An Ambassador to Opposite Living.

"EVERY DECISION I'VE MADE IN MY LIFE HAS BEEN ENTIRELY WRONG...I WILL DO THE OPPOSITE!" -George Costanza from Seinfield

As I've stopped living the way I used to, the way the world has said to live, I've been able to see God's love and faithfulness so clearly.

When we surrender our lives to Christ we are a new creation!

2 Corinthians 5:17 tell us Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! Romans 12:2 puts it plain and simple: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

My life this year has been just that. I’ve literally pulled up to bars/clubs, only to apologize to the valet that I've changed my mind, drive off, and head back home because my desire has completely changed from before. I now know there is no life found there. Only temptation, brokenness, and regret. Instead of entering into or staying in relationships that I know are not right because of co-dependency and loneliness or even the fear of forever being single… I've been able to walk away and trust not in my deceitful heart or selfish desires, but completely trust in the Lord and his perfect plan for my life.

I’ve been able to be transparent, admit mistakes, ask for forgiveness, forgive others, and handle situations completely different than before. Moments when dealing with situations about relationships, friendships, and job decisions I’ve literally in my head reminded myself “BE TRANSFORMED…Do not handle things they way you’ve always done or make decisions selfishly. Do things in a way that is most glorifying to the Lord.”

I sit in awe of the lessons I am learning through these situations and complete amazement at the work he has done in me and in my life. I have had no regrets when handling things in a way honoring to the Lord, only excitement at knowing that when we come near to God, he comes near to us (James 4:8). HE IS FAITHFUL. He has changed my desires, changed my heart, and I am forever changed by the Gospel. I pray that my life be a reflection of this and ask for forgiveness when it’s not.

So I ask you the same question Patrick asked Tuesday, “In what ways are you living opposite of the world?”

How do you handle your money, time, relationships, authority, and decisions? Where do you put your hope? What does your life look like in terms of humility? Service?

How does your life reflect what you say you believe?

Titus 2:11-13 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ

Praying for you all~

www.theporchdallas.com

BEST TRIP OF MY LIFE

AMAZON 2010 GOT TO!

It has been a couple months since I returned back from the Amazon and I still don’t think I have the words to describe the beauty of Brazil, the people, and the experience. The trip was more than I ever imagined it could be!Below are some brief notes about the incredible journey through Manaus and the Amazon:


*MANAUS (the city)- The outdoor markets in Manaus were filled with culture. There was music, dance contest…and I bought a coconut to drink while shopping :)

*OUR PARTNER CHURCH- The Presperterian Church in Manaus was packed with believers singing worship and praise in Portuguese. It was moving to see people worshiping our same God in another part of the world and in another language! (Revelation 7:9-17)


*OUR BOAT- was 3 stories with the kitchen and a few rooms on the bottom level (mine was there). Our dining room/hangout/guys bedroom was on the second level along with a few more rooms for the girls. The top level was just an open hang out area where we could watch the MOST BEAUTIFUL sunsets and sunrises I have ever seen in my life. The stars at night would completely cover the sky in a way I’ve never seen and because of our location the moon would disappear.

*LONG JOURNEY- It took us 18 hours on the boat to get to our first village. Hints why they call the people of the Amazon the “Forgotten People” because it takes so long for anyone to get out to where they live.

*THE RIVER- We were on the Rio Negro River. The water was like glass…wake boarders/skiers seriously the smoothest water I have ever seen in my life. The water created a perfect reflection of the land, clouds, sunsets/rises, and even lightening. It was breathtaking.

*THE VILLAGES- The villages we went to were small, around 10-30 families in each. Women on average had 3children by the time they are 25-27 years old (my age). Men fishes and hunted, one even speared a jaguar a couple days before we reached their village. Women would work in fields and take care of the children. Many children also attended a small school in their village.


*OUR TEAMS- We had a medical team, women’s team, men’s team, and children’s team. The people would line up to get medical help and even medicines from a pharmacy we had on our boat. The women’s team would paint nails to open conversation, go to their homes to help cook or just meet them, and have afternoon meetings to share testimonies, the Gospel, pray, learn more about the, and give them goodie bags with everyday toiletries. The men played soccer, went on jungle tours, got to know the men, and share testimonies etc. The children’s team would play games, do a VBS, sing songs, and act out skits of Bible stories etc. They worked so hard! At the end of the day we would have a church service where one or two of us would share our testimonies and then one of the leaders would give a message. We also were lucky that a guy on our team, Justin, brought his guitar with him so we did worship on our boat during devos and in the villages as well!


*RESULTS- I am not sure how many people were “saved”, but seeds were definitely planted and we left encouraged. Many had a wrong view of the Gospel, so we had the opportunity to share with them the TRUTH and the Good News! We shared a lot, prayed a lot, smiled a lot, and even cried. Lives were changed…both theirs and ours.

*FUN FUN FUN- Some fun things we got to experience: jungle hikes, picking pineapples, canoe tours, swimming with dolphins in the river, an alligator hunt!, fishing, tour incredible hotels in Manaus (including one with a zoo), and eat amazing Brazilian food!


*THANK YOU GOD- Three of us actually got baptized on this trip. Kylea, Kiersti, and myself. I was actually baptized as a baby, but this was different. I truly understand and believe the Gospel now, and the fact that in being reconciled to Christ I am a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5, Romans 6, Matthew 28, Acts 2:38)JP, our young adults pastor, did all three of our baptisms. God has used him in all our walks, and he has spoken so much truth to us that we all were so grateful he would agree to baptize us in the Amazon River. It was INCREDIBLE! Thankfully none of us were bitten by anything during the process! :)


*REFLECTION- I learned so much about sharing the Gospel and praying for people in the moment. You know how people tell you something and you tell them you will pray for them? I’ve learned not to wait, but to pray right then. It’s amazing. The people taught me so much about living simply, being content, and realizing I already have more than I ever need. The joy of the Brazilians that served with us was contagious, I pray that I can be that way! To many of us the trip made God seem so huge that he could reach so far and so many languages, but at the same time be so small that he wants each and every one of us. I am truly humbled at the opportunity I was given to serve HIM and make HIM known.

Victory Comes Through Brokenness.

This past week really hit home when JP went through James 4:1-10. I encourage you all to read back through those verses. He spoke on the battles we are going through: 1. The War Within You 2. The War Around You and 3. Victory Comes Through Brokenness.

There came a point in my life where the world around me seemed to have fallen apart. Everything I once had and thought of as needed for happiness had been taken from me within a two year time period. A head-on collision had left me changed physically, I was working a job that I didn’t enjoy, and my marriage was over. The war was within me. I tried to go to church, but would leave when the songs came on because I didn’t want anyone to see me cry. I had to be strong, being weak in my eyes would mean that my ex "won".

I quickly made new friends that seemed to have everything going for them, and everything this world had to offer. I bought into it. I thought of myself as strong and in control. I got this. I didn’t need anyone. I loved this world and all that it had to offer. The more I was “living the life” as the world would say, the more temptations came, and the more it consumed me. The war was around me. I was an enemy of God.

James 4:4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

It got to a point where I felt so worthless. I knew what I was doing was wrong, but what hope did I have? Where do I even begin? I was too far gone… or so I thought.

There came a day where I couldn’t be “strong” anymore, I was tired of faking it and living only for this world, hiding any insecurity and pain I had. I was hopeless and broken…and I finally prayed. I prayed to God, even though I had turned my back on him time and time before. The difference was I now understood the Gospel and amazing grace that comes from surrendering my life to him and having a real relationship with my heavenly Father. (Romans 12:1-2) I understood the cross and that Jesus paid it ALL...and all to HIM I owe.

James 4: 6&10 God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble… Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

I asked for his forgiveness and humbled myself before him. I didn’t know what my life would start to look like, but I didn’t care. I wanted (and still do) Jesus more than I wanted anything else in this world. I finally admitted... “Hey God I can’t fight, but will you fight for me?” and HE HAS BEEN SO FAITHFUL.

James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.

I can’t begin to describe how sweet life’s been since I’ve decided to join God’s team! It’s not always easy, but I’ve got the best player in the league on my team! He’s a veteran, who’s written the playbook, knows all the rules, and is undefeated. I’d also like to think of the team colors as orange and blue…like Auburn of course :)

What team are you playing for? God's or the world's? You can't be on both.

Praying for you all~

www.theporchdallas.com