It's Been a LONG Time

Hello! Yes, I am still alive. And I am truly sorry it has been so long since my last post. Though, I am glad to say that there are several good reasons (or excuses... see them as you will) that I have not been posting; and that's what this post shall be about. ALL of the things I have been doing (in summary form of course) that have kept me from blogging.
In May - I spent a weekend hanging out with my family core, we went to a couple of different lakes... and that's a long story, but let's just say it was an adventure, and of course made memories. The next weekend (which was an extended one) was the School of Worship GI retreat. We went to a camp ground by Houston and had a great time relaxing and being refreshed in the Lord without the business of campus. Needless to say, the month of May found me in a season of enjoying the weather before it got too hot!
Now lets venture into June - the first weekend of June we had the Celebration LTE, where we were able to CELEBRATE everything we have accomplished this year as well as how much we have grown. We have somewhat of an... Olympic competition... though we have some novelty competitions like pie eating to make it a bit more fun. I worked the next couple of days, then had the joy of being able to go home for a two week vacation. While the long drive home was less that fun, I did get to break it up over a couple of days, of which I was greatful. Driving through the hottest part of the day would not have been fun with no A/C. I'm glad to say I have a wonderful dad who worked hard while I was home and I got to come back to campus with A/C fully functional. When I got back to campus the summer schedule was in full swing. That means I'm working odd hours, sometimes 6 days a week for a few hours each day, sometimes only 3 or 4 days a week with much longer days. Needless to say that keeps me busy and on my toes.
In the midst of all my work business I am learning to fight for time to develop myself outside of the classes and sessions we have. I just finished reading Lioness Arising by Lisa Bevere. It was a good book, and I would recommend it to any women looking for something to inspire you. I'm now diving into a second book and have weekly goals set for the rest of the summer, this is a new adventure, and it's proven to be a difficult one... but I know I am going to grow and for that I am excited.

Chantelle Nelson

There is a woman on campus who I would like to honor today. Her name is Chantelle Nelson. She lives in my house and is in The School of Worship program with me. Why honor her today? What is so special about this woman over anyone else? Well, there are qualities of this woman that have frequently gone overlooked, and today I would like to bring them to light. Chantelle is a woman of God who works diligently and many times works above and beyond what is required of her. She is always encouraging others and while some may say things just to encourage others, you can tell when Chantelle speaks it is always true and from her heart. She is a joy to be around. Chantelle interacts with many undergraduate interns and works to grow them and mentor them. I also have the joy of friendship with this amazing woman who has been an ear to listen and help me process and ALWAYS points me back to the Lord when going through hard times. This year I have seen Chantelle grow spiritually and learn more and more to rely on the Lord in all circumstances. Right now Chantelle is relying on the Lord to provide finances, she has worked and worked and worked to see money come in, and at every deadline the Lord has some how made a way. There is another deadline fast approaching, would you be willing to join me in honoring Chantelle? Would you be willing to give a tax deductible donation to help her stay at the Honor Academy and continue to walk in what the Lord is doing in Chantelle's live and through her life. Any amount helps, $1, $5 (one less medium drink at Starbucks this week?), $10. Whatever you have and can give I know would bless Chantelle more than words could express. Would you also join me in prayer for Chantelle, that once again the Lord would be faithful and provide what she needs to stay.
Here is the information you will need to donate to Chantelle. Remember all donations are tax deductible.

US donors can donate online at https://secure.teenmania.com/transactiontool/search/ha or by phone by calling 888-419-8336 or 1-903-324-8123. International donors may call those same numbers. If you are in Canada, you may donate online at http://teenmania.ca/index.php?target=donate and select the Honor Academy Intern option or by phone at 800-747-5949.

Name: Chantelle Nelson 

ID# 2545063

Chantelle leading worship on campus

Update on the hard decisions

In my last post I eluded to some challenging decision that I was facing. Well I'm on the other side of those decisions now so I thought I would explain more. I was going through the process of deciding about staying next year. I had two opportunities, but neither was a for sure thing. Then, I found out that I had been accepted to do both programs. I had an opportunity to stay another year in The School of Worship where I would have been touring or I could stay with the Ministry Team. I have decided to stay and do Ministry Team. Yes, it's that thing that I'm constantly talking about even though I'm not a part of it, so I suppose it's only fitting that I will be a part of it for next year. I will be touring around the country with about 30 other people and we will be responsible for setting up the Acquire the Fire events as well as making sure everything runs smoothly throughout the events.  It seems so crazy that I have been called to walk away from music and all of that, but I know that it is only for a season and  that while I won't have the constant opportunities to play that I did this year, there will hopefully still be opportunities to play sometimes.
Though this whole decision making there is one thing that has been constant. The Lord's faithfulness. There were many points in my decision where I was asking the Lord what He wanted me to do and I would just sit and be overwhelmed by His faithfulness in answering those prayers. It was even more overwhelming looking back to see how He pieced all of those things together to make it even more clear.
His revelation of His characteristics to me has been so amazing. I can't wait to see the things He will continue to reveal as I continue a Relentless Pursuit of Him over the next year.

All is for Your Glory

It's days like today that the reality of dangerous prayers really sinks in. There is a weight, a responsibility that we must come to understand before we begin to ask God why. God is a faithful God, and He answers prayers. That's why.
Where is all of this coming from? About a week or so ago, I heard this song, "All is For Your Glory" the chorus... or perhaps the bridge... either way it goes like this "Put me anywhere, just put your Glory in me. I'll serve anywhere, Just let me see Your beauty" When I heard this, it ran deeply through me. I prayed, "Yes God, put me anywhere, because I want you to be glorified over what I want". Or at least something to that effect. Well, I'm starting to see the effects of such a prayer. See, I had next year planned out. I had my if this happens then or if this doesn't happen then... I had it all figured out. Not to say that I wasn't relying on the Lord. For sure He was my top priority, trusting that He was directing all of my decisions. But today all of my decisions were shaken. I had finally been at peace about not doing some of the things that I enjoy, or have a passion for, in order to pursue other things that I also have a heart and passion for. Simply because the right doors were not open. Now I'm staring at two doors that are wide open, and yet, at any moment either one can be slammed in my face. I know the Lord is sovereign and He ultimately will make it all work out, but in the moment I'm being forced to choose... HOW willing am I, REALLY to serve ANYWHERE as long as it is for the Lord's Glory, or is it more about where I think I can succeed or do well.
Why do I say all this, not even knowing if it all makes sense? Because I am choosing to continue to pray "PUT ME ANYWHERE" I am choosing to make it about His glory, and knowing that there may be pain along the road, but in the end it WILL be worth it. Because the Lord is my Joy and my Delight. What part do you have to play in this? Join with me in prayer, I have invited people to pray the dangerous prayers, and I must continue to bear the weight and responsibility of that and trust the Lord, not ask Him why, because I already know why. Pray with me, pray what the Lord puts on your heart. Pray that His will be done. Pray that no matter where He puts me it is for His glory and that I will honor that.

This is the song... in it's fullness. Please check it out. Are you willing to declare "Put me anywhere, just put Your glory in me. I'll serve anywhere, just let me see Your beauty."

March Madness is winding Down

I thought about starting my post with... "Well", but I've been told I start every post that way. So I won't. It's almost the end of March and an exciting opportunity is just around the corner. To say I'm nervous is an understatement of what I'm feeling, but I know that it will all be good in the end. On Monday I begin a two week long process of Ministry Team Roads. I know it's going to be challenging and I know I am going to learn a lot from it. I think it's the "it's going to be challenging" part that makes me nervous. But, I am excited too. If I go through this process well, I may be accepted to stay at Teen Mania for a third year. It would look very different than anything I've done so far, but I know it would be good. Even though I'm not quite seeing how everything is fitting together as I am going through it, as I look back over last year, and the things I have learned so far this year, I can see a connection in the process, and I am grateful to know I am not the same person I was two years ago.
Last night I helped my sister from last year with leading her Core. It was on compromise. She shared a great quote by C.S. Lewis from The Screwtape Letters:

 "Indeed the safest road to hell is the gradual one --the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts..." 

See, it's not the big compromises, you know, the ones that everyone calls us out on, that hinder our walk with the Lord. No, those are usually corrected quickly. It's the small ones, the compromise that goes seemingly unnoticed that leaves us wondering why we can't hear the Lord or why life seems to be going so bad. While I helped lead core, I always seem to get a little something for myself out of it as well. It challenged me to think about what areas I may be compromising in. I hope it does the same for you. 

VIDEO!

Well, it's time for round two on the video posts. I'm not sure if anyone actually enjoys them but, I have fun doing them and it seems a little more personal to get to see my face. :)

OH! I forgot to mention in the video... (and by the time I realized didn't want to go through uploading it all over again) March 1 was yesterday, which means I can officially date! The Lord is still working on a lot and so I'm content with the fact that I'm not dating, but there is a freedom in knowing I CAN when the right man comes along.

No Clever titles

Well, it's been a while, so what's been happening.... well, to work my way backwards... I'm super excited for tonight... but I can't say why yet or I'll ruin a surprise. This weekend the interns had their Fasting LTE.  Blaise Foret was here and it was amazing. One night he talked about the cross and had some really good things to say that reminded me of the reason I started the blog in the first place -- because I want the cross. I want to make that DAILY choice of Jesus and the life I have in Him.  A lot of lives were changed and it was so good to be able to be a part of that.
I have been reading through the book The Pursuit of Holiness and it has been changing my perspective and giving me profound revelation not only in the way that I look at holiness but also about how those around me see it and it's making a lot of things make sense.
The following are a couple of exerts from the book.

"To regard wickedness is to cherish some sin, to love it to the extent that I am not willing to part with it.  I know it is there, yet I justify it in some way like the child who says, "Well, he hit me first."  When we are holding on to some sin, we are not pursuing holiness and we cannot have fellowship with God."
"Whatever increases the strength and authority of your body over your mind--that thing is sin to you. Susannah Wesley"

Another exciting thing is just around the corner... ok, well maybe not so exciting, but it seems to be a milestone in my life that the Lord is working me toward..... something that we affectionately call... MARCH MADNESS. No, I'm not talking about basketball. I'm talking about March 1st... the all important date when August Graduate interns (with some exceptions) are allowed to date! Now don't be overly excited, most of March madness is hype for something that doesn't really happen. Sure, you'll see a few people start to date, but they are definitely the minority. So... that being said why do I bring it up? Well, like I said, it is a milestone in my life. I'm not exactly positive what this milestone is, but I'm pretty sure it has something to do with contentment. See, up til this point not dating has been a rule... not a choice, so all I had to do was submit to the rule. When March rolls around, that all changes. It's no longer a rule that I must submit to, but it is something that I will have to learn to be content with not dating. How do I know that I will not be dating? Well, I don't and there IS a longing within me to have someone, to know that I am being pursued by someone who will love me in the way that I have learned to be loved, and learned to love. So I am open, but looking at my friendships with guys, I just don't see it happening in 10 days. Guess we'll just have to see what madness happens when March rolls around.