Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Update on my embarrassing LifeWay App

So, last week I wrote a blog "Well that's Embarassing"  about how I wondered how embarrassing my entries were to LifeWay two years ago. Well, I was actually able to check them out, and I was surprised. They were not that bad. This is so true that I didn't even change it even though I had the chance to if I wanted. I've been wanting to write for someone something for some time now, but the opportunity has not presented itself. I really wanted to get the chance to write for Student Life, yet on their website there is not a way to do so.

However, I was pleasantly surprised when they tweeted that they were looking for production writers. I, of course, applied. My resume is interesting, but I am hoping they see my worth and value that I have to offer. I don't think it was coincidence that I saw this tweet after wanting it so bad. God was definitely giving me encouragement. If I don't get the opportunity to write for Student Life, at least I was given the chance to try. I guess I will keep writing my own things, and I hope that something will open up in the future if it doesn't work.

I'll keep you posted on what happens next...

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

John the Baptist

This morning in my daily Bible reading, I was reintroduced to John the Baptist. As an English Lit major there is the habit of always trying to analysis what you read, and this is not only of the first reading, but of the multiple times you read things. You should come across something new each time you read something. This is why reading books multiple times is fun! Yes, it's fun! There are too many changes that happen in life that change your perspective on things. Hence, reading things more than once. This would go double for the Bible!

So, John the Baptist... Here is the passage I read:

John the Baptist Prepares the Way
 1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 3For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,

    "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord;
   make his paths straight.'"
4Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
 7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father,' for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
 11 "I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
The Baptism of Jesus
 13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. 16And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

Human thought process on this one...
What is like to know that your entire existence is to make the way for the Messiah? I know that we are to all created and born to worship God, Christ, the Messiah, however in this self centered world we tend to think that the world should revolve around us. Don't lie, at some point in life you have had these thoughts. Now, as a Christian God gives us the revelation that our world must revolve around Him.

Here is where my thoughts went while reading this and analyzing it as a mother:

1) In the view of Elizabeth, she was PREGNANT!!! AMEN!!! However, let's face it your pregnancy with John will be over shadowed by a virgin girl. The fact is we are self centered - was there ever the thought my son will never be what Mary's baby is because he is the Messiah. Sheesh. Whatta downer.

2) Now, to look at it without selfishness of our human self. HOW AWESOME!!! Elizabeth's son had one of the most AMAZING roles in the story of Jesus. He was his presenter, the man that got to baptize JESUS/GOD! Elizabeth had the second best mother role that God could have given someone. She knew from the beginning the revelation of John's exact purpose!

3) How can I raise my boys to be so selfless that like John, he knows he is nothing compared to Jesus? How do we do that in today's world? It is obvious that a mother must have a scripture focused life to teach her children that their purpose comes from God and no one else. I don't want to compare my boys to others; I want to find their purpose that God has for them. See. Elizabeth and Mary knew the exact purpose for their boys' lives. One will lead the way for Jesus, and the other was God in flesh to save mankind.

Luk and Logan have a purpose to lead others to Jesus, but how will that happen? Reson and I have a purpose to lead others to Jesus, but will it change in a year, in five years, in ten years? I don't know. Will it be in missionary work, in a church, or as Louie Giglio mentioned in the Passion 2011 Live Link will it be us/them/you being a professional turf maintenance person? Crazy, right!

I want to be like John. I want to acknowledge my insignificance to God, Christ Jesus. I want to make a path for Him in people's lives. I want to do what I have to do to make righteousness apart of people's lives. As John told the Pharisees and Sadducees, you must produce fruits no matter the season in your life, you must do so by being repentant, and you cannot assume you will go to Heaven for just being "good." I want/need to remember daily! Work hard at your relationship with God, and He will show your fruits will grow!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

What Christ has been putting in my path...

Lately, there have been many things that I have read. There is the regular news topics, I will give Dr. Mohler credit for what I read. I deem "The Briefing List" worth my time to read list. If you don't know who this is, he is the president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where I attended Boyce College (an undergraduate school of SBTS). So, I still keep up with what is being read and said at the school. Then I read other emails, Facebook statuses, blogs, etc.

Well, there is the blog that I mentioned in a previous post that is about Sanctus Real's leader singer Matt Hammitt's son. Bowen's Heart is a beautiful blog written to update fans and friends with what is happening with little Bowen. Well, it is there that I got a chunk of thought provoking theology. Matt writes:
The first thing that happens after we recognize our election by God in Christ Jesus is the destruction of our preconceived ideas, our narrow-minded thinking, and all of our other allegiances— we are turned solely into servants of God’s own purpose. The entire human race was created to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Sin has diverted the human race onto another course, but it has not altered God’s purpose to the slightest degree. And when we are born again we are brought into the realization of God’s great purpose for the human race, namely, that He created us for Himself. This realization of our election by God is the most joyful on earth, and we must learn to rely on this tremendous creative purpose of God. The first thing God will do is force the interests of the whole world through the channel of our hearts. The love of God, and even His very nature, is introduced into us. And we see the nature of Almighty God purely focused in
— “For God so loved the world. . . .” John 3:16
We must continually keep our soul open to the fact of God’s creative purpose, and never confuse or cloud it with our own intentions. If we do, God will have to force our intentions aside no matter how much it may hurt. A missionary is created for the purpose of being God’s servant, one in whom God is glorified. Once we realize that it is through the salvation of Jesus Christ that we are made perfectly fit for the purpose of God, we will understand why Jesus Christ is so strict and relentless in His demands. He demands absolute righteousness from His servants, because He has put into them the very nature of God.
Beware lest you forget God’s purpose for your life.

This is something that Reson and I discuss, however the eloquence in Matt's writing is what stuck out to me. I only wish that I could discuss the election of Christ in such a way, and to write about our purpose in life which is GOD! To go with this theme because in my life it seems to work out in themes. I think that is the way that God KNOWS I work. =)
I was listening to FLAME.   If you know me, you may think this to be odd because he is indeed a rapper, however I cannot deny a rapper with clear sound theology. He is graduate of Boyce College and is furthering his education in Christian Counseling. God has blessed this man with clear ways to share the gospel to young adults, youth, and those that only care to listen to rap. In his song, "Drama of Redemption" he narrates:

See, that’s why we can’t afford to roam the world aimlessly, man. We can’t afford to just go through out life, creating our own rules, pursuing things that don’t please God. Cuz we all apart of something that God established in eternity past. In other words, way before anything was created He had a plan to create a world with people and to save people from sin.

So, when He created Adam He made an agreement to bless him with eternal life, but Adam disobeyed God and the covenant or the agreement was broken. Then God covered Adam and Eve which was grace, and then the good news of Jesus Christ was proclaimed in Genesis chapter three. Then God said that the serpent would bruise the heel, the seed of Eve, talking about Jesus but that Jesus would crush his head.

So, from that point, God made an agreement with Noah and spared his family from judgment of the whole world, which was a picture of Jesus Christ saving us from sin. Then He made an agreement with Abraham that his descendants would be numbered as many as the grains of sand and that not only Jews but Gentiles would be blessed to be part of His covenant people.

Then He made a covenant with Moses and then with David and through David’s Lineage would come Jesus Christ who was the promise to David that he would always have someone to sit upon his throne. And then eventually, Jesus Christ came to earth to establish the new covenant, man.

See. God is redeeming the people so that they may dwell with Him in the new Heaven and the new earth and new Jerusalem. Look, man, all I’m saying is stop! Look in the Bible and see what’s really good. Cuz God and all it’s ways are passing away and Jesus Christ is coming back!



This is truth! How can we ignore truth!? I don't know about you, but this small dose of truth leads to a greater conviction. It's like what Matt says, we CANNOT forget our purpose that God has for our lives. As Flame says, we can't walk aimlessly. Jesus is coming back. God made plan for this world, and it would be smart not to ignore it!
This is the beauty of truth... I love it!!!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Well that's embarrassing

I was looking into doing some writing Lifeway. It has something that I had originally applied for before my degree, before Reson became a Youth Pastor, and before we got back into a church family when we moved back to Florida. Needless to say, I am a bit embarrassed thinking about what I could have possibly written. I'm not sure that it my best work. I'm hoping that they allow me to resubmit an application because at this point the work that they have under my name is pretty crummy.
I sit here looking back at my life back in 2008, and I am thinking that I wouldn't have hired me for that position either. I'm hoping for a second chance that in two years a person can have a greater spiritual growth, and that I am able to convey it better in my writing. We will see...

Friday, September 17, 2010

Christ-centered Families and their lives...

I sit here in shock as I read about some difficulties that are falling upon two Christian world and music artists (Aaron Shust, Matt Hammitt). Precious Daisy a daughter of a Reality Church pastor is fighting cancer, these two artists' boys are fighting for a beating heart and a healthy esophagus. Just this morning I was celebrating that a precious five year old is still cancer free. Little Nathan was a boy in our former church, and seeing their battle and current victory has been a hard road to follow. As believers, we like the testimony, but not the tests. I learned that from a friend, and it is true for the most part.

My husband would say that I was torturing myself as I wept for parents that had lost their children to cancer, wept as I read Nathan's mom, Amanda's struggles, etc. However, over time he has begun to understand that it is not the case of torture, but that we as Christians need to support and hold one another up. As we have matured in our Christian walk, as we have journeyed with our wonderful youth group, God has taught us the love that we are to have for others.

It is amazing that three out of the four children that I mention in this blog I have personal link to, but I have a love for them that makes me feel like they are my own. As God adopted us to be His children, I have a connection to them. I pray for them, their parents, and their friends. I pray that if my husband and I were ever in such a situation that we would be as Christ-centered as these beautiful examples. It is through the wonderful grace of God that we can be apart of these stories whether good or bad. He is our sustainer, our comforter, and he is our Father. He loves us and is in control.

Please I implore you look at these stories, pray for them, love them, and may God bless you through their walks as they have blessed my husband and me. We have such an amazing God. His love for us is astounding, and as believers we need to show that love to those that we don't know. Be imitators of Christ!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Blessed, Humbled, Grateful

These past couple of weeks have been rough. I will admit that my selfishness wishes that I didn't have to go through them, however I know that the situations are building me to be more of a woman for God. I am blessed to have health, my husband, my boys. I see so many suffering with death, illness, and unforeseen realities, yet God has blessed us with a wonderful season of life. I may not like the conflicts arise, but I am blessed with health and family.

I am humbled by God's grace and love for us. The fact that He places everything in our lives for a reason makes it all worth while. I am humbled by the godly people that keep their faith in awful situations. The fact that God created people to endure so much just goes to really show us how much a person can take.

I am grateful for His blessings, the trials that He gives us to lead to His Kingdom, and I am grateful for the life He has given me here.

I wrote this on my Facebook Status yesterday, and I have remember this daily!

Dear Satan,
You certainly know how to start my Wednesday morning. I appreciate your effort, but don't you know that I serve a God greater than you! I mean, I get that I would be a great conquest for you, but drop it already! Think twice next time. Get outta here!
Love to Hate you,
Aislynn

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Bible Time

On Wednesday mornings, I try to look over my lesson again for the Children's Bible Study on Wednesday nights. We are, currently, going through the "Hall of Champions" that is featured in the Hebrews 11. The many Bible Champions that had great faith in God and His will for their life. This week, we are looking at God's Creation and Noah. As a child you see things one way, but then as I have looked at the lesson, I see it in many different ways. It is hard to place why, but I do.

Here are some of my thoughts while looking at it through my adult eyes:
Genesis 1: Before there was anything, God had a divine plan. He already had a love for us as His creations as he developed the earth. He also through words has the power to create. This, I think, would have been a beneficial attribute to give to moms (within reason, of course). I'm thinking, "Grilled Cheese Sandwich!" Luk's lunch is made. See where I'm going with this. =)  He spoke, it happened. That is really a complex notion, this is why having a faith as a child is awesome. As an adult there are all these elements that go into, however it does make God so much grander than what a child can phantom.
Genesis 6-9: God was MAD! People were not that far from the creation of Adam and Eve and the Fall. What happened? How did it get this bad? I look at today's society, and we almost want to excuse ourselves because of the time gap, but there is no excuse! There was one key thing that struck me.
Matthew 24: 36-44

No One Knows That Day and Hour
36"But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
 The times of Noah were bad, and God was not happy. So, how bad and evil have we gotten in today's era? He's coming, are we READY because we MUST be READY! He is coming, and the world is getting more and more like that of Noah's time. 
Anyways, it's just one of those lessons that got me thinking pretty deep.