Author: erikabh

Ok so, I’ve been in Alabama since Thursday getting ready for BR09. I attended Beach Retreat as a graduate my senior year, but had NO CLUE the process and work that it takes to make this massive retreat happen. It’s amazing, and I love every bit of it. I was fortunate enough to get to hand pick a group of ladies to make the trip with me and be my extra hands for the week.We’re running off of lots of deadlines, lack of sleep, and especially the anticipation of knowing that God is going to show up this week and do some huge things in the lives of students. There is no other work I would rather be doing. The process is long and tedious, but the outcome is more than we’ll ever know. That’s good enough for me!

I’ll definitely be updating events and good stories from this week! So excited for all the kids to get here! Hurry! Can’t wait!

I am not Jesus. I am not a prophet. I don’t always pray as often as I should. Sometimes church isn’t something I feel like doing. I don’t love the way I should, in fact in the time it’s taken you to read this you’ve probably already done something that would get on my nerves. I don’t always reach out to people who are in need the way I should. I ignore your phone call once in a while. I’m waaay too sarcastic. I hurt feelings from my lack of tack. Sometimes I’m excellent at being plain rude.

But every time I read the words of Jesus in Matthew chapter 20 I am reminded of my place in this world.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.”

My Savior. My God, came to serve and give up His life for others. Where does that leave me?

My life is NOT my own.

“Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and preform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers.”

That’s Matthew chapter 7.

Or:

Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord did we not plan major, massive events to bring you glory, or fill our church building each weekend in your name? Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me, you impostors!

Ok, so I edited the second one a little, but either way you read it….it’s a sad, sad day for some people. When I first read it my mind automatically went to the lost, but the truth is there are people in the church, that are regulars, that you walk by every day that don’t have a relationship with Christ. They are comfortable, and I’ve been guilty. It’s a VERY dangerous place to be. The motions are easy to master, but having that drive and desire to be near to God and walking with Him every single day takes discipline and work. It’s worth every bit of it. God doesn’t honor the motions, He honors a willing heart. You can fool people all day long, but ultimately you reap with you sew!

Yeah, I don’ t know how I got stuck with Lynne as a middle name and he got Blaze, but I plan on addressing that with my mom ASAP. He’s my big little brother that out grew me about 4 years ago. His name is Kevin. He is 19. We spent about 14 years in different homes many many miles away from one another. We grew up in very different homes, and rarely saw one another. Kevin moved to Houston last June. Our relationship has never been the same as it is today. He’s my brother, my partner in crime, and my best friend. I truly truly believe God had everything to do with bringing him to Houston. In November of this past year Kevin gave his life to Christ. He didn’t have the best childhood, in fact it was pretty rocky, but by the grace of God He pulled us both out of the pit we were living in and put us on a solid foundation and a life full of hope and promise. Praise the Lord! Kevin has every reason to be one screwed up individual, (no offence Kev) but he is the funniest, most level headed person I know. I LOVE the time we have together. He truly means the world to me. No one will ever take that place in my heart.

Beach Retreat is here! What would I do without my extra help?! Thank you everybody who has been in the office this week. You guys are AWESOME!

The book I’m starting. Thanks to Michael again!

I’ve heard it’s excellent…..I’ll be the judge of that!

My sweet sweet boyfriend Michael bought me the new Hillsong United cd today! So excited about it!

It’s the lamest cliche know to man kind. Yes, we’ve all heard it. We’ve all been tempted to fall into it’s trap.”Follow your heart.” Sound familiar? I HATE hearing this. And I really hate it when it’s communicated to young girls. My gosh, they are confused enough. NO…don’t follow your heart, that’s crap. Follow God. Telling someone to follow their heart is like telling them to follow their emotions and emotions are temporary, always changing, faulty. God hasn’t called us to pursue a life always changing and under a faulty foundation. His word is clear about who we are and where our direction should come from. When we begin to operate through what we KNOW and the truths we stand on under God’s law we don’t have to worry about following our hearts. Hearts lead astray, but the Creator of that heart knows it’s true direction. I don’t know about you, but thank God! My emotions are excellent at screwing things up, quick.

I remember so long ago my biggest fear in following God was that I was afraid of what the world..my friends, my family, anyone in my life, would think. Now, I live for the thrill of you not understanding me or being curious of the work that God has done and continues to do in my life. Have I been rejected, YES! Will it happen again, of course. That isn’t my concern. In fact, bring it! Chances are I won’t care what you think anyways. Be you. Be bold. Take it to the streets.