Join me in the fight?

This week was a big week. In class we talked about Sexual Immorality, Pornography, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Mormonism, and the Millennial Generation, but more than that I also got the opportunity to go to a final interview with Teach For America. I am so excited to give you all more information on the process, the program, and hopefully the decision soon, but for now just be praying the Lord is glorified in the process and places me where He is calling me.

So in class we got to discuss a lot about different topics this week and some of it really hit home. We talked about the Millennial Generation and the effect that is going to have. This hit home because working with middle school students I have seen the effects the cultural we are living in currently. It’s sad. It’s hard. It seems hopeless.

After class this week I just was in this BLAH place. Why are fighting a battle that we seem to be losing? We know what the end is going to look like, we are told in Revelation and we are seeing our world tear itself a part…so what’s the point? That’s real honest, but that was really where I was at…

BUT

“’ Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I tell you that in the same way, there will be MORE joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:6-7

HE. GOES. AFTER. THE. ONE. SHEEP. PEOPLE.

ONE.

Do you see it? Do you hear it?

ONE PEOPLE!

That’s the point. It was so evident to me in that moment. We go after the lost sheep!! I was the lost sheep once and He came after me in His great love, mercy and grace. So, OF COURSE we keep fighting this battle because there is joy in ONE sinner who repents!

ONE

So we fight. Because Jesus has already won. So we fight. Because people are valuable. So we fight. Because Jesus fought for US. So we fight. Because we are to love the lost & the broken.

Join me in the fight?

CANADIANS ARE CRAZY!

FRIENDS. HOWDY!

Sorry I have been so M.I.A. I promise I will do my ABSOLUTE best to update you on my life since I haven’t really told yall much since…well about a month ago. So, today starts Thanksgiving break, which I am incredibly thankful for the chance to go home and see my family. However, I am also realizing how hard it is going to be to be away from my institute family for a whole week. You don’t realize how close you have become with people until you won’t be around them anymore.

So, as we walk into this break I can’t help but to look back on the time I have had here thus far. The word I continually land on is REFINING.

Daily we are faced with truth that we have to wrestle with. Constantly taking everything we hear, read, or say to scripture to evaluate what the Word of God truly says. It is completely tiring and refreshing all at the same time. I have been flooded with the fact that I don’t know nearly as much as I THOUGHT I knew. However, through it all God still amazes me with his sovereignty over time.

Two weeks ago we presented our big projects for this semester. We had 30 minutes each to teach the entire story of the bible from Genesis to Revelation. (side note: totally need more than 30 minutes to adequately teach it, but it was SOO fun to be able to sit and teach people the story that God has so purposefully put together) With that project, I was able to so clearly see God’s hand in EVERY part of the story, including the 400 years between the Old and New Testament. I wish more than anything I could tell you the whole story right here and now, and show you God’s sovereignty from beginning to end, but it would take me forever. (maybe stop by my house during break and I will tell ya it ;) ) But in all seriousness, I was and am still being blown away at how God has knit the story together with Jesus and the Redemption of His people. Yall he is GOOD!

But 2 and ½ months with 70 other people hasn’t been all cupcakes and flowers (totally wish it had been, cause I love me some flowers). It has been hard. Class has been challenging, community has been sharpening, comparison has been creeping up, spiritual warfare is real & trying to break our bonds as community.

REFINING - remove impurities or unwanted elements from (a substance), typically as part of an industrial process.

I didn’t choose the word refining because of all the incredible things I’ve learned or the amazing family I have made, but because God has been so clearly chipping away at the little unwanted elements of me. How thankful I am that our Savior doesn’t just swoop in, save us, and then run out.
PRAISE THE SHEPHERD FOR REFINING US ALL!

This week in class we studied church history. I didn’t love history in high school, but when I got to college it caught my attention and I started to like it, but only when the teacher is passionate about what they are teaching. Chad Hampsch taught us this week and boy was he on fire when he was teaching us about the history of the Christian Church. From the Roman Catholic Church, to the Puritans bringing the church to America, and to now as we continue to take gospel and church to places it hasn’t been before. I loved hearing the story come together since the Church began in Acts. I think there is so much value in being able to know our history so we can better defend our faith and beliefs. I don’t know if I could tell you everything because it was a lot for three days, but it excites me to learn more about the Churches history.

As, I head home, I ask that yall pray that I don’t get comfortable with home. That what I have learned here, the disciplines I’ve put into practice, and the relationships I have built to stop as I am home for a week. But I also ask that you pray that my time at home be a good time of fellowship and community with my family.

And in the words of Matt Rau: Church chicken is good with waffles.

recap:
BEING REFINED & THANKFUL

Where are you God?

Prophets are cool. They still apply today. Two weeks ago we had the opportunity to be taught about the prophets of the Old Testament by Blake Holmes from Watermark Community Church in Dallas, Texas. It was incredible how he was able to show us the big picture of each prophet and make it so applicable to today’s time. The prophet that stuck out most to me was Habakkuk.

Habakkuk is a prophet that is frustrated because he feels like the Lord is not there in the midst of all the violence and evil in this time. I think the reason it stuck out most to me was because there has been times in my life when I have asked those questions that Habakkuk is asking.

                                  “Where are you God?” “Are you just?” “Are you good?”

After his conversation with the Lord Habakkuk comes to the conclusion that regardless of circumstance God is still good and God is still sovereign.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 “Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.”

My prayer is that even when we all hit those moments where we are shattered and broken and asking the question “Where are you God?” that we turn back to God. Who we know God to be.

                                               

                                                                     Good & Sovereign.

King David wasn't perfect, but King Jesus is!

The past couple weeks have been a whirlwind of activities and things to do. But in the midst of it all God is still faithful and teaching me so much. The past couple of weeks we have been studying bible overview. In a two-week span we were taught and walked through the entire bible, genesis to revelation, twice by two different teachers. It was incredible to see the story of Jesus unfold right in front of my eyes as we put the pieces together. So stinking COOL.

Specifically this week we had James Skinner come and teach on the Kingdom Era, which covers from 1^st Samuel to 2^nd Chronicles. We mostly concentrated on the three Kings of the United Kingdom: Saul, David, & Solomon. I loved getting to hear details about how they ran the kingdom, looked (or didn’t look) to God for guidance, and see God’s sovereignty in it all.

However, the coolest thing that stood out to me most was how God uses broken people for his Glory. We see this over and over again throughout scripture and it is something I always go back to. During the Kingdom Era we talked a lot about David. David is described as a man after God’s heart, but David is by no means perfect. He sins, tries to cover up his sin, he messed up, he lets his flesh get in the way, and doesn’t always consult the Lord when trying to make decisions. I am always brought back to 2 Samuel 11 where David lusts after Bathsheba, gets her preggers, and then kills her husband. Hold up. Homeboy did what? In my eyes I am like NO WAY God’s uses this guy to show His glory and continue on His plan, but that’s why God is God and Paige is Paige. God has mercy and forgives. HOW STINKING COOL, GUYS!

I so often disqualify myself. I think my sin is too big, my flesh is too weak, and I can’t be used for God’s glory. But God instead my God says, “I’ve choose you and it’ll be for my Glory.

How sweet it is that we have a Savior that picks us! I rest in the truth that God continually uses broken people, knowing that I am to seek Jesus and let Him be Glorified in all I do.

Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”

Romans 8:29-30 “For those whom he foreknew he also predestines to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order the he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestines he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

I am so thankful for examples like David that show me even when I have messed up my life is still to be able seeking Jesus and Glorifying Him!

Recap:

David was not perfect

God still used Him

Jesus is Perfect.

Live in Grace!

Discipline yourself for the purpose of Godliness

“God doesn’t allow you to be too busy that you don’t have enough time for Him.” 

However, whenever I get busy the first thing to go is always my quiet time with the Lord. Why is that? I could give yall a list of excuses as to why, but the reality of it is the excuses don’t matter.

1 Timothy 4:7-12

But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

Prescribe and teach these things. Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

Timothy tells us very clearly to ignore worldly distractions and instead imitate Christ. No excuses. He doesn’t sugar coat it or tell you it’ll be an easy time. He tells you to “discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.”

DISCIPLINE

yourself

for

the

purpose

of

GODLINESS

Oh how clearly God calls us to be an example, a light, and a voice in this world. (1 Corinthians 11:1) But tell me how are we to be a light if we aren’t prepared for the darkness??

He calls us to a life of Godly discipline because of it is “profitable for all things” and holds promises in “the present life and also for the life to come.” He knows that discipline allows us to be prepared, allows us to filled, and ultimately gives us a voice worth listening to.

For a moment, I want you to think about an athlete. Athletes get up early to practice, they take time in their day to work out, they prepare mentally, they eat what they need to eat to succeed, and make sure to get enough sleep to be ready for the next day as they prepare for the next game.

They make choices to reflect who they are.

Discipline

Like athletes, as believer, we need to be spiritually disciplined. When we become disciplined excuses no longer become applicable. We aren’t “too busy” to spend time with the Lord because instead we make time to spend with the Lord because that is who we want our life to reflect. So, I will make the choice to daily sit at the feet of my Savior. I will make the choice to prepare for battle. I will make the choice be connected to the vine, which allows me to bear much fruit. (John 15)

God doesn’t give us half His time so why do I keep giving Him only half of my time?

RECAP:

Spiritual Discipline –make choice that will reflect your heart (Luke 6:45)

What does spiritual discipline mean to you?

Tswift’s new album comes out in 8 day, just FYI

NEWS FLASH: I am NOT a people person!

All my life I have told myself that I am a people person, but I have learned that I am not. Some people might argue that I am a people person, but let me explain. I have learned that I love people. I have learned that I love hearing and knowing peoples’ stories. I have learned that I love doing things, going on adventures, and eating meals with people. BUT when it comes time for me to recharge and relax, I need to be alone. It doesn’t matter what I decide to do, but I need to be alone. It changes your world when you learn how you recharge, but it changes your life even more when you learn to actually utilize this realization.

So, don’t get me wrong... I LOVE PEOPLE! I am certainly a fan. There is nothing I love more than talking to a stranger next to me at the coffee shop about their life. I want to know everything about them. I learned early in life that people feel valued when they are known.

BACK UP THREE YEARS AGO: 

It was my first summer working for my church’s missions program. I spent the most of my summer in the 3^rd Ward of Downtown Houston. There was a kid there named, Dadrian. He was a total punk.  He didn’t want to participate, didn’t want to talk, didn’t want to smile, and definitely did not want to be at a VBS being run by a bunch of white, suburban 7^th graders. I don’t know why, but I spent EVERY DAY sitting next to that boy, asking question after question after question. It took 5 weeks, but boy did his attitude change when he learned I cared about WHO HE WAS not just whether or not he was participating in the activities we where providing.  

FAST FORWARD TO THIS PAST SUMMER: 

Dadrian and I are still friends and because of the time I took to get to know his story and his heart I have the ability to  speak truth into his life now!

That summer three years ago, I realized that people matter. I realized that people’s stories matter. I realized that people’s hearts matter. ULTIMATELY I realized not only do people matter, but God calls us to know and love them.

So the truth is I would spend all my time with people if I could, but I am learning to take the time I need to recharge by myself.  Its hard, but it’s important. I can’t completely invest in people the way I want to when I haven’t taken the time to be alone and recharge. Yet I also can’t revert to ONLY spending time alone-, which could totally happen- but that’s for another time and another post. ;)

I know I am called to love and know people! It is a part of who I am! It is who I naturally am! But I am also not a “people person” and I have to learn how to take time for myself so I can recharge. So maybe tomorrow, I’ll read a book! ;)

So, tell me how do you recharge?

RECAP:

I LOVE PEOPLE

I NEED ALONE TIME

FIND HOW YOU RECHARGE, it helps...i promise

KINDNESS FOR KELSEY

Today would’ve been Kelsey’s 22^nd Birthday. So, I thought why not write a blog post about what I learned from Kelsey for this weeks post. To say I am thankful for the time I got to spend with Kels on this Earth is a HUGE understatement. This girl loved people better than I will ever be able to love people. I learned so much from her in just a short time. I could write a list a mile long filled with everything she taught me. Not to mention all the characteristics she had that were of Christ and pointed straight to Him.  But to spare you that long list and way too much time reading I have picked three things Kelsey has taught me by the way she lived her life.

JOY – COMPASSION – KINDNESS

1. Kelsey’s smile could light up the whole world. Anyone who knew her or even knew of her would back this statement up 100%. There was a light behind her eyes that could captive anyone, but it was more than just her smile that made her captivating to be around. It was her constant joy. She could make you laugh by doing some of the silliest things, she knew when to hug you and when to throw something at you, and she was always up to something. She wasn’t always happy, there were hard days, and hard things, but her hope was secure in Jesus, which brought her freedom and joy. A joy I so desperately want. That light behind her eyes was Jesus and what made her so captivating was the joy that Jesus brought to her life. Being around her was a joy, knowing her was a joy, being her friend was a joy, and getting to see her again one day will be the GREATEST joy of our friendship yet.

2. Kelsey loved to care for people. It didn’t matter if it was a child, a friend, an elder, or a stranger. She understood that people mattered. Everyday when I think about wanting to love those around me and get to know people’s hearts I think of Kelsey because she showed me how to do this. How to not just know a person’s name, but to know their story and their heart. People matter and Kelsey’s compassion reached past taking care of a surface need and went to where a need was truly met, their heart. I pray daily that I can have half the compassion she had; that I can strive to KNOW those around me more than just their faces, but to know their hearts and their stories.

3. Kindness. I think the reason everyone loved Kelsey was because she knew what is meant to be kind. She knew what it meant to offer a helping hand when someone needed it. She was always willing to do the behind the scenes work in order for a task to get done. She had a heart of service that manifested itself through her kindness. In high school, my favorite part of the day was seeing Kelsey after first period, because I knew I would get a hug and feel valued.

These three things are just a small glimpse of all Kelsey has taught me and things that made her who she was. I pray that we can all learn from her and seek Jesus…seek to know him, to be like him, and to make him known. One way to do that is by participating in Kindness for Kelsey today. Mama J wanted to do something for Kelsey’s 22^nd birthday and there is no better way than to do something kind for someone else today! Let’s remember sweet KJack by loving others today.

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t miss you, sweet friend, and not a day goes by that I don’t long to see you again, but until then I will look to Jesus. <3

RECAP:

Joy – Compassion – Kindness

Do something kind in honor to KJ today!

( Kindness for Kelsey )

Seek & you will find.

I am beginning to learn how much time it takes to truly study the word of God. There is so much to be known in scripture.  But to be honest, I have always been the kind of girl to make an excuse not to be in the word because I didn’t know how to study the word or I didn’t feel equipped or smart enough to really understand what I was studying. Total lies. If anyone is with me in that boat, get out!

⁷ “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.⁹ Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? ¹¹ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:7-10

It is a promise that when we seek our Father, He will be there. Don’t be like me and make excuses. Instead, seek our Father in prayer & in the study of His word. Ask and find Him in His word. He wants us to know Him. Don’t let lies keep you from spending time getting to know your daddy!!

However, if you are one of those people that feel like you may not know how to study the bible hopefully the below will be helpful to you.

Last week we learned how to study the bible inductively. Inductive bible study is just a big word for using the bible as our primary tool when studying it. Inductive is used to equip people to find truth for themselves in Gods word in order to know it, use it, and teach it.

There are 3 key ideas: Observation, Interpretation, & Application.

1.     Observation: What does it say?

Simple: Read the text and see what is says

Detailed: Always asking the questions - Who, What, When, Where, Why & How?

2.     Interpretation – What does is mean?

Simple: What does the text say?

Detailed: Must consider the context of the scripture. Context rules interpretation.

3.     Application – How does the meaning apply to me?

Simple: Observation & Interpretation result in belief change or Behavior change.

Detailed: Belief change is when the scripture result in believing in something. Behavior change is when scripture results in doing something. Sometimes the two are linked where a belief change causes a behavior change.

After a week of doing the inductive bible study I have gleaned so much. When we take the time to seek truth from the word of God we start to see it come alive in our own lives. I am so excited to see all that God is going to reveal to me through this method of study this year: A method I feel is easy and applicable to all. So maybe if you are like me and struggle to study, this method will help you!

Recap:
Seek & you will find
Inductive bible study rocks!
(Any questions about it shoot them my way)

WEEK 2.75

Sorry for the delay, friends. This past Monday (when I had hoped to post my second blog post) we had our very first assignments due & I got a little caught up in them. So I apologize for the delay & hope not to have it happen again!

My word for the past (almost) two weeks would have to be time-management. Truly learning time-management, that is. As class, assignments, discipleship, internships, and everyday life has started to take off I am beginning to learn that 24 hours in a day is not very much time when you have not planned well.  I thought I had learned time-management by now, but I have never had this much to balance and this much encouragement to strive for excellence in everything…even my planning. It excites me to see how much the Lord can do when we even hand our schedule over to Him. I am beginning to learn that time is a resource we can use to our benefit or watch it pass us by.

This week we were also given our accountability partners for the year, and God totally knew what was up! Per usual I might add!! Not only was it perfect timing, as things were starting to become tasks rather than opportunities for growth, but He knew exactly who to place as my accountability partner. Shelby and I went to high school together, once a Bearkat always a Bearkat, I guess! However, it is so much more than that. Shelby has such a genuine soul; she wants to seek Christ at the root of it all with a real, passionate, & relentless spirit! I am so excited to see what grand adventures the Lord has in store for her, our time together, and the year a head! He is good, and knows my heart & need far better than I do myself!

So the truth of the matter is I haven’t completely figured out the whole time-management thing. Even as I have struggled to write this post today I have failed to do many other things I needed to get done. However, I am learning. God is being faithful in so many small and big things that I can’t help, but try to manage the time He has given me here. There is so much to learn & so many people with stories that need to be known & loved. He has given me so much and so in return, I can give Him my time!

RECAP:

Learning time-management

(Any helpful hints, send them my way)

Pray for Shelby and I

New post coming sooner this time 

New Adventure

KI Class of 2015

“To me, Adventure has always been to me the connections and bounds you create with people when you’re there. And you can have that anywhere.” – Bear Grylls

It has been a little over a week since I moved to Branson, Missouri to start the Kanakuk Institute. For those that do not know what that is let me fill you in. The Kanakuk Institute is an 8-month discipleship program devoted to learning God’s Word better, how to study it and how to defend it while living in a community of 70 other believers who desire to seek the same truth. And I am beyond excited for this adventure the Lord has me on. I’m excited to learn how to better study His word, how to defend my faith, discipline, truth, and to live in this incredible community. If you would like to keep up with my new adventure make sure to check my blog out each week. I will be posting weekly and would love for y’all to join in with me.

Week one was super busy, but if there is one word that the Lord has placed on my heart from all that we did and learned; it would be community. But what does true community look like? I’m always brought back to the early church in Acts 2.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” [Acts 2:42,46-47]

Here at the Institute we get the unique opportunity to live like the early church did. In true community, where we all meet daily together to devote ourselves to the study of the Word, prayer, praising God together as the body of believers, eating all our meals together, and enjoying one another. This is a community most of us will probably not experience again, at least not in the way that we are literally living daily life together.  And my prayer would be that from this community the Lord would add daily to our numbers by those being saved. That we wouldn’t miss this opportunity to edify each other as we seek the same Savior. I pray that we will use this community to the glory of God to make disciples and to love others.  Because at the end of the day our purpose is the same, “to go and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19a) I am thankful for this year and all that is to come.

However, we do live in a broken world and none of us, including myself, are perfect. There will be times when we don’t want to be held accountable, don’t want to do our campus job or to share a room anymore. So I ask that y’all join with me to pray against division, and for humility in us all.  Pray that instead of running from conflict we would use it as a tool to grow and edify one another.

So, this new adventure is here. I hope you’ll join with me! But like Bear Grylls said Adventure could be anywhere because it is just where you build community. I may be in a new place with new people, but I pray that we all are seeking to create relationships and adventure wherever the Lord has you in this season.

Welcome to my adventure!

Recap: Weekly post starting now, whoop!

Pray against division for the KI class of 2015

Create your own adventure this fall