High Five for Friday!

Coming back from a fantastic, refreshing, worshipful weekend...I can't believe it's already Friday!

Hopefully these next few weeks will fly by...Bradley and two of my best friends, Bailey and Leah, along with other college students and leaders from our church are headed to Serbia, Kenya, and Taiwan to proclaim the victory and grace of Jesus Christ. 

I am thrilled for them and pleading with the Father that He would be glorified in, through, and before them.

Today I'm linking up with Lauren for High Five for Friday!

ONE.

Last Friday I went in to work at 7 am (this is not normal, PTL) and didn't have time to spend time with the Lord before I got there. This was my view when I walked in:

And no child arrived for THIRTY MINUTES.  I got to dwell in scripture and pray over the kids in the classroom.  It was such a sweet time.

TWO.

Saturday morning Bradley and I went to a coffee shop...for 3 hours :)

We're both talkers.

The coffee was black and the conversation was rich.

My favorite coffee date.

THREE.

Spending time with this little man Sunday morning before church while his awesome parents were doing ministry.

Happiest morning person I know.

And Bradley picked me up an hour later when G's dad came home.

We had an accidental few minutes in their home alone with G. 

Reading with a clean diaper :)

FOUR.

My family and I headed downtown on Wednesday to celebrate the 4th by watching a fireworks show over the battleship and Cape Fear River.

FIVE.

Magran brought Fudgscicles into our home on Wednesday.

This is how many are left:

Good things are happening.

Happy Friday!

High Five for Friday!

As much as I love summer and taking a break...I really do love a schedule.

Ahem, I make a schedule of my day, nearly minute-by-minute, the night before...tell me I'm not the only one.

...Yes, I realize this is sinful.

But I am thankful for my job and people in my life who keep me busy :)

Today I'm linking up with Lauren for H54F!

ONE.

Saturday my brother Trey and I had a marathon date.

Hibatchi heaven for lunch.

Do we like white sauce, or do we like white sauce?

Followed by Sweet Frog (frozen yogurt).

No pictures. We ate it too fast.

A long walk on the beach.

A walk around the loop at Wrightsville.

And then we were planning on going to a church service that night, but once we got there we realized they don't have church on Saturday nights, just Sunday. Oops.

JD online pulled through. 

TWO.

Before watching one of JD's sermons, I made this deliciousness:

Blueberry Broccoli Summer Salad

...Trey chose to eat this massive conglomeration of carbohydrates instead:

THREE.

I started an internship with the director of the counseling ministry at a local church in Wilmington on Tuesday!

The woman who I'm working under is such a gift.  Her love for solid theology matched with her gracious attitude is edifying and super convicting.

She gave me this book to read weep over.

FOUR.

Celebrating Magran's 75th birthday last night at Nana's house!
Can you tell by all the grandma pet names that we're southern?


Our family is MUCH better because of this woman.

FIVE.

I'm working at the daycare today from 7 am till 5 pm...

and then driving to Durham to see my best friends and hang out with all the City Proj kids and some incredibly wise couples!

I. Am. So. Excited. 

God has been so good to me through my community at the Summit.

Have a great Friday!

Five Friday Finds.

Seeking wisdom is the largest part of me recognizing the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Daily scripture reading, sharing and listening to peers and particularly older, wiser women and men, listening to sermons/talks, and yes, even leisurely reading articles is part of me seeking wisdom.

Have the words of the Bible and other people draw me to the throne of justification and grace is beautiful, and makes me worship Him more.

This week, by the grace of God, has been no different.

1.  Children and Salvation
JD Greear, my pastor (Summit Church)

"As my kids grow older, they will certainly have moments of insight in which they understand better His grace, and defining moments in which they "own" that posture.  But it is a posture I can encourage them toward from the beginning."

2.  Are You Young, Restless, and Reformed?
Hugh Whelchel, via The Gospel Coalition

"...young men and women are still striving for more substantive and experiential Christianity."

3.  How Jesus Saved My Dad and Family
Tony Evans

"...she could not understand how the more she rejected him, was unkind to him and tried to prove that believing in God was wrong, he kinder he was to her and the more he invested in God's Word."

4.  Rebuilding a Healthy Schedule
Joe Thorn, via The Resurgence

"It wasn't just that I was working too hard, but that I had also started listening to the devil's lies."

5.  Why My Husband of Three Years and I Go To Marriage Counseling
Sharon Hodde Miller, via Hermenutics

"In a culture of instant gratification and entitlement, many couples feel duped and unprepared when they realize they must word hard to make marriage succeed."

What are some articles you've recently enjoyed?

High Five for Friday!

Fridays rock.  Especially when you live at the beach.

Today I'm linking up with Lauren, an awesome girl that was in my college women's small group last school year, for High Five for Friday!

Back to the beach...here's my five fave things from this week:

1.  Sunday evening, my parents, my brother, Trey, his girlfriend, Brittany, and I went for a long walk on the beach.

I was hard-core third-wheeling...and unashamed.

Where's Bradley?

And then we tried a new frozen yogurt place.

Yum-o.

2.  Gleaning wisdom.

3.  Saturday morning, my sweet mom took A and me to get a mani + pedi.

Then the three of us met my dad for lunch at a favorite spot.

Coincidental outfit matching. We are so much alike it's scary.

And I grabbed some Lindt chocolate for us three :)

I didn't waste any time eating mine.

4.  My Grandaddy's birthday was last weekend, so my parents, T, A + I celebrated with him a few days late at a delicious restaurant called Sweet 'N Savory.

On the way to dinner!

 I ordered salmon for the first time in my life.

Huge to-do.

  

Impeccable life decision.

5. THIS.

"With an almost eerie level of calm, each of the young people thanked the Lord."

Y'all. This is the NEW YORK TIMES.

Seriously??  Praise the Lord.  

Jesus is on the throne. 

And He does as He pleases.

Other students participating in The City Project with Bradley had quite an adventure in Queens, NY.

And brought incredible glory to Jesus and the peace and confidence in Truth that only He provides.

May this not be the last time the NEW YORK TIMES reports (& shines a positive light on) missionaries bringing the Gospel!

You are just to receive the reward of Your Cross.

Aaaaand...the author of the article retweeted my tweet:

nbd.

Five Favorite Finds.

Summertime is great for a bajillion reasons.

Being able to read and re-read (instead of skim) fantastic, worshipful pieces of writing is one of them.

Here is some of what I've been intrigued and edified by this week:

1.  Good News vs. Good Advice

via The Resurgence blog

Tim Keller

"...when you hear a message that it's all been done for you, that it's a historical event that's happened, your salvation is accomplished for you, what do you want to do?  You want to obey the Ten Commandments, you want to pray, and you want to please the One who did this for you."

2.  Exchanging Fear for Fear

Kevin DeYoung

"...there is no sin so prevalent, so insidious, and so deep as the sin of fearing people more than we fear God."

3.  5 Reasons I love Church-Based Counseling

Pat Quinn

"People expect to be listened to compassionately and cared for wisely and they know that this means that we will use the Bible to point and lead them to Christ."

4.  Why a "You Complete Me" Romance is Incomplete

Mike Glenn

"But what happens if we approach a relationship not from a sense of need but from a sense of our "yes"?

5.  Where Are All the Revivals in Islamic Countries?

via The Gospel Coalition

John Starke

An interview with my pastor, JD Greear.

"'Where are all the revival stories in Islamic countries?' They remain to be written by God."

What are some great articles you've read recently?

Take Note: Relationships

Relationships are huge to me.  For one, relationships, by and large, are enjoyable to me.  People are interesting; conversation is interesting, and holds my attention.  

With that in mind, engaging in relationships is necessary as a human, and commanded by God for believers.

Relationships: A Mess Worth Making is a book that my mentor gave me months some time ago that I have yet to return. 

I was reading it yesterday, and stumbled across this:

This quote was extremely relevant to a sermon that I had watched a few hours prior that the small groups pastor at my church, Spence Shelton, gave last week.  His message was on the community of believers and how integral it is to our walks with Christ.  

Hebrews 3:12-14 says:

"Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.  But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called today, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.  For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end."

Spence explained that we must share our thoughts, sin, disappointments, marriages, and relationships with other believers--to prevent any one from "[falling] away from the living God."  We also must "exhort one another every day", to remind each other that Christ is better.  He is better than financial; marital; relational; personal success.  We are sons and daughters that have the privilege of laboring for our King who rescued us.  

We must confess to, share with, and exhort one another.

Relationships are for the purposes of sanctification and witness to the Gospel.

They are not supposed to make us uncomfortable--that is where our sin destroys God's perfect design.

Spence stated that when you are finally known for who you really are and you experience love and not condemnation, you experience the Gospel...and it changes you.

High Five for Friday!

Happy Friday!

This week, I'm linking up with a sweet girl who was in my small group this past year, Lauren!

Each week she hosts a High Five for Friday link-up!

Here are some life-happenings that are definitely high-five worthy:

ONE.
On Monday, Bradley's mom and I helped him move in to this house in Durham:

I for realz want this house.  Pinterest and I would do some serious home decor damage here :)
...aaaand maybe add a stove, oven, and refrigerator.

He will be living here (along with five other college men) for the next week,
spending a week in New York,
returning to Durham for 3 1/2 weeks,
going to Serbia for 2 1/2 weeks,
and spending his last week of City Project here :)
Whew.

I participated in City Project last summer, although our summers will be completely different.
I am thrilled at how God is already working and equipping him in his first three days in Durham!

...he will also be blogging about the entire summer :)

TWO.
Tuesday morning I said goodbye to two of my best friends, Bailey and Leah, who will also be participating in City Project!

Leah and I had a coffee date at Starbucks, and immediately after she left, I could not wait to put my nose in the Word.  Love that girl.

...aaand after Starbucks I went to B & N and got a new journal :)

I swear, I cannot spend less than thirty minutes in that place.  

It's a black hole of beautiful, beautiful books, the smell of coffee, and people with glasses.  Mmm.

THREE.

unedited.

Saturday morning Bradley and I woke up early (like, FIVE AM early), He picked me up at 5:30, and we headed to the rocks at Carolina Beach to watch the sunrise and spend time in prayer.

& he brought me coffee :)

I am so thankful to live in Wilmington.

FOUR.
I am becoming more equipped for motherhood...one cooking experience at a time.

FIVE.
This sweetness.

My mom's parents.
Papa Earl has Alzeheimer's and Nana takes care of him and virtually everyone else in that nursing home.

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.