Contentment

Philippians 4:11:

... For I AM LEARNING in whatever situation I am to be CONTENT.

So I changed the wording just a little because Paul says in the Scripture that he HAS learned to be content in whatever situation. Well, I won't say that I have completely learned it yet, but I am seriously working on it. God has helped me to see that my contentment really has NOTHING to do with ME; it has EVERYTHING to do with HIM.

Each time I begin to have a "pity party," I remember people who are less fortunate than me, who are battling grave illnesses, whose husband has deserted them, who has no food to eat, who is at rope's end, and I begin to feel a contentment wash over me through YAHWEH.

My prayer is that one day I will be able to whole-heartedly agree with Paul and say that I have learned to be content.

Until then, I keep striving ...

What's Going On ...

Boy, has it been a long week/weekend! We began moving from the rental house to the apartment last Wednesday evening. We moved Thursday evening, and Friday morning and afternoon. Our best friends, Jon and Raquela, came up to help us get moved. It was great to see them, and I hope that we don't have to move again before they come to visit!! :)

We are pretty settled already. I worked all day today to get things in order, and they are progressing well. I am loving the apartment already, and I am so thankful that we were able to move in. God's goodness never fails!

Aaron starts school tomorrow. He is taking 3 classes, one of which begins at 7:00 am on Wednesdays! I think he's a brave soul to register for a 7am class! I think he is ready to get back into the swing of things.

I am going to be taking classes at the Seminary Wives Institute this fall and am excited about that as well. I will take Discipleship Training on Wednesday mornings and Biblical Parenting on Thursday evenings. I will also be teaching either the 3 or 4 year olds at church on Wednesday evenings. I'm going to be busy, but I am looking forward to it all! I am also possibly going to a have job. The details are still in the works, but I would pick up 2 children from school and stay with them in the afternoons until their parents got home from work. I'm still praying for God's will in all of this!

Last night at church we experienced combined worship for all of the Highview campuses (there are now 7!), and it was simply amazing! God is such an awesome God, and it's so wonderful to serve Him at a great church like Highview.

Well, I guess that's about all for now! Thanks for your continued prayers!

TFTFE! Part 2 Becoming "unconnected" in a "connected" world, The problems with FB & Twitter

The second area that God convicted me was in the area of time and focus. We here in the States are blessed beyond measure. Even in a time when the economy is at it's worst since who knows when we are still far better off than over three fourths of the world. We are consumed with technology and "being connected". Our Black Berries buzz any time someone updates their face book or twitter page. If we do not send out 100 emails a day we seem to believe that we have not accomplished anything for the day. I believe that this "connectivity" is a distraction use by the enemy to actually disconnect us from each other and God.

While in Nicaragua we were not surrounded by all of the distractions that connect us. We were focused on the task at hand. The people there were also focused on each other and their communities. Each day we would have to travel down a long dirt road to get to the job site. One day as we were riding I began to think about the pastors we had met a few days before. I was reflecting on their knowledge of the Bible and the compassion that they had shared for their people.

These men had no access to the internet, no libraries full of commentaries, and no formal theological training other than the groups that have came and taught in the past. What they did have was a lot less distractions and time. Not to say that they were not busy because they are. When you live in conditions like they do, just surviving day to day takes time. There are no markets down the street, no one has a car to go to the store. What you eat you grow or kill, or you spend a complete day on your bike riding for hours to get to the bus stop to go to the store.

But these men made time they started their day early and it ended late. They didn't waste time "staying connected" to friends and family. When they had time to connect they connected to the One that matters and that is God the creator and sustainer of our universe. There connection to family was sitting around their homes (sticks with black plastic wrapped around it) and sharing, talking, and loving one another. They didn't feel the need to update their status every hour with meaningless information, or tweet (or what ever it is called) every time they had to go to the bathroom, or go eat, or scratch their nose. They spent quality time with each other one on one sharing and caring. The took the time to read God's word daily they meditated on it and hid it in their hearts.

Now I know that for some folks out there this post is already made your blood pressure rise a few digits but just relax. I am not saying that technology is wrong or even a bad thing. In fact I am thankful that I have the internet and all the comforts we have here in the states. I am however stating that God has convicted me of my "busyness". For those out there that are Christians I pose one question to you. If you had to provide a ratio to compare the number of Face Book or Twitter post you make, or pointless text messages you have sent to the number of times you have shared the gospel what would that ratio look like?

God has given me a burden. He has convicted my heart to become "UNBUSY". To refocus my attention on what matters, and that is His kingdom and sharing His story and becoming more active in evangelism.

Once again let me be clear I am not saying that Face Book or Twitter are wrong or bad. I believe they provide ways to stay "connected" with friends and family. My concern is that we as Christians are becoming to connected to our technology and less connected to the LOST WORLD that Christ commanded us "to go and preach to." When we update our status twice as much as we read God's word or share the Gospel I really feel that we have created an idol and have sinned against God.

I am well aware of the fact that Face Book and Twitter are not the only problems out there. We have moved sports, recreation, vacation, work, and many other things before God. We do how ever have to start somewhere. The next time you are going to update your status I hope you stop and think have I read my Bible today? Did I take the time to stop and speak to that coworker that is going through a difficult time? Have I told my family I love them? And most importantly Have I Put God First? If the answer to this is yes then I say "tweet" away and keep the status updates coming. If the answer is no i hope you stop and take the time to really CONNECT with what is important GOD, His Word, and Family.

Just as with the first post I am no english major. I did not let Brandi proof this so I am sure it is full of grammatical mistakes. Please excuse them.

There is a FIRST TIME for everything! Part 1

Did you call so and so? What time are we leaving? Did you see on Face Book? Have updated Twitter? Where did I lay my phone? My inbox is overflowing! How many times a day do we make any or all of these statements. And one I am guilty of saying "I am dreading school next week". I have had a week to reflect on my time in Nicaragua and as I spent days thinking and remembering I felt God was convicting me in two areas of my life.

One of the things we were able to do while in Nicaragua was some pastoral teaching. We invited several of the area pastors to come to the mission house where we were staying and four of our team leaders shared and taught from the the books of Corinthians and Romans. As we waited patiently the first morning for the pastors to arrive we were all filled with anxiety and curiosity. We were waiting on the inferior natives to show up and be trained by the Americans. As the room filled with pastors (some rode a bike 2.5 hours to get there) we were exited to get started.

As we began each pastor introduced himself to us and we opened with a word of prayer. It was at this moment the teaching began, except the roles were reversed. It was evident very quickly that these men were not uneducated men that needed training from the Americans. These men knew their Bible from front to back. They had a passion for God's word. They truly desired to understand the Bible better. Their focus and concentration was amazing. They were scribbling notes as fast as they could. They fired questions that would make the most seasoned pastor stop and think. It was evident that they took their role as pastor and as a christian very seriously.

Most of you know that I am a student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Now I am no theologian by any stretch of the imagination. In fact some days I wonder how I even got excepted here. I have the opportunity to sit under some of the best professors in the world. This seminary is considered to be one of the greatest in the world when it comes to academics. And I through the grace of God and His provision am able to attend for almost nothing. Yet many days I begrudgingly go to class and put forth half effort.

God spoke to me that day. It was like He was saying these men rode a bike for 2.5 hours to come hear YOU GUYS (a group of average joes) teach. Not only did they sacrifice to get there but when they arrived they were hungry for the word. God has given me an opportunity to get one of the best theological educations money can buy at no cost to myself and I have taken that for granted. So as I begin a new semester next week I look froward to it with a renewed passion and desire. I no longer have to go back to school but rather I GET to go back to school.

How many times do we as christians take going to church and learning God's word for granted. Week after week we just go through the motions. We show up we stay a wake and we go home. God has provided us with some of the greatest pastors and small group teachers in the world. My challenge for you is to not take that for granted. The next time you cross the threshold of the Church remember that it is a privilege and honor to get to study God's word. We should do it with passion and purpose not pain and agony.

The title of this post is There is a First Time for everything. This was my first time to post on a blog and probably my last. I am no english major so I am sure that there are a few run on sentences and comma splices (if I used any commas). I didn't let Brandi proof this so you will just have to understand and forgive me.

No Ordinary Day at the Beach

One evening we decided we were going to take a walk on the beach. As we crossed the road, we noticed police cars, fire trucks, and rescue vehicles. At first, I didn't think anything about it. But as we opened the gate and headed down onto the sand, I noticed some "official" looking people standing near the water's edge. Once we got closer, we noticed a lady that had been sitting next to us on the beach that day in tears. I immediately felt the sense to pray for her - to even go over and pray with her. I knew something was wrong. I mentioned it to my step-mom, and she walked over and asked what was wrong. The lady told us that her 8 & 10 year old daughters were missing. By this point, it was beginning to get dark. I was so scared for her. I couldn't imagine what she was going through. Paige (stepmom) told her we were going to pray for her and her daughters. Paige, Eaden (sister), and I joined hands and begin to pray. I was crying by the end of the prayer just thinking how awful the whole situation could turn out. After a few minutes, she got word that one of the daughters was found, and then a little later, the other was found. Praise the Lord! Apparently, the girls had been playing on their boogie boards at water's edge and got carried down a little. When they got out of the water, they couldn't figure out where they were or where their parents were. They began walking - but in the wrong direction. Eventually, the younger sister got scared and ran away from her older sister. The girls wound up two miles apart from each other and 6 miles (!) away from their parents. Thankfully it all turned out okay in the end. I checked on the other children back at the condo, and my stepmom and sister helped the family carry their beach stuff back to the condo. The lady hugged and thanked us when we returned to the condo.

I don't know if this lady was a believer or not, but I hope that at least a seed was planted in her heart that night as strangers walked up and asked if we could pray for her. What struck me more was what the outcome could have been if we hadn't prayed. I'm not saying that God still wouldn't have delivered those girls back to their parents, but I just wonder what would have happened if I had ignored that urge to pray for the lady - and to ask her if we could pray for her. So many times I feel a prompting from the Lord and ignore it, but now I hope that I will always think about the "what if's" of not heeding the Spirit's call and praying for others.

Well, it was this time last Saturday that Briggs and I, along with my dad, step-mom, brother and sister, were making our way back to SC from Destin, FL. Aaron was making his way to Atlanta from Nicaragua.

Briggs and I had a great time at the beach. Briggs loved the sand, the ocean, and the pool. I think he loved being with Sissy and Caden the most though. Most days were spent at the beach and then at the pool. We went out to eat one night so the rest of the week we were able to stay in our swimsuits all day and just relax. That's what I love about the beach. No rush to do anything. Just hanging out relaxing and enjoying God's beautiful creation.

I must say that I terribly missed Aaron while we were away from each other, but I truly believe the saying, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder!" I was so happy to see him last Saturday evening. I was full of questions about his trip. I'm going to hand the blog over to him at some point so he can write about his trip for all of you. I know he had an awesome experience, and I'm already praying about what God would have us to do next. He was told about a family trip during Christmas, and honestly, I'm all set to go!!! I have no information about it, but I can't think of a better way to spend Christmas than ministering to and telling others about Jesus! I'm hoping we can get some details soon so that we might be able to get that in the works for this year.

Next week we will make our long awaited move to CHN apartments. While I'm not altogether excited about packing and moving again (this will make our 3rd time since October), I'm VERY happy and EXCITED to be going to the apartments. I think this will all together be much better for our family.

In a previous blog, I posted a link to pictures on our Shutterfly share site of Destin and Nicaragua. If you don't want to become a member of Shutterfly, you can still view the photos, but you will need a password. If you would like to view without becoming a member, email me for the password.

Aaron's new semester of school begins on August 17. I can't believe that it is time for another semester to begin. This year has flown by! He will be taking 3 classes, one of which begins at 7 am! Please be sure to pray for him this semester.

I am still looking for job opportunities. I have interviewed and talked with several different people about several different kinds of possibilities. I'm not gonna lie - I really don't want to go to work full time. My family needs the extra income, but I have so enjoyed being at home with Briggs. I'm praying God opens doors and provides opportunities for His glory. I know He will take care of us.

We continue to seek your prayers and support as we follow God on this journey. May God bless each of you.

Food for Thought

“Is it more important to maintain our institutions, sustain church programs and support a denominational structure centered on 5 percent of the world’s population that is already well-churched than to send the missionaries God is calling out of our own churches to reach the 95 percent of the world who are deprived of an opportunity to know Jesus?

“Is it really a problem with the economy or rather distorted priorities and hearts that are not aligned with our Lord’s passion to be glorified among the nations and peoples of the world?” ~ Jerry Rankin, IMB President

Destin

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Aaron's Nicaragua Mission

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Back to Life, Back to Reality!

So we are finally back in Louisville after our summer "adventures"!

I spent a week in Destin, FL with my dad, step mom and brother and sister. We had lots of fun. Briggs certainly did not want to leave. I was so ready to see Aaron, though, so Saturday could not come quick enough for me!

Aaron spent the week in Nicaragua with our home church (Brushy Creek Baptist Church) on a mission trip to Chosen Children Ministries. He had an awesome time.

Thanks to everybody who prayed for us. Both of us had great times and endured the week without one another!!