I read this (you really should read it ... it's short I promise!) article today and it really got me thinking ~ How many of the people who have had a great spiritual impact on my life were "in ministry"?
When I think about those who've impacted me greatly, 2 former minister's wives come to mind, along with a former youth worker (a parent). My list is short, but I don't mind. The wealth of knowledge and compassion and love those three ladies have poured into me is simply phenomenal. Even though I no longer live in the same town as 2 of the 3, we still keep in touch. I think it says something when you can keep in regular contact with former ministers' families who are no longer serving at your church.
Who has greatly impacted your spiritual life? Were they "in the ministry"?
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
WOOHOO!!
Yay for a fresh new look for Absolutely His.
Thanks to The Blog Fairy for this gift (and setting it up!)!!
**EDIT: IT'S 11:20 A.M ON 8/27 -- THE BLOG FAIRY IS GIVING AWAY 2 MORE LAYOUTS ... CLICK ON THE LINK ABOVE TO SEE IF YOU CAN GET ONE OF THEM!! :) **
Thanks to The Blog Fairy for this gift (and setting it up!)!!
**EDIT: IT'S 11:20 A.M ON 8/27 -- THE BLOG FAIRY IS GIVING AWAY 2 MORE LAYOUTS ... CLICK ON THE LINK ABOVE TO SEE IF YOU CAN GET ONE OF THEM!! :) **
Sunday, August 24, 2008
I'm Not A Kid Anymore
I am not a kid anymore.
I am not a kid anymore.
I am not a kid anymore.
Now if only I could get that concept through my head when it comes to taking on leadership positions.
----
Let me back up …
The church I attend has a WMU (Women’s Missionary Union) group. There are 5 faithful attendees (including the leader). {I have several theories as to why that is, but I won’t go into that.} Anyway, the WMU leader has been in charge for many years; however, she and her husband are moving 2 states away. So there is a vacancy for a WMU president.
At home, I (jokingly) call our once-a-month meetings “The 70+ Club” because 3 out of the 5 people who go fit into that age range. I guess I could call it the 50+ club because that would encompass everyone except yours truly.
About three months ago, our president announced that she would be moving and that we should start praying for someone to take over her responsibilities. The other 3 ladies were just distraught because none of them had the time/were in good enough health to take over her job, but the idea of seeing this ministry die was just heartbreaking.
So I started praying and it was then that I felt like an invitation was extended. It wasn’t a command to do it, but more of an invitation. So my prayers changed from Lord, please send someone. to Lord, do you want ME to do this????
My initial reaction to this invitation – God, you know I’m a “behind the scenes” kind of person. Are you sure you want to invite ME to do this? Surely there’s someone else more qualified.
Up to this point, I hadn’t said anything to my parents about the fact that I was even praying about taking over WMU. One evening, my dad and I were talking and the conversation went something like this ~
Me: “It would hurt so bad to see WMU just die at our church.”
Him: “I think you should lead it.”
Me: “What? I can’t do that!”
Him: “Why not?”
Me: “Well for one, I’m graduating in less than a year.”
Him: “So. Pour yourself into it for a year and then pray for God to raise up someone else to take over when you leave.”
Me: “Hmmm …. I guess the thing I struggle with the most is that I still just see myself as a kid. I can’t take on a leadership position in a ministry at church. I’m too young.”
Him: (Giving me the look that says “You know what the Bible has to say about that!”) “One work: baloney. Ash, you’re not a kid anymore.”
----
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.
~ 1 Timothy 4:12
That’s a verse I clung to during my high school ministry days and it’s one that I stand by now in my college ministry days.
----
So, 2 weeks ago I made a deal with God (ha!). If He wanted me to do this, the job vacancy would still have to be there when we met last Thursday. I was basically giving Him 2 weeks to find someone else to do it! Well, at the meeting the director announced that no one had volunteered to take over the ministry, so we needed to keep praying. Until someone volunteered, there would be no more meetings. It was then, that I got the “DO IT!” push. It changed from an invitation to a command (although the choice to disobey was still there … that’s the essence of the free-will God gives us).
The WMU ministry of the church I attend now has a 19 year old president. I’m pretty sure that’s a first for our church. :)
I’m excited about this new year. I’m planning on shaking some things up (I guess I’ll see if I’m trying to light wet wood). I’m going to be intentional about targeting actions towards some of the theories I have as to why a church with several hundred people in attendance every Sunday and a Great Commission push from the pulpit has 5 people in WMU. I’m going to give it my all and leave the results up to God. I’m sure I’ll be stretched and pulled as a result of this leadership position.
May it all be for His glory!
I am not a kid anymore.
I am not a kid anymore.
Now if only I could get that concept through my head when it comes to taking on leadership positions.
----
Let me back up …
The church I attend has a WMU (Women’s Missionary Union) group. There are 5 faithful attendees (including the leader). {I have several theories as to why that is, but I won’t go into that.} Anyway, the WMU leader has been in charge for many years; however, she and her husband are moving 2 states away. So there is a vacancy for a WMU president.
At home, I (jokingly) call our once-a-month meetings “The 70+ Club” because 3 out of the 5 people who go fit into that age range. I guess I could call it the 50+ club because that would encompass everyone except yours truly.
About three months ago, our president announced that she would be moving and that we should start praying for someone to take over her responsibilities. The other 3 ladies were just distraught because none of them had the time/were in good enough health to take over her job, but the idea of seeing this ministry die was just heartbreaking.
So I started praying and it was then that I felt like an invitation was extended. It wasn’t a command to do it, but more of an invitation. So my prayers changed from Lord, please send someone. to Lord, do you want ME to do this????
My initial reaction to this invitation – God, you know I’m a “behind the scenes” kind of person. Are you sure you want to invite ME to do this? Surely there’s someone else more qualified.
Up to this point, I hadn’t said anything to my parents about the fact that I was even praying about taking over WMU. One evening, my dad and I were talking and the conversation went something like this ~
Me: “It would hurt so bad to see WMU just die at our church.”
Him: “I think you should lead it.”
Me: “What? I can’t do that!”
Him: “Why not?”
Me: “Well for one, I’m graduating in less than a year.”
Him: “So. Pour yourself into it for a year and then pray for God to raise up someone else to take over when you leave.”
Me: “Hmmm …. I guess the thing I struggle with the most is that I still just see myself as a kid. I can’t take on a leadership position in a ministry at church. I’m too young.”
Him: (Giving me the look that says “You know what the Bible has to say about that!”) “One work: baloney. Ash, you’re not a kid anymore.”
----
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.
~ 1 Timothy 4:12
That’s a verse I clung to during my high school ministry days and it’s one that I stand by now in my college ministry days.
----
So, 2 weeks ago I made a deal with God (ha!). If He wanted me to do this, the job vacancy would still have to be there when we met last Thursday. I was basically giving Him 2 weeks to find someone else to do it! Well, at the meeting the director announced that no one had volunteered to take over the ministry, so we needed to keep praying. Until someone volunteered, there would be no more meetings. It was then, that I got the “DO IT!” push. It changed from an invitation to a command (although the choice to disobey was still there … that’s the essence of the free-will God gives us).
The WMU ministry of the church I attend now has a 19 year old president. I’m pretty sure that’s a first for our church. :)
I’m excited about this new year. I’m planning on shaking some things up (I guess I’ll see if I’m trying to light wet wood). I’m going to be intentional about targeting actions towards some of the theories I have as to why a church with several hundred people in attendance every Sunday and a Great Commission push from the pulpit has 5 people in WMU. I’m going to give it my all and leave the results up to God. I’m sure I’ll be stretched and pulled as a result of this leadership position.
May it all be for His glory!
Friday, August 22, 2008
Randomness
- Today is my last day of summer vacation ever. (Well at least for my undergraduate career).
- All the "lasts" I've been experiencing (last summer to take classes, last time to deal with the Scholarship office, (hopefully) last time to train a new worker at work, etc.) make the dream of graduation seem a little more "real." Weird.
- I spent nearly $700 on textbooks. Gosh I love buying books. :(
- I can't believe my 2 weeks of summer vacation is over. I've gone into work a couple of days. I've spent extra time with family. I've gone out with friends. I've worked on a class. I've slept till noon. All in all, it's been great!!
- I didn't accomplish either of the 2 goals I had for the time off: 1) to scrapbook my pics from the summer and 2) to finish the class I'm working on. Oh well! ;)
- Campus is crazy busy now. Move-in started yesterday. The streets in town are packed, people are everywhere, and there's lots of excitement all around.
- I was asked at least 5 times yesterday if I was a Freshman. Imagine the shocked looks I got when I said, "Nope, I'm a senior."
- I can count the number of classes I have left on MY HANDS! Woohoo!
- I'm looking forward to the new semester. I love the excitement that comes with new classes, new syllabi, new professors, etc.
- I've found my "Semester Verse" ~ Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! (Isaiah 43:18-19a NIV)
- I've taken on a leadership position in a ministry at church. *Gulp.*
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Back for less than a week ...
... and I already got a blog award!!
Here's what was said about me ...
Ashley (because any college-age girl with a heart for God like hers is definitely Brillante!)
Thanks Fuschia! :)
Symptoms of Inner Peace
I was clearing out some old files and came across this article. Enjoy!
---
Symptoms of Inner Peace
by Saskia Davis
Be on the lookout for symptoms of inner peace!
The hearts of a great many have already been expose to inner peace and it is possible that people everywhere could come down with it in epidemic proportions. This could pose a serious threat to what has, up to now, been a fairly stable condition of conflict in the world.
Some signs and symptoms of inner peace:
· A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.
· An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
· A loss of interest in judging other people.
· A loss of interest in judging self.
· A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
· A loss of interest in conflict.
· A loss of the ability to worry. (This is a very serious symptom.)
· Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
· Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
· Frequent attacks of smiling.
· An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than (try to) make them happen.
· An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.
WARNING:If you have some or all of the above symptoms, please be advised that your condition of inner peace may be so far advanced as to not be curable. If you are exposed to anyone exhibiting any of these symptoms, remain exposed only at your own risk.
---
Symptoms of Inner Peace
by Saskia Davis
Be on the lookout for symptoms of inner peace!
The hearts of a great many have already been expose to inner peace and it is possible that people everywhere could come down with it in epidemic proportions. This could pose a serious threat to what has, up to now, been a fairly stable condition of conflict in the world.
Some signs and symptoms of inner peace:
· A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.
· An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
· A loss of interest in judging other people.
· A loss of interest in judging self.
· A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
· A loss of interest in conflict.
· A loss of the ability to worry. (This is a very serious symptom.)
· Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
· Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
· Frequent attacks of smiling.
· An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than (try to) make them happen.
· An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.
WARNING:If you have some or all of the above symptoms, please be advised that your condition of inner peace may be so far advanced as to not be curable. If you are exposed to anyone exhibiting any of these symptoms, remain exposed only at your own risk.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
I wrote that??
I ran across this prayer that I wrote earlier in the summer. Sometimes I amaze myself. I can't believe I wrote these words. (They sound too good for this self-proclaimed non-English, totally math person!)
Thank you, Lord, for being so very patient with me as you mold me. All too often, I am extremely stubborn and don’t want to give up long held ideas and beliefs. Thanks for not giving up on me! May “me” continue to be a fluid concept as you shape and mold me to make me more like you. Even when it’s hard or painful, please remind me that You have a plan and that I am becoming more like You. Use my life for your glory and may I continually point others to you.
Thank you, Lord, for being so very patient with me as you mold me. All too often, I am extremely stubborn and don’t want to give up long held ideas and beliefs. Thanks for not giving up on me! May “me” continue to be a fluid concept as you shape and mold me to make me more like you. Even when it’s hard or painful, please remind me that You have a plan and that I am becoming more like You. Use my life for your glory and may I continually point others to you.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Something to think about
"Trust Me, My Child," God says,
"Trust Me with a fuller abandon than you ever have before.
Trust Me, as minute succeeds minute,
Every day of your life, for as long as you live.
And if you become conscious of anything hindering our relationship,
Do not hurt Me by turning away from Me.
Draw all the closer to Me, come, run to Me.
Allow Me to hide you, to protect you, even from yourself.
Tell Me your deepest cares, your every trouble.
Trust Me to keep My Hand upon you.
I will never leave you.
I will shape you, mold you, and perfect you.
Do not fear, O child of My love, do not fear.
I love you."
~Amy Carmichael~
"Trust Me with a fuller abandon than you ever have before.
Trust Me, as minute succeeds minute,
Every day of your life, for as long as you live.
And if you become conscious of anything hindering our relationship,
Do not hurt Me by turning away from Me.
Draw all the closer to Me, come, run to Me.
Allow Me to hide you, to protect you, even from yourself.
Tell Me your deepest cares, your every trouble.
Trust Me to keep My Hand upon you.
I will never leave you.
I will shape you, mold you, and perfect you.
Do not fear, O child of My love, do not fear.
I love you."
~Amy Carmichael~
Sunday, August 10, 2008
No Longer Listening to Them...
In my town, I have a core group of 3 girlfriends. These are the girls my age who truly know me (and they still hang out with me!). Three of us have been best friends since the very first day of 7th grade and God added the 4th girl to the group in 10th grade. We’ve been through a lot in the last 7 years. The highs and lows of middle school and high school. School dances, football games, volleyball games and tournaments, lunches, classes, etc. I truly love these girls and my prayers for them are fervent. So what’s the problem? None of them are growing followers of Christ. One would claim to be a Christian, but she’s turned off to any “spiritual talk.” Another is so stuck on religion and the rules of legalism that she can’t see the amazing relationship God is offering her if she’d just take it. The third used to attend church regularly but the desire for independent growth just isn’t there. Also, based on many of the questions she’s asked me, the churches she has attended aren’t faithfully preaching the Word of God. They’re more concerned with having fun and drawing students in than teaching good, solid messages.
My lack of friends who are growing followers of Christ has bothered me for quite a while. Only God knows the number of times I have cried out to Him begging for just one Christian girlfriend my age who lives in the same town. (The “in the same town” is important because I do have a phenomenal Christian friend who now lives in the Dallas area. We stay in touch as much as possible through phone calls, Facebook messages, etc., but technology can only do so much.) I’ve experienced quite a long time of silence from God on this issue. Until this summer, that is. BUT, the answer was nothing like I hoped it would be.
They say as a Christian, the majority of your friends should be Christians. More specifically, they say that your friends should come from within your church. I don’t know who they are, but I’ve bought into their way of thinking for too long. Look at the perfect example – Jesus. Yes, He had his ministry peeps (a/k/a disciples), but he also hung out with tax collectors and “sinners.”
Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Luke 15:1-2
If Jesus hung out with tax collectors and sinners, am I above hanging out with non-Christians? Certainly not.
This issue also brings up a long-running insecurity of mine. As part of buying into their way of thinking, I’ve wondered “What’s wrong with me?” As a result of being burned many times, I work hard to be genuine. The me you see at church is the same me you see in town, when I’m at school, or when I’m hanging out with my (non-Christian) friends. So when they say if you are a Christian, your friends should be Christians and this Christian doesn’t have Christian friends … well, it made wonder “Why?” The mysterious power of them made me feel like less of a Christian (which is totally absurd!) because of the friends God has appointed for me at this time.
The point is this – I trust Him. Apparently He has me with this group of girls for such a time as this for His purposes. Do I still long for a Christ-following friend to walk this journey with? Yes, but that’s not my focus anymore. I’m not going to discount the friends that have been with me for years just because they aren’t passionately pursuing Christ. My job is to shine His light with anyone I come into contact with.
This summer He has repeatedly shown me new things in this area and provided many opportunities to testify to His great faithfulness. It’s been eye-opening to see that Christians and non-Christians face many of the same issues but how we deal with them differs. I’m beyond thankful for the opportunities He’s given to share what’s going on in my life and to point to Him continually. That’s all I can do. If and when these girls choose to leave their current spiritual state and passionately pursue the God of the Universe who finds them captivating is not within my control. My job is this: love God, love others, be real, be honest, and share His goodness at every opportunity. The results are up to Him. THIS is my mission field. These are the girls He’s appointed me to pour myself into for His glory. May my life be evidence of His never-ending mercy and grace and may my love for Him overflow into all I come into contact with.
My lack of friends who are growing followers of Christ has bothered me for quite a while. Only God knows the number of times I have cried out to Him begging for just one Christian girlfriend my age who lives in the same town. (The “in the same town” is important because I do have a phenomenal Christian friend who now lives in the Dallas area. We stay in touch as much as possible through phone calls, Facebook messages, etc., but technology can only do so much.) I’ve experienced quite a long time of silence from God on this issue. Until this summer, that is. BUT, the answer was nothing like I hoped it would be.
They say as a Christian, the majority of your friends should be Christians. More specifically, they say that your friends should come from within your church. I don’t know who they are, but I’ve bought into their way of thinking for too long. Look at the perfect example – Jesus. Yes, He had his ministry peeps (a/k/a disciples), but he also hung out with tax collectors and “sinners.”
Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Luke 15:1-2
If Jesus hung out with tax collectors and sinners, am I above hanging out with non-Christians? Certainly not.
This issue also brings up a long-running insecurity of mine. As part of buying into their way of thinking, I’ve wondered “What’s wrong with me?” As a result of being burned many times, I work hard to be genuine. The me you see at church is the same me you see in town, when I’m at school, or when I’m hanging out with my (non-Christian) friends. So when they say if you are a Christian, your friends should be Christians and this Christian doesn’t have Christian friends … well, it made wonder “Why?” The mysterious power of them made me feel like less of a Christian (which is totally absurd!) because of the friends God has appointed for me at this time.
The point is this – I trust Him. Apparently He has me with this group of girls for such a time as this for His purposes. Do I still long for a Christ-following friend to walk this journey with? Yes, but that’s not my focus anymore. I’m not going to discount the friends that have been with me for years just because they aren’t passionately pursuing Christ. My job is to shine His light with anyone I come into contact with.
This summer He has repeatedly shown me new things in this area and provided many opportunities to testify to His great faithfulness. It’s been eye-opening to see that Christians and non-Christians face many of the same issues but how we deal with them differs. I’m beyond thankful for the opportunities He’s given to share what’s going on in my life and to point to Him continually. That’s all I can do. If and when these girls choose to leave their current spiritual state and passionately pursue the God of the Universe who finds them captivating is not within my control. My job is this: love God, love others, be real, be honest, and share His goodness at every opportunity. The results are up to Him. THIS is my mission field. These are the girls He’s appointed me to pour myself into for His glory. May my life be evidence of His never-ending mercy and grace and may my love for Him overflow into all I come into contact with.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Summer 2008
I’ve just completed a year of college in less than 3 months. No joke. This summer I’ve (almost) completed 30 hours. I have one class to wrap up and then I’ll be done. Until the Fall semester starts of course. :)
I just want to take this opportunity to express just how good of a God we have. All the credit for what’s been accomplished this summer goes to Him. He’s kept me sane, kept me awake after late nights (more like early mornings), taught me a lot, and provided many opportunities for fun and witnessing to non-believers. I shouldn’t be surprised. God’s certainly bigger than Business Ethics, IT, Finance, Anthropology, Geography, Economics, Word Processing, Organizational Communication, Operations Management, and Marketing combined. But still, I stand in awe. I wasn’t particularly looking forward to this summer full of classes. (I won’t go into why I took such a load … there’s not really a good, convincing argument besides short term pain for long term gain. My theory was that it would be easier to take some of these classes in the summer when life (and work) is slower than to have extra classes in the Fall/Spring. Plus, I could get the classes over with in 5 weeks as opposed to 16.) My plan was simple – grin and bare it … buckle down and endure. God had other plans.
I had surrendered this summer to Him, knowing that if I was able to pull it off and manage to maintain a bit of sanity it would truly be a God-sized task. This certainly wouldn’t be of my own doing! Well, He showed up and He blew my mind (and I am convinced that me relying on HIS power, not mine, made all the difference). This summer was actually enjoyable. Don’t get me wrong – there was A LOT of work and many late nights/early mornings, but I wasn’t miserable. I can identify 2 days that I was stressed out. Only 2. That in and of itself is a miracle!
There were also many memories made with friends during this time. Lots of time hanging out, watching movies, grabbing lunch, etc. Good times. Precious memories to treasure. All in all, I had a great summer. I’m looking forward to spending the next 2 weeks finishing up a class, relaxing, and gearing up for the new semester. I learned lots, God is making changes in me, and He’s shaking up some ways of thinking, but that’s a post for another day.
I just want to take this opportunity to express just how good of a God we have. All the credit for what’s been accomplished this summer goes to Him. He’s kept me sane, kept me awake after late nights (more like early mornings), taught me a lot, and provided many opportunities for fun and witnessing to non-believers. I shouldn’t be surprised. God’s certainly bigger than Business Ethics, IT, Finance, Anthropology, Geography, Economics, Word Processing, Organizational Communication, Operations Management, and Marketing combined. But still, I stand in awe. I wasn’t particularly looking forward to this summer full of classes. (I won’t go into why I took such a load … there’s not really a good, convincing argument besides short term pain for long term gain. My theory was that it would be easier to take some of these classes in the summer when life (and work) is slower than to have extra classes in the Fall/Spring. Plus, I could get the classes over with in 5 weeks as opposed to 16.) My plan was simple – grin and bare it … buckle down and endure. God had other plans.
I had surrendered this summer to Him, knowing that if I was able to pull it off and manage to maintain a bit of sanity it would truly be a God-sized task. This certainly wouldn’t be of my own doing! Well, He showed up and He blew my mind (and I am convinced that me relying on HIS power, not mine, made all the difference). This summer was actually enjoyable. Don’t get me wrong – there was A LOT of work and many late nights/early mornings, but I wasn’t miserable. I can identify 2 days that I was stressed out. Only 2. That in and of itself is a miracle!
There were also many memories made with friends during this time. Lots of time hanging out, watching movies, grabbing lunch, etc. Good times. Precious memories to treasure. All in all, I had a great summer. I’m looking forward to spending the next 2 weeks finishing up a class, relaxing, and gearing up for the new semester. I learned lots, God is making changes in me, and He’s shaking up some ways of thinking, but that’s a post for another day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)