15 days

25
Sep/085

We are getting married in 15 days, and I’m about to lose my brain. Getting ready to leave work and the youth group and be prepared for our wedding and honeymoon seems nearly impossible. But, I know that I completely exaggerating. Ha. But, I’m allowed to, right? Just this once [although I might request it again whenever I am preparing to have children :)].
I just wanted to complain about how insane my mind is, how every detail is zig-zagging around in my head…well, my whole body for that matter. But, I also wanted to express how completely blessed I am to be marry such a man as Nik. He is my match. He really is. And I’m just so thankful that I’ve got him.
So, with that in mind…on I go!
Filed under: Nik & Me
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The Center

23
Sep/080

I’m taking a second to chill out. To step away from all the work i have left to do for the wedding, the piles of papers on my desk at work, and the chaotic world of considering the future.

We don’t do it enough. We don’t pull back and relax. I, for one, am awful at it.

On Sunday night, I asked the girls in my small group “How do you center yourself?” As I was asking it, I realized that I was probably subconciously asking that because my spirit was begging to find its own centered-ness. So, even in these most chaotic weeks leading up to the wedding, I will find my peace and my center - and I’ll easily find it. Its right under my nose, an arm’s reach away. Its in the Word, its in my quiet drive home as I talk with God, its in my workout, its in the time I simply allow myself to sit on the couch to watch TV with Nik. I can, and will, hold on to that. How else are we to remain [or become] sane?

Filed under: Faith & Thoughts
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Be Careful That You Don’t Fall

22
Sep/080

1 Corinthians 10: 1-13 [Warnings from Israel's History]

vs. 12-13-”So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

No matter how “strong,” “mature” or “righteous” we are, we must always remain guarded. We must always be conscious of God’s will and direction. We can never be too comfortable and start depending on ourselves; if we do, the inevitable fact is that we will fall.

Keep strong. Keep moving forward. Keep digging deeper.

Filed under: Faith & Thoughts, Uncategorized
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A New Kind of Slavery

18
Sep/081

1 John 3:16-18: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. Actions. In truth.

Last night at Anthology, we presented the subject of Project Rescue to our students. This is an organization doing great things for women and children that are in desperate need of help. But all too often, we fail to understand the depth and severity of the problem at hand. Last night, I encouraged our students and leaders [as well as myself] to try to see outside our plush lives and into the horrific conditions of sexual trafficking.
Project Rescue defines sexual trafficking as “the movement of women and children, within national or across international borders, for the purposes of prostitution or other forms of commercial sexual exploitation. It includes the recruitment, transportation, harboring, transfer, or sale of women and children for these purposes. The ultimate end of sexual trafficking is brutality, sexual slavery and not infrequently, death.” This prostitution usually beings at the age of 13. There are 10 million prostituted women and children in India alone. Many of these girls have been kidnapped, sold by parents or tricked into a prostitution that is nearly impossible to get out of. If a girl wants to work off her debt and be free, it will take her up to 15 years to do so. And then, if she isn’t too messed up emotionally, isn’t pregnant or isn’t infected by STD’s or AIDS, she just maybe has a chance for a normal life. Some of these women are even brought into the U.S. [yes, I said the United States] and forced into prostitution or slave labor. This is an epidemic that is happening all around us.
Thank God that He laid this incredible burden on the founders of Project Rescue [David & Beth Grant] and that He has given Project Rescue favor with the governments of many of these countries that are in need of help. Project Rescue has been able to Rescue, Restore and Prevent lives of many. But there is still much work to be done.
What can we do? Maybe we can’t personally go out and rescue a girl from a brothel and bring her to a Project Rescue Home of Hope [although, that would be so incredibly amazing to be a part of]. But we can give ourselves in prayer, and give ourselves in sacrificial giving.
Nik & I challenged Anthology last night to give to our Project Rescue Christmas Project. We handed out committed cards and challenged everyone to pray that God would give us a burden for these women and children. We are believing that our group can raise $1000 to give a Home of Hope in Nagpur, India a wonderful Christmas. We have so much. “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?”
Even now as Nik & I prepare for our wedding, honeymoon and new home together, I am beginning to re-evaluate our material possessions and what we think we “need.” We don’t need everything that we want. And although its great that we are given opportunities to sow our money into this project here and that project there, is that enough? Shouldn’t it be a lifestyle? A way of living? I think so. I am going to take on this challenge; and I hope you’ll consider joining me.
Filed under: Anthology, Faith & Thoughts
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Hey Anthology [and anyone else who's interested]

9
Sep/081

The high school girls group is going to head up our Christmas Service Project. Anthology is going to raise $1000 for Project Rescue. Its an organization that rescues young girls and women from prostitution and sexual slavery. The money will go to a place called Nagpur and will be giving all the girls there a wonderful Christmas that they wouldn’t have otherwise. I am very excited about it! We’ll be bringing everyone more information about it, but in the mean time you should check out www.projectrescue.com. Start brainstorming about ways to raise money for the cause. And start praying that God gives you a burden and passion for these women. Our group is in charge of motivating everyone else to get involved. Its time for us to do something outside ourselves, don’t you think?

On another note:

Hannah, Heather, Amber and I have been talking about spiritual gifts the last couple of weeks. They made the point that maybe our group doesn’t get excited about functioning as a church [or youth group] because we don’t understand the gifts that God has given to each of us on a personal level. Its hard to be excited about something that you might not fully understand about ourselves. Romans 12: 2 says “Do not coform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and aprove what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Amber pointed out that its hard to not conform to the patterns of this world if you do not fully know what your giftings are. So, I have a quiz that you can take to find out what yours is. PLEASE do this before our next small group meeting. Print it out and we can discuss it. Its really cool to figure out what gifts God has given you and confirm what your strengths are. The site is http://www.kodachrome.org/spiritgift/. Let me know if you have any problems getting to it.
Filed under: Anthology
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Can I just say…

9
Sep/083

I have some of the greatest friends a girl could ever have. I went home last week for my wedding showers, and felt so blessed. Its been quite a transitional year for me. Nothing has really remained constant; everything has been changing. But my friendships have remained strong. And they have not been friendships made out of convenience. These friendships have stood the test of distance over this past year.

The year has had many ups and downs, knowns and unknowns. God gently reminded me last week about how much He loves me and cares about my relational needs. He has never stopped taking care of me, and He never will.

Thanks to my girls for the perfect night of laughter, tears and being together.
Filed under: Great Friends
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And some say there is no God

9
Sep/080

In the middle of chaos, confusion, anxiety, excitement, impatience: God stands out far greater than the circumstances that seem to consume us. And when we are too busy or overwhelmed to take notice, He grabs our attention with something so beautiful and so bright - something we can’t ignore.
Filed under: Faith & Thoughts
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Rahab - What We Can Learn From A Prostitute

9
Sep/080

July 28, 2008

www.myspace.com/anthologygirls

Anthology girls -

Rahab was about as immoral as a girl can get. But she made a choice to believe in God and to be used for good. That’s all we have to do: make that choice. By doing that, you are letting God know that you are willing to change from your old self and start working to look more like His image. Just like Eve, we are called to bear God’s image and know Him on a personal level. Just like Rahab, we are sinners who, if we make the choice, can be used for God’s good work.

Like we talked about last night, living this new life can get really tough sometimes. We struggle, just like Rahab did when she lied about where the spies were. But, she was not condemned because she lied; she was rewarded because she made a choice to have faith in something greater than her. Because of her choice, her entire family was saved and the Israelites saw the Promise Land! I’m sure that as a new Christian, she did not always do the right thing immediately after choosing to believe. But, she kept trying, and God knew the depths and motivation of her heart. If you make the choice, how is the rest of your life/family/friends going to change? Is the sacrifice worth it? Obviously, Rahab proved that it was!

Don’t forget that you have people in this circle that will love and support you no matter what. We are here. Don’t forget: there’s always a way out of whatever bad situation you might find yourself in.

Filed under: Anthology, Faith & Thoughts
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Eve - What We Were Created To Be

9
Sep/080

July 28, 2008

http://www.myspace.com/anthologygirls

Anthology girls-

I realize that some of you are really questioning life, church, and even God’s existence. I’ve been there. Sometimes I still have moments of “God, are you really out there? Are you paying ANY attention to my life?” But He is. I cannot tell you how much God is involved in the details of our lives, but I can tell you that He is involved someway, somehow. The only way for you to feel that connection is by genuinely spending time in pray and reading the Bible.

Like Eve, we are created to do two things:
1. Bear God’s image- love God, align every part of your life with God. The best way to bear his image is…
2. Know God - He is not untouchable. He desires to have a close relationship with you. We were created to study His word and to keep God at the very center of our lives. We are also created to build strong relationships with each other. That’s why we do small groups.

Like we talked about last night, the only thing that can fill our voids, is a relationship with God. But, you’ve got to decide it. It’s your choice. If you are unsure, if you have questions - ask. Talk about it. Ask God. Read the Bible. You owe it to yourself to at least embark on a journey of finding the answers, don’t you?

You are a woman of God. You were created as an “Ezer” - a strong helper, and a warrior for all aspects of your life.

Hebrews 10: 23-24″Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

Filed under: Anthology, Faith & Thoughts
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Anonymous

9
Sep/080

Thursday, May 22, 2008

I am reading this incredible book called “Anonymous” by Alicia Britt Chole (thanks, Leann!) that has really spoken to me, especially in this season of my life. I have been in a season of transition, and adjustment…taking a break from grad school, moving to Daphne, waiting to get married…. I have always been a person that thrives on accomplishing my goals – having a dream and making it happen. But, I believe God has really taken me to this season in my life to see a whole other side of Him and to stretch and challenge me. This book is about being in a season of life where you don’t necessarily feel like you can be living your “dream,” whatever that may be. I think that for people like me, this can be an extremely difficult season that feels purposeless; but, I am really learning how purposeful it is. I just thought I would share a couple parts of the book that have really stood out to me so far…maybe I’ll write some more after I finish it. For now, here is part 1 of my book report…

The Main Course:In China every course of a meal is the main course. Every course is specially prepared. There are no filler courses like bread or salad or appetizers like in America. Each course is an entrée. It is a feast, a journey through the meal and each part of it is to be enjoyed. If you are anxious about what course is next, you will miss the incredible course in front of you. Chole applies this to our lives. Are we living each day as if it’s our main course? Or are we just waiting for our main course? Waiting through our bread, salad and appetizer? God does not waste our time. He does not give us filler courses. During those times of waiting- whether you are waiting for school to be done, waiting for your ministry to take off, waiting to get married- are you living like life is on hold? Or are you treating today like it has purpose?

Chole calls these waiting times hidden times. These hidden times are gifts because they can be used so efficiently. They can be used to better ourselves, to grow closer to God, to reach out to people that are already in our path. Instead of focusing on what is next, live today. As my ever famous Nik White puts it – be present. Be present in today. I have dreams. Things I want to accomplish. People with whom I want to accomplish them with. But, if I can’t even recognize what I have in this very day, how will I ever appreciate the day I get to live out my dreams. Will I be too occupied with the future even then, to recognize the gift God has given me?

Trials:Chole gave an interesting perspective on trials – one that really challenged me. Trials do not prepare us for the future. Trials reflect the past. They reveal what we have already become- what our foundation is – what decisions we have made in the past. If we have been making good decisions on the small things, then we will be able to make good decisions through trials. We are practicing for what is to come. How have you been practicing? What would a trial reveal about your past decisions?

We have power in our lives. Power to make decisions. Power to let people in. Power to participate in activities. But, it’s a delicate power. Essentially, it’s the power to add good or bad to our life on a daily basis. What will you be when everything is stripped away from you? What will that foundation look like? Who will be left? I hope that what is left of me looks a lot like Jesus.

Filed under: Faith & Thoughts
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