Five Favorite Finds.

This is my updated version of "Friday Finds" (don't worry, I still have something in store for Friday, don't fret :)

...also, I realize it is quite a feat to have five "favorites", since the word "favorite" insinuates one. 

Just go with it.

Here are my top five favorite articles that I found this week!

1) Jesus Also Had Unbelieving Family Members
via Desiring God
Jon Bloom

"Don't give up praying for unbelieving family members.  Don't take their resistance as the final word.  They may yet believe..."

2)  What Does it Mean to be Biblically Balanced?
Tullian Tchividjian, pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church

"...to be 'Biblically balanced' is NOT to allot equal airtime to every Biblical theme."

3)  Desperate, Breathless, Dependent Parenting

via Desiring God
Rachel Pieh Jones

"No, brave is not the right word for parents. Dependent is."

4)  Today Was Supposed to be My Wedding Day
via The Gospel Coalition
M. Conner

"He promises much more, and I wasn't going to find it in a marriage with an unbeliever."

5)  Rob Bell and the Judgmentless "Gospel": Holy Love Wins
via The Gospel Coalition 
Trevin Wax
(I apologize for the extremely old post--but the ideas that he dismisses are unfortunately still present in the church.)

"...the judgmentless gospel is not gospel at all.  It leaves us with a diminished God and no need for grace."

Tasty Tuesday: Kidney Bean Broccoli Quinoa

Now that all of my friends have left Wilmington (just kidding...kind of), (more on this tomorrow), I have a lot more time on my hands.  Time to teach myself how to cook. 

Read: I can't cook.

Recently, I learned how to cook noodles. At twenty years old. 

One step at a time.

My love for the stove is progressing, although still slightly unrequited.  

After a sweet coffee date and a few errands, I came home and decided to make a big lunch.

These are the ingredients I used:

1 cup quinoa

1 1/2 cup organic kidney beans

1 cup frozen broccoli florets

1/4 - 1/3 cup chopped onion

1/2 teaspoon salt

~ 1/4 teaspoon Mrs. Dash seasoning

lemon half / lemon juice

spoonful feta cheese (optional)

Bring 2 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to a boil.

Pour in the cup of quinoa and turn the heat to low; cover and let cook for 10-12 minutes.

 While the quinoa is cooking, steam (or, in my case, microwave) about 1 - 1 1/2 cups of frozen broccoli florets.

Then combine the kidney beans and a little chopped onion.

I threw in some Mrs. Dash.

Add a 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil to the quinoa.

Make sure the rings are visible when you're finished cooking the quinoa. If not, continue cooking.

I sprinkled some more Mrs. Dash in the quinoa.

Combine the quinoa with the broccoli/bean mixture and squeeze a lemon half...or just add a few drops of lemon juice (there were no lemons in my house).

I added a spoonful of feta cheese (optional).

This was my serving:

And this was how much was left over--this dish could easily feed four.

Dee-lish! 

Plus, my sweet momma ate it...but that honestly doesn't mean much.

Friday Finds.

Happy Friday!

Later this afternoon, Trey and I are driving to Raleigh to volunteer at the Matt Papa/Lecrae concert that the Summit is hosting!  

...aaaand we're driving back tonight.  It's gonna be a late one, folks.

But it's summer...well, not for him. Oops. 

Here's the list of five of my favorite articles I've read this week!

1)  Now That Amendment One Has Passed

by my pastor, JD Greear, of The Summit Church

"We are to lead in being good neighbors to all in our community, especially our gay community."

2)  Why We Got Married

by Larissa Murchy, via Desiring God

"Fortunately, our hope is that we've also wathed all of these alongside Jesus, who is our own man of sorrows, acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3).  So we have not walked it alone."

3)  Why Bible Study Doesn't Transform Us

Jen Wilkin of The Village Church

"If our exposure to it fails to result in transformation, particularly over the course of years, there are surely only two possible reasons why: either our Bible studies lack true converts, or our converts lack true Bible study."

4)  Are You Pinning to the Glory of God?

Trisha Wilkerson, via The Resurgence 

"Before long, we've created an alternate world for our 'best self,' an ideal we'll never live up to."

5)    Where Are All the Women Apologists?
Jonalyn Fincher, via Hermenutics

"'Christian apologetics...will need women skilled in Islamic apologetics to speak with Muslim women, to go where Christian men cannot.'"

What are some insightful articles you've read recently?

The Gospel Summit

Last Thursday and Friday (yes, in the middle of final exams...our church is just way more fun than school), Bradley and I attended The Gospel Summit.

Our church put on a conference for church leaders about how to let the Gospel permeate every ministry, every heart, and the church as a whole.

It was warm outside.

PTL for AC.

I learned a lot about college ministry, being a wife, church planting, church organization, and the weighty role of a pastor.

I came away from the conference edified, blessed, and challenged--about my future and about my present.  

Here are some of my notes from the talks I went to:

THURSDAY

Our pastor opened the conference:
"Marks of a Gospel-Centered Church"

• The mission of the church--> (Acts 1:8) "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth."
• We are witnesses.
• When people stand in awe of God's grace to them, this is what happens:
• Evangelistic Effectives AND Doctrinal Depth
• The Presence of God
• Fervent, Faith-filled [believing] Prayer
• Empowered Members
• Extravagant Generosity--"Generosity is the best apologetic for the veracity of the Gospel."

First Breakout Session:
"College Ministry: Turning Atheists into Church Planters"

•  Pursue them on their turf--then they see that Christianity is not something you turn on & turn off.
• Community of believers is one of your most powerful evangelistic tools.
• Once a Christian, bring them along in ministry immediately.
• Disciple them.

Extremely convicting and motivating for me as a college student.  Am I seeking lost people?

Tony Merida, Pastor of Imago Dei Church
"Christ-Centered Preaching"

• Make the hero of the Bible (Jesus) the hero of your message.
• Satan is not concerned with moralism, he just doesn't want us to preach Jesus.
• [Your preaching must be] Wider; deeper; more responsible.
• People may say that hearing about the Cross every week will get old--I say, does hearing your wife say she loves you ever get old?
• Proclaim the facts: Jesus rose; He is alive; the tomb is empty; the throne is occupied.
• Preach Christ until you die, and then worship Him forever.

FRIDAY

Second Breakout Session:
Veronica Greear & Jen Thompson
"For Pastor's Wives: Balancing Family & Ministry"

These cute signs were one every table :)

• When you say 'yes' to something, you are saying 'no' to something else.
• There should be white space in your calendar--you need margin.
• Have wise, godly council to talk about your marriage.
• You will never regret honoring and choosing your husband.
• Until your children are saved, you have pagans living in your home. Your primary ministry is in your home.
• Figure out what your husband wants, and do it well.
• Make ministry fun for your family.

Third Breakout Session:
Tony Merida & Nathan Akin
"The Nuts & Bolts of How to Plant a Gospel-Centered Church"

• Plant with a team
• Invest in the core team
• Set clear expectations for potential members
• Plant the church you've always wanted to go to
• Don't give leadership away too quickly
• Start small groups soon and invest in small group leaders
• Teach your people to be missionaries
• Expect support from unlikely partners
• Lead from the pulpit
• Be sensitive to the unchurched
• Don't be surprised when people leave

JD Greear
"Creating a Sending Culture in Your Church"

•  God builds the church.
• The Great Commission is not a calling for some but a mandate for all.
• The church is not an audience but an army.
• The best pastors are those who build up other leaders.
• Be courageous on God's grace.
• Once a Christian is soaked from the blood of Jesus & the stench of Hell is in his nostrils, you don't need to preach evangelism.
• Rest on God's great compassion for His church. It is bigger than you, it didn't start with you, and it will not end with you.
• Focus more on what Jesus has done for you and less on what you are to do for Him.

Needless to say, I walked away more worshipful of Jesus and more charged to make Him known.

After the conclusion of the conference Bradley and I hung out with a couple we hope to emulate.  What a blessing to spend time with older, wiser council to help us see how we can see Jesus as bigger and thus surrender more and more of us for His mission.

I am anxious to see how God will love, challenge, test, and use us this summer, throughout the duration of our time as college students, and for the rest of our lives.

Jesus, You are on the throne.  All the universe pants for You.  You allow me to join in Your deserved praise.

You are worth it all.  You are better.

Wonderful Wednesday!

FINALS ARE OVER AND I AM A JUNIOR!

This was the view for my last final.  

At home, in my parents' office, sipping coffee out of a mug (not a disposable cup), and chomping on an egg my mom boiled for me.

From the looks of it, you'd think I was tranquil. Ha. 

After five finals, a paper, and a portfolio...I am pooped.

But oh, so relived! 

My hearts breaks for people who are still arduously studying...

I am so thankful for this semester's final two weeks that I spent in misery with people I love.

BUT it is Wednesday and the start to my summer--so let's celebrate, shall we?

Wonderful Music:

This is a clip that I found on YouTube from the Summit's Night of Worship last Sunday.

This is one of our worship leaders leading us in "You Are" from their new CD "Jesus in My Place". 

(It's on iTunes!)

I own no rights to this music.

Wonderful Scripture:

Romans 1:21-25

This passage spoke to my prideful heart and graciously led me to repentance.  

Wonderful Food:

Coffee. Again.  

Boy am I glad to be home...where real food lives.

Wonderful Family:
Yesterday, after a day full of packing and studying, I drove straight to Trey's basketball game.

By the way...they won 73-36.  Booyah.

Wonderful Outing:

Bradley and I attended a conference, The Gospel Summit, our church put on for church leaders.  We desire to devote our lives to ministry, so we went.  

More to come on this event!

I heart Wednesdays.

Wonderful Wednesday!

This Wednesday will likely not be as wonderful as next Wednesday. 

Thank you, final exams.

As an education major, I know that the results of a cumulative test usually has little do show for what I have actually gleaned from a semester-long class.  It's a blessing and a curse.

If you are a student, I feel your pain.

My sweet friend, Leah, encouraged me a few weeks ago to pray for motivation and focus--I have seen that He is faithful to give it! (Why have I never done this prior to this semester?)

I've seen this week so many of my limitations...which has been super humbling.  My mind is limited, my attention-span is limited, my time is limited, my self-control is limited, my love is limited.  I fall short constantly.

Here are a couple of the ways that the Lord has offered me grace despite my limitations:

Wonderful Scripture:
Galatians 3:11-14

In reading through Romans, my ESV notes led me to this passage.
I will always fall short of His perfect law, and the promise of Jesus' sufficient work.
Praise the Lord.

Wonderful Outing:

Bradley and I went hiking at Umpstead Park on Friday afternoon!

He attempted to cross the large body of rushing water...

While he was being uber adventurous, I sent this picture to Laura...and soon after this was sent, we saw a water moccasin in the water.  Lord, sometimes I loathe Your creation.

Wonderful Friends:

Saturday night the girls went to a thai restaurant--I was nervous, but it was delicious!

Wonderful Food:

Free donuts in the Bragaw Activity Room.
(It's called the BAR, but I thought that would prove eyebrow-raising if stated without explanation.)

I didn't eat just this one either...good thing I ran...this week.

This is just something wonderful for which I do not have photographic evidence:

My mommie and sister, Ashley, came to Raleigh Sunday afternoon to take my futon and most of my clothes. Aaaand they came to Summit's Night of Worship/CD release!
...which leads me to:

Wonderful Music:

The CD, "Jesus in My Place" is currently number THREE on the most popular Christian & Gospel albums on iTunes!!!

You can preview the album here!