"Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, "Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." Luke 21:1-4
This is the verse we went over in a small group I lead that is made of of 11th grade girls. We talked alot about giving sacrificially- do we give our heart, time, and money to the Lord to "just get by"? Or do we give further in order to allow us to rely more on Him.
The two copper coins that this woman gave which would have been equivalent to about $1.50 is about the amount of what her next meal would have cost. This woman, destitute, and poor, gave the amount of money that I am sure was a stretch for her but she did it cheerfully and with a faith-filled heart. Do we stretch ourselves daily to give more to God in our time, heart, and money?
I think about my walk with Christ. Do I do just enough or do I do more? Sometimes I look at people and think that they look complacent (me comparing) and I think: I read my Bible daily, I pray, I memorize scripture, I live my life for God. But here's the real question: Can I be complacent in my "living my life for God"? I think so. We can get into a daily routine and get used to the good things we are doing. Instead I should be saying: How can I learn more of God, how can I love others more, how can I preach more of the gospel to myself, how can I glorify God in my daily life more, and how can I fight and see more of my sin? Notice the word: more. I don't want to get to a certain point in my life and stop growing or stop knowing more of God than I could. So we give sacrificially more.
This week in small group, we challenged ourselves to really guard our time with Jesus. And sacrificially spend more time than we normally would with him. We challenged each other to when we wake up before showering, putting on makeup, changing clothes, etc we would pull out our Bible and spend time with Christ. So even if we are running late, we spend time with Jesus first!! I can't wait to see how this plays out for me and for the girls!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
come to me
"Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food." Isaiah 55:2
We talked about this in Bible study last night and thought about what we spend our money and labor on which does not satisfy. Our list included: phones, Facebook, school(sometimes), guys,etc. The next question was how do you know if you are putting those things before Jesus? As a group we came up with these questions to ask yourself:
Do you text more than you read your Bible?
When you go to bed and wake up in the morning do you run straight to Jesus or you makeup?
Do you study the word of God before the word of man(school)?
Would you say no to hang out with a guy if you hadn't spent time with Jesus yet?
Do you curse more Than you pray?
These are just some of the questions we asked ourselves. Then we each picked one that we knew applied to us- told a friend to help keep each other accountable and were going to think about this all during the week. So join us if you want! Pick a question and instead of looking to something to satisfy you- Instead Isaiah 53 say to "Incline your ear, and come to me ; hear, that your soul may live." So we come to Jesus and pray that Jesus would change our heart and help us fight our sins. Our only instruction is "come to me;hear"- we need to go to Jesus and listen;he will satisfy. And in the end we are grateful because he has already done all the work so that we may live.
We talked about this in Bible study last night and thought about what we spend our money and labor on which does not satisfy. Our list included: phones, Facebook, school(sometimes), guys,etc. The next question was how do you know if you are putting those things before Jesus? As a group we came up with these questions to ask yourself:
Do you text more than you read your Bible?
When you go to bed and wake up in the morning do you run straight to Jesus or you makeup?
Do you study the word of God before the word of man(school)?
Would you say no to hang out with a guy if you hadn't spent time with Jesus yet?
Do you curse more Than you pray?
These are just some of the questions we asked ourselves. Then we each picked one that we knew applied to us- told a friend to help keep each other accountable and were going to think about this all during the week. So join us if you want! Pick a question and instead of looking to something to satisfy you- Instead Isaiah 53 say to "Incline your ear, and come to me ; hear, that your soul may live." So we come to Jesus and pray that Jesus would change our heart and help us fight our sins. Our only instruction is "come to me;hear"- we need to go to Jesus and listen;he will satisfy. And in the end we are grateful because he has already done all the work so that we may live.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
pizza, pizza, pizza
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!
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, 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
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