God moments and sweet blessings

In my last post, I mentioned being able to see God minister to my heart more profoundly lately.... little did I know the rest of the week He had in store!! I've had some amazing conversations recently with sisters who I know must have been Spirit-led in when they contacted me as well as what they've said. God's used them to uplift me just when He knows I need it most! It's been so humbling and exciting to know He's pursuing my heart and meeting every need. Possibly most uplifting of all has been to find how many struggles and unanswered questions are shared among my sisters! Divide and conquer is definitely a tactic of the enemy! There's great peace, hope and renewal of strength in finding that I'm not alone!!
I had the blessing of having lunch on Thursday with one of the girls from my graduating class at Clemson. We also attended the same Connecting Point college group. She's such a blessing and encouragement!! It was such a treat to catch up with her, to share how God's challenged and grown us since graduation. On Saturday, I got to be at the airport with a very sweet friend as she prepared to leave for a summer serving trip in Southeast Asia. She and I were roommates last summer in Hilton Head. She's grown tremendously over the last year! She already had a servants heart, a love for the nations and a strong desire to grow in her walk when she came to project. It's been so uplifting to watch her continue to blossom into one of the most kind-hearted, God-honoring young women I've ever been blessed to call a friend. I was thankful to be one of her "sending party". Another of her friends from Clemson was able to see her off as well. She and I ended up chatting over coffee after we left the security checkpoint. Once again, God knew just what I needed! I'm most reenergized and feel most used and challenged by the Lord in the more intimate settings of one-on-one or small group conversation. (although theres typically very little that could keep me from a group game night, meal, or most any other fellowship activity!) God's little surprises are just wonderful :) Such an unexpected blessing!
I attended a different campus for church today as one of the staff girls from project was in town! (another of God's sweet, surprise gifts to me this week!) Afterwards, I was close enough to my small group leader's house to get to stop in for a bit. She and I have gotten more opportunities to connect outside of group recently. God's been using her so much in my life! It's been so refreshing as I've missed the community from Clemson and SummerLINK so much!! I told her how uplifted I've been by so many great conversations. She told me she has no doubt thats just what I needed. I know when she says something like that it can be taken as confirmation from the Lord through those that love me that He's at work! So many sweet reminders from the Lord of how much He loves me.
Today's sermon was on "markers" in the Christian walk. These are significant experiences that are recorded, remembered and returned to as reminders of God's love, comfort, strength and hope. They point to Christ. Pastor Miles referred to Joshua 4:1-7. The Isrealites face the Jordan River- the last obstacle separating them from the promised land of Canaan. God tells Joshua to bring the Ark to the waters edge. As they stepped into the river in faith, the Lord parted the Jordan to allow them to pass on dry ground. He instructed a man from each tribe to take a stone from the Jordan as a memorial. God wanted them to pass on the story of the Jordan- God's provision, protection and promise-keeping.
These friendships, encounters with other believers, conversations that come about through no other means but God's providence are markers to me. They don't necessarily mark life-altering events but they're powerful reminders of God's promise to me that He has a purpose and a plan for my life. Jer 29:11 "God wants us to despair in our own strength so that we have no other option but to throw ourselves on His grace. That's the mystery of His plan. You will find His strength in your weakness. As you despair in yourself, you will find hope in Him." (Joshua Harris) 2 Cor 12:9-10
I've said in the past that when God is preparing to do something big in my life, He floods it with fellowship. I've seen this to be true time and again through so many changes and trials in my life. Not only has He provided all of Himself, He's never left me without fellowship to be His hands, feet and voice when I need it most. I'm still not sure what He's planning but I'm at peace that He's called me here for now. He's at work in my life! The rest will be revealed in His perfect timing. Until then, He continually provides reassurance that He's never forsaken me. Treasure, health and healing are in Christ. The word: "impossible" is not in my Saviors vocabulary!! (Jim Miles)

O Lord, you have searched me and know me!

You  dance  over  me  while  I  am  unaware
You  sing  all  around  but  I  never  hear  the  sound.

Lord,  I'm  amazed  by  You!
Lord,  I'm  amazed  by  You!
Lord,  I'm  amazed  by  You,  how  You  love  me

How  wide,  How  deep,  How  great  is  Your  love  for  me!
Lord,  I'm  amazed  by  You!
Lord,  I'm  amazed  by  You!
Lord,  I'm  amazed  by  You,  how  You  love  me!
Amazed~J. Anderson

I'm continually amazed at how well my God knows me....
every intimate detail, need and desire....

Psalms 139:1-6

O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
² You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
³ You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
⁴ Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
⁵ You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.

There is not a place I could go that He could not see or reach me. Praise God He's never more than a prayer (or a desperate sigh) away! I was reminded of this a couple of nights ago as I was struggling with some heavy things on my mind and heart. God knew I needed uplifting. A wise and uplifting sister contacted me that night with just the encouragement the Lord knew I needed:
Ps 37:3-7

³ Trust in the Lord, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
⁴ Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
⁶ He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.

⁷ Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!

My time with the Lord the next day also provided an uplifting passage:

Psalms138:7-8
⁷ Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.
⁸ The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.

My God has so clearly and wonderfully spoken to me through His word that I am to be at peace and rest in the confidence that my Heavenly Father is taking care of every detail. I am to actively trust and obey but, praise Him!, plans and details are not my responsibility!!

Upstate Adventures

There are still some things on my "must do" list in the upstate. Four years at Clemson and I didn't accomplish them all! I got to cross a smaller one off last weekend and thought I'd share. I had been to Fall's Park once while an undergrad but not during the day. So, as a treat, I stopped by for a walk through the park on my way to Clemson for graduation.
Taking walks with my camera has been one of my favorite stress relievers/time in prayer since I was a freshman. This was such a nice way to reflect and give thanks for sweet friends, God's provision and His plan for my future.
Here's a few pictures from my "walk in the park"

The Cross Split History

At Passion 08 (Regionals) in Atlanta, Charlie Hall introduced a new song he'd written. The lyrics were one of the catalysts that got me thinking about chains in my life...

ChainBreaker

All stand applaud, Your Father God
The Maker King who never tires
Who renovates the human hearts And gives the broken brand new starts

Redeption flowing from His hand
We all can start at life again
Heaven stands to celebrate
For the ones who come today

So come just as you are
Come just as you are
Chainbreaker, Heart Savior
Jesus, the great Redeemer
Life changer, Liberator
Jesus, the great Redeemer

From slavery to bravery
This is the love that reaches deep
And Jesus' cross split history
It lit the dark and set us free ...

You are free, you are free Yeah, the Son has set you free Drop your chains, sons and daughters Come and run in liberty ...

Chainbreaker, Heart Savior
Jesus, the great Redeemer
Life changer, Liberator
Jesus, the great Redeemer



Something that really stands out to me is that the "cross split history".... it reminds me of a Joshua Harris quote in Stop Dating the Church. Pastor Harris talks about Christ's death and resurrection changing everything. Nothing will ever be the same....Our salvific ancestors living before the time of Christ, had the promise of a coming Savior. As Christ walked among them and then hung on the tree, they saw that the promise had been fulfilled. It's such a beautiful depiction of the concept: the cross is such a simple structure (in the sense of being two intersected beams of wood) but the change it helped facilitate is the difference between life and death: from death in trespasses and sins to life in Christ; from hopelessness to the promise of redemption, salvation; from bondage to freedom!

Drop Your Chains

I've found myself reflecting more in the last few weeks as my friends prepare for graduation and as I'm beginning to hear more about this years' SummerLINK team. I have such wonderful memories from my Sr year and the following summer. More than just fond remembrances though are the lessons God taught me and the experience of knowing He was drawing me ever more close to Himself as my circumstances began to grow increasingly more unsure.
About six months ago, I felt led to study Galations and Ephesians in my time with the Lord. Coincidentally, I recently finished reading through these books again in my reading plan. Perfect timing! God used this as well as wisdom from wonderful brothers and sisters to work on my heart about bondage to sin and chains in my life. I had begun considering the concept around a year ago as I was preparing for graduation and some fear set in over what would be next. I never could have expected the path the Lord would lead me down in the last year. The process of gaining clearer vision of what God has planned for my future has been a faith stretching one to say the least! Sanctification truly is an ongoing process!

This is one of my favorite passages of these letters:
Galations 4
⁷So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
⁸Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. ⁹But now that you know God--or rather are known by God--how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

In the last couple of years, my perspectives and views have been tested and grown. I thank the Lord for His faithfulness and grace as I know I've been stubborn at times to accept the lessons He's been working into my heart. It has been shockingly amazing to find what chains I'd been carrying... Some lies from the enemy were so deeply rooted. I'd accepted them as truth and hadn't thought to question the source. There are definitely some ways of thinking that I'm grateful to be free of. In falling more in love with my Creator and His word, I've grown in discernment of what is and is not Truth. It's only through the work of the Spirit that I'm able to gratefully say this!
Here are a few of my favorite truths!

Gal 5:1 "For Freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery".

Eph 2:3-10 We were once DEAD in trespasses and sins, objects of WRATH!! "BUT GOD, being RICH in MERCY, because of the GREAT LOVE with which he loved us" has made us ALIVE with CHRIST, SAVED by GRACE through FAITH! This is THE GIFT of God!!!!

2 Chron 20:15b "This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's"!!!
Your GOD will FIGHT for you!!! Trust and honor Him!

Rom 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry Abba Father".

Rom 8:1 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death"
AMEN!

Is 41:8-10 "But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, 'You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off '; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand".
We are servants of the Lord, CHOSEN by Him!! God will strengthen, help, uphold and never cast off those whom He loves



I love these quotes from Elizabeth Elliott taken from Passion and Purity
"Does (whatever I am determining to be true) harmonize with my best understanding of God's plan"?
"Do I want to walk, here, as in all areas of my life, by faith, or will I take things into my own hands"?

SummerLINK '08 --Almost 1 Yr Later!

Reading back over the last few summerlink blogs and reflecting on the experience, a few things I said seem to be becoming ever more true....


Overall, I’d count project among the most positively life changing experiences and blessings of my life. I spent the summer with an amazing group of brothers and sisters who consistently seek to glorify God with their whole lives. I’ve learned so much from interactions or just watching them exude their love for Christ with their attitudes and actions.

Those moments have stayed with me. I dont think I'll soon forget sitting in the banquet room with the group that God used to grow and humble me so much. Listening to testimonies of growth and thankfulness to our awesome God, I could clearly see He has great plans for such willing servants and I'm so excited to be witness to what He'll do!

I'm still processing exactly what this summer has meant. I think I've come to the partial conclusion that I most likely will not know the full extent of this impact possibly even for years to come.



I realized that I didn't post many pictures here of the summer so I thought I'd create a slideshow! Enjoy :)

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Favorites!

This post is more just fun than anything else :) Here is a random list of some of my favorite Clemson/Upstate things! Hope it brings a few smiles and good memories to fellow Tigers! (and intrigues anyone who's never been to go visit one of the best places in the world! In my unbiased, humble opinion of course ;) )

Crosspoint Church

I still remember work days on the B.O.M.B (big old methodist building). Spending a few CP group nights and a couple saturdays paiting, cleaning and getting to know my church family are now some of my favorite memories.

Discipleship

Getting poured into by and sharing life with some wonderful older sisters in Christ is one of the greatest blessings of being involved in a loving church family. Also, getting to practice the model they've exemplified with other sisters!

Fellowship

CP group, small Group, college ministry activities, and quality time with sweet friends and mentors were some of my favorite parts of my senior year

Clemson's campus

Walks on campus will always be one of my favorite stress relievers. I spent countless hours enjoying the calming atmosphere of campus in early evenings or quiet weekend mornings. So peaceful! (unless of course it was gameday....in which case.... 1-2-3-4-C-L-E-M-S-O-N T-I-G-E-R-S GO TIGERS!)

FCA in the amphitheater

I loved my time at FCA but my favorite meetings will always be those held in the amphitheater in the first few weeks of fall semesters. To me, there was nothing like standing barefoot in the grass during praise and worship with hundreds of brothers and sisters under the night sky. A favorite song that sticks out is Hosanna by Hillsong:

I see the king of glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes
The whole earth shakes

I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing
The people sing

[Chorus]
Hosanna Hosanna Hosanna in the highest [x2]

I see a generation Rising up to take their place With selfless faith
With selfless faith

I see a near revival Stirring as we pray and seek We're on our knees
We're on our knees

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart from what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdoms cause
As I go from earth into Eternity


God is definitely moving through the students of Clemson! I always found it so encouraging that so many college students were giving of their time and their talents to serve the Lord in campus ministries and as daily examples. I especially loved watching the men practice true leadership. Some of my favorite memories are of watching some of my male friends in worship. Watching them surrender to the Lord, giving their lives to His service is so encouraging! I'm so thankful that God is raising up a generation devoted to His glory and the Gospel!

Blue Ridge Mountains!

This was taken from Pretty Place at Camp Greenville (literally IN the mountains) but there are views of them all over the upstate! Driving to school from breaks, I knew I was home when I could see the hills!

Lake Hartwell

I had the blessing of spending a summer in Clemson (a must for any Tiger!) Summer days on the lake were the perfect mini-vacation! I have many great memories of activities and fellowships on or overlooking the lake including getting baptized at Y Beach in August 2007 :)

Orange and Purple Sunsets especially over the lake!

Tiger Football

Football at Clemson is definitely an experience rather than an event! I think my favorite is still night games but I have a lot of great memories throughout each season. Tailgating with friends, the First Friday parade before the first home game, Rally in the Valley (Clemson FCA partnered with the adult FCA chapter and hosted a high school FCA rally in LittleJohn once/season. I really enjoyed meeting the adult members and volunteering for the event!), Tigerama and floats on Bowman during Homecoming week and Big Thursday before the USC rivalry game.

Tiger Paws!!
Pretty much a staple of Clemson life!

Smoothies from Brickhouse Coffee in Simpsonville/Greenville
my favorite road trip treat!

PF Changs China Bistro

I had the timing down just right to call in a take out order and pick it up in Greenville on my way to campus I love the Philips Better Lemon Chicken, lettuce wraps and cheesecake dessert!

Theres so much more I could include from Welcome Back each fall to graduation....I'll always treasure my time at Clemson. There was a lot of laughter and great experiences with wonderful friends. Remembering these always reminds me of how blessed I am to have been given these gifts by God. He knew exactly where I needed to be!