Blogging... Requires Discipline.

So... it has been a while, and I expect that within maybe the next year or so I'll get to the point where I will be able to do this on a normal occasion. Until then, I don't really expect anyone to ever check out what I have to say. I'll just decide for now that this blog is mostly just for me, with the potential of hopefully encouraging a friend or two every now-and-then.


I was reading something on www.CARM.org (Christian Apologetics Research Ministry) today about Women and their place in Ministry and in Government, and I came across an intresting quote. I decided it would be a great thing to post somewhere publicly where I would occasionally come across it and be reminded of it, so here it goes:

"If you want to mess something up, all you need is two things: people and time. It is our tendency to rebel against God and fall into error, to become more liberal. Adam and Eve messed up in the Garden of Eden. Are we any better than they? The early church began to have problems quickly which is why many of the epistles of the New Testament were written -- to correct error. We are sinners and we look for ways to justify our desires and to make our journey through life easier. But truth does not make that journey easy and so we tend to dull its edges so it doesn't cut as deeply into our wants."


In reflecting on the past 5 years of my growing relationship with the Lord, I have seen this play out in my life in so many ways! We need to constantly be aware of how we are truly "prone to wander" from scripture and from areas of conviction in our lives.

94.7071% FINISHED!! only 5.2929% left to go!!

I have 3 days left until I report to Raleigh, and I am at 94.7% of my final goal for raising support this summer! As this season of raising support has progressed, I have given myself many different deadlines and I have trusted the Lord to meet them all, and He has! In fact, He has exceeded them every single time that I can remember! This summer Has been just one more example of God's faithfulness in my life. He has always provided throughout my life, and I knew that He would this summer as well. There were many times that I would get discouraged, and question the Lord's purpose in this difficult task, but it has been nothing but beneficial to my spiritual growth.

My friend, Aaron Hughes, is also raising support this summer to go to Sweden for a year with Campus Crusade for Christ, and he still has a lot left to raise. We were talking on the phone a week ago, and though it is possible that he may not raise all of his support before his deadline, he said that the challenges and struggles that he has faced in raising support has produced a stronger dependency and faith in the Lord that is well worth all of the stress and uncertainties that come with this task... Even if he can't go to Sweden! We concluded that regardless of how good or bad the next year's experiences with Campus Crusade may be, support raising has caused enough growth in our lives to make interning worth while. It has challenged us to trust the Lord at a whole new level, and it has helped us to understand that he is truly in control of all things, for His glory, and for our good!


Fellow Believers,
We have nothing bad in store for us. If we persevere in the Faith, living a life of trusting and believing Jesus' words, then nothing bad can happen to us. Hard times will come. Doubts will arise. Death, Pain, Frustration, and Confusion are unavoidable, but all these are good things when they happen to God's children. Rest in a few of His promises:


"Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
-Psalm 73:23-26

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose"
-Romans 8:28

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
-2 Corinthians 4:17-18

"He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
-2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Keepin on...

Well, the Summer has truly been a blessing so far! As the school year was ending, I wasn't too excited about spending the entire summer in Cove City, but the Lord has been faithful in surrounding me with encouragement and Love. He has been using me here in ways I didn't expect, and he has renewed my appreciation and Love towards the place I call "home" on earth.

Being that my Job for this summer is to raise support for my financial needs over the next year, I have been meeting with a lot of people and sharing with them what I will be doing as I work with Campus Crusade for Christ. This has been such a pleasure! The Lord has given me the wonderful ability to communicate with others and enjoy it! It is still a struggle, however, simply because I feel like a salesman at times. I don't like asking for money, and I don't like asking for help. Its very humbling to have to depend on Christ and on his body to supply EVERYTHING I NEED for an entire year of my life. ESPECIALLY when the economy is doing so well!! (sarcasm)

However, I know that the Lord will supply my needs. (Philippians 4:19) He always has.

In Deuteronomy 29, Moses is explaining to Israel that the Lord has provided everything for them in the past so that they are still alive and well, but they still don’t trust him!

“You have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, the great trials that your eyes saw, the signs, and those great wonders. BUT TO THIS DAY, THE LORD HAS NOT GIVEN YOU A HEART TO UNDERSTAND OR EYES TO SEE OR EARS TO HEAR. I have led you 40 years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn off your feet.”

The Lord is Faithful to his Children. However, we are dumb, deaf, and blind to his working unless he grants us the ability to perceive it.

Therefore, I will trust… When I don’t understand what is going on. When I don’t see how in the world my situation could ever turn out for good. When I can’t hear through the storm, the Lord’s precious voice saying “I work all things for your good.” I will trust in the Lord. His promises for the future and his provision in the past leave me no alternative.

Pray that He would continue to give me a heart of understanding, eyes to see and ears to hear! Pray that I would trust him, and not be anxious about the task I have before me this summer. Read Luke 12:22-34, and trust in the Lord for all your needs! He is Faithful!..

"If we have died with him, we will also live with him; If we endure, 
we will also reign with him; If we deny him, he also will deny us; If 
we are faithless, he remains faithful-"  2 Timothy 2:11-13

So, Here's my first Post. This is a whole new thing for me. It's kind of exciting. It's very rare that I type anything heart-felt or serious online, so this may be hard for me to do at first. However, I want those who get this link to be able to read my blog and be encouraged, challenged, and moved towards a spirit of prayer for the outgoing of the gospel. I'm starting this specifically for my ministry with Campus Crusade for Christ over the next year, but I plan to keep it going as long as I can.

Thank you for showing an interest in my life and my ministry, and please be in prayer for me continually. PLEASE EMAIL ME ANYTIME with prayer requests or with words of encouragement! I would love to hear from anyone!