28 September 2010

an explosion of another kind

Speaking of Relay, I'm seriously about to just throw my hands up and walk away. I can't get any sort of input from anyone at all and I can't handle it. I have a ton of other things on my plate right now including a painting that is driving me up the wall insane and Bible study which is about eight shades more important. If I don't get some help soon or at least some input from SOMEwhere, I'm probably just going to explode. I don't mind doing it. I love it and I enjoy planning things, but I'm walking pretty blind right now. I know the overall goal. I know what has to be done, but it's the small stuff like planning meetings, sending emails, and getting input from others on this stuff that isn't happening. I can't do it all. I'm not that much of an overachiever and if my grades start dropping, something else is going to get dropped.

I'm just frustrated. I don't expect anyone to be available on the spot when I have a question or need input, but I expect for there to be some sort of input at regular intervals in this deal. We're all going through a lot, whether it's class and homework or LIFE in general. Let's not be ridiculous. If we don't work together, this is going to fall apart or be just as skeletal as it has been in the past. How about we grow up and be proactive?

Love explosion

Our ACS rep is wonderful. She is excited about what she's doing and really wanting to be involved and help so much.

Her mom isn't doing well. She's asked for help praying that her mom will be able to let go.

Can you guys help?

22 September 2010

satan will call me on that later

The busier I am lately, the more I want to delve into the Word. When overwhelmed, it's easier to see how God comes through for you. I hate that we don't meditate on His word more often.

I'm also trying to memorize a few passages. Psalm 119 caught my attention the other day. I'm taking it a section at a time and not memorizing much, unfortunately, but I think this is where I'll stay for a while. It's just beautiful. I'm not sure the historical context it was written in, but it's speaking to my current whirlwind in big ways.
Verse 1 says "happy are those whose way is blameless, who live according to the law of the LORD!" - this reminds me so much of 2 Peter 3:14 which says to be spotless before God. That's been a big deal lately. I rarely get embarrassed, but I have caught myself trying to please people instead of God. I wonder about the reactions of those around me or those involved before I do something I feel is right because I fear the judgment of others. In truth, God's opinion is the only one that matters. Verse 2 goes on to say that those who seek Him with ALL their hearts are happy. When you attempt to please others, you are dividing your heart.

20 September 2010

head spin

My head is just spinning.

Bible study is going to be incredible. I can feel it. I'm so excited to delve into life with these girls and see how God moves us.

Relay for Life is going to be interesting this year. We're off to a slow start, but I think somebody just lit a fire and we're about to run. There's some pretty sweet stuff in the works that I'm positively stoked about.

Classes are wonderful, but too many of them want me to take tests and write papers. I'm to the point where I'd rather quit school and just do my extra curricular activities for a living. Ohhhh boy.

Passion Live Link is next Monday night! I'm so excited.

Tuesday is sweet Haley's birthday as well as Kafrin's birthday!!
Next Friday starts Mountain Day festivities with Mountain Day Olympics and Kafin's birthday yumminess at the Cheesecake Factory.
Saturday the alumni come - young and old, near and far.
I love Mountain Day.

The week after that I have mid-terms (and yes I have tests between now and then which is just dumb, but gives me a better opportunity to pass...or fail).
Thankfully that weekend I get a L.O.N.G. break and will be attending the Georgia National Fair - SO EXCITED!!!!!!! Get me some funnel cake.

The next Friday is Unashamed Tour in ATL - Lecrae, Trip Lee, Sho Baraka, Tedashii, and Pro.

Two Fridays later I turn 21.


woah.my.gosh.


p.s. did I mention how God's organizing this and not me? yeah. otherwise we'd be up a creek.

19 September 2010

Let me tell you what God did...

The new series at Connect Rome is called "Healer." I can't begin to describe how wonderful that is, but that's only half of the point right now. We had an event tonight called "Alive: A Night of Worship." WOW, was it alive! God was moving in so many ways, tonight, but I have to tell you about one.

After I started college my freshman year, a friend of mine told me there was one other girl from my hometown here, but didn't encourage me to be her friend. The reasons were petty, but seemed legitimate at the time. Our paths never crossed that year. September of sophomore year I saw her at an event Connect Rome held at the Nest. She was a wreck. I had heard some stuff was going on in her life, big stuff, but didn't really know. I couldn't help but feel for her. My heart was breaking. I wanted to talk to her then, but she was surrounded by people just loving on her.
I waited until I came back to campus and messaged her on Facebook. I explained how I knew of her from friends, but just had her on my heart. She ended up telling me this horrible story full of lies, pain, and deceit. I couldn't help but cry. It was horrible and it made me so angry. I wanted to hurt the person who'd hurt her. We kept in touch for just a little while via Facebook and would say hello on campus, but that was it and pretty much has been it since then.

Tonight she was on stage singing. She has an incredible voice and has led a few songs on Sunday here and there. She sang "Healer" by Kari Jobe tonight. It was evident that she was standing as an example of those words in action. When the song was almost over she spoke to the crowd, pleading with them to let go of the pain they were holding on and just let God come in and heal them. I don't remember her exact words now, but I was in tears. If my legs had let me, I'd have fallen to the floor. I am so excited to see her sing, but tonight...I couldn't even explain how my heart clapped when she walked out on stage to sing that song and just as we worshiped. I feel so blessed and privileged to see how God has come in with His holy fire and restored her to Him. I was sobbing. God has shown me the fruit of my prayers twice in the past week in BIG BIG ways. It just makes my heart burn with .. gosh, with something I don't even know how to express..to see Him move and restore His children...to show to this girl that she is beautiful in Him and to see her LIVE that with the knowledge, faith, and BELIEF that she is healed by THE HEALER.

I don't want to mention her name, but, beautiful one, if you are reading this, THIS is why I just squeezed you so tight tonight! I am just so SO in love with our God and so MOVED by His restoration and love for you! I am so thankful that I've had a glimpse of that and so SO blessed to know you. You are such an incredible example of His love and you exude His love! I love you, girl, and can't wait to see where He leads you! (We have to stay in touch!) Thanks for sharing your story with me.

14 September 2010

Extravagant

I don't know where to begin or how to describe the encounter I just had, but I will try, without being too specific or too general because neither are appropriate.

I started praying about ten months ago for this one specific situation, circumstance, and person. It was tough. Like most colds or stomach viruses, I saw it get worse and worse before I even imagined it could get better. Roughly a month ago now I felt the urge to pray again for this situation, circumstance, and person. I don't remember the words and can't describe what about it was different, but I know I prayed for a hurricane.
Pause and let me clarify something: I believe fully that God answers prayers immediately. It's not something we have to wait for or anticipate. We pray and He answers. There is no delay.
I prayed and just let it go. After a rather lengthy conversation, I prayed again, but I felt like I was just putting my stamp on the letter and sending it, if you will.
I saw the fruit of God's answer five days later, but it was almost like seeing rain clouds, but not getting rain. I knew God had promised rain, but it wasn't raining yet.
Tonight I realized I've been standing in the midst of a downpour. A hurricane has never shaken me so violently with peace.
I spent twenty-seven minutes in tears of absolute humility, pain, awe, and excitement - comparable to ripping a bandaid off a large wound and cleaning it. I was humbled by the sheer fact that God had answered my prayers and again that He would SHOW me that He answered. I was hurt by the pride I'd had in praying and in the sheer fact that I have been walking with a chain around me that no one is holding onto, but me. I was in awe of God's mercy, His two-fold blessing, and just in seeing Him. I was excited to hear the love of Christ and flame of desire to GO for God from the other end of the telephone line.

I serve a God that answers prayers in word, but also brings them to fruition before your eyes, even if it takes a while for you to see.
I serve a God who comes in like a hurricane when you least expect it and don't even know.
I serve a God who tears walls down and AWAKENS His people.
I serve a God who serves as the third chord in every beneficial relationship and who cannot and will not be shaken, nor will He have me or my brothers and sisters in Christ, who have ALL been called by name - by our very DNA, taken from His hand.
I serve a God who answers prayers above and beyond what I ask.
I serve a God who does not stop at "enough."

H.A.L.L.E.L.U.J.A.H.
there is NO ONE GREATER.

11 September 2010

impossibilities

I have to be completely honest with you guys: I've spent most of the past two days being angry. I've been angry at people. I've been angry at situations and conflicts. I've been angry at reactions. I've been angry with myself.
Anger is a result of Satan pouring confusion into my life. Anger is a result of my living as the god of my own circumstances rather than obeying THE God...the God of OBEDIENCE. Anger is a result of my insecurity involving my friendships, my relationships, and where God is taking me. Anger is a result of my insecurity with my own self and my inability to DO as much as often and as well as I want to. Anger is a result of my humanity, which I cannot change.

I've been wrestling with this all weekend long. I even started a blog post in my notebook during a class Friday. It wasn't anger on the page, but I had to stop because I hadn't dealt with my anger yet. I hadn't come face to face with it and just dealt with it.
I can't say that I've had a dramatic encounter with it today, but I can say that I've had a dramatic encounter with the Healer of my heart. I sat in a room full of hearts desiring to serve. I think sometimes we can get to the point where our servant hearts idolize "doing." I know I've been there in the past few weeks. God has called me to be involved, to absolutely jump.in., but in specific areas. I can't do everything, though my heart so longs to be involved in EVERY area.
Tonight, these people have such a desire to be FOR GOD. They aren't concerned about race, gender, class, church affiliation, religious affiliation, where you live, who your parents are, where you work, if you've done something morally wrong....they want you to KNOW GOD. I don't know how better to explain it, but it inspires me to no end.
I came face to face with the God of these people tonight in videos from Passion Kyiv, Passion London, and the other destinations on the Passion 2010 World Tour. Hearing these people cry out to God in confidence, in faith, in vulnerability, and in STRENGTH made me just want to fall on my face and thank El Shaddai, MY ALL SUFFICIENT GOD, for His hand that defies language barriers, cultural barriers, and mental stigmas.
God has called me OUT and called me TO some of the most difficult situations I've ever had to make...mostly because I tried to make them alone. His restoration and healing is beyond anything you know. Doctors and medicine can't touch this. Nothing can touch the power that just resounds in His NAME alone.
I don't know who reads my blog, or if anyone really does outside a few specific friends. I don't know where YOU are at in your life, or maybe I do. Either way, I challenge you to reach out. I challenge you to try this "God thing" or "Jesus thing" if you haven't tried it, or to try it again if you have in the past and just didn't agree with it.
I challenge you to step out of what makes you comfortable. Step away from the people and "stuff" that you find your worth and security in and I dare you to ask God to be your security, your worth, and your passion.
I dare you to make yourself uncomfortable by seeing what He's about. I dare you to forget the stereotypes and failures of everyone around you and look at the One who is blameless, but loves you.
I challenge you to step into the rushing water of the Jordan River at harvest time, overflowing its banks, and see what God will do.
I dare you to trust Him.

05 September 2010

Laboring Labor Day

This weekend has included:
1. visit from Caitlin - she's a pal.
-- Olive Garden, visiting Darlington School, 2012 (weird movie), Walmart, finding out Taco Bell is g.o.n.e., Shabbat wine, music, and a visit from Mandi, intense people watching (the Berry Invitational was Saturday), UGA game, 3 hour nap, Johnny's Pizza (eh), Sunshine Cleaners, random phone calls, ridiculous jokes, Connect Rome, Harvest Moon, hike around the Reservoir, getting locked in the gate, new friend at dinner, prospective NYConference attendance to see Trip Lee, Fouche Gap, five shooting stars, and a ton of time in awe of my Savior.

Incredible weekend? Doesn't even begin to explain. =) I love this place..these people..and I can't wait to see what God has in store!

Tomorrow will probably be filled with homework, but that's okay. The weather is fallish and lovely.
But for now, my body is yelling at me for bed - that hike around the reservoir took roughly 1.5 hrs...some up hill, some down hill, and some in between. It was beautiful, but intense.
Praise Adonai


02 September 2010

Welcome to HaleysJourney

Welcome to HaleysJourney



I may have mentioned a few weeks ago that a dear friend of mine was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. This is her page. She is such a sweet, sweet girl with an incredible heart.