Radical

It's been a very long time since I've posted a blog. So I apologize to those who have been asking me to write a new one.

A couple friends of mine have told me to check out this book called Radical: Taking Back your Faith from an American Dream by David Platt. He explores how many Christians today take a "God-centered gospel and fit it to our human-centered preferences." I want to share my experience and challenges while reading this book.

My challenge is to think on this. Whether you decide to read this book or not, you don't have to do a lot of research to figure out where you are twisting God's word.

Where are you twisting God's will to make Christianity acceptable to your standards?

What can you do to get rid of your standards and focus only on God's.

Grocery Shopping

Week 1: 

    I was walking down (or up, for some of the crazy people that the difference between down and up matters...They're both there pick one.)...

    I was walking down the bread isle in the local Harris Teeter, looking for some of Nature's Own: Honey Wheat bread.  When I realized I had one more aisle to go,  I shot off a quick peace to God knowing that my quest was almost over because I can't stand grocery shopping. Finally I made my way to the cash register, packed my car and went home thinking the worst was over with. I charged $xxx.xx for my groceries. I then had to carry the groceries up to the fourth floor!!! I know what you're thinking... poor guy. Thanks guys I appreciate it because it stunk! 

Week2:

    I really only got around to using about 70% of the food I bought. About 30% of it I either didn't use or it went bad. So I had to figure out what I didn't need so I could not spend so much. Grocery Shopping week 2 sucked just as bad, but I managed to shave off about $50 dollars from the last week. So I'm pretty pumped, feeling good about that extra cash...trying to figure out what I want to do with it. When it hit me that what I just experienced was something that all christians struggle with. Buying unnecessary things.

John 4:34

    "'My food', said Jesus, 'is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work.'"

I dug a little bit deeper. I'll leave the task to you to do a bible study of your own. I found a lot of associated words that led me to many verses regarding this topic. For example, "nourishment", "rich fulfillment", "our daily bread"... the list goes on. I encourage you to take a look.

Anyways, my point is that the transition from grocery shopping from week 1 to week 2; something changed. I realized there were things I didn't need to buy so I was able to get rid of them.

We are called to be 110% devoted to God. Something I think I can speak for everyone on is that we all have things in our lives that do not please God. So next week what can you start to shave out of your life.

My challenge to you is this:

What food are you buying that will go bad?

...

Get rid of it.

Friendship with God

Today I just want to share my day with you guys.

Before you go to the next line...pray.

This morning I woke up emotional drained. From a long weekend of driving, seeing old friends, and having some emotional conversations. I struggled with getting up out of bed to get to work. God could change that. So I decided to do something that I've always had a hard time with. Have an open conversation with God all day.

It was difficult because many times my prayers turn into requests and praises which is good to go to God with. Think of a relationship with one of your friends where you only ask for things and give them thanks. It's a relationship alright, but not necessarily a strong one.

As my day progressed I was doing a good job talking and doing my best to listen to God with all the distractions going on at work. At one point a turkey vulture literally attacked our window for two minutes.

My day finished. I went shopping and then for a run. I came back confused. Although I had done a pretty good job meeting my goal, I felt like I didn't accomplish what I set out to do.

Going back to the friend analogy. Imagine a friend where you only ask for things and give thanks. Meanwhile you are busy the whole time not giving that person your full attention. It's pretty weak...

I decided to power down the phone for an hour. Listen to some worship music, pray and just let God talk. I felt like in that one hour I accomplished more then I did all day half talking.

So here's my challenge:

Reflect on your relationship with God. 

What kind of relationship do you have with Him?

My Soul Cries Out

Today I wanted to share one of my favorite worship songs.

"From The Inside Out"

A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
Should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in your grace
Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, your glory goes beyond all fame

Your will above all else
My purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise
Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, your glory goes beyond all fame

In my heart, in my soul
I give you control
Consume me from the inside out
Let justice and praise
Become my embrace
To love you from the inside out

Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring you praise
From the inside out
Lord my soul cries out

I've been singing worship music the majority of my life. In highschool we had chapel every week and I remember singing songs of praise. I remember doing it because thats what we did in chapel and nothing else. It struck me towards the end of my highschool career that singing praise without meaning is worthless...it's empty. 

You're not singing to sound good, you're not singing because it's what you do at the beginning and end of church. You're singing because you're proclaiming you're love for God. I love the last line of this song...."Lord my soul cries out." That's what we're doing and when it happens it's such a powerful thing.

In the past month I had the opportunity to go to 2 worship nights. I'm still blown away with how intense a worship sesh can get when you just let it all out...

So my challenge for you is this:

Next time you sing praise to God...don't just sing.

Find meaning in your words and let your soul cry out!

Be Known

Hey Guys!
It's been a while. The move in process was great! I'm officially a VA resident.
I gave myself last week to get things settled. This week I have no excuse to not be writing blogs.

When I moved out to my own place. I decided to be intentional with my time and who I am. It's a pretty huge step from college into the real world. There are so many new responsibilities and it is so easy to get lost in the new life.

I decided to write down things I expected of myself and things I wanted to stand by and live for. The most important quality, I decided, was being a Christian.

I decided to take it a step further and not only be a Christian but be known as one.
I've been reading through the Gospels and one of the first things I noticed are these twelve disciples following Jesus. They are known for that.

I think it's very easy to feel comfortable going to church. It's very easy to share your spirituality with others who share the same views as you and be okay with that, hiding your spirituality. Stepping out and making yourself known to everyone else like Jesus and his disciples did is what we're called to do.

Since I've been here for such a short time some of my main relationships are at work.So a huge goal of mine has been to have conversations, reach out, and serve in the work environment. It's crazy...God has been actively moving within the company. I've had several conversations about faith with a few of coworkers. Others aren't on the same page but have been open to talking about it, and there's even service projects starting up to get involved with.

So here's my question for you:

Where do you need to make yourself known?

More God

Last weekend I went to a college/early career worship night.I got to catch up with some friends I hadn't seen in a long time.

You know when you're watching your favorite tv show that starts at 8 and it's like 8:50. The show is just starting to get really interesting. Then it ends and your left with wanting more.

This is exactly how I felt during that worship service. It was joyfully intense and a little saddening after it ended. The work week came and I found myself doing my daily routine: devotion, prayer, etc. I struggled with feeling satisfied. I began to pray, but I still wasn't satisfied. So I did some reading and sat in silent thought. I 're-realized' something you probably may have heard before. God satisfies us, He is the only Living Water that can.

John 4:14 says, "but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

So why wasn't I satisfied? Looking back to that night of worship feeling satisfied, what changed?
In that moment during worship I wanted more God. During the week I was doing my routine just to do it. With the big move out of my house this weekend, I was more focused on that then my time with God.
So how can I get more God?
Well the good thing is God is everywhere so we can get Him anywhere.
Devote more time to Him.
Like some of the past blog posts suggest: Give more, have a better attitude, bring God into daily things, take Him with you everywhere.

I think being more aware of God and focusing on glorifying Him even when it's hard to focus, will help you find more satisfaction. It will leave you always wanting more of Him.

I wanted to clarify what satisfaction means to me. Satisfaction means, "The fulfillment or gratification of a desire, need, or appetite." In my life I am the most satisfied when I am left wanting more of God

So my question for you:

Are you satisfied?

Glorify (Becky Booker)

Becky Booker and I go all the way back to like 1st or 2nd grade or something...it's crazy.
Keeping in touch with her I've noticed just how important following God's plan is to her...whether God sends her somewhere or not. Either way it's incredible and so inspiring to see her listen to God's plan above everything else. I hope you enjoy her post as much as I did!!!!!
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Ever had a door slam in your face? It’s not very pleasant: in fact it’s pretty startling, painful, and sometimes confusing. I recently had a door shut in my face… well, figuratively that is.

I was 5 days away from leaving on my 4.5 month missions trip to the West Bank. I had my stuff together, my books read, and my heart prepared. I was ready to go preach the Good News there! But God, as He so often does, had different plans. Long story short, I found out Sunday night that I wouldn’t be boarding my booked flight that coming Friday. The answer was no.

So the door was closed. But here’s the thing: I DID have a choice. I got to decide what my response was going to be. I could pout and curse God for ruining my plans, or “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks” (1 Thess. 5:16-18). Praise God for His grace. I was moved to my knees. To weeping and to prayer.

Scriptures like
Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

and

Jeremiah 29:11 (Jimmy’s favorite, I believe!) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “ plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you a hope and a future.”
were a great comfort.

It kind of came down to one thing a friend told me. He said, “Becky, if you’re not glorifying God here, how do you expect to go halfway around the world and be a light for Christ??” That just made a lot of sense to me. Our purpose as humans is to glorify God. Period. The Bible says that we show our love for God by obeying Him. As Christians, our very definition is to be “Christ-like.”

Instead of throwing a fit, I threw a heartfelt prayer for God to be glorified, because that’s what matters. We are called to love, and to make disciples.


And here’s where my challenge comes in- for myself first.
Before I go halfway around the world, I need to check myself. I need to make sure I’m glorifying God HERE. Who am I intentionally sharing the Gospel with? How do I become the definition of a Christian?

So now your turn- step back. Take a look at your life. Is it glorifying to God? Or do you see a lot of complaining, gossiping, and just downright disobedience? Are you intentionally sharing the Gospel? Are you Living it?? Take tonight to get on your knees before God and tell Him how awesome He is and how much you love Him. Thank Him. Ask Him to be glorified in and through you. And the next time a door gets slammed in your face, take it from me- the best place to go is to your knees.