Sundays are Fun Days

I had a wonderful Sunday!

Pastor Hagin was on fire and we even had a healing service. Many people were set free and it was cool to see their lives transformed. 

Then Pastor Yoder taught on the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues at the evening service. 

I met a group of first and second year students as well. We all went out to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch a football game. (The guys watched while the girls talked.)

I even got to talk with my family via FaceTime! 

Did I mention my nap? 

All in all, it was a good day. Classes start tomorrow and I can’t wait. 

My backpack is ready. My clothes are picked out. 

It’s time to get this party started!

Training for a dream

I received my class schedule and ID badge. Classes start on Monday!

Pastor Hagin spoke to us via video on passing the baton. He encouraged us to dream big and really use our time at Rhema to prepare for that dream. 

The excitement has been building all week, so now I just can’t wait to get into my classes. 

I walked away from orientation more determined than ever to spend time dreaming and writing out goals. 

I also walked away with a strong desire to be an encouragement to my fellow classmates by offering my prayers and my support concerning their dreams. 

We’re all in the same family, right? 

It’s important to encourage each other in our dreams because those dreams spread the gospel and advance the Kingdom of God. 

Let the training begin!

Focus is key

Ms. Lynette Hagin talked with us today about focus. (Well, we listened to her message via video, but it seemed like she was in the room.)

All Rhema students in the US and Canada must move to Tulsa, which is a big move to make. 

What is our intention in doing so?

To study the Bible, to focus our attention on the various areas of ministry God is leading us to pursue for His name and His glory. 

There’s that word again: focus.

The level of intentionality and proximity to Spirit filled teaching and training promoted here at Rhema requires a great deal of focus. 

As Ms. Lynette said in her message, “The annointing is more caught than taught.”

You can’t catch anything if you’re not paying attention. 

I’m going to spend the rest of this week writing out my list of focus areas. (I wrote out goals before I moved, but it can’t hurt to do it again.)

When classes start on Monday, I will have my catcher’s mit on!

Learning to Trust

God is good. 

He takes care of me and He’s the only reason I am able to come to Rhema right now. 

My bank’s entire computer system was down….

I needed to pay my tuition, which involved working with the bank to raise the limit on my debit card.

So, I prayed. My friend Marci prayed with me as well. 

Lord, I want to get my registration done today. Please get this cleared up for me. 

Then I called the bank and my favorite teller moved me to the top of her priority list. 

Then I stood in line outside the admissions office and waited my turn. 

The registrar was very gracious and understanding. She told me to come back in the morning. As I walked out the door, my phone rang. 

The computer system was back up and I was able to register. 

I’m pretty sure God was laughing at me in that moment. 

Trust me, Audra. I told you it would be okay. 

All I can say is this:

The most important thing you will ever learn in life is to trust God. If He says it, He’ll do it. 

This whole journey to Rhema has done nothing but build up my faith and trust. 

The key to resting in the promises, to limitless faith is trust. 

Ready for anything

  Registration for Rhema is tomorrow!

I’ll pick up my textbooks and parking decal and then I’ll be set. 

Orientation is Wednesday through Friday. Not sure what all that entails, but I’m ready for whatever. 

Been a while since I was a college student…

Well, maybe not that long. 

I know for a fact that my experience at Rhema will be nothing like my time at Judson. 

My lunch is packed, my clothes are picked out, and all of my paperwork is together. 

I’ve been waiting for this moment for over 4 months and I still have no idea what to expect or what to feel. 

So, I’ve decided to just be excited and enjoy the ride. 

Assurance vs. Control

  I had an opportunity to interpret tonight! 

It was my first time at Victory Christian Church and my interpreter friend allowed me to help her out during a small group Bible study. 

Sign language is such a part of my life now. Meeting some deaf friends and getting involved in deaf ministry is an important aspect in my move to Tulsa. 

My first priority is being a student at Rhema, of course, but I can’t imagine not signing…

God is faithful, though, and He knows what He’s doing. 

Whenever you’re in a transition period, trust that God is working on your behalf and leading you to the right people and the right places. 

Sure, my involvement in deaf ministry looks nothing like it did back in Birmingham. 

And that’s okay because:

  • God knows my heart. 
  • God knows my gifts. 
  • God has a plan and a place for me. 

This is all the assurance I need.  

Interpreting tonight was fun because God opened the door. 

The biggest lesson I’ve learned since moving is that I like control way too much. 

Just call me a recovering control freak…

My 5th and final goal for 2016 is to stop seeking control over every detail. I don’t have to be a micro manager. 

Being in control is not my job –it’s God’s job. 

Our true provider

I’m amazed at how much of the Bible is spent explaining the Father’s ability to provide for us. 
Do not worry about tomorrow…

Consider the lilies and the ravens…

And He shall supply all your needs…

Seek ye first the kingdom and all these things (our needs) will be added to you…

God will take care of you!

Learning to trust His promises will take you far. 

Whenever a thought tries to get your mind away from His loving provision, do not let it run loose in your brain!

Stay focused on the promises, on His love and not on the circumstances before you. 

The adventure ahead

My first Monday in Tulsa went well.

I had a job interview and took care of a few other things that needed to be done. 

Getting established takes time, so I’m happy that I drove out a week early. 

It’s also nice to have a bit of down time before school starts. The last several months have been busy with the holidays and my extra job and preparing to move. 

I am trying to not let my thoughts get to far ahead of me…

What will this be like?

I need to have this paid by this date.

My schedule is in free fall, which can make this recovering control freak nervous. 

Part of what I am learning now is to enjoy the ride.

Relax!

God is in control. 

He’s the provider and sustainer. 

I know all of these things, but keeping my thoughts in check is a full time job.

 You can’t let them stray too far or you’ll lose sight of the truth: God is faithful. 

I am so excited about school starting. Things are shaping up. 

I am choosing to focus on the adventure ahead instead of the minute details that don’t matter in the long run. 

30 seconds or less

I just watched The Golden Globes for the first time. There were so many movies that I had never even heard of!

I’m not one to follow celebrities, but it was interesting to see the fashion and winners and the general hoopla surrounding the whole affair. 

I’m surprised at how little time they give the winners to say thank you. 

Only 30 seconds to express gratitude for projects that took a year or more to make?

I can’t even imagine what I would say or do under those circumstances, though, as a Christian, I’m often under the same pressure when asked questions about my faith. 

Short answers are hard to give, yet that is what many people demand. 

Explain God in 30 seconds or less…go!

Wow. 

How can I explain the love of the Father, the sacrifice of the Son, and the job of the Holy Spirit in that time frame?

We are instructed to have an answer ready for any occasion. 

We are also told that the Holy Spirit will tell us what to say. 

And most conversations about faith ebb and flow nicely between those to paradigms.

 The difficulty level, for me, comes in trying to express the fullness of joy I have found in my relationship with God. 

It’s rich and deep and intimate and fun and challenging and intentional (and I could keep going). 

I usually get really worked up in my explanations because there’s just so much I can say, which is why I can relate to all of the Golden Globe winners. 

Sometimes I can wrap up my thankfulness in 30 seconds or less, sometimes I can’t and I keep talking until the commercial break. 

A training culture 

Moving to a new place definitely changes your perspective. 

I visited Tulsa back in October, but it wasn’t my city yet. I was merely a visitor. 

Now I’m a resident and there’s an increased eagerness to really pay attention to stores and directions and the culture. 

I think the same can be said of any new adventure in life. 

Eagerness and curiosity will help you learn more because both are great motivators.

Great things are happening here. I’m excited to see how I can contribute. 

There’s so much to learn, so much to do and I really want to soak it all up. Many have told me that the lessons learned at Rhema are more caught than taught. 

The school wants you to learn, yes, but more importantly they want you to put into practice what you’re learning. 

I can’t wait for classes to start! January 19th can’t come fast enough.