Reckless

“If I am out of my mind, as some say, it is for You, God. If I am in my right mind, it is for you” -2 Corinthians 5:13

I love this verse. I want to be reckless for Jesus. Even if that means people will say I am out of my mind I’m okay with that. Jesus has transformed my life. Flipped everything that I knew…how I view the world, people, and life differently and most definitely for the better. Everything now streams from the gospel. Now don’t get me wrong, I still mess up and say things and think things everyday that I regret. But there is absolutely nothing that I love to talk about more than Jesus. Probably because I know I never deserved what He did for me. It’s absolutely incredible.

That being said, if you give me an opportunity to talk about Jesus, I won’t want to stop. So tonight I’m just going to share how amazing He is. How He transforms lives for the better.

I was living in a city that I will not verbalize online. But let’s just say I was a bit frustrated at the lack of interest towards Jesus over a series of a few weeks. I had tried to have spiritual conversations. Usually as a result of some taxi driver asking me to marry him for my green card, only to find out why I wouldn’t marry him was because I follow Jesus...which generally led to an explanation of how Allah and my God are different. Pretty exciting stuff, except generally speaking, they just wanted to know why I wouldn’t want to marry them. So after many frustrating conversations that only lead to sticky situations I thought to myself, I’m just not going to talk to this taxi driver tonight. I’m done and tired of trying.

Wouldn’t you know that was the one night God was going to examine my heart. I’m riding in my taxi. My driver is up front, long beard, beady eyes, about the age of a 28 year old or so. He’s looking at me in his rear view mirror as he listens to the Koran being played over his ancient car stereo. “You know Jesus, don’t you?” he asks. Taken by surprise I look into the mirror at his eyes. “How do you know?” I asked. He responds with, “I am not sure, but the Koran says I should read the Bible. Do you have one?” In my mind I think to myself, “SERIOUSLY, LORD?!” So as if a divine appointment couldn’t have been more obvious, I find a Bible in my bag and immediately give it to him. He looks at it, “Please don’t give me this new Bible, please find me one that is old so I won’t be taking from you”. I can see him shaking in excitement. “No please,” I say, “I believe Jesus wants me to give this to you”. He smiles back at me through his beard. “I promise to read this,” He says with an eager grin. Then he drops me off as he drives away reading the bible over his car steering wheel….

It’s amazing what I learned from this experience. The moment I don’t depend on MYSELF to share, God always blows my mind. He brings in people who are ready to hear. Who are excited and hungry so that I don’t even have to go look for them. How sweet it is that the Lord, if we depend on His Spirit, He brings conversations to us. If only I could live by the Spirit everyday. Father, please help me to hear the tones of your voices. Make me ready to move, to speak, to turn and to discern your voice when You command me to go. May I be absolutely out of my mind for You.

To live is CHRIST, to die is GAIN

“They triumphed over him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; 
they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” –Rev: 12:11

This past week at the Kanakuk Institute we studied Church History. Over three days we started with the Great Commission and ended in present times. It was so interesting to learn how the different denominations began and how different theologians have inspired us and have led us to a deeper understanding of the Lord.

One of my favorite parts of the week though, would have to be the stories of all the people who had given their lives for what they believe in. There are so many incredible stories of how time and time again, followers of Christ were asked to recant from their faith in Jesus Christ in order that they might live, but they never did. These are my heroes. I pray, that if faced with the same decision, I too, would have the faith and strength to stand up for Jesus.

One of the men that was mentioned this week in class was a man by the name of Adoniram Judson. Andoniram Judson became one of the first missionaries to the country of Burma, where he and his wife would continuously suffer trials for the sake of bringing the gospel to the Burmese people. Immediately upon entering Burma, Judson and his wife, Ann, began language studies. But it wouldn’t be until 5 years later that Judson would have a first convert into Christianity.

As the gospel spread throughout Burma and Judson’s completion of translating the Gospel into Burmese was complete, opposition began to rise. Most of the opposition came from the war between Burma and the British East Indian government. The Burmese skepticism of Judson and his western heritage, led them to arrest him and his colleague in 1824. They were then taken to a death prison where they were repeatedly tortured. For eleven months they were kept here, only surviving starvation through the daily visits form Judson’s wife who would bring them as much food as was allowed.

After eleven months in this prison, Judson was moved to an even worse prison. He would be in this prison for six months, again only surviving by his wife’s visits. Judson prison guards were forbidden to execute him due to his phenomenal language skills that the Burmese desired to use for negotiations in the war. Eventually, they would release Judson as a result of British involvement.

Immediately following his release, Judson continued tirelessly in missionary work. However, this wasn’t the end to his trials. His wife would die a few months following his release from prison. He would eventually remarry, many years later to a woman named Sarah Boardman. But after having children together, she too would die leaving him with children to raise on his own.

It would be years later, before Judson would again remarry. He and his third wife served tirelessly in Burma for years sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ boldly. Incredibly enough, Judson’s goal was to share with 100 people and that 100 Burmese would come to know Christ. But as a result of his faithful obedience to the Lord’s calling on his life to live in Burma, over 3,000 Burmese would come to have personal relationships with the Lord Jesus.

Judson would eventually die of a disease. But his faithful obedience to follow the Lord has led Burma to have thousands of Baptist Churches there today. Judson’s story is one of remarkable suffering, but in the midst of it all, his legacy will be remembered forever as one who daily died to self, and gave up his life for the cause of Christ. Adoniram Judson is just one of many heroes of the faith who believed that Jesus Christ and what he did on the cross for us was worth laying down their own lives for the sake of others.

Ya Masra

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/11/world/middleeast/coptics-criticize-egypt-government-over-killings.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

talked to maggie for a short time today. the thing she kept saying over and over again on skype was "pray for egypt. pray for egypt".

Maggie is a Coptic Christian, and in light of the recent Egyptian Revolution, Coptics especially face a hard road ahead. In any event, I agree with Mags, we gotta pray more for Egypt. Waiting for Isaiah 19 to be fulfilled!

Vision

So first week of Kanakuk Institute and we're already told to make our vision statement for our LIVES. yeah HARD. Except that there were some obvious givens. These verses came to mind while pondering over the significance of at least having SOME vision. encourage you to think of one too. It was pretty awesome.

“I do not count my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus Christ, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” –Acts 20:24

“…They glorified God because of me.” –Galatians 1:24

“Seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on the Earth” Col. 3:12

“Know the God of Your father and serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind” -1 Ch. 28:9

“For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God, if we are in our right mind, it is for God” -2 Cor 5:13

So, although subject to some change, without further ado, my vision thus far in the school year:

To seek and know God so that I might not count anything more significant than to finish my course in testifying to the gospel of the grace of God so that men might glorify Him because of me.”

"Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,

naught be all else to me, save that thou art;

Thou my best thought by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light."

Waiting

So today I prayed a selfish prayer. My iPod had crashed and I ordered a new one online that said it would be shipped out and arrive by the end of the day monday to my hands! Gosh...life without music...hard. Anyways, it was monday, around noon and we had exactly 5 minutes left before my mom and i would drive to the beach to meet up with the rest of the fam. So, I went outside to load my clothes in the back of the SUV and prayed, "Lord, i know this is slightly ridiculous but it would be so nice of you if my iPod would arrive within the next 5 minutes". And wouldn't you know I said "Amen" just in time to hear a huge UPS truck pull up to my drive and hand me my iPod. He has a great sense of humor and a reminder that His timing is always perfect!

But even now, as I pray for certain requests, remembering how quickly He answered that one, it is still difficult to trust Him with the things I'm "waiting for". I guess it's frustrating in a sense that I know He could tell me the wheres, whens, and hows of what I'm suppose to do/apply for in a split second. But then, I wouldn't be learning the art of waiting upon Him. Matter of fact, I'd probably take the fact that He has a plan for my life for granted. And now I'm clinging to that promise like it's the field with the hidden treasure.

so until i get those answers that He's waiting to reveal to me (and to us), I'll just keep praying, Lord, let Your Kingdom come in my life and in this world. And keep pressing on towards the prize. And prayerfully, will keep my eyes on the cross and what was paid there that ended up flipping my world upside down for the better.

Praying for you all too, as we all seem to be waiting on something.

summer!

despite the fact i have pneumonia (who gets pneumonia in may, right?), i've been so grateful for this week of rest. I thought i'd be at kamp after a whirlwind of fishing, kid watching, and packing, but my lungs apparentely had other ideas. so here i am, after a week of good solid rest, so ready to be at kamp!! i leave tomorrow. I'm still not over everything, but I feel so so so much better and excited at what the future holds! it should be a hilarious summer.

did i mention i'm going to be an aunt to another any day now? seriously, kimbo could call me now and tell me it's time! ah! i can't wait to find out what she's having!

babies!

Sooo... I can't help but steal these pictures from my sister's blog! I can't wait to be an Aunt AGAIN!! and crazily enough, round 2 begins next month, and round 3 right after! And as much as I'm excited to meet lil' one (be it a boy or girl) in June, and lil' boy in July, I really just can't wait to spend some time with my #1. Sure do love my first nephew! Granted, I know as soon as these little blessings arrive, my heart will get a little bit wider. And yes, I do realize how cheesy I sound!

Let the Legacy Live On

6 years ago today, my kanakuk kamp crush (and ole miss crush!) died. clay waycaster...let me just tell you. He was a good looking guy! and not just that, but he loved Jesus with his whole heart. I had finally gotten up the courage to ask Clay to go with me to my Spring formal. It would be a lie to say I wasn't sooo nervous and soooo excited. But as the Lord would have it, just a few days after we made the plans, Clay would go see Jesus. Still jealous you beat me to the throne, brother. But I know you're up there hanging out with my granddad, all of those crazy Bible prophets that I'd love to drill with questions, and Jesus Himself.

There are many things that the Lord taught me during Clay's death. But I'll spare you this time around.

But how sweet of the Lord to allow his older sister, an amazing godly woman and president of our sorority at the time of Clay's death to have her first born son today. They named him Clay. How sweet of the Lord to bring that sweet life into the world the same day, 6 years before, he took Clay home.

What a reminder. The Lord gives and takes away; Blessed be the Name of the Lord. and that the Lord does no wrong. -job

The Lord your God is with you. He is MIGHTY TO SAVE zep 3

What an incredible day.

This weekend my mom, Kimmie, and my nephew Isaac went over to Clinton, MS where my grandmother lives. They were there to attend my sister Carla's first baby shower. Another lil boy on the way in July. Not to mention Kimmie's surprise due in June. Wow I love being an aunt and I love spoiling Isaac and that he calls me "DD" when he tries for Katie. But that's not the story...back to the point.

So while in Clinton at my grandmother's a huge storm blows in bringing with it a pretty stinkin' intense tornado. So together, my family huddles in the storm shelter with Isaac screaming, noise deafening, house shaking, and lots of fear. Kimmie, my sister said she got in and really thought, "this is it. this is the last day I live". So with pressure feeling like their ears would burst, Kimmie, mom, and Meme began praying. And the Spirit of the Lord was so clearly there.

After 20-30 seconds of terror, the tornado passed over. Trees everywhere but on the house. Only one totaled my mom's car. His protection and power and love and mercy were clearly seen today!

And if that wasn't enough. I've been babysitting 2 boys and let me just say it's been less than paradise. But today made every bit of struggle worth it as the oldest, Jack, at 11 spent a good 45 minutes drilling me with questions about Jesus. Absolutely incredible. I still am in awe. At the end of the conversation he told me, "Katie. I think I hear a voice. I think it's God. It's telling me to believe". How cool is that? And how sweet it was to see little Will, only 6, get on his knees and ask the Lord for protection from the storm.

My heart is full tonight.

for footage of the tornado check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lHzZnk3dkk

Acts 17:26-28

"I am no longer anxious about anything, as I realize the Lord is able to carry out His will, and His will is mine. It makes no matter where He places me, or how. That is rather for Him to consider than for me; for in the easiest positions He must give me His grace, and in the most difficult, His grace is sufficient"-Hudson Taylor,

So in this season of life, here in little ole Auburn, Alabama, I have no idea what's next. But i take great encouragement from Hudson Taylor, one of China's very first missionary. And believe, that it doesn't matter where God places me or how, for His grace is sufficient in it all. Althought it was unclear before, I now see, as my sweet daddy always reminds me, "katie, the goal in your life is to work yourself out of a job. you share until everyone's heard. and then you move on. you don't have to be called to one particular place, cause like Paul, your line of work requires to go where the lost is". So here I'm in Auburn. And wouldn't you know it, He has provided me friends from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Korea, and sweet Mexico. Not to mention my dear new American friends and family. I love love love that He's brought the nations to us.

In short. Although I don't know particulars, it's so good to cling to what is truth and what I do know. Banking on the promises of God. I know I'm called to go. I know He'll go with me and before me. And I know that because He's obviously not finished with me (or i'd be dead), that He does have plans. So I guess, for now, I'll just plan on striving to be obedient and to fix my eyes on the One on the Throne-the prize.

He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.' -Acts 17

Peru part 2

So yeah, i should of written the second half like ages ago. but life gets crazy. so here is a quick quick praise to what the Lord did that week of Spring!

We made it safely, crossing a zipline over a pretty intense river into the Peruvian jungle. Upon arriving we knew of 2 believers. After leaving, it appeared we had atleast 5 more. Praise the Lord! The boys on the trip even lead one little Louigi to Jesus and were able to baptize him the next day on the banks of the river. Please pray that this little lad grows up loving Jesus with his whole heart, mind, and soul and become a spiritual leader and light to his village. So sweet for the Spirit to move in his little heart!

The village also voted on building a church and the next day began cutting down jungle timber to be used. It was such an encouragement to us as many had said that their reasonings for not building one was that it always resulted in burning down. Please pray against spiritual warfare and the for the well-being of the church, and most importantly, for it's members. That they would grow into a strong, beautiful, bride of Christ.

And last, but certainly not least. Please pray for these sweet ninos of the village of Chirani. That they'd grow up putting their hope in the Way, which is Jesus Christ. How can you not want to see these little faces in heaven??

Peru Part 1-the journey there

What a week. The Lord is so sweet to us. Despite the fact we deserve the wrath of God, He instead showers us with His love and favor. You are too sweet, Lord.

So we arrived in Lima at midnight the first night only to wake up to a terrible earthquake that had hit Japan. (http://www.operationworld.org/japa) Watc

hing the news as houses and animals were caught up in a terrible amount of debris on TV, a warning issued along with it that a possible Tsunami could make its way to the South American Coast by 8pm that night. But in the Lord's sovereignty, it did not hit the coast of Lima hard by any means and only the beach itself was closed to disappointed surfers.

So with tsunami warnings out of our head we trekked 8 hours by van up over the Andes mountains East of Lima into the jungles of Peru. I'm told if we had gone a little further East we would of been caught up in the jungles of Brazil. Needless to say, an adventure like I'd never experience awaited us. and God just keeps getting bigger.

I'll tell more tomorrow :). But I feel there is so much to write about this story better come in pieces! But He sure did amazing things on this trip. Changed our hearts and hopefully broke them for a new people. Can't wait to tell you all more when I'm more awake and if not for your own interest, then at least a reminder to me at how strong the God I serve is.

thanks Benton

y'all miss me yet? gosh. it's been so long since i last wrote! thankfully though, i have not fallen off the face of the earth...

anyhow. just wanted to share a little bit about His faithfulness! Last Sunday I went to and spoke at a small town church in Benton, Alabama. You don't know where it is? I didn't either.... But amazingly the Spirit knew and showed up and showed out.

After sharing my story that night, and without asking, the 15 adult memebers in attendance, and possibly 15 children, took up a love offering. At the end they said, "here's some gas money".

wow, i thought. after a quick glance i read $127.00. amazing that 15 people gave that much. that's almost 10$ a person

crazy enough. i didn't read the check right. and low and behold 2 days later I saw the check again. I was a little off, as they had given me $1,270.00. WHAT?! incredible! and the awesome thing was that was the exact amount needed for both my Peru trip and a conference in Orlando that I planned to attend this next week. How incredible and sweet of the Lord! And how amazing that this church, this body, listened to the Spirit and gave obediently! Oh He is sooo soo good to me! What a sweet reminder of His provision for me financially even though what He did for me on the cross was always enough. Such a Mighty God we serve!