Today I Reflect.

As I was walking to my car today, I was honestly overcome by emotion. Thinking through the events of the past 24 hours at Central not only reminded me of how thankful I am to be a part of a church centered around sharing the radical grace of God, but Jesus also breathed fresh life into me and this calling He has placed on my life.

So today, I reflect.

I'm reflecting on the hundreds of students gathered in Arizona for IGNITE 2014. More than just a fun summer camp, these students are discovering that it's okay to not be okay, but they don't have to stay that way. They can ignite their lives with an encounter with Jesus.

I'm reflecting on how the LinkCentral team led the Henderson Campus in worship this weekend and reminded us that the cry of our hearts should be to bring Jesus praise.

I'm reflecting on people taking their next steps at Central. We celebrated with our Southwest Campus as many graduated from First Step this weekend!

I'm reflecting on an incredible teaching in our Breaking Bad series—Jud reminded us that to displace worry in our lives, we have to trust Jesus.

I'm reflecting on our incredible volunteers. Weekly across all of our campuses, hundreds of men and women show up with skin in the game—ready to put hands and feet to our mission of introducing people to Jesus and helping them follow Him.

I'm reflecting on this thing we call the church and how she has the potential to be the light of the world...how she carries the greatest story those around us will ever hear—and how we choose to communicate that really, really matters.

I'm reflecting on a God who's bigger than my fears—a God who calls me to this thing called ministry and says He will equip me to do it.

I'm reflecting and I'm thankful. Thankful for a God who is so much bigger than I could ever imagine.

It's Time for the Woman to Stand Up

I heard a statement when I was 16-years-old that I haven’t been able to forget. I vividly remember sitting in a hotel ballroom in Orlando where I was attending a student leadership conference, when the keynote speaker said these bold, challenging words: “It’s time for the little girl to sit down and the woman to stand up.” Nearly seven years later, those words are still ringing in my ears.

The little girl in me wants life to be pretty simple…like picking what restaurant you want to go to for dinner. But life doesn’t always have concrete answers. I’m discovering there are many shades of grey. For me, tipping into adulthood felt strange at first—like playing dress up in your mom’s clothes only to find out that they actually fit you. It was this sensation of stumbling around in the dark, tripping over furniture you didn’t know was there, all the while searching for the light. Many days I feel like I’m standing at the crossroads of that little girl I once was and the woman I know I am called to be. And it’s in this crossroads that I know I must make a choice to either remain the same or embrace the freefall.

Hebrews 6:1-3, 11-12 says, “Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits . . . And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

I love how Eugene Peterson so bluntly explains the words of Hebrews 6:1-3, 11-12 in The Message: “So come on, let’s leave the preschool fingerpainting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on ‘salvation by self-help’ and turning in trust toward God . . . extend that same intensity toward a full-bodied hope, and keep at it till the finish. Don’t drag your feet. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith, and then get everything promised to them.”

Growing up from childhood into adulthood is a natural rhythm in life. We biologically can’t remain the same—we’ll become adults whether we like it or not. Just as we physically mature, God also calls us spiritually to mature as well. But I don’t think the words in Hebrews 6 are simply calling us to mature in knowledge. I think they’re challenging us to mature in our capacity...our potential…to mature into the women God originally designed us to be.

But here’s the thing: we can’t manufacture this kind of maturity. Rising to the occasion and becoming the woman God calls you to be, isn’t something we can just turn on and off like a light switch. It’s a transforming work God must do in and through us.

Romans 4:3, 17-18 says, “The story we’re given is a God-story, not an Abraham story. What we read in Scripture is, ‘Abraham entered into what God was doing for him and that was the turning point. He trusted God to set him right instead of trying to be right on his own . . . Abraham was first named ‘father’ and then became a father because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life, with a word make something out of nothing. When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn’t do but on what God said he would do.”

Did you catch that? Abraham became who God made him to be because he trusted God to do it. That’s an incredible thought and it personally gives me so much hope. You see, God calls us to maturity, but He doesn’t just say, “Figure it out.” He actually says the exact opposite. Maturing into the women God calls us to be is found by sitting at His feet. It’s discovered in settling down and not trying to figure it out on our own. It’s accomplished through trusting Him to do what He said He would do. Maturity is found in growing your trust.

Hebrews 6:18-20 leaves us with incredible hope: “Hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf.” Jesus has covered our past, He is present in today, and He has run before us into our future. We don’t have to do this growing up thing alone. I can become the woman God created me to be because He is with me and He is for me.

This post originally appeared on pickyourportion.com.

Now I'm a Warrior

Seven months ago I made one of the biggest decisions of my life. I packed up my little 2003 Toyota Solara with everything I owned, and drove 2,220 miles away from my family and support system to land in perhaps what’s known as the sin capitol of the world…and call it home.

Now many at first called me crazy. Some perhaps still assume I am. However, something much deeper drew me to Las Vegas than flashy lights, urban culture and an epic career opportunity. My first three months in the desert have taught me something so much more valuable than anything I could have initially hoped it could have. It’s taught me that I’m a warrior.

Moving across the country into a new environment forced me to evaluate my belief system. For the past 23 years, it’s been left somewhat unchallenged by my own mind simply because I never had to face the tough questions I’ve wrestled with on my own, here in the valley. From where I sit today, I’m asking questions for myself. Questions like, “Do I really believe this? Or is this something I just always agreed to because that’s what those around me believed?” Through really diving into the root of these questions, I’ve discovered who I am and who I want to become and the steps I need to take to get there.

One of the most eye-opening truths I’ve learned is that God hand-picked me to be exactly where I am for a very specific reason and purpose. 2 Thessalonians 2:14 says, “God picked you out as his from the very start.” It’s so easy to think that so much in this life is random or purposeless; but God’s Word says the exact opposite!  Our lives are built on purpose—and not just any purpose, but a purpose specific to who He designed us to be. That’s incredible.

After truly allowing this reality to sink into the depths of my bones, I also began to realize that purpose doesn’t stop there. Yes, God has chosen me for such a time as this, and in this exact location; however, it’s up to me to lean in to that purpose. I’ve had to wrestle with feelings of inadequacy, shame of past decisions, and whether what God says about me is even true. That’s when I ran into the words of 2 Thessalonians 2:15-17, “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.” I also love how Eugene Peterson words these three verses in The Message, “So, friends, take a firm stand, feet on the ground and head high. Keep a tight grip on what you were taught, whether in personal conversation or by our letter. May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech.”

Purpose is lived out by my willingness to stand firmly grounded on what I believe. In discovering that truth, I’ve really honed in my core beliefs and outlined for myself what I believe for me—not what my parents believe, what my friends advocate for, or even what culture says is right or wrong. What do I believe for me? That’s what it came down to in my own life…and that is exactly what it came down to in order for me stand up firmly.

I read a recent article by Sarah Bessey in which she declared that we’re named by God as “Beloved Warriors.” I couldn’t help but fall in love with that concept. And I think Sarah’s onto something—in order to accomplish living out my purpose and staying rooted in my belief system, I have to fight for it. I need to lace up my boots, stand tall and claim victory. I need to be who God already says I am!

I believe transformation is all about putting my stake in the ground, claiming victory over my past and anticipating the path ahead. It’s about embracing the road we left behind, but not forgetting what brought us to this point in time. It’s a choice to lace up your boots, brush the dirt off your face and declare yourself to be the beloved warrior God already designed you to be. It’s a declaration of war on purposelessness, and the pursuit of victory that is already our’s to claim.

My prayer for you and my prayer for me is that God “puts a fresh heart in you, invigorates your work, and enlivens your speech.” May we be women anchored in our beliefs who passionately pursue the purpose God has on our lives…and may we not be afraid to lace up our boots.

This post originally appeared on pickyourportion.com. 

conversation starters

I've often wondered why it seems like the church is a late bloomer when it comes to social media. Oh, don't get me wrong, the church is on social media, but too often, I'm finding that she just doesn't know what to do with it.

Throughout my junior and senior year of college, this unexplainable passion for social media began bubbling up from inside of me. I see the incredible potential social media has for one important thing: creating conversations...perhaps, the one thing that church has been afraid to do.

This brings up another question though: why would the church be afraid of asking questions and sparking conversations? I think it boils down to the fact that we're afraid to be real. We have this view of church that it's supposed to be the place where everything is just right, every question is answered, and perfection rises to the top. The church is supposed to have it all figured out, right? That's not what the church was designed for though! In Matthew 11, God calls those who are weary and burdened. As Christ walked the earth, he invested in the broken, the wounded, the weak. The church isn't for the perfect...or those who have the answer to every question, because let's face it, who does? The church is for me...for you...the broken.

Over the past several weeks, social media has lit up with matters surrounding justice. People have been searching, scouring, and begging for something to believe in...something to put their hope in when everything around them seems hopeless. Brands know how to step in, talk, and invite us to share what we're thinking. Where is the church in all of this?

I can't help but wonder what our news feeds would look like if glimmers of Hope were scattered everywhere. Rather than simply signing up for a social media channel and posting proverbial church bulletin-type information announcing when the next potluck is, what if the church asked hard questions? What if the church sparked conversation...a conversation that allowed people to come broken and battered, hopeless in search of Hope?

I'm done missing the mark. Communications is more than "announcements" or "advertising." That's not communication. That's talking at people. It's time to talk with people. It's time to be real, step into the mess, and offer the incredible, life-giving Hope we find in Christ.

Radio Shows & Magnetic Parties

 

Working hard preparing for the Flip the Magnet launch at Citizen's Circle!
(L to R: Cliff Craig, Emily Cummins, Ryan Kirby)

The first 16 days of 2013 have been nothing short of exciting and full of new experiences.

For starters, I had my LAST first day of school. Wow. I graduate from the University of Florida in less than four months. Time is flying! 

Outside of my typical college kid life, both myself and fellow Ocala Power Plant Business Incubator intern, Cliff Craig, are investing our time, passion and energy into creating a movement in our community. What do I mean by that? We're Flipping the Magnet of Ocala. Every community is like a magnet in that it either attracts or repels students. Sadly, many in my generation view Ocala as the negative side of the magnet. The Ocala Power Plant Business Incubator's dream is to change that perspective. 

Our mission is two-fold: identify promising entrepreneurs and help them create successful businesses. Each Spring, nearly 3,000 students graduate from a Marion County High School and go off to college or the workforce. That is awesome and something to truly celebrate. But the story doesn't stop there. Sadly, the majority of those 3,000 aspiring, talented individuals don't return to Ocala, the place they call home. They don't see Marion County as a place of opportunity. 

Talk about a paradigm shift. Opportunity is what you see—or rather, what you choose to see—and I see amazing potential in Ocala. We as a generation must choose to invest in the community that has invested so much into us, step in, and change culture as we know it.

To launch this Flip the Magnet movement, we're hosting a party in the heart of our community at Citizen's Circle on Friday, January 25 at 7:00 PM. Click here for all the details & to RSVP.

To add to my new experiences, I was honored to be a guest on WOCA's radio show, the Voice of Ocala, this week! Thank you Buddy Martin and the team for inviting me to represent the Ocala Power Plant & invite Ocala to partner with us in Flipping the Magnet!

stripping off the rags

I have clothed you with purpose.

Those words make my heart melt. Yesterday, I was reading Beth Moore's book, So Long, Insecurity, and in the particular chapter I was honing in on, Beth focused on Proverbs 31v25: "She is clothed with strength and dignity." Hang tight for a moment while I give some context to my opening statement. She. Is. Clothed. With. Strength. And. Dignity. Here, Beth reveals the fact that the majority of times we feel insecure come from when we feel overexposed...uncovered...at risk for someone to come along and see us for who we really are:

"I have come to a place where I'm willing to be transparent with my insecurity, but I find great relief that human eyes have to see it through the filter—the clothing—of my God-given strength and dignity. I don't have to stand before you or anybody else in total emotional nakedness. I have a scriptural covering that gives me the courage to expose my most personal self."

What I love about this truthful awakening is the fact that I am covered and I am clothed, made complete by God. He prepares me for the occasion before me.

This morning while taking communion at Church of Hope, I spent a few silent moments with God. What took my breath away was what I heard. No, I didn't hear a shout or an audible confirmation through a microphone. But I heard distinctly and clearly one sentence that's been on repeat in my brain since: I have clothed you with purpose.

In that moment, I felt God's future bursting into my present. Just minutes before, I was challenged with one question: what is it that I'm not trusting God in? Ouch. Here is where I usually try to justify my attempts at controlling a destination, when God has, in reality, called me to a direction. Living in the land between is a cocktail of adventure, opportunity, fun, and fear all mingled with emotions that make you feel like you're on a roller coaster. And sometimes that makes me feel overexposed, unprepared, and naked.

But trusting God and brokenness go hand-in-hand. It isn't until I come to the end of me, until I see my roller coaster mixture of fear as it is—a false attempt at control—and place that jumbled mess in the hands of my Creator, that the aroma of me is fully enjoyed. You see, I'm beginning to learn that the stuff to really be enjoyed in life...and I mean the stuff that life is truly made of—real, lasting, genuine joy, hope, love, confidence and strength—is found in brokenness, despair and hurt. I'm no Debbie-Downer and I'm not advocating living in self-degradation. I'm just saying it's time to stop trying to clothe ourselves with decaying, worn-out rags. It's time to strip the rags off and allow Christ to clothe us.

In the wandering of life and in the broken moments of despair, I come to the very end of me. I see me for who I really am and come to truly understand that if Jesus doesn't show up, it's game over. It's in that kind of trust that a joy I can't even explain comes pouring out.

This morning, in my own life, this simply looked like a girl opening up her hands to Jesus, asking Him to fill her. Stripping off my filthy, worn-out rags of fear and control, Jesus reached down, grabbed my hand and whispered, "I have clothed you with purpose." My story is headed somewhere and I'm going to be ok. Do I have the answers to what that somewhere looks like? Nope. The beautiful thing is I don't need them to thrive. I am clothed with purpose. My story is headed somewhere.

there's just something special about seeing your writing in print

Sometimes I just like to hold things. I'm a nerd when it comes to social media and all things technology, but I love the tangible feeling of printed words between my fingers. And today, I held my VERY OWN PUBLISHED WORDS!

I'm extremely excited to have an article featured in Best Version Media's January issue of S.E. Neighbors, a publication in Ocala, Florida.

Best Version Media is an incredible organization based on one principle foundation: sharing people's stories. This month, they shared mine. And I'm deeply honored.

Best Version Media has also given the Ocala Power Plant Business Incubator the opportunity to publish a  monthly  magazine serving as the "hub" for all things innovation in Marion County. As the communications intern at the Ocala Power Plant, I have the privilege of serving as Innovation Ocala Magazine's Content Coordinator and have loved learning the ins and outs of magazine publication as well as the opportunity to share countless stories with my community.

Take a peek at my article below!

Why Ocala? Why Not Ocala?

By: Emily Cummins

With college graduation looming in the horizon, I’m beginning to grow accustomed to the typical questions that keep coming my way; however, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the shock on people’s faces after I tell them my post-graduation plans.

As a 21-year-old, soon-to-be University of Florida graduate, I’m scanning the job market, sifting my passions through available job openings. In the midst of multiple variables, the one thing I’m confident of is that I want to live in Ocala.

This is when I typically receive that shock-and-awe response. Why would a young college graduate want to come back to Ocala? Are there even any opportunities for a young person like me?

Opportunity is what you see. And I see plenty.

Ocala is more than the place I call home. It’s really where I began growing into who I wanted to be. In the middle of my junior year of high school, I moved to Ocala from South Florida. Jumping into classes and the swim team at Forest High School, I quickly began embracing the horse capitol of the world. The idea of living in a thriving community with a small town feel appealed to me, and as high school graduation approached, I didn’t want to leave. After taking a tour of the College of Central Florida (CFCC at the time), I knew I was right where I belonged. Not only was I impressed by the degree of professionalism I saw at CF, but I connected with the school in a way that I haven’t been able to do at any other institution. Memories that I will cherish for a lifetime were made there and I didn’t have to go searching around the world to find them.

Fast-forward to today. I’m standing at a crossroads that could lead in multiple directions. The majority of my friends are pursuing what many perceive to be the “it” career by applying for jobs in New York City, Atlanta, Miami, and Los Angeles. Have I seen incredible opportunities in those places? Absolutely. But my heart just keeps coming back to Marion County.

When I think about the life in front of me, I see an opportunity to make a difference and be a force of change in a place that I love. I want to be a part of something larger than myself and create a sense of culture that many only dream about.

I’m confident that as I walk across that graduation stage in a few short months, I don’t need to go searching for a community that will embrace a young generation seeking to make a difference. I’ve already found it, and I happen to call that place home.

being right is highly over-rated

We’ve all worked with that one person. You know, that one guy who always has to have the last word. Or the constant Debbie Downer of the office who consistently dampens the mood in any given situation. Unlike our circle of friends, we don’t always have the privilege of hand-picking the people we work with. The question then is, how can you lead co-workers who are just hard to work with?

Picture this: it’s Monday morning, you’ve just come off of a great weekend, and your company has an important presentation this week that could make or break the future of the company. As if right on cue, your co-worker, Joe, walks into your office spewing frustration that not only have the bathrooms run out of toilet paper again, but the coffee maker is broken, and his girlfriend broke up with him this weekend. To top it off, Joe states that he is just too stressed to focus on his portion of the presentation (which in your mind isn’t even that big of a portion anyways!) and he needs your input in order to finish it before his 10:00 a.m. deadline. Did I mention it’s 9:00 a.m. and that Joe is the Facilities Director?

You’re left facing a crossroads that could turn one of two ways. You can either spew your own frustration at Joe, angrily telling him to go fix his own problems while he fixes the toilet paper situation that is his responsibility anyways. Or you can take a deep breath and decide to pick and choose your battles.

Would you be in the right to brush off Joe, kick him out of your office, and show your annoyance at his negative outlook? Absolutely. Would it be beneficial? Not at all.

The number one secret to leading people that are difficult to work with is in knowing this truth: being right is highly over-rated. When co-workers complain, try to be right, or get the last word in, take a deep breath and decide what kind of leader you want to be. If you react to what your co-workers are displaying and attempt to prove a point, the only thing you really prove is that you are no different than they are.

If it’s not a crucial issue and in the big scheme of things it really doesn’t matter, remember that leading is more about choosing to lead and less about proving you’re right. In the end, your co-workers may not change how they act, but what truly matters is what happens in you, not to you.

turning Christmas upside-down

I think we've celebrated Christmas all wrong.

Once a year, we focus on giving to those less fortunate, loving the people around us, and spreading holiday cheer. We're jolly and joyful, giving and receiving, fully aware of the needs around us and our ever-increasing personal wish lists.

But on December 26th, we stop. We countdown to Christmas day with the "25 days of Christmas," and  hear messages of giving to charities, however, the day after Christmas, like a light switch we stop caring whether the nonprofit down the street has enough funding to continue to function.

Why is that? I believe we've settled into this unspoken rhythm, a state and cycle of giving when it's convenient to give...and when we're reminded to give; yet when it's not at the fore-front of our minds, we don't often think about words like partnership, giving, investing, and charity.

Jesus wasn't born for a single day. He was born to bring life for all 365 days of the year. I am thankful for that. He doesn't offer me life or hope one day out of the year...he offers it to me continually, day after day, moment after moment.

So, here's my thought: if the point of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, why do we just celebrate the act of birth? Why don't we celebrate and emulate His life?

If we truly celebrated Jesus' life, we would live it...and that would be a life 24/7/365...not just on 12/25.

Why don't we turn Christmas upside-down....or rather, right-side up?

Rather than focusing on partnering with people during the month of December, what if we partnered with people every day? There are people around us who need Hope, and as a follower of Christ, we have Hope continually with us....so why don't we offer it?

What would our world look like if we made Christmas about more than our wish lists? 800 million people in the world don't have access to safe, clean drinking water, yet we spend $3.4 billion on Christmas. Something is disturbingly wrong with this scenario. I don't know about you, but I don't need another pair of running shoes or another sweater I won't wear...but there are people who NEED water to live.

I want to not only celebrate Christ's birth this Christmas, but I want to live it 365. I want to offer Hope to those around me. I want to give something with my life that last longer than a day. That's why I want to turn Christmas upside-down. Rather than focusing on me, me, me, I want to partner with people and really learn to love and care about those around me.

If you've followed my blog in the past, you know that I gave up my 21st birthday to raise money for charity: water. For Christmas, I'm partnering with charity: water to fight the water crisis again. You can too. Click HERE to give a gift that lasts longer than a day, but literally gives life.

"I am a storyteller."

Several months ago in the social media world, I began hearing this buzz about a girl who was leaving letters for strangers in New York City and mailing hundreds of subsequent letters to people she had never met. My attention was instantly piqued, and I just had to learn more about this girl.

You see, I thought writing letters was a dying art form. I thought I was one of the last people on earth who still cherished exchanging correspondence through hand-written form. Don't get me wrong, I'm a social media nerd. In fact, it's an area I'm studying at school. However, there's just something about tangible thoughts on paper that still grips my heartstrings like nothing else can.

Enter Hannah Brencher. What was initially birthed as a form of therapy, became her life mission. "I am not a strategist or a specialist. I am a storyteller," says Hannah. Since leaving letters on the train in NYC, she's sent over 4,200 letters around the world, spreading a message of love and ultimate hope. The stories from Hannah & her organization, The World Needs More Love Letters, are absolutely INCREDIBLE. Rather than trying to re-count what Hannah is passionate about, I'll let her tell you herself. Watch her TED video below:

a story much larger than your average summer vacation

After my 21st birthday campaign with charity: water & visit to their NYC HQ last month, I knew I'd become immersed in a story that would leave me changed...and more passionate about investing my life in the story God is writing than ever before...

I've shared my passion for charity: water's mission with many of my friends in Central Florida and was so excited when I heard that a group of students in Hope Kidz (the kidz ministry at Church of Hope) was about to learn about charity: water & see how they too could partner with them in bringing clean drinking water to the 800 million people on this planet who desperately need it.

This past Sunday, over 27 fourth, fifth, and sixth graders saw a story much bigger than their summer vacation. They saw the reality that there are kids their age in the world who aren't worried about summer homework assignments and trying to fit in one last trip to the beach. Instead, they're worried they will have to watch their baby sister die of dehydration & disease and are crying, desperate for help. Unable to sit idly by, a group of kids in Central Florida decided to do something about it. They embraced what the word "partner" really means and began praying for charity: water, their team, and the kids who need a cup of hope.

That's a story worth immersing yourself in...a story worth living for...a story much larger than your average summer vacation.

Read More...
Why did I give up my 21st birthday for clean drinking water?
Why did Breanne give up her next tattoo for the sake of water?
Why am I partnering with charity: water & what does "partnership" mean?

these bruises make for better conversation

Today a new friend asked me a question that took me off guard and brought a surge of memories, relationships, feelings and fears to the surface...memories that I try to forget.

We were working on a project, and my friend asked how a tough situation in my past had affected me. I stumbled around for a second, trying to find the right words to say. "I, I don't know," I stuttered.  Over the next few milliseconds, my brain froze. Do I tell this new person deep, raw information about myself, my fears? Or just put on my game face, sweep it under the rug, and give the answers people usually want to hear? Before I could hesitate any longer, I leaped.

"No, I do know. I do know how it affected me." In many ways, that particular tough situation still does affect me to my core, shaking the contents of my heart and brain around like building blocks in a dryer. Loud and uncomfortable. Painful. That's why I don't let myself bring it to the surface. I trick myself into believing that the deeper I bury the reality of how I was affected, I will protect myself. That, however, only does more internal damage.

That initial question trailed into a full-blown, 30-minute conversation that felt more like a wrestling match inside my head. What this person was asking me about required me to reveal my true thoughts...something I'm often not willing to do.

"So, what sets you off?" my friend asked.

"Not knowing where I stand with people," I replied.

"What do you mean?"

Over the past seven years, I've lived in a season of change. Good, frustrating, annoying, humiliating, scary change. In this season, I have really, really struggled with trusting, loving and forgiving people. One minute, they love you and the next you're out like last year's fashion wondering what went wrong. Through that, I've learned to protect myself by building walls around my heart, not opening up honestly to people, masking my emotions with my "game face," and constantly living with the feeling of walking on a tight rope, afraid that it will snap at any given point.

Truth is, we've all got bruises.

Every person that has been woven into the story of my life was written in for a reason. It may have only been for a chapter, or even just a page, but they were written into my story. Sometimes I don't like why their character was suddenly pulled out of my life or the situation surrounding it. And there are times when I just seriously want other characters erased forever from my memory. But those lives that have intersected with mine are significant. They have bruises too.

"How do you let people know where you stand with them?"

That question threw me back. I had honestly never thought about it before. I am so consumed with how people treat me, figuring out their agenda, or deciding if they're honest or not, that I'm missing what I'm communicating to them--and ultimately myself. I'm missing out on the fact that I'm not being honest either, wearing my mask like I'm living in some gaudy masquerade ball, hiding my feelings because I'm too afraid that if I'm honest I'll just get burned like every other time I've opened up.

After our conversation, I struggled, letting questions tumble around in my head: did I answer the questions the right way? Should I have answered differently? Does my friend think I'm a total loser when it comes to the people department? I mean, I work in a church! Shouldn't I be a pro at dealing with people?

I grabbed my car keys, started the ignition, and began to drive home, questions still shaking around in my brain like animated iPhone apps. When the radio came on, the first lyrics to reach my ears were from Train's new album. Floored, overwhelmed and actually, relieved, I listened to the sweet words entering my ears, "These bruises make for better conversation, loses the vibe that separates. It's good to let you in again. You're not alone in how you've been. Everybody loses--we all got bruises."

My story is significant and worth more than shoving down the drain. Yes, I've been bruised. But so have the people who have bruised me. It's time to let people in again. Breathe in. Breathe in and out again. I'm pretty sick of always putting on my "game face" and trying to hide my story, my past--it just took taking a leap and answering really hard questions as rawly as I could to see that.

To my friend, keep the tough questions coming. We've all got bruises.

let the branding begin...

GREAT article from my Daddy! What does Jesus say about branding??

My daughters are students at the University of Florida ~ Go Gators! just saying…

Emily is in a Marketing class that is teaching her about “branding”; the concept of making your product stand out among all the other products. identifying the unique characteristics of you ideas, thoughts, organization, group etc.

you see it everyday with companies like Nike. Starbucks. Apple. etc.

When the branding question came up to Jesus…he responded:

“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” John 13v34-35 msg

branding for Christ following is not in church attendance.

bible versions.

standards for clots, music, movies

branding for following Christ, the way Christ followers stand out, are unique is in the way you love other Christ followers….

you know your , spouse.

children.

parents.

pastor.

worship leader.

small group leader.

singer.

guitar player.

youth pastor.

organist.

people who criticize you.

consume the resources but contribute nothing.

whatever whoever, agitates you, you don’t see eye to eye to…others see then who you really are! period. no ya-buts, however, if you knew this about them…blah blah blah

SHUT UP!

if you are serious, If I’m serious about following after Jesus Christ we MUST TRUST Him and obey his words and love the peeps that make us mad! That’s what Jesus did…and thats what Christ followers do!

Lent is a season for you and I to examine how we love ONE ANOTHER.

More than an election in November.

The deficit reduced.

Abortion abolished.

Addictions overcome.

What we really need…you and me…is to…if you are saying with your lips and brain that you are a Christ follower…is to start loving other Christ followers the way Jesus loves you!

I suggest if that happens, if we who claim to be following Jesus Christ start loving each other instead of criticizing, complaining, dividing, demonizing…all the above listed social issues will be solved, fixed and restored in the Story of God!

Now turn off your computer, shut down gossip book…I mean Facebook….and go love someone like Jesus…you know that someone that agitates you the most….: )

let the branding begin…

Fast Company's "The Case for Girls"

I've always been extremely interested in studying society's influence & effects on girls. For as far back as I can remember, whenever I've been assigned to write a paper (from elementary school all the way through now, my junior year in college) I would always choose to highlight a female author, aspects of the feminist movement, advertising's effects on girlhood, and media's portrayal of women. It fascinates me...and breaks my heart.

When I was in middle school, I vividly remember several college-aged girls intentionally investing into me. They would take me out for ice-cream, send me packages from college, and have movie nights with me. They didn't act superior. They loved me and modeled what a strong woman in the 21st century looked like. No, it wasn't the modern feminist kind of "strong." It was a strength rooted in confidence in Christ...not whether they were on top of the world or not.

Now, it's my turn. I'm that college-aged girl and I have middle school girls looking to me for help....how are we defining girlhood? What does an effective female leader look like? We are setting that stage right now, today.

Fast Company published "The Case for Girls"--the basis for the study was that "most would-be parents prefer boys, not girls. Is part of the trouble, dare we say, a branding problem--one that advertising could solve?" GREAT READ. And this case is on to something....

"My daughter will be brought up to understand her true value. That's a promise. As for all the little girls to be born around the world, the creation of these ads is an effort to show how imagination can change the conversation around their lives."

What do you think...how are you setting the stage for a rising generation of girls?

Your church social media plan may suck but Youcef Nadarkhani is facing execution

We have needs in our churches. Cool videos, logos, lights, pretty people, greeters, parking teams, Disney shows for the kids. None of these are bad. But sometimes we need to be reminded what the church looks like outside of our walls.

Youcef Nadarkhani is a Christian pastor in Iran who is being sentenced to death if he does not renounce his Christian faith.

So as you sit in your next meeting deciding where you are gonna launch your next campus, or trying to figure out how to increase your churches social media presence, stop and pray for Youcef Nadarkhani and maybe head over to the bar for lunch and share a beer and Jesus with someone.

Then sign this and try to help stop this excecution…

It’s so much bigger than we think…

Article from Ragamuffin Soul, by Carlos Whittaker