True Life.

I just thought I would share some interesting conversations I've had since I've been back at school.

1) While I was ordering some breakfast:

Lady- What's your name?
Me- Missy
Lady- Watch out now!
Me- Excuse me?
Lady- You're name is Missy! Watch out now!
Me- (awkward laugh)
Lady- Thank you Miss MISSY (emphasis on the Missy)

I'm still trying to figure out what that even means.

2) While I was walking to class

Friend: Sometimes I just think to myself, Dang, Missy Martinez is freakin cool!
Me: (interrupting) Aw! Thanks!
Friend: (finishing his sentence) but then you do something really dorky and I'm like, oh nevermind.

Burn.

In regards to us receiving complete forgiveness from the Father, Bill Johnson says,

"When the enemy brings up a sin from your past, he is talking about something non-existent. It's completely legal for you to say, "I didn't do that. The person who did that is dead."

What an amazing weapon against guilt and shame.

"We know that our old self has been crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin...For sin has no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." Romans 6

"As far as the east of from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us." Psalm 103

Plans: Part 2

This whole surrendering my plans thing sounds so nice and spiritual on paper (or, computer screens??) But, in real life it's scary... and messy. And a little harder than I thought...

"But you never said it would be easy, you only said I'd never go alone."
- Ginny Owens - If You Want Me To

Plans.

As I quickly approach my senior year in college (Eeek! Such a scary thought), I've been meditating on a passage from Proverbs. "A man makes plans in his heart, but the Lord establishes his ways."

I am a PLANNER. Guilty as charged. I love to plan. I love to make plans, I love to follow plans. I've only recently learned in the last year to lighten up and greatly appreciate spontaneity. Well, I'm trying...

My current plan: Finish college strong, take a year off, go to law school, etc... And I like this plan a lot. It's been in my mind for a while. But what the Father has been teaching me lately is that even though we make plans (which isn't wrong to do), ultimately, He has the final word for what is to happen next in our lives, in my life. Ultimately, He ESTABLISHES my way, not my perfectly laid out plan. If I reach the end of college and find that I'm being beckoned in a completely different direction, then I simply go in that direction trusting His lead.

Plans are good. We all should make them. But they are a tool, not a guide. We follow Jesus, not our own agendas. I never want to be so wrapped up in my own thinking that I miss what the Father has in store for me.

Let us never think we have the way completely figured out. He can always surprise us.

119

Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it. (verse 140)

That is a beautiful phrase. Amen.

"It takes a little time, sometimes, to get your feet back on the ground." - Amy Grant


I wanted to write something insightful concerning the past year of my life and the experiences it entailed. But, as I began writing, I realized I had nothing to say about it.

Amy Grant said it all.

Safety in Numbers.

I believe the Lord takes us through seasons where we MUST rely on others. Yes, we need fellowship and godly friendship at all times, but the need increases at moments to accomplish a greater purpose.

The true beauty of a community of believers walking together lies in our ability to love and support one another under any circumstance. If one falls, the community as a whole responds in love and carries the broken member back to safety. It never abandons. By requiring unconditional love, the Lord tests our ability as a community to "carry one another's burdens" and remain faithful in the midst of hardship, offense, frustration, disagreement, etc. Can we love through the pain? Can we simply love? It is in these moments that hearts are saved and restored. (Not in the sense of salvation, but in the sense of the prodigal returning).

With that said, this community can not function properly unless we decide individually to open ourselves up and be vulnerable to one another. WE MUST ASK FOR HELP. The structure of the body of Christ only works if we rely on one another. The community is responsible for carrying one another, but the individual is responsible for reaching out.

In the past few weeks, and even within the past few days, I've realized my incredible need for others. My tendency is to recluse. But after spending the weekend with some of my closest friends, I found that my heart was naturally encouraged. It's not that we did anything "spiritual." They never prayed for me. (Our time together consisted mostly of just sitting around and drinking beer). But, something still shifted in me. Areas that I have been struggling with and wrestling over just gave way. By simply putting myself in the environment of people who are filled with the Holy Spirit and walking in love, incredible things happened within me. I remembered what it was like to be a part of that kind of community. It was beautiful.