Christmas: The new single awareness day?

Not having a relationship during Christmas sucks. 

That's right, plenty of people feel this way during the holidays. I've noticed that Christmas movies are all about love, relationships, and family. Christmas songs have become about "Santa Baby" and "All I want for Christmas is you". Conversations about Christmas have turned into what you are buying the loved ones in your life, and how you can fit everything into your schedule. In many ways Christmas has turned into a "Single Awareness Day" as much as Valentines Day. Going to Christmas parties and feeling like "if only I had a date this year", or with your family feeling like the only person who doesn't have someone to exchange that special gift...

The truth is, not having a relationship during Christmas does suck...if you do not have a relationship with the birthday boy we are celebrating. My heart is sad and I think the Lord probably grieves during this time of year in many ways at how we have made Christmas about everything except for Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior...

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

-Philippians 2:6-11

^7 8 

You see Christmas IS about having a RELATIONSHIP...

a RELATIONSHIP with JESUS. 

(John 6: 35-40, John 10:9-11)

Christmas IS about LOVE...

GOD IS LOVE. 

(1 John 4: 7-21, John 3:16)

Christmas IS about  FAMILY...

Being adopted into God's family.

(1 John 3:1, Matthew 12:48-50)

Christmas IS about a gift...

THE GIFT OF JESUS CHRIST.  

(Romans 6:23,  Ephesians 2:8-9)

I am guilty as anyone of getting distracted by all the things the world tells me I need this time of year, and all the reminders of things I don't have. My prayer is that we wouldn't get caught up in everything and just "fit Jesus" into Christmas, but that we would celebrate Jesus' birthday! This holiday is about Jesus, not about us. I pray that we would be thankful for the greatest gift of all, and share the love, grace, peace, and joy that we have because of our Savior. 

You see, you already have a relationship...the greatest, most loving relationship this world has ever seen. JESUS. You are not alone, you are never alone. God goes before you, is with you, and has an incredible plan for your life (Deuteronomy 31:6,8, Jeremiah 29:11). 

How are you doing in your relationship with Jesus?

Here's one of my new favorite Christmas songs:
Leaving Heaven by Matthew West
"If you're ever wondering how much your worth, you're the reason why I'm leaving heaven..."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvfKG8BFBd8

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Family & Friends

Another year is coming to an end and it always is a fun time to reflect back on all that the Lord has done this past year. I looked back on my past Christmas letters and the theme tends to stay the same: God is so very good.

2012 started with me moving into the Macfarlan’s garage apartment, and I had no idea how much of a blessing this would be for me. Dean and Tawney Macfarlan lead my trip to Uganda in October 2011, and quickly became some of my favorite people to be around. They have an incredible marriage rooted in Christ, and are some of the most faithful and loving people I have ever met. I've learned more from living there this past year than they will ever know.

Soon after my move, my beautiful niece Zoe was born in March. She is truly a gift from God and has already brought so much joy to our family. Her name is the word Jesus would use for “life” when the bible was written in Greek, and she is definitely full of life. We are so happy for Michael, Amy, and big brother Garrett.

 I then got invited to go on a cruise with a childhood friend of mine named Lauren. We went to Jamaica, Mexico, and Grand Cayman where we zip lined, kayaked, swam with stingrays, and got to race on one of the America’s Cup sailboats (our boat won!). It was such a sweet time to catch up with an old friend, and get a tan J.  

This summer I went to a city I had never been before, Chicago! Summertime in Chicago is amazing. The weather was perfect for running out by the lake, and I enjoyed eating great food, going to the top of the Sears Tower, taking an architectural boat tour through the city, exploring the Navy Pier, and going to Wrigley Field! In the fall we took a Breaud girls trip to Round Top where we had a great time shopping, eating, and catching up. It was really special having ten women from one side of the family (three generations) together for a weekend getaway.

The big trip of the year was going back to Haiti with 40 young adults that I serve with every Tuesday at The Porch (www.theporchdallas.com). We spent time painting new homes for the Haitians, where we would also get to share the Gospel with the children, adults, and deaf community nearby. Then other days we went to villages where those who knew Jesus reflected to us the hope and joy that comes from walking with the Lord. They have what we would consider nothing and yet only wanted us to pray for them to draw nearer to God and trust him more. This was very encouraging and convicting at the same time. It was very clear which villages either had never heard of Jesus, chose to reject Jesus, or mix Jesus with voodoo. We were challenged to articulate well the Gospel, and then pray for the Lord to move in a big way in these villages. Towards the end of the trip Hurricane Sandy hit the island and we were confined to Mission of Hope’s compound. The Lord had a plan though and having to stay at MOH allowed us to spend time in the orphanage, and help to paint the new hospital they are building on site. Overall the trip was incredible seeing the change from a year ago. Mission of Hope is a perfect name for our partners there because they are truly helping Haitians see the hope that comes from our Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you all so much for your prayers and support for this trip. Our team appreciated it so much, and we all came back even more excited about serving the Lord here in Dallas.

My last trip of the year was to the Macfarlan’s ranch where I got to celebrate my boyfriend Ryan’s 30^th birthday with some of our closest friends.  While we were there it was awesome reflecting on what Christmas is really about, and how thankful we are that God would send his Son Jesus to earth for us.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. –Luke 2:10-11

I’m excited to end the year celebrating Christmas and New Years with Ryan and our family and friends. I can’t wait to see what 2013 will bring!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year~

Allyson 

HEADED TO HAITI!

As many of you know my life has completely changed the last four years as I’ve surrendered my life to Jesus Christ and started to follow him (Matthew 16:24). When I reflect back on what the Lord has used to grow and shape me there are many things, but two huge factors have been The Porch and discipleship trips. I am writing you this letter because I will be going back to Haiti on October 20^th-27^th with an incredible team of Porch volunteers!

The Porch is our young adult’s ministry at Watermark Community Church. Every Tuesday night over 1,500 Dallas young adults gather to hear the Gospel and learn God’s word. I have been blessed to learn, serve, and lead in different ways with this ministry. It truly has been the biggest blessing in my life. (www.theporchdallas.com)

Discipleship trips are more than just the week we spend in a different country serving and sharing the Gospel. We train beforehand by having meetings together to learn about the country we are going to, learn more of God’s word, and this trip we are reading When Helping Hurts to learn how to best help those we’ll meet.

My past discipleship trips have been life changing. I was baptized in the Amazon River on my first trip, and also learned how huge our God is, yet how intimately he desires a relationship with each of his children, even those in the middle of the jungle. While standing on top of the boat one night, and looking at literally a blanket of stars (Isaiah 40:26), I couldn’t believe that the God, who created all the heavens and the earth, also cared deeply for each one of us (Psalm 139). God is so big and mighty, yet so personal.  

(Amazon 2010, JP baptizing me in the river)

In Uganda I learned from the women there to have a heart of gratitude. Even after going through more than I could imagine with the LRA, AIDS, and poverty, they were the most joyful and thankful people I have met.  I pray every day that I never lose sight of how blessed we are, not by material things, but by all the Lord has done for us (Colossians 3:15-17). 

(Uganda 2011, JOY)

Haiti has a very special place in my heart. The number of orphans and the destruction is overwhelming; yet I learned while on that trip to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17). At times when I felt helpless I would just pray for whatever child I was holding, or whatever village we were driving by. It was awesome to see how the Lord is using our partners there, Mission of Hope, to truly transform their country. (www.mohhaiti.org)

(Haiti 2011, precious Yonyon)

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” –James 1:27

I can’t wait to go back and see all the Lord has done this past year and half in Haiti, and also have the opportunity to meet the little girl I have been sponsoring named Annaxil Linda. Our team will be working with our partners there at Mission of Hope to serve by helping in the new villages they are building, playing with the orphans, and most importantly sharing the hope and grace we have found in our Savior Jesus Christ. I’m excited for our team to grow through this discipleship trip and learn even more how we can serve our city better when we return.

Annaxil Linda (my sponsor child)

I wanted to share this letter to share some of what I’ve learned through these trips, ask you most importantly to pray for our team as we prepare, and for the Haitians we will get to meet. If you would like to help support financially checks can be made out to “Watermark” with “Haiti-Allyson Black” on the memo line and mailed to: PO Box 112489, Carrollton, TX 75011.

Thank you so much for your prayers, encouragement, and support. I truly mean it when I say I am always so humbled by the support I receive, and you really are a part of what God’s doing all around the world. I appreciate you more than you will ever know.

Love & Prayers~

Allyson Black

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” –Isaiah 6:8

(I will continue updating my blog as we prepare for Haiti to share with you more about out trip.)

The Nameless Woman

I just can't get enough of the story in Matthew 9 that I shared in the last blog post (you may want to check it out before reading this). There is so much more to this text and it gets me so excited every time I read it. I decided to blog a little more about it, including the scripture before and after, to truly put what was going on in perspective. First check out Matthew 9:18-26

¹⁸ While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” ¹⁹ Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.

²⁰ Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. ²¹ She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

²² Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment.

²³ When Jesus entered the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd, ²⁴ he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. ²⁵ After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. ²⁶ News of this spread through all that region.

One thing I love to do when reading the bible is look at the "small stories". The ones that are put in there that we normally just breeze by. The big story here appears to be the rulers daughter that just died, so why then did the Lord chose to preserve this story of the other woman? Why did he want us to read a couple verses about a woman we don't even have a name for?


⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. -Ephesians 2:8-9


One thing is that in this moment the ruler is being reminded through Jesus's interaction with this woman that it is by faith we are healed. I'm sure the ruler was probably in a hurry to get Jesus to his daughter, but what a sweet reminder in the midst of his troubles that Christ is in control, he is our healer, and all we need to do is believe in Jesus as our Savior. In the same way God's faithfulness and healing in our lives can serve as an example and reminder to others who are also going through unbearable times. Our troubles are often times our biggest opportunities to give witness to others about our faith, and give an example of God's power, love, peace, and healing. 

³ Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. -Romans 5:3-5

Now to the woman who was bleeding. Think about this, you've been bleeding for twelve years...TWELVE YEARS...and Jesus walks by you, what would you say or ask him? I'm sure that the woman wondered why she had to suffer so much or for so long, and maybe even before this moment she had cried out to God asking him (please note this is just me thinking, the bible doesn't say what she did before this). Maybe the woman had been angry with God previously, maybe she had felt God wasn't with her or that he wasn't good, but in this moment face to face with Jesus Christ she didn't ask him any of that. She doesn't appear mad, she hadn't given up on God, and she wasn't even yelling for him to save her. She simply BELIEVED and TRUSTED in Jesus as her SAVIOR  and thought to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." Jesus then turns to her and says, "Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed at that moment!


I don't know about you, but this is just awesome to me. I love this... 


I'd like to believe that God preserved this story for us to read thousands of years later and specifically as women to see him call us DAUGHTER. We are His! A lot of the bible speaks in a more masculine tone, so I love even more when I find passages that almost call out the ladies. How comforting, "Take heart daughter, your faith has healed you."

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” -2 Corinthians 6:17-18 

Now if we are children, then we are heirs —heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. -Romans 8:17

There are times in my life when I've wondered if God was hearing my prayers. I've wondered if he could see me suffering when things have hurt so much, and then also felt like somethings weren't really a big enough deal to even pray about compared to what others were going through. This passage reminds me that God hears us, he knows our thoughts, he knows our hearts, and big or small he is present and cares. Jesus was headed to bring to life someone that had died, that's a pretty big deal, but he did not ignore the woman who was bleeding and, without words, desired Christ to heal her. How incredible is that! How reassuring! God is never too busy, He is always present, and always up to something amazing.


Lastly, I can be incredibly impatient. If I am really transparent I wonder how long the Lord would like me to remain single/not married, especially when I see people all around me in the next phase of their life. Then I look at this passage and get excited that God is sovereign, things happen perfectly in his timing, and for his glory. God's glory is shown through this woman who suffered for twelve years. So much so that I've now, thousands of years later, written this blog about a woman who I don't even have a name for. I pray that my life would be one that people could look at and see not my goodness, and not that people would know my name, but that they would see how Christ has healed and redeemed me. More than anything I pray that faithfulness, like this woman, would mark my life, and that HIS glory and HIS name would be magnified. 

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart, and wait for the LORD." -Psalm 27:14

"It is by faith that we are made well. Even in the face of seemingly hopeless circumstances and after years of suffering, there is no problem difficult for God."

WALKING BY FAITH.

Walking by faith…

A couple months ago I remember thinking, “wow I really am on cloud nine”. All my dreams seemed to be coming true and for the first time I felt I was at a place where I genuinely couldn’t ask for anything more. If there is anything I have learned in life though, it is that things can change so quickly. Whether it is moving to a new place, starting a new job, a growing family, friendships changing, relationships ending, or people passing away…change is a guarantee.  As I’ve gone through changes throughout my life I’ve seen more and more clearly that God is sovereign, and I am not in control. As I went through a change recently I realized, maybe for the first time truly, what it means to walk by faith. It’s easy to believe God’s word, trust Him, and praise Him when things are going the way we would like them to, but what about when it isn’t? What about when things don’t make sense to us? Do we still walk by faith and trust the Lord, or do we start to doubt his goodness, faithfulness, and sovereignty?

To walk by faith is to live out your faith. To live in a way that reflects what you say you believe is true. I believe that all scripture is God breathed (2 Timothy 3:16). I believe that He is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9). I believe that God is sovereign (Psalm 73:28). I believe that God has a plan for my life (Jeremiah 29:11). And I believe that even when I may not understand His ways, I can trust in Him (Proverbs 3:5-6).

My friend and mentor told me during a tough time that we are so near sighted. We can only see what is right in front of us, but thank God that he is far sighted. He sees what is coming next and we don’t. I’m learning so much to trust God with each step I take, and to lean into Him in all circumstances.

We look at our lives and wonder why things happen. Then I look at the bible and see so clearly that the stories God has chosen to preserve aren’t stories of people’s lives being easy and things always going their way, at least the way the world would see it, but they are stories of people being faithful against all odds. Think of Noah, he built an ark when no one had seen rain. Job, he lost his family, health, and wealth. The author of most of the New Testament, Paul, he was in prison. There are so many more. One of my favorite stories in the bible though is one of a woman that is only mentioned in a couple lines: Matthew 9:20-22

“Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment.”

I love this story. Read it again. She was bleeding for twelve years! Can you imagine? Even though that had to be terrible, she doesn’t appear to be angry with God in this moment, rather she believed in Jesus Christ and believed he could heal her. I love this first because she doesn’t say this loudly to where she was trying to get Jesus to hear her. Different translations actually say she just thought these words. The woman genuinely had faith in Jesus as her Savior. Second, because he, in his response to her, he calls her daughter. This shows how greatly and intimately Christ cares for us. Lastly, because we are healed and get through all things through our faith, and our faith alone.

God calls us to walk by faith and not by sight. How are you doing? Do you trust him?

What I've Learned in Year 28.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

-Ephesians 3:20-21

What a whirlwind life has been. As I think about this past year Ephesians 3:20-21 continues to really stick out as a summary. I can’t begin to describe all the Lord has done in my life, it truly has been more than all I have asked for or imagined. From having the opportunities to do ministry here in Dallas through Watermark and The Porch, to serving in Haiti, and even Uganda…I am blown away. Never in my wildest dreams.

*Ministry here in Dallas has taught me how much people long to be cared for and loved, and how far too often we don’t understand how much the Lord has done for us and the way he loves us. Living in the “bible-belt” we too often settle on knowing about God and the Bible, instead of knowing God intimately and spending time in His Word. I’ve learned that we can’t expect people to make Christ like decisions if they don’t know Christ. Helping people isn’t about behavior modification; it’s about helping them understand the Gospel and our great God.

*While in Haiti I learned to pray constantly. I felt so helpless seeing the number of orphans and the destruction. I realized while riding on the bus there, I may not be able to speak their language and help everyone, but I can pray. The same God that has healed areas of my life and has been faithful to take care of me is the same God watching over them. I can pray and trust Him. I realized on this trip after getting to have a conversation with our bus driver that you never know who around you needs someone to talk to. This man drove teams around to serve and share the Gospel, but no one had actually sat down and shared with him. Awesome moment.

*A heart of gratitude, that is what I took away from my time in Uganda. The people of Uganda would cheer and dance and sing everywhere we went. Welcoming us with open arms and gifts. I was blown away. They have been through more than we can ever imagine with the LRA and yet the ones who have come to know the Lord are incredibly joyful. One day as some women ate their red beans and rice lunch with their hands I remember thinking I should try and find them some forks. My next thought was wow, I really could learn from these ladies. They could care less if they had a fork, they were just grateful for food. This wasn’t their problem; this was a sign of a problem in my heart. From that day forward I have worked on daily thanking the Lord and having a heart of gratitude.

My year of 28 has truly been incredible. One of the best years of my life. I’ve gotten to travel to some awesome places on mission trips and other places to get away including: Colorado, New York, and the Caribbean. I’ve been able to spend more time with my family now that we are all in Dallas and have a new niece! I have an amazing group of friends who challenge and encourage me, and an incredible church home. 

God is good. He is faithful. And I am humbled and grateful.

Praying the Lord would continue to grow me and use me this next year of my life for His glory and my good.

BLOG UPDATE

I've finally decided to update my blog! I went back and copied my post from The Porch Dallas Blog (blog.theporchdallas.com) and posted them on here as well so that you can find all my post in one location. So if you are reading through and see things like "go back and check out..." or "last Tuesday..." that is referencing The Porch which is held 7pm at Watermark Community Church on Tuesday Nights. You can check out old podcast of messages I reference on their websites:

www.theporchdallas.com

www.watermark.org

Love,

Ally

"Use your smile to change this world.

Don't let this world change your smile."