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!