Hello to all the lovely individuals who read my blog (if there are any of you at this point).
It has been a long while since I've blogged, and a LOT has happened since then. Last time I blogged, I was still in my first year of college.
Now, however, I'm almost done with my first semester of my second year of college, and this summer, I had the privilege of working for and with a ministry called Carolina Cross Connection. Before about March of this year, I was completely ignorant of this ministry, and, honestly, when I first heard of it, it didn't sounds like my cup of tea. It was spending the entire summer away from home, with people I had never met, and there would be lots of *gulp* construction. In case you don't know this: I'm not exactly what one would call the construction type. However, I went ahead and applied anyway. It was a nerve-wracking process: the application, and the interview, and most of all the waiting. Funnily enough, I got turned down. I was crushed. The more I had waited for the job, the more I wanted it.
Let me explain what exactly this job was. As a whole, the job of each camp was to find families and individuals in the area who needed small home repairs done, with the hope of reaching them for Jesus, and spreading His Good News. We did them all for free, because most of the people we worked for were either elderly, or couldn't necessarily pay for what they needed done. I was a Program Coordinator. The basic of my job was to find out where these people were and how I could help them.
That was the job I applied for. That was also the job I was turned down for. I was crushed, because I felt God pressing this job on my heart. I hated the thought of returning to my former job at Zaxby's. (Seriously, ick.) A few weeks later, however, I got an email from the director of the organization, saying a position had opened up, and would I be interested? Of course I would!
So, on the tenth of June this part year, I went to Camp Loy-White for staff training. I was scared out of my mind on the way there, because I only knew one other person. Did I believe God put me there? Yes. Am I still completely socially awkward and not adept at conversation? YES. However, the week passed smoothly, and I began to make friends. On one of the last days, I was put with my personal staff members, and assigned a camp. My staff was: Daniel "El Presedente" Kerr, Josh "Goose" Godwin, Leeann "Mama Bird" Mangum, Dylan "Bobcat" Lawing, Jozy "Baby Bear" Mendez, and Alison "Wolfspider" Strader. OHMYGOODNESS, THESE PEOPLE. As I said, I'm kind of socially awkward (just a lot), and I was pretty nervous about spending my whole summer with these people. What if we didn't get along?, etc., etc., were the questions raging through my brain.
Little did I know the amazing family God had in store. I literally cannot praise these people enough! I saw God in every single one of them. Daniel, in his ability to stay calm in pretty much any situation; Josh, in his constant humor and the way he made everyone feel included; Leeann, in her ENERGY! that she had day after day after day; Dylan, in his humor , and the absolute passion he had for God; Jozy, in the way that she stepped up to the plate day in and day out, even when things were gong wrong; and Alison, in the way that she carried on, and helped me get through the roughest parts of my summer. Ahhhhhh, there are so many stories, I could tell about each of them, but this blog would be about six pages long if I told all of it. These men and women shaped my summer, and, whether they know it or not, my life. I will never be the same after a summer spent serving God with them.
Back to the job itself, there were so many families that made an impact on my life. There were a couple that stand out in my mind, particularly. The first was an elderly woman that I met on my second day in the town I worked in. I only met her once, but the reception she and her daughter gave us.... Well, I'll explain. Josh and I were out and about in Bonecrusher, and he was helping me get accustomed to the ins and outs of CCC life (it's a lot), and we stopped at this woman's house. We went up to the house, and before we could knock, her daughter opened the door, and said she'd seen us from the road. She welcomed us, and asked who we were. When we told her we wanted to build her mother a wheelchair ramp, she just engulfed us a hug. She introduced us to her mother, who, though quiet, seemed happy that we would take the time out to come visit her. Due to her health, it was hard for her to get in and out of the house. By the time we drove away, she had captured my heart. Before I met her, I didn't quite understand why people came back year after year to serve. It's for people like her. People who just need a chance to get outside, people who need hope, people who just want to be remembered in a society who forgets them.
There was another elderly lady I went to visit, who we unfortunately couldn't work for that summer. I went to tell her that we weren't going to be able to help her, and, while I was expecting a bad response, she was so sweet. She was nice, and I sat with her for an hour, just talking about her family and her life with her late husband. She actually gave me some tomatoes and jam, just to thank me for even thinking of her.
I can't even describe the feeling I got when speaking to these people. Even the ones that said no, they didn't need help, or those that cried when I had to tell them we couldn't help, they touched my life. They reminded me that my life isn't mine. My life is is God's hands. He is the Potter, and I am the clay. I am here to love others, because He first loved me.
It was just an amazing summer, spent pouring into others: both the campers who came to work, those we worked for, and the staff I had the blessing to work with. Unfortunately, this isn't something I can't properly put into words, and I never will be able to, but if you'd like to hear more about it, I'd love to talk to you!
I think that's all for tonight, I just had to get it out there!
Yours,
Kayla
"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid." - Jane Austen <3
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Thankful
Tonight, I am simply thankful to God. I've been struggling a lot in my faith recently, and it has almost felt like my soul has been fraying: ripping little bits off, day by day; chunks going missing here and there; and day by day it has felt more and more like God didn't want to use me. I know, oh, do I know, that I'm not worthy to be clay in His hands. I see my flaws more clearly than anyone else besides Him could. I am my harshest critic. However, I am convinced that He has put certain friends (one stands out in my mind particularly clearly tonight) in my life to remind me of His love. If, as I've been reading, love is sacrificial, then my friends are spewing love. There is one girl that every time I'm around her, I feel I've seen the face of God Himself, so obvious is her compassion for all those around her. Not just me, although I'm blessed to say I've become close with her. No one is out of her range of compassion. Today, especially, with conversations we've had, I'm so, so thankful for her love for God, which in turn allows her to be there for me when I need it most. On days like today, where I don't know up from down and feel like I'm about to explode, she's always been there, even if she didn't know it. You know who you are. Thank you, dear.
In a similar fashion... I'm just thankful for the life I have in America at this point in my life. I think at some point, I will be called to give up some, if not all, of the comforts that I have. I don't know what God's plans are right now, but I do feel like I won't be rich in the future, either. Right now, however, it's so easy to get caught up in the game of "Oh, I'm so broke!" No, I'm not. I have a roof over my head, food in my stomach, modern-day plumbing, books galore, and friends and family that I've been blessed with. Normally, reflecting on the blessings God has seen fit to bestow upon me is just a "Thank you, God for blessing me," kind of prayer, but in light of the book I'm reading through for my job this summer (How to Inherit the Earth: Submitting Ourselves to a Servant Savior by Scott Bessnecker) I want to view this as a challenge, a way to die to myself. This book that I read for the past hour has given me more of a sense of purpose and direction than I've felt in weeks. It talks about death of personal wealth, and how to become a slave. I'm thankful for the ability that I have (in Him, of course) to read, and understand, and through those things become closer to God and more in tune with what He wants than I have been in a long time.
So again. Tonight, I'm not only thankful, I'm amazed. Amazed that I'm funded for camp, amazed that I have the friends I do, amazed that I have parents who would do anything for me, and most of all, amazed that the King and God of the Universe would humble Himself and die on a cross for my sins, so that I might share in the inheritance of His kingdom. It's simply, utterly mind-blowing that I am loved by someone so mighty. And today, not knowing all the plans are okay. Today, it is enough to simply be in the presence of the Lord.
In a similar fashion... I'm just thankful for the life I have in America at this point in my life. I think at some point, I will be called to give up some, if not all, of the comforts that I have. I don't know what God's plans are right now, but I do feel like I won't be rich in the future, either. Right now, however, it's so easy to get caught up in the game of "Oh, I'm so broke!" No, I'm not. I have a roof over my head, food in my stomach, modern-day plumbing, books galore, and friends and family that I've been blessed with. Normally, reflecting on the blessings God has seen fit to bestow upon me is just a "Thank you, God for blessing me," kind of prayer, but in light of the book I'm reading through for my job this summer (How to Inherit the Earth: Submitting Ourselves to a Servant Savior by Scott Bessnecker) I want to view this as a challenge, a way to die to myself. This book that I read for the past hour has given me more of a sense of purpose and direction than I've felt in weeks. It talks about death of personal wealth, and how to become a slave. I'm thankful for the ability that I have (in Him, of course) to read, and understand, and through those things become closer to God and more in tune with what He wants than I have been in a long time.
So again. Tonight, I'm not only thankful, I'm amazed. Amazed that I'm funded for camp, amazed that I have the friends I do, amazed that I have parents who would do anything for me, and most of all, amazed that the King and God of the Universe would humble Himself and die on a cross for my sins, so that I might share in the inheritance of His kingdom. It's simply, utterly mind-blowing that I am loved by someone so mighty. And today, not knowing all the plans are okay. Today, it is enough to simply be in the presence of the Lord.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
The God of the Thunderstorm
First off: BEDA was the biggest failed project ever.
Moving on, I'm back at home, and am listening to a massive storm outside of my window. I've always been someone who likes storms: I think lightning is gorgeous, and that the thunder and rain is calming. As I sit and feel my house move under my feet, I can't help but think of my God and his might. This is a short-term, earthly power, but there is a God in heaven who was, and is, and will be forever. People who are afraid of storms think of the power in a storm, and I can't help but listen to this storm and say, "How much more powerful is the one who created it?"
Psalm 18:7 says "The earth trembled and the ground shook. The foundations of the mountains began to shake. They trembled because the Lord was angry." This is our Father. He is so powerful that even the ground shakes when He's angry. And yet, he loves us. His beauty and glory is reflected in this storm, even if it's only a dim reflection at best. These are my thoughts through natural storms, and it's such a comfort to know that Jesus holds us in His hand through both the physical and the spiritual/emotional storms of life.
Praise the God who created the thunderstorm, for He is worthy of all praise.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
BEDA- Day Eight
No real post today.
Sick and tired.
Don't worry, you'll get the real thing tomorrow.
Sick and tired.
Don't worry, you'll get the real thing tomorrow.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
BEDA- Day Seven
Another short one, today, dears.
Just saying how much I appreciate my friends. :) Maddie, Ev, Connor, Salem, Valerie, Andria. Matt, Dayln, etc. All of these people have such a huge impact on my life, and it's just incredible how I can be so thankful for people I didn't know a year ago.
As always, God is good, no matter what I'm going through.
<3
That's it, kiddos.
K
Just saying how much I appreciate my friends. :) Maddie, Ev, Connor, Salem, Valerie, Andria. Matt, Dayln, etc. All of these people have such a huge impact on my life, and it's just incredible how I can be so thankful for people I didn't know a year ago.
As always, God is good, no matter what I'm going through.
<3
That's it, kiddos.
K
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
BEDA- Day Six: How He loves us...
Hey, ya'll.
So, I just finished watching The Passion of The Christ for the first time. I'm in awe of Him all over again. We become desensitized to the crucifixion so often, or I do, at least. I hear it so often that it becomes a routine thing we listen to. Just another message.
NO.
Watching this movie has made me realize all over again the amazing nature of my Savior. He's ... indescribable. He has a love for me that's deeper than the nails that were driven into His hands because of my sin. He has a love deeper than the pain He felt at His father forsaking Him. And the best part? Not that it's eternal, not that I benefit from it, but that I am allowed to share it. That I get to be a part of His plan to share His glory, when it was me that drove Him to the cross. It was me that drove the nails into His hands, my sin. And He is allowing me to be one of the ones to speak His name, to call him Father, Savior, Friend. It's amazing that so often we forget that even to speak to Him is such an awesome privilege. I know that so often I forget who it is I'm speaking to, and I fill the silence with empty words that, in the end, mean nothing.
While watching this movie, all I could think of was the chorus: "Yes, He loves us/ Oh, how He loves us, oh...". In fact, the most popular scripture that we know says just that. John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believed in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." The fact that God gave us, sinners, the most precious gift we could ever receive is beyond belief. I find myself amazed by God over and over, especially after watching this movie.
This blog, for April has been so filled with God, and that's how I hope to keep it. I've been apologizing for "preaching" to you, but no more. I don't apologize for loving the Savior who created me, and saved me. In the end, I want to praise Him, because He's worthy, and I'm not.
See you tomorrow.
Hebrews 2:10-11
So, I just finished watching The Passion of The Christ for the first time. I'm in awe of Him all over again. We become desensitized to the crucifixion so often, or I do, at least. I hear it so often that it becomes a routine thing we listen to. Just another message.
NO.
Watching this movie has made me realize all over again the amazing nature of my Savior. He's ... indescribable. He has a love for me that's deeper than the nails that were driven into His hands because of my sin. He has a love deeper than the pain He felt at His father forsaking Him. And the best part? Not that it's eternal, not that I benefit from it, but that I am allowed to share it. That I get to be a part of His plan to share His glory, when it was me that drove Him to the cross. It was me that drove the nails into His hands, my sin. And He is allowing me to be one of the ones to speak His name, to call him Father, Savior, Friend. It's amazing that so often we forget that even to speak to Him is such an awesome privilege. I know that so often I forget who it is I'm speaking to, and I fill the silence with empty words that, in the end, mean nothing.
While watching this movie, all I could think of was the chorus: "Yes, He loves us/ Oh, how He loves us, oh...". In fact, the most popular scripture that we know says just that. John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believed in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." The fact that God gave us, sinners, the most precious gift we could ever receive is beyond belief. I find myself amazed by God over and over, especially after watching this movie.
This blog, for April has been so filled with God, and that's how I hope to keep it. I've been apologizing for "preaching" to you, but no more. I don't apologize for loving the Savior who created me, and saved me. In the end, I want to praise Him, because He's worthy, and I'm not.
See you tomorrow.
Hebrews 2:10-11
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
BEDA- Day Five
Another short post today guys.
This one is dedicated to just a couple awesome people that I'm extremely thankful for today.
First, Andria Harkey. She is one of the most caring, genuine people I've ever met. She meets me to pray about some tough things that are going on in my life, and I know that when I tell her things, she doesn't think less of me. She truly is the mentor/big sister I never had, and I love her dearly. I can't put into words the impact she's had on my life: from teaching me about God, to getting funny/dorky texts such as: "T- 13.17 hours until our lunch date.", to just being a godly woman, and showing me how to love yourself and others. Just showing her the love she very much deserves. She truly is one of the best friends I've ever had, and I thank God continually for her and the love she gives.
The other is Matt Kennedy. I don't really know him all that well, but I can say two things about him: one, he's hysterical, and the second is that Matt is a man after God's heart. I've had the privilege to hear him speak two (maybe three) times now, and each time, God uses him to speak to my heart, and convict/encourage me. I've heard him say he's nothing special, and he's right: Matt's nothing without God. Nor am I. But I'm convinced that God is going to be using him to reach many people in the future - just as he helped me look into my own life tonight at BCM.
Anyway, just wanted to tell those two how much I appreciate their ministries.
See you tomorrow.
This one is dedicated to just a couple awesome people that I'm extremely thankful for today.
First, Andria Harkey. She is one of the most caring, genuine people I've ever met. She meets me to pray about some tough things that are going on in my life, and I know that when I tell her things, she doesn't think less of me. She truly is the mentor/big sister I never had, and I love her dearly. I can't put into words the impact she's had on my life: from teaching me about God, to getting funny/dorky texts such as: "T- 13.17 hours until our lunch date.", to just being a godly woman, and showing me how to love yourself and others. Just showing her the love she very much deserves. She truly is one of the best friends I've ever had, and I thank God continually for her and the love she gives.
The other is Matt Kennedy. I don't really know him all that well, but I can say two things about him: one, he's hysterical, and the second is that Matt is a man after God's heart. I've had the privilege to hear him speak two (maybe three) times now, and each time, God uses him to speak to my heart, and convict/encourage me. I've heard him say he's nothing special, and he's right: Matt's nothing without God. Nor am I. But I'm convinced that God is going to be using him to reach many people in the future - just as he helped me look into my own life tonight at BCM.
Anyway, just wanted to tell those two how much I appreciate their ministries.
See you tomorrow.
Monday, April 4, 2011
BEDA- Day Four
So, it's Monday, April 4, 2011.
There will never be another, and today was great.
It was beautiful outside: sunny, with a breeze, clouds in the sky, and flash mobs on College Ave. I had quality time with Jesus in between classes this morning, classes went by quickly, I got to hang out with friends I don't normally see, and we had a great time in life group tonight. However, even if none of those were true, today would still have been amazing. Why? Because, God made today. And whether I feel amazing or not, He's still God. I'm continuing to read through Hebrews today, and I come across this verse: "But encourage each other while it is still today." (Hebrews 3:13) This just made me stop and think about the concept of time our world has. We regret our pasts, plan for our futures, but rarely do we stop and savor the joys of the day we're in. Later in Hebrews 5:5, it says that "...Christ did not choose himself to have the honor of being a high priest, but God chose him." This passage just made me think of the eternal nature of God. As beings with finite minds, we often forget or neglect the fact that we are less than a blip on the radar of God's timeline.
This made me think of something I heard my campus minister say last week: "We need to move past the idea that God is a feeling." When he clarified, this idea made a lot of sense. (I mean, it is biblical.) He's saying that so often we get caught up in our circumstances or our feelings toward God that we forget He doesn't change. We think that our circumstances and feelings make God "more" or "less" than He is, which is a load of crap. God is God, no matter if I'm happy or sad, angry or joyful. That's why we praise Him! It's so amazing to know that He isn't affected by our circumstances anymore than His love for us is affected by our attitudes towards Him.
I'm not entirely sure if this post makes any sense at all, but I'm just trying to get thought processes out in the open.
That's all I've got today, ladies and gents.
See you tomorrow.
(Actually, I won't see you, and you won't see me, but you will read my thoughts tomorrow. :])
There will never be another, and today was great.
It was beautiful outside: sunny, with a breeze, clouds in the sky, and flash mobs on College Ave. I had quality time with Jesus in between classes this morning, classes went by quickly, I got to hang out with friends I don't normally see, and we had a great time in life group tonight. However, even if none of those were true, today would still have been amazing. Why? Because, God made today. And whether I feel amazing or not, He's still God. I'm continuing to read through Hebrews today, and I come across this verse: "But encourage each other while it is still today." (Hebrews 3:13) This just made me stop and think about the concept of time our world has. We regret our pasts, plan for our futures, but rarely do we stop and savor the joys of the day we're in. Later in Hebrews 5:5, it says that "...Christ did not choose himself to have the honor of being a high priest, but God chose him." This passage just made me think of the eternal nature of God. As beings with finite minds, we often forget or neglect the fact that we are less than a blip on the radar of God's timeline.
This made me think of something I heard my campus minister say last week: "We need to move past the idea that God is a feeling." When he clarified, this idea made a lot of sense. (I mean, it is biblical.) He's saying that so often we get caught up in our circumstances or our feelings toward God that we forget He doesn't change. We think that our circumstances and feelings make God "more" or "less" than He is, which is a load of crap. God is God, no matter if I'm happy or sad, angry or joyful. That's why we praise Him! It's so amazing to know that He isn't affected by our circumstances anymore than His love for us is affected by our attitudes towards Him.
I'm not entirely sure if this post makes any sense at all, but I'm just trying to get thought processes out in the open.
That's all I've got today, ladies and gents.
See you tomorrow.
(Actually, I won't see you, and you won't see me, but you will read my thoughts tomorrow. :])
Sunday, April 3, 2011
BEDA- Day Three
Short post today, guys.
This morning was great. I got to meet my state team for Fall Convention '12, and we're planning something that "kicks tail and honors God at the same time". The worship this morning discussed how to go beyond what the "normal" call of Christianity is, and to do more for God than what He seems to be asking on the surface.
It's been a quiet day, filled with homework. Looking forward to winning the day tomorrow.
This morning was great. I got to meet my state team for Fall Convention '12, and we're planning something that "kicks tail and honors God at the same time". The worship this morning discussed how to go beyond what the "normal" call of Christianity is, and to do more for God than what He seems to be asking on the surface.
It's been a quiet day, filled with homework. Looking forward to winning the day tomorrow.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
BEDA- Day Two
So, day two. (Yes, I know that technically it's April 3, but I haven't gone to sleep yet, so it counts.)
Again, I'm at Spring Conference, and today was such a day to learn and grow in God.
We had two different "breakout sessions" where we went to learn about what interested us.
I went to two: one called "Beautiful Mess" and the other called "Missional Living".
In the first, we talked about what to do when life gets messy, and how to walk with people through their messes to help them see Christ's love. In The Message, the translation says that Jesus "moved into the neighborhood" (John 1:14). This passage shows that Christ didn't come to have a condescending approach to helping us out of our messes, but that He came down inside our messy world to help us. If He is the picture by which we compare ourselves, then we should do the same for others: to get down on their level and push them out of their "wells of life". We discussed about how Christ came to bring our messes, the darkness inside us, into His light.
In John 4:16-20, we see that this process of Jesus bringing to light our issues can be a painful process, though necessary. John 15:18-25 helps us see that we don't have to have our lives together to come to Jesus. I mean, here was a woman who had been caught in the middle of adultery, and Jesus both forgave and offered her grace, so why do we think that He won't offer us that same grace and love? As "church people", we sometimes forget that people's lives are messy. We get the picture in our head that churches are supposed to be "sterile": clean from the junk and dirt that so easily invades people's lives; that we have to ask those who come into the church to be clean, and then trust God. Jesus couldn't offer a bigger contrast to this school of thought. He tells us to come to Him with our sins and lives, and asks us to trust Him to clean us up for His glory.
Finally, in John 8:1-11, we see that when we start to live like Jesus, it's the church people that are going to start hating. We can see this identification when Jesus talks about "their laws": He's talking about the Pharisees. We, as Christians (myself included!), tend to think we have the concept and practice of loving others, and what it means to look like Jesus down, so when someone (like, you know, the Bible) comes along and tells us that "yr doin it wrng", we don't really like that.
Most of all, what we learned was that God can and will bring beauty out of the messes in our daily lives, even if we don't understand how or to what end He does it. It takes patience and faith, which can be hard, but worth it in the end.
In the second break-out session, we discussed how we tend to see non-Christians. We tend to see non-Christians as "broken and hopeless". While that may be true, we need to change our mindsets. Christians (again, myself included!) see non-Christians as "them". What we need to realize about "them" is that we're all alike, except in our faith. We inhabit the same planet, have a lot of the same hopes, dreams, fears, and wishes. When we start thinking of non-Christians as people to relate to instead of people to save, then statements like this tend to crop up: "You can't be a Christian; you're just like me! Christians can't be as messy as I am!" Then conversations about Christ can take place.
Basically, what I've learned today is that reaching people in Christ's name isn't about beating someone over the head with a Bible, or disassociating yourself from them when they do something (or lots of things) you and God don't approve of, but it's about finding that common ground that all human inherently have. (I mean, we share a dang planet!) It's about helping them see that if God pulled you out of your situation, He can pull them out of theirs too.
I don't mean to preach at you guys, but this is what my mind was filled with today. The teachings of Jesus are absolutely incredible, but they are so hard to unpack. That's why I thank God for the community of believers I'm in contact with here. They teach me every time I'm with them how to be more like Christ. I truly see God's love and how to be crazy for Him. They are such a rock in my life, and God has blessed me beyond anything I could have imagined with the privilege of knowing these individuals.
Thanks for staying with me through the rant, guys! See you tomorrow!
Kayla
Romans 6:14
Again, I'm at Spring Conference, and today was such a day to learn and grow in God.
We had two different "breakout sessions" where we went to learn about what interested us.
I went to two: one called "Beautiful Mess" and the other called "Missional Living".
In the first, we talked about what to do when life gets messy, and how to walk with people through their messes to help them see Christ's love. In The Message, the translation says that Jesus "moved into the neighborhood" (John 1:14). This passage shows that Christ didn't come to have a condescending approach to helping us out of our messes, but that He came down inside our messy world to help us. If He is the picture by which we compare ourselves, then we should do the same for others: to get down on their level and push them out of their "wells of life". We discussed about how Christ came to bring our messes, the darkness inside us, into His light.
In John 4:16-20, we see that this process of Jesus bringing to light our issues can be a painful process, though necessary. John 15:18-25 helps us see that we don't have to have our lives together to come to Jesus. I mean, here was a woman who had been caught in the middle of adultery, and Jesus both forgave and offered her grace, so why do we think that He won't offer us that same grace and love? As "church people", we sometimes forget that people's lives are messy. We get the picture in our head that churches are supposed to be "sterile": clean from the junk and dirt that so easily invades people's lives; that we have to ask those who come into the church to be clean, and then trust God. Jesus couldn't offer a bigger contrast to this school of thought. He tells us to come to Him with our sins and lives, and asks us to trust Him to clean us up for His glory.
Finally, in John 8:1-11, we see that when we start to live like Jesus, it's the church people that are going to start hating. We can see this identification when Jesus talks about "their laws": He's talking about the Pharisees. We, as Christians (myself included!), tend to think we have the concept and practice of loving others, and what it means to look like Jesus down, so when someone (like, you know, the Bible) comes along and tells us that "yr doin it wrng", we don't really like that.
Most of all, what we learned was that God can and will bring beauty out of the messes in our daily lives, even if we don't understand how or to what end He does it. It takes patience and faith, which can be hard, but worth it in the end.
In the second break-out session, we discussed how we tend to see non-Christians. We tend to see non-Christians as "broken and hopeless". While that may be true, we need to change our mindsets. Christians (again, myself included!) see non-Christians as "them". What we need to realize about "them" is that we're all alike, except in our faith. We inhabit the same planet, have a lot of the same hopes, dreams, fears, and wishes. When we start thinking of non-Christians as people to relate to instead of people to save, then statements like this tend to crop up: "You can't be a Christian; you're just like me! Christians can't be as messy as I am!" Then conversations about Christ can take place.
Basically, what I've learned today is that reaching people in Christ's name isn't about beating someone over the head with a Bible, or disassociating yourself from them when they do something (or lots of things) you and God don't approve of, but it's about finding that common ground that all human inherently have. (I mean, we share a dang planet!) It's about helping them see that if God pulled you out of your situation, He can pull them out of theirs too.
I don't mean to preach at you guys, but this is what my mind was filled with today. The teachings of Jesus are absolutely incredible, but they are so hard to unpack. That's why I thank God for the community of believers I'm in contact with here. They teach me every time I'm with them how to be more like Christ. I truly see God's love and how to be crazy for Him. They are such a rock in my life, and God has blessed me beyond anything I could have imagined with the privilege of knowing these individuals.
Thanks for staying with me through the rant, guys! See you tomorrow!
Kayla
Romans 6:14
Friday, April 1, 2011
BEDA- Day One
So, here we are, April 1, 2011.
At the moment, I'm at Camp Caraway in Sophia, NC. I'm here for the BCM Spring Conference that's going on this weekend, and I honestly can't think of a better way to start my BEDA experience. I always wonder what I'll blog about when I get around to blogging, and tonight, I'm just here to proclaim my Savior.
The past few weeks have been hard. I've gone through struggles with chains and bonds, and trying to break those addictions. It's a hard place, because every time I fall back, I feel farther away from God, and it's something I've been praying about for a few days almost constantly. But sometimes, it's hard to remember how much God loves us, and that His love never fails.
But tonight, I was reminded of the simple fact that God loves us. Did you hear that? He loves us. Sometimes we get so caught up in the "church doctrine" that we feel disconnected from God when we sin, or at least I do. But tonight, when we sang "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)" by Chris Tomlin, I was reminded that no matter what we do, or what happens, God's love never fails, nor does it leave us.
That's it for today, ya'll. Something short, but what I've learned for the day.
The verse I'll be leaving you with for the next couple of days is Philemon 1:6: "And I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ."
Yours,
Kayla
At the moment, I'm at Camp Caraway in Sophia, NC. I'm here for the BCM Spring Conference that's going on this weekend, and I honestly can't think of a better way to start my BEDA experience. I always wonder what I'll blog about when I get around to blogging, and tonight, I'm just here to proclaim my Savior.
The past few weeks have been hard. I've gone through struggles with chains and bonds, and trying to break those addictions. It's a hard place, because every time I fall back, I feel farther away from God, and it's something I've been praying about for a few days almost constantly. But sometimes, it's hard to remember how much God loves us, and that His love never fails.
But tonight, I was reminded of the simple fact that God loves us. Did you hear that? He loves us. Sometimes we get so caught up in the "church doctrine" that we feel disconnected from God when we sin, or at least I do. But tonight, when we sang "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)" by Chris Tomlin, I was reminded that no matter what we do, or what happens, God's love never fails, nor does it leave us.
That's it for today, ya'll. Something short, but what I've learned for the day.
The verse I'll be leaving you with for the next couple of days is Philemon 1:6: "And I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ."
Yours,
Kayla
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Heads-up...
Super short post today, guys.
Just letting anyone who reads this know that I'll be doing BEDA (or attempting to, anyway) this year. If you don't know, BEDA stands for Blog Every Day in April.
Just letting you know; expect more soon.
Yours,
Kayla
Just letting anyone who reads this know that I'll be doing BEDA (or attempting to, anyway) this year. If you don't know, BEDA stands for Blog Every Day in April.
Just letting you know; expect more soon.
Yours,
Kayla
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Spring Break Trip: Introduction and Friday Night
If you look at my post on December 31/January 1, you see me promising to blog more, if only to get my opinions out to the three people who read my blog. Didn't happen. However, if you read it, you'll get a sense of my desire to draw closer to God throughout the year by caring for others. I had no idea how that was going to happen, and I know I've only gotten a piece of what God has in store for me.
As I sit here, on March 12, 2001 listening to The Outsiders by NeedtoBreathe (which was pretty much the theme song of the week), I can only be thankful for the past week. Spring Break in college has gotten a bad rep. On my Spring Break, however, I spent the week on this road trip called CART: Carolina Adventure Road Trip. "Adventure" is most definitely appropriate. In many ways, this week was an adventure. From Evan's driving, to growing as a community, to learning how to pray this week was one adventure after another.
So: Friday night. Evelyn and I showed up at the ACM (Associated Campus Ministries) Building at 6:45, ready to go. We couldn't wait to get on the road, and see what God had in store for us. I can't speak for Ev, but I thought our trip would start on the dawn of the next day, when we finally got out of Greensboro. God shattered that thought: He had a divine appointment in store. There was a lady in the ACM that I'd never seen before. Ev and I said hello and walked on into the Baptist lounge to put our stuff down and figure out what we were supposed to do. The answer to that question became apparent when Chelsea ran in and said, "Hey, guys! Our trip has started! The lady out there just showed up and we're going to get her some food. Can you two stay with her and talk?" Introductions were made, and we went into the lounge and chatted. She told us about her life, which seems to have been pretty hard recently. Through it all, I just felt this sense of peace and confidence that, even if we couldn't help her with what she was going through, we were doing the right thing by just listening. So after talking to this lady (whose name I'll remember later), we opened in prayer.Not five minutes of "God, please keep us safe on this journey, etc", like I'd come to expect, but an hour-long prayer walk of UNCG's campus. What an incredible way to start off our trip. We prayed for those that didn't know God, that were far from Him, for those that were close to Him, and that through us, His fame and glory would be spread throughout our campus.
What stuck with me about this prayer walk was the peace that came over my soul while walking. Prayer is always something I've struggled with: it was such an abstract concept, and it's something I never understood, except to sit awkwardly with your eyes closed wondering if God could hear you. This prayer walk was the beginning of that concept changing. I was with Chelsea and Rebecca, and I just remember absolutely pouring my heart out to God for the first time in a long time. There was no other conversation, just the three of us praying out loud and silently to the God of the universe about our hopes for His fame on our campus. (The reason I keep using the word "fame": Fame by Rush of Fools. Check it, it's legit.) What an incredible start to the week! I felt like I was finally understanding what it meant to be "in a relationship" with God; pouring out myself, and filling myself up on Him.
More to come on the rest of the week!
Kayla
"Our faces, then, are not covered. We all show the Lord's glory, and we are being changed to be like him. This change in us brings even greater glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18
As I sit here, on March 12, 2001 listening to The Outsiders by NeedtoBreathe (which was pretty much the theme song of the week), I can only be thankful for the past week. Spring Break in college has gotten a bad rep. On my Spring Break, however, I spent the week on this road trip called CART: Carolina Adventure Road Trip. "Adventure" is most definitely appropriate. In many ways, this week was an adventure. From Evan's driving, to growing as a community, to learning how to pray this week was one adventure after another.
So: Friday night. Evelyn and I showed up at the ACM (Associated Campus Ministries) Building at 6:45, ready to go. We couldn't wait to get on the road, and see what God had in store for us. I can't speak for Ev, but I thought our trip would start on the dawn of the next day, when we finally got out of Greensboro. God shattered that thought: He had a divine appointment in store. There was a lady in the ACM that I'd never seen before. Ev and I said hello and walked on into the Baptist lounge to put our stuff down and figure out what we were supposed to do. The answer to that question became apparent when Chelsea ran in and said, "Hey, guys! Our trip has started! The lady out there just showed up and we're going to get her some food. Can you two stay with her and talk?" Introductions were made, and we went into the lounge and chatted. She told us about her life, which seems to have been pretty hard recently. Through it all, I just felt this sense of peace and confidence that, even if we couldn't help her with what she was going through, we were doing the right thing by just listening. So after talking to this lady (whose name I'll remember later), we opened in prayer.Not five minutes of "God, please keep us safe on this journey, etc", like I'd come to expect, but an hour-long prayer walk of UNCG's campus. What an incredible way to start off our trip. We prayed for those that didn't know God, that were far from Him, for those that were close to Him, and that through us, His fame and glory would be spread throughout our campus.
What stuck with me about this prayer walk was the peace that came over my soul while walking. Prayer is always something I've struggled with: it was such an abstract concept, and it's something I never understood, except to sit awkwardly with your eyes closed wondering if God could hear you. This prayer walk was the beginning of that concept changing. I was with Chelsea and Rebecca, and I just remember absolutely pouring my heart out to God for the first time in a long time. There was no other conversation, just the three of us praying out loud and silently to the God of the universe about our hopes for His fame on our campus. (The reason I keep using the word "fame": Fame by Rush of Fools. Check it, it's legit.) What an incredible start to the week! I felt like I was finally understanding what it meant to be "in a relationship" with God; pouring out myself, and filling myself up on Him.
More to come on the rest of the week!
Kayla
"Our faces, then, are not covered. We all show the Lord's glory, and we are being changed to be like him. This change in us brings even greater glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
I lied.
I said I was going to blog more.
Lies.
Sorry, dearest readers (all two of you). It's been almost three months since I've written anything. It's been crazy busy with classes. Well, I"m taking six classes this semester, and I feel like my brain might actually explode from the pressure.
However, God has taught me more from the past two months than in the whole of last semester put together. I've learned how to deal with people I'm living with, and how to love people I can't stand. I've learned that no matter how I feel, God is in control. He has me. No matter what.
The end.
Anyway, that's all for now.
Love always,
Kayla
"What if this wasn't a rhetorical question?"
Lies.
Sorry, dearest readers (all two of you). It's been almost three months since I've written anything. It's been crazy busy with classes. Well, I"m taking six classes this semester, and I feel like my brain might actually explode from the pressure.
However, God has taught me more from the past two months than in the whole of last semester put together. I've learned how to deal with people I'm living with, and how to love people I can't stand. I've learned that no matter how I feel, God is in control. He has me. No matter what.
The end.
Anyway, that's all for now.
Love always,
Kayla
"What if this wasn't a rhetorical question?"
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