New Reflection

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."

[Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT]

2010 is officially here. Many of us have taken a good, long look in the mirror to see what it is we can "change" this year. Resolutions have been made, but were they the right ones? What is it that you focused on as you looked yourself up and down, trying so hard to find a physical flaw?

For me, my resolution had nothing to do with my physical appearance. My resolution had everything to do with my heart. 2009 opened a lot of doors for me, it provided a trust in God that I had never experienced before. The next stage of my life was also knocking eagerly at the door, attempting to test my newfound trust. Even as I rang in the new year, all that I could think about was May 8, 2010, the day I will graduate from Emmanuel College. I should be ecstatic right? Wrong. The more I think about how that day is quickly drawing near, I have this indescribable fear. Fear that I won't find a job, fear that I won't be a successful teacher, fear that I will FAIL.

So as my mind was clouded with thoughts of negativity when I entered 2010, I took a moment to step back and reevaluate my thought process. You see, I filled in on Sunday night for the youth group. My lesson involved Rob Bell's Nooma DVD, Kickball. Kickball targets our doubt, and the worry we may have about things that God has already promised would work out. I guess I felt like it was something the youth needed to hear, but little did I realize that I needed to listen to my own words. I made a handout to go along with the DVD that provided points to remember, and thoughts/scriptures to remember. As I look back on the scriptures on that handout, I decided that I needed to apply them to my life. I know that in 2009 I was able to experience a trust in God like never before but I didn't take time to apply it very well. So what is my resolution for 2010? My resolution is to fully trust in what God says and has already said He will do. I want to be continue to seek God in everything I do and not worry about petty things. I want to be able to trust that in the end, everything will work out just the way it's supposed to.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

[Jeremiah 29:11 NLT]

"Mirror I am seeing a new reflection

I'm looking into the eyes of He who made me

And to Him I have beauty beyond compare

I know He defines me..."

Everything was Just Fine in 2009

Here is a review of the highlights of 2009:

1.) Trip came home safely from Iraq.

2.) Lauren, Hilary and I took our first road trip to Ruby Falls cave in TN.

3.) I managed to make the Dean's list in both Spring and Fall '09 semesters.

4.) I went halfway across the world to Africa for three weeks. I fell in love with those kids and the giraffes.

5.) We found out that Trip and Megan will be expecting a baby girl in June '10.

6.) I took a hike at Tallulah Gorge with the Phillips clan.

7.) Courtney loved me so much that she took my stitches out for me.

8.) The stage design team bonded through splatter painting. Actually we painted each other more than the paper.

9.) Two of my best friends took me to the world's largest aquarium for my birthday.

10.) I got on a jet ski for the first time in my life.

11.) I turned 21.

12.) Courtney turned 21.

13.) I dominated Janna Cook at Wii Tennis :)

14.) I became hooked on Cake Boss.

15.) I started my senior year of college.

16.) I "adopted" Janna Elizabeth Cook and Molly Smith.

17.) Josh proposed to Courtney, while she was wearing sweatpants.

18.) I saw Chicago at the Fox in Atlanta.

19.) Mrs. Cyndee took me to the GA/SC football game.

20.) I learned to be obedient to what God was trying to tell me.

21.) I also learned that God has a timeline, and my timeline is irrelevant compared to His.

22.) Baby Bauer was born.....Heidi finally got her baby girl, Lucy Rose Bauer.

23.) I became slightly addicted to Red Hots.

24.) I read the Twilight Saga in a month and got hooked.

25.) After seeing Julie and Julia, I felt inspired to cook. I start lessons from Courtney in January.

26.) I completed Fall '09 semester with straight A's. The only thing standing in my way of being a college graduate, is student teaching.

27.) I went to Goats on a Roof for the first time.

28.) Trip shot his first deer, I touched my first dead deer. It was a sad day.

29.) I got subpoenaed. Needless to say, I can still vote.

30.) We discovered that Courtney can fit into a Vera Bradley large duffel bag.

31.) I became slightly addicted to organic Apple Juice and Cape Cod Sea Salt and Vinegar chips.

32.) I realized that NO MATTER what I said or did, Lauren was going to stick by me through it all. I am truly blessed to have her as a best friend for life :)

Most importantly; I lived, I laughed, I loved, I learned. I trusted, I listened, I stumbled but I learned to get back up again. I was steadfast in seeking God every step of the way.

Crying Out

Rain-Rob Bell (Nooma)

Happy Birthday Jesus

It is officially Christmas Eve! All I have done today is bake, bake and bake some more. And as mom and I wrapped some last minute gifts, I had to remind myself the whole reason for Christmas. It's not about how many presents I get, or how much money is spent. It's about the the birth of Jesus Christ. God sent His son for us to be forgiven of our sins. Think about how merciful that is! God gave the GIFT of Jesus so we could RECEIVE forgiveness of our sins.

So as you open your presents, be grateful for what you have been blessed with, and remember the ultimate gift that was given to us. Christmas is a holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but it's something to be remembered throughout the whole year. As you encounter your family, friends and even strangers, I encourage you to tell them "Merry CHRISTmas." And share with them just what the reason for the season is!

“We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.”

Happy Birthday Jesus

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

[John 3:16]

All Year Long

Recipe for Christmas All Year Long
Take a heap of child-like wonder
That opens up our eyes
To the unexpected gifts in life—
Each day a sweet surprise.
Mix in fond appreciationFor the people whom we know;Like festive Christmas candles,
Each one has a special glow.
Add some giggles and some laughter,A dash of Christmas food,
(Amazing how a piece of pie
Improves our attitude!)
Stir it all with human kindness; Wrap it up in love and peace,Decorate with optimism, and
Our joy will never cease.
If we use this healthy recipe,We know we will remember
To be in the Christmas spirit,Even when it's not December.
[By Joanna Fuchs]

Walk, don't Run

“It is always the simple things that change our lives. And these things never happen when you are looking for them to happen. Life will reveal answers at the pace life wishes to do so. You feel like running, but life is on a stroll. This is how God does things.”

[Donald Miller]

Take the time to enjoy the things life has to offer. Don't try to rush things that don't need to be rushed. As Courtney always tells me; "God has his own timeline." His timeline is way more important than our own. When we work within our own timeline, we become unsatisfied with some of the end results. But if we are receptive to what God is wanting to do in our lives, and we follow after HIS timeline, we will be satisfied with the outcomes. God wants his children to be happy, and though we grow and learn from the mistakes we make, sometimes it's just better to go along for the ride. God has our best interest in mind, and I have come to know that He will never lead any of us astray.

"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you."

[Psalm 9:10]

Goodwill be done

“It's that wonderful old-fashioned idea that others come first and you come second. This was the whole ethic by which I was brought up. Others matter more than you do, so 'don't fuss, dear; get on with it."

[Audrey Hepburn]

Today I cleaned out some junk. When I say junk, I mean some clothes that I didn't really need in the first place. One thing I have a problem with is shopping (yes, I am openly confessing that I am slightly addicted to shopping, thanks to my mother, ha). And I will go ahead and say that clothes and purses are most definitely my weakness. But as I was putting clothes that I have no need for anymore in trash bags (3 of them to be exact), I realized that even though I had too many clothes to start with, their final destination was to be with someone who was in need. Don't get me wrong, I'm not making any excuses for my shopping addiction, because I am well aware that it is something that I need to work on. But what I am saying is, where I am abundantly blessed, I get to help provide for those who are in need. I am way too blessed with what I get, so when the clothes I have don't fit or just grow old to me, I don't put them in the trash. I bag them up and send them to Goodwill. We have done this with all of our clothes since I was little. Back then, I didn't really know that we were sending our old clothes to a place where people who were not as fortunate as us could buy them. Now that I understand the concept, it humbles my heart to be able to fill bags with clothes and give them to Goodwill. There have been many times that I have found myself making an excuse as to why I should keep a shirt or pair of pants, leaving me stuck with clothes that I won't REALLY wear. Today I took a different approach, if I even thought "well I will wear this when......or I think I can still wear this...." I immediately put it in the bag. It occurred to me that making an excuse for a piece of clothing someone else could use many more times than I could, was a selfish choice on my part. So, needless to say I ended up with three (full) trash bags of clothing, shoes and purses today. And when it was over and done with I felt a sense of relief and hope. Hope that the clothes that I was passing on to Goodwill, will be a way to reach out and give to those in need during the Christmas season.

I encourage you that the next time you stand in front of your open closet, pondering what it is you are going to wear for the day, look at what you DON'T wear. If there are items that you know you will never wear again, put them in a bag and take them to Goodwill, Salvation Army or a homeless shelter. Take the clothes ANYWHERE there is someone in need. Never forget the reason for the Christmas season......GIVE GIVE GIVE!

Remember this:

"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously."

[2 Corinthians 9:6]

Bring on the Rain

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."[Romans 12:2 NLT]

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." [Philippians 4:8 NLT]

SANCTIFIED-->To be separated from SIN and dedicated to GOD.

These are a few things that have been discussed at church lately, and have caught my attention. The past few weeks the hot topic at Crossroads has been, What it means to be sanctified.

So what DOES it mean to be sanctified? Well a lot of things were brought up tonight in class that made me realize that not everyone has the same outlook on sanctification. For me, the term "sanctified" can be looked at like an umbrella. When we choose to be sanctified, we choose to "shield" ourselves from the worldly things that attempt to hinder us. We have complete control as to who, or what we let in under our umbrella with us. God has given everyone the opportunity to dedicate their lives to Him. When we make that decision and go forward in our relationship with God, we have to understand that there is a line. A line between good and evil, right and wrong. Or between heaven and hell. The question is, who or what are you letting in under your umbrella? These things can make or break which side of the line you stand on. Just as Romans 12:2 and Philippians 4:8 tells us, we should not transform to the world but fix our thoughts only on things that are worthy of praise. So the challenge is; find your OWN umbrella, open it up, and get ready for the rain. And when the storm hits, be ready to fight for what you believe in, and be confident in which side of the line you stand on.

"There is no justification without sanctification, no forgiveness without renewal of life, no real faith from which the fruits of new obedience do not grow." [Martin Luther]

Princess

So I recently indulged myself in reading a book (yes, in the middle of the semester, which is almost nearly impossible for me to do). The book I chose was The Princess by Lori Wick. It took me two days to read it. I was hesitant to read it because of what it was about, but surprisingly enough once I started, I couldn't put it down. Here is an idea of what the book is about:

"In the Land of Pendaran, lively, affectionate Shelby Parker was born to a simple life--yet her mother, Daria, and those around her cannot help but notice the graces she possesses. Among those taking note of Shelby's winsome ways and tender heart are the king and queen of the House of Markham, who are seeking a new wife for their widowed some, Prince. To uphold a long-cherished tradition of the country, Shelby and Nikolai agree to an arranged marriage. But while Nikolai is a perfect gentleman at public functions, he remains distant and shy at home, leaving Shelby to ponder the inner workings of his heart. Will the prince ever lover her as he did his first wife? Can the faith they share over-come the barriers between them?"

As you can probably tell, just by the description of the book, it seems a little out of the ordinary or even crazy. Needless to say, it was a very intense book. But it was also a book that had a very profound lesson on how we CAN learn to love someone we have no clue about. We are asked to do this all the time by God. There are people that God is constantly placing in our lives, whether we are aware of it or not. When we are connected with God and we learn how to love God, we are able to learn to love others the way He loves us.

While reading this book I was so floored at how Shelby was calm, collective and considerate of a man who had no desire to love her. A man that was hers, HER husband, her other half, and yet he couldn't even look at her. This was the man she knew God had made for her, but they were so far apart and on two different pages. Throughout the book God showed me how to follow after Shelby. He showed me how to be patient and kind, even to those who are not wanting of me. I also learned how to let some things go. While Shelby was learning to love her husband, Nikolai was learning how to let go of his former wife, and love the one that he had. It was a process for both of them, but in the end they made it. Shelby stuck by him and waited while Nikolai slowly let go, and learned to love again.

For me, in my everyday journey with God, loving and letting go are two things I find extremely uncomfortable. I am damaged and broken. I have a past that haunts me at times, even when I try so hard to shut it out. I know that I am forgiven and I have the right to walk in my freedom, but some days it's harder than others. I am in a mending process. I am slowly learning to let God have it all; my past, my bitterness, my hurt and most of all, my heart. I have forgotten at times what it feels like to be loved unconditionally by my Creator. I take for granted the love that God has provides all day, everyday. God has done amazing things in my life, and I know that I have a purpose to fulfill the call that He has placed on my life. What I have taken from this book is how to let go of some things, but never forget them. I have to remember the things that once made me happy, and the things I once loved. But I also have to look ahead at what the future holds. I have to remember that I am supposed to love the people around me, in the way that God loves us. I have to learn to be receptive of the love that others offer to me. So as I enter into a new season of my life and of my faith, I have hopes that God will begin a work in me. A work to where I am able to be like Shelby and Nikolai.

It's time to love and let go.......