I've been reading this book called "A Praying Life" by Paul Miller and it is completely changing my life. I have always had a hard time praying and have just thought: "I'm just bad at it." I am always distracted and can't keep focused. I have tried praying outloud, journaling, praying with eyes open, closed, etc. But it always ends the same. I become distracted so I just quit. I feel like I have to.
I have learned A TON from "A Praying Life" but one things I am focusing in on is this concept: when you are praying and random thoughts of distraction come into your head- pray about those thoughts...because that is what is really on your heart. That is so true! Why did I not think of that? This concept has changed my prayer life.
Last week was our first team Bible study- 13/20 girls on my team came (such an answer to prayer). We listened to a sermon called Four Chairs (I highly recommend it). I ordered pizza for us but when the pizza guy came he didn't have what I ordered. He gave us 2 boxes instead of 3 and charged us too much money. I was very frustrated and apologized to my girls. After Bible Study on the way home I prayed for the girls: that they would know where they stood before the Lord, that God would change their hearts and pizza, pizza, pizza. I could not stop thinking about the pizza mishap. Every five seconds I would think about it. I was tempted to stop praying but instead I prayed: "God, thank you for even just providing two pizzas, Im frustrated that there wasnt enough but it wasnt the delivery guys fault. The girls reacted fine to it. Please clear my anxious heart of messing up in front of the girls. I just thank you for the pizza we had." It was like magic, except not magic because I know it was God. My mind was done with pizza and I was able to freely and clearly pray for the girls for the next 15 minutes. It was incredible.
Another thing the book focuses on is praying like a child; asking what you want. There are some things we don't think to pray for. A girl on my team is having BIG knee problems. The doctors cant find anything wrong and the MRIs come back negative. Now, the girl and I are teaming up and praying for 2 weeks straight that God would heal her knee and lessen the pain. My prayer is that God would heal her that she might see more of God's greatness and grandness and when she is healed we will know where to give the credit. I've never thought to pray for an injury. She will continue going to the training room but everyday we will also beg the Lord to heal her! I'm excited to see where this goes!
I HIGHLY recommend "A Praying Life." It is a phenomenal book. I have learned so much and can't wait to read the rest!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
North Korea
Last night I tweeted:
"In N.Korea having a Bible,saying God or Jesus & meeting as believers
are all punishable by death. Pray for the 1.48% believers to persevere."
4 Days ago it was placed on my heart to buy Operation World; it is a book of all the nations and described as "The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation". I would HIGHLY recommend it. I have always had a passion for missions and would love to someday head into the mission field, if the Lord would have it that way. The first night I had it I just read through the pages. I looked at America. I looked at Scotland because my friend had just been on a mission trip there for the summer. I looked at the unreached people groups. It was amazing and my heart hurt for the world. Then I found a prayer guide in the book which allows you to pray for all of the nations which I have now challenged myself to read the book every night and learn more of the nations and how I can pray for them. August 3 & 4, we were to pray for North Korea. I never imagined what I would read which led me to tweet and pray .... "In N.Korea having a Bible,saying God or Jesus &meeting as believers are all punishable by death. Pray for the 1.48% believers to persevere." I can't imagine.
Funny and amazing how God worked everything to tug on my heart today because after reading this and praying for the Christians in North Korea, their government and also the starving people since only 15% of their land is arable, I read this on twitter by John Piper:
"If you don't know Communism from the gulags or the iron curtain, look long at North Korea, and pray. http://dsr.gd/phrEBk"
I challenge you to take a look at this but not only that. Later one of my friends posted this webpage on facebook by desiringgod.com. A small girl with a MIGHTY testimony. It had me in tears. My heart is hurting for North Korea. I am praying that God would send laborers there, that the leaders in the nation would know and see the love of Christ. I know God is the God of the nations, not just America. He has a plan for North Korea. I pray for the Christians there that they would have courage and perseverance and faith. I pray that God would work in mighty ways over there and I pray that your heart would pray these things also!
"In N.Korea having a Bible,saying God or Jesus & meeting as believers
are all punishable by death. Pray for the 1.48% believers to persevere."
4 Days ago it was placed on my heart to buy Operation World; it is a book of all the nations and described as "The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation". I would HIGHLY recommend it. I have always had a passion for missions and would love to someday head into the mission field, if the Lord would have it that way. The first night I had it I just read through the pages. I looked at America. I looked at Scotland because my friend had just been on a mission trip there for the summer. I looked at the unreached people groups. It was amazing and my heart hurt for the world. Then I found a prayer guide in the book which allows you to pray for all of the nations which I have now challenged myself to read the book every night and learn more of the nations and how I can pray for them. August 3 & 4, we were to pray for North Korea. I never imagined what I would read which led me to tweet and pray .... "In N.Korea having a Bible,saying God or Jesus &meeting as believers are all punishable by death. Pray for the 1.48% believers to persevere." I can't imagine.
Funny and amazing how God worked everything to tug on my heart today because after reading this and praying for the Christians in North Korea, their government and also the starving people since only 15% of their land is arable, I read this on twitter by John Piper:
"If you don't know Communism from the gulags or the iron curtain, look long at North Korea, and pray. http://dsr.gd/phrEBk"
I challenge you to take a look at this but not only that. Later one of my friends posted this webpage on facebook by desiringgod.com. A small girl with a MIGHTY testimony. It had me in tears. My heart is hurting for North Korea. I am praying that God would send laborers there, that the leaders in the nation would know and see the love of Christ. I know God is the God of the nations, not just America. He has a plan for North Korea. I pray for the Christians there that they would have courage and perseverance and faith. I pray that God would work in mighty ways over there and I pray that your heart would pray these things also!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
happy 4th...on the 13th!
so yes, this post is a little late...9 days actually. But...oh.well. My 4th was great! We have started a tradition and that tradition is called the Peachtree Road race. Jordan Newberry and I ran this year..our very first 10k. And let me tell you-it can be done. 6.2 miles with 60,000 people. WOW. Here is a glance of that:
We decided that every year we are going to do this race..even when we are ol..possibly with strollers if our future holds a family and kids of our own. It was so much fun. And since it was the 4th of July we HAD to make cool outfits and celebrate the birth of America.
The race went very well. I came in 11,594th place (that makes me laugh soo much!)
It was tiring for sure. My goal was to make it in an hour and I made it in 59:32. Wow. Cutting.It.Close.
Me and JNew- one of the only friends I have that would come up with tis idea and agree with me that it is an absolutely awesome idea!!
I finished celebrating the 4th with my wonderful family, ribs, and card games. What an awesome day: Great friends, GREAT OUTFITS, Great run, Great Family, Great fellowship, and a Great 4th of July.
We decided that every year we are going to do this race..even when we are ol..possibly with strollers if our future holds a family and kids of our own. It was so much fun. And since it was the 4th of July we HAD to make cool outfits and celebrate the birth of America.
The race went very well. I came in 11,594th place (that makes me laugh soo much!) 
It was tiring for sure. My goal was to make it in an hour and I made it in 59:32. Wow. Cutting.It.Close. 
Me and JNew- one of the only friends I have that would come up with tis idea and agree with me that it is an absolutely awesome idea!!
I finished celebrating the 4th with my wonderful family, ribs, and card games. What an awesome day: Great friends, GREAT OUTFITS, Great run, Great Family, Great fellowship, and a Great 4th of July.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
If you can't go, go.
"And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20
According to the bible we are to "go." We are called to make disciples, we are called to share our faith and tell others about jesus. Now some people struggle with this but I actually really enjoy sharing the gospel. I love talking with people about their barriers to knowing more of Jesus. I have a huge passion for missions and have a heart specifically for south Africa and also for Spanish speaking countries. So why don't I go? Well right now I am definitely and feel absolutely called to "go" to Rome, Ga to be the women's lacrosse coach at Shorter University. It is definitely where God has me which is hard because my heart is so inclined to missions. So what? Do I just stay stagnant? Nah. I don't think so.
After a year of my job I can totally say that my job is mission work of itself and it's neat because I can also say that all of my girls have heard the gospel. God is so good and has called girls to himself. 3 girls became believers and there was a consistent 7 girls who came to bible study each week. I also know that one girl is desperately laboring on the team and constantly praying for the harvest before her. It's incredible.
But I still have this heart for people who have never heard of Jesus, for people who have less than me, for people who don't make it to college, can't afford food or a home. My heart is there. Today I heard about this ministry called 3rd street ministries in Rome. What I heard about them: that they set up tents in the run down neighborhoods of Rome across from the drug dealers and share the gospel to the homeless and drug dealers of Rome. That made my heart so excited. I went to their building and got to experience what they do for the community.
They are open 4 hours on Tuesday's and Thursday's to allow families and people from the streets to come and shower and get free clothing (although they are only allowed 40 items a year). While I was there, at least 30 people came in in 30 minutes and he told me that in a month (which they are only open 2 days a week for 2 hours which is 16 hours) 200-300 people come in for showers. Wow. They come in for clothing and don't just received these things but also a bible and the opportunity for a bible study or for discipleship. I am very excited because I'm pretty sure I've decided/am praying that this would be the ministry that our team partners with. I'm excited to partner with a ministry that is taking the gospel to the streets and going. I will definitely be blogging more about this later.
I was just thinking...if you cant go, go. There are places to go. This place was about 5 streets from me. There are people in your neighborhood and in your school and in your city that need to hear the gospel. So let's take it there. I am called to Rome as the women's lacrosse coach and I know that God not only has plans for me, but for my team and for Rome. How exciting.
" When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:36-38
According to the bible we are to "go." We are called to make disciples, we are called to share our faith and tell others about jesus. Now some people struggle with this but I actually really enjoy sharing the gospel. I love talking with people about their barriers to knowing more of Jesus. I have a huge passion for missions and have a heart specifically for south Africa and also for Spanish speaking countries. So why don't I go? Well right now I am definitely and feel absolutely called to "go" to Rome, Ga to be the women's lacrosse coach at Shorter University. It is definitely where God has me which is hard because my heart is so inclined to missions. So what? Do I just stay stagnant? Nah. I don't think so.
After a year of my job I can totally say that my job is mission work of itself and it's neat because I can also say that all of my girls have heard the gospel. God is so good and has called girls to himself. 3 girls became believers and there was a consistent 7 girls who came to bible study each week. I also know that one girl is desperately laboring on the team and constantly praying for the harvest before her. It's incredible.
But I still have this heart for people who have never heard of Jesus, for people who have less than me, for people who don't make it to college, can't afford food or a home. My heart is there. Today I heard about this ministry called 3rd street ministries in Rome. What I heard about them: that they set up tents in the run down neighborhoods of Rome across from the drug dealers and share the gospel to the homeless and drug dealers of Rome. That made my heart so excited. I went to their building and got to experience what they do for the community.
They are open 4 hours on Tuesday's and Thursday's to allow families and people from the streets to come and shower and get free clothing (although they are only allowed 40 items a year). While I was there, at least 30 people came in in 30 minutes and he told me that in a month (which they are only open 2 days a week for 2 hours which is 16 hours) 200-300 people come in for showers. Wow. They come in for clothing and don't just received these things but also a bible and the opportunity for a bible study or for discipleship. I am very excited because I'm pretty sure I've decided/am praying that this would be the ministry that our team partners with. I'm excited to partner with a ministry that is taking the gospel to the streets and going. I will definitely be blogging more about this later.
I was just thinking...if you cant go, go. There are places to go. This place was about 5 streets from me. There are people in your neighborhood and in your school and in your city that need to hear the gospel. So let's take it there. I am called to Rome as the women's lacrosse coach and I know that God not only has plans for me, but for my team and for Rome. How exciting.
" When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:36-38
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
what's good?
A. chocolate chip cookies
B. the northern way of saying "What's up?"
C. the absence of evil
D. God
E. All of the above
The answer: E (if you like chocolate chip cookies...which I don't). But let's focus on D.
I really am struggling with God's goodness recently. Not necessarily in my life but my thought process when it comes to saying "God is good." I know He is good. I say He is good. But what is all this based on? Because when I look at my life, my mind, my actions...does my life say he is good? I'm not sure. Until recently I was challenged by a friend that God's goodness is dependent on my circumstances, the circumstances of my life. His goodness is sometimes based on my fruit, and what he gives me only.
For example: Tomorrow, if I went to Starbucks and this super godly guy asked me out I would say: God thank you, you are so good.
BUT- if I do or do not go to Starbucks tomorrow, and do or do not get asked out on a date...Get this: God is STILL good.
I realize that how I feel about God is constantly changing based on the circumstances of my life. But God does not change. He is always the same.
God is good. Not because he gives me the strength to make it through the day, not because I get asked out on a date, not because he gives me enough money to support missionaries, not because he allows me to have the righteousness of God, not because I have salvation in Him, not because I woke up this morning, not because I have the ability to study His word, not because he gave me good godly community. God is good, because he is good. Good is his character. And it will always be. God is good if I don't have the strength to make it through the day, if I don't get asked out on a date, if I don't have enough money to support missionaries, if I don't have the righteousness of God, if I don't have salvation, if I didn't wake up in the morning, if I didn't have the ability to study the word, if I don't have good godly community. He is good. Period.
B. the northern way of saying "What's up?"
C. the absence of evil
D. God
E. All of the above
The answer: E (if you like chocolate chip cookies...which I don't). But let's focus on D.
I really am struggling with God's goodness recently. Not necessarily in my life but my thought process when it comes to saying "God is good." I know He is good. I say He is good. But what is all this based on? Because when I look at my life, my mind, my actions...does my life say he is good? I'm not sure. Until recently I was challenged by a friend that God's goodness is dependent on my circumstances, the circumstances of my life. His goodness is sometimes based on my fruit, and what he gives me only.
For example: Tomorrow, if I went to Starbucks and this super godly guy asked me out I would say: God thank you, you are so good.
BUT- if I do or do not go to Starbucks tomorrow, and do or do not get asked out on a date...Get this: God is STILL good.
I realize that how I feel about God is constantly changing based on the circumstances of my life. But God does not change. He is always the same.
- "For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed." Mal 3:6
- "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17
- "They will perish but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end." Psalm 102: 26,27
- "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8
God is good. Not because he gives me the strength to make it through the day, not because I get asked out on a date, not because he gives me enough money to support missionaries, not because he allows me to have the righteousness of God, not because I have salvation in Him, not because I woke up this morning, not because I have the ability to study His word, not because he gave me good godly community. God is good, because he is good. Good is his character. And it will always be. God is good if I don't have the strength to make it through the day, if I don't get asked out on a date, if I don't have enough money to support missionaries, if I don't have the righteousness of God, if I don't have salvation, if I didn't wake up in the morning, if I didn't have the ability to study the word, if I don't have good godly community. He is good. Period.
The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. Nahum 1:7
Monday, June 20, 2011
my summer thus far
I have been spending my summer so far at the Leadership Project(LP) in Myrtle Beach babysitting for a family. The LP is very near and dear to my heart because this is the fifth year I have been down here (twice it was only for a week though). I have worked three jobs during the Myrtle Beach summers: Build-A-Bear, Johnny Rockets, and now a babysitter. I have been having such a good time. I have loved being around community, being able to have structure for my time in the word, being fueled by spiritual conversations, and being able to continue to invest, grow and learn from the girls that have been my best friends for years.
Here's a small glimpse of my summer:
This is Krieg. Krieg is three years old and he loves learning. He is very cautious and wants to learn about everything he sees. I have been able to learn so much patience in watching Cat his mom answer all of his questions and really teach him about the things of this world and how God created it to be.
This is Karis. Karis is about a year old and loves the beach, her paci and lamby. She especially loves her mom though. I have come leaps and bounds in relating to this girl and 2 weeks in she is starting to come to me, ask me to pick her up, and have a little fun. We especially bond by rolling around in a bed playing with her lamby!
I have been learning so much about what it means to be a mom. Most of the time I am not just babysitting but spending time with Cat, Karis, and Krieg all together and I have just been watching the many ways to raise a child in a godly home, learning to teach them to "obey, right away with a happy heart", to pray over the kids so that they will see more of God in their sin and disobedience, and to teach of God's creation in everyday life.
These are two girls in my room. They work at McDonalds. I actually don't live in their room...I live in the back of their room in their closet! Haha it is a very small room but actually big enough for me and the other babysitter on project to live there!
This was Stephanie's face when she saw me come through the drive through! Priceless! She was sooo surprised!! She went to PC with me and Ive actually gotten to have some time to get to know her this summer which has been great! We've run together in the mornings and just gotten to spend a good bit of quality time together which has been awesome! Yay for new friends!
Two years ago Ally and I worked at Johnny Rockets and it was so neat to go back and see our co-workers from way back! This is Weezie, she was great and still remembered us. We also got to see Tenisha, Adam, Sarah and a bunch of other JRock employees who we had built relationships with! It was awesome! The coolest part is: Weezie has a sister named Fatso (all nick names of course) who worked at JRock with us but is no longer there but now works at the McDonalds that Ally is working at! Its so neat that Ally still gets to hang with her!
This summer has been amazing and I have been learning so much about myself, my idols and the Lord. God has been so faithful to me to help me see more of his power and grace and to see my sin in a more serious way. Ive been studying Jeremiah and seen in so many ways how God is such a jealous God who wants our WHOLE heart, and nothing else. Ive been seeing more and more that none of my sins are hidden to God: "For my eyes are on all of their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their iniquity concealed from my eyes" (Jer 16:17). That he hates my sin and that it hurts and pains Him. I am starting to see the seriousness of it all and being able to confess it and see the joy of the gospel in such a new and sweet way.
I am praying this for all of LP: "For I found your word and I ate it and it became to me a joy and the delight of my heart for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts" (Jeremiah 15:16). I have been falling in love with God and his word daily and I am praying that the students here continue to stand in awe of the greatness and grandess of God.
This is Karis and me playing in the Jumping Fountains at Broadway at the Beach. So fun!
This is Karis and me playing in the Jumping Fountains at Broadway at the Beach. So fun!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Urgent Prayers Needed
Friends, Co-Workers Seek Clues in Search For Missing DC Christian Outreach Worker: MyFoxDC.com
Matt Hill who is on staff with Campus Outreach in Washington, DC has been missing since Tuesday at 11:30am. His car is missing, his cell phone is gone or dead and no one has seen him for almost 72 hours. There has been missing persons report filed but the family really needs prayers!! His brother Daniel Hill is one of my longtime college friends and I am hurting for his family and for Matt whatever might have happened. Please pray that they will find him.
Right now we are really just trusting the Lord, God is "El Roi" ("the God who sees") and we can trust that he knows exactly where Matt is and how this is a part of his will. Please pray and spread the word that prayers are urgently needed. Thanks!
We can already see how God is using this for his glory. Jesus is all over the news. The article above is just one of the many news stories on Matt.
"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22
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