Janky

: What this blog is currently.
: Also, the speed my mind moves compared to my life around me.

I swear blog, I will update you soon!

STILL redeemed, JAS. :)

Commanded, Not Called.

Today I woke up with this thought:

Why do people say they are or aren't "called" to do the work of God?

Is anybody "called?" No, actually we're COMMANDED. I feel as if we have unknowingly erected lines of defense against the global purpose God has COMMANDED for our lives. "Well, I'm just not called to foreign missions." They way we talk about "foreign missions" makes it seem like it's an optional program at the church for only "those who are called" to take part in. But where in the Bible is missions ever identified as an optional program at church? What select few have this crazy task to complete alone?

The point is this: Jesus himself didn't merely CALL us to go to all nations; he has CREATED us and COMMANDED us to go. We have taken this command and reduced it to a "calling," a "conviction." The Great Comission that SO many of us could cite off in our sleep doesn't say "Therefore (some of you) GO..."

We like to rationalize God's word in other ways too to make it fit better with our lives, instead of the other way around. We read the command in Matthew to make disciples of all nations, and we think "that means other people." Then we skip back a few chapters and read ANOTHER command that says, "Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." And we think, "that means me." We take Jesus' promise in Acts that His Spirit will lead us to the ends of the earth and think, "I just can't." Then again in John, Jesus promises to give life abundantly, and we think "That I can handle."

We're assigning the obligations of Christianity to a few, while keeping the priveleges of Christianity for all.

Some would say things like this: "What about the needs here? My mission field is the United States." Here's my stance:

Out of the 7 billion people living on the Earth right now, (and counting) 1/3 of the people consider themselves a Christian. The other 4.5 BILLION(ish) who don't claim to know Christ, will spend an eternity seperated from everything that is good. By the way, most of that number live outside the United States. But let me be clear in saying that I'm not bashing hometown churches or anything of the sort. My mom always says, "You grow where you are planted." And I'm a firm believer in that. Now, I'm growing farther out than she was expecting. :)

For those who think they'd never have time for, the resources for, the health for going overseas, or even the mere desire, please know that we have been commanded. And why can't we do both? If your mission field is here, then MAKE IT your mission field. BEAR FRUIT. And if you refuse to go, please help to send. Let's work together and stop compartmentalizing "missions" and see the need. And meet it! If God is for us, what can ever stop us?

God has blessed us with living in a country where we don't wake up scouring for food, running for our lives, or living on the streets. MAN, I love the United States!!! But, He blesses us not for our sakes, not because He loves us, (which He truly does), but it's to help spread HIS name, HIS glory.


I'm blessed to be apart of the diverse, worldwide body of believers. I'm thankful for my church, the fellowship I grow with each week, the pastors who challenge me daily, and the ability to worship freely. I'm overflowing with blessings, that I just have to share.

REDEEMED, JAS. :)

Peace over worry

"True peace isn't found in the lack of conflict or in the feelings of contentment. True peace is knowing that the God of the universe is in total control of your life."

AAAAAMEN. I feel as if people from all around the world wake each day in a pre-determined state of stress/worry. One of the first things we think each morning is, "What time is it?" Are we wondering the time because we're grateful for another day? Hardly. We usually wonder what time it is to see if we're running late, if we slept too long, or if we can hit the snooze another 5x. It's almost like our days are instantly going to be driven by what worries us most. Did I finish that assignment for class? I hope we don't have a test in there today. Is there gas in my car? Did I call so and so back? Do I have time for a Starbucks which I so desperately (think I) need?? All of these things seem harmless and just thoughts, not worries. But are they?

I've always considered myself to be a citizen of the utopia world that The Beatles would've lived in. Where people simply "Let it Be." But the more I've examined my life, I see that I am controlled by my anxieties, by my schedules. And for lack of a better word, it's pathetic. 

Let me share a way that God has taken control over my anxieties and is letting me know that He knows what He's doing.

This morning I woke up with my typical worries. Am I running late? Yes, I was. Instead of worrying, I decided to drive safely rather than frantically, and let it go. Did I end up being late? No, I didn't. Did ticketmaster overbook my Valentine's Day present for this Saturday and therefore ruin my weekend plans? Yes, they did. After a 30 second rant, I let it go instead of letting it ruin my day. Did my amazing boyfriend come up with something even better for us to occupy our time with for Saturday? Yes, he did. And most importantly for today. I've been waiting on an important email back from the organization that I'm hoping to travel with this summer. It's been over a few weeks, and all day I'd been worrying about whether the spots on the trip would be filled or not. Did she email me back tonight JUST as I was letting go of the situation? Yes, yes she did. :) The point? God will bless your obedient decision to LET GOD and stop worrying!

In Philippians 4, Paul wrote: "The peace of God, that surpasses ALL understanding will guard your heart and your mind."

And DANG is that true!

The peace that comes from God is something unexplainable, or as it says, completely unfathomable. The feeling of having God be in control of a situation in your life, rather than you taking control, is TRUE peace. And if you're a true follower of Christ, you're striving to have God control EVERY area of your life to gain that true peace that surprasses all understanding.

Tonight, I've decided to do just that. It's something I have to remind myself of daily, but I'm letting go, and letting God give me peace of mind that only He can give.

I'm applying for my trip to Africa in the morning, so continue to pray for all involved as well as the area we'll be travelling to. More to come! :)

Redeemed, JAS.

Dive in and don't look back

"Christians are a lot like tea bags. They're  no good til they've been put through a little hot water."

That's a quote from my pastor that's the inspiration behind today's blog. :)

What does it mean exactly to be put through "a little hot water?" One thing I've noticed, in my own life specifically, is that I'm flat out TOO comfortable. I may not know my weekly schedule to a T, but I know a few concrete details. I know I'm going to school, work and church, several times that week. I know I'm going to laugh and talk, a lot. I know I'll check my devotionals on YouVersion, read my Bible, even just a little. I know I'm going to get on the Internet, I know I'm going to play Words with Friends, I know I'm going to sing, complain, speed, and gossip. Not saying all of these are wrong, but some of them are downright a complete WASTE of my time. I've gotten too comfortable. I need to be shaken, I need to be RADICAL. I need to be CHANGED, like I say I have been. 


Some of my favorite passages of scripture come from times when the men divinely inspired by God were writing from prisons, or caves, or seeking desperately for God's hand. Men who were facing extreme challenges, like Noah with the ark! Or Joshua after Moses died, leading people! Moses himself! David as a king, or as he fled for his life! Paul in prison, you catch my drift.


So, to make a long journey short, I've decided to dive in to a little hot water of my own. :) I've struggled with trust, obedience, and just the general feeling of "letting go, and letting God" for so long. And that's SO unfortunate! The disciples when they were called couldn't hesitate! They'd leave their families, their professions, their COMFORTABLE lifestyles, because that's what the change of coming to Christ REALLY looks like. A complete 180.


I met a guy named Tristan last summer, and something about his passion for serving Christ was so contagious. I soon realized it wasn't Tristan who was so inspiring, it was the God he was in love with. The same God I'd told myself for many years that I was in love with. He shook my core that summer, and continues to convict me daily. Anyway, Tristan had a certain tattoo on his forearm that I had to go immediately look up later one night. It's a verse somewhere in Luke, and it says something like this:

 "No one who puts their hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the service of the kingdom of God."

Man, was I humbled. How often I had looked back, and now, even still. I am unfit to serve God, and I always will be. But by His grace and unfailing Love for me, He uses me to serve. It's incredible to try to wrap my mind around it! I simply can't. The God of the universe wants to use ME? I'm in!


So, this summer presents a challenge of intense magnitude, and the reward? A life forever altered to look more like Christ's. I'm currently in the process of applying for passports as well as a trip to Africa with an organization called Visiting Orphans. That's all the details I have for it right now, but for those who read this, please pray for me, VO, and Africa whenever we come to mind. 


 My hand is to the plow, and I'm never looking back. Hot water, here I come. :)

Redeemed, JAS.

strong and courageous

  Here we are on the eve of my 21st birthday and after spending tonight with both of my amazing parents, I've realized what an impact upbringing has. We talked about society today and how (due to daily advances of social media, and a lot of other things) people are becoming less and less mannered. People don't have conversations anymore, they text, not call, they facebook instead of meeting up with friends, or talking on the phone, we're just a more distant society, as a whole. You can't go out to eat with friends without everyone checking their phones every other second. Although I play guilty to some of these things at times, I am by no means forgetting the 'big picture.'


My point being, in the LONG distant future, I plan on raising my kids with an appreciation for normality. I've prayed for my future family for a long time now. Not in a creepy, i-have-no-life kind of way, but every now and then, I remember what I desire most of all for my future, and I say a little prayer for my future house. My husband, my children, their friends, their teachers, their 'role models', bosses, etc. I've been the most spoiled, regular kid the world's ever seen. Without the other 4 Scotts, and my extended family, I don't know where I'd be. How you are raised is so crucial  I think I turned out alright. I just pray I do HALF the job my parents have done.


I'm not sure how it relates, but just follow me here:
It all reminds me of Joshua after his mentor Moses died, and he was going to have to 'face it' alone. Moses had been his teacher for the past 40-ish years and all of a sudden, it was Joshua's turn. The then-cranky Israelites were ready to finally enter the promise land, and it would be Joshua's task to see them through. Responsibility was thrown to him, and I think anybody would have been a little intimidated by the task. However, HOWEVER, because Joshua had stuck so close to Moses' side all those years, he was well-prepared and knew exactly how to lead those people, how to comfort them during their loss of Moses, how to be who God had always intended him to be. Although, I'm sure there were challenges.


That's how I feel about my walk with God when it comes to my future. If I stick by His side, the whole way through like Joshua did to Moses, I'll be completely prepared for the task of raising great, passionate children. I'll be able to comfort them and cheer them on, and be exactly who God intended me to be. I have no doubt that if I ask these things of God, he'll give them to me. I need only stay by His side, the whole way through.
These were the 'instructions' God gave Joshua that day:

"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."- Joshua 1:6-9

I wonder how exhilirated Joshua must have felt, and how scared. Which is exactly how I feel tonight. VERY VERY exhilirated, and ecstatic to see what God has for me, but scared I won't trust it.
Joy comes in the morning, and so does my birthday!
Redeemed, JAS.

It's the thought that counts...

"The thoughts we entertain in our minds become the thoughts that guide our lives, for better or worse." - Chip Ingram

Chip Ingram is the author of a book i'm reading called "From Good to Great (In God's Eyes)." Going from good, or average, to great is this desperate idea I have had in my life from an early age. I wanted to be the best at gymnastics, at climbing the rope in P.E., the fastest, the prettiest, the funniest, THE BEST in any way I could be. But Jordan, you say, isn't it the point of Christianity to humble yourself, to become less so God can become greater? So, it brings a serious question to mind:

Does ambition indicate a spiritual problem? Is wanting to be great truly wrong?

I believe the answer lies in the Truth. Sure, humility is CLEAR throughout the Word, through and through. However, God called David a man after His own heart, and David was a King! I go to Zephaniah 3:17 each time I think on my self-worth, in God's eyes.

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

It's amazing to think that the Creator of the universe meets us each day as we wake like a dad on the sidelines for his children. Cheering us on each step of the way. "Delighting" in us, as the Bible says.

So, yes, I believe God wants our desires for greatness to align with His plan for our lives. There's nothing telling me God doesn't want all my wildest ambitions to come true, but I have to surrender to Him first.

As the saying goes,
"Give Him NOTHING short of your best, and He'll take care of the rest!"

Amen to serving a God that cheers me on each day. That's the thought that counts.

Redeemed, JAS.

Prone to depravity

                        

I have a new nose! After 3 difficult breaks and added bumps and bruises, I had my surgery and am well into my recovery. Also, my 21st birthday is coming up next week! I can't wait. But enough about all that. Here's a few thoughts that I've had rummaging around in my brain.

The phrase "prone to depravity" came to me whenever I was listening to a song by David Crowder Band called Wholly Yours. (check it out if you haven't, btw.) BUT! Knowing depravity is our course-heading, why aren't we chomping at the bit to run in the other direction? What keeps us "prone" to that kind of outcome? Depravity by definition means moral corruption, or extreme perversion. Does that really sound like fun? Apparently what is moral is not the growing trend in today's generation.

Since Facebook and Twitter are taking over, I creep on everybody's profiles, just like everyone else does! Ha, that's beside the point, but what I find myself reading over and over again are variations of the same statuses. All the "why me's," the "psh, whatevers," and the "oh no he didn't!"; people are acting like hamsters on a wheel in their search for true happiness in everyday life. They try something and come back to the same, if not worse, results. Girls get these boyfriends, put up some sob story 6 months later, and they're on to the next one! And wouldn't you know, 4 months later, it's another, "it's ok, i'll find someone better!" Prone to depravity, ignoring God's best for our lives. It's what's gotten into all of us, and it's going ignored.

The cry of my heart for this year is that people would re-evaluate what's most important in their lives, prioritize! Something, anything to get their prone-to-depravity-ness-levels down, and God's best as their main priority. As for the church itself, we have our work cut out for us. Jersey Shore is what's getting peoples' attention, not morals and salvation. I pray the church would gain creativity to keep up with today, and keep winning souls. That's what it's all about! We are supposed to win souls! (Proverbs!)

It'll have to start with me.

Redeemed, JAS.