New Beginnings

The decision to make a blog was made very late at night and I'm not entirely sure why I did, haha, but I guess I thought it would be nice to document a lot of the things that are going on in my life right now.  Plus, I really like to share my thoughts and my heart with people. So, here is my new blog! :)

The title of the blog is Phillipians 3:14. This verse reads, "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. My life is from God, about God, for God, by God, because of God, dedicated to God in every way. I'm far from perfect but every day I press on toward the goal of knowing God more intimately and becoming more like His beautiful Son. I want to live a lifestyle of worship, where everything I do day to day is in some way serving the Lord. The Greek word for service is latreia but this word is also used to mean worship. Our service to God and to others in our daily lives is a form of worship.  Worship is not limited to the music we listen to on Klove or that 20 minutes we sing at church on Sunday morning. I urge you all to ask God to make your life a worship song to Him. He will answer, and it will be amazing.


I've had an amazing week so far! I had a great musical worship experience Monday night and Tuesday as well.  Tuesday Aj and I led an hour-long worship and prayer service to pray over the new Overflow that is starting next week. We asked for prayer for the team, the community, the college campuses, etc. Only a small group of people showed up, but the worship was so powerful it didn't matter at all.  The Holy Spirit was so present in the room, oh it was thick. It was magical, one of those transcendent moments in time when you feel so close to the heart of God. It was one of the best worship times I've had recently. I am overwhelmed to think that this could be what my life is like forever - transcendent worship. The call on my life to be a worship leader is both weighty and exciting. God has chosen me to help lead others into a time of communion with Him. I want nothing more than to be a good steward of this call and live a life that honors God.

Because of this call on my life, I've chosen not to go back to school this fall.  I know that God can often coincide school with His callings, but I know that in my case, I need to focus on what God has given me now, in this time, and devote myself to this calling. I need to spend some time singularly focused on worship and intimacy with God.  For the fall, I will work to save up money for my future, but mainly give my time to all of my worship opportunities.  For one, my piano/worship lessons from worship leader Leah Smith, who is absolutely AMAZING, such an incredible gift from God. She's really mentoring me and helping me become who I am made to me! I'm also singing on the Sunday team at my church and helping Aj with Overflow worship. This past May I led my first Burn with the Burn 24-7 organization, and led another in July. These two hour worship sets are similar to what I hope to do in the future - lead worship at a 24-7 prayer room - so I am so excited for these opportunities. So far both went very well and I'm leading another this month. God has given me so many confirmations that I am on the right path, and has chosen to bless me with all of these fantastic opportunities to grow and learn and progress in my gifts and abilities in order to become who I am made to be! He has generously opened the floodgates and poured out His love on me and I am beyond thankful.  So, I am on a new adventure! I've been in school for most of my life, so this will be a new adjustment but I know that I will be more peaceful and happy knowing that I'm following the desires God has put on my heart. Going back to school - back to what I know would be the easy way out. Time to step out in faith and know that God is holding me securely in His strong hands. I trust Him!

Be encouraged,
Joy