So, I don't really have anything insightful to say from me personally. I'm working on a post about camp this summer, but haven't quite gotten it where I want it to be. I do, however, have some very insightful words from my great-grandmother.
Yesterday, when I went to visit my Mamaw, she gave me a few sheets of paper that my great-grandmother (her mother) had written upon almost 40 years ago. The following story was written by an amazing Christian woman with an 8th grade education. She grew up only going into town 3 times a year, but her words were eloquent and her heart was all for the Lord. The coming lines were written by Pauline "Mamaw Pauline" McGaha, my great-grandmother.
Stormy Weather in a Christian Life
We, as human beings, know life isn't smooth sailing as we sail upon the sea of life. Maybe some days will seem ideal, without any trouble. Then, we are prone to take our eyes off of the Lord--we forget from whence cometh out help, so on we go in out own way. Pretty soon a storm cloud arises and dims our sunshine. Then, we are in for trouble. our little boat may be tossed to and fro as the strong winds hit us--then, we almost sink into the deep. It it then we remember where out help must come from. Have you ever been so overwhelmed with storms of sorrow that you almost lost sight of the Savior? Have you ever let something else creep in, and you tend to take your eyes off of Jesus? Out little boat may overturn in this sea of life unless we cling to the One who is able to steer us through these storms; He is ever present.
Sometimes we as Christians let such things as hatred, malice, greed and selfishness get in our ships. We feel we don't want anyone's help. Pretty soon we will find ourselves miserable, unhappy, discontent. Then in shame, we bow our head and say "Lord, help me or I perish." Then sometimes our very busy life takes our eyes off Jesus--too busy to help with His kingdom work, but not too busy for our pleasure trips, or games, fishing, picnics or whatever we enjoy most than serving God. It is then we slip a little more downward in our ship. THen when we finally realize out standing with the Lord, we again are about to sink, then we have to say "Lord, I need you again today." When storms beat us and waves roll high, cling ever closer to the One who calmed the sea as He said, "peace be still."
Let's not forget Him when everything is pleasant and we are enjoying life for tomorrow another storm may arise. In our lifetime, there has been lots of stormy weather, but He has helped me someway through it all. So I'll continue to sail my little ship until He says it's enough. Through storms or fair weather, trying to keep my eyes on Jesus. Them when it's all over, I'll step on the gospel ship that will take me over the chilly Jordan. There all storms will have ceased. We will have perfect weather and join our dear loved ones that await us on the other side, where ever heaven is that is my goal.
... May we all rededicate and consecrate ourselves to trying to throw our a life line to some of our friends that are sinking deeper and deeper.
These are some amazing words and ones that reign all so true in our lives today. So, I challenge you to keep looking upward and try to keep your head above water, because you never know when you'll have to be on high enough ground to throw someone else a life line.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Reader vs. Leader...
So, I was at a funeral this week... yep, I know that's an interesting start to a post, but just go with it! And, no, a "reader" isn't referring to reading a book. Anyway, I was at a funeral this week and the pastor (a Southern, back-country man) gave a sermon on being not a reader, but a leader.
He opened up his message with the recent rapture "prediction" that that world has been consumed with as of late. He talked of how you can't trust people or what they say, because our world is messed up and crooked. He made reference to many years ago when one could trust what was on the news or in the newspaper. THEN, he said the point of his sermon (and the title of this post)--world has become a nation of "readers, not leaders." The analogy he gave is how new anchors, simply, read what's on the screen. They don't deliver the news anymore, or invest in the afflictions of the world. They only read off of a teleprompter. I hadn't really thought of this, I guess. But it's so true. We only want to follow directions or instructions and not really lead others or encourage others. We get hung up on the details of things and don't take time to invest in people or situations.
This can translate into our spiritual walk, as well. We, as Christians, are called to be "doers of the Word." James commands of this in his book (1:22). We're not commanded to ONLY read scripture or to ONLY serve in our churches when we can, but we're called to be leaders of the Faith and followers of Christ. We are called to build others up and lead them to the One who will never deceive.
A reader only reads things to tell others of something. A leader invests in something, researches it, lives it, and spreads it. I hope and pray that each of you will be leaders, and NOT readers.
Which one are you?
He opened up his message with the recent rapture "prediction" that that world has been consumed with as of late. He talked of how you can't trust people or what they say, because our world is messed up and crooked. He made reference to many years ago when one could trust what was on the news or in the newspaper. THEN, he said the point of his sermon (and the title of this post)--world has become a nation of "readers, not leaders." The analogy he gave is how new anchors, simply, read what's on the screen. They don't deliver the news anymore, or invest in the afflictions of the world. They only read off of a teleprompter. I hadn't really thought of this, I guess. But it's so true. We only want to follow directions or instructions and not really lead others or encourage others. We get hung up on the details of things and don't take time to invest in people or situations.
This can translate into our spiritual walk, as well. We, as Christians, are called to be "doers of the Word." James commands of this in his book (1:22). We're not commanded to ONLY read scripture or to ONLY serve in our churches when we can, but we're called to be leaders of the Faith and followers of Christ. We are called to build others up and lead them to the One who will never deceive.
A reader only reads things to tell others of something. A leader invests in something, researches it, lives it, and spreads it. I hope and pray that each of you will be leaders, and NOT readers.
Which one are you?
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
The Calm Before the Camp Storm...
I'm sitting here preparing for CentriKid Camps. Staffers and site contacts have been/ or are being called, lists are made, roommates are set for training week (Thanks, Caroline), and many other details are coming together.
When I stop and think what I have to do next, I don't know. I know there's a ton that I need to be doing, but I can't think of it right now. I would call this "the calm." I call it this, because everything looks all calm. It doesn't look like I'm moving quickly or going crazy. Looks can be deceiving! My mind is going 9872349817 miles an hour and my stomach feels constantly nervous. Will the "oh my gracious, I wanna thrown up" feeling cease?! Hopefully. Maybe it will end when the "storm" approaches, when I have no time or energy to think about it. Or maybe not. Maybe it will last the entire summer because I'm such a perfectionist and over-planner. Only time will tell.
One thing I do know about this nervous feeling is that I need to trust the Lord more. I need to rely on His strength and not my own. That's what this feeling is! It's me trying to get in the way of everything! I need to step out of the way and let God take over.
So do not worry, saying, "what will we eat?" or "what shall we drink?" or "what shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ~ Matthew 6:31-34
Camp will happen. Rec will be great. ICW will be amazing. Staffers will make friends with one another. But, most importantly, lives will be changed by Jesus Christ.
I am going to hold strong to this. I'm going to try to chill out in the next week and do what needs to be done and not stress about it. Easier said than done, but I will TRY.
Alas, this rant has ended. Time to get back to work...
When I stop and think what I have to do next, I don't know. I know there's a ton that I need to be doing, but I can't think of it right now. I would call this "the calm." I call it this, because everything looks all calm. It doesn't look like I'm moving quickly or going crazy. Looks can be deceiving! My mind is going 9872349817 miles an hour and my stomach feels constantly nervous. Will the "oh my gracious, I wanna thrown up" feeling cease?! Hopefully. Maybe it will end when the "storm" approaches, when I have no time or energy to think about it. Or maybe not. Maybe it will last the entire summer because I'm such a perfectionist and over-planner. Only time will tell.
One thing I do know about this nervous feeling is that I need to trust the Lord more. I need to rely on His strength and not my own. That's what this feeling is! It's me trying to get in the way of everything! I need to step out of the way and let God take over.
So do not worry, saying, "what will we eat?" or "what shall we drink?" or "what shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ~ Matthew 6:31-34
Camp will happen. Rec will be great. ICW will be amazing. Staffers will make friends with one another. But, most importantly, lives will be changed by Jesus Christ.
I am going to hold strong to this. I'm going to try to chill out in the next week and do what needs to be done and not stress about it. Easier said than done, but I will TRY.
Alas, this rant has ended. Time to get back to work...
Friday, May 13, 2011
Removing labels...
Well, I'm sitting here working on calling all sorts of folks to camp this summer. My life consists of a lot of this, lately. I plan, I call, I plan, I call... You catch my drift. But, in the midst of all the monotony, I am realizing that I am at a intersection in my life. My comfortable life as I know it is about to move and change.
I am ending my career as a student. This morning I came to the realization that by Sunday at 7:00 pm will be the first time since I was 5 years old that I will no longer be a student. Something that has defined me for 17 years, will be cease to be label. It's exciting, but very unnerving, too. What will define me, now. My job, my friends, my faith...
Graduation isn't the only thing that is going to change me, moving to a new city is as well. I'll be moving to Nashville, TN in August to pursue an internship at LifeWay Christian Resources. Words cannot describe how pumped I am to have this opportunity. Excited, yes. Apprehensive, an even more resounding "YES!" I am moving away from all I've ever known. I'm moving away from what I'm comfortable with. This will be a test for me as a person. I've got to figure who I am apart from school, my career, my friends, & my family.
I am incredibly thrilled to see how the Lord is going to mold me. It's going to be tough and painful sometimes, but I'm ready. I couldn't be MORE ready. I'm ready to tear off the labels that define the current Jessica, and stick on new ones that show the world who I want to become.
The verse that I have been clinging to for the past year is from Jeremiah, "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans for you welfare, not for disaster, to give you a FUTURE and a HOPE." Is this not amazing?! I love it! I have to soak it in sometimes, because I like to control things. I'm very Type-A, so it's hard for me not to know where I'm going or how I'm going to get there. But I do know that my God is going to lead me on a path that is in my best interest where I can do His best work. This is my comfort. So, I think the label I'll put on today will read "Passenger," because I don't know where I'm going, but I do know that I am being taken somewhere where I would never lead myself.
What label are you going to stick on?
I am ending my career as a student. This morning I came to the realization that by Sunday at 7:00 pm will be the first time since I was 5 years old that I will no longer be a student. Something that has defined me for 17 years, will be cease to be label. It's exciting, but very unnerving, too. What will define me, now. My job, my friends, my faith...
Graduation isn't the only thing that is going to change me, moving to a new city is as well. I'll be moving to Nashville, TN in August to pursue an internship at LifeWay Christian Resources. Words cannot describe how pumped I am to have this opportunity. Excited, yes. Apprehensive, an even more resounding "YES!" I am moving away from all I've ever known. I'm moving away from what I'm comfortable with. This will be a test for me as a person. I've got to figure who I am apart from school, my career, my friends, & my family.
I am incredibly thrilled to see how the Lord is going to mold me. It's going to be tough and painful sometimes, but I'm ready. I couldn't be MORE ready. I'm ready to tear off the labels that define the current Jessica, and stick on new ones that show the world who I want to become.
The verse that I have been clinging to for the past year is from Jeremiah, "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans for you welfare, not for disaster, to give you a FUTURE and a HOPE." Is this not amazing?! I love it! I have to soak it in sometimes, because I like to control things. I'm very Type-A, so it's hard for me not to know where I'm going or how I'm going to get there. But I do know that my God is going to lead me on a path that is in my best interest where I can do His best work. This is my comfort. So, I think the label I'll put on today will read "Passenger," because I don't know where I'm going, but I do know that I am being taken somewhere where I would never lead myself.
What label are you going to stick on?
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
A Time for Creativity...
Well, this is my first time blogging. I've been contemplating this for a while. I feel like I have a lot of things on my mind and a lot of things going on in my heart that I want to say. Over the next few months, I'm going to be challenged like never before. I'm taking on a "big girl" job, moving 3 1/2 hours from home, and, ultimately, becoming my own person. I feel expressing my thoughts will help me figure out who I am and who the Lord to transforming me into. I am excited about this! Don't get too pumped, my thoughts are not going to be mind-blowing or earth shattering, but they will be my own. Enjoy at your own risk:)
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