Dentist

I have to share this story. (again)

My life was changed/challenged/encouraged at the DENTIST last week.

I mean, beyond the normal plaque, floss more, buy this toothpaste jazz.

the DENTIST!

Of all the places for God to reach down and say, "Hello, Emily! Here's My word for you!", this friendly, 6-month check up is one of the last places I would expect.

April was my dental hygienist and she was the exact image of what a life lived for and through Jesus looks like. She had cleaned my teeth 6 months prior, but I had totally forgotten how kind she was. Thankfully, I was quickly reminded when she cheerfully came out to greet me & we plunged into our dialog. (haha, though it eventually became a monologue :) Within the first several minutes we had covered school & relationship statuses...typical 'small talk' but such a blessing to be encouraged to continue preparing my outdoor work (Prov. 24:27) and seeking Jesus first (Matt. 6:33) right where He has placed me. My mind is so quick to run off & attempt to plan the future and overwhelm myself with imaginary scenarios - thankful to be encouraged right where I am! (but April didn't know that I was facing a week full of tests, wondering if I had really done enough to adequately prepare myself...)

From there, April shared on what the Lord had been revealing to her during her quiet time (seeing the Lord as her friend, and also her husband - so good!)...and how God had led her to share that revelation with another lady she met who had been recently widowed. From there, April was able to help connect with this group of other widowed women from April's church, and just surround her with community. (but April didn't know that I'd been questioning when/if God would have me share the truth & revelation & wisdom that He so freely pours out on me every morning...)

Another story was about this gentleman at April's church who struggles with chronic pain, and how he had recently started a Bible study for others who deal with chronic pain. I loved her statement: "Of course we're still praying and believing that the Lord will heal him, but if the pain is still there, then God still has a purpose for it." Yes; yes He does. She also mentioned to me after that how MS could provide a similar opportunity for people. :-) Very true. (but of course, April didn't know that God knows that I know that I've been pondering how He would have me continue to reach out to MS peeps...)

Finally, as I'm walking out to my car, I realize, that I want to be a dental hygienist so I can tell people about Jesus! As April said, "I say I'm a dental hygienist, but I'm really a Christian in disguise!" She wasn't pushy or annoying or judgmental in any way - she was just doing her job, cheerfully and with excellence. (I had mentioned Passion 2012 a bit, but April didn't know that she was a living example of Louie's final talk/GOD'S purpose to simply speak up, and reach out to those that He has placed within our circle of influence - WHEREVER that may be.)

As I've processed this encounter over the past week, it occurred to me that my visit may not have been the norm. She might not have had the chance to share with someone else as extensively as she did with me. But that's ok! We're not supposed to have the exact same, rehearsed speech to share with everyone we come into contact with. 1 - how boring that would quickly become, and 2 - how narrow to think that God will only be heard if I put just the right inflection on certain words.

April left me with the perfect reminder, encouragement and challenge to wake up everyday with the expectation that God has already prepared the good works that He has for me to walk in (Eph. 2:10). For every single person that comes across my path, every single day - God allows that to happen and He has a purpose for them and for me.

But I don't need to walk around all tense and freaked out that I might 'miss God'. If I am simply in relationship with Him, trusting that as His words abide in me then I abide in Him (John 15:7), then there is NO ROOM for worry or fret within my life.

Everything

is

in

His

hands.

All of a sudden, August can't come soon enough! (next 6-month check up, you know.) I am so energized to continue following Christ, working with ALL of my heart/soul/mind/strength for Him, and not for man...though man will surely see the fruit and freedom of a life that finds all of its worth and purpose from the cross.

Colossians 1:27-29

The Message (MSG)

^26-29This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it's out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God's glory. It's that simple. That is the substance of our Message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. That's what I'm working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me.

"This is not a death
This is us waking
This is a return back to life
Oh your life all I'm living for
Your life in my life oh it's life that I'm dying for"
--DC*B, "Oh, Great Love Of God" from Give Us Rest or (A Requiem Mass in C [The Happiest of All Keys])
one plug: ^^^BUY THIS ALBUM. even if you have it already. someone you know needs it as a gift. from you. =D

P.e.r.f.e.c.t.

haha, just saying "acronym" makes me think of my Ochem professor...she pronounced it more like "uh-crow-knee-um".
=) love her.


So when I feel gloomy and/or frustrated, I'm quickly reminded that the only place I'll find truth/encouragement/the perfect perspective is in the Word.

Psalm 18:30
This God—His way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.

Philippians 3:12
[ Straining Toward the Goal ] Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Hebrews 10:14
For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.


One of my leaders also reminded me several weeks ago that God has the PERFECT plan for me.
(Why is it so easy to quickly forget such basic truths?)

Then today, I came across my perfect acronym:

Prompt (done, performed, delivered, etc., at once or without delay: a prompt reply...ready in action; quick to act as occasion demands.)
Effective (adequate to accomplish a purpose; producing the intended or expected result)
Righteous (Slang - absolutely genuine or wonderful)
Freeing (enjoying personal rights or liberty, as a person who is not in slavery)
Eternal (without beginning or end; lasting forever; always existing ( opposed to temporal): eternal life.)

Complete (having all parts or elements; lacking nothing; whole; entire; full)
Trustworthy (deserving of trust or confidence; dependable; reliable)




Give Me Faith - Elevation Worship
I need You to soften my heart
To break me apart
I need You to open my eyes
To see that You're shaping my life

All I am, I surrender

Give me faith to trust what you say
That You're good and Your love is great
I'm broken inside, I give You my life

I need You to soften my heart
To break me apart
I need You to pierce through the dark
And cleanse every part of me

All I am, I surrender

I may be weak
Your Spirit's strong in me
My flesh may fail
My God You never will

ps - Happy December! :-) Praying this Advent season will renew & rekindle affections for our Savior as we raise our expectations of all that HE is able to do.

Cause.

noun
1. a person or thing that acts, happens, or exists in such a way that some specific thing happens as a result

¹⁵But He saves the needy from the sword of their mouth
and from the hand of the mighty.
¹⁶So the poor have hope,
and injustice shuts her mouth.
-Job 5

Monday of this week brought me a conversation about child trafficking - from Atlanta to India.
I followed up the conversation with an email containing various organizations that I've gotten to partner with, and it occurred to me that even more people need to be in the loop. (and since this week is another FB fast :D blogging is the timely answer, woohoo!)
And before I had the trafficking convo, I was in Job Sunday night and Job 5:16 LEAPT off the page and has continued to sit heavily in my spirit...I believe it couples perfectly with child slavery and this truth could be made tangible in the lives of so many people --- if we're willing to DO SOMETHING.

(and now, the email.)


These are some local trafficking organizations that I've gotten to volunteer with/donate to before...hopefully you can find an easy way for you to plug in and help stop the demand! :)

Stop Child Trafficking Now (SCTNow)
http://sctnow.org/
I first heard about this organization back in January 2010 at a conference I went to. Then, a lady at my church actually stepped up to be the coordinator for the Atlanta walk/run in 2010 and 2011, so I was able to participate in a more tangible way than just donating money (which is STILL necessary & helpful & awesome, but it's different when you're physically doing something.) This is probably the organization I mention the most, because they're all over the U.S. Their focus is on raising funds to pay for private investigators to find and stop all these different sex trafficking rings.

Wellspring Living
http://www.wellspringliving.org/
This is an Atlanta-based organization that provides healing, restoration, and counseling for women & girls that have been sexually abused. They have also come and partnered with the SCTNow walks we've had in Atlanta. (another thing I SO appreciate about these trafficking organizations -they're so quick to combine resources & work together, because they all have the same goal!!) Wellspring has tons of different volunteer opportunities and easy ways to donate.

Do Something Now
http://268generation.com/passion2012/#!/do-something-now/
I will be attending Passion 2012 in January (a 4-day conference for 18-25yr olds -- all about making JESUS famous & combining worship with justice!), and each year (this will be my 3rd time going) they have a "Do Something Now" center. With 20-30,000 students in attendance, the past 2 years we've been able to help raise a couple million dollars for dozens of different causes (from water, to food, to trafficking, child sponsorship...).

THIS coming year, "During the four days of the conference, our goal is to raise $1 million to fund incredible organizations that are fighting to bring prevention, freedom, and restoration to those trapped in slavery." They have 6 different organizations listed that you can read more about and see if you're led to invest in one of those, too.

Honestly, organizations like these are the propelling force that makes me want to eliminate my student debt as quickly as possible, so I can pour any extra funds towards this need. Especially within the U.S., it's not like this is un-stoppable...it's absolutely heart-breaking, but it's not something that people can remain silent about once they're aware it's going on.

I'll stop now. :-) Hope this helps as you continue to pray & find an area to plug in!!


Truly and really - please DO something. Now.

Busy?

Yikes.

Surely I've had plenty of things to share since...May 25th, right?

Fortunately for YOU, I am still a journaling fiend (as in, "a person who is excessively fond or addicted to something"), therefore, I will now attempt to pick ONE word (or catchy phrase? hm..) to summarize each month...May - October.
Sound good? READYSETGO!

May ~ Held.

June ~ Pizza.

July ~ Blur.

August ~ Adventure.

September ~ Release.

October ~ Cleanse.

November ~ TBD.

Coming soon.

So much to share!

(God is saying a lot these days - and I'm finally listening.)

But, it's bed time.

and there is more Organic Chemistry that I have yet to study. o.O

Sleep it is! =)
(I don't know what I would do without emoticons.)

Currently: started reading through Psalms with the little sister.
tomorrow is chapter 3...sitting in verse 5:
⁵I lay down and slept;
I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.

New.

(note! previous post = last minute scholarship entry)

I feel, surprisingly refreshed, rejuvenated, re-focused, re-motivated.
Weird - feeling rested after a break? ah, such a concept. Hallelujah.
I'm wondering lately, what do I spend my time talking about the most?
Is it me?
Is it what I'm doing?
Is it my family?
Is it complaining?
Is it encouraging?
Am I professing Christ before man?
I don't know.

Reminded that I need to be thinking about the thoughts I think.
More intentionality, purpose, focus.
(you know?)
I want that.
and I can!
Do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Not desiring to be "normal" any more, because I think I'm finally accepting (again) that God has not called me to be "normal."
(or, perhaps I need to line up my definition of "normal" with His.)

Striving to take His Word as a command, not a suggestion.
And not be offended by His commands - He knows who He is and what He wants.
How comforting for such an indecisive, flighty person like myself.
thankful that God is BIG.
and that I can't fully comprehend/wrap my mind around who He is and what He does. glory.

Free to Fail (and get back up)

***THIS BLOG POST IS IN RESPONSE TO MICHAEL GOODWIN'S "FREEDOM TO FAIL" VIDEO***


"If you don't aim for anything, then that's what you're going to get every time." The other night, I was dialoging with my mentor, and this phrase came across her lips. As I reflect on decisions that I have made and the varied courses that I have seen friends pursue, I keep arriving at the conclusion that the "freedom to fail" is more internal than external. While there are portions of Goodwin's observations that I agree with, and will soon expound on, I believe the concept of failure lies within individual perspectives. Personally speaking, if I trace back from moments where I had "failed," it typically stemmed from areas where I had already felt inadequate or was ill-equipped for the situation. As much as someone believes they deserve to succeed, it is just as contorted to suppose that they deserve to fail.

Concerning Goodwin's viewpoint, there are current areas within my county's school system that cause me to concur with him. I am not certain if other states have attempted this project, but in various Georgia counties, they had (rather unsuccessfully) tried to condense their high school math curriculum by replacing traditional mathematics with the recently created Math I, II and III. This smorgasbord approach proved to be difficult both for the teachers to instruct and the students to understand. My mother has an independent tutoring business where she has been able to correct and redirect multiple students by supplementing their textbooks with more thorough resources. Thanks to the resourcefulness of high school parents, the diligence of my mother and the hard work from her clients, I believe an excellent capitalistic picture has been painted here. Rather than the parents choosing to attack the school board or individual teachers, they have used this opportunity not to pacify their children, but to guide them into cultivating behaviors for success.

I remember hearing Goodwin make the statement that, "without failure we can't succeed." Yes, there is some truth to that, but I believe that it goes deeper still - if we do not DO anything, we cannot succeed. Case in point - this scholarship essay. I only discovered this opportunity a few days ago, and my initial response was to not even try, because I thought it would give the appearance of laziness by submitting my response so close to the deadline. My own false assumption gives voice to my belief, that as long as we have the capacity to cognitively form our own decisions, we do not lack the freedom to fail.