Radical Update

I finished "What is the mission of the church?"  by DeYoung and Gilbert.  I wish I could find a church that I liked so that I could build a relationship with a congregation.  I miss St. Pete and I miss my home church - they both just readily accepted me into their family and made me feel so welcome.  They were always gathering together to commune with each other; they take care of each other; they are so overwhelming in their kindness.  I miss it.  I miss having a routine centered around church.  I feel like a stranger in a strange land without a church.

I've started Anne Lamott's "Traveling Mercies" and at the end of the first chapter she writes, "because no matter how bad I am feeling, how lost or lonely or frightened, when I see the faces of the people at my church, and hear their tawny voices, I can always find my way home."  I feel the same way.  No matter how frustrating or disappointing life gets, I can find peace and joy at my church.  It's the way the folks smile at you and hug you and the way you know they love you unconditionally.  I'm blessed with not only a great real family, but a great church family as well....I'm just really really far away from them :(

I have finished the New Testament except for Revelations.  I'm saving that for Bible study because no way do I want to try to delve into that alone.  I used to roll my eyes and scoff when others told me to read the Bible.  I mean, I grew up in church, so obviously I'd heard it all already, right?  So wrong.  Yeesh, I was a dummy.  Seriously, everything you ever need to know about being a Christian is in the Bible.  You don't need anything else.  That's literally written as a manual.  Do this.  Do this and be incredibly happy and peaceful.  "The Word of God is more than able to do the work of God"  - Deyoung and Gilbert say at the end of their book I finished.  It's so true.  If someone with doubts and fears were to sit down and read the first four books of the NT, they wouldn't be able to stop reading.  I was that person.  I thought, no way, but yes!  a thousand times yes!  It all adds up.  It all makes sense.  Nothing could deter me from my relationship with God.  Nothing could stop me from proclaiming my love for Christ.  And the Word is sufficient.

I'll be starting the Old Testament next week.  Back to Genesis!  Interestingly enough, I'm also about to start a book called, "The Lost World of Genesis One".  Exciting stuff!

Dimes for Uganda are still being collected.  My little bottle is rattling pretty nicely.  I love when people send me pictures or update me about their bottles.  I know that I have an awesome support team and I'm so grateful to the Lord for placing me on this path.

"For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken."
Psalm 62

<3

Sunday morning

I love Sunday mornings.  I love waking up and getting my coffee brewed and sitting down to enjoy some Bible study without stressing about anything else in the world, like getting clothes ready for work tomorrow or what time I need to go to bed in order to wake up feeling refreshed.

This morning I'm studying 1 Peter.  I've read excerpts from 1 Peter that were sent to me when I was first struggling against God back in November.  Those excerpts brought me peace then and now I'm just so excited to be able to sit and read the whole book with an open mind, no longer fighting against my own salvation.  Crazy girl.

As I read, I underline passages that give me goosebumps - ya know, when you read something and you know it was deliberately written for you?  I pretty much need to just highlight this whole book; it's so grand.

Time for church!

<3

Being a Doer

Yikes it's been a while.  Sorry folks.  Lots going on here with the end of the school year and big life decisions (and a new relationship <3).


I have been reading this book on the mission of the church (yes I'm still not done with it - I'm slow) and I just read a chapter on the churches' mission regarding social justice, examples would be like feeding the poor, sending relief to those in need, and basically 'righting' all the wrongs in the world.  I'm still not entirely sure what the authors' perspectives are so I suggest that you read the book yourself, but so far, what I've gleaned is stated by the authors after several scriptural references "Clearly, caring for the poor, the hungry, the afflicted is not just a liberal thing to do.  It is a biblical thing to do."  We are biblically charged to help those around us, and there are plenty who need to be lifted up.  They need a friendly hand and a smile and someone to say, "Here I am."

I read the book of James tonight as well, which flows so very very well with the book I just referenced about social justice.  I like the way James writes because it just, in my opinion, encapsulates everything Christ preached while he was on earth.  In summary:  if you love Christ, you will love everyone, unconditionally (really really really think on what unconditionally entails, y'all; it's intense)  and let that show in everything that you do.  Be a DOER.  It's awesome that we have this powerful God who can send a Spirit of strength and wisdom and perseverance and all we have to do is ask for it!  Nothing is impossible.  Think about that - we can do anything through Christ - we can feed the hungry and clothe the impoverished; we can bring nations of people who have never heard the Word to true salvation; we can teach others to love by showing them love.

As I'm typing this I'm listening to this song by Pastor Charles Jenkins called "Awesome" and I'm so uplifted.  This particular song was playing after I gave my witness a couple of weeks ago in church and it penetrates my soul.  I'm not scared of anything anymore, y'all.  Nothing.  Nothing can harm me anymore.  Nothing can control me.  I know He has me, and He's awesome.

My God is Awesome

He can move mountains

Keep me in the valley

Hide me from the rain
My God is Awesome

Heals me when I'm broken

Strength where I've been weakened
Forever He will reign...

My God Is Awesome
My God is Awesome

My God is Awesome

Savior of the whole world

Giver of Salvation

By His stripes I am healed
My God is Awesome

Today I am forgiven

His grace is why I'm living

Praise His Holy name

My God Is Awesome

I love you all.  Good night <3