Callin' yuh

Today at Austin Stone, Matt Carter spoke about how we have 2 callings as Christians. The 1st is being called to Him and the 2nd, calling for Him. The challenge is made,: what are we as Christians doing to bring the word to those that surround us on a daily basis? So yea, I'm sort of going to Africa, but honestly I could have stayed here this summer and invested in the people of Austin, or fort worth and been just as successful in fulfilling my calling. We each have different unique mission fields and what Carter's sermon focused on was hearing that specific calling and pursuing it.

Philippians 3:8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.

Paul tells us in Philippians that the future does not lie in embracing the past; rather, it lies altogether in knowing Christ now, even as that means knowing "the participation in his sufferings"; and such present "knowing" of Christ means that a certain prospect still lies in the future, where also lies the ultimate prize of knowing Christ forever.

Carter told us today that in a recent survey done in 2009, more people left the church than converting to Christ. This sadly didn’t shock me. We are a generation that loves Him but are not willing to embrace our callings that Jesus has for us. I guess the reality of today’s sermon really touched my heart and my prayer is that our generation might start to give back, and love doing it. We have no problem supporting trends like Toms or invisible children, which are such great programs; except I just wish we’d help the people who live down the streets from us.

I think if there is one thing I have learned in this past year while planning this trip, it is that if it is His will He will tear down any barrier that stands in the way to guarantee that His 'will' be done. There's no stopping it. Oh wait, there is 1 way… submitting. It's not easy, nothing about being a Christian is easy, but there is comfort in knowing that I have accepted His call. A call that was specifically designed for me, to glorify Him.

So I leave you with this encouraging verse...

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

2 weeks,

Carley

the haps

Dearest family and friends,

In 25 days and counting I will depart on a 2 month journey to Cape Town, South Africa. I will be working with a missions agency called, Living Hope. It has been clear from day one that this opportunity was the will of the Big Guy. I will be working alongside a team of Christians close to my age, and our mission will be spreading the Word & love of Jesus to the people of Cape Town. I know this will be an experience of a life time and truthfully I would not be where I am today without all of you, and I want each and everyone of you to be apart of this journey with me!

There is nothing that makes me happier than loving. Eph. 5:1 tells us, "Be imitators of God." Day-to-day I strive to live by this truth. My passions has always been for missions, and I think it's because it's the simplest way to glorify Jesus. To go and spread His love and word. It has been my prayer for a long time that I might be presented with an opportunity to serve to further His Kingdom, and after many years of patience those prayers have been answered.

God is love. And like I said I have been trying to live that in the life I currently have. It is so easy to pray for those people in other countries, but loving who you live and go to school with is the biggest challenge. I work at trying to see my life as a mission field, and not just THIS trip. It has been so awesome to see how God has used this new approach to everything from how I smile at the homeless man on the corner to the way I treat people in traffic. But now, it's time to take the things that I have learned to a new longitude and latitude.

Living Hope is a mission agency that brings love and hope to the children of Ocean View (which is the community I'll be based out of!!) their mission is to teach kids life skills and the importance of making good choices, while encouraging them to be the best they can be in the community, and outside of the community. And most importantly to spread the hope and message of Jesus Christ.

When it comes down to it, Jesus laid out a pretty simple religion for us, didn't He? Love God, love others, and love ourselves. Deciding to go was easy, but preparing myself for what's to come is the hard part. I hope that you'll join me in lots of prayer. The more the merrier, eh? Pray for South Africa, Living Hope, and Ocean View that its community would be united as One body. Pray that my heart and mind stay focused on the Truth, and that God would give me the strength and faith to serve the people of South Africa.

I'm so jazzed! I cannot wait to see what is to come!
Carley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onpCJv7tbjA&feature=player_embedded