Hi there,
I want to give a little update on the life of our
Girls Ministry. What a whirlwind of a semester! Or is it just me that
feels that way? It has flown by and it’s already time for Christmas
party planning to start! What?!
I wanted to let you all know that
I’m very thankful for each of you that are involved in our girls’
lives. It means so much that they have you walking through life with
them, caring for them, listening to them. I hear stories from so many
of our girls of what an impact our small group leaders are making on
their lives. So if they don’t always say so to you, let me tell you on
their behalf that you matter and are making a difference in their
lives. I know we tell you all the time, but we really couldn’t do
ministry without you all. It would be impossible for the us to know all
the students the way that you all do. So thank you!
I got a text today from one of our 11th
grade girls that made my heart sing. It led me to realize that you all
might want to be updated on some things I’ve seen God do in our girls
this semester. So much! He is so good and faithful, even when the days
seem crazy or darker than usual.
So here are a few ways that the Lord is moving in our girls:
Girls desiring to know Scripture
– This has shown up several times over the past few weeks. One girl
told me in the text mentioned earlier, “BG I really need to get to learn
the stories of the Bible better. I think they’re super interesting.”
What?! This is a dream text to get. Usually I get texts about boy
drama, or fights between girls…but no, this girl desires to know
scripture more. And it’s not just her. I’ve had conversations with
several students desiring to know how to know the Bible better. This is
a cool way that God is moving in their hearts. I can’t tell you how
exciting it is to know that they want to know God better. Yay!
Community built
– I’ve seen so many instances this semester where our girls are finding
true friendships. I think for a while our students would come, know
some people on surface levels, and then go home and hang out with school
friends. I've seen over the past semester friendships form that go
beyond schools and the church. They call each other out when they miss
church or are not walking the right path. They have sleepovers without
prompting from adults; they are doing life together and encouraging each
other in their relationships with Christ. I think some may see it as
“cliques” but I don’t know that they’re exclusive. Sometimes they are,
but I think our students have grown over the past semester in accepting
new people. This is cool to me! These friendships share something
greater than many school friendships do - they share Christ. Those who
play basketball together share basketball and once basketball season
ends, they might have a few things in common, but many times those
friendships fade. Church friendships seem to last, or at least what
I've noticed, because they share a relationship with Christ.
Another aspect of community is that girls will go to their small group
leaders or other members of their small groups before other people when
there’s a problem. They have trust and security within our ministry.
There are also girls sticking up for other girls in hard situations, the
love and support they show – and you show – when things get tough for
families or friends. Within our community, they laugh together, hurt
together, cry together, are goofy together, and move on together. This
is really encouraging to be part of and to see.
Girls on the fringe
– I made a list this year of all the girls active in our ministry.
Whoa, there’s a lot! And we’ve grown throughout the semester, with new
people. With this list, I started to sort of mark off the ones that I
knew well or have conversations with regularly, and that hit a good
number of them, but definitely not all. So then I started to look at
who they were and reach out to them and what I learned was that many of
the ones I considered “on the fringe” –because I didn’t necessarily know
them – were actually plugged in with other girls or with their small
groups. And many of them have just gotten plugged in this semester.
Some that were coming with their boyfriends actually have friends among
other girls. And many of the new girls have come, stuck, and gotten
very plugged in. Like several of the girls in the middle school worship
team; they are new-ish and already leading. There are still some that
are probably “on the fringe,” but this semester has been one of
community. I can’t reach them all, but with your help and with the help
of our girls, they can be known and cared for. Cool.
The counseling room
– anyone know what I’m talking about? Yup. The bathroom. Can I just
tell you how many times I’ve walked in awkwardly to the bathroom only to
find girls crying or hashing out drama? One particular Wednesday night
I walked in on two girls, one was sobbing with the other trying to
comfort her. I stopped to listen and help, but then a visitor walked in
on them and the awkwardness continued. Not to say that this is bad.
It opened up a good conversation later with the visitor. But the cool
thing about this moment was that I wasn’t needed to help this sobbing
girl. The friend had it all under control. And this bathroom is a
place of comfort to the girls. I asked a small group Sunday how they
felt about it, and they all agreed that it was the safe place to cry,
collect themselves, and deal with drama. In the bathroom. Nice. This
happened with some middle schoolers one Sunday morning too. The
bathroom drama stories could be endless, and I’m sure many of you know
what I’m talking about. It is cool that our girls are at a place where
they are able to help one another, comfort each other, and walk in life
together.
As a side note, I’m thinking of painting the bathroom a
happier color and putting Bible verses of comfort around. Any ideas are
welcomed!
Called to Ministry
– so many conversations this semester have revolved around our girls
wanting to do ministry. There are several girls feeling the call to
ministry. God is at work, people! I love hearing girls come to know
Christ, and I love when they make friends, and I love that they have a
desire for Scripture. But for some reason, maybe because it’s impacted
me personally, when I hear girls tell me or others that they want to do
ministry for life, I get giddy. I think that this reflects the fruit of
their relationship with Christ more than some other things. It means
that they really get what Christ is calling us to do and are being
selfless enough to understand giving their lives, hopes and dreams to
Christ. There are girls that want to do girls ministry, student
ministry, missions, and beyond. Some are already doing this. I know a 9th
grader that is leading FCA at Wakeland. She’s teaching senior football
players the Bible. Not just the happy stories either; she told me
she’s teaching on “getting out of the boat,” being connected to the vine
(John 15), and calling them all out on the type of language they use.
Awesome! Others are leading in their schools or within the ministry. I
can’t wait to see how God uses so many of them the rest of this year,
and beyond high school and college.
I know that you all have so
many stories of what God is doing in your small groups and in your
ministries. I would LOVE to hear them! We only see a glimpse of what
is happening, and so we love to hear your stories. So be encouraged
that God is at work. He is doing great things in our ministry, and will
continue to use you and our girls. I’m thankful that God has put me in
this church, this ministry, and that He is moving in the lives of our
girls.
Love,
Brittany
Showing posts with label PostGrad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PostGrad. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Saturday, October 26, 2013
A Weekend in Pictures
There's much life to catch up on, however I want to show you part of my weekend so far. Today was a good day. Here's what it looked like:
So maybe not enough schoolwork done, but overall it's been pretty fantastic. Life in the city is certainly an adventure. Not the type of adventure I thought I'd be on right now, but the Lord is good and faithful and I'm very thankful to be where I am.
Church and Fall Festival tomorrow! Maybe I'll keep this little blog a bit more regularly. (:
Fall has come to our home! Red flirts with the green and bursts towards the sun! I really love Fall and the colors all around! Fall sure looks different here than in Arkansas. Its like I'm searching for it, while there it was right in front of my face.
Thursday I felt like I was back at Grace College in Santiago, but it was just Legacy Christian Academy. Chris Hurt spoke and so Alexis, who was back in town from Ouachita, and I went to support!
Friday Night Lights with these friends to see some students!
Alexis is on the far left, Jacklyn and Chris (our middle school pastor and his wife) and myself.
Alexis is on the far left, Jacklyn and Chris (our middle school pastor and his wife) and myself.
We were creeping on Alexis before she saw us, and this is Chris and Jack's face of annoyance at her ignoring us. haha
Aww! Frisco Band, my heritage. Don't miss it, but thankful for those days. And proud to see some of our students doing so well in the FHS band.
The craiziness of Friday night! I come home after having to call the cops on some "suspicious youths," or "mala juntas" in Uruguyan, in the football stadium parking lot and find cop cars outside my house! They had pulled some kid over and just happened to be in front of our house, but it was startling. Plus, they were there longer than a usual speeding ticket is so I think something shady went down. This sums up the neighborhood that I live in. Cue Elvis Song!
My life. I thought I had escaped the band world, but I'm being sucked back in. (:
Brady is a freshman at Wakeland High and in band. So we found ourselves at several marching band events this fall. Wakeland advanced to Area last week, so these pictures are from their area performance. Awesome!
Brady is a freshman at Wakeland High and in band. So we found ourselves at several marching band events this fall. Wakeland advanced to Area last week, so these pictures are from their area performance. Awesome!
He's one of those mellaphone players, who seem headless with their horns up.
Being at band stuff is also an awesome opportunity to see several of my students
Some of my students are probably in these pictures.
Brady's the one in the center! Can you tell I'm sort of a proud sister? Brady's band, after today's results, is headed to State! They're the only band from Frisco that made it to go on. Exciting times.
Another one of my students! (:
Then the rest of the day looked like this. Relaxation in my cozy little home.
So maybe not enough schoolwork done, but overall it's been pretty fantastic. Life in the city is certainly an adventure. Not the type of adventure I thought I'd be on right now, but the Lord is good and faithful and I'm very thankful to be where I am.
Church and Fall Festival tomorrow! Maybe I'll keep this little blog a bit more regularly. (:
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Reading Scripture on Technology | Viewing Scripture, Part 2
My last post discussed how we can accurately view and teach Scripture. If you didn't read it, you can read it here. There is a second part to my thoughts tonight. I'd also like your thoughts on this one.
One classmate responded to the question with a decent answer on how it is dangerous to add our own thoughts to Scripture, which is good. However she then stated, "As bible teachers we are under a divine mandate to teach the Word of God in spirit and in truth and the best way to do that is to teach from the tool itself. Many today use the iPad, cell phones and other technological ways to read God's Word which is ok, but I still believe that as believers we should never replace the hard copy of the bible for anything else."
Ummm What?!
So this is how I responded.. Too harsh??
I feel that I must disagree with the full statement that "as believers we should never replace the hard copy of the bible for anything else."
I do agree that there is something sentimental and nostalgic about holding a Bible in our hands. It is good for us to hold books and to underline and flip pages; to touch the Words of God. I personally prefer this over technology. However, at the end of the day, the Gospel is the Gospel and whether it's being read on a computer, iPad, ancient scroll, or hard bound book, God's Word is still alive and active in people's lives. The same is said of reading Scripture in different languages. One cannot make the jump to say that if scripture isn't read in the original Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic, then it has been replaced. Sure sometimes the weight of each word might change, but God is still speaking through and to His people. We cannot confine God to English, when there are thousands of other languages in the world. God is a God above language and above paper and pen, screen and typed letters. This makes our relationship with God so personal and unique - He longs to know us where we are at.
I feel like the "technology war" for Scripture is the same way. I think that God is still pleased that His children are reading His letters if it's on a tablet or if it is from pieces of paper bound together. He is not bound by little boxes in our minds or to pages or scrolling websites. Each person is different, and some find it more personal to read from their phones. This could be a benefit when people are on the go. There are also useful tools coming out all the time that help in studying, teaching, and learning the Scriptures.
I still prefer my paper Bible, but I'm not comfortable confining God to a statement saying that God cannot speak to people in different forms, when the Words are the same, and God is still moving in our lives.
_______________________
Thoughts??
One classmate responded to the question with a decent answer on how it is dangerous to add our own thoughts to Scripture, which is good. However she then stated, "As bible teachers we are under a divine mandate to teach the Word of God in spirit and in truth and the best way to do that is to teach from the tool itself. Many today use the iPad, cell phones and other technological ways to read God's Word which is ok, but I still believe that as believers we should never replace the hard copy of the bible for anything else."
Ummm What?!
So this is how I responded.. Too harsh??
I feel that I must disagree with the full statement that "as believers we should never replace the hard copy of the bible for anything else."
I do agree that there is something sentimental and nostalgic about holding a Bible in our hands. It is good for us to hold books and to underline and flip pages; to touch the Words of God. I personally prefer this over technology. However, at the end of the day, the Gospel is the Gospel and whether it's being read on a computer, iPad, ancient scroll, or hard bound book, God's Word is still alive and active in people's lives. The same is said of reading Scripture in different languages. One cannot make the jump to say that if scripture isn't read in the original Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic, then it has been replaced. Sure sometimes the weight of each word might change, but God is still speaking through and to His people. We cannot confine God to English, when there are thousands of other languages in the world. God is a God above language and above paper and pen, screen and typed letters. This makes our relationship with God so personal and unique - He longs to know us where we are at.
I feel like the "technology war" for Scripture is the same way. I think that God is still pleased that His children are reading His letters if it's on a tablet or if it is from pieces of paper bound together. He is not bound by little boxes in our minds or to pages or scrolling websites. Each person is different, and some find it more personal to read from their phones. This could be a benefit when people are on the go. There are also useful tools coming out all the time that help in studying, teaching, and learning the Scriptures.
I still prefer my paper Bible, but I'm not comfortable confining God to a statement saying that God cannot speak to people in different forms, when the Words are the same, and God is still moving in our lives.
_______________________
Thoughts??
Viewing Scripture, Part 1
Working on my Master's courses tonight, I was faced with an
interesting question, and wanted to post the question for your opinions
and wanted to post my response, also for your reactions. It's a
question that church leaders often are faced with and wrestle with.
Hopefully it does not strike you as too difficult, but if it does, maybe
you can use this as an opportunity to learn.
The topic was giving the Bible the prominence that it deserves as teachers of the Word. The exact wording was:
What can we do in our churches to give the Bible the prominence it deserves and how can we ensure that our Bible teachers use the Bible as the text and not just the curriculum guide?
Here's my opinion:
In our churches, there are a few ways that we could give the Bible prominence as we teach people. For starters, we can believe that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. God spoke the words and they do not contradict each other and are completely true. As leaders, if we do not hold this key truth then what we are teaching will reflect that. As we believe this and teach this to our congregations, we put more emphasis on Scripture and its importance in speaking to us. We allow Scripture to speak through us in what is taught and in how we act. It does not need to be added to and it is not appropriate to take bits of scripture to fit our own agendas.
Secondly, we can teach from the Bible. There are several good books in Christian circles, but the Gospel can stand on its own. Scripture speaks for itself enough that it does not need to be choked out by human thoughts. Emphasizing Scripture as the curriculum instead of a topic would allow for teachers to use the Bible as text instead just the curriculum guide. It isn't bad to do book studies every now and then, but if that is the only thing being taught, it is time to get back to Scripture.
I also think that if we allow Bible teachers, such as Sunday school teachers or small group leaders, the freedom to pace their class, Scripture could be relied on more. Some groups need to camp out two verses at a time while others prefer the entire chapter. Each group has different dynamics and when church leadership constricts every group to the same method, despite differences that may work better for a group, teachers are more apt to see the curriculum guide as more important instead of using Scripture as text.
Finally, if we instill in our churches the weight of the gospel and the importance of a personal relationship with God through His word, Scripture will take the prominent place it deserves. If the people of the church place the Bible as a lifeline, priority in their personal lives, and the teachers allow for Scripture to penetrate every aspect of their lives, then the standard of prominence for the Bible will rise.
_____________________________________________
Thoughts?
The topic was giving the Bible the prominence that it deserves as teachers of the Word. The exact wording was:
What can we do in our churches to give the Bible the prominence it deserves and how can we ensure that our Bible teachers use the Bible as the text and not just the curriculum guide?
Here's my opinion:
In our churches, there are a few ways that we could give the Bible prominence as we teach people. For starters, we can believe that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. God spoke the words and they do not contradict each other and are completely true. As leaders, if we do not hold this key truth then what we are teaching will reflect that. As we believe this and teach this to our congregations, we put more emphasis on Scripture and its importance in speaking to us. We allow Scripture to speak through us in what is taught and in how we act. It does not need to be added to and it is not appropriate to take bits of scripture to fit our own agendas.
Secondly, we can teach from the Bible. There are several good books in Christian circles, but the Gospel can stand on its own. Scripture speaks for itself enough that it does not need to be choked out by human thoughts. Emphasizing Scripture as the curriculum instead of a topic would allow for teachers to use the Bible as text instead just the curriculum guide. It isn't bad to do book studies every now and then, but if that is the only thing being taught, it is time to get back to Scripture.
I also think that if we allow Bible teachers, such as Sunday school teachers or small group leaders, the freedom to pace their class, Scripture could be relied on more. Some groups need to camp out two verses at a time while others prefer the entire chapter. Each group has different dynamics and when church leadership constricts every group to the same method, despite differences that may work better for a group, teachers are more apt to see the curriculum guide as more important instead of using Scripture as text.
Finally, if we instill in our churches the weight of the gospel and the importance of a personal relationship with God through His word, Scripture will take the prominent place it deserves. If the people of the church place the Bible as a lifeline, priority in their personal lives, and the teachers allow for Scripture to penetrate every aspect of their lives, then the standard of prominence for the Bible will rise.
_____________________________________________
Thoughts?
Monday, September 3, 2012
The Post Grad Life
Well, this small-town college girl has graduated, moved to a big city (ok, really a suburb of a sort of big city), started a real job, and started work on a masters degree. Whew! If only that was the long list.
Honestly, life is good. Life is full, and busy, and overwhelming. But mostly full. It is almost Fall, and I long for the trees in Arkansas. I'm not sure I ever thought I'd really miss it this much. But I do. Not that I don't love Texas - my roots. But Arkansas sometimes feels more home. Maybe Texas will become that way again after the transition is done.
I had a phone call today from one of my former youth students. Actually two of them - they're twins. It was so good to hear their voices, and comforting that they would call me on boyfriend advice. As I listened to them talk, I was shown a bit of how much they have changed in the past four years. When I first met them four and a half years ago, they wouldn't have even dreamed of talking to each other about boyfriends. They would have been too worried about fighting. But now, God has done some kind of work in their lives. They are actually friends. It makes my heart happy.
As I talked, I definitely miss them. But at the moment, I don't long to be in Arkansas. I still miss it but I know my place is here. Arkadelphia is changing; Park Hill is changing; and I am changing. It is good. It is healthy. And the best part is that God is orchestrating it all and His timing and plan is best. He intends for us to have a full life, and as long as I'm following His leading, that is happening.
As an update on girls ministry happenings, my how God's at work! Last Sunday was "Promotion Sunday" and we had over 400 students! On one hand, it's nuts, absolutely nuts that we have so many kids! On the other, more positive hand, that is so many students that are hearing about Jesus! Praise Him!
I am very excited to be able to be a part of this work that He is doing in Frisco. Still not sure about the traffic, but blessed to be at FBC.
I'm posting a few of my posts from the FBC Blue Girls Ministry blog so that you don't have to flip back and forth between the two sites. I'm going to try and do better at keeping this blog personal and the other ministry related. I suppose soon I should change my title, but part of my heart is still in Arkadelphia, so bear with me. Some days I feel as though I'm about to move back into West Side or Francie and we're all going to continue the college scene, but then I remember that some friends are in North Carolina, and Chicago, and Arkansas. We'll see each other soon enough, but until then, God is doing a mighty work having us all spread out!
Please pray for me and my friends as we transition. I especially am in need of some friends in Frisco that are about my age, and same situation. All in God's time.
May love, and peace, and joy be filling your life as the seasons change and Fall greets us.
InJoy,
Brittany
Honestly, life is good. Life is full, and busy, and overwhelming. But mostly full. It is almost Fall, and I long for the trees in Arkansas. I'm not sure I ever thought I'd really miss it this much. But I do. Not that I don't love Texas - my roots. But Arkansas sometimes feels more home. Maybe Texas will become that way again after the transition is done.
I had a phone call today from one of my former youth students. Actually two of them - they're twins. It was so good to hear their voices, and comforting that they would call me on boyfriend advice. As I listened to them talk, I was shown a bit of how much they have changed in the past four years. When I first met them four and a half years ago, they wouldn't have even dreamed of talking to each other about boyfriends. They would have been too worried about fighting. But now, God has done some kind of work in their lives. They are actually friends. It makes my heart happy.
As I talked, I definitely miss them. But at the moment, I don't long to be in Arkansas. I still miss it but I know my place is here. Arkadelphia is changing; Park Hill is changing; and I am changing. It is good. It is healthy. And the best part is that God is orchestrating it all and His timing and plan is best. He intends for us to have a full life, and as long as I'm following His leading, that is happening.
As an update on girls ministry happenings, my how God's at work! Last Sunday was "Promotion Sunday" and we had over 400 students! On one hand, it's nuts, absolutely nuts that we have so many kids! On the other, more positive hand, that is so many students that are hearing about Jesus! Praise Him!
I am very excited to be able to be a part of this work that He is doing in Frisco. Still not sure about the traffic, but blessed to be at FBC.
I'm posting a few of my posts from the FBC Blue Girls Ministry blog so that you don't have to flip back and forth between the two sites. I'm going to try and do better at keeping this blog personal and the other ministry related. I suppose soon I should change my title, but part of my heart is still in Arkadelphia, so bear with me. Some days I feel as though I'm about to move back into West Side or Francie and we're all going to continue the college scene, but then I remember that some friends are in North Carolina, and Chicago, and Arkansas. We'll see each other soon enough, but until then, God is doing a mighty work having us all spread out!
Please pray for me and my friends as we transition. I especially am in need of some friends in Frisco that are about my age, and same situation. All in God's time.
May love, and peace, and joy be filling your life as the seasons change and Fall greets us.
InJoy,
Brittany
Saturday, September 1, 2012
"To The Girl…Who Needs Encouragement
From bluegirlsministry.wordpress.com
Social Media is becoming so ingrained in today's culture. It's almost impossible to have a discussion with someone without either mentioning something found out on facebook or twitter, or without first knowing some fact from the web. This is why we at Blue try to be up-to-date on the social networks. This may seem to have nothing to do with the title, but hang with me.
I had a phone call today from one of the moms of our youth. She was calling to tell me that another girl's mom was in the hospital because of surgery and experiencing some difficulty with the surgery. It seems pretty serious. I knew that this mom was having surgery, but had thought it was going well (because I saw posts on social media, of course). With this sad news, I was concerned for both our girls and the mom.
I checked Instagram earlier this evening, and was so encouraged to see what kinds of conversation (if it can be called that on instagram) were occurring between our eighth grade girls. This girl had posted that her mom was not doing well, and as I read the comments my heart was happy. All the posts were from girls in our youth group, her small group, and were discussions of how they had been praying for this girl's mom.
Just when I think that sometimes we're not getting through to some girls, I know that the Holy Spirit is at work. I know that we are surrounded by peers from church that are willing to pray for our hurts and encourage one another.
Life is hard. There are so many good things that happen in life, but often sad things happen. Our mom's get sick; dad's work late and sometimes leave; friends are flaky and change plans for better options; people are mean at school; life seems overwhelming when we try to balance school and sports; expectations sometimes put too much pressure on us; we don't fit in with the people we're around; we are forced to move and change our world; life happens.
But be encouraged. God is good; He is overly gracious; He puts people in our life in His timing that will walk with us; the flowers still bloom each spring; the sun still rises in the East every morning; God is faithful and saves; laughter heals heart-wounds; and sometimes people really are nice.
So as I sit here in Starbucks and enjoy a warm latte, waiting for fall to fully arrive, I want to encourage you. You can get up each morning; you can enjoy a full life; you can find little things to be thankful for. God will carry you through the tough times. Know that there are people praying for you, and are here for you through physical hurts, and emotional hurts.
You turned my deepest pains into joyful dancing;
You stripped off my dark clothing and covered me with joyful light.
You have restored my honor. My heart is ready to explode, erupt in new songs!
It’s impossible to keep quiet!
Eternal One, my God, my Life-Giver, I will thank You forever.
Psalm 30.11-12
Social Media is becoming so ingrained in today's culture. It's almost impossible to have a discussion with someone without either mentioning something found out on facebook or twitter, or without first knowing some fact from the web. This is why we at Blue try to be up-to-date on the social networks. This may seem to have nothing to do with the title, but hang with me.
I had a phone call today from one of the moms of our youth. She was calling to tell me that another girl's mom was in the hospital because of surgery and experiencing some difficulty with the surgery. It seems pretty serious. I knew that this mom was having surgery, but had thought it was going well (because I saw posts on social media, of course). With this sad news, I was concerned for both our girls and the mom.
I checked Instagram earlier this evening, and was so encouraged to see what kinds of conversation (if it can be called that on instagram) were occurring between our eighth grade girls. This girl had posted that her mom was not doing well, and as I read the comments my heart was happy. All the posts were from girls in our youth group, her small group, and were discussions of how they had been praying for this girl's mom.
Just when I think that sometimes we're not getting through to some girls, I know that the Holy Spirit is at work. I know that we are surrounded by peers from church that are willing to pray for our hurts and encourage one another.
Life is hard. There are so many good things that happen in life, but often sad things happen. Our mom's get sick; dad's work late and sometimes leave; friends are flaky and change plans for better options; people are mean at school; life seems overwhelming when we try to balance school and sports; expectations sometimes put too much pressure on us; we don't fit in with the people we're around; we are forced to move and change our world; life happens.
But be encouraged. God is good; He is overly gracious; He puts people in our life in His timing that will walk with us; the flowers still bloom each spring; the sun still rises in the East every morning; God is faithful and saves; laughter heals heart-wounds; and sometimes people really are nice.
So as I sit here in Starbucks and enjoy a warm latte, waiting for fall to fully arrive, I want to encourage you. You can get up each morning; you can enjoy a full life; you can find little things to be thankful for. God will carry you through the tough times. Know that there are people praying for you, and are here for you through physical hurts, and emotional hurts.
You turned my deepest pains into joyful dancing;
You stripped off my dark clothing and covered me with joyful light.
You have restored my honor. My heart is ready to explode, erupt in new songs!
It’s impossible to keep quiet!
Eternal One, my God, my Life-Giver, I will thank You forever.
Psalm 30.11-12
Monday, August 6, 2012
"The Everyday Me."
From bluegirlsministry.wordpress.com
I wrote a bio a few months ago for the church website. Bios are supposed to make you sound good and are usually formatted in a formal way. That's great and all, but let’s be honest...I'm just a normal person. So can I tell you a bit about me informally? You might be able to catch on through my posts, but let me just lay it out for you.
So there’s a little about me. It’s not a complete list, but you get a picture of what I’m about. I read this quote by an author, and I think it sums up my daily life.
“I feel like a success in my everyday life if I get through the day having spent time with the Lord, exercised in some way… and made a friend smile.”
I wrote a bio a few months ago for the church website. Bios are supposed to make you sound good and are usually formatted in a formal way. That's great and all, but let’s be honest...I'm just a normal person. So can I tell you a bit about me informally? You might be able to catch on through my posts, but let me just lay it out for you.
- I love rainy days. (Much like the one today, while I'm writing this.) I think it's cozy.
- Laughing is my favorite activity.
- I love to travel, and especially cherish the summers I've lived in South American countries. Chicago is another favorite traveled place.
- Also, I have a fetishes with the Spanish language, tea cups, pearls, and purple. (gift hints, yup...just kidding)
- I'm currently living at home with my family. And it is fun. We're not perfect, and it's not ideal for a post-grad, student working on a master's degree to be living with her parents, but it's where God has me right now, and I really love my family. I have two brothers, a loving set of normal parents, and an old golden retriever named Molly.
- I just moved back to Frisco from Arkansas and I'm dealing with a bit of culture shock. I mean, really, who doesn't shut down the town for lunch breaks? And the traffic!! I count my drives a success if I get out of the car and am not stressed or angry. I'm working on it. With that said, I left a wonderful adopted-family, church, friends, and university in Arkansas. I am who I am today because of what God did while I was there.
- Squirrels are my favorite animals. I know, most people think they're gross, but I just think they're really cute. Not that I want to own one, but I sure like to watch them. Bats are another fascinating one to me.
- I'm bad about cleaning up my room or car...I'm working on it.
- I love old-fashioned things: Antiques, old barns, real honey from beehives, tea cups from my grandmother's China cabinet, etc.
- My favorite time of the day is that moment when the coffee cup and I become friends while listening to God's daily whisperings.
- I have insecurities, I have doubts, I have attitude issues; I'm impatient and I distrust; I forget to be thankful. But more importantly, I know that I can give my flaws to God to fix, and I know that He uses my weaknesses for His Kingdom.
- The grace of God is more than I can wrap my mind around. And because of His great love, I have freedom to live rightly and completely.
- I was called to missions in the 9th grade, but God decided that it was only for a time. In college he placed a love for youth ministry on my heart, and here I am…doing girls ministry.
- I love teaching truth to younger girls. I was fed so many lies as a teenager and struggled with so many things of the world; I think it’s important for me to share what I have learned with those around me.
- Middle school girls don’t annoy me. Most of my friends think I’m crazy for spending weekends with 13-year-olds, but I think it’s a blast! The drama that goes on is silly, but I never tire of hearing it. Maybe God has me in the right ministry.
- My favorite weekend pastime is to watch movies! In my mind, movie nights should happen every day. And I’m pretty open to every type of movie except horror films. Chick flick, comedy, action, cartoon. You name it and I’ll probably enjoy it.
So there’s a little about me. It’s not a complete list, but you get a picture of what I’m about. I read this quote by an author, and I think it sums up my daily life.
“I feel like a success in my everyday life if I get through the day having spent time with the Lord, exercised in some way… and made a friend smile.”
Until next time, Brittany
Monday, July 16, 2012
"Weddings, Brides, and Refreshing Symbolism"
From bluegirlsministry.wordpress.com
I’ve spend the past weekend in what feels like my hometown. Really it is my college town, but if you knew how much God changed my life while here, and the lovely relationships formed, you would see it as home too.
It was so nice to be back, to be surrounded by friends, and to have a beautiful reason to celebrate – a wedding!
It was the most beautiful wedding I’ve been privileged to be part of – and I’ve been part of some really great weddings. This wedding was special not only because Becca and Adam are so in love, but mostly because Christ was the center and reason to celebrate.
It was so beautiful to be reminded that life is all about Christ. this weekend, I was able to be part of conversations that I’ve missed in Frisco. Conversations that are centered on Christ, not the next fashion or money or tv. But Jesus. That’s all that matters, and all that we need to center ourselves on.
As we prepared for a wedding, we were reminded that Christ, our bridegroom, is waiting for His Bride – the church. As Becca came down the aisle, and Adam waited for her, Michael (the preacher) said, “Adam, your bride has arrived; Rebecca, your groom is waiting.” What beautiful symbolism of Christ and the Church! Such a good reminder that Christ is coming to heal this world and make all things new, therefore we shall run to Him. So edify Christ, edify the Body, cherish the Church, nothing else matters.
I’ve spend the past weekend in what feels like my hometown. Really it is my college town, but if you knew how much God changed my life while here, and the lovely relationships formed, you would see it as home too.
It was so nice to be back, to be surrounded by friends, and to have a beautiful reason to celebrate – a wedding!It was the most beautiful wedding I’ve been privileged to be part of – and I’ve been part of some really great weddings. This wedding was special not only because Becca and Adam are so in love, but mostly because Christ was the center and reason to celebrate.
It was so beautiful to be reminded that life is all about Christ. this weekend, I was able to be part of conversations that I’ve missed in Frisco. Conversations that are centered on Christ, not the next fashion or money or tv. But Jesus. That’s all that matters, and all that we need to center ourselves on.
As we prepared for a wedding, we were reminded that Christ, our bridegroom, is waiting for His Bride – the church. As Becca came down the aisle, and Adam waited for her, Michael (the preacher) said, “Adam, your bride has arrived; Rebecca, your groom is waiting.” What beautiful symbolism of Christ and the Church! Such a good reminder that Christ is coming to heal this world and make all things new, therefore we shall run to Him. So edify Christ, edify the Body, cherish the Church, nothing else matters.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
"The Question of Why"
From bluegirlsministry.wordpress.com
In May, I stepped into the role of ‘girls minister’ at FBC Frisco. So many times I’ve been asked why it is that I do what I do.
Simple, Jesus told me to.
I grew up going to church, and came to accept Christ at an early age. While in the youth group, walking with the Lord became really personal and real to me. One of the most defining moments in my faith came the summer after my freshman year of high school at church camp. Every Thursday at camp we would spend the morning in what was called a “concert of prayer.” The entire camp would gather and pray over the government, schools, families, churches, missionaries, and so on. This one year, as we were praying over our youth ministers, my youth minister came up and put his hand on my shoulder, and we stood praying for each other for a while. It was a very special moment. When we were done praying, Adam gave me a hug and asked me if I had ever considered being a missionary. I said yes, my grandparents were missionaries in Africa, so going on missions was always an option. I had been on a few mission trips prior to that, and loved serving God that way. Adam told me that when he placed his hand on my shoulder, he had the most vivid image of me on the mission field surrounded by little black children. We talked more about it, and we really felt that God had shown Adam a clear direction for my life. God had called me to foreign missions. The call was as real and as clear as my mom’s call to dinner each night. The emotions of that day were so contrasting. What peace and excitement I felt that God would call me, but what fear there was also in living a life completely different from everything the world expects.
I continued to serve God and the church in various ways through high school. I was very involved in our youth group, and we experienced several youth pastor changes throughout my time in high school. I went out of the country on several trips, but found that serving God and being “on mission” did not strictly mean leaving Frisco.
In 11th grade, two faith-impacting things happened: I made a best friend, and my youth group was without a youth pastor for a very long time. I had friends all through school, but never ones that I felt were true friends. I especially struggled in the youth group fitting in with the girls in my Sunday school classes. They were much “cooler” and more popular than me, and had been friends for so long that I just did not fit in. Amy moved to our church and we hit it off immediately. We were at a similar point spiritually, and we are so alike in many ways. Looking back, I feel that this was a changing point in my life - I had friends!
Losing Adam as a youth pastor was not as devastating as we thought it would be. It was a good move for him, and their family has done great, impactful things for the Church. What happened when he left, however, was nothing. For a good amount of time there were no Bible studies happening, no outside events. Nothing. As I saw my youth group slow down, Amy and a few other close friends and I decided that we needed to do something. What could we do? We were only 17. It was intimidating to teach our peers, so we decided to do what we could manage. We started a middle school girls Bible study. When I tell people of this, they look at me like I’m crazy for willingly hanging out with middle schoolers. It was one of the most rewarding times. To teach girls the Word, to pour into them and build relationships, to laugh and have fun in a godly way; that time taught me so much.
When I went off to college, I began visiting churches with my roommate. The second church we went to immediately felt like home. The church reminded me of FBC Frisco, and the people were so welcoming. Before the service was even over I had made up my mind to make it my church home in Arkadelphia. During the Sunday school class, a lady made an announcement asking for helpers with the youth group. Somehow, my introverted self found her at the end of the service and volunteered to help. What started as a small step, turned into what I think defines my time at college. For the first few years, I served with about ten other college students as an intern team under Jason and Sarah, the husband-and-wife youth ministers. It was such a blessing to be able to learn from Jason, and to do ministry and life with the team. We really became so close, and lived with a desire to impact students’ lives. The last two years, Jason asked me to fill the associate’s position as associate youth minister and girls minister. I willingly agreed and spent the summer with the Park Hill Youth. These kids became family. Jason and Sarah are more like parents than bosses, and God moved in such big ways through my time there. I’m struggling to even put words to my experiences in Arkansas, but overall God put a passion in me to reach teenagers for the Kingdom.
Throughout this time, there was always the 9th grade call to foreign missions in the back of my mind. I had spent the summer after 10th grade in Uruguay with missionaries, and a few other summer weeks in Jamaica since then with missions, but once college hit, my mission field was Arkansas. At times this was confusing. Hadn’t God called me to little children surrounding me in Africa? Why did my passport expire, keeping me in the States? I was loving where I was at, and God was teaching me so much, but what about that call? Last summer, my younger brother and I decided to go out of the country. We both love adventure, foreign missions and Spanish. Therefore we contacted some missionary friends and asked if they needed help for the summer. They needed some summer interns, and they willingly let us stay with them in Santiago, Chile. What a blast! We had the opportunity to teach in schools, share Jesus, and learn to ski in the Andes. (And so much more.) However, the entire time we were there Brandon and I would have conversations about why we were there. Not us specifically, but American missionaries in general. We did not feel that our trip was contrary to God’s will, but we did wonder why the IMB had so many missionaries in Chile when most of the churches in Santiago were run by Chileans and functioned on their own. What right did we as Americans have to impose our ideals on them? There was an uneasy feeling. As I was praying about it one day, God told me that the reason I felt so uneasy about the missions was because He wanted me in the States for a while. Maybe someday, for a time, I’ll live overseas. But for now I’m in the country.
A few weeks after Chile, I was having lunch with Chris and he asked me what I learned while in Chile and I told him about being in the country and not overseas. He thought for a moment and said that there’s an opening for a girls minister with the FBC youth group, and that we should pray about it if I’m interested. We were both pretty excited about it and hesitant at the same time. This would be so new for both of us. We knew we could work together because we had in the past, but is this the right position? For about six months we just prayed about it. No talking about it, no planning, just praying. The more I prayed, the more excited I became. Ideas kept coming in my head. My dad was even very excited about girls ministry, and has brainstormed so many helpful ideas with me. Almost a year after those initial conversations, the idea came to fruition.
So here I am. Why Frisco, why Teal, why girls ministry? Because God has placed me here to build relationships, to walk with others as we walk with Christ. It’s simple really. I just tell God’s story and love much because I have been loved much.
In May, I stepped into the role of ‘girls minister’ at FBC Frisco. So many times I’ve been asked why it is that I do what I do.
Simple, Jesus told me to.
I grew up going to church, and came to accept Christ at an early age. While in the youth group, walking with the Lord became really personal and real to me. One of the most defining moments in my faith came the summer after my freshman year of high school at church camp. Every Thursday at camp we would spend the morning in what was called a “concert of prayer.” The entire camp would gather and pray over the government, schools, families, churches, missionaries, and so on. This one year, as we were praying over our youth ministers, my youth minister came up and put his hand on my shoulder, and we stood praying for each other for a while. It was a very special moment. When we were done praying, Adam gave me a hug and asked me if I had ever considered being a missionary. I said yes, my grandparents were missionaries in Africa, so going on missions was always an option. I had been on a few mission trips prior to that, and loved serving God that way. Adam told me that when he placed his hand on my shoulder, he had the most vivid image of me on the mission field surrounded by little black children. We talked more about it, and we really felt that God had shown Adam a clear direction for my life. God had called me to foreign missions. The call was as real and as clear as my mom’s call to dinner each night. The emotions of that day were so contrasting. What peace and excitement I felt that God would call me, but what fear there was also in living a life completely different from everything the world expects.
I continued to serve God and the church in various ways through high school. I was very involved in our youth group, and we experienced several youth pastor changes throughout my time in high school. I went out of the country on several trips, but found that serving God and being “on mission” did not strictly mean leaving Frisco.
In 11th grade, two faith-impacting things happened: I made a best friend, and my youth group was without a youth pastor for a very long time. I had friends all through school, but never ones that I felt were true friends. I especially struggled in the youth group fitting in with the girls in my Sunday school classes. They were much “cooler” and more popular than me, and had been friends for so long that I just did not fit in. Amy moved to our church and we hit it off immediately. We were at a similar point spiritually, and we are so alike in many ways. Looking back, I feel that this was a changing point in my life - I had friends!
Losing Adam as a youth pastor was not as devastating as we thought it would be. It was a good move for him, and their family has done great, impactful things for the Church. What happened when he left, however, was nothing. For a good amount of time there were no Bible studies happening, no outside events. Nothing. As I saw my youth group slow down, Amy and a few other close friends and I decided that we needed to do something. What could we do? We were only 17. It was intimidating to teach our peers, so we decided to do what we could manage. We started a middle school girls Bible study. When I tell people of this, they look at me like I’m crazy for willingly hanging out with middle schoolers. It was one of the most rewarding times. To teach girls the Word, to pour into them and build relationships, to laugh and have fun in a godly way; that time taught me so much.
When I went off to college, I began visiting churches with my roommate. The second church we went to immediately felt like home. The church reminded me of FBC Frisco, and the people were so welcoming. Before the service was even over I had made up my mind to make it my church home in Arkadelphia. During the Sunday school class, a lady made an announcement asking for helpers with the youth group. Somehow, my introverted self found her at the end of the service and volunteered to help. What started as a small step, turned into what I think defines my time at college. For the first few years, I served with about ten other college students as an intern team under Jason and Sarah, the husband-and-wife youth ministers. It was such a blessing to be able to learn from Jason, and to do ministry and life with the team. We really became so close, and lived with a desire to impact students’ lives. The last two years, Jason asked me to fill the associate’s position as associate youth minister and girls minister. I willingly agreed and spent the summer with the Park Hill Youth. These kids became family. Jason and Sarah are more like parents than bosses, and God moved in such big ways through my time there. I’m struggling to even put words to my experiences in Arkansas, but overall God put a passion in me to reach teenagers for the Kingdom.
Throughout this time, there was always the 9th grade call to foreign missions in the back of my mind. I had spent the summer after 10th grade in Uruguay with missionaries, and a few other summer weeks in Jamaica since then with missions, but once college hit, my mission field was Arkansas. At times this was confusing. Hadn’t God called me to little children surrounding me in Africa? Why did my passport expire, keeping me in the States? I was loving where I was at, and God was teaching me so much, but what about that call? Last summer, my younger brother and I decided to go out of the country. We both love adventure, foreign missions and Spanish. Therefore we contacted some missionary friends and asked if they needed help for the summer. They needed some summer interns, and they willingly let us stay with them in Santiago, Chile. What a blast! We had the opportunity to teach in schools, share Jesus, and learn to ski in the Andes. (And so much more.) However, the entire time we were there Brandon and I would have conversations about why we were there. Not us specifically, but American missionaries in general. We did not feel that our trip was contrary to God’s will, but we did wonder why the IMB had so many missionaries in Chile when most of the churches in Santiago were run by Chileans and functioned on their own. What right did we as Americans have to impose our ideals on them? There was an uneasy feeling. As I was praying about it one day, God told me that the reason I felt so uneasy about the missions was because He wanted me in the States for a while. Maybe someday, for a time, I’ll live overseas. But for now I’m in the country.
A few weeks after Chile, I was having lunch with Chris and he asked me what I learned while in Chile and I told him about being in the country and not overseas. He thought for a moment and said that there’s an opening for a girls minister with the FBC youth group, and that we should pray about it if I’m interested. We were both pretty excited about it and hesitant at the same time. This would be so new for both of us. We knew we could work together because we had in the past, but is this the right position? For about six months we just prayed about it. No talking about it, no planning, just praying. The more I prayed, the more excited I became. Ideas kept coming in my head. My dad was even very excited about girls ministry, and has brainstormed so many helpful ideas with me. Almost a year after those initial conversations, the idea came to fruition.
So here I am. Why Frisco, why Teal, why girls ministry? Because God has placed me here to build relationships, to walk with others as we walk with Christ. It’s simple really. I just tell God’s story and love much because I have been loved much.
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