I recently started back leading a small group at my house for teenage girls. I decided not to follow a book or study this time so that I could teach about things on a more personal level. I wanted this group to be intimate, a place to confess and find healing, a place of breaking free, a place of fellowship and growth, and a place to find direction and hear God's voice.
Without a book to grab at the last minute (just to read somebody else's words), I have been held accountable to go on a search myself- to the Word, in prayer, and researching Godly counsel. I have opened my ears to let God speak to me in any way. Through this group (and the lack of it), I have ignited and reignited a passion to teach God's word in a way that others can grasp and apply to their own walk with God.
It's crazy, every time I take a break from being fed and feeding others spiritual food (Titus 2), I grow weary and feel almost incomplete- like I'm not using my gifts or reaching my full potential. BUT when I get close to the Lord, I KNOW that I know that I know, I want to be doing KINGDOM work.
I can't think of anything better than to use my gifts and talents to bring others closer to Jesus Christ and make a living in it all. I'm at a point where I could leave it all behind. If He said GO, I'll go. If He says take a pay cut, I'll sacrifice. If He says get more experience, it's my heart's desire.
I want to ask all of you bloggers, readers, and FRIENDS to lift me up in prayer- a prayer to define my direction. I don't know whether God wants me to pursue publishing, become a Bible teacher at a Christian school, or WHAT... BUT I am willing, passionate, and ready!
THANK YOU in advance!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
CharlotteONE
I have mentioned "CharlotteONE" in some of my posts and wanted to share a little about it. This is a group of young professionals that meet downtown on Tuesday nights for praise, worship, a short message, and fellowship.
You don't have to be a part of a particular church or even a church at all to come.
Nobody knows everyone. I used to come by myself a lot last year, and I never felt out of place or awkward. I could sneak in a few minutes after the music started, slide in a pew at the back, and worship and listen by myself. Of course, if you want to reach out to the people next to you, everyone is accepting and excited to meet someone new.
It doesn't last super long- about an hour and 15mins or so.
The worship is upbeat, normally lead by Andy Cherry (who you can find on facebook) and sing a lot of Hillsong United, songs they wrote, and other worship songs.
They have a facebook group that you can become a part of that lists the schedule for Tuesday nights and outreach events if you want to serve in the community.
If you want to listen to some past messages, I encourage you to go to CharlotteONE's media and listen to some of my favs:
- 10/1/2008 Is there a Perfect One for you
- 4/1/2009 Relationships- Purity
- 8/19/2009 The Promise and Power of Persistent Prayer
- 10/14/2009 EpicFail: Peter
- 10/13/2010 Relationship Status: Single
These messages have changed my life in so many ways and opened my eyes to knew things about God. I learned about healing, the heart of God, his love story he wrote for me, and a desire for Him.
You don't have to be a part of a particular church or even a church at all to come.
Nobody knows everyone. I used to come by myself a lot last year, and I never felt out of place or awkward. I could sneak in a few minutes after the music started, slide in a pew at the back, and worship and listen by myself. Of course, if you want to reach out to the people next to you, everyone is accepting and excited to meet someone new.
It doesn't last super long- about an hour and 15mins or so.
The worship is upbeat, normally lead by Andy Cherry (who you can find on facebook) and sing a lot of Hillsong United, songs they wrote, and other worship songs.
They have a facebook group that you can become a part of that lists the schedule for Tuesday nights and outreach events if you want to serve in the community.
If you want to listen to some past messages, I encourage you to go to CharlotteONE's media and listen to some of my favs:
- 10/1/2008 Is there a Perfect One for you
- 4/1/2009 Relationships- Purity
- 8/19/2009 The Promise and Power of Persistent Prayer
- 10/14/2009 EpicFail: Peter
- 10/13/2010 Relationship Status: Single
These messages have changed my life in so many ways and opened my eyes to knew things about God. I learned about healing, the heart of God, his love story he wrote for me, and a desire for Him.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
"Why didn't I obey?"
As I'm planning and preparing for the Bible study for teen girls, I came across the very verses I found myself praying after I came to a dead end.
At the end of a crazy four years of college, I found myself at the bottom of a pit. I've talked in depth about this pit in previous posts, but to sum it all up I'd say I found myself confused, used, broken, and hopeless. The way I was living (wild and carefree) lead me to destruction.
Nothing can describe the loneliness, the regret, the fear, and the feeling of being unworthy because of the things I had done.
Do you ever get to a place where you say Lord I give up? I give up living for me. I give up hurting YOUR heart. I give up wanting my OWN way. I give up trying to fulfill myself with "dead things" that won't last.
I KNEW it was because I had strayed off the path God himself had for me. I didn't follow his laws. I didn't live according to His word. I didn't see the hedge of protection he built for me as "good"... instead, I carved a way out of it to live foolishly.
No one can go back in time and re-do their life. No one can heal themselves. No one can restore their body to purity. No one can erase one night. No one can mend a relationship that was broken. No one can forgive AND forget what someone else has done to them. No one can make their soul happy.
No human can do any of this themselves. They can only turn to the One who is the Healer, who covers your sin and makes you blameless in God's sight, who can give you the strength to forgive, who can bring justice to the people who have hurt you. Turn to the One who puts your sin as far as the East and from the West! Turn to the One who can give you NEW life and a passion for His kingdom.
I realized I was out of God's will because I was in my own. I craved his laws. I craved his provision. I finally saw WHY there were so many rules and why things were wrong or were meant to be saved for a different season. I desired to see the white and black of sin.
If you are struggling with looking for direction, stuck in a pit, wondering what the NEXT step is, or ready to give up... Seek God's word... ask for wisdom... ask God to open your eyes and give you direction... and He will!.. then OBEY!
Here are the verses I desired for my life from Psalm 119:
9-16 How can a young person live a clean life?
By carefully reading the map of your Word.
I'm single-minded in pursuit of you;
don't let me miss the road signs you've posted.
I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart
so I won't sin myself bankrupt.
Be blessed, God;
train me in your ways of wise living.
I'll transfer to my lips
all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
I delight far more in what you tell me about living
than in gathering a pile of riches.
I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,
I attentively watch how you've done it.
I relish everything you've told me of life,
I won't forget a word of it.
17-24 Be generous with me and I'll live a full life;
not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road.
Open my eyes so I can see
what you show me of your miracle-wonders.
I'm a stranger in these parts;
give me clear directions.
41 Let your love, God, shape my life
with salvation, exactly as you promised;
Then I'll be able to stand up to mockery
because I trusted your Word.
Pretty much the whole chapter was a desire for God to come back into my life. Reveal himself in a BIG way and overflow into a life of holy and wise living.
At the end of a crazy four years of college, I found myself at the bottom of a pit. I've talked in depth about this pit in previous posts, but to sum it all up I'd say I found myself confused, used, broken, and hopeless. The way I was living (wild and carefree) lead me to destruction.
Nothing can describe the loneliness, the regret, the fear, and the feeling of being unworthy because of the things I had done.
Do you ever get to a place where you say Lord I give up? I give up living for me. I give up hurting YOUR heart. I give up wanting my OWN way. I give up trying to fulfill myself with "dead things" that won't last.
I KNEW it was because I had strayed off the path God himself had for me. I didn't follow his laws. I didn't live according to His word. I didn't see the hedge of protection he built for me as "good"... instead, I carved a way out of it to live foolishly.
No one can go back in time and re-do their life. No one can heal themselves. No one can restore their body to purity. No one can erase one night. No one can mend a relationship that was broken. No one can forgive AND forget what someone else has done to them. No one can make their soul happy.
No human can do any of this themselves. They can only turn to the One who is the Healer, who covers your sin and makes you blameless in God's sight, who can give you the strength to forgive, who can bring justice to the people who have hurt you. Turn to the One who puts your sin as far as the East and from the West! Turn to the One who can give you NEW life and a passion for His kingdom.
I realized I was out of God's will because I was in my own. I craved his laws. I craved his provision. I finally saw WHY there were so many rules and why things were wrong or were meant to be saved for a different season. I desired to see the white and black of sin.
If you are struggling with looking for direction, stuck in a pit, wondering what the NEXT step is, or ready to give up... Seek God's word... ask for wisdom... ask God to open your eyes and give you direction... and He will!.. then OBEY!
Here are the verses I desired for my life from Psalm 119:
9-16 How can a young person live a clean life?
By carefully reading the map of your Word.
I'm single-minded in pursuit of you;
don't let me miss the road signs you've posted.
I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart
so I won't sin myself bankrupt.
Be blessed, God;
train me in your ways of wise living.
I'll transfer to my lips
all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
I delight far more in what you tell me about living
than in gathering a pile of riches.
I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,
I attentively watch how you've done it.
I relish everything you've told me of life,
I won't forget a word of it.
17-24 Be generous with me and I'll live a full life;
not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road.
Open my eyes so I can see
what you show me of your miracle-wonders.
I'm a stranger in these parts;
give me clear directions.
41 Let your love, God, shape my life
with salvation, exactly as you promised;
Then I'll be able to stand up to mockery
because I trusted your Word.
Pretty much the whole chapter was a desire for God to come back into my life. Reveal himself in a BIG way and overflow into a life of holy and wise living.
Monday, November 8, 2010
"In Good Company"
Have you ever felt like everyone is just floating along the river of life, barely getting to know you, barely extending a conversation, barely giving a care? I feel like this world just may be too busy to have time to listen to a friend's story. How often do you offer a shoulder to cry on? How often do you get into a challenging conversation that draws you closer to knowing who you are, why you're here, and possibly closer to the God you haven't had much time for either?
When I get into a dry spell of life, a feeling of emptiness, loneliness and feeling like a failure.. I know I need to turn to the Lord. Thank God, by now, I have at least realized WHERE my hope comes from, even if I happen to lose it occasionally. I started questioning, is this what the rest of my life is going to be? This daily routine, EVERY day of my life?
It's easy to lose vision when you take your eyes off Jesus. It's easy to feel like you are unchangeable and stuck when you aren't moving forward in your walk. It's easy to feel like this is the best your life can get when you aren't hearing God's plans for your life.
I started making sure I was at church on Sunday and then CharlotteONE on Tuesday nights. The Lord began to speak to me again about my passion for people who can't find involvement. He stirs up my desires to see this generation and the ones to follow rise up and meet their savior. He makes me realize the need for Him in this city.
Now that I have a tiny miracle in my belly, a little gift that God is knitting together in my womb, I started recognizing the places I go, the people I'm with, the season I'm in, and the importance, yet temporariness of it all. I get so excited to know my baby is feeling the beats and music of God's people praising Him. I get overwhelmed that I am this child's shelter. I become more accountable knowing that what I do affects another. And that is why I can't forget my calling to lead others to Christ and a life of living holy.
I decided to re-start my girl's Bible study group and I joined a wives mentor group that happen to meet on the same night. This past thursday was the start for both of them, and I can't even begin to describe the purpose, the hope, the vision, the dedication the Lord restored to me, and in abundance!
The ladies I met with were like a breath of God. The potential friendships, the deepness, the honestness, was incredible. HERE are the people that will listen. HERE are the people that will pour their heart out and allow the tears to flow. HERE are the people that KNOW God is in control, but yet are vulnerable enough to share their struggles. I found encouragement. I found peace. I found a challenge for my walk. I found a group of believers that would lay hands on my belly and PRAY for my baby. I found people that CARED.
Again I have the urge to bring that type of friendship, that type of growth, that type of encouragement to anyone who wants it. I encourage all of you to seek out a group of believers that can pour into your soul and others that you can pour out on.
When I get into a dry spell of life, a feeling of emptiness, loneliness and feeling like a failure.. I know I need to turn to the Lord. Thank God, by now, I have at least realized WHERE my hope comes from, even if I happen to lose it occasionally. I started questioning, is this what the rest of my life is going to be? This daily routine, EVERY day of my life?
It's easy to lose vision when you take your eyes off Jesus. It's easy to feel like you are unchangeable and stuck when you aren't moving forward in your walk. It's easy to feel like this is the best your life can get when you aren't hearing God's plans for your life.
I started making sure I was at church on Sunday and then CharlotteONE on Tuesday nights. The Lord began to speak to me again about my passion for people who can't find involvement. He stirs up my desires to see this generation and the ones to follow rise up and meet their savior. He makes me realize the need for Him in this city.
Now that I have a tiny miracle in my belly, a little gift that God is knitting together in my womb, I started recognizing the places I go, the people I'm with, the season I'm in, and the importance, yet temporariness of it all. I get so excited to know my baby is feeling the beats and music of God's people praising Him. I get overwhelmed that I am this child's shelter. I become more accountable knowing that what I do affects another. And that is why I can't forget my calling to lead others to Christ and a life of living holy.
I decided to re-start my girl's Bible study group and I joined a wives mentor group that happen to meet on the same night. This past thursday was the start for both of them, and I can't even begin to describe the purpose, the hope, the vision, the dedication the Lord restored to me, and in abundance!
The ladies I met with were like a breath of God. The potential friendships, the deepness, the honestness, was incredible. HERE are the people that will listen. HERE are the people that will pour their heart out and allow the tears to flow. HERE are the people that KNOW God is in control, but yet are vulnerable enough to share their struggles. I found encouragement. I found peace. I found a challenge for my walk. I found a group of believers that would lay hands on my belly and PRAY for my baby. I found people that CARED.
Again I have the urge to bring that type of friendship, that type of growth, that type of encouragement to anyone who wants it. I encourage all of you to seek out a group of believers that can pour into your soul and others that you can pour out on.
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