Daily Blogs

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Not an ordinary book

The biggest part of my job is communicating with students, so most of my day is spent talking on the phone or checking my email. 

It doesn’t bother me too much because my job–my mission–is to help the students connect with the right information to graduate. 

I love connecting others with information!

Ask any of my closest friends and they will tell you I always have a book recommendation. 

Just tell me what you need or want to know and I’ll get a book in your hands. 

This passion is not separated from my faith either. 

I love teaching and explaining scriptures! 

Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”

As much as I love reading, I’ll never love another book like I do the Bible. 

The Bible is Jesus in print. 

It’s His mind, His will for us to follow. 

Every question can be answered by the Bible. 

This is why it’s so important to teach and explain scriptures. You’re connecting others with information–faith–and faith comes by hearing. 

What can faith do?

Well, we’re saved by grace through faith. 

We’re healed by faith. 

We pray by faith. 

Just check out Hebrews 11 and you’ll see how all of our favorite Bible characters did nothing without faith. 

In fact, Hebrews 11: 6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”

I’d say faith is important. 

I’m all about sharing a book with someone to help them understand more about Christianity. 

Just be sure you give that person a Bible as well. 

Then go a step further: Actually read, study, and discuss both the recommended book and the Bible with them. 

Other books are great, but only the Bible holds all truth. 

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Growing in Confidence

I’m really terrible at describing myself.

Today I filled out a survey for the Rhema yearbook team. One of the questions was: How would you describe yourself in six words?

Uh…

This is my first response any time I’m asked this question. 

My mind goes blank. 

Am I the only one who struggles in this area?

While I’m at Rhema,  I want to learn how to be confident in my authority as a believer and how to be confident in who God made me to be as a person. 
Confidence in both areas is important. 

I’m glad that God patiently walks with us on our journeys. 

He’s definitely teaching me so much about digging deeper and not giving up. 

So, if you also struggle with either one of those areas, don’t quit!

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Say no to yourself

You don’t have to eat sweets everyday, Audra!

I like food. All food. 

Sweet. 

Sour. 

Savory. 

Salty. 

If it’s food, I like it.

Unless it’s liver…I draw the line at liver. 

Self- control with food is hard. Just take a stroll down the weight loss section of your local bookstore. 

Hundreds of books!!!

Yet most people fail their diets. 

The problem is not so much the food you eat, though, pizza and cheeseburgers everyday isn’t helping you. 

The problem is self-control. Gluttony is a real vice.

Moderation is key, but where’s the fun in that?

Not everything has to be fun. 

I want ice cream and chocolate right now. There will be no delicious goodness tonight. 

Am I happy about this deprivation? 

Absolutely not!

Saying no to yourself is not always fun, but it’s the small choices that snowball into big changes. 

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Fun Family Visit

I had a good time visiting with my dad, stepmom, and the kids today.  

They came to town for a funeral and we spent Monday night and Tuesday afternoon together. 

Our friends, Tim and Carolyn Clark, ate dinner with us on Monday night and then spent spent time with us before they headed to the airport. 

When the Clarks left, us adults hung out and talked before surprising the kids with a trip to the movie theater to see Kung Fu Panda 3. 

After the movie, we enjoyed a quiet dinner followed by more talking and some family worship around the piano. 

I was sad as I said goodbye to everyone. 

However, I know in my heart that I’m supposed to be at Rhema. Tulsa, Oklahoma is my home for now, and I am excited about all that is ahead of me. 

This knowledge doesn’t make me any less sad–I miss my family and friends back  in Alabama–but it definitely helps me keep going in the midst of bittersweet moments. 

I came home at the end of the visit and looked around at my new reality, the path that is mine and mine alone to walk. 

Good things are ahead. 

I am so thankful to God for this journey. 

And I am so thankful for family and friends who encourage me to go on great adventures with God. 

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Practicing Contentment

Part of settling into a new job is organizing your work space. 

When I first started working for Storage Depot, I spent 2 days organizing my office. The work space would simply not do!

Of course, you would never throw things away without asking a supervisor. My boss was very supportive of my reorganization, which was encouraging. 

I don’t have much organized in my new office because I just moved in today. My antsy, get-things-fixed-now nature wants things to speed up.

I’m trying something new though….

It’s called waiting.

Okay, okay waiting is not a new concept, but I’m not one to wait around for long. 

I’ve been so busy with various projects that getting my office situated is the last thing on my mind. Plus, my training involves 5 people, which means I have to work around their schedules.

All of these factors are forcing me to see what’s really important: Getting the work done. 

Moving from a temporary work space to a messy work space has not bothered me. Too much is happening to care!

How does this crazy glimpse into my mind help you?

This whole experience has me thinking that impatience causes us to miss out on good things.

When this room is cleaned…

When this job is finished…

When I get back from vacation…

…then I will be satisfied.  

The only problem with completing one “when” is that the next “when” is right around the corner.

How about being content now? 

Your current situation won’t stay unresolved for long.

Move on! Get happy! 

Maybe there would be greater job satisfaction if more people thought this way. I have no proof to support my theory, but it makes sense to me.

 

 

 

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5 good reasons

Today, I just want to give thanks. Here are 5 things I am thankful for:

1. The opportunity to go to Rhema. 

Being able to sit in a classroom and learn more about the things of God is an honor. 

2. My new job. 

Working for Wisdom Ministries is such a blessing. I am getting a lot of great experience in how administration within a ministry operated AND the opportunity to learn more as an editor. 

3. My home. 

I live with the sweetest couple who have done nothing but encourage me. It’s nice to come home here. 

4. The Holy Spirit.

 A year ago, I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. My relationship with God is so much richer now. I’m not sure what many of you guys believe about the subject, but I know that my life has changed for the better and that God has made this gift available to all Christians who ask for it. 

5. This blog. 

I can’t believe that this blog is finally more than an idea in my head! The chance to grow as a writer and to document all that I’m learning as a 25 year old is not something I take lightly. 

And now here’s where you get to tell me what you’re thankful for. I want to celebrate all the blessings in your life along with you. 

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Missions on my mind

I had an amazing Saturday….and I can’t tell you anything about it!

The School of World Missions (SOWM) Cultural Immersion Weekend was this Friday and Saturday. 

I rode the church bus out to Rhema Ranch early this morning with 10 other student volunteers. 

We were sworn to secrecy because SOWM wants the experience to be a surprise for upcoming missions students. 

What I can tell you is that I will definitely sign up to volunteer in the future!

The presence and power of God was so strong. These students are ready to take the world by storm.

Another cool aspect of volunteering is knowing that my dad and stepmom went through similar training to prepare for the mission field. 

Missions is a core value in my family, so I want to help SOWM any way I can. 

I was also more stirred up about deaf missions. There are so many deaf people who don’t know Jesus! I look forward to seeing how the path God has for me unfolds. 

Missions is on my mind and burning in my heart!

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The Overcommitment Trap

It is really easy to overcommit, especially if you’re a person like me. 

I want to help people. 

I want to encourage them in all of their endeavors. 

I want to not say no…

And here is the rub: I can’t say yes to everything. 

Overcommitting stresses you out and it guarantees that your best intentions will fall short because of other spinning plates. 

So, how do you keep yourself from overcommitting?

By keeping your priorities straight. 

My first priority is being a student at Rhema. 

I didn’t move out to Tulsa, Oklahoma for any other reason. There’s nothing wrong with helping, volunteering, and working–I just can’t lose my focus. 

Everything else I do can’t take away from my training or else I’m missing out on why I came. 

I’m primarily reminding myself of these truths tonight because I have already been tempted to overcommit.

Though, I hope my personal reminder will encourage you to make wise choices with your time as well. 

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Thankful for Provision

I am blessed. 

I am blessed. 

I am blessed!

God blesses His children. Period. 

And today He reminded me of His loving provision in a mighty way:

The school called me at work and told me that my tuition is taken care of! An anonymous donor called the school on my behalf. 

Talk about a reason to praise God! That’s all I’ve done since getting the news. 

I am thankful for God’s provision. 

I am thankful for the genorisity of the donor. 

On my drive home, I prayed for the donor and asked the Lord to bless he or she in a special way. 

I know that He will. 

We’re learning in our classes that God honors faith and every step of my journey to Tulsa has been a step of faith. 

Praise God for the journey!

Praise God for friends and family who support that journey! 

Here’s my question to you, my friends:

What step of faith do you need to take?

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Turkey Sandwich Fellowship

I had the opportunity to eat lunch with a few friends today. 

After a full day of classes, we had church over soup and sandwiches!

One of my favorite things to see is how God is moving in the lives of others. 

Our God is so faithful!

He speaks to each of our hearts in a way that keeps us walking in the right direction. 

My friend shared with us a revelation that is, to me, one of the best revelations God shares: Our identity in Christ. 

I remember how sweet that revelation was in my own life–an abandoned and rejected child who just needed to know God’s love was for real and for her. 

So, I rejoiced with my friend and encouraged her to learn as much as she could about her identity in Christ. 

Fellowship in the Word takes place in many forms, but I’m thankful for my lunchtime feast. 

My turkey sandwich has never tasted better!