"Open up my eyes to the things unseen"

Some of the beautiful girls from our group during Disciple Now!

Written by Hillsong, the song hosanna could not be anymore fitting for this time in my life.

"Heal my heart and make it clean, open up my eyes to the things unseen, show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart for what breaks yours, everything i am for your kingdoms cause, as i walk from earth into eternity!"

I had the most INCREDIBLE weekend this past week and i have to give glory where glory is due

I was asked to help lead worship for d-now this past weekend with FBC here in Troy as well as to lead a group of 11th and 12th grade girls. My room-mate Janie also came along and together we got to led an amazing group of young women.

I immediately responded with yes, little did i know just how much God would do in just three days. After meeting the girls on friday we went and had worship, a sermon spoken by David Nasser (amazing) and then we headed back to our host family's house and began to build relationships with the girls. On saturday we had another session and worship and then went out to do our service project. We took the girls to the Troy Rehabilitation center where we passed out valentines and got to sit in on a saturday morning sermon. The people were so receptive to our love and we were just as blessed as they were. After leaving there we went back to the church and had some good "youth group fun" and then headed back later that night for another session. For those of you who have not heard of David Nasser, I encourage you to look him up and read every book he has written! God is using him! After getting back late saturday night Janie and I led a discussion with the girls and asked them to share what all had been revealed to them. Little did  I know what God would do the very next day! On sunday morning the band led worship and David spoke one last time. Throughout the weekend he was preaching on Grace and based it out of Ephesians 2:1-10. After sharing his testimony and being real with the congregation, chains slowly began to come off throughout the church. As he concluded his sermon he gave an invitation of salvation and people came forward. People from all ages and lastly 2 of my girls i had been discipling over the weekend. Having just talked to each of the girls the night before about Gods grace it was incredible to be on the other side and see there broken and humbled hearts cry on the name of Jesus. As i sat in the pew weeping I began to realize this is what its all about. From that moment on the Lord has blessed me with a new vision. I long to see the things I have overlooked in the past, and I want my heart to break for what breaks his!

As Romans 11:36 says:

"For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen"

Worthy is the lamb

I attend 8:29 on Wednesdays at FBC here in Troy, and learned the coolest thing during the sermon last night so i thought I should share:

The local youth minister at FBC in Troy went to Kazakstan last summer on a mission trip and as a sign of appreciation the KZ people offered them a lamb for dinner one night. In KZ it is a huge honor to have lamb for dinner, but the biggest honor is who will slaughter the lamb. Obviously to a group of Americans, all were a little frightened, so Jared, the youth minister decided to take one for the team. He began to slaughter the lamb and was amazed when the lamb did not struggle for his life or even make a noise, but lied there as a sacrifice for many. 

Now i'm sure you get where i'm going with this.

It's no coincidence that Jesus is the lamb of God. I know many of us have heard all of our lives, he made the ultimate sacrifice when he gave his life, as if that isn't powerful enough, he walked up the hill of calvary, sweating, in pain, bleeding, and hungry without even making a sound. What a beautiful picture that is, he loves us so much that even when he knew blood, tears, and nails were involved, he did it anyway for YOU and I. 

Isaiah 53:4,7

(V.4)Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

(V.7)He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth;he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

Worthy is the lamb who was slain, to him be the glory forevermore!!