Velvet Elvis

I have a new book that I am reading! It’s called Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. This is honestly one of the most inspirational books I have ever read. He challenges people to read what he has written, then debate it. He stresses the fact that so many Christians just take the facts that they are given and never question them. Everyone should read it.

I went to an amazing Bible study this morning at Jacobs Dream. I love when you can tell that the hearts of the people around you are pure. I am blessed to have The Call to go to on Wednesday nights/Thursday mornings to wake me up from my routine!

Next week is lectureship, which will be pretty sweet. All of our classes are cancelled so that we can go to different lectures and discussions whenever we want to. The are also having a tent devoted to 168 hours of straight prayer. I signed up for an hour on Thursday, so it will be pretty interesting to lead people in their time with God.

What a great day!

Things Unseen

Last year in small groups, Sandra gave us a book to read called “Things Unseen” by Mark Buchanan. We planned on doing a senior girls study of this book, but it never worked out. As I was going through things in my dorm the other day, I came across the book and wondered whether or not I should go ahead and read it. After talking to Josh about it, and hearing how his parents love the book, I decided to read it.

Although I have only gotten half way through, it is unlike anything I have read before. The way in which Buchanan describes our longing for eternal life and the understanding that we lack really hit home for me. I think so many times people, including myself, get frusterated about not knowing exactly how Heaven will be, that they give up on looking forward to the idea all together. To me, that is incredibly sad. Sometimes I have moments of clarity when I can see the world as it truly is; temporary and broken. It is at these times I know that my desire for Heaven and my relationship with Its Owner will lead me to live the life worthy of the Calling I have received. This book has begun to stir the desire of Heaven in me once again. In the chapter titled ‘Who Wants to Go to Heaven?’, Buchanan says…

“We’re going to see God. We will be given eyes to behold what angels fear to look upon, and through Christ the boldness and priviledge to draw near. And however we conceive that, or fail to conceive it, it is a glory and joy beyond our wildest imaginings. Even if nothing else is true about Heaven, God dwells there in the fullness of His splendor, and that alone gives Heaven its worth. God alone makes Heaven heavenly.”

How amazing is that? Even if we don’t get to eat ice cream and magically learn how to sing in Heaven like i would hope for, we can count on the fact that God will be there. That makes me pretty darn excited for eternity!

Matt Redman

We sang this song last night in The Call, and it has not left my mind.

“When we face up to the glory of God, we find ourselves facedown”
                                                                     -Matt Redman

Hurricane

I was just on facebook when I came across something that David Ake wrote about praying for the houses in New Orleans that we worked on two years ago. It is devistating to think that another hurricane could come through and ruin everything that has been rebuilt.

The people that we met there in 2006 had so much hope and love in them, despite all of the tragedy they had to face. That was one of the most life changing weeks for me, because I got to see that even when everything is taken away from us, it is still possible to rely on God.

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
                                  Romans 12:12

I love Copeland. Man do I love Copeland. I have been studying for three hours, and the only thing that is keeping me sane is the amazing voice of Aaron Marsh. His lyrics are so powerful. I think everyone should listen to Copeland.

 

The Calling

Today has been strange.

I don’t think I have ever been so happy, sad, worried and amazed in one day. I can’t seem to get my emotions right. One minute I feel like God has a plan for me here, and I could not imagine being anywhere else…but the next minute I want to go home where I know people and can be myself. The church I went to this morning was amazing, but it still feels like something is missing. I feel like the friends I am making here are being forced, like everyone is the other persons last resort. Don’t get me wrong, I like them alot, I just feel like there is a huge elephant in the room every time we all hang out.

I know that right now the only thing I can rely on is God. Although the situation is strange, it has caused me to be constant with my quiet times and trust in Him in a completely different way. I have never had this sort of passion, and I know it is not by chance. While sitting in Chapel a couple of days ago, this verse was brought up that inspired me in a new way.

“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”  
                                                                     –Ephesians 4:1-2

I have a calling. Everyone has a calling. I don’t know what that calling is yet, but I know that everyday I am working to find it, and I am not here by chance. God does amazing things at ACU, and I know I can be apart of that. As much as I want to be home with the people I know and love, I feel that I would not be obeying the ever present voice in my head. I will make the best of my situation and be happy that I know I am being lead to something greater.