Thank God for Gifts!

THE WEEK IS OVER AND I'M GOING HOME!

If I am to be honest, this whole week was a struggle to focus on each day and not look towards the future. However, God did bring some things to my attention. How awesome is it that He loves us unconditionally no matter what we do?

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace."

Ephesians 1:17

This is such a hard concept for me to fully grasp most of the time. When I think of times when people have done something to offend me or hurt my feelings or just straight up piss me off I don't turn around and show them grace. Rather, I literally feel hate for them. Forgiveness, sometimes is literally the last thing I want to do. Why is it that God loves us so much and constantly forgives us of our sins? Grace. God gives grace fully and completely. This is something we fail to do. I am so thankful that God is who He says to be and that this grace that He gives us is a gift. I can do nothing to earn His grace. Praise God for that! How terrible and unsatisfying would it be to live your entire life working for something that you could never be good enough at. The Bible tells us that even our best works are like filthy rags.

"All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away."

Isaiah 64:6

Thankfully, we don't have to spend our lives striving to earn this grace because it is a gift to us!

"In order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."

Ephesians 2:7-9

Staying Focused on What's in Front of Me

In this futuristic world that we live in it has become a bad thing to not look ahead and plan for the future. We are so inclined to think about our next move and our next step that we hardly ever stop and look at where we are in the now. At the end of this week I am headed home for the first time since moving to Louisville. So, as you can imagine it is extremely difficult for me not to be set on the end of the week. How much would I miss though if I didn't take the time to sit down and realize that yes, I will be going home at the end of the week but what does God want to show me in this moment?

Frankly, I don't know. I feel like that's what I write on here all the time is that I don't know what to expect or what is going to happen or what the right answer is, but I am thankful for the things I don't know. If I have learned anything up to this point during my experience here it's that by me not knowing I have to really put my trust and faith in God. This is scary and it is hard. I am so inclined to try and do things myself....and that's the biggest joke ever.

God, what do you have in store for me today? In this moment? I pray and ask Lord that we would not be so caught up in what's going to happen that we miss what is happening. Open our eyes and our hearts to see what is happening right in front of us. Teach us to be patient. Thank you God, for these opportunities to grow in faith. Let them be everlasting. I pray Lord that we would constantly be reminded that you are all we need and that you are all satisfying! In Christ's name I pray, Amen.

Bringing a Side Dish

How do you meet your neighbors and foster relationships with them? You're still kind of "new" to the neighborhood. You have weird work hours that are never consistent. Here's an idea: Hold a Potluck. Thanks to the SEED ministry at Sojourn I have been able to do just this! I mean let's be real...who doesn't like food? Better yet, who doesn't like free food?

Last night was the second potluck that we have had indoors since the cold weather has started to move in and it's been a bit different. When they were being held outside and it was warm, it was easy to invite strangers to join you for a meal. What's the difference now? It's dark outside by 5:45, it's cold, and most of the time raining. How do you continue to minister and meeting people when there seems to be no people? This is a question that I have asked myself over the past week and have not really found an answer to. I believe that is because there is no right answer. However, I believe this is a chance for God to really do and show us great things. This is when I have to put my faith fully in God and trust that He will give me opportunities to foster the relationships that have been made. This is an uncomfortable idea for me. I'm not really one for digging deeper into the lives of those that I meet. Mostly because that means they'll get to dig a little deeper into my life as well. What a scary thought. God calls us to walk by faith not by fear. So, here goes nothing!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

-Proverbs 3:5-6

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

The Joys of Having Kids....

...that aren't your own: YOU CAN GIVE THEM BACK!

On a more serious note...I can't remember if I ever posting anything on here about this or not but if anyone could teach you anything, it's kids! I am the oldest of five and for many years have taken on responsibilities far too complex for my age. I don't regret any of them. They have all helped to shape me into the person I am today, and for that I am thankful! I some of you may or may not know that one of my jobs here in Louisville is that of being nanny. I watch to young, beautiful children both under the age of 10. Anyone with younger siblings and most definitely anyone with kids can relate when I say kids can teach you a lot. They teach you a lot about yourself.

God had truly humbled me through this job and it's only been 3 months. He has shown me through these two children that I am not as patient and kind as I like to think that I am. Along with that it has been brought to my attention how much I try to rely on myself for strength, patience, wisdom, and all the other stuff that any person would want to model to a younger generation rather than relying on God. I could read books all day long about practical ways to teach children or be a better nanny or be the best all-around-person but reading a book won't help me to become patient or give me the strength to remain calm and show love and kindness. That kind of discipline really starts in the heart. Let's think about this. When you're mad at someone or frustrated doesn't it just get you all the way down to your inner most being? I know that for myself, sometimes it does. I may sound crazy here but when I take things to God and rely fully on Him, even when I don't see direct results, I begin to feel that change. When my heart is filled with joy and I know and believe the truth that God gives rather than the lies that this world tells us it shows outwardly in my emotions and in the way I react to each and every situation. There is peace in knowing that God can handle the situation and that I don't have to do it on my own.

Fall Festival!!!!

What a wonderful time of year! NO, it's not Christmas....it's fall! The weather is becoming slightly colder (at least we all hope it is only "slightly"), the leaves are changing, the world series is just around the corner, and football games are bearable to be at (not too hot but you're not wishing you were inside either). OH, and Sojourn just had their annual Fall Festival!

I can't say that I expected much from the way the weather looked this morning as I got up and prepared to head out for festival set-up. It was about 45 degrees ferinheight and raining. From the knowledge I had gained from fellow Sojourners about the Fall Festival most of it would be set up outside. Having checked the weather and knowing that most people in the neighborhood hadn't even been going to the park since it's no longer 70 outside I was skeptical about how this would all turn out. Thankfully, the turnout of Fall Festival had nothing to do with my expectations!

As noon rolled around and Fall Festival was to begin the rain began to dissipate, it warmed up a bit, and people from the surrounding neighborhoods began to show up. One of the long-time Shelby Park neighbors even walked up to an art booth that was set up outside and said to the tenant "I knew you guys would stick it out!" How awesome is that? That woman has no idea how much of a testament her simple sentence is to the presence and impact Sojourn has had on this neighborhood through God's grace and mercy! She was right, we had stuck it out. Due to the weather some of the activities that are normally present at the Fall Festival were not, but many of them were able to be moved inside. I believe that the rain and having to move activities (particularly the cake walk and kid's games)and food inside was truly a blessing! It brought people who would normally never step foot into that building to do so and not feel the pressure of being in "The Lord's House" as it is so often referred to by the neighborhood.

I could sit here all day and write of the many ways in which I saw God work today at the Fall Festival, but I feel as though this one will do. So, as I walk outside to check out the art booths I was approached by a few girls that I recognized from the park and who are they with but all the girls from the other URBN house. These girls came to the Fall Festival and as they saw people that they knew from the park they would walk up say "hi" and hug them. One of them even challenged me to race her through the bouncy house obstacle course. I told her "NO" of course....YEAH RIGHT! I told her she was going down!.....and we proceeded to run through the obstacle course over and over again. We even challenged some boys to a girls vs. boys race. We won! I'm not proud or anything....okay, yes I am. More importantly I am overjoyed by the fact that these girls see something in us that they want to be around. They are choosing to approach us and spend time with us. God is doing great things here in Shelby Park. He is making His presence known and the more I'm here the more obvious it becomes. I am so very thankful that God has given me the opportunity to be a part of what He is doing here. By no means am I deserving of seeing even this sweet glimpse of His glory, but He's allowing me to and to share it with you! If events like this can bring this much joy, how much more joy will those who believe know in Heaven?

To God be the Glory!

I wee little present....don't tell Jenny!

The Bible Coming to Life Before Our Own Eyes.

I wanted to share a story with you all that a friend from Sojourn shared with me just yesterday. It is quite amazing! As you read this story you may think...."this sounds familiar" and that may be because you've heard or read of one similar to it. I don't want to spoil it for you, so I'll let the story do the telling....

I just wept with Robin. She lives on Shelby Street, a block from Midtown. Robin was released from her job on Monday and doesn't know what to do. I met her as she was bringing in 4 dozen cookies. I drew near and it turns out that last night she felt the presence of the Lord. He said to her to bake a cake. So this morning she went to Kroger with all she had and bought enough for sugar cookies. She was apologetic that it wasn't a cake, "its all I could afford," she said.

She mentioned that Sojourn has done so much for her. She comes to the 11:15am service and was prayed for during healing prayer. She was scared that her loss of a job and health insurance was going to be devastating to her health. She went to the doctor yesterday and to her surprise her blood work was just fine!

I asked if I could pray for her, and as I did, huge tears welled up and she became overwhelmed with emotion. It was a really sweet moment and I'm thankful that Leandro, another member getting things ready for tomorrow could join with me in the prayer.

It was shockingly similar to Luke 21.

Luke 21: Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, "Truly, I tell you, this poor woman has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

Glory be to God! Seriously. When this was first shared with me I could do nothing but smile as the joy of this woman's faith and obedience was brought upon my heart and to my attention. God speaks to us all the time, but are we listening? More importantly are we willing to be obedient even if it means giving up everything we have?

Join Me in Prayer.

For today's post I feel like I'm just supposed to write out a prayer. So, here it is....

God, thank you for this day and for this opportunity to live for you and to praise you! I can't believe we're already at week 10 of URBN Experience! The 2 1/2 months have flown by and there is still so much time left in the year. I am very thankful for the group of people that you have placed here with me! I am constantly amazed by your works and your divine plan for our lives. God, I pray and ask that our eyes would be set on you and you alone! Let us be reminded daily that only you can provide ultimate satisfaction, not our job, performance, relationships, looks, or any of the like! I confess God, that many times I look to those things to define who I am or to satisfy my soul and do not turn towards the cross. Lord forgive me, for I am constantly putting myself before you! Send me reminders Lord! Let that be a reoccurring thought in my mind; to put you above all else! In Christ's name I pray, Amen!

The People Rebel, and So Do I!

I'm half way through the book of Numbers and I'm thinking to myself "Are these people STUPID?!?! I mean COME ON!!!" Then I realize that I am just like them.

In Numbers 14:1-12 the people of Israel grope and moan to Moses and Aaron (The two guys God chose to lead the people out of Egypt and into the promised land) that they would rather go back to Egypt and into a life of slavery than to die in the wilderness. To give a little back story here: God has ALLOWED THESE PEOPLE TO LIVE THROUGH THE PLAGUES brought on by Pharaoh's disobedience (Exodus), BROUGHT THE PEOPLE OUT OF EGYPT (Exodus), GIVEN THEM FOOD AND WATER when they were hungry and had none (Numbers), and yet the people seem to forget all of this once they feel any kind of worldly need. Rather than coming before the Lord and laying these things before Him, they act as though done of the above stated things ever happened. God becomes fed up with the people of Israel. He meets with Moses in the Tent of Meeting and asks:

"How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them? I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they."

-Numbers 14:11-12

Thankfully, Moses intercedes for the people and begs God not to kill them!(Numbers 14:13-19) As I said in the opening of this post, I could not believe that the people of Israel could act in such a way...then I remembered my life and the way I tend to treat God sometimes and it truly saddened my heart. How could I forget all that God has done and is doing in my life and then complain as if He was never there? I've taken some time to reflect on this question and have come to the conclusion that I am ungrateful, forgetful, and most certainly undeserving....especially of God's love. Yet, He chooses to love me anyways, because I am His child. Exodus 34:5-7 states that:

"The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him (Moses) there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger , and abounding in steaadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin..."

Which just so happens to be the same words Moses uses in his prayer to God in Numbers 14:17-19. How great it is to serve a true and powerful God!

Aaron's Blessing

Aaron's Blessing is one of just a few things that God has brought to my attention since I have been journeying through the Bible in a year. Chances are if you're familiar with this bit of scripture it's because you've heard it at the end of a church service used as a benediction to bless the congregation as they head out into the world. What exactly was the purpose of Aaron's blessing? Well, let's take a look.

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon
you and give you peace.

So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them."

-Numbers 6:22-27

The ESV(English Standard Version) Global Study Bible's included commentary states "This famous blessing shows that God's will is to bless every Israelite, not just the Nazirites. The priests offer God's blessing to the people." (As a side note here the Nazirites are people who would make a vow to separate themselves to the Lord. Meaning they separated themselves from wine and strong drink, they could not shave any part of their head, and they did not to go near a dead body even if a family member died until the end of their vow.)Essentially, God is making it known that those chosen to preach are not the only ones who are blessed, but that each person who believes is blessed by God.

Good Ole Dixie

This weekend I had the joy of traveling to the heart of Dixie to see two of my best friends from college and better than that I got to watch the Dawgs pull out a victory (even though it's really nothing to boast about). After a few months of living in the city, let alone a new city with new people and all kinds of different things, you can imagine how excited I was to go a little farther south, see my friends, more than two trees, and be around people who don't think boots are a fashion statement. Anyways, what I'm getting at here is that we all need a little break from everyday life. We need time to get away, be refreshed, and relax!

All that being said, it was cool to get away and see that what is going on here in Kentucky is not staying here in Kentucky. What I mean by that, for example, this blog allows for people (family, friends, and strangers alike) to read what is happening here in Louisville, KY. and in my life. Along with that, when you're life and time are consumed with something that tends to be your point of conversation. This meaning that although I was away from my "place of ministry" (if that's what you want to call it)I didn't have to stop talking about God and how awesome He is and share what He is doing in my life and in the lives of those around me. The conversations about the Gospel and God may have not consumed the entirety of the weekend, but they happened and they were genuine. To God be the glory!

Leviticus and Why it Matters...at Least to Me

Here I am writing another post about my experience of reading the Bible in a year. HELLO. I am currently reading through Leviticus and for a majority of the first half of the book I was constantly thinking "Why am I reading this? It doesn't matter to me anyways." AH! But it does! Leviticus matters, all the commandments, guidelines, atonement, and sacrifices matter.

"Well, Jesus died on the cross already so they don't matter. We live by the New Testament." Is probably the biggest argument to my opinion that Leviticus does matter. Jesus dying on the cross IS exactly why it matters! All of these so called "rules" and "rituals" of the Old Testament were put in place because Jesus had not come yet. Stay with me here...Leviticus and books of the like matter because they are a reminder of life without Jesus having been the ultimate sacrifice. How many of us would need to sacrifice and slaughter a lamb every five minutes? I know I probably would and at that point it would probably have to be pigeons because that's all I'd be able to afford.

"Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creat of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself."

-Hebrews 9:26

Soapbox aside, I confess that at the beginning of my reading through Leviticus I did tell myself that it didn't matter and I did scan the pages rather than read through them. However, now that I am almost done with the book of Leviticus God has reminded me of our sweet savior and why books like this are important and a part of the Bible still today in "New Testament times."