Streets

‎"We see our churches full but we forget that the streets are fuller." Joel Houston

At my church we have been studying the book of Acts and the idea of a Revolution. I personally have been studying the book on my own and it has been amazing to see God's passion and love for his people. I have never been more excited to be a part of something bigger than myself. God is up to something. I have seen the hearts of people change before my very eyes. You can never underestimate the power of the Spirit. Mmm it is moving.

I choose to believe that often we get caught up in motions and forget about the multitudes of people who are in desperate need of something greater. More than numbers, more than money or success...they simply want to belong. Sure it's exciting to come to church and worship with one another but what about your friends and those around you who are lost and turning to anything they can for happiness?

It breaks my heart to know that I have several friends who do not know Jesus. I imagine what God would do with their lives and how the world would be impacted by them. God has uniquely designed us each in a way that impacts the kingdom and I pray that one day they would embrace it.

I am forever thankful for my Savior. Pray for the streets. They need Jesus. Go into the streets. You are the hands and feet.

Agape

The heart.

It is such an odd piece of work. It beats. It hurts. It leaps. It guides you - which can be good or bad. It's such a hard thing when someones says, "Follow your heart." How do we know that our heart is in line with the Lord's desires and not our own? And what about the moments when we face pain because of others choices that weren't our own?

I long to please our Lord. Gosh, I imagine myself sometimes sitting at his feet and him just smiling at me. Not saying a word. Just being there. With me. In perfect peace. And without a sound...I know he is pleased with me. I know he loves me. My heart tells me so. His eyes tell me all I need to know.

Life tends to happen whether we like it or not and it never seems to slow down. Often I find myself overwhelmed. For once Id like to just sit and be and allow the Lord to whisper sweet nothings in my ear but life tends to get in the way. It's funny - you think when you're truly seeking after God's own heart that your life would be together. That has never been the case for me. In fact, the Lord brings me to the season of the wilderness a lot. Especially the past few years...but I've learned to take a deep breath and hold onto him tightly. The man has captured my heart. And he is the only man I trust. After all, he did die for me.

I feel like I'm learning a lot about love and a lot about my own heart. No I don't have all the answers or any really...but I know a man that understands love perfectly. And that's all I need to know. May he continue to show me...

Agape.

K E Y S

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destreebrown destreebrown

Definitely not feeling like P Diddy this morning.

6 Jun Favorite Reply Delete

The minute I opened my eyes yesterday I should have known that I needed to be prepared for the day I had in store for me. After working a long BUT FUN day @ Northstar I decided to come home and do a little spring cleaning. Why? Well, my closet was overflowing and could not fit another item of clothing inside and so I knew something had to give. I packed up all of my fall/winter clothes...got rid of things...and ohh 5 hrs later my room was looking like a rockstar. I finally went to sleep feeling great and refreshed and reordered...little did I know those few hours of sleep would be the last of my peace for a while.

I woke up the next morning, not feeling too hot, and got ready to begin my day. Everything seemed great...I was so pumped about being in the office - it was the first day for our interns and we had such a cool meeting planned! I had everything ready and ready to go when all of a sudden I realized something....I COULDNT FIND MY KEYS. I have never lost my keys or misplaced them before so I tried not to panic. An hour later I was still looking for my keys.

I ended up using the spare and headed to work. I had a good day but the constant tracing of my steps lasted all day. I went home and looked everywhere again. Im talking unpacked things, repacked things, dumped things, lifted things, garbage dived, ANYTHING...and still no keys. Needless to say, I broke down and cried for a long time. Here I am at work once again..and still no keys. Just typing that makes my stomach churn. I know it may not be a big deal to you...but it is to me.

The crazy thing about me losing my keys is that the entire time I have not lost my temper. Im not angry or frustrated...I just feel extremely defeated. Like I myself am lost honestly. I cant help but think that maybe God is trying to teach me something...what is it that I am searching for? What is it that we are all searching for?

I realize that I have got to let go and let God. I am comforted by His word in Matthew 7:7, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Keys. You need keys in order to get somewhere. You need them to open a door. Let God show you what he wants to open for you.

Knees

JohnPiper John Piper

by destreebrown

"Whom God will use mightily he wounds deeply." (Matt Chandler)

9 hours ago Favorite Undo Retweet Reply

I saw this tweet this morning and immediately had to retweet it. This claim rings true in my life time and time again. I often find myself walking in the harvest - feeling completely blessed - in peace with the Lord and yet something always happens. Something ends up happening and here I am found on my knees again clinging to the only thing I know to be constant in my life - Jesus' love.

I'd like to think I am a good person. Sure, Lord knows I have my downfalls and Ive made decisions Im not always proud of - but I have a good heart and want nothing but to help others. I ache for those who have been crushed, wounded, let down, etc. I dont understand why people can be so selfish, so center-focused, so destructive...and yet they continue to hurt people and feel no remorse about it. I've been through my fair share of let downs. I guess that comes with the idea of my inner need to help fix people. I understand that it is not my job but yet I find myself bending over backwards for those in need. If only I could let go and let God...

Today I am choosing to praise God for my many wounds. From abuse to abandon to rejection - Ive felt it and yet I praise the Lord bc this pain is no where near the pain he experienced. Here I am on my knees at the foot of the cross and there is no place I would rather be.

I am so thankful for this reminder. Today I am filled with joy, love, compassion, excitement, peace, hope, and so much more and that I know is from the Lord. I sow these into my heart because I know that I will face many trials on my journey but I know he is with me and walking before me. Take some time to praise him even when its hard. He knows our pain. He knows our desires.

Sunday is one of my favorite days. Not because we get to dress in precious dresses or spend time with family - but bc we are reminded of the beautiful sacrifice Jesus made for us. As tears stream down my face - I am so thankful. I am so undeserving and yet he loves me still.

To be on your knees is such a selfless and humbling act. Go there today.

*Need a church home for Sunday?? Come check out Northstar! We have been praying for you. www.northstar.cc

Blast from the Past

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destreebrown destreebrown

Had a couple of blasts from the past on this beautiful Sunday..so thankful for God's constant direction in my life. #blessed

This morning at church I ran into two old friends of mine. One guy I havent seen since the 10th grade - he took me to prom and I remember wishing he would ask me to be his girlfriend but he always told me I was a lot of fun and super sweet but that he just didnt want to commit. Its funny how a good 8 years can change that. He shared with me this morning how much he wished he could go back and change things - how he wanted to get back in church, find some stability, and learn what it looks like to start living. Not 5 min later, a guy I dated in college walked up with his girlfriend. I have literally not seen this guy since the day I broke up with him 4 years ago. He said hello to me and introduced me to his girlfriend. Him and the other guy quickly started talking and they made sure to let me know that they really were seeking for something more in their life.

As they both walked away I could not help but smile and praise God. I remember wondering why in the heck could things not work with either of them - and here I was several years later being reminded of how much God knows me better than myself.

Have you ever been frustrated with the Lord - especially when you feel him leading you somewhere you cannot seem to understand? Trust him.

Molly

It's been a long time since I have blogged, I know. Honestly, Ive thought about it often but Ive been to busy to care. It wasn't until last Sunday that I decided I really should blog again. Here's why:

I had the opportunity to lead my sister's small group discussion bc both of her leaders were out of town. This is a treat because I don't get to spend much time with that small group. First, they have amazing leaders. Second, I try to give my sister her space and freedom to grow in Christ without me always being there. As we talked about what it meant to live for Christ and who they looked up to - I became so aware of what a special group of Godly women this is. A few of them shared the moment they decided to be "radical for Christ." Gosh - what a blessing it was to see how in love they are with Jesus.

One girl shared with me that over a year ago she had heard my sister talk about me. She friended me on facebook and found my blog when I posted that I had updated it. She said after reading it she decided that she wanted to be sold out to Jesus Christ. I had no idea that my simple updates and thoughts would touch someones life the way it did.

I say this because you never know who is listening to you or watching the way you live. I look back at my life when I was her age and I only wish people were encouraged to give their everything to Christ. Wow. There are so many broken people who are searching for love and acceptance and these girls have the chance to show them where they can find it. You have that same power.

We are on this earth to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. Get to work.

FAITH

Why is it that when we ask God to move in our lives and to shake things up and he does...we get upset?

Why is it that we expect God to do things for us - but never actually want to do things for him?

Sure. It's okay that you're a good person. Sure. You go to church on Sunday and try your best to stay out of trouble and you're always nice to people. But is that enough?

What about our brothers and sisters around the world who are literally sacrificing every day for those they love? Who are beaten and stripped for their faith? Who constantly give the shirt off their back so that their neighbor may come to know Christ? What about the man who gave his car away to a family in need and walks to work each day? What about the girl who gave her lunch away at school so that her friend wouldn't go hungry over the weekend?

What does it mean to live for God?

To carry your cross - and follow Him...

We serve a God who loves us and wants blessings for us. How many of you can look back at hard times in your life and know now that those were hidden blessings we were blinded from? Don't you know that God has something so much greater in mind for your life?

LET HIM MOVE

LET HIM SHAKE YOU

I promise you...you can trust the man who died for you.