Today, at work, I was thinking about the church of Christ. No, not the denomination, but the church- the body of Christ. I got to thinking about the way people are. They are so different from each other. The word "individual" does not even begin to describe the way the Lord has carefully crafted each of us. It is amazing. Truly beautiful. Anyway, being so different from each other is a gift.
The way we each operate. The way we each think, feel, and speak. The way each of us is passionate about something else. The way each of us is dedicated to something specifically for us. Take one of my best friends, Bryn. She wants to be fluent in Spanish. She has an amazing gift when it comes to the camera. She loves to paint and draw. And I know she can dance prophetically. I, on the other hand, do enjoy linguistics, but I do not desire to be fluent in Spanish. I just want to be able to speak with my grandparents. ;) I cannot take a picture to save my life. Well, I know what button to hit usually. Painting and drawing are my venting. They are my outlet, so they rarely look presentable. Okay, so this was a really bad example, but I think it proves my point that we are different. And I love that the two of us are so! I think we would get bored if we were exactly the same. I think the Lord would too! (I love you Bryn!)
Back to what I was saying, people are so different. That means that we learn differently. Some people have to make the same mistake several times before they understand that they should not do whatever it was they were doing. Some people understand after the first mistake. There are other people who do not want to make a mistake. Who hate discipline. I am hoping you are beginning to see what I am getting at...
There are so many different people in the world. There are artists, writers, jocks, brainiacs, jokesters, etc. They do not all learn the same way. Artists learn by doing. Put a paintbrush in their hand AND explain the different strokes. Give a writer a word and they will go a million miles. Jocks understand..whatever it is they understand. They understand the plays; the Hail Mary's, the Blue 52s, and all the other ones. They call you out when you foot touches the basketball court line. Artists and writers have no idea what a Hail Mary is. (Unless they research it. And I am talking about "strict" artists, writers and jocks.)
If you are, or ever were a teacher, professor, or instructor of any kind, you know what I am saying. You comprehend it more than I even do.
This being said: why do we expect everyone to get what we are trying to tell them inside the church? Why do we use the same tactics on trying to get unbelievers inside the doors?
I do not know about your church, but mine is extremely diverse. We have theater majors, music majors, business men and women, house moms and homeschool students. We have teachers, directors of non profit organizations, engineers, construction workers. We have it all. We have a very diverse body.
Now here is what I am wondering: why does the diverse body not reach out in different ways? Why do the theater majors not put on plays. Do you know how powerful it is to SEE the story of Christ? Why do the music people not put on a show. Play your instrument and use that voice God blessed you with! I LOVE HEARING passion. It gives me the shivers. :) Why do we simply say "Yay community!" Why do we not say "Today, my community is doing..."? Things like this bring people together and it gives the body of Christ a new way to reach out and grab hold of those who are seeking.
Lord let us be Your creative hands and feet! Let the dancers arise. The bold who are not afraid to lift Your name. Lord let us be unashamed of the Gospel of Christ. Let us think of new ways to reach every tribe and tongue.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Redundancy
Last night, Raique (my boyfriend), Jacob (my brother) and I were chillin' until Raique decided it was time to work on a budget plan. He was writing out what he wanted in the next month, six months and year. Then the things he needed, i.e. rent money, food, etc. This got me to thinking: what is it that I want?
I have a mini-list now. And I'm proud of the fact I took the time to do this. The first thing on my list is God. I want a deeper relationship with Him. I want to be able to walk into a cafe full of people and be able to speak to them the way He would. I want to hear His voice so clearly. I want to be obedient because I WANT to. Not because I already went through the discipline of being disobedient. Like a good father He disciplines those He loves. (and He loves me best!) I believe that a deeper relationship will allow me to love the unlovely. To be a "father" to the fatherless and take care of the widow. I believe that the love of Christ will show through and draw people. Because I have seen it happen. It has happened to me. I want it more. I want Him more.
LORD HERE I AM. HAVE YOUR WAY.
Number two on my list: I want to marry my best friend. Now, I'm not saying today or tomorrow or even this year [unless of course he asks. ;)]. I just want to be his. Fully and completely. I want to say to him (this may need to be censored for children) This is my body. Not that that is the only thing that I want out of a marriage. I want to stop saying goodnight over the phone or through a text. I want to wake up and look over (freak out!) and see his face. Have you ever thought about how creepy that could be the first bit of life with the one you love?
Number three. I WANT YWAM MADISON. When I first got accepted, I contemplated getting a third job. (Yes, I already had two.) Raique wouldn't let me though. With good reason. He said that if God was God and He wanted me there He would provide. I felt like I got slapped. I just got so anxious that I wouldn't be able to go. And I have to remind myself quite often that I am not and do not have to get all $7000 plus I need for both phases. "Deep breath child" I find myself telling myself more than once a day. I just want this. Like I haven't wanted something in a while.
I need to end this post and get to bed. It's already 11 pm and I have to be at work at 6:30 am.
I have a mini-list now. And I'm proud of the fact I took the time to do this. The first thing on my list is God. I want a deeper relationship with Him. I want to be able to walk into a cafe full of people and be able to speak to them the way He would. I want to hear His voice so clearly. I want to be obedient because I WANT to. Not because I already went through the discipline of being disobedient. Like a good father He disciplines those He loves. (and He loves me best!) I believe that a deeper relationship will allow me to love the unlovely. To be a "father" to the fatherless and take care of the widow. I believe that the love of Christ will show through and draw people. Because I have seen it happen. It has happened to me. I want it more. I want Him more.
LORD HERE I AM. HAVE YOUR WAY.
Number two on my list: I want to marry my best friend. Now, I'm not saying today or tomorrow or even this year [unless of course he asks. ;)]. I just want to be his. Fully and completely. I want to say to him (this may need to be censored for children) This is my body. Not that that is the only thing that I want out of a marriage. I want to stop saying goodnight over the phone or through a text. I want to wake up and look over (freak out!) and see his face. Have you ever thought about how creepy that could be the first bit of life with the one you love?
Number three. I WANT YWAM MADISON. When I first got accepted, I contemplated getting a third job. (Yes, I already had two.) Raique wouldn't let me though. With good reason. He said that if God was God and He wanted me there He would provide. I felt like I got slapped. I just got so anxious that I wouldn't be able to go. And I have to remind myself quite often that I am not and do not have to get all $7000 plus I need for both phases. "Deep breath child" I find myself telling myself more than once a day. I just want this. Like I haven't wanted something in a while.
I need to end this post and get to bed. It's already 11 pm and I have to be at work at 6:30 am.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Just Another Day
I'm supposed to be finishing a College Algebra lesson, but...well, I don't feel like it. haha So I figured I mine-as-well do something constructive with my time. (I just want to point out that I was already on the computer.) A couple of thoughts for today:
First, a couple of y'all have come onto this blog because I told you about it, either verbally or in a support letter. "No longer the end". It sounds...well, to be honest, it actually sounds emo. Which was completely unintended. haha But there is so much more than it being an AWESOME phrase and blog name. (Judge me if you want, but I think it is awesome.) Kuglin and I were talking the other day...Let's see, it was Sunday, after church. Kuglin was a youth leader when I was in the Shady Grove youth group. Not that it was THAT long ago, but it's been a couple of years now. She has such a pure and good heart when it comes to "her kids". So she and I were talking, asking what was going on in the other's life these days, etc. We started discussing YWAM and the opportunity I now have presented to me. I began to cry as I explained to her the passion I have for these children.
My family and I have been active volunteers at the People That Care Center in Grand Prairie for years now and I honestly love the people there. The volunteers, the clients, and the VIPs (homeless men and women). I've always loved volunteering and being able to serve another. In fact, I would rather be volunteering than working and serving there! But then again, who wouldn't. Anyway, so as much as I love these people and the work we do, this is not my heart. My passion. My desire. I love it, but it's not.
No, my passion is for the woman who thought she could make it on her own at 18 and ended up working the street corner to make ends meet. My passion is for the girl who was sold after her father was lied to about how she would be taken care of and no longer have to work such long hours and still go to bed hungry. Her father did it for her, but he didn't know, and he never will. Yeah, she is taken care of- but in a different way. My passion is for the women and girls who work the streets. Always looking for a way out. Always trying to run. Always destitute. Always in pain. ALWAYS CRYING OUT.
I want to answer them. I want to tell them "I hear you! I'm coming!" And I am. One day, I WILL open a home for those women and girls who were trapped. The ones who were living our darkest nightmares. The ones who think that when they get out they will have some place to go then find they don't. SO THEY GO BACK FREE WILLINGLY.
How could we be so callous? How could we not care?! How can we continue living our everyday lives?
I envision my home filled with women and girls learning to cook and sew and...love and forgive. (Sorry, I'm tearing up.) I can see them. I can see the pain written on their faces when they first come to me. And the frustration they have when they realize they don't know what to do in "our world". The frustration of relearning how to live. How to laugh. How to smile.... and eventually, how to remember...with the love of God. With the grace to fully forgive. (God let it be so!)
Do you see now? Do you see why I just grin as you ask me about the URL? No Longer the End.
No longer do these girls have to say this is the end. There is no more for me. As they sit and wonder when they can leave. How they will make it on the outside. How people will respond to them. No longer. NO LONGER. For them, it will no longer be called "the end". It will be their newest beginning. NO LONGER THE END.
Second, as many of you know. YWAM Children At Risk lecture phase is $3,250. I just want to say, I AM DOWN TO NEEDING LESS THEN $2,000!! I'll figure out the total of what I need in a few minutes. And I'll post the total of what I need at the end of February, probably the day after I write and mail the first check.
Third, I am super glad I am no longer at work listening to "Happy Valentine's Day". I really wish I could have responded "Happy Hallmark- blew- this- day- out- of- proportion Day". Then add a sarcastic grin to it. Ah, that would have made me happy. Anyway, HAPPY DAY!
<3*
First, a couple of y'all have come onto this blog because I told you about it, either verbally or in a support letter. "No longer the end". It sounds...well, to be honest, it actually sounds emo. Which was completely unintended. haha But there is so much more than it being an AWESOME phrase and blog name. (Judge me if you want, but I think it is awesome.) Kuglin and I were talking the other day...Let's see, it was Sunday, after church. Kuglin was a youth leader when I was in the Shady Grove youth group. Not that it was THAT long ago, but it's been a couple of years now. She has such a pure and good heart when it comes to "her kids". So she and I were talking, asking what was going on in the other's life these days, etc. We started discussing YWAM and the opportunity I now have presented to me. I began to cry as I explained to her the passion I have for these children.
My family and I have been active volunteers at the People That Care Center in Grand Prairie for years now and I honestly love the people there. The volunteers, the clients, and the VIPs (homeless men and women). I've always loved volunteering and being able to serve another. In fact, I would rather be volunteering than working and serving there! But then again, who wouldn't. Anyway, so as much as I love these people and the work we do, this is not my heart. My passion. My desire. I love it, but it's not.
No, my passion is for the woman who thought she could make it on her own at 18 and ended up working the street corner to make ends meet. My passion is for the girl who was sold after her father was lied to about how she would be taken care of and no longer have to work such long hours and still go to bed hungry. Her father did it for her, but he didn't know, and he never will. Yeah, she is taken care of- but in a different way. My passion is for the women and girls who work the streets. Always looking for a way out. Always trying to run. Always destitute. Always in pain. ALWAYS CRYING OUT.
I want to answer them. I want to tell them "I hear you! I'm coming!" And I am. One day, I WILL open a home for those women and girls who were trapped. The ones who were living our darkest nightmares. The ones who think that when they get out they will have some place to go then find they don't. SO THEY GO BACK FREE WILLINGLY.
How could we be so callous? How could we not care?! How can we continue living our everyday lives?
I envision my home filled with women and girls learning to cook and sew and...love and forgive. (Sorry, I'm tearing up.) I can see them. I can see the pain written on their faces when they first come to me. And the frustration they have when they realize they don't know what to do in "our world". The frustration of relearning how to live. How to laugh. How to smile.... and eventually, how to remember...with the love of God. With the grace to fully forgive. (God let it be so!)
Do you see now? Do you see why I just grin as you ask me about the URL? No Longer the End.
No longer do these girls have to say this is the end. There is no more for me. As they sit and wonder when they can leave. How they will make it on the outside. How people will respond to them. No longer. NO LONGER. For them, it will no longer be called "the end". It will be their newest beginning. NO LONGER THE END.
Second, as many of you know. YWAM Children At Risk lecture phase is $3,250. I just want to say, I AM DOWN TO NEEDING LESS THEN $2,000!! I'll figure out the total of what I need in a few minutes. And I'll post the total of what I need at the end of February, probably the day after I write and mail the first check.
Third, I am super glad I am no longer at work listening to "Happy Valentine's Day". I really wish I could have responded "Happy Hallmark- blew- this- day- out- of- proportion Day". Then add a sarcastic grin to it. Ah, that would have made me happy. Anyway, HAPPY DAY!
<3*
Sunday, February 12, 2012
The Start
Hello!
Over a month ago, I applied for Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Children At Risk. Early January, I received my answer. I got accepted!
I am so excited to start this journey. This new beginning- for me. Not going to lie, I am super excited about being done with two years of college! FINALLY. Although, I may end up going back, I will be done with college for about a year. :D Or at least, I will have a break for about a year. Which sounds so good!
As of right now, I have to raise $3,250. And that is only for the first phase. (It's split into two.) My mother and I did a Valentine's Day Fundraiser. I will get a decent amount by the end and I am excited to see how people will support me. My boss gave me extra and I almost cried. He will be losing a worker when I go in September, but he is supporting me. I have never had such a support system. With my boyfriend, father, boss, and everybody else supporting me there is no way that I will not bask in it and go up there and learn everything I can!
This has been my heart for a while now, and now I can finally do something about it!
I'm getting sleepy, so I'm going to sign off and update soon!
Goodnight.
<3*
Over a month ago, I applied for Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Children At Risk. Early January, I received my answer. I got accepted!
I am so excited to start this journey. This new beginning- for me. Not going to lie, I am super excited about being done with two years of college! FINALLY. Although, I may end up going back, I will be done with college for about a year. :D Or at least, I will have a break for about a year. Which sounds so good!
As of right now, I have to raise $3,250. And that is only for the first phase. (It's split into two.) My mother and I did a Valentine's Day Fundraiser. I will get a decent amount by the end and I am excited to see how people will support me. My boss gave me extra and I almost cried. He will be losing a worker when I go in September, but he is supporting me. I have never had such a support system. With my boyfriend, father, boss, and everybody else supporting me there is no way that I will not bask in it and go up there and learn everything I can!
This has been my heart for a while now, and now I can finally do something about it!
I'm getting sleepy, so I'm going to sign off and update soon!
Goodnight.
<3*
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