In Need of Rope.

Humanity's depravity has been so abundantly clear to me as of late.

And it's baffling...the evil that is here.  Questions are raised; hope is shattered; trust begins to falter.

This world has nothing for me, including myself.  I cannot trust my own thoughts, desires, plans, and dreams. I must trust the One who will not be crushed under the weight of worship.  The One who died for my doubt and unbelief.

This verse has taken on a whole new meaning.

"Whom have I in Heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:25-26).

He does not make me strong, rather, He is my strength.  

Therefore I must be weak.

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.  But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with my weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.  For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).

Break our hearts in worship.

"Farther Along"

(Chorus)

Farther along we'll know all about it

Father along we'll understand it

Cheer up my brothers, live in the sunshine

We'll understand this, all by and by

Tempted and tried, I wondered why

The good man dies, the bad man thrives

And Jesus cries because He love 'em both

We're all cast-aways in need of rope

Hanging on by the last threads of our hope

In a house of mirrors full of smoke

Confusing illusions I've seen

Where did I go wrong, I sang along

To every chorus of the song

That the devil wrote like a piper at the gate

Leading mice and men down to their fate

But some will courageously escape

The seductive voice with a heart of faith

While walking that line back home

There so much more to life than we've been told

It's full of beauty that will unfold

And shine like you struck gold my wayward son

That deadweight burden weighs a ton

Go down into the river and let it run

Wash away all the things you've done

Forgiveness all right

(Chorus)

But still I get hard-pressed on every side

Between the Rock and a compromise

Like the Truth and a pack of lies fighting for my soul

I've got no place left to go

'Cause I got changed by what I've been shown

More glory that the world has known

Keeps me rambling on

Skipping like a calf loosed from its stall

I'm free to love once and for all

And even when I fall I'll get back up

For the joy that overflows my cup

Heaven filled me with more than enough

Broke down my levees and my bluffs

Let the flood wash me

And one day when the sky rolls back on us

Some rejoice and the others fuss

'Cause every knee must bow and tongue confess

The Son of God is forever blessed

His is the kindgom, we're the guests

So put your voice up to the test

Sing "Lord, come soon"

(Chorus)

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!

Your Plans for Sunday Night.

There is a plethora of bad Christian music--and I mean bad in all senses of the word.  Fragmented theology (yes, music displays your theology), cheesy sound, and most of the sugary-sweet, God-is-out-to-make-me-happy songs on Christian radio appear to be virtually the same.

This post is not out to make a case against the music that tells lies about who God is and what He is about--although this is a huge problem; I want to show you music that worships God as He is--on the Cross, on the throne, and in our chest.

The Summit Worship team has written, composed, and produced a worship album that proclaims the Gospel.  At the Summit, we frequently use the phrase "Jesus in my place" as the Gospel message--we are fallen and utterly wicked; God in His goodness and grace sent Jesus to live, die, and resurrect by the power of the Holy Spirit, so that our sins would be atoned for; so that we can now stand in the righteousness of Jesus before God, knowing unquestionably that He is the Lord.

This Sunday night, April 29th at 6 - 7:15 PM at the Brier Creek campus, the Summit Worship team is hosting a Night of Worship in which the new CD will be released.  Come out, bring friends, and worship Jesus.

Here's a sneak peek at some of the songs on the CD!

Wonderful Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday! 
My second year of college has been BY FAR the best--Jesus has become bigger, there has been greater challenge, deeper relationships, and more fun.  I want to savor this time in my life and use the resources and relationships I have to become more sanctified and sacrificial.

I am continually amazed at the people Jesus had given me with whom to share this life.

Wonderful Song:

I drove home and back alone this weekend, which was great (although I always prefer company) for my prayer life.  Highways, country music, and long prayers are wonderfully cohesive. I don't listen to country music any other time, but I heard this song multiple times and think it's super cute.

Wonderful Scripture:

Romans 12:19-21
On Monday, Bradley was telling me about this scripture--I have never studied this passage extensively, but I've heard and been confused by the phrase "...for by doing so you will heap burning coals on their head." He explained that by returning kindness for sin, people will be awakened to Jesus in you (because responding to hurt with grace is antithetical to the human nature).  Your Christlike character will "heaping burning coals on their head" and will provoke others to realize their need for the Gospel. 

Don't you love that?  The Spirit's power in me to give the forgiveness to others that God has given me, will make others awakened to the reality and Lordship of Jesus.

Wonderful Friend:

I got some one-on-one time with this chubster and his beautiful mom late last week :)

Wonderful Picture:

On Monday, I went to Bradley's softball game (he plays on one of his friend's church's softball team--it's a big deal in Smithfield, NC!). I met two sweet girls whose boyfriends play on the team, I connected with them, and the three couples are going to hang out Saturday night!

Wonderful Food:

NOODLES! I made them for the first time in my life this weekend!

Wonderful Outing:

Last night Bradley and I went to Summit's monthly EQUIP Leadership Forum! This one was a little different in that the men and women were separated. I was given a wealth of wisdom to glean from women in our church. The two sessions I attended were "The Whole Bible for the Whole Woman" by Lauren Ashford and "Women Discipling Women: Digging Deeper Wells."

Not Pictured:
Lots of time with my parents and my brother.  I took a video of Trey (who is 16 years old) singing and dancing with some scuba gear and my boots on his hands...but there's a little too much booty shaking. The vision is sufficient to disturb.

What is a small way that has God shown You love this week?

Wonderful Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday! 

I'm taking a break from writing this excruciating thesis paper for my History of the Middle Ages class to share with you some wonderfulness!  

Wonderful Song:

"The Church" - Elevation Worship
I love running to this song, mostly because of the charge it gives to the Church. Regardless on your thoughts (or mine) about Elevation Church, this song exhorts believers to preach the Gospel--and the Church needs to be exhorted more, no doubt.

Wonderful Scripture:

Exodus 8:18-19

How cool is that? Even the Egyptian magicians recognized God's superior and ultimate power.

Wonderful Friend:

My brother, Trey.
After I went to my family's Easter church service, my family and Bradley went to visit Nana and Papa Earl (my mom's parents) at Papa Earl's nursing home.
Trey partook in a self photo shoot with my phone
(unedited, in full glory):

So I joined him.
He is seriously awesome.

Wonderful Picture:

Gertie, Bradley's 15-year-old first love/dog. When we pulled into his driveway on Wednesday for Easter break, Gertie ran up to me.
A 15-year-old dog ran. Made my day.

Wonderful Pin:

Paint swatches as gift tags--seriously, how smart is this?

Wonderful Wednesday!

I GET TO GO HOME TODAY!!!!!

After my last class today that dismisses at 2:45, Bradley and I are headed home for Easter!  I miss my family so much.  It feels like we're going on a vacation every time we pack up the car and head down I-40 East.

More on the wonderful-ness of this week, posted on Wednesday!

Wonderful Song:

Ben Rector, "Loving You is Easy"

Such a cute song, and then someone from the audience gave him the subject of "cats" on which to improv for the third verse.  Just watch.

Wonderful Scripture: 
Revelation 21:1-8

Wonderful Friend: 

I have a new roommate, Rebekah! We are both very thankful she is now living with me :) I found this sweet note on my desk on Tuesday, the afternoon of the day she moved in:

Wonderful Picture:

I found honeysuckles on campus last Thursday and enjoyed a snack:

Wonderful Pin:

but for real...I would not stop talking.

Wonderful Food:
Monday afternoon I walked to Cup-a-Jo to work and enjoyed black coffee, hummus on a wheat bagel (why hasn't this been a part of my life until now?), and silly conversation with the stranger that sat at the table with me.

You're Beautiful.

On Tuesday night, Bradley and I went to his family’s church’s college ministry gathering, Overflow.  Sometimes I find (slash pridefully scrutinize) that some churches’ worship and preaching contain musical and communicative prowess, but lack theological depth–aka, they could be singing or talking about Joe-shmo because they don’t mention Jesus/the Cross. Tuesday night, the Overflow ministry preached the Gospel of Christ in word and worship.  Bradley and I were blessedand humbled by it.

Nathan, Brad’s best friend, has an older brother, Micah, who leads worship at Overflow and is the lead singer of his band, Rio Bravo. The last song Micah led that night was Phil Wickham’s, “You’re Beautiful”.  It was incredibly worshipful.

Phil Wickham is one of the few Christian artists I have enjoyed over the years. I remember hearing his song, “Cannons” on our local Christian radio station, “K-Love” (who I originally thought was named “Kayla”–self-absorbed from the start). I went home, looked up the lyrics, and have been listening to his music since.

I have a sentiment attached to the song below.  When I was in Kenya this summer, I realized I had been running from the Lord with my previous relationship with Bradley and that I needed to be obedient with the knowledge I possessed at the time, and end our then 2 1/2 year relationship.  It was obviously an emotional time where I was not unsure, but was very emotionally weak.

Our group went on a safari for a nice break during our two-week mission in which we got to camp in a Kenyan national park! During our safari drive, I sat next to one of the girls I grew close to, Jenny.  She held me, stroked my hair, and spoke biblical assurances to me.  She was acting so much like Jesus to me in that moment.  I am so grateful for her.

We were listening to her iPod for a while, and this song began to play…as the tears started to roll.

I see Your face in every sunrise

The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes

The world awakens in the light of the day

I look up to the sky and say

You’re beautiful

I see Your power in the moonlit night

Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright

We are amazed in the light of the stars

It’s all proclaiming who You are

You’re beautiful, You’re beautiful

I see You there hanging on a tree

You bled and then You died and then You rose again for me

Now You are sitting on Your heavenly throne

Soon we will be coming home

You’re beautiful, you’re beautiful

When we arrive at eternity’s shore

Where death is just a memory and tears are no more

We’ll enter in as the wedding bells ring

Your bride will come together and we’ll sing

You’re beautiful, You’re beautiful, You’re beautiful

I see Your face, You’re beautiful, You’re beautiful, You’re beautiful

I see Your face, You’re beautiful, You’re beautiful, You’re beautiful

I see Your face, I see Your face

I see Your face, You’re beautiful, You’re beautiful, You’re beautiful