Fact vs. Truth

        If you were to ask me what one of my major struggles in my walk with Christ was, I would most likely tell you that I struggle to make God's truth my truth; in other words, I do not easily make the fact a truth in my life. The fact that Christ loved me enough to send His one and only Son to account for my sins, and I can't even seem to live in out everyday!?
       When I say fact and truth, we automatically assume they have similiar meanings, which they do, but when you look at these two words in the grand scheme of things, they couldn't be any more different. The dictionary definition of fact is: something known to have happened or to exist. For example, whether you believe it or not, everyone has at least heard that Christ died as an atonement for our sins. After all, we celebrate Him every Christmas and again in March or April, for Easter, and it is written in the Bible. Truth, according to Dictionary.com, means conformity with fact or reality, sincerity in action, or constancy. Now are you beginning to see the difference? If we applied the written fact to our lives, perhaps the knowledge that Christ is the Ultimate Sacrifice, would our lives look any different? Maybe we'd begin to love with a fraction of the love Christ showed His sinful world. Maybe we would have reason to shower mercy and grace on the people in our lives.
        God not only sent His Son to save the lost, but He provided us with a one of a kind Survival Guide, His Word! James 1:18 says, "He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created." This verse reminds me of a sermon I heard this summer in Nashville, while on a mission trip with our church! The speaker, Pastor Sutton, talked about the importance of God shaping us in His own image. She pointed out that the world has a multitude of brands: Nike, Polo, you name it we've got it. All those brands are just waiting to make you who you are, to define you. If we don't take the intiative to brand ourselves with Christ, the world will label us. As this verse says, the word of truth has given us life; it has taught us the characteristics of God. Pastor Sutton took it further and encouraged us to see the Bible as our birth certificate. Your birth certificate tells you all about yourself, who your parents are, your date of birth, your name, and many other bits of information that define who you are. As the Bible tells us, when we are born again, "the old has gone, and the new has come." We have a new certificate of birth, the Bible, so put it into use, let it be a lamp unto your feet.
        Further down in James, however, God warns us. "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (James 1:22) This is why I love James, pretty straightfoward. In fact, this verse also reminds me of a story, a lesson in history class to be exact. Our class was talking about the American Revolution. The colonies wanted separation from England. Many philosophical authors wrote lengthy pamplets on which side they were on. Philosophical writings are intriguing and get people thinking; they help you to better understand your values and beliefs, but as my teacher referred to them, "They are just words on paper." It wasn't until the Declaration was written that we went to war, and our beliefs were put into action, and it all became a reality. God has placed to same call on our lives. When we open up His word, He doesn't want it to just be "words on paper," He wants His fact to be absorbed and come alive in our lives.
       James 2:26 says, "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." Just like you can't have a body without a spirit and faith with deeds, you can not merely listen to the fact of the Bible without making it a truth in your life. Neither is of greater value; they are both of equal importance. In order to make an impact, we must know that truth is a direct correlation of translating God's fact into our daily lives.

<3 Abby

my defining moment.

my defining moment. the turning point in my life. the climax of my story.

oct. 24 2010. approximately 7:30 am @ New Life Ranch.

we had just finished the sunday morning sunrise service at the outdoor chapel at fall retreat. i don't remember the exact service, i just remember the peacefulness of the morning & a single conversation. this conversation took place after the service, on the platform, with my youth pastor, mike laughlin. a simple conversation, that went something like this:
"mike, i feel like i haven't been living to my potential at church. by missing wednesday nights for dance, i think i'm missing out. is there anyway we could meet earlier, so i can catch up with the youth group?" -me
"that sounds like a great idea, let's do it." -mike.
so we did. and those meetings have continued for over a year now. this moment seemed slightly insignificant at the time, but looking back i realize that that was the moment that i stopped being a "christian" & i became a christian. no quotation marks. this was my first defining moment in my walk with christ.

i feel like have a couple of other defining moments since this initial one. the other major one took place on a wednesday night in sept. or oct. of this year @ okc first church of the nazarene. i don't know why, but a song that we sang that night hit me like a ton of bricks. banning played god of justice by tim hughes & the strangest thing happened. i got goosebumps. that's not the weird part though, the weird part is that the goosebumps didn't go away until like an hour later. that's not normal. so i payed extra close attention to the lyrics that we were singing & i felt god pushing me as i heard the words "we must go, live to feed the hungry, stand BESIDE the broken, we must go." i never thought that i would have a moment when i was sure of what god wants me to do, but thats what this was. after listening to that song on repeat for about a week straight & analyzing the lyrics to death, i thought about god's call on my life. this is a big moment and a big decision, so i've considered it almost daily. i know i still have time to figure out my life, but its cool to see that god will guide me along the way with these defining moments.
so that's my story, in a nutshell. i was 15 years old when i took the quotes off of my christianity, and i'm never looking back.

<3 Courtney (:

Possibilities, Inc. Opening Retreat

I spent last weekend with Possibilities, Inc. on their opening retreat. Honestly I was a little skeptical, and somewhat nervous about this retreat, because I didn't know what to expect. Mike Laughlin told me about this year long program that Possibilities provides, that is designed to connect you with your community. He thought it would be an excellent opportunity for some of us at the church to utilize. So I signed up. And along with Lisa and Nolan Sanders, and Stephanie Johnson I took a weekend off to spend with 30 strangers. 

I don' t consider these people strangers anymore, however. After spending the weekend with the most generationally and culturally diverse group, I am more excited for this program than I could've imagined. I learned wonderful tools and activities that are usable in all situations, including our very own church community. I even learned more about myself as an individual through some ridiculous, but challenging games. 

The aspect of this weekend and program that surprised me most, however was the presence of God. Possibilities is not a publicly faith-based program. Therefore I went into the program wondering what to expect, because I've only been on family or church trips. For all I knew, I could've been spending three days with unbelievers. However, this was not the case. The majority of the 35 of us that were on the retreat, were some of the strongest Christians I've ever met. And they weren't ashamed. Some were proclaiming the good news of Jesus every chance that they got. And that got me thinking, am I proud of my faith in God? Do I share it every chance that I get? 

This was not originally a "church trip," but it turned out to be a life-changing Church trip. Possibilities is not a simple group of community do-gooders. Possibilities is a group of people coming together to make a difference, by being the hands and feet of God.

And I can't wait to get started.

MORE MUSIC!!!!

 For many people, including myself, music is a favorite form of worship in which you can get personal with God and understand His purpose a little clearer. If music helps you connect better to God and His divine plan, check out some of the songs below!

Arms that Hold the Universe by 33Miles: The God of the universe loves and cares about you more than you will ever be able to imgaine! Be encouraged!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIG6zFVlL9M

Revelation Song by Phillips, Craig, and Dean: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain. Holy, holy is HE!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsiDukXIeVY

Revelation by Third Day: Ask God to give you a revelation! Jeremiah 29:11
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOfoXDymFZA

Until the Whole World Hears by Casting Crowns: At the end, we all want to say we completed the mission! Are you proclaiming the Kingdom of God?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln0T26aTXJE

Everytime I Breathe by Big Daddy Weave: LOVE LOVE this song! "And every time I get another glimpse of heart, I realize it's true. You are SO marvelous God! And I am SO in love with you!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w70xy8sPEE4

Give Me Faith by Elevation Worship: Our is the Solid Rock on which we stand! "Your love is great!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMVvqI1-tM4&feature=related

Beautiful Things by Gungor: God looks at the inside appearance!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ4yNYY1hHM&feature=related

The Stand by Kristian Stanfill: Brings me to tears everytime! ALL I AM IS YOURS!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq-dzl98hT4

Unashamed by Starfield: Because Christ died we can live unashamed of our sins! "Your cross has placed in me my worth!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vs3vrbVMP0

To God to Alone by Aaron Shust: In all the things we do, let God receive the glory alone! THE GLORY IS YOURS ALONE, YOURS ALONE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6Cldz2w_eI

Your Great Name by Natalie Grant: Boy, is His Name great?!! At the sound of Your Great Name..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXH0MjGe10s

Song of Hope by Robbie Seay Band: Let Your Holy Spirit Rain down on us! "In the darkest night, You brighten up the skies. A song will rise!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGWQJ4heXS8

The Redeemer by Santus Real: The Lord is the one thing that is for certain! He is our Redeemer!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePuYCbxa8cg

One True God by Newsong: Self explanatory! (:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSTagag3BP8&ob=av2e

Always by Kristian Stanfill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN7L3m9jIcc

The Way by Jeremy Camp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hvv3a0wblc

Strong Enough by Matthew West: "But I'm still holding on to the one things. You are God and you are strong, when I am weak!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8JsRxVczmQ

Undo by Rush of Fools
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9PKYMDvNB8

My Help Comes From the Lord by The Museum
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MecgrJvbk24

Headphones by Britt Nicole
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y_zHSxEo9A

You by Britt Nicole
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMBPkXFK_ck

Hanging On by Britt Nicole
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9X-dFCIv6w

Walk On the Water by Britt Nicole
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=125Ppy25QIw

Indescribable by Chris Tomlin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-zJHgaoVa4

I'd Need a Savior by Among the Thirsty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnhicEmLWH8

Homesick by MercyMe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3k1rJOQPdY

Motion of Mercy by Francesca Battestelli: One of my favorites right now! Definitely worth checking out!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0N6DMUJK5o

Come Thou Fount by Jadon Lavik
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wK-DcTws2o

I Lift My Hands by Chris Tomlin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c24En0r-lXg&ob=av2e

Just a few of the good ones!
Abby <3

TL2SB

You know what blows my mind? That God is so repelled by sin, yet He sent His Son to set us free and now that He has ascended we can be in constant communication with the Creator of the Universe! Prayer is usually a challenging and sometimes daunting privilege! Yes, that's right a privilege. Prayer, however, is so much more than a quick hello before bed or an "in case of emergency". Often, people, including me, resort to God only when we feel we need Him, when the truth is, we ALWAYS need Him. Here are some insightful tips and tricks to conquering your prayer life, that have proved very helpful to me!

1. Thanksgiving:
When we hear the word thanksgiving most of our minds turn to turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. What would you say, if I told you thanksgiving could be every day?! As Sarah Young, author of Jesus Calling, puts it, "I,[Christ], am like a supersaturated cloud, showering Peace into the pool of your mind. My Nature is to bless. Your nature is to receive with thanksgiving." These few lines convicted me to try praising God through my prayers more. For every request or concern I present to Him, I try to give Him back a praise. For example, my dog recently died. Before she died, I prayed that God would heal her and relieve her pain. Then, I turned it around and thanked Him for the years I got to spend with her. I know it's tough to find a positive in every situation, so even if your request and praise are totally irrelevant that's ok! The end result: a huge feast of God's ever-present blessings.

2. Legit:
As one kid from my church camp put it, "being legit with God." Adam Robinson, fantastic preacher by the way, challenged all the campers to be honest with God, during a recent week long camp in Missouri. Tell Him how you feel, whether you're sad, mad, or glad. Sometimes talking it out is the best solution, and God is all ears!! Tell Him about the basketball goal you scored, what sno-cone flavor you got, or what stress you are encountering; give Him everything. You will find that if you let it all go and submit to Him, He will take the burdens off your shoulders and carry the weight Himself. I have a friend named Preston, who has Down Syndrome, and if I ever heard a legit prayer it would be his. He prays for the soliders, his friends, his church, and he prays like he means it more than anything, and he does. So, will you take my challenge and pray legitly like Preston?

3. 2 Sided:
No, God doesn't always reveal Himself via burning bush or blinding light, but God still answers your calls, no doubt! Believing in the unseen is one of the toughest road blocks of being a Christian actively devoted to prayer. The important thing to remember is God works in His own timing and if you have faith, He will unveil Himself in the coolest ways. God knows when your down in the dumps and usually when you open up your devo or your Bible, He waiting there to brace your fall and give you the best pick me ups! I strongly encourage you to pour your heart out to God, but it's also important to listen; God's always got something to say. Can't feel God's presence when you pray? Try praying after watching a sunset or find a peaceful place outside that reminds you of God's beauty!

And lastly..

4. Believe:
Before reading further, pull out your Bible and read Joshua 10:7-15. If you haven't already heard Steven Furtick's sermon, Sun Stand Still, on Life Church's website, I would recommend doing so to learn more about Joshua's incredible trust. If you have not already seen it, buckle your seat belts because you're in for a treat. The story goes as so: Once upon a time, there were the fearless Gibeonites, who overthrew the city of Ai and made a treaty with Irsael. Now Jerusalem's king wasn't too thrilled about the Gibeonites moving next door, being the brazen warriors they were, so he gathered up four more troops and attacked the Gibeonites. When Joshua got word of the outbreak, he was terrified, but the Lord said to Him, "Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand." And as the battle rages on through the day, Joshua becomes more and more discouraged. The five Amorite troops are winning, and Joshua knows once the sun goes down the war is lost. Boldly and unashamed, Joshua presents himself to the Lord and asks for the sun to stand still in the sky. Wow! A rather big request! And because Joshua had faith that the Lord could do anything, he was granted his wish. Just think, the God that stopped the sun from setting answers your prayer. There's one simple rule: believe in the power of prayer!

Lord, I pray that you would give us the strength and courage to lay our doubts, insecurities, worries, and thanksgivings before Your ever deserving self. Lord, when the way seems dark, give us a light at the end of the tunnel, something to praise you for. Help us to be open and honest, sharing all our feelings with you, knowing that that is the key to getting to know someone. I pray that you would give us words to say to you, but also ears to hear and eyes to seek your Kingdom. Grant us the boldness and vitality to believe in the miracles You can perform. Thank you, Lord, for the many resources that you have given us to grow in you more. Thank you for not being a silent and isolated God, but a relatable one who not only hears, but feels our deepest prayers. Thank you for being a trustworthy person, who we can always turn to. We love you, and we thank you that we have the privilege of conversing with the King of Kings! Amen.

HAPPY PRAYING!! (:

Abby<3

Redeeming Love

I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord.

Hosea 2:19-20

     For those of you who have not read Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, I would so strongly recommend it! It has helped me to shine light on the fact that no matter how far I wander, the Lord is always on my tail, luring me back in with His unconditional, uncircumstantial love and overflowing compassion. And to think that such an awe-inspiring book was derived from a true story in the Bible, one of Hosea and Gomer, one of God's prevailing love for Israel, and a story of a love that continues to withstand the ages, His redeeming love for us!

     

     Like Angel, the main character in the story, we have a defiance that is transformed only by the love of God, into a graceful humility. Often, we hesitate to fully commit to the Lord, because we know that we are broken and scarred by sin. Just like Angel doubted Michael's love for her, because of her impurity, we too are frightened to face the Sinless Savior, knowing that we are anything but perfect. However, His love and compassion go beyond all measure! Time and time again, the Lord pursues us, never giving up, but acknowledging that it is our choice in the end. Michael was deeply saddened when he lost Angel, because of his immense love for her. It broke his heart, but he only wanted what she desired, and deep down he had faith that the Lord was watching over her. The moment Angel gave over her life to the will of God, He visibly sustained her and gave her an unwavering humility. Through His gift to her, Angel was able to admit that what was left to give the Lord, all of herself, was to be given willingly. Even though the world counted her at loss, Angel learned of a love much greater than even Michael's - God's love. By discovering His redeeming love, she counted all that she was at loss and committed to the Lord. We can learn from Angel, that even though we stagger and fall, the Lord is our shield and defense; He has our best intentions in mind. If we seek, we WILL find; we WILL find a love greater than a life.

I hope this gave you some insight into how that Lord so urgently pursues us, and I hope you would be encouraged to pick up His Word, turn to Hosea, and embrace on a journey that will forever change the course and purpose of your life. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, put it on your summer reading list! Love you all!

ABBY <3



Bring Me Back to the Place of Forgiveness and Grace

   Long time, no see (or should I say: blogging)! Life has been hectic with school drawing to a close, but we can't let any amount of busyness get in the way of truly seeking God, day in and day out! As my good friend, Robin, so wisely says it, "Whenever you see a yellow car or a bug, you get in the habit of reaching over to the nearest person to you and slugging them. Slug Bug! Then, your brain is trained to see yellow cars everywhere. God is the same way. If you seek Him wholeheartedly, you will see Him everywhere, because your mind is trained to look for the things that occupy your thoughts." It is key to pick up your cross DAILY and follow the Lord, in order to see Him in all situations. Or as I like to put it, with my song obsession on this blog: "bring[ing] [yourself] back to the place of forgiveness and grace."

      Let the Lord make this our prayer, that we would not be distracted with the things of this world: the riches, the popularity, the power, and the selfishness. Let us not forget to acknowledge the extent of the suffering Your Son experienced. The cross is what separates us, Holy and blameless and unrighteous and sinful, but it also binds us even closer than ever! To know that the Lord is All Powerful and could have taken on our sins with the snap of a finger, yet He chose to come to earth in human form, to understand our troubles, to be rejected and scorned, and to shed His own blood, in the cruelest way, for His sinful sons and daughters, is UNFATHOMABLE! We get so excited and pumped up about God's magnificence, because our brains are working a mile a minute to wrap themselves around God's undeniable power. Jesus' blood was to redeem us; like a coupon gets you food for free, God redeemed us with His coupon, His blood, so that we could come to Him without cost! - Andy Rauschkolb

     I pray that everyday, we would be drawn back to the place of forgiveness and grace, the cross, so that we can plainly view and act upon the LOVE that the Lord showers down on us! Because Christ paid the ultimate price, to die for such unworthy people, we too should be willing to pick up our own crosses daily, even if it means dying to ourselves and rising up alive and renewed in Him! Thank you for your gifts of grace and mercy, which you extend to us, so that we may say, "SO LONG SELF."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9PKYMDvNB8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxMnr0pM78U

ABBY <3