February 2012
4 posts
“Our lives as Christians should look more like the book of Acts than the American...”
– http://ifollowtheway.tumblr.com/
giving in and over
I just can’t stand it.
The fact that I am so quick to give in. Even when I know that everything is going to be fine, I am still so quick to give in to my emotions. This is not who I am supposed to be. It’s one thing to sit and read books and listen to sermons and take notes about all these things that I should be and could be. It is another to live that out and not only take it...
just being real
There is nothing quite like seeing someone do exactly what Jesus has called them to. I am so encouraged.
No excuse. No witness.
Sometimes I think my head is made of lead the way Jesus has to hammer stuff into it over and over and over.
Just finally getting the fact that being naive is not an excuse for compromise in my convictions. My standards are high, but it doesn’t take much to encourage me to compromise. See, instead of letting people see right off the bat that I am different, that I am all about Jesus, I...
January 2012
11 posts
outside the box
There is so much more to this life than what I thought.
I’ve been thinking about my end goal lately. So often I would think of it as “serve in such-and-such a ministry” or “be married” or “be living on the mission field” or “work such-and-such a job” or “graduate from such-and-such a school.” But Jesus has so much more for me...
“Jesus is growing me up.
Jesus is holding me up.”
becagirl:
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13
YES.
“Here lies the supreme missionary motivation. It is neither obedience to the...”
– John Stott
As far as worship goes:
It’s not about writing something so amazing and brand new. Its about writing what is on your heart.
“Jesus has renewed my passion for worship.”
Turn
I am not who I was a year ago.
I’ve been contemplating whether that is a good or bad thing. As far as I’ve reasoned, it’s good. I needed change and that’s what I got.
A year ago I was much more naive, closed-minded, fearful, and selfish. I hope to say that now I am a little more seasoned, open to new things/ministries, bold, and loving. Or at least I am striving for...
“Our biggest problem is not the presence of the enemy, but the absence of the...”
It's coming around again.
I thought I was done with all that jealousy and pride, but I’m finally understanding it is something I have to put to death with the flesh daily. Yes, even in the midst of seeking the Lord and true fellowship, it can still sneak up on me and rear it’s ugly head. But Jesus is all about redemption. And this is all about Jesus.
Reflections
Sitting here by the lake reflecting on what God has been doing in my heart these past few days. Phil Wickham is playing in my ears and my hands are cold as I type this out, but God is getting ready to do something amazing and I’m not going to miss out. Time seems to be flying by so fast and I’m striving to soak in every moment and not let anything pass me by.
Just a snippet of what...
Phil. 3:12-16
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ...
December 2011
8 posts
Focus.
It was a shock. I didn’t expect to get “slapped” in the face so many times today, but apparently Jesus has a sense of humor. Either that or He is trying to get a point across to me.
Luke 4:6-8 “And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You...
It's a struggle.
Jesus, take this judgmental heart and this narrowmindedness and turn it into something that looks like grace and love.
“I do not want to be tied to this world.
Jesus is eternal. My mind needs to be...”
Daily Help
Thought this little devotion from Charles Spurgeon was pretty insightful:
The more you know about Christ, the less will you be satisfied with superficial views of Him; and the more deeply you study his life and the fulness of His grace which shines in all His offices, the more truly will you see the: King in his beauty. Long more and more to see Jesus. Meditation and contemplation axe often like...
Give it up
There is a story in the Bible that is rather well-known. The feeding of the 5,000 is told in Mark 6:32-44. We did an inductive study of this passage last May and it has stuck with me since then.
Jesus and his disciples have been ministering to the multitude that has followed them unceasingly—even after they sought a little solitude. Jesus compassionately taught them until the day...
I am Listening, I am Learning
I am learning what it means to listen to Jesus.
It is a season of waiting and serving Jesus day, after day, after day, after day. It is not a time to fear. Or a time to rush. It is a time to soak up His grace, that I may give it out.
That’s hard stuff. But it’s all that matters now.
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace,...
undecided.
This is the story of the desires of my heart and what they seem to be and how they may or may not line up with Jesus’ desires for me.
This was something I thought and prayed a lot about two years ago as I was getting ready to commit to one year of ministry in the Ukraine. When the desires of my heart are the desires of Jesus’ heart for me, it is then that I am truly satisfied and...
“whoa, Augusta, wake up. The world
is still a lot BIGGER than you think”
November 2011
1 post
COMPASSION FATIGUE
I am a victim. But I am taking steps to combat Compassion Fatigue.
Full post to come. But I was inspired by this excerpt: (full post:http://rejectapathy.com/worldview/features/26062-overcoming-compassion-fatigue)
Compassion fatigue is the gradual lessening of compassion over time, usually due to a growing feeling that all the effort being expended is pointless. Compassion spurs us to get...
October 2011
6 posts
“Ordinary days are meant to be spent with Jesus.
No need to wait for something...”
He is personal
Jesus has a blood type. Jesus has a spine. A throat to speak, ears that ear, teeth to show in His smile, eyelashes to catch the dust that is joyful to fall upon Him. Jesus can cry from laughing too hard. Jesus has fingers with knuckles that crack, He has hands that can hold yours. Jesus has a laugh. He has a sneeze, a yawn, a cough. He has a singing voice. He has a walk and a run. Jesus has...
“all this stuff and all these decisions that seem so important to me right now...”
September 2011
11 posts
“Jesus’ knowledge of the word was a foundation for his confidence, identity...”
– Just truth.
“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every...”
– James 3:16
Seasons. They're to be treasured. →
aileenorails:
To be unsatisfied with the season God has for you right now, is to reject the upcoming season God has waiting for you.
I was walking through Budapest today with my beautiful friend, Adalaide, and as we were eating we started talking about discontentment. It is something I struggled with for a…
This is what I had in my head today, and Aileen went ahead and blogged about it....
I have not yet attained this.
It’s that never ending struggle. My selfish pride and jealousy and the feeling that I’ve got to be excellent at something.
But is that truly what Christ wants from me? Or is the deeper issue faithfulness?
If I am truly faithful with what Jesus has given, it should look like using the gifts He’s given me in every opportunity regardless of my emotions. It means investing into...
“Break our hearts for the people who are far from you.”
– just something i need not to forget.
Paul got it right
when he said, “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (In 1 Cor.2:2)
more on this to come.
this is me lately
“Why does it take so long for me to know who I want to be; am I missing something here?
Am I looking for a sign, looking to something written in the sky To show me how to get what’s written in my heart in my head now?
You carried this cross, for the lost and lonely, You had to walk this road so I could see that You were where I wanted to be.”
my brother found this band and...
“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be...”
– Numbers 6:24-26 - The Bible.
The desire and prayer of my heart; that Jesus would shine through my life.
(via aileenorails)
“We need righteous leaders. Be one. Help raise one up.”
Just what I needed.
Yes You Have. Hosanna. From the Inside out. How He Loves. It was a set list I might have heard if I’d been here last year. Just a simple, typical, no nonsense, no surprises time of worship. Now, maybe you’re thinking that’s lame or even kinda boring. You know, same old, same old. But it was just what I needed and Jesus knew it.
And with life pressing down on me,...
August 2011
5 posts
“There is something to be said about living the life God has called you to.”
Starting Over
Sasha and I glanced at the sheet music spread out on my bed and stood strumming in sync with one another. The whole surreal feeling of being in America had definitely not worn off. It still hasn’t. I find myself thinking in Russian or just zoning out trying to figure out which end is up. I’d gotten so used to my life. I had a routine and it was easy to understand what was accepted...
Welcome Home Celebration
If you have not received word through Facebook or email, please take a look at this post:
You are invited to an evening of fellowship on Monday, August 8th at my house. This will be a time of sharing and reconnecting with those who have supported me while I’ve been in Ukraine. Please join us any time between 6-11pm. This is an open invitation, so please pass the word along to those who...
thinking backwards
Welcome back to America.
I spun around in helpless wonder at the sound of my native language. “I can understand everything. Everything,” I gasped. I’d so gotten used to just listening and tuning things and people out as I didn’t understand them. A simple conversation at passport control truly tested me as I looked across at this guy, smiling at me, and tried to speak...
“Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation which you...”
– Jim Elliot
July 2011
5 posts
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to...”
– Romans 1:16
what it means
It’s written there on the side of my dashboard and in this url. Augustawind. A simple word I picked up from a knock-knock joke on a paper cup. You know,
- knock, knock. -who’s there? -augusta -augusta who? -“a gust a wind” just blew away my frisbee.
Hello, I saw my name on a paper cup. Of course I’m gonna take notice of that. It was kinda catchy, so I picked it...
my mind at ease
Tonight, my mind is at ease. After a day of fellowship and encouragement with the team from Melbourne and the Ukrainians, I am just joyful. I paused in the hall earlier to hear the sweet notes flowing from my room as Tanya picked on my guitar. The simple and quiet worship songs she played just inspired me. I realized that Jesus is not impressed with what seems so vital to me. He is looking...
Psalm 63. (a psalm of David when he was in the...
” 1 O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. 2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. 3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. 4 Thus I...