High Expectations

There is a high level of expectation and excitement at the beginning of the school year. Students are pumped and you hear things like: “I’m following Jesus, baby! Nothing will slow me down!”

You can feel the energy in the air and it’s quite electric. Girls and guys look their best, act their best, and say their best.

Imagine a diamond ring in a display case. Everything about it sparkles and glimmers. 

I think this is awesome! Students should be excited. In fact, they should come to school expecting great things to happen.

Miraculous events take place all throughout the school year at Rhema and I truly believe it’s because there’s a multiplied level of expectancy.

It would be harder for me to believe that 300+ faith-filled, Spirit-filled Christians are hanging out in one place and God didn’t show up on a daily basis.

However, I am always a bit skeptical for the same reasons I get excited…

Being overly emotional leads many Christians astray. The need to be “spiritual” is dangerous.

rbtc-sealI often wonder how we can be any more spiritual than “I am a spirit, I have a soul, and I live in a body.”

So what’s with the need to be more “spiritual”?

I believe it boils down to a misplaced sense of what it means to be significant, yet trying to gain significance by impressing others leads many Christian leaders down a road of empty accolades.

True significance is only found in Christ. No man or woman can meet that need.

As the school year progresses (or you’re preparing to come to Rhema next year), here’s my encouragement to you: 

 Always be excited.

Always be real.

Say what you mean and mean what you say.

Walk in the reality that you’re approved by God and called into ministry by God.

And know that you’re a vital part of the Rhema family, a part of Brother Hagin’s God-given commission to “Go teach my people faith.” 

 

Confessions of an Easily Excitable Person

The idea of “So the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14) is completely wrecking my thinking.  

As I read back through yesterday’s post, I realized that I need to apologize.

My goal was not to be a cynic but to draw some attention to the fact that Christians are called, compelled, motivated–and all the other synonyms–by the love of Christ to share the gospel. 

Let’s take this a step further: If Christians are to be like Jesus, that means John 1:14 is talking about us. When my friend Pastor Gwen preached on the subject (I blogged about that a few weeks ago) her words reminded me of the restlessness in my heart.

My faith needs action because it’s actually a bit ADD when it comes to just sitting still.

Once again, this is all I’m talking about these days (Lord, please let me still have a few friends who read my posts!)

Before I came to Rhema, I was already antsy when I read the Word and saw these truths. Then I came to Rhema.

Most days I feel like a volcano that is dangerously close to blowing up.

KA-BOOM!!!!!

How can you sit under Bible teaching 3 hours a day and not get fired up? Lord, please…I need some Ritalin–better yet I need to start serving!

So I have found several places to serve both within Rhema Bible Church and within another organization. 

The reason for my apology is because I am a bit of a zealot when excited. It’s just the extrovert in me, I guess, but this is me:

Ms. Excited-About-What’s-Happening-You-Should-Be-Too.

I will try to be less of a nut, okay?

Please know, though, that my heart is not to be a cynic. If you feel like I am being too critical, please let me know. 

 

 

The search for excitement

Some days, for me, have themes. Today’s theme was excitement. 

One of my favorite things to do is get other people to talk about what is exciting to them. 

If you’ve ever wondered about how to carry on a good conversation, this is key. 

There were several times today that the excitement was palpable. And it was awesome. 

Nothing gets me more excited than watching someone else getting excited. 

The reason why is because excitement leads to action. 

Excited people are passionate and zealous to do whatever it is that causes their blood to get pumping and their adrenaline to rush. 

I have a myriad of passions and interests, which all have one common purpose: helping others come to know Christ and the full reality of what it means to be in relationship with Him. 

As a Christian, everything else I love to do is fluff when compared to the Great Commission. 

However, God does want us to use our varying interests as opportunities to share His love with the world through friendship with others. 

This is not earth shattering revelation, but it’s important for us to understand. 

Excitement and enthusiasm are indicators. Look for clues as you talk to people. 

What gets them excited? 

Is it aimed in the right direction? 

The answers to these 2 questions will show you a lot. 

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!

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. 

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. 

Saying goodbye

I saw a sign today at Chick-fil-A:

Goodbyes are never easy…

It was followed by a mourning of (and recipe for) their cole slaw. 

Now, I’m not a serving of cole slaw–and neither are my friends and family–but Chick-fil-A got it right about goodbyes. 

I want to take everyone with me. I really do. Maybe it’s time for the entirety of Alabama to relocate….?

I am genuinely excited about the future. 

If I didn’t see you before I left, no worries. I will be back for visits. 

All of my contact information–minus my address–is the same. 

Let me know if you want my address. I love getting mail!

The hope of a new year

2016 New Year

2016 is just hours away. The hope of a new year is upon us.

I know there are naysayers out there.

Can you hear them?

“New Year’s is just another day. If you can’t change today, you’ll never change in a new year.”

They’re not incorrect….just a little too cynical for my taste.

January 1, 2016 will be another day. Nothing magical will happen to make change any easier.

But the new year is special.

The possibilities are endless and you will change in 2016 because it’s impossible to remain alive and not change in one way or another.

The choice is up to you: Will you use the new year to change for the better or for the worse?

I looked in the mirror today and didn’t recognize myself. I have been changing so much and so fast that it surprised me.

Who is this chick looking back at me?

I’m moving 11 hours away to follow God into the adventure of a lifetime.

2015 changed me and I am better for it.

My emotions are all over the place.

I’ve been fighting back tears and waxing nostalgia and bubbling with excitement all at the same time.

Dad tells me I’m normal, but I feel a little bit crazy. I’ve never felt this much emotion at one time before. (At least, not in a healthy way.)

Take some time this New Year’s Eve to feel things out.

Count your blessings.

Set some goals.

Look in the mirror.

I bet you won’t recognize yourself in 2017.