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What is a girl to do?

So for those of you new to my world here is a brief overview..

sold my house last month, moved in with a couple with a cool basement space...

When I moved to my current sleeping/living location I knew that Karen and Joe would be putting their house up for sale.  Well, they did last month.  I knew that I would have to move when they sold their house.  Figured it would take awhile. It didn't.

House on the market one week- one offer.  Contract signed.  Now I get to find a new home space by June 5th.  I love it for my friends Karen and Joe.  And I laugh that once that I think I MIGHT be getting close to a new "normal" God says "um nope."

So now to seek my next hopefully cheap location... 

Fun times.  God times. Glad I still got friends willing to help to move my fabulously comfortable bed and ton of clothes! :)

peace and a good weekend to you! 

Guarantees (did I spell that right?)

So I have been thinking about the question- Why did I become a christian?  Why did I decide to follow Christ?  Which lead to: Now that I am a follower of Christ what did I expect?

A better life?

Money?

Success?

Safety?

A place to fit in (church)?

Friends? (you know, the kind you find when you go to church)

a boost in my self esteem from belonging to something?

My problems fixed?

All my emotions "right"?

A nice house and family?

The reason I think about these questions is because I have had several discussions lately about how to share our faith when we are put on the spot.  How do you share your story and God in it without sounding like everything will be "fixed" when we trust Christ with our lives?  

Because the thing is- everything may not be "fixed" it may be irretrievably flipped upside down.  You may have no money (or be asked to give it away).  You may lose your health, family, cattle, or whatever (think Job here...).  You may end up with more friends who don't know Christ than ones that do. Your heart may be burdened for the lost, broken for those in need and hurting.  So how do you explain that to someone who doesn't know Christ?

How do you explain that even if your world gets flipped upside down- you may be exactly where Christ has you?  That his heart breaks for those who are lost, broken for those in need and hurting and it's okay because you just continually life your heart to Him?  That to the rest of the general population your life may look weird.  But that your life will be more abundant than you can ever hope for or imagine?

The thing is- we often want a Guarantee.  That what we trade (our life) will be worth giving up for what we get (life in Christ, eternally).  And too often we forget what that really looks like, and judge our lives by the world. And we think that somehow there should be "more."

Funny thing is- we give our lives to him and we will always looking for more.  And it is for more of HIM.  Christ.  To be like Him, To love Him more, To be less of us, more of Him.  HE is the end result.  Period. 

My life for HIM. I think it is a Guarantee that there is nothing better. HIM. Simply a life lived for Him.  In Grace, for His Glory.  Living in the truth of His word. 

Still working on how to share that in a nutshell if needed.  Good thing is that the Holy Spirit typically takes care of finding words when I need them most.  I would be interested in any thoughts. 

But for now I will say- My life for Life in Him.  There is NOTHING better. And I guarantee it. 

opportunities

In case you aren't in on the Sticks concert or the Aday festivities I wanted to let you know about a picnic Saturday.

Shady Park on Saturday 1230.  Families, single folks or whomever are invited to hang out and have some food and fellowship.  Just a gathering of college types who want to be a blessing to others.  Shady Park is over in Opelika across the street from Wal Mart in the mill neighborhood. 

And if you are willing and able to help out with some tornado relief there are several folks who are in great need from tornado damage.  Got a chain saw or can haul stuff to a pile?  We can use you.  Get in touch with Alabama Rural Ministries- lisa@arm-al.org 

And First Saturday is coming up..first Saturday of May.  We will be going to the Humane Society, Walk for Life with Women's Hope, and have some construction and servant evangelism opportunities.  We meet up for breakfast at 8am.  May 2nd.  Be there :) 

Any questions? just holla

your mama the drama llama

Before I talk about Uganda can I just share?

I was on my way home from my small group tonight and I was driving innocently down the street.  And what did my little eyes see in the lights illuminating the dark?  A cute little couple on the porch saying good night. (If I was 8 I would say "Being kissy face" here).  Except they looked like they were about 45 or so.  Car in the driveway with the lights on waiting empty as one member of the couple to say goodnight and drive it home.  It was cute.  And weird.  If only they were jr. high age and I was too. Cuz then I could tell on them on the bus tomorrow and stir up some drama! HAHA  I don't know why I found that situation so funny as I drove by, but I did. 

Sorry about that...where was I?

UGANDA!  

Our team leaves May 12th and returns May 23rd.  Josh Agerton, myself and 5 amazing students will be journeying together.  Let me introduce them to you:

Lauren Bond- student at Auburn.  She has been to Kenya and will be staying in Uganda after the team leaves for a couple of weeks to do some more work as she serves in a nursing type capacity.  

Catherine Wise- student at the University of Alabama.  (she BEGGED me to come so I LET her...just kidding).  Catherine will also be staying with Lauren in Uganda after the team leaves.

Amanda McCourry- student at Auburn.  If you have been around Cornerstone you probably have seen her in the nursery or hanging out with the youth types (6th graders especially). First time to Uganda for her and she is looking so forward to the food there.  Pray for her- she's a picky eater:)

Jordan Hamilton- student at Auburn.  The lone guy college student.  He is a premed student and a first timer to Uganda.  

Morgan Bethea- student at Auburn.  First timer to Uganda.  Met with her back in the fall and it has been a blessing to see her journey that has lead her to this team.

Josh Agerton- grad of Auburn :)  Pastor of Connections at Cornerstone.  Second trip to Uganda with our teams.  Dad of 3 (twin girls in that mix).  

And Me.

I am working on a prayer calendar to help you pray day by day if you are interested.  I should hopefully have it up tomorrow night. 

the cross

I have heard a lot about the cross this past week. 

today from a friend's blog 

yesterday at church (it was Easter and all)

and Friday night at Secret Church

All I can say is... I thought I got it (the cross) before Friday night.  Friday night, well at 12:30am Saturday, I realized my understanding falls so short.  There was so much more intention behind the cross.  There was so much I didn't really get about the scene in the garden.  

Here is a list of things I didn't get-

• what Jesus meant by "the cup" as he prayed and spoke with the Father the night of his betrayal
• the anguish Jesus went through was NOT out of fear of what was coming but spiritual anguish (I know I have heard this before, but I have had it explained in a new and amazing indepth way) 
• how much so many have paid through history because of the cross.  not only the symbol but sharing what that means.   
• thanks to Discovery Channel I now get a little more about the physical agony Christ endured nailed to the cross  

I know that there is little meaning behind the cross without the empty tomb three days later.  I totally get that.    I rejoice in it. 

But as I think about the cross I want to Hug Jesus, lay at His feet, and shout at the same time.  It indeed does draw one near and make you want to run.  It is a glorious picture of love, sacrifice, and God's glory.  And ironically it reminds you of His call to love, sacrifice for His glory.  Not because you HAVE to, but because when you understand the cross and the amazing magnificence of God you HAVE to.  Because to do anything less is so shallow and empty in comparison to the full and abundant life God has in store.  

I think the same thing about my Bible. I love my Bible.  It challenges me and kicks my tail (after all it IS GOD'S ACTUAL words).  What is interesting is that currently there is a lot of talk about the cross.  For some reason it is polarizing folks.  Kind of like worship (as in music) styles polarize folks.  It is interesting.  It is heartbreaking.  It is thought provoking.  Wonder how I could stir up some contraversy over my Bible and make people talk about it so that they read it more?  

As I sat in Secret Church at Brookhills Friday night I could not help but think about my friends in China that I visited Christmas 2007.  The accapella songs, the discussion of the truth, the simplicity, and how much they LOVED God's word and wanted to know more about it.  How they would have been willing that night to be escorted out the door to prison if needed for the message of Christ. I wept as I prayed for them.  For others like them.  And I smiled to think about the cross in the government church on Christmas Eve with the blinking multicolored rope light wrapped around its edges.  It was tacky but divine.  it pointed to jesus even though hardly a word I heard I understood.  

So my heart is encouraged, and heavy.  In numerous ways.  Great thing is that it is leading me to HIM.  The ONE constant thing.  Despite all the contraversies of the world... 

I encourage you to take a look at Lisa's blog  through the Martins Page, Secret Church  and get on the mail list for the next one!! (Can you say amazing 6 hour Bible study!)  And no MATTER what you think or do...sit down with your Bible tonight and see what HE has to say to You.  About Whatever...

Sorry for the randomness this blog has in it.  My heart is full and my brain has a hard time processing. 

Uganda is ONE month away.  I can't wait.  I am already crying just thinking about being with my friends there and seeing what God is doing.   I will post more on Uganda tomorrow!  

 

a little fireside chat

So I am sitting by my fire (see above), in my space, and being overwhelmed with who God is.  How HE loves me.  How He pays attention to me.  How I love Him.  How I love His Word.  How I love His plans. 

He knew it would be crazy cold tonight.  He knew I would be settling in with Him after watching some UNC throw down.  And He knew that I would want a fire at least once in this fireplace before later this year.  

I know it is not all about me.  But I love that sitting by the fire- in April makes me love where I am.  In the middle of His plan.  Even though I have NOT a CLUE where next week will have me.  But I am okay with that because I am trusting Him. His planning.  And His letting me know what His plan is when I need to know it.  

and I love when a new piece of scripture just jumps out and says "HEY" like I have never read it before... this was on kyle's blog tonight 2 Thessalonians 3:5  “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” Wow. I am not sure that I want my heart directed toward Christ's perseverance...because He persevered through a LOT.  For me.  And I love Him for it. 

Amazing Holy Week to you.