Creativity Day

Last Saturday, I decided to find a fun activity that would allow me some time to slow down a bit after a busy couple of weeks. I had been looking for a paint-your-own-pottery studio as a possible girls' day activity. Turns out, the only one in the area is just a few minutes away! After spending most of the day working on my SummerLink scrapbook (it's almost done!!), I headed around the corner for my foray into pottery painting. Of course, I changed my design plan a few times...this included spending what felt like quite some time staring at my blank canvas of sorts--a completely different item than what I'd originally intended. But that's all part of the fun! Good thing I arrived 3 hrs before they closed. I almost used every bit of the time! It was very restful to put in my ipod headphones and watch the design come together. Pieces must be left for 5 days to be glazed and fired but I did take a picture before I turned over my plate.


The background is a lavender color and the wording is light blue. The darker spots should dry and even out. Its just water from some corrections and paint touch-ups. I plan to use the plate as a candle tray hopefully to enjoy during quiet times. It will be a reminder to my worry/ control-prone self to look to the Lord. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product!

A Sister's Wisdom

Several of my friends are involved in summer missions; many of them overseas. This has brought about a challenge in my heart to be diligent in prayer for them. It has been a sweet time though as I've had the blessing to hear updates of answered prayer and God's faithfulness!
There is a team leaving for Peru at the end of this month. One of the girls recently posted an update on her blog which is so full of great wisdom! I wanted to share it:


Hello, I just wanted to shoot out a quick update as the trip is right around the corner. I’m so thankful to many of you who have been reminding me that you are praying for me and the Yagua people! I’m so excited to see and report how God uses those prayers!
Preparation has consisted of mostly checking little things off of a packing list. Since we’ll be spending at least a week continually traveling in the jungle, we have to plan to carry a week’s worth of food, a tent, pills to purify water, etc…Haha getting vaccinated for a few various diseases has also been intriguing The most exciting was ingesting pills for typhoid fever with the live bacteria inside. Many very random precautions had to be taken (such as refrigeration, empty stomach, and the temperature of the water with which they are swallowed) to insure the capsule remained intact and the bacteria was not released until reaching my small intestine where antibodies can be made effectively. Interesting huh?!
Not surprising, I can see how the Lord has been much more interested in spiritually preparation thus far this summer. Working at a restaurant as a server several nights a week has had an incredible impact on my heart. Never before have I had so many good friends of all races, ages, sexual orientations and lifestyles! These people are absolutely amazing, far more intelligent and talented than I. Many have a great sense of humor and I am continually blown away by their authentic care for me and for each other. Where does their joy come from? Yet I’m confronted with horrific sin and my heart is broken every night as I am surrounded by stories of drugs fixations, broken families, sexual promiscuity, alcohol addictions, etc….Instead of being appalled and completely disgusted, as is my normal response far too often, I am heart-broken. I see their longings, twisted and perverted by the devil, I see their hearts and they remind me so much of my own! The knowledge that I would be exactly as they, hungry, hurting and desperately grasping for fulfillment in the wrong places, apart from solely the grace of God, is such a sobering thought! Never have I felt such intense desire for people to stop giving themselves away to things that leave them hurt and empty when there is all- satisfying joy to be found! Never before have thoughts of hell brought tears to my eyes because I no longer have the ability to imagine hell as a mass populous of unbelievers but these eternally suffers now have all too vivid faces with clear voices and heart-wrenching stories.
How many days are spent so focused on my own ambitions and comfort that I am completely blind to the reality that there are lives at stake? How desperately this truth must sink into my heart that I may be ready always to jump on opportunities to give time and money and anything God’s entrusted me with to make His name known and understood. How desperately the Holy Spirit is needed to even know how to being to communicate the out of this world and unbelievable truths of the gospel.
It is my prayer that God would cultivate in all of us a heart for our neighbors, a sensitivity to their needs which will takes priority over being absorbed in our own. What a desire Christ has to use us as vessels of hope to those we brush shoulders with every day and how exciting is this most high calling that we can be used mightily to further His Kingdom!


“All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilization—these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit—immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

The Quest For Joy

I have been meaning to visit a church that some friends of mine attend and about which I've heard so many wonderful things. I got an opportunity to do so today and wanted to share something I found printed in the bulletin:

Quest for Joy 15 statements in the search (from John Piper)

1. Realize that authentic joy in God is a gift
2. Realize that joy must be fought for relentlessly
3. Resolve to attack all known sin in your life.
4. Learn the secret of gutsy guilt- how to fight like a justified sinner.
5. Realize that the battle is primarily a fight to see God for who he is.
6. Meditate on the Word of God day and night.
7. Pray earnestly and continually for open heart-eyes and an inclination for God.
8. Learn to preach to yourself rather than listen to yourself
9. Spend time with God-saturated people who help you see God and fight the fight.
10. Be patient in the night of God's seeming absence.
11. Get the rest and exercise, proper diet that your body was designed by God to have.
12. Make a proper use of God's revelation in nature.
13. Read great books about God and biographies of great saints.
14. do the hard and loving thing for the sake of others (witness and mercy).
15. Get a global vision for the cause of Christ and pour yourself out for the unreached.

This definitely spoke to my heart regarding some current struggles. I hope it is thought-provoking and encouraging for you as well.
I very much enjoyed my time of worship with a new body of believers. Not only was there a great message but I had the added treat to briefly visit with the Gainor's. We met last summer as I interned under Gray for Crosspoint Bluffton (and unofficially under Brandy as she answered my MANY questions about being a wife and mother in the ministry --Thank you again, Brandy, for so graciously answering each question with such wonderful, Christ-centered wisdom and allowing me to learn from your incite!) Please be praying for them as they prepare to move to the mission field in India in the coming months!

SummerLink Visit

This past weekend I made a day trip to HH/Bluffton to visit this year's SummerLINK team. It was such a blessing to meet the new team. I only know a few of the students as its a very young class but I've been praying for this group practically since I left last year! It was also refreshing (as always!) to reunite with the sweet staff all of which were either staff members or link students last year!

The group is preparing for the staff to leave at the end of this week. This is definitely a bittersweet time as the group has bonded and grown close to their servant leadership. It's also a greatly strengthening time though as the students further bond together and step up to the responsibilities assigned with the departure of the staff. I know it's also a bittersweet time for the staff as they look forward to hearing of the students further growth but would very much like to be with them.
I enjoyed hearing from the staff and students of how they've served and grown since arriving in the lowcountry about a month ago. I was there during their family weekend so they were very excited to share their experiences so far with family and friends. This was so encouragingly evident as they introduced themselves to me. The team has been serving migrant camps, holding free car washes and ice cream socials, as well as building relationships in their workplaces and helping with the weekly operations of the church plant, Crosspoint Bluffton.
I wondered (and was asked) what it would be like to return to such a different group from last year. I discovered that although I do love my group and miss being together with them as we were last summer, things felt as though they were exactly as they should be. It is truly exciting to see SummerLink continue knowing especially with a young class, the future of Crosspoints college program (and its leadership) are being trained and envigorated to serve the campus, community and wherever God leads them in the future with excitement and awe of His plan. It's such a great blessing and privilege to have been a part of this program and to return to see its future.

Here are a few pictures of my short but sweet time with SummerLINK 09

One of the things I enjoyed most about the visit was getting to see some familiar sites from last summer. First Baptist graciously allowed us to use their Student Center for our weekly group Celebration meetings which included a meal, games, praise and worship and a message. This year's group does this as well but their weekly schedule is a bit different.

Families were invited to gather at Driessen Beach for lunch at the park before BlufFest that evening. It was Matt Stephens' Birthday so some of the staff surprised him with a cake complete with a Batman mask (he's a big Dark Knight fan) and a matching costume as a gift.

It was a lot of fun seeing him and Jason as they returned for their second year as student linkers (three of the girls returned as staff). They are a true encouragement as they've grown in leadership and are serving the Lord whole-heartedly. Jason will be serving as the student director and Matt is very talented with media and leading worship.

I loved spending time with Clemson friends I don't get to see nearly as often as I'd like! Lyndsey is such a sweet sister. She's one of the oldest of the group and I'm sure doing a wonderful job encouraging and shepherding younger sisters.

Most of the female staff:Meredyth, Tara and Jenna (just April and the directors' wives, Liz and Brandy, missing). I thought it was fun to see how many of the alums wore our S'link 08 shirts.

Another familiar (and funny!) site. This is a restaurant in Bluffton just around the corner from Brenden Woods, the habitat neighborhood where we did block parties. Heath talked Meredith and I into a Bluffton Interns lunch one day. They make an excellent Gyro! (though, its more of a southern cookin' place than a greek....)

The trip was quick (as always with any visit to dear friends!) but very refreshing and fun! I'm looking forward to continuing to hear of how the Lord works in and through this group in the weeks (and prayerfully, years with coming groups!) to come!!

GirlTalk Sept 5, 2007 The Question God Always Answers

I was availing myself of the GirlTalk Blog's wonderful resource section this morning and came across this. Its amazing how God blesses us with just what we need when we're not specifically looking for it....


In difficulty, my first question is often “Why?” I can be tempted to demand an answer from God. Sometimes He makes his purposes clear: in many cases, our trials are indeed “preparation for the task." But God is not obligated, nor does He always tell us why.
But there is another question He will always answer, as JI Packer asserts in his new book: Praying the Lord’s Prayer:
“If you ask, ‘Why is this or that happening?’ no light may come, for ‘the secret things belong to the Lord our God’ (Deuteronomy 29:29); but if you ask, ‘How am I to serve and glorify God here and now, where I am?’ there will always be an answer.”
Our Father in heaven will show us how to glorify Him, if we simply ask, ready to obey. So which question are you asking today?
“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21

Caught Up in the Middle ....

Caught Up In The Middle --Mercy Me

...I've been embraced
By the wonderful arms of glory
There is nowhere else I'd rather be

I believe Your spirit is alive and on the move
Oh I want to be caught up in the middle of You
I wanna be a part of what I know you're gonna do
Oh I wanna be caught up in the middle of You...


I have so much to be thankful to God for right now!! I HAVE A JOB!!! There have been many confirmations that this is the "mission field" He's called me to right now. It's not something I expected but I know the Lord provided it. It's definitely a daily test of dying to self and full reliance on Him. I'm learning more about the absolute necessity of putting on the full armor before entering spiritual warfare (and for daily communion with Him!). As I've been in Proverbs in my reading plan, I've been reading about wisdom and seeing how the necessity of growing in wisdom and understanding plays out as I seek to serve and minister to coworkers. He has also been growing my prayer life as I've found myself more "needy" (as a sweet sister once explained it) of Him to guard my heart, words, actions and attitudes in front of those to whom I want to show Christ through my life.
Just recently, God reminded me of Romans 8:26. I was literally telling God I was so exhausted with a situation that I couldn't even find words. I don't think I've ever recognized His gentle, comforting voice so clearly! Just by saying I can't find the words but my heart's heavy, the Spirit took over and brought so much peace and comfort! God truly is amazingly faithful and good in how He provides for His children in EVERY way! He knows and takes care of every detail. What a gracious, loving Creator!
It's all SO much to take in but it's been so encouraging and peace-inducing to see God continually at work in my life! I know I still have unfulfilled passions and desires in serving the Lord. This, though, has just become a comforting promise that there's more to come! God's purposes and plans for me are far greater than I could ever dream. Eph 3:20, Jer 29:11
There are some sweet gifts from the Lord in my job. One is that I usually get 10-15 min in the morning to take a walk for some prayer and calm time before the start of the day. It's been such a blessing in preparing my mind and heart to "be on mission".


The views remind me of Summerlink :)

Fresh Perspective on the Proverbs 31 Woman

I came across this passage in the book I'm reading: Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow. I found it especially challenging yet uplifting that she wasn't praised for any of her activities but for her character. And she chose to control her attitudes and tongue! So challenging and yet God allows us to accomplish this if we seek Him for grace and discipline!

A Woman of Character
A very familiar passage, Prov 31:10-31, gives a portrait of a woman of character and wisdom. When you read about this superwoman, what comes to your mind? A long litany of her achievements? I thought so. She was a paramount "doer". Yet, if you look carefully at the text, you will discover that all she accomplished flowed from her inner character. this woman took her knowledge of God and applied it in a skillful and successful way so that her life became a picture of beauty. It's interesting that we don't know her name or what she looked like. We don't know anything about her personality.
We do know, however, that her husband and grown children praised her. "There are many women of character but you surpass them all! Charm is deceiving, hiding an ugly personality, and beauty is only skin deep. But a woman who fears and reverences God is truly charming and lovely. Give her praise!" (verses 29-30 AMP). Did you note what they praised her for? Not because she was up at dawn, working into the night, or because she sewed her clothes, organized the home, and took food to the poor. They praised her for her spiritual character. What a tribute! Of all the women they know, she was the best.
This exceptional woman believed that God was the Blessed Controller of her life. But she also knew that God expected her to make godly choices to rule over herself. This involved making herself attractive by the "fine linen and purple" she wore (verse 22). A more difficult choice was to rule over her tongue: "She opens her mouth with skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness" (verse 26, AMP). The Proverbs 31 woman was not controlled by her circumstances and the demands of her family, her household, or her home business. She was ruler of her attitudes, her time, and her schedule. Her relationship with God was central. All that she became was a result of her yielding to His sovereign control. She allowed Him to place His brushstrokes on the canvas of her life. But she also chose to rule her appearance, her mouth, and her activities.