Funnel-Brains

So, I'm one of those people that really loves to talk about what God's doing in my life...well, actually, I prefer to write about it more than talk because I feel like I communicate better (and without stumbling) in writing rather than speaking.

Right now is one of those times that I wish I could explain everything God is doing in my life...but it's like He's doing so much, I'm not sure where to begin! It's exciting, but it can get frustrating in my mind. Now, I'm definitely NOT complaining that God is doing too much in my heart...that would be lame! But it's like there is so much awesome stuff in my heart and mind to share, that it's the proverbial backed-up funnel. Over the next few days I'll try to sit down and actually write out what God's doing in me. Lord willing, it will make sense.

I can give you a mini-taste, though, of these events:

1) Argument with my sweet fiancé and God's results through that.

2)NC FCA College Retreat over the weekend of February 28th-30th.

a. Gomer

b. impassioned for missions and teaching (again)

3) Humbling.

4) FCA meeting this past Tuesday.

5) Conversation with a professor- surprising and encouraging.

So...yeah, a lot has gone on in less than 1 week, and I'm so excited about it...now...to slowly sort out the funnel of information. :-) Coming soon! God bless!!!

In Christ,

EGC

One Word 2011

Good afternoon all! The other day I was catching up on a friend's blog and her post was about One Word 2011. I was very curious and continued looking into what it was all about. It's a challenge by another blog, Grit and Glory to prayerfully pick a word that you can live by daily. It is a word that is supposed to challenge you, and a word that you can think on daily and surround all of your actions by. Grant it, it doesn't mean you choose that word and ONLY live according to it but it may be something that you have a struggle with that you want to give to God. It's a great way to make a New Year's resolution and help you focus and improve daily actions (also going along with living according to God's Word).

When I read this, I started thinking of all these words...it was a hard choice. All sorts of words starting coming to mind: patience, kindness, loving, etc. I eventually narrowed it down to two words: Generosity and Humility. I really couldn't decide which one I should do. I tend to be very stingy with both my time and money, so it seemed like generosity would be a good word to apply in my life daily. Then a thought came to me...humility encompasses so much more. Pride is a HUGE struggle in my life. Honestly, I sin daily in that area by judging others, thinking of myself first, acting as though I'm better than people around me, and even sometimes hurting people's feelings. I don't intend to do it, it's just a struggle for me, and we all know how sin comes naturally, so this is something that comes quite naturally to me. Being humble, according to dictionary.com means to be lowly, subservient, unimportant, not proud or arrogant. I agree with some of those, such as not being proud or arrogant, subserviant, but I know my life is not unimportant because God has a purpose for me. So let's look at God's definition of humility...

"No one should seek their own good, but the good of others." -- 1 Corinthians 10:24

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, consider others better than yourselves." -- Philippians 2:3

"Honor one another above yourselves." --Romans 12:10

"Jesus called them together and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." -- Matthew 20:25-28

So looking at these verses, humility is not about being unimportant, but it IS about being subservient, putting others before myself. That is so hard. I decided to choose Humility as my word of the year, 1) because I struggle with it's antonym, pride, quite often, 2) it covers many other areas of struggle such as generosity of time and money (putting others' needs above my own in time/money), anger, arguments, unforgiveness, and so much more, and 3) because that word kept popping up over the past few days both in scripture, tweets, radio programs, and more. I'm excited for the challenge of growing in humility this year, because I know I truly am not a humble person now. It will be hard, but I know God will use this opportunity greatly in my life and hopefully will use me in the lives of others.

My reference scripture for the year is this:

"He has shown you, o mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." -Micah 6:8

"Humility loves Christ-exalting exultation more than Christ-exalting confrontation, even than Christ-exalting vindication" -- John Piper (tweetage)

And in other subjects, you should check this out...another aspect of humility...

Why did He die for us? The Creator of this universe and all of its grand beauty? Because He loves us!!! God bless you today in peace and joy!

Joy in Repentance

So, as I was reading this morning, some scriptures really stuck out. Repentance has been a word that's been on my mind for the past few days. It's really not an easy thing to do. I heard a quote somewhere...I can't really remember where I heard it, but it says the closer you get to God's light, the more of the dirt of life you see on yourself. Once you see it, you can allow God to clean it off of you. Once you're clean, the closer you can get to His light and the more dirt you see. It's a constant cycle of repentance, cleansing, and growth in God. I'm in one of those moments. Knowing and having a relationship with Him is not about just saying a prayer for salvation and going about your way. John the Baptist and Jesus both preached the message of Repentance.

Acts 20:21 "I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus."

I look at my heart and I see so many things that I have to give over to God. I hear that message to repent, and I wonder what it means...According to cynet.com, it means

"That divinely wrought conviction of sin in the heart that the soul is guilty before God, and resolute turning away from sin in which the sinner identifies himself with the gracious act of God in redeeming him. Repentance involves both a change of mind about sin, and a change of heart-attitude toward sin. It is at the time of renunciation of sin and an acceptance of the Holy Spirit's enablement to Holy Living. Repentance is necessary for salvation. Jesus asserted that it was a necessary condition"

That is HUGE. It means I can't just rely on words of my mouth to give me salvation. I have to honestly seek after God's will and love what He loves. He definitely doesn't love sin. Turning from sins is a difficult action, but with God, it is so much easier. That quote says it is the RESOLUTE turning away. I know some things in my life that I need to give to God. And repentance isn't just a one-time thing either, it's a daily turning away from sins because we're never going to be fully perfect, we'll always have issues and sins to give to God. I'm so glad that God is constant, always there, listening and waiting for us to turn to Him (Hebrews 13:5).

I challenge you to look at your heart. Get a little closer to God's light and let Him show you the issues and sins in your life. He's not going to do it judgmentally. He's doing it out of love, so that we can be free of the "have to" of sins, we can live life in joy and freedom from sin. It's not really super fun to see the issues in your heart. I am going to be honest, too, it's not easy. God has shown me some things that have been consistent in my heart since I was little that I just kept shoving off and ignoring rather than DEALING. It's really hard to say no to those things in my heart, spirit, and mind...but I am RESOLUTE to do it, because God was gracious and loving enough to let His own Son, His own CHILD, die a horrible death and bear the weight of my sins so that I wouldn't have to. That's mind-blowing and it's a good reminder. The God that created this GINORMOUS universe loved me enough to give of Himself to save me....so I'm not going to repent and grow closer to Him because I HAVE to, I'm going to do it because I want the joy of being united with Him for eternity. He does give us that option. He wants us to spend eternity but He can't dwell with sin. With people that haven't repented and accepted His gift, He can't dwell. God really is mind-blowing, and I'm glad for that...because if I could fully comprehend Him in my little brain, He'd be a little God, and He's not. :-D

"9Therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.

10For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let Your Holy One see corruption.

11You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of JOY; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

-Psalm 16:9-11

Come and Listen

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I Am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

In a time of high stress, this song began playing on my iPod. On a day of nervousness and anxiety, God gave me this verse in my quiet time.

Take time in your day to sit, be silent, and listen. You'll be amazed what you hear Him say.

The Truth

"And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, 'Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye." --Matthew 7:3-5

I'll be honest, this passage of scripture hits me right in the heart. This past year has been a whirlwind of events, planning, stress, and joy, but it's also been a year, partly of darkness in my own heart, partly joy, and partly stagnation. The first half of 2010 I spent in depression, anger, and bitterness. God sent me to Costa Rica and He healed my heart and took away the unforgiveness that was there. For a little while after that, I spent more time with Him, grew in Him, but then let myself get distracted, stray and wander away from Him. He never left me...but I turned from Him. I let myself get so busy and stressed, I stopped talking to Him. As this new year started, I felt the ache to spend time with Him again, in the Word and in prayer, I really missed Him. For so long, I would judge others for living lives that seemed un-Christlike, when I was living away from God myself. So far in 2011, I'm determined to be consistent with Him. A best friend isn't someone you say 'hi' to only when you need them, it's someone you talk to fairly regularly, and think about often. God needs to be my best friend before I can be where I need to be in order to help those around me. I just want to be honest.

It does feel wonderful, though, to have a kind of new beginning, a new year, a fresh start in my relationship with the Lord, and I'm super excited about it. :-)

In Christ,

Emily Grace