knowing something in your head and really believing it in your heart are two different stories.
That's something else I've been struggling with lately - my mind telling me one thing, and my heart telling me another. It's confusing...really confusing. And scary. Scary that I've come to this place of not knowing the difference between what God's voice is telling me to do and what my own voice is trying to tell me is right.
I just started reading a book called The Barbarian Way. This morning I was re-reading a chapter I glanced at a few days ago called "The Barbarian Call," but I think for the first time it hit me what the words were actually saying. Hit me as in they were pretty much a slap in the face.
It said this: "I wonder how many of us have lost our barbarian way and have become embittered with God, confused in our faith because God doesn't come through the way we think He should. Is it possible that the transforming power of the church has been lost because we keep inviting people to step into the comfort, safety, and security of Jesus Christ? We've created a religious culture in which - even though we are the most blessed society on the history of the planet - our best-selling literature still focuses on how we can be more blessed. Maybe we need to step way back to the beginning of this movement. The original call of Jesus was so simple, so clean, so clear: 'Follow Me.' He wants us to surrender our lives to Him and follow Him into the unknown. And if it means a life of suffering, hardships, and disappointments, it will be worth it because following Jesus Christ is more powerful and more fulfilling than living with everything in the world minus Him. Have we forgotten this?"
I think, sadly, some days I do forget this. That I could have everything in this world, and it still wouldn't be enough without Jesus. And I forget that all He's asking us to do is simply follow. And If we do follow Him, everything else will fall into place. What a sweet, sweet gift.
But they're not. And I know that. But sometimes knowing something in your head and really believing it in your heart are two different stories.
That's something else I've been struggling with lately - my mind telling me one thing, and my heart telling me another. It's confusing...really confusing. And scary. Scary that I've come to this place of not knowing the difference between what God's voice is telling me to do and what my own voice is trying to tell me is right.
I just started reading a book called The Barbarian Way. This morning I was re-reading a chapter I glanced at a few days ago called "The Barbarian Call," but I think for the first time it hit me what the words were actually saying. Hit me as in they were pretty much a slap in the face.
It said this: "I wonder how many of us have lost our barbarian way and have become embittered with God, confused in our faith because God doesn't come through the way we think He should. Is it possible that the transforming power of the church has been lost because we keep inviting people to step into the comfort, safety, and security of Jesus Christ? We've created a religious culture in which - even though we are the most blessed society on the history of the planet - our best-selling literature still focuses on how we can be more blessed. Maybe we need to step way back to the beginning of this movement. The original call of Jesus was so simple, so clean, so clear: 'Follow Me.' He wants us to surrender our lives to Him and follow Him into the unknown. And if it means a life of suffering, hardships, and disappointments, it will be worth it because following Jesus Christ is more powerful and more fulfilling than living with everything in the world minus Him. Have we forgotten this?"
I think, sadly, some days I do forget this. That I could have everything in this world, and it still wouldn't be enough without Jesus. And I forget that all He's asking us to do is simply follow. And If we do follow Him, everything else will fall into place. What a sweet, sweet gift.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Thankful.
Confession: I really love Pintrest. Then again, what female between the ages of 13 and 83 doesn't?? It's safe to say that 3/4 of the time I'm on my computer, Pintrest is open in a tab somewhere. And I'm not complaining about it.
But a few months ago, I found something on Pintrest that I really liked. And that was a "grateful"/ I changed mine to "thankful" book, if you will. Every day for a year, you write down something you were thankful for that specific day, and when the year is over, you go back and read all your entries. Thus, you end up with 365 things! I tried to hold out, but realized I wasn't going to make it a year without going back and reading them all. Heck, I barely made it a month....
So here are highlights of just a few things I was thankful for this first month of 2012:
Jan. 4th - $5.00 Copper Cellar Burger Night. (Being the poor college kid that I am, this day of the week is always a treat. Especially when you get to go with your best friend.)
Jan. 7th - Christine's YoungLife girls. (It was SO fun being at Windy Gap with them and just hearing about what Jesus is doing in their lives.)
Jan. 9th - My grandparents being in Knoxville (This was the first time I'd seen them since Thanksgiving = a month too long. After watching my mom take care of them and love on them so well for a week, I realized I'd be thankful if someday I'm half the person she is.)
Jan 10th - The Price's, our CAK team family, and the way they are always so wonderful to us. (Welcome into the world Baby Roman -he's their newest, cutest addition! I loved holding you in my arms all night.)
Jan. 14th - Extreme Makeover Home Edition. (It was so so cool that EMHE came to Knoxville, and that we got to be a part of the experience in helping a family get a new home. Welcome home Watson family! Move. That. Bus.)
Jan. 17th - Not getting Teach For America. (This was really a blessing in disguise. And although I have absolutely NO clue what I'm doing after May, I'm thankful for where the Lord's placed me right now.)
Jan. 20th - Team Overnighttttts!!! (Like I've mentioned before, I love my YoungLife team . A whole whole lot. And getting to spend the weekend with them in a cabin on the lake was just perfect.)
Jan. 25th - small group being back. (I love my small group/ Mrs. Beth and had missed them over break.)
Jan. 28th - all I wrote was "Logan Thress." Haha love you Log. Happy St. Patrisss Day!
Jan. 31st - And today I'm thankful for friendships. Jesus has blessed me with a lot of really great ones. And that makes me happy :)
But a few months ago, I found something on Pintrest that I really liked. And that was a "grateful"/ I changed mine to "thankful" book, if you will. Every day for a year, you write down something you were thankful for that specific day, and when the year is over, you go back and read all your entries. Thus, you end up with 365 things! I tried to hold out, but realized I wasn't going to make it a year without going back and reading them all. Heck, I barely made it a month....
So here are highlights of just a few things I was thankful for this first month of 2012:
Jan. 4th - $5.00 Copper Cellar Burger Night. (Being the poor college kid that I am, this day of the week is always a treat. Especially when you get to go with your best friend.)
Jan. 7th - Christine's YoungLife girls. (It was SO fun being at Windy Gap with them and just hearing about what Jesus is doing in their lives.)
Jan. 9th - My grandparents being in Knoxville (This was the first time I'd seen them since Thanksgiving = a month too long. After watching my mom take care of them and love on them so well for a week, I realized I'd be thankful if someday I'm half the person she is.)
Jan 10th - The Price's, our CAK team family, and the way they are always so wonderful to us. (Welcome into the world Baby Roman -he's their newest, cutest addition! I loved holding you in my arms all night.)
Jan. 14th - Extreme Makeover Home Edition. (It was so so cool that EMHE came to Knoxville, and that we got to be a part of the experience in helping a family get a new home. Welcome home Watson family! Move. That. Bus.)
Jan. 17th - Not getting Teach For America. (This was really a blessing in disguise. And although I have absolutely NO clue what I'm doing after May, I'm thankful for where the Lord's placed me right now.)
Jan. 20th - Team Overnighttttts!!! (Like I've mentioned before, I love my YoungLife team . A whole whole lot. And getting to spend the weekend with them in a cabin on the lake was just perfect.)
Jan. 25th - small group being back. (I love my small group/ Mrs. Beth and had missed them over break.)
Jan. 28th - all I wrote was "Logan Thress." Haha love you Log. Happy St. Patrisss Day!
Jan. 31st - And today I'm thankful for friendships. Jesus has blessed me with a lot of really great ones. And that makes me happy :)
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Sex . Marriage . & Fairytales .
You've probably seen his video "Why I Hate Religion, But I Love Jesus", and if you haven't you should watch it. But I just found this video a few minutes ago on Facebook and have watched it at least 3 times already. It's amazing how so much truth can be spoken through someone in just 4 minutes...
p.s. If you need a good laugh this morning, check out Chelc's blog. True Life: We have a mockingbird living in the front lawn of Red Saile that needs to be taken care of. We are now accepting applications for prospective hunters. B.Y.O.B.B.G. (Bring Your Own B.B. Gun)
p.s. If you need a good laugh this morning, check out Chelc's blog. True Life: We have a mockingbird living in the front lawn of Red Saile that needs to be taken care of. We are now accepting applications for prospective hunters. B.Y.O.B.B.G. (Bring Your Own B.B. Gun)
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
I'm only human.
Jesus Calling was so great today. And it made me realize this....
Sometimes I forget it's alright to be human. To feel. To mess up. To be broken. I forget that life's not meant to be what my idea of "perfect" is. I forget that blessings come in times of trial. That it's okay to be weak. That it's okay to let others see the woundedness within me.
"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me. This is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10
Sometimes I forget it's alright to be human. To feel. To mess up. To be broken. I forget that life's not meant to be what my idea of "perfect" is. I forget that blessings come in times of trial. That it's okay to be weak. That it's okay to let others see the woundedness within me.
"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me. This is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10
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