This is one of my all time favorite acronyms I have learned since I have been in the youth at my church. Joy is my favorite word! My friend who just graduated, Jenna, shared this with us. She loves it too because her mom's name is Joy! Put Jesus first, then serve others, all before you think of yourself. Friday, October 4, 2013
True J. O. Y.
This is one of my all time favorite acronyms I have learned since I have been in the youth at my church. Joy is my favorite word! My friend who just graduated, Jenna, shared this with us. She loves it too because her mom's name is Joy! Put Jesus first, then serve others, all before you think of yourself. 
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Camp Your Face Off 2013
This past weekend consisting of the Bristol Cross race and then my church's fall youth retreat, Camp Your Face Off, was one of the best weekends I've ever had!
Sorry that some of these pictures have instagram labels on them. They are cropped out on my phone and laptop, but for some reason, they still appear on this blog and I cannot get them off! If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know!
This is Jay preaching the Word of God to all these students and leaders!
Jay preached on Galatians 1:1-9, 10-24 on Friday and Saturday morning. My favorite verse from this section (although I wasn't there for this session) is verse 1:10. "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." As I am such a competitive person, this really applies to my life. I am so motivated right now to serve The Lord, but I am also so determined to perform well. Many times not just well, but the best. If I truly want to be a servant for Christ, I have to put my own desires behind me to fully do His work. I must not worry about what others think of me. God knows my heart. He is eternal! Life here on earth is not worth my worry. One day I will have the ultimate reward in heaven.
Saturday night was on Galatians 5:1, 16-25. Something I learned in this section (although I had heard the Fruits of the Spirit many times before) was that it is singular-fruit of the Spirit. They all go together. This is also the main message I refferred to in my previous blog about a sleepless morning and blessings. I love hearing this part: "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit was is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want." (verses 16-17) "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desire. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (verse 24). I am a daughter of Christ! His Holy Spirit is within me! By living by His Word and trusting in Him, I have power to stand up agaist sinful desires. My conscience keeps me accountable; I can feel when there is something I should do. God is always walking with me; all I have to do is completely trust Him. He gives us freedom from our sins!
Brooks Gray, the contemporary worship leader at FBC Morristown, leading worship in the building at Harrell Park.
One of our just graduated guys DJ Gibson has amazing photography skills! Instagram @darnellgibson
Sunday morning's session was where all the leaders shared what they had been learning.
Erin is our intern in the youth ministry at church, along with attending college. She always has challenging and encouraging things to share! I like how she said that our sanctification is an ongoing thing; we grow in our faith continually. She also read the verse Ecclesiastes 3:11. "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." This passage is headed A Time for Everything. God works in us daily to teach us more from His Word. Whenever we are convicted, we have to use it to draw us to repentence, not condemnation. We are given freedom! But we must be sure to not fall back into slavery, but to use this freedom to walk by the Spirit.
The first challenge of Sunday afternoon's amazing race: eat a jar of baby food fed to a member of the team by 2 other teammates, while wearing panty host over his or her head. But wait, there's more! This person also has to wear a diaper the entire race to keep up with all the "trash" from the events!
A gorgeous moment captured by another member of our youth group.
Meet Rob. He invents all this crazy stuff. A kid at heart, here he is joining in on "thrickball," leading his team to victory Saturday afternoon. We couldn't ask for a better youth pastor.
Friday night's bonfire
Some plain and chocolate chip pancakes flippin' on the giant skillet! Nothing better than fresh-prepared, over the fire pancakes to wake up to after the first night of camping! All thanks to our dedicated adults.
Poor Lindsey, Rob's wife, is such a trooper hauling their little girls to all these events.
Can't be outside with the guys of our youth group without a little football.
What Tyler shared on was a great way to think about Galatians 1:10. It says that if "I was still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." That made me think, well, that means when I am trying to please people, it makes me unable to serve Christ. Christ or people. I must choose.
My tentmates! Tori is our college leader, then there was Julia, Roxanna, and me. This was taken right after we woke up!
Tori's soon to be husband was also a leader. Logan used an analagy with their relationship. At first they were all focused on "well you can do this and you can't do that," and it just frustrated them. However, they realized as the love between them grew, they weren't doing things to please each other because it was a rule, but because they love each other and want to make each other happy. This is also how our relationship with God should be. We should please Him becuase we love Him, not because we have to. "It's not about the rules, it's about the relationship."
Girls gotta have their Enos. I've never been in one, but from this angle, it looks quite relaxing.
The most beautiful place to have breakfast and quiet time. Overlooking the lake.
After I got myself together from being so stressed in the tent this early morning, we got ready for breadfast. Sitting here I found even more great verses and how they could apply to my life. In Equip we had been doing book studies a chapter a week, and the next week was Hebrews 4. It is titled A Sabbath-Rest for the People of God. How convienient considering this was a Sunday, the "traditional" Sabbath day. Yes, I was here at Camp Your Face Off, totally different from any day. (I am a big routine person, and this was not routine!) This was an opportunity God gave me to rest and grow. Once I got home, I found that God also gave me plenty of time to do the things I needed to do at home, too.
My Sunday School teacher Patty has to bring her little puppies with her to enjoy the fun, too!
All the fun just makes us want to dance.
Left: Tessa Middle: me Right: Kristen
Tessa is such a creative girl! She works at a little art place and takes amazing pictures. She even designed this year's fall retreat logo! Visit her blog!
Another Amazing Race Challenge: "Capture that jump"
This was my team!
I was also the one to wear the pumpkin helmet through the entire race. This is comical though, because I absolutely love pumpkins! This was carved using only ink pens.
Our final meal was burgers grilled on those big skillets that were shown earlier. They were amazing! The adults got super crafty and even homemade French fries too!
I don't have a photo, but Saturday night they made fajitas or taco salad with chicken or steak and sautéed veggies! I am so thankful that we have such hardworking leaders and adults to help us have such great weekends like this!
This was my first of 3 chunky brownie and ice cream sundaes. Yes, I splurged.
A final thing that I heard this weekend that I want to share was from a leader in our youth group I don't know too well, but she is so sweet! This goes along with the singular Fruit of the Spirit. When she said this, I totally thought that I do this exact thing. We can't pick apart the Fruit. Often times, we desire the individual qualities of the Fruit according to our own success. My motivation for the Fruit should be my longing to please God, not so that I can be successful. I should be motivated because I am greatful and thankful for the love He has for me.
Why am I/are you pursuing Jesus?
Monday, September 30, 2013
Bristol Cross
This past Saturday, September 28th, was probably the best race day I have had. It was a beautiful morning; the sun was shining, Steele Creek park was gorgeous, and my excitement was flowing for what lied ahead. Ever since the night before, I had this urge to just sing and dance, but I knew I needed to hold it in a little while longer. Between the race in the morning and getting to join my church youth at our fall retreat, I was ready for a thrill. I did a lot of praying for opportunities and a positive, unselfish attitude for whatever happened. On the ride there on the bus, I listened to some great contemporary Christian music getting me even more pumped, shared some thoughts on Twitter, and Blogger, and read some on my phone Bible. (One of my favorite pre-race songs is Eye on It by Toby Mac) I just had a great feeling.
The girls varsity race was at 11:10, the perfect time it seemed. This was my favorite racing weather. Just one of the innumerable blessings of the day. I started on the second line behind the twins on our team. We had a start box dead center, so we wanted the best start for everyone on the team which meant Chantal and Cherie would probably get out the fastest. I don't usually start too well, so I was worried for a moment, but then realized--unselfish, let it go. God will make it work how it should. We went through our normal team chant and prayer, and I said my "Just do your best and God will do the rest" right before we took off. Well buddy, that was my best race start. And I kept it up! That gun went off and I just let go. God completely carried me through that entire race. This is no easy course. Rolling hills and tons of curves and tight turns are everywhere on the two-loop course. Girls from my JV team kept telling me in their cheers that no one was even close, but I didn't know. Rounding those last couple turns, I was so excited. Heading toward the finish of a race is always an amazing rush of adrenaline. Sending up prayers throughout races also keeps me going more than anything. The finish of this race is a long stretch of gradual downhill with an uphill into the finish line. Around the 3 mile mark, I could see that the clock said 18:00. Holy cow I was thinking. Pushing in that last little bit in my head I was saying "PR! PR! PR!" and I did! The only way I was able to do that was because God wanted me to have another opportunity to share His name. I never would have imagined running an 18:28 on a tough course like that.
Back at the tent, I looked up from changing my shoes to find two men asking if they could interview me. "Oh man" I thought. This hadn't happened before, and I didn't want to sound dumb. Then I knew that they were there because God put them there. I said a quick prayer that He would speak through me and give me the words to say. I answered their questions and told them how God had just blessed me with an amazing race that day. I also talked about prayer and our whole team. I don't really remember what all I said, but I just hope it makes a difference to someone out there!
On my cool down, I ran along a gravel path that followed the side of the lake there. I was overwhelmed by the day, and it was only around 1:00. I use my cool downs to reflect on my races and pray and thank God for all His blessings. Today He had given me a pie to donate, a new PR, even more joy in my heart, and an opportunity to share about Him. I still can't believe all that God is doing here in this world. I feel so blessed to be a part of His plan and can't wait to see what all is ahead.
A song by MIKESCHAIR comes to my mind daily this season. All I can do is thank You for this life I never deserve. Wanna thank You for the grace I know I don't have to earn. You love me, You love me, Your mercy is proof. All I can do is say thank You.
Two girls from our varsity had to leave to go to violin lessons, but here is the rest of the team with our head coach and the first place plaque!
The girls varsity race was at 11:10, the perfect time it seemed. This was my favorite racing weather. Just one of the innumerable blessings of the day. I started on the second line behind the twins on our team. We had a start box dead center, so we wanted the best start for everyone on the team which meant Chantal and Cherie would probably get out the fastest. I don't usually start too well, so I was worried for a moment, but then realized--unselfish, let it go. God will make it work how it should. We went through our normal team chant and prayer, and I said my "Just do your best and God will do the rest" right before we took off. Well buddy, that was my best race start. And I kept it up! That gun went off and I just let go. God completely carried me through that entire race. This is no easy course. Rolling hills and tons of curves and tight turns are everywhere on the two-loop course. Girls from my JV team kept telling me in their cheers that no one was even close, but I didn't know. Rounding those last couple turns, I was so excited. Heading toward the finish of a race is always an amazing rush of adrenaline. Sending up prayers throughout races also keeps me going more than anything. The finish of this race is a long stretch of gradual downhill with an uphill into the finish line. Around the 3 mile mark, I could see that the clock said 18:00. Holy cow I was thinking. Pushing in that last little bit in my head I was saying "PR! PR! PR!" and I did! The only way I was able to do that was because God wanted me to have another opportunity to share His name. I never would have imagined running an 18:28 on a tough course like that.
Back at the tent, I looked up from changing my shoes to find two men asking if they could interview me. "Oh man" I thought. This hadn't happened before, and I didn't want to sound dumb. Then I knew that they were there because God put them there. I said a quick prayer that He would speak through me and give me the words to say. I answered their questions and told them how God had just blessed me with an amazing race that day. I also talked about prayer and our whole team. I don't really remember what all I said, but I just hope it makes a difference to someone out there!
On my cool down, I ran along a gravel path that followed the side of the lake there. I was overwhelmed by the day, and it was only around 1:00. I use my cool downs to reflect on my races and pray and thank God for all His blessings. Today He had given me a pie to donate, a new PR, even more joy in my heart, and an opportunity to share about Him. I still can't believe all that God is doing here in this world. I feel so blessed to be a part of His plan and can't wait to see what all is ahead.
A song by MIKESCHAIR comes to my mind daily this season. All I can do is thank You for this life I never deserve. Wanna thank You for the grace I know I don't have to earn. You love me, You love me, Your mercy is proof. All I can do is say thank You.
Two girls from our varsity had to leave to go to violin lessons, but here is the rest of the team with our head coach and the first place plaque!Sunday, September 29, 2013
Sleepless Morning=Blessing in Disguise
I was discouraged when I woke up this morning from a great night's sleep despite the fact that I was in a tent, because I still had 3 hours before we had to be awake.
It is the Sunday morning of Camp Your Face Off, my church's fall youth retreat. I didn't get there until around 6:00 Saturday evening because of a cross country meet in Bristol. I was upset because I had to miss all the fun on Friday night and then the service on Saturday morning, so laying there with all kinds of thoughts was not good. I now feel bad for taking the service the night before for granted, but after being awake for an hour, it hit me. God convicted me big time. I was being so selfish right then. I felt like I was wasting my time. All these scriptures and notes I looked back at opened my eyes to see the sin I had inside me at that very moment. To be honest, I felt so stupid. God humbled me this morning. On a beautiful morning, I had some time to myself to be humbled before anyone was awake. Almost in tears, I pulled out my Bible and my notes from the previous night. The speaker, Jay, read from Galations 5:1, 16-25. I was feeling that war that he spoke of inside me like crazy. Those conflicting thoughts are evidence of Christ in me. "For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with one another, so that you do not do what you want." (vs 17) I then found a verse falling out of a page I had written on a notesheet. It was 1 John 2:15-17, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." Holy cow, that's no coincidence. This is exactly what I was doing. I was upset for one thing because one of my guy friends didn't ask me about how the cross country meet went. The reason I wanted him to ask was so he could hear how "great" I did. Selfish. I also wanted to do the fun things at CYFO that I wanted to do. It's not about me! It's about fellowship and learning about and praising God! I just had the best day and was planning on the weekend just getting better, and there I was miserable. I needed a renewed spirit. God woke me up this morning to open my eyes to things I needed to change. This weekend was still a blessing, and He had things for me to learn. After some praying and reading in Galatians where we had been this weekend, Hebrews where we were in our regular study, and looking up verses I still want to look into, I found a new light to the day. Next week's chapter in Hebrews was titled A Sabbath-Rest for the People of God. Again...whoa. God's word never fails.
It is the Sunday morning of Camp Your Face Off, my church's fall youth retreat. I didn't get there until around 6:00 Saturday evening because of a cross country meet in Bristol. I was upset because I had to miss all the fun on Friday night and then the service on Saturday morning, so laying there with all kinds of thoughts was not good. I now feel bad for taking the service the night before for granted, but after being awake for an hour, it hit me. God convicted me big time. I was being so selfish right then. I felt like I was wasting my time. All these scriptures and notes I looked back at opened my eyes to see the sin I had inside me at that very moment. To be honest, I felt so stupid. God humbled me this morning. On a beautiful morning, I had some time to myself to be humbled before anyone was awake. Almost in tears, I pulled out my Bible and my notes from the previous night. The speaker, Jay, read from Galations 5:1, 16-25. I was feeling that war that he spoke of inside me like crazy. Those conflicting thoughts are evidence of Christ in me. "For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with one another, so that you do not do what you want." (vs 17) I then found a verse falling out of a page I had written on a notesheet. It was 1 John 2:15-17, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." Holy cow, that's no coincidence. This is exactly what I was doing. I was upset for one thing because one of my guy friends didn't ask me about how the cross country meet went. The reason I wanted him to ask was so he could hear how "great" I did. Selfish. I also wanted to do the fun things at CYFO that I wanted to do. It's not about me! It's about fellowship and learning about and praising God! I just had the best day and was planning on the weekend just getting better, and there I was miserable. I needed a renewed spirit. God woke me up this morning to open my eyes to things I needed to change. This weekend was still a blessing, and He had things for me to learn. After some praying and reading in Galatians where we had been this weekend, Hebrews where we were in our regular study, and looking up verses I still want to look into, I found a new light to the day. Next week's chapter in Hebrews was titled A Sabbath-Rest for the People of God. Again...whoa. God's word never fails.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Almost Pumpkin Cheesecake
I made up this recipe as a snack that I could take to school. I love pumpkin and cheesecake, and this season has gotten me all excited for the sweets. As a runner, however, I try to make the sweets healthy too. So here I used Honey Maid Whole Grain Honey graham crackers for the bottom. I mixed whipped cream cheese, pumpkin, pumpkin butter, and cinnamon and spices together to spread on top. Delicious!
Love, Believe, Have Joy
Last night I was reading my Bible where I have been studying in 1 Peter, and these were the next two verses. I found it just beautiful! Even though I never have or will see Christ in this life, I still love Him and believe He is alive. I can feel His presence and see the work He does all around me. I know that every blessing comes from Him. I don't deserve this life, yet it has more to offer than I could ever imagine. I am filled with this amazing joy every day, even when challenges come because I know they are for my own good. I know that I am saved and Christ lives in me. This is a great feeling that everyone and anyone can experience, too. I pray that we will not be ashamed to have faith and press on through life and be His disciples!Sunday, September 8, 2013
God's Grace
Lately, the verses that have been making an impact on me have all contained the word grace. Every Wednesday morning, the girls cross country team meets at Chick-fil-a before school to do a Bible study. This week I shared a couple verses and quotes that stood out to me from Ryan Hall's book Running with Joy. He did an interview with Running Times magazine that was mostly centered on his faith. When asked if he is as good a runner as he is because he trains harder or because he is more talented, he responded with saying "I am what I am because of the grace of God" which reminded me of a verse I had found during my personal Bible study just the day before. 1 Corinthians 15:10 says, "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me." This is one of my new favorites because I get asked questions all the time about how I run so fast, do so well in school, have so much joy, and many other things. I can't explain much, except that I do what I do because God has blessed me with the opportunities.
Another thing that has helped keep me humble and positive through all sorts of circumstances is 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 and what Ryan said about that. "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." Ryan used just the part until weakness, but I continued on when I was reading, and it just gets better. Like he said in the interview, "I may not always win or do something great, but I will always have enough strength to accomplish the purpose God has called me to race for." Even more than that, I can be glad I have weaknesses because that is where God shines through. He makes up for everything I lack. When I fail, I still have every reason to praise Him. His grace lifts me up so that others can see Him at work. I can be joyful, even when the going gets tough, because His power can be made known even more.
I have also felt lately that time is not passing me by, but running me over. I feel constantly rushed and always have a list of things to do. I too often get distracted doing things that aren't necessary, but I feel like I "have" to do them. Then before I know it, it's over half an hour after I wanted to be in bed. Looking back through old Instagram pictures for a photo contest at church, I found a verse I had forgotten about, but that I had come to love last season. Acts 20:24 says, "However, I consider my lift worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace." Again, more about grace! This time it's not only talking about the grace I receive, but sharing that grace to others. This can apply to my life in several ways. When I am literally racing for cross country, it hurts. I want to be finished and then feel great. My goal is to finish that race with all I have, but then also to continue to let God's light shine through me the entire day to all the people who will see me. Also, in the race of life, I want to be able to finish strong, so that when I see Jesus, He will be proud that I, His servant, worked for His glory. God's grace gives us so much to live for and hope and joy for every moment. I want everyone to have the opportunity to know this feeling. This is what really has worth in life. Even though material things of this life seem so important, they are worthless in comparison with eternal life in Christ. Working to win souls for Him will always fill our hearts more than winning any competition ever will.
Another thing that has helped keep me humble and positive through all sorts of circumstances is 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 and what Ryan said about that. "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." Ryan used just the part until weakness, but I continued on when I was reading, and it just gets better. Like he said in the interview, "I may not always win or do something great, but I will always have enough strength to accomplish the purpose God has called me to race for." Even more than that, I can be glad I have weaknesses because that is where God shines through. He makes up for everything I lack. When I fail, I still have every reason to praise Him. His grace lifts me up so that others can see Him at work. I can be joyful, even when the going gets tough, because His power can be made known even more.
I have also felt lately that time is not passing me by, but running me over. I feel constantly rushed and always have a list of things to do. I too often get distracted doing things that aren't necessary, but I feel like I "have" to do them. Then before I know it, it's over half an hour after I wanted to be in bed. Looking back through old Instagram pictures for a photo contest at church, I found a verse I had forgotten about, but that I had come to love last season. Acts 20:24 says, "However, I consider my lift worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace." Again, more about grace! This time it's not only talking about the grace I receive, but sharing that grace to others. This can apply to my life in several ways. When I am literally racing for cross country, it hurts. I want to be finished and then feel great. My goal is to finish that race with all I have, but then also to continue to let God's light shine through me the entire day to all the people who will see me. Also, in the race of life, I want to be able to finish strong, so that when I see Jesus, He will be proud that I, His servant, worked for His glory. God's grace gives us so much to live for and hope and joy for every moment. I want everyone to have the opportunity to know this feeling. This is what really has worth in life. Even though material things of this life seem so important, they are worthless in comparison with eternal life in Christ. Working to win souls for Him will always fill our hearts more than winning any competition ever will.
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