Unity in Diversity...

One of my very best friends in college, Chris, spent most of his growing up years in Ecuador as a MK. His dad, Mr. David Sills, recently wrote a book titled, "The Missionary Call - Find Your Place in God's Plan for the World." I have started reading through the book and wanted to blog about something I picked up on in Chapter 1 of the book...

While discussing Understanding the Missionary Call in Chapter 1, Mr. David writes... "When God calls His child to live the life of a missionary, He gives him the desire with the calling. In addition, the Lord gives a spiritual gift to every true believer (1 Corinthians 12). However, in addition to the gift itself, I believe that each believer has a passion area for the exercise of his gift." I love the point that Mr. David makes about passion. I truly believe that if God calls you to do something, whether it go on the mission field, start a new career, or simply to give more of your time or finances... He will also supply the passion for your particular calling.

After reading this section I ventured to 1 Corinthians to check out the reference to Spiritual Gifts.... I so love the way this chapter unites the body through our differences. We Unite in Diversity by bringing all of our different gifts to the table to help each other out... teamwork is a wonderful thing. :)

{1 Corinthians 12}
1Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant.

2You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

3Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. '

5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.

6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,

9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,

10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b]

11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

So yes, of course I have read this chapter before... but until about 10 minutes ago I had no clue what my spiritual gifts were. I just found 2 surveys online and took them both, and my results were similar on both. My primary gift on one survey was Shepherding. This gift has to do with leadership... I thought this part of the description was pretty accurate...

{HOW CAN YOU USE YOUR GIFT? This gift is a great help in many areas. You may serve as a Sunday school teacher, small group leader, pastor or assistant pastor, bus captain, special ministry leader (such as youth, children, men, etc.), nursery worker or as a half-way house or other type shelter volunteer. You may consider serving as a dormitory leader in a college, orphanage, children's home, etc. Scout troops would appreciate your assistance as a den leader.}

Okay... so I guess it's right.

I also scored high in Showing Mercy and Service on the assessments. I am comforted in knowing that things which I am passionate about such as caring for and comforting others, and well as service to others seem to be gifts from above.

It is so good to know that I serve a God who plays an active role in my life. He gives me skills, gifts, desires, and callings. I am confident that God has called me to work with college age students... but I guess the future location of that calling is to be determined. I am not sure where the Lord will take me... but I know that my path will be uniquely selected for me and me alone. And I am thankful and continually prayerful that God will make His calling evident to me, as well as create a renewed passion within me for whatever His plan for me may be.

Love y'all,

Kacey

Prone to Wander... Unfortunately.

I write about songs a lot... lyrics especially. One of my favorite hymns to sing is "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." We sang it in church on Sunday... I when the line {Prone to wander Lord I feel it...} was sung... it was like a big ole slap in the face from my Heavenly Father.

I am so prone to wander...

I think anyone who has ever traveled (or gone to Wal Mart) with me would tell you that I like to wander... I like to see new things, take different paths, explore different options. And while in life, I think that is a good thing... I am concerned that those options, those paths, those new things often distract me from the One whom I should be fixed upon.

I of course, look to the song for inspiration... (and Wikipedia for the info). This song was written by a young man. A 22 year old pastor in 1757. I am thankful to Robert Robinson who wrote this song 253 years ago... because my voice still shakes and I tear up with conviction nearly every time I sing it. Robert's version though is a bit different than Praise and Worship version we are used to... take a read a notice a few extra verses. The mental picture of the last verse... wow.

{Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing}

by: Robert Robinson, 1757

1. Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;

Streams of mercy, never ceasing,

Call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet,

Sung by flaming tongues above.

Praise his Name, I’m fixed upon it,

Mount of Thy redeeming love.

2. Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,

Till released from flesh and sin,

Yet from what I do inherit,

Here Thy praises I'll begin;

Here I raise my Ebenezer;

Here by Thy great help I’ve come;

And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,Safely to arrive at home.

3. Jesus sought me when a stranger,

Wandering from the fold of God;

He, to rescue me from danger,

Interposed His precious blood;

How His kindness yet pursues me

Mortal tongue can never tell,

Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me

I cannot proclaim it well.

4. O to grace how great a debtor

Daily I’m constrained to be!

Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,

Bind my wandering heart to Thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

Prone to leave the God I love;

Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,

Seal it for Thy courts above.

5. O that day when freed from sinning,

I shall see Thy lovely face;

Clothed then in blood washed linen

How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;

Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,

Take my ransomed soul away;

Send thine angels now to carry

Me to realms of endless day.

My conviction of my wandering stems from a reprioritzation that needs to take place in my life. sleep, work, friends, family, tv, enterntainment, social media... these are things I focus on when I could be spending time in the Word. When I could be learning... when I could be growing... when I could be gaining that Wisdom I am so desperate to have. Wisdom that I want to share as I learn. How can I not spend more time with the One who sustains me day to day. How can I hear answers to prayers if I don't take the time to listen.

... I can't.

I'm not really sure where to start, not sure where the Lord will lead me in a lot of aspects of my life... the thing about God is is that He is everywhere... so it is so important for me to make time for the One who has been with me for all time... He deserves so much more than I give Him. And though I can never give Him enough time or enough Praise I should strive to honor Him with more than my attitude and my works every day... I should honor Him with my time, with my mind, with my stillness and listening ears. I want to learn, but I have to study in able to do so.

Keep me in your prayers friends... for you are in mine.

Love y'all,

KC

God won...

For the last 24 hours I have watched the news with baited breath as 33 miners and 5 rescue workers have emerged from a 2000 foot hole deep into the earth of Copiapo, Chile. I fell asleep on the couch last night watching the news, I woke up and rushed to the TV to see the progress of the rescue this morning. I can’t count the tears of pure joy I have shed for these men and their families as they have come out of the rescue pod and into the arms of their loved ones.

How does something like this happen…

How do these men survive 69 days under the earth???

According to Mario Sepulveda… he met God, he met the Devil… they fought and God won. Check out this article/statement from Mario to hear it from him. http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/10/13/chile.miners.voices/index.html?hpt=T2



Mario is an inspiration to me. I was not able to watch all of the rescues… but his was the first that I saw. He was the 2nd miner rescued, and he came out cheering. He hugged his wife, he hugged President Pinera, he hugged the First Lady, he hugged the other miners, the rescuers, and then he started a chant of Pride!! The encouragement and enthusiasm of this man who literally just rose from an abyss... is so inspiring. Mario was in a literal abyss (like the deepest valley ever!!!), so how does that compare to those emotional valleys that we get into. I can't imagine what they went through... don't really want to, because I know it had to be painful... physically, mentally, and emotionally.

{Chile! Chile! Chi Chi Chi Le Le Le … los mineros de Chile!}

I have seen pictures of the men who came out of the mine and hit their knees in prayer. I have read accounts from them today in which they talked about the hand of God in their survival. Many of them were wearing t-shirts that say “Gracias Senor” (Thanks be to God)… the faith of these men is incredible… just think of the platform that God has given them through this experience. The entire world is waiting to hear what they have to say, and the words they choose will influence so many peope. Just imagine having that influence...

oh wait friends... you do! We all have a sphere of influence on someone... so watching these miners reminds me to pay attention to what I have to say and how I say it when talking to those around me... because you never know who is listening.

Finally, a great quote from one of the miners:

“There are actually 34 of us, because God has never left us down here."
-- 19-year-old Chilean miner Jimmy Sanchez, in a letter sent up from the mine Tuesday

Dear friends,

Please keep these men and their families in your prayers... the days ahead are going to be a huge transition for them all. I am so intrigued by these men and can't wait to hear more from them in the coming days.

Love Y'all - KC

Love, Joy, and Hope...

A lot of thoughts today as I sit in this quiet office (though yes, I am singing along to Pandora)... Fall break is this weekend... so students are quickly bolting for home or other adventures... I've been reading over friends blogs and contemplating some things I've been thinking about this week, and it's really just a question to ponder... I don't know yet if there is an answer to this question.

{What is more important: Happiness, Joy, or Hope? }

So we can make an educated decision... here are the definitions according to Miriam Websters online.

{Happiness}
1. good fortune

2. a) a state of well being and contentment
b) a pleasureable or satisfying experience

3. Felicity, Aptness

{Joy}
1. a) the emotion evoked by well being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires: delight
b) the expression or exhibition of such emotion: gaiety

2. a state of happiness or felicity: bliss

3. a source or cause of delight

{Hope}
noun
1. trust, Reliance

2. a) desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment; also: expectation of fulfillment or success
b) someone of something on which hopes are centered
c) something hoped for

intransitive verb
1. to cherish a desire with anticipation

2. Trust

transitive verb
1. to desire with expectation of obtainment

2. to expect with confidence


So... thoughts?? I have been thinking about this more and more as I have read the definitions... Happiness is a great thing... we all feel better when we are happy. However, isn't our happiness usually dependent on how we feel and is strongly affected by outside forces. I can be having a good day, be seeminly happy and with one unhappy occurance, my day is shot... happiness out the window. (I personally think that is a negative character trait for me, but I'll use it as an example) So yes... happiness is good, but happiness is a vulnerable emotion.

Joy... well, I think joy is something I strive for (and the name of a sweet friend!). I feel like it is a step or two above happiness... like, happiness on steroids is joy... because it is a bigger and better emotion... also... happiness causes joy because they are closely related emotions (they have ALL the same synonyms). Really, can you have joy without experiencing happiness?

... now that something to ponder.

Hope... to me thats just such a necessity in life. How do you go day to day with out the hope of things to come (whatever your "things" may be). I also like that hope isn't just a thing... it's an action (noun and verb!)... you can do more with hope. Hope takes trust, hope takes faith... because you can't hope without expecting something in return... with hope... you have to expect a result. If it happens that the result isn't what you hope for, well... then I guess that would affect your joy and happiness... so in a way, it seems that your joy and happiness are dependent on the things you hope for.

Anyways... just something to think about... feel free to let me know your thoughts!

Also, please be in prayer for my mom. She is starting to clean out some of daddy's things, she bought a new bed, and gave away some of his clothes. It is really hard on her to relive memories through each and every pile... pray for strength and comfort for her as she goes through this unavoidable task.

Love y'all,

KC

Free as we'll ever be...

This may be a little weird... but as I was walking through the cemetary to help my mom put fall flowers on my dad's grave, the following lyrics from Zach Brown Band popped in my head:

"Just as free
Free as we'll ever be
Just as free
Free as we'll ever be
And ever be"

I literally laughed aloud at the symbolism of the song and my setting. But as I thought about it, I determined that the symbolism is on point really, for Christians anyway. Our death, no matter when, no matter how allows to be free from so many things that we endure here on earth.

Freedom from sin
Freedom from oppression
Freedom from pain
Freedom from suffering
Freedom from illness
Freedom from mourning
Freedom from heartbreak
Freedom from disappointment
Freedom from feeling inadequate
Freedom from confusion
Freedom from uncertainty
Freedom from loss
Freedom from indifference
Freedom from loneliness
Freedom from negativity
Freedom from feeling unsettled

We all struggle with those... one, some, or all... but if you know the Lord as your Savior, you can look forward to Freedom from those things. If you don't, well... check this out to learn how... or call me and we can chat about it. http://www.sbc.net/knowjesus/theplan.asp

"Now the Lord is the Spirit,

and where the Spirit of the Lord is,

there is freedom."

2 Corinthians 3:17

Lessons learned in church today...

In church today I learned/thought about several things:

I. There are 3 songs that I cannot sing, because they some how remind me of daddy..

1. It is well with my Soul (because though it is with my head and my heart... it's still hard to say)
2. How Great Thou Art (because when we were on vacation to Tennessee daddy recorded that song... and I loved hearing him sing it, and I always think of him singing it when I hear it)
3. In Christ Alone (because we sang this song at church on the last Sunday daddy ever attended church... and though I love the song, the words, and the meaning... I can't sing it all without crying)

II. I adore the song Total Praise, and the choir arrangement of it. The first time I heard it was at a Gospel Choir Concert at Ole Miss... and I fell in love with the song then. It's one of those that just gives you chills when you hear a choir sing it live (which happened in church this morning). I have tried to find UMGC's version... but could not... But here's 2 videos of the song. One is of a choir singing it, and the other is several HBCU marching bands playing it. The lyrics are below:

Choral version (just a picture... but listen!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phBXe4RN3t8

Marching Bands: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44gS6CfkxrE

Lord, I will lift my eyes to the hills

Knowing my help is coming from You

Your peace You give me

In time of the storm.

You are the source of my strength

You are the strength of my life

I lift my hands in total praise to You.

You are the source of my strength

You are the strength of my life

I lift my hands in total praise to You.

Amen, AmenAmen, AmenAmen, AmenAmen

III. 0ur pastor began a sermon series on the Attributes of God. He talked about the 3 ways that God reveals himself to man.

1) His Creation,
2) His Word,
3) His Son

The third one there hit me... because I realized that just as Jesus was used to reveal God to His people, I am my daddy's representation on Earth. From June 20, 2009 on, any new friends I make in life will not know anything about my dad, and will not have the option of meeting him. So it is my responsibility to reveal my dad to others through my life.

.... friends... that's pressure.

IV. One of the last things I found that Daddy wrote came from Isaiah 55:8-9, and I didn't know that till today:

my Heavenly Father's words:

{"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord.

"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

and My thoughts than your thoughts..."}

Isaiah 55:8-9

my daddy's words:

{His ways are not like ours. His thoughts are not like ours. They are higher.

That is why God's plans for our lives seldom make sense in the early stages.

Only after we begin to see results of following His instruction do we realize

how wrong we are and how right He is.}

- Dannon Cole

V. 2 great quotes from my pastor Danny Wood today:

"It takes more faith to believe there is not a God, than to believe there is."

"You never quit learning about God - that's why you never graduate from Sunday School."

Les Amo,
Kace

Envy in Sorrow...

I figured I might as well write about something I have been thinking about a lot lately.

I am envious of many of my friends...

Not for what they have, or their jobs, or how much money they make...

... but for the good things that are going on in their lives and they people they have to share them with.

Now please, don't get me wrong... there are amazing people in my life, and I thank God for every one of them. But when I hear of friends getting engaged, see them getting married, or celebrate a new life coming into their families... I can't help but miss my daddy.

I have recently heard the happy news of several friends who will be welcoming babies into their lives throughout the next year, and I see pictures of newborns on facebook that belong to friends as well... and I don't just think about how much I anticipate that point of my life, but moreso I think about how Daddy won't be here to share that with me. In the past I always thought about the future, and how when I had kids I would send them to spend time with mom and dad on the farm during summers... because there are so many lessons that can be learned from working outside, Daddy taught me many of them. And though I know mom will be able to do that if God one day blesses me with a family and kids... but I want Daddy to be able to... this is one of the many things about his death that breaks my heart. I think that in life I learned more from my Daddy and grandfathers than anyone else on this planet... and the fact that now, none of them are here... none of them. Within 22 months they are all gone, and when I sit and think about this... this is when I ask why? Sometimes I think I have come to terms with the loss of them all, and other times I break... like right now. I started with a simple thought of how Daddy will never meet my kids or husband (If I am blessed with them) and now I am sitting here crying, looking at pictures of all 3 of them (Pawpaw Cole, Daddy, and Pawpaw Scarbrough) in the windowsill beside me. It's at this time when I remind myself of the blessing of having them for as long as I did... but I still can't help the sadness... The three men in my life that I was closest to... gone. The men I called when I didn't know how to fix something or do something or when I needed advice... gone. The thing is though... I know that there are other men in my life that will help me. I have Uncles who would do anything for me, a brother who I think I am growing closer to, and even the maintenance guys at Samford who all know what I have been through and are willing to help me out when I need them to. God has placed all of these people in my life to help me through this, but to be honest... sometimes that just doesn't matter. I know it should... but it doesn't make up for those I miss.

So back to the envy... I know that my daddy won't be able give his blessing to my future husband or walk me down the aisle one day, and that he won't be at the hospital to hold his grandchild and spoil them, and there is never going to be a photo of my future family with those men who will forever be so important to me. That to me is the saddest thing that is a result of their death. Those will be the moments in my life during which I should be the happiest. But I know that in those happy moments I will think about them (and Mawmaw Scarbrough) and shed a tear in those happy moments. For those of you who I am jealous of... you are blessed to have your Daddy, your grandfathers, your husbands... please don't forget that. I know that a lot of daughters are not blessed to have the type of relationship I did with my dad, but please please cherish what time you do have with them... because you never know when that time may be up. Take as many pictures as you can, tell them you love them as much as you can, spend as much time with them as you can... make up with them if your relationship is on the rocks... Be thankful for them no matter who or what they are.

For you have them still... and you are blessed.

Believe me, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about my daddy and the things we could be sharing. I know that he may be keeping an eye out for me from Heaven... but I can't talk to him... I can't ask him for his advice and more importantly his prayers (the most powerful prayers of anyone I ever heard). But ultimately, as I have said before, he had a relationship with our Lord in which I know he would not choose to come back to me even if he had the chance... and in those moments when I think of that reality, I appreciate him for who he was, more than my Daddy he was a follower of Christ and he lived that out every day, rain or shine. That's the legacy he left for me... to love everyone, to do what you can do and be what you can be.

So... I wish I had what a lot of my friends have. I anticipate the day that God places my future family in to my life... and I strive to always remember that no matter who may not be in the picture, that they taught me the things I need to help me go on without them... no matter how much it hurts, and no matter how many tears may be shed during celebrations. I pray for my future family just as I pray for sweet friends who are beginning their lives with new spouses or who are welcoming bundles of joy into their lives.

Love Y'all,
KC