Author: erikabh

Worth so much more…

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In this fallen world, I truly believe that love is begging to be unleashed….a love that is supernatural, without limit, a love that perseveres even in the face of the deepest hatred, or the sharpest pain. A love that doesn’t keep score. A love that is always there.

In this world, suffering and difficulty are certain. Friendship with God frees us from being limited by what we don’t have, by what we are suffering, or by what we are enduring. Mature friendship with God brings us to the realization that our existence is so much bigger than our suffering or difficulty.

Jesus didn’t come to offer us a free pass from this broken world, but instead a very real, very authentic relationship to walk with us through it.

I’m finding that the more I persevere, the more that friendship is worth an ounce of anything this world can offer me.

Jeremiah 17:5 & 7

Little Albany Texas

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I love coming home to the quietness of my small one bedroom apartment, I guess that is if you can get past the hustle and bustle of the never resting highway no more than 30 yards from my front door. I love the ME time I get to take advantage of so often.

Tonight as I sat, my mind wandered into so many of my childhood years, most of which were spent with my grandparents in Albany TX, a town you’ve probably never heard of… you know…like the one’s in all the sad country songs….and yes, everyone knew our names. My grandparents attended a small pentecostal church on the outside of town. Faithful to every service, my grandaddy was sure to remember that big black bible, the one with the initials “EBM” engraved into the side. Occasionally I would attend with him…that is until the time Sister Belinda forced me to sing Jesus Loves Me in front of the entire (17 people) service. After that, I checked out with the Penies… no thanks guys.
It was the story of my life.

I loved my grandparents probably more than I’ve ever loved anyone else in my life. I adored them in every way my small little childhood heart could. The point of my story isn’t to reminisce something you could probably careless about, the point of my story is that I sat at home tonight with the realization that two of the people I cared most about in my life, two people that had the hope and love of Jesus Christ in their life, or even just the knowledge of those things, never once offered that to me. Never. Their life reflected actions of a religion, instead of a relationship. And now, it’s nothing more than a sad story.

Do Work.

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We had our usual Tuesday morning staff meeting this morning. Of course I would be the one that forgot about that email that was sent out last week about the meeting starting at 9:30 instead of 9. I cut off 5 people and ran a red light to get to the office. Don’t judge me people, those are just the facts. I love our meetings though…I really do. Everyone rolls in, some you can tell have been awake for a couple of hours, others have obviously just rolled out of bed (me), and we get a chance to talk about everything going on in, not only our ministry as a whole, but our own personal ministry. I look forward to it.

Brian Harris, our Youth Pastor, challenged us to think about 3 questions this coming week and seriously consider the answers.

What has God taught me, or is still teaching me about:

1. Ministry
2. Myself
3. My relationship with Him

Reflection is totally something I believe is key. Looking into the past to better prepare yourself for the future. As a ministry, reflection is a great idea.

Brian also threw out two words that sum up so much of what we as a staff want to strive to be about. INFLUENCE & INVESTMENT. Love it. I’m kinda still chewing on what those words mean to me personally….maybe more to come on that later.

1 Cor. 11:1

Keep on keepin’ on

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“Once we adopt a heart of sacrifice, everything else tends to fall into place.”

“Keeping habitual sins secret reveals hearts that are more concerned about our image or reputation than about real obedience.”

These two quotes stopped me in my tracks today. God is doing some amazing crazy things in my life right now….I wouldn’t have it any other way. Even in loss and confusion, God continues to prove himself faithful in my life.

Psalm 32:8

Chill Out Yo!

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One of my very favorite things to do is to chill. While I love being around people, I seriously value my time alone. I love living by myself! There are days that I just come home and I’m so anxious to get into a good book, or play with my dog, or just veg out on the couch. I had a conversation this week with my mom and it reminded me of how well I am at losing sight of how important it is to spend time alone with God. It seems these days there is no such thing as a slow paced life….we’re all about the going…and going…and going. I know I’m guilty! Girl, I’ve always got somewhere to be!
Tonight I came home after dinner, I didn’t turn the TV on, I didn’t turn on any music. I just sat. If you’re picturing that I could see how that could be a little weird….but me sitting alone, inside my one bedroom apartment, with my dog is exactly what I did. For a long time. I just sat and prayed. (Now that I’m saying it to myself it is weird….I promise I’m stable) I truly feel though that sometimes that’s just what God asks us to do. Just be still….and know that He is God. It’s so easy to get lost in so many other things. But regardless of whatever those things are, our time alone with God isn’t an option. It’s a command. And a lot of times, it has to be intentional!

The Beach Retreat After Math!

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I’ve found one, and only one negative to Beach Retreat…….my house is a wreck! I seriously don’t think I’ve really CLEANED it since ohh, like…..the middle of March. Sad and discusting! I found myself looking around at everything today like- WOW, when did this happen and how did I not notice! Beach Retreat is consuming. It can steal your attention before you know it. It’s hard work, but it’s so worth it! God did amazing, amazing things this week. Not only in the lives of students, but in my own too. I consider it a joy and a privilege to be on the team I’m on. I truly love it.

This week: Beach Retreat Reflections Week…..a lot of students….a lot of hanging out! It’s summer time!! SO looking forward to it.