The Gospel

Colossians 2:8
"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than Christ."

I met a girl on campus Tuesday night who this verse fits to a "t". She had a "very open minded" approach to "spirituality". "There are many ways to heaven" and she has "gathered them and combined them through teachings at Auburn and other readings". Pretty much my heart broke - A place that I love soooo dearly has all but led this girl to hell. She has been truly decieved by the philosophy of this world. I realized that there were many out there but I encountered two in a row who were very open about their lack of a relationship with Jesus. Both girls mentioned works getting you to heaven and all I could think was - by grace alone, through faith alone, through CHRIST alone. My prayer as we walked away became all the more that the Lord would awaken souls on campus that hearts would turn towards Him. AUBURN UNIVERISTY NEEDS A SAVIOR!!!!!! I had to rest in the Savior Tuesday night that "his word would not return void." Then on Wednesday night I get to College Bible Study and the Holy Spirit in His ever famous way has Clifford preaching on John 3:1-16 about being Born Again. Why didn't I think of that Tuesday night?!?! I am prepared now Devil - Bring it on!

John 3:5-8
Jesus answered, " I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless He is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be suprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

If only I weren't a baptist ...

I would dance in the aisles!
Pretty much thats been the thought in my head, especially this last Sunday (esp. Sunday night) if you were anywhere near me you could probably see me dancing. It was all I could do to not jump up and down and dance ... :-)
The Lord has been so good lately!!! He has given me a renewed heart for ministry, specifically at Auburn University and a heart the just longs to see the nations bow their knees. A friend gave me a CD last week and I finally put it in and if you see my driving around town I am singing at the top of my lungs ... anyways one of the songs says "How can hearts not love your name, and how can souls not sing your praise?" I truly have wondered that the last few days!! How can they hear your name and reject it? How can their inmost beings not just be consumed with the praise of the Lord?
This weekend I was able to go to "Bodies - the Exhibition" in Atlanta, which was by far the coolest thing I have seen. It was dead bodies, I know gross, that they have displayed so that you can see how the body really works. LITERALLY everything about us screams "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." I was blown away and I have had the biologies, the anatomies, the physiology classes but to see REAL human bodies ... AMAZING!! The Lord has wired our bodies to PRAISE HIM so when we don't I am convinced we are going against what is best for our bodies! :-)

Psalm 103:1-5

"Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his Holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle is."

Near to GOD

Psalm 73:23-28

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by your right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into your glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and heart may fail; but God is my strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near GOD. I have made the sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

I wish I could do justice to explain how this verse/verses has comforted my heart and spurred me to further repentance. Sometimes I think the heart is a tricky thing and all I know to do right now is to be near to the LORD, when all else is confusing and not right, the Lord is ... How faithful. My heart has grown weary of the pettyness of the world but at the same time longing to see it all change. I just want to bring Him glory ...

Oh that my rebellious heart would stop wandering

Stunned Waitress

Saturday was my 21st Birthday - and it was a great one! My parents took me out to dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant, gave me WAY too many presents and then we went and saw "The Devil Wears Prada" which even my Dad enjoyed. I think the funniest part of the evening out was as soon as we sat down and the waitress brought us our chips, salsa, and yummy green dip (not guacamole - way better) my Mom told her it was my 21st birthday. We then proceeded to order our drinks, My Dad: a Diet Coke, My Mom: Water with Lemon and Me: a Diet Coke to which the waitress repsonded: You are going to have a DIET COKE on your 21st Birthday! I just smiled and said Yes, I am.
That may not be funny to anyone else but it sure seems funny to me. It was as if just because now I could legally drink, I had to. I have never had a drink before and I don't think just because I can I should. Thats a whole different subject ... Anyways I just wanted to share that you DON'T have to get wasted just because you are 21 and legally can... Here is just another thought - a lot of the people that I know that get drunk on their birthday its not their first time to drink anyways so why the big fuss ?!?!
Oh well ... I only have another day and a half of work left so I should get to work :-)

Finally ...

I know I have been home for a week and a half and have not posted - I apologize!! Its been crazy since I got back!!
I could tell story after story of funny things and I could share picture after picture ( I have at least 660) but I don't know that you would truly understand.
The Lord was faithful to teach. He taught me more of himself, in a much deeper way than I ever imagined. He was faithful to teach me in the moments that I thought what am I gonna get out of this. Most importantly He was faithful to teach the youth of South Africa of Himself. We know of many professions of faith - we also know that the gospel was shared - there was NO denying that. We shared at every opportunity. I mean literally every opportunity. I know that on average I personally shared the gospel at least four times a day and there were sixteen of us on the team ... :-) May not seem like a lot - trust me it was! :-)
I know too that my heart has grown fonder of that country, really that continent. I was fine leaving Shelly Beach, sad but fine, I was even fine flying out of Durban, sad to say bye to the Flippo's but ok, but flying out of Jo'berg meant leaving the continent. My heart broke - literally broke. I felt even more in my heart the Lord calling me back. As I sat crying on the plane the sweet lady next to me patted my leg and said "Its okay darlin' if the Lord has called you here, He will bring you back. Just Trust Him and don't lose your heart. " (Yeah I just cried more)
As I dream of one day going back - the Lord just reminds me that He has a plan ... a good one, one beyond my imagination. How exciting?? The Lord did remind me that right now I am called to be a student at Auburn University in Auburn, AL and be the best student I can be. I am to bring Glory to His name and share His name. I realized just how easy it was to find the Lord in everything you do and how easy it can be to share with students that I sit next to, people I encounter, why should I care what they think?? Just share the best thing that has ever happened to you!!
Once I write my report letter to my supporters I'll post it!! :-)
Thanks again for the prayers! :-)