Wednesday, August 29, 2012

I want to live like that.

Just wanted to share a song today. 

Sometimes I think 
What will people say of me 
When I'm only just a memory 
When I'm home where my soul belongs 


Was I love 
When no one else would show up 
Was I Jesus to the least of those 
Was my worship more than just a song 



I want to live like that 
And give it all I have 
So that everything I say and do 
Points to You 



If love is who I am 
Then this is where I'll stand 
Recklessly abandoned 
Never holding back 



I want to live like that 
I want to live like that 



Am I proof 
That You are who you say You are 
That grace can really change a heart 
Do I live like Your love is true 



People pass 
And even if they don't know my name 
Is there evidence that I've been changed 
When they see me, do they see You 



I want to live like that 
And give it all I have 
So that everything I say and do 
Points to You 



If love is who I am 
Then this is where I'll stand 
Recklessly abandoned 
Never holding back 



I want to live like that 
I want to live like that 




I want to show the world the love You gave for me 
I'm longing for the world to know the glory of the King 



I want to live like that 
And give it all I have 
So that everything I say and do 
Points to You 



If love is who I am 
Then this is where I'll stand 
Recklessly abandoned 
Never holding back 



I want to live like that 

I want to live like that


...to be continued...
-B

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Row, row, row, your boat...

In the last blog, I spoke about facing your Goliath and what weapon you would use to defeat whatever was standing in your way. God can choose anyone. He just asks that we are humble and willing. I have been reading Kisses from Katie and this book has been such an encouragement in my choice to serve in Haiti (when ever God chooses that will be). If you haven't read it. You should. This particular quote coincides with my previous posts.

“Ordinary people. He chose Moses. He chose David. He chose Peter and Paul. He chose me. He chose you. Common people. Simple people. People with nothing special about them. Nothing special except they said yes. They obeyed. They took the task God assigned them and they did it. They didn’t always do it well, but they said yes, and with His help they did it anyway. Extraordinary tasks.” -Katie Davis, Kisses from Katie

A little tangent... but, it's about to get a little deeper. As I was talking to my mom on the phone yesterday, she reminded me that yesterday, August 20th, marked 30 years since my sister, Trisha, passed away from Leukemia. This October she would have turned 36 years old. Although, I did not know my sister, she has guided my life and choices I have made. I know it may sound weird but she is one of the main reasons I am a nurse today. I still remember my mom talking about the nurses who took care of her in the hospital. Trisha, was a spit fire to say the least. She was strong willed and spoke what she thought. She was strong and beautiful. In some ways I feel as if I owe it to her to live my life out to the fullest in whatever ways I can, I know she is sitting up in heaven next to Jesus watching over me and guiding my steps, while also laughing at all the silly mistakes I make. I want to make her proud. Although, I no longer have a biological sister here on earth. I am so thankful for my three sister-in-laws and my sister's in Christ who have had a major impact on me. Each person is placed in your life for a reason, whether they were physically there or not, they can still impact your life.


God is calling us all to something great. Love fearlessly. (borrowed from The 410 Bridge)

...to be continued...

-B

Oh and a little words of wisdom to end this blog from a 4 year old Trisha...
"Row, row, row, your boat, gently down the stream, merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily...Life is Tough."



Friday, August 17, 2012

Slingshots and Giants

So today is a big day... My big brother, Kevin is being commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marines! Super excited for him but sad I am missing the ceremony and picnic to follow! So excited for him!

Anyways, after my last slightly sad and challenging blog, I was reading the story of David & Goliath and was looking though some of my sermon notes from the unlikely heroes series at newhope... (if you didn't catch them... make sure you do at newhopenc.org)! So yeah Pastor Scott spoke about David and being an unlikely hero. He was just a Shepard. Pastor Scott said few things that have brought me encouragement and have made me think during my journey to Haiti (whether it be in a couple months or in a couple years).

He said "The only two credentials God is looking for is Humble & Willing". I had to think about that, I am definitely willing but am I humble about my decision. I feel so strongly about my choice to move to Haiti that sometimes I don't think I am humble. Does that make sense? It may make sense to those I have spoken to about my decision. Needless to say... I really need to work on my humility and being humble not only in my decision, but in my life.

Pastor Scott also said that God is trains world changing heroes through their daily routines and asked how much we complain about routines... but David did the same thing day in and day out but his job was to protect those sheep from predators such as lions (Did you know David killed a lion before defeating Goliath? You should check out his story in 1 Samuel... it's a good one!). You know what weapon he had? Just a slingshot! So God gave David some amazing aim and trained him well on that slingshot... I bet David never thought his slingshot skills would lead him to be king over Israel... but guess what it did! My point is, at times our lives may seem mundane and somewhat pointless but one act can change your life forever. The routine that you have been in for the last however many days, weeks, years may just be God training you to be a world changing hero or how about we just start with one.... That routine could make you a hero to one person or even better, bring them to Jesus!

So, here's the blog questions of the day. Are you an unlikely hero? Maybe you are and just don't know it! What will be your slingshot? Who/what is your Goliath?

There is one thing I keep trying to remind myself during this application process... God can make opportunities arise at any second! Haiti is on my heart and on my mind. Don't worry, I'll keep you posted of any news or decisions! Please keep on praying! 

...to be continued...

-B

Monday, August 13, 2012

Jesus take the wheel.

A long overdue blog...

So life has been running faster and faster so it seems. I have been able to spend more time with my whole family in the last month than in the last two years! It is amazing how God knows just what you need. Just a little update on getting to Haiti... I have some serious prospects and I am praying that the organization, myself and most importantly God are all in the same agreement. I feel like we all are on the same page but there is nothing official, yet. Except one thing makes it seem more real than anything... the spiritual warfare. 

I'm going to need some advice on this one. Satan seems to be roaming around hitting me right where it hurts, trying to break me down, give up my heart for Haiti, etc. Satan knows the little things that may make you not trust in God to provide. I literally just got home to find a very unpleasant "letter" in the the mail. Which I'm praying is just a error on Drexel's part and not mine!

Have you ever dealt with this? What do you do to combat spiritual warfare? Okay, so this is also a blog to ask for prayer. I need it big time. 

My heart keeps going back to my life verse Phil 4: 6&7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus".

So again I ask what do you do to combat spiritual warfare? Does anyone know of any good verses or passages to read? 

God is telling me to Go and I will! Satan you better watch out!

...to be continued...

-B