Amazing Grace

So, just as I finished studying the small group questions for the Youth Trip to the Gauntlet next weekI realized that I do things so differently now that I have rededicated my life. I just can't say it enough...God's grace is AMAZING, PHENOMENAL, better than french vanilla capucinno on a 65 degree afternoon on the beach in Charleston with a good book and a cushy lounge chair. Yes, even better than that! Just thought I would share that. I'm out like the neon sign down at the honky tonk.

Relationships and ministry...to be or not to be?

SO I just got home from my very first, first Wednesday service @ NewSpring. I must say it was pretty amazing. Afterwards I went out with some friends, reason being for my late arrival back @ the hizzy here in E-town. Anyway...a lot has been on my mind lately; a lot concerning God's will and plan for my life. I feel like I'm constantly tugging backward, remitting to places where I am comfortable in my life. God calls us to step out and be radical. Two major things on my mind lately: RELATIONSHIPS & MINISTRY! The relationship stuff is not so major, but this feeling I have that God is calling me to ministry is. I've actually felt God guiding me towards missions since I was at Red Hill. In my life, when I've been my closest to God, I've felt this call to ministry, missions...whatever it is. I just know I want to serve my Lord however he sees fit. Tonight @ first Wednesday Perry preached to the several men who were to be ordained and the more Perry spoke about ministry the more I knew God was calling me towards it. While speaking to these chosen men, Perry mentioned that he wants to one day hear God call him his good and faithful servant and he wants each of the men who were ordained to be there. Well, this made me realize that when I get to heaven I want the young people who I have met through Ignite to be there, not because of what I've done but b/c of what God did with a broken water jug like me; I want to hear him call them his good and faithful servants. Ministry is incredible, it's not easy-but I want to sell the best product in the world. A product that died on the cross so that WE may have eternal life. Jesus is off the chain.
Now, all this being said-it makes me wonder if now is the time for me to even be thinking about relationships. Even though opportunity is knocking-it may not be God's opportunity. Even though I know that one young man in particular is an amazing man of God, it may not be the right time. But I definetly do enjoy spending time with him. I think I just need to get away from everything for a little while and spend some time with God...which is what I'm doing next week! I cannot wait-I get the blessed opportunity to spend next week in Panama City with the Ignite and Fuse kids!! WOOHOO I can't wait to see how God is going to work with these young people. So...from Sunday, June 11th- (I think) Saturday, June 17th I will be in Panama city, but expect to hear all about it when I return. But, I'm exhausted, bedtime for Bonzo. I'm out like sleeping pills at an insomniac convention!

All I Need

Some lyrics to live by...I recently discovered Shawn McDonald, I don't remember quite how, I think it was on MySpace. Anywho, his music is amazing! His voice is incredible and the lyrics of his songs are just such a blessing to my soul. Here's just one example, a song by him entitled "All I Need" Enjoy, then I'm out like ice bags @ the rodeo.

As I sit here and think
About all that You've done
About how You gave me Your one and only Son
And I'm trying to fathom
All that You are, but so far, Lord
You're so beyond me
I fall down in reverence
And I fall down in fear
And I'm asking You, Lord, won't You please draw near
Won't You open my eyes
So that I can see
The way that You are working in me
All I need is Your love
To come and fill this heart of mine
My heart is a desert that has gone dry
And I need Your love to carry me bye, bye, bye, bye, bye
To carry me bye, bye, bye, bye, bye
To carry me bye
And I lay down my life
And I put it before You
All that I am is in Your hands
And I'm not going to question, why
You're so faithful
Why that You give me the blessing that You have
Let the glory be known, let the glory be shown
Lift You up unto the throne
You are my God, You are my King
To You I give, I give You everything
All that I need is Your love, my God

HIS GRACE IS ENOUGH

Today was an absolutely amazing day. Church this morning-my 4th grade girls listened to everything I had to say about Jesus and why we should obey and then the 11:15 service, Clayton King spoke and he always blows me away when he speaks. It seems like God always uses Clayton to speak something so powerful that it changes my perspective on things. Wait, my day gets better, if you can believe that. After church I went to Clemson and played outdoor volleyball and chilled at the lake with some awesome people and had an absolute blast. Then I went to youth group. Funny how I seem to get more out of it than I feel like I put in. Alden always makes the message so relavent, not only to the middle schoolers, but also so that I can apply it to my own life. Tonight the message was about just being still and listening to God. It's amazing how when you acutally just sit still and let Him speak to you, He will BLOW you away. I have such a peace right now b/c God is just leading me and I can honestly say I am tee-totally in LOVE with Jesus! The only way this day could have been any better is if my little sister wasn't sick and she would have got to come to youth group tonight. Other than that, this day was pretty AMAZING! On that note, I'm out like the luck of a sore tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs!

Broken Road Taking a Turn

I think this broken road is actually starting to lead somewhere. Lately, God has given me so much direction for my life...sadly enough, it took me falling on my butt today to realize this. So, I was at work, minding my own business, working my tail off when I slip in the water in the kitchen and land on the tail that I was so hardily working off. At first I kinda laughed it off and just kept going, but soon I was dizzy and feeling the repercussions of landing on my hip. So I got cut early and got left work around 2:30 with only $26 in my pocket-NOT GOOD. I came home and laid in bed for a while thinking about life in general. When I woke up around 5:00 I really began to realize just how much God is working in my life. He only takes things out of our hands so He can fill them with something better. God rocks my socks off! Everything happens for a reason and it all goes according to His will. Patience is the key to seeing God's blessings. Wow, I have really been tested in that area for the past few months and now God is slowly allowing things to fall into place in His time. I'm so glad that He is my God and that He provides for me constantly. Ok, my back is starting to hurt again. Chill time. I'm out like the bottle of Ibuprofen in my medicine cabinet!