The Gospel of Luke: All glory be to God!

I've been reading Luke in my personal time. As I've been reading, I've noticed a theme pop out throughout the book. Events and things that occur are done to bring Glory to God. The book begins telling the story of John the Baptist whose life was to point people to the coming Christ. Luke 1 also shares Mary's song where she says "My soul magnifies the Lord" (Luke 1:46). Luke tells of Simeon who was at the the temple when Jesus was presented before the Lord, and all pointed all the glory to God. During Jesus' ministry, he healed many people and in many of those circumstances it says people marveled at the majesty of God (9:43), or turned glory to God (13:13).

Because of this, I have found ways God has used these things I learn from reading, to apply to my own life. And because of some specific events that have happened in my life in the past month, I would like to share them, so that God can be glorified. Just as these people in Luke's gospel turned glory to God, I share not to turn attention to myself, but so that people can see God through my experiences.

This week, I was in a car accident with 4 of my friends. My car was totaled, and I am almost a thousand miles from my parents or any family. Basically, it hasn't been an easy week. The funny thing was that all of us were left marveling at how GOOD God was through all of it.

Earlier in the day of the accident, my friend Sam came over and changed my oil. Not a big deal really, but that was the deciding factor for why we decided to drive my car (to let it run a bit with the new oil in there). All five of us piled into my little Saturn Station Wagon to enjoy the free coffee on the National Coffee Appreciation day. On our way back home, we decided to briefly stop at the mall. While walking around the mall, I started to get really tired, and could not stop yawning. I wasn't sure why I was so tired because we had just gotten coffee, but we did the safe thing, and Sam decided to drive us all back. As we all piled back in the wagon, I half-jokingly told my friends that the rule in my car was to wear their seat-belt. Little did we know that my half-sleepy proclamation would save our lives.
We were driving home, it was dark and rainy, and as we were almost home when someone pulled out in front of us, trying to turn left, and without enough time to stop, we t-boned them as that car rolled and hit a third car.
By the grace of God, no one was hurt badly. The lady in the SUV that rolled went to the hospital along with Tabby from our car, but came back only with minor sprains and bruises. We all felt sore, but everyone was safe and okay from all 3 cars involved.
We realized how if we had driven Sean's truck (which we considered before leaving), it would have done a lot more damage to the SUV, or if I had driven, my reaction time would not have been as good as Sam's was.

Even though there is lots to take care of now with the insurance company from the owner of the SUV, I know that God will provide in a way that will bring him glory. I know we all turned to worship him and thank him for his hand of protection through the accident, and it is not going to end here. We can only wait and see what he has in store yet.

If you are struggling to know what God's plan is right now, or if you have a hard time seeing it, remember and think upon the things he has done. His faithfulness in the past is a sure hope that his faithfulness endures. Psalm 77 has been a huge comfort for me in this time, and especially the song my friends wrote based on this Psalm. Listen to the words and be at peace.
"Psalm 77" - Cornerstone Collective

The Things That Changed My Life

I should start by saying, this could get real cliche, because I've seen a few other people post things similar to this, but I wanted to share a part of my own story. With that being said, I'll explain what I am talking about.

Three years ago yesterday, I was getting on a plane with a few people I met at the Milwaukee airport that day, heading to Estes Park, Colorado for training for a summer job. Three years later, I have completed 3 summers working with Group Mission Trips, numerous volunteer events, met a lot of incredible and inspiring people, and been a part of an amazing ministry and organization. My theme this year has been about appreciating and being thankful for every thing, little or small, and its the huge amount of little things that I have been introduced to because of Group Mission Trips that makes it a huge, life-changing thing. There are three major ways Group has change me:

First, the ministry. I had opportunities to watch youth and young people grow, learn what serving means, as I was called to do just that every day, even when it was hard, and I didn't want to do it. I learned so much more about what it means to be a part of a ministry, and how the little things such as being goofy holding up a huge yellow sign that says "welcome" can make an impact. 

Second, the people. The full-time staff, my crews, the youth leaders, service project contacts, and even inspiring youth are just a few of the people I've interacted with. There are great summer staff that Group hires each year who have been incredible to hear their stories, and connect with them. Some of them I still keep in contact with, and I look forward to the times I get to skype with them, catch up, or even hang out at a Group Conference or event. Behind these summer staffers is an incredible team of full-time staff who encourage and believe in the young people who run the camps. We couldn't do what we do without the vision and hard work from the full-time staff, who care endlessly to see youth encounter Jesus. 

My crews. My word, I can't say enough about the great people I have had the opportunity to work alongside for three summers. With Taylor in Cincy, Erika in Charleston, and Leah and Laura in Nashville, these women have really impacted me and have made me learn so much more about not only myself, but how to love God and love people better. 

People from the projects. I have met some incredible people who work and serve people every day, and are truly inspiring. People who work with youth, refugees, people without homes, those with Alzheimer's. Week after week, we would work alongside incredible people who have stories to tell of inspiration and the front-range work of caring and loving people. It is people like this who remind me of my humanness and how futile and selfish I can be.

Thirdly, the opportunities.  Where else would I have the opportunity to stand in front of 600 people, and speak to them how God repairs and renews? Where else would I find an amazing church to intern with and learn about worship ministry so I can finish my degree program? Where else have I had the opportunity to travel the country, and get paid to do it? Where else would I go out of my way to make it to Columbus after having money stolen, and not having a debit card, just so I can volunteer at a youth-ministry conference where God had plans of transforming me in an unexpected way? The stories are endless, and the impact is life-long. I celebrate and rejoice for the time I have had, and the time that is coming. God has used Group to meet people, find opportunities, and move in my heart in ways that will be lasting for the rest of my life. It's not over, and it simply is just begun. 

My charge to you? What little things or big things do you have in your life that you could consider to be life changing? How have these things been put there, and what impact have they left in your life? Sometimes it becomes easy to get caught up in the day to day, and forget God's promises that are life-long. It may take some digging, but they are there. Practicing thankfulness and opening ourselves up to all that God can do, opens us up to greater fulfillment and joy of life. 

If you want to read more about this, check out Ann Voskamp's One-Thousand Gifts, and find what are your moments of grace to be thankful for. One of mine is:

20. Meeting people and finding opportunities through Group

Looking forward to a more full and fulfilling life.

http://onethousandgifts.com/

http://groupmissiontrips.com/

The Refreshing Start of A New Year

Well hello to all my blog readers. I know its been a while. (I feel like I always say that).

I have been thinking about getting into blogging a bit more regularly and how I would like to do that. Its a new year, so time for new things right? I read on someone's blog that they wanted to blog about love. Not love in the sense of romance, but lately, there have been so many negative "here's my opinion on the problems with X..." type of blogs. So instead, I want to join in the movement of writing and promoting things I love, and for me, promoting joy. (Thanks to Michelle Weygandt for the great insight! >>Link to her blog about this... Promoting Love )

So here's to writing about things that inspire, things I learn, and promoting things I love. Forget all those negative posts that are still drafts in my blog post box.

Joy.
Its been a word that has been coming up in my life for a while. I've realized I've let myself sink into negativity and complaining about the things I don't have. So I decided to get the book (promoting favorite thing #1), One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. I've read two chapters so far, and have been really convicted. So I want to start promoting joy and all the things I've been blessed with. In her book, Voskamp studied the Greek word eucharisteo which was the word used at the table of the Last Supper when it says "Jesus gave thanks." She discovered this word derives from charis which means grace, and chara which means joy. The fullest life can come from these three things, thanksgiving full of grace and joy. So I invite you all to enter in my journey to explore this kind of thankfulness with joy and grace.

Reading.

I got a bunch of book for Christmas that I am excited about reading.
1. Bonhoeffer, Pastor Martyr, Prophet, Spy: basically the biography of his life. I hope to find this read inspiring.

2. The Complete Signature Classics by C.S. Lewis. This is all of his "classic" works including 7 book such as Screwtape Letter (which is what I am currently reading), Miracles, and Mere Christianity. 

Coffee. [Tea]

My "Focus" tea Latte. Yum

I know it sounds kinda silly, but most people know this about me, I LOVE coffee [and tea]. I love trying new coffees, exploring coffee shops, and even experimenting with my own brewing methods, types, and making my own drinks (and also collecting mugs). For Christmas again, I received a Bodum coffee press, which I would highly recommend. Not only that, but I got this milk frother, which has been a blast, (and my roomates LOVE) as we have made many coffee and tea lattes and all sorts of drinks. My favorite was the Tazo Focus tea, with frothed, hot milk and half-and-half, with Agave nectar drizzled on the top, and also topped with cinnamon. I seriously cannot describe how tasty it was. 

So here's to trying more, and finding new creative drinks to make... and maybe to someday opening my own shop! 

Music.
I am doing some recording this semester with my friend Grace, and so hopefully can put some of it up when we get it done! I am also starting to try to do some more producing/ engineering on my own, which has been hard because I don't have the money to buy my own equipment. I hope to share at least one song this semester that I produced myself.
I'm thinking about also sharing more of the stuff I've written, and hopefully finding time to write even more. I've done quite a bit of writing lyrics, but have put like 2 songs to music.
Also, I love listening to Beyonce. It's currently what I'm listening to.

So tweet me, comment on this, I'd love to actually get responses to know people actually read this! 

Peace and grace.

These ladies bring me great joy! We were enjoying winter and went ice skating!