amidst a rather hefty schedule, God has managed to fill me with much peace and joy. i can't be more thankful for my church family back home. i knew the body of Christ was an amazing community, but i guess i never realized the benefits of growing close to those in ministries other than my own. seriously. God has definately blessed me tremendously with friends who are just as eager to hear what God has been doing on this campus as i am to hear what God's throwin down at theirs. i have never found so much comfort in such friendship before. maybe i'm just behind or something. it's only been since this summer that i've had a passion to hear what God's doing in other's lives, and it's only been since this summer that i've not been able to contain myself when talking about all God has begun in my life. it's a crazy thing that passion for God's heart. crazy.
i took a four hour prayer slot back home during a weekend stretch of 24-7 prayer - something i was almost reluctant to do given: a) it was from 3-7am and b) i had pulled an all-nighter only a couple nights prior. however, it was the most encouraging and peace-filled night of my month, i'm pretty sure.
i can't even begin to describe. i long so much for corporate (even on a small scale) prayer out here. it's my lifeline. i've been so encouraged by the prayer gatherings that todd has begun, and eagerly look forward to their growth. and. i can't even begin to express my excitement for the prayer room. gosh. i don't know why i'm so fueled by this. maybe. just maybe. it's because prayer was what brought me to life. ten years of wilderness. ten years of fruitlessness. ten years of religion. and finally....God drove me to such desperation and longing that prayer was the ONLY response. i couldn't stand my life and the fact that it had amounted to nothing. i so much wanted to do the right things, but i missed the point. wanting to do the right things is quite a bit different than desiring your heart to match God's and wanting a life that is profitable in His eyes. i could only attain that through MUCH prayer and seeking. day after day i prayed the same thing. over. and over. and over. not getting bored, but with each day, becoming more desperate and more determined. my life HAD to change. there was no question. and petitioning God to show me "what" and "how" was the ONLY way for it to happen.
maybe that's why i'm so obsessed with prayer, and - coupled with my other-orientedness and insane love for being around people (hah!) - maybe that's why corporate prayer speaks volumes to me. it's the world to hear those who minister along side you crying out to God for the same things you long to see him do on this campus. but alas, despite all my passionate words and pictures, i can't envoke this desire in anyone but myself. i would give anything to have long talks with people about all God is doing and to pray with people over ministries...even outside of my own. i don't want to go around talking sorority and campus church all the time with no answer of anyone else's ministries and passions in return. goodness. does anyone feel me?
hah. i should definatley be studying for a sociology exam right now...
8.9.06
faithful encouragement
i am ridiculously excited about the week's recent events. God has continuously given me much hope for the soon-to-come greek ministry. yesterday, as i was about to talk to one of my sorority sisters, emily, about what she was thinking for this ministry, one of our sisters that i ate lunch with that day came in and asked us to give her a little "relaxation prayer" (cute!) because she's been so stressed out this week with recruitment and her classes. she was also pretty upset about a negative remark she had overheard someone make, and was wanting prayer for that as well. emily and i were (happily) floored by this opportunity.
let me just say, i love this girl so much, and God has placed me in her life quite a bit this semester. for some reason, the topic of bsu and what i do there seems to come up between her and i quite a bit, and we have been around each other an aweful lot lately. God is definately doing a work in her.
after emily and i got done praying for her, she was in tears. she was like, "guys, i'm so sorry. i haven't cried in a while. it's all dripping down my leg and stuff. gosh. but thanks. " haha. seriously though, it was so amazing to see her excitement in having us pray for her and how much it really comforted her to hear that we cared and that, more importantly, God cared. i just find it so amazing that she went to God (even be it through us) to calm her stress and heal her wounded heart. talk about God encouraging us in this ministry!
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...all the people see his glory...confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themsleves of idols...light is sown (light dawns) for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. psalm 97
Light is being sown, it's dawning for the righteous here. we are seeing God work in the lives of those who don't know Him, and we are seeing door afer door open in the direction of greek ministry. people's eyes are being opened to Him in all His glory. all i can do is sit here in gladness, rejoicing for all He is beginning to do. God is definately working in greeks' hearts - in my sister's as well as many others. i pray we keep our focus on His mission and become prayer warriors for those He is fighting to reach.
Lord, give us direction and strength to faithfully call upon Your power. these brothers and sisters of mine need You. help us to daily petition Your movement. You desire to come where You're invited. let us constantly invite You into the lives of greeks and students on campus in general. we have waited so long, Lord. i am so very greatful to be a part of the movement You have begun this year. let revival spread like a wildfire among this "party town," our wet campus. make Your name known in a most lowly and lost place. we are known for our hard drinking and our continuous partying, and, Lord, You choose the foolish in this world to shame the wise; You choose the weak to shame the strong. You love to work in places where only Your hand is seen and no credit can be given to any other name. take hold of this city, Lord, and these students. their stories would be a wonderful display of Your glory and majesty. i can't wait to watch. continue Your work, Lord, and i thank You so much for the encouragement You've given me to continue. help me to daily seek Your face and Your presence.
"he that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." psalm 126:6
"and david enquired of the Lord, saying, shall i go up to the philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? and the Lord said unto david, go up: for i will doubtless deliver the philistines into thine hand." 2 samuel 5:19
let me just say, i love this girl so much, and God has placed me in her life quite a bit this semester. for some reason, the topic of bsu and what i do there seems to come up between her and i quite a bit, and we have been around each other an aweful lot lately. God is definately doing a work in her.
after emily and i got done praying for her, she was in tears. she was like, "guys, i'm so sorry. i haven't cried in a while. it's all dripping down my leg and stuff. gosh. but thanks. " haha. seriously though, it was so amazing to see her excitement in having us pray for her and how much it really comforted her to hear that we cared and that, more importantly, God cared. i just find it so amazing that she went to God (even be it through us) to calm her stress and heal her wounded heart. talk about God encouraging us in this ministry!
---------
...all the people see his glory...confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themsleves of idols...light is sown (light dawns) for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. psalm 97
Light is being sown, it's dawning for the righteous here. we are seeing God work in the lives of those who don't know Him, and we are seeing door afer door open in the direction of greek ministry. people's eyes are being opened to Him in all His glory. all i can do is sit here in gladness, rejoicing for all He is beginning to do. God is definately working in greeks' hearts - in my sister's as well as many others. i pray we keep our focus on His mission and become prayer warriors for those He is fighting to reach.
Lord, give us direction and strength to faithfully call upon Your power. these brothers and sisters of mine need You. help us to daily petition Your movement. You desire to come where You're invited. let us constantly invite You into the lives of greeks and students on campus in general. we have waited so long, Lord. i am so very greatful to be a part of the movement You have begun this year. let revival spread like a wildfire among this "party town," our wet campus. make Your name known in a most lowly and lost place. we are known for our hard drinking and our continuous partying, and, Lord, You choose the foolish in this world to shame the wise; You choose the weak to shame the strong. You love to work in places where only Your hand is seen and no credit can be given to any other name. take hold of this city, Lord, and these students. their stories would be a wonderful display of Your glory and majesty. i can't wait to watch. continue Your work, Lord, and i thank You so much for the encouragement You've given me to continue. help me to daily seek Your face and Your presence.
"he that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." psalm 126:6
"and david enquired of the Lord, saying, shall i go up to the philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? and the Lord said unto david, go up: for i will doubtless deliver the philistines into thine hand." 2 samuel 5:19
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