Foundations

It's almost been a week since the beginning of Summit. Going into it, I had absolutely no expectations. I didn't want to end up on another "spiritual high" afterward. I was skeptical thinking, "It's another Summit. Big deal."

It's often when I don't psych myself up for events, God proves Himself and works in my life more than I thought He would.

When I was a Freshman here at IWU, I would get crazy excited about Summit, it was annoying.

Now as I prepare to graduate (in December of this year), the Summit experience has grown a little old.

However, as an effort to be supportive of my brothers and sisters in Christ, I go.

However Summit was better than I thought it would be; during the week, I learned five (5) aspects of what Jesus did for me on the cross:

(1)Jesus paid a price.

(2) Jesus made peace.

(3) Jesus absorbed our pain & took our place.

(4) Jesus won.

AND

(5) Jesus drank the cup and satisfied the wrath of God.

These aspects provide a foundation as to what God wants to continue to teach me as I go on with Him.

I am thankful for Summit.

Always <3 + All for His glory

Spring Summit [2012]: Let the Soul Searching Commence...(Day 3)

Summit is always so AMAZING! Yay God! I give a shout out to Him.

On a more serious note, tonight's message was centered on surrender to God. Now I have thought for the past couple months that I have completely surrendered to Him (since I said "yes" to Him). I don't know what the "cup" God has for me holds. I have learned to only take one day at a time and not to plan too far into the future.

Tonight was challenging and in the most simplistic way to say this is I need to do some soul searching, to make sense of what I had just learned.

I'm ready for all God has for me. I just need Him to show me clearly. Growth is a process. I wish I had all the answers right now so I could just go with God.

But for now, I just take life one step and one day at a time.

All for HIS glory + Always <3

We Are All One: Spring Summit [2012] Day 2

I just have to say Summit this year has been an encouragement to my faith. :-) Today the message was about how Jesus paid the price and how He made peace. Most importantly, peace with God precedes peace with others. In the simplest terms, reconciliation is the presence of peace.

Colossians 1:19-20 states that I am "at one" with God and others.

Additionally, I am free for God. I can be used to buy the freedom for others and seek redemption for them.

Tomorrow is the conclusion of Summit week. And the ways God moves makes me joyful (not to be cheesy or anything.) I am expectant to how He is going to work. :-)

All for His glory + Always <3

Spring Summit [2012]: Day One

Today is the first day of IWU's Summit. Honestly, I'm not that too excited about it. I've moved beyond the "spiritual highs" and emotional highs events like this tend to bring. But I like to support my brothers and sisters in Christ in their journey, so I attend.

Since I've gotten back to school, I've been discouraged in my faith- not complacent or apathetic- just how I get sometimes when nothing is really happening that is making me want to spend time with God. That sounds worse that it actually is

That changed tonight. I recognize I need to spend time with God if I truly want to know His will for my life.

Back to Summit:

The verse that we're concentrating on this week is 1 Peter 2:21: "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."

Jesus came to absorb my pain and to take my place. Because of Jesus absorbing my pain, I never have to live in it.

Those simple concepts are all it took to get me back into motivation to do my devotions. It has taken me the last few years to get to a place of complete surrender where I said "yes" to God and now I want to follow Him into whatever He sees for my life.

I love the fact that it's not about me any more. It's all about Him. My life is never going back to where it was when I started at IWU as a freshman. I glorify God in that lasting change.

As always,

All for His glory + Always <3

Motivation

I want to say I'm seeking after God hardcore. I want to say I'm learning tons that is increasing my knowledge of Him.

But that isn't the case. Honestly, I have no motivation to do my devotions. I don't have discipline either.

so right now I'm skating by. Maybe I've grown a little apathetic and complacent (again).

Oh. This is nothing new.

I need a change in attitude. A change of heart.

that's all.

All for His glory + always <3

Boldness, Fearlessness, + Confidence

I never want to wonder what my life would have been like if I demonstrated boldness in what God has called me to. It happened in early November 2011 when I finally said "yes" to God and His way.

Now almost a week into the new year I'm questioning if I could really start my own outreach ministry which would be concert based. I ask myself "would I really be able to do this?" That's the thing with ministry: I can't depend on myself to make it a reality.

I want to also be fearless. I am tired of caring how others people perceive me. I'm at a point in my life where I just want to do what God wants of me and just go His way. Everyone else will eventually follow.

I want and desire to emerge as a spiritual leader on the campus of IWU. I don't want to miss out on anything because I am not bold or confident.

The Christian life is never easy but it has taken me forever to reach this place in my faith and I'm not willing to let it go.

All for His glory + always <3

Everything is New

It's the start of a new year: 2012!

I could write new year's resolutions I have. I could also write about how I want God to work in me in the coming year.

I can't foresee the work He is going to do. I just take one day at a time and allow Him to work in any way He sees.

That's why I like the verse Psalm 25:9:

"He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way."

I believe the key to walking in the guidance of God is to humble myself so I welcome Him in to teach me His way.

That's my hope for this year when everything is new: I would let God guide and teach me His way.

I can't do life without Him.

All for His glory + always <3