Ask Anything Saturday 7

Let’s catch up.

What’s going on in your life?

Anything happening that you’ve got questions about?

Or, anything you just wanna know?

I mean, when I say anything…

…I mean anything…

So…

Go.

Ask anything.

–Tiffany

What the great guys ACTUALLY want…

Here’s what some great men of God you girls know say they are looking for in a woman. Take notes. If you want to end up with a great man, you’ve got to become the kind of woman who will be attractive to him. And according to these guys, that attractiveness is wrapped up in how you pursue Jesus. Check it out:

Matt Beasley September 11 at 5:39pm Reply

I want a woman that believes EVERY WORD of the Bible and that hungers to put it into action in their lives, therefore, they put it into action.

Caleb Jordan September 11 at 6:40pm Reply

A godly woman, to me, is a woman that so desperately hungers for the presence of God in her life that she cannot help but exemplify the very character of Jesus everywhere she goes, and it is made known by her thoughts, speech, and actions.

Joey West September 11 at 6:48pm Reply

In a Godly woman (who I currently have the privilege of dating), I look for someone who pursues Jesus so hard that through that pursuit, she learns how to love me and allow Jesus to love me through her. Someone whose heart breaks for the things that Jesus’ heart breaks over. Someone who exemplifies Christ in her everyday life and holds everything in her life, including my relationship with her, in her open hand.

Adam Ridlehoover September 12 at 1:26am Reply

I want a woman that pursues Christ and in her pursuit, she leverages me towards Christ on a daily basis. Constant and meaningful Prayer together is something I think is key in any relationship and especially what I’m looking for in Godly woman.

–Tiffany

Sm. Group Recap 9/6: Time to Regroup!

So for those of you who weren’t able to be at small group Sunday, here’s what you missed!

Everyone’s feeling a little scattered right now–so much has changed in such a short period of time! It’s time to regroup and get back in the swing of things. Don’t lose heart and don’t let yourself be isolated! You are not alone.

Lydia shared this awesome poem she wrote with us:

Lord I pray, that the Church reflects your Glory as the Moon does the Sun

A light in the darkness…

The Moon awaits the daytime when she will rejoice

But while night still surrounds her, she must provide a light to those unseeing souls, that they might rejoice with her when the day arrives When the Son comes, the Church wants ALL to rejoice and None to sorrow

Let it be then, that the moon would stop its waning cycle and stand fully luminous.

That’s a word for us right now. We must be light to those around us. It’s time to stop waning and start embodying luminosity!

Also, Kendall got some tough news about her dad this past week. He’s going to have to have some very perilous surgery. He believes God will get him through it, so we’re standing in belief with him. Be praying for Kendall and her dad!

–Tiffany

Passion, Dreams, and the Love that Never Fails

Life. What do we live for? Not just what “makes us tick,” but what is the passion that burns our hearts? That ever-present longing for great things. The dream that slumber beneath the surface waiting to be realized; yearning to be pursued, tried, and found. Embraced by the desire to change the world and fueled by the flames of compassion. What do we really live for?

There is a God who is greater than everything else in this world. He is triune, indescribable, and His love burns brighter than a thousand suns. He came down to this earth as Love to heal the broken. Rest to the weary. Relief to the burdened. Freedom to the enslaved. Refuge to the displaced. Life to the dead. Hope for the lost. Light in the darkness. Grace to the ailing. Mercy to the sinner. Truth to the searching. Faith to the despairing. Fulfillment to the longing. Sustenance to the desperate.

Love. In all its wonder and glory and splendor. Given to us at such a high price. A sacrifice unmatched, unlike anything this world has ever seen.

This Love is the love we know. The Love we see inside the pages of Scripture, in the surrender of our lives, and in the passion of our worship. Love that always trusts. Always hopes. Always perseveres.

This Love is the love that never fails.

–Joel

Miami, Australians, and Encounters with God

Hillsong United’s ENCOUNTER conference in Miami last weekend was awesome! There are truly no words to describe the worship atmosphere and the speaking was aimed right at the heart. This is not hype. I only wish I could describe to you the things whispered between the heart of man and the heart of God.

On the first night, Phil Dooley spoke. His humor reminding hearts everywhere that God is joy and freedom. The next morning, Brian Houston spoke. Reminding my heart specifically, not only to believe the truth, but also to speak it into existence. A little later on, Scott Samways spoke on faith, Zach Hunter on hope, and Joel Houston on love. Everyone’s message was great, but Joel’s word on love was significant to me…through him God whispered this to hearts everywhere: “Love never fails.”

We Americans think that if we make a mistake and people don’t like us, then we’re failures (failing seems to be our enormous fear). But love never fails, therefore we never do, no matter what the world says. At the last service, Scott Samway spoke on being the salt of the earth and shaking salt on the leeches(life-sucking people) of the earth. It sounds simple, but it was really powerful!

Throughout this whole conference, everyone on stage maintained a state of humility. Brooke Ligertwood was constantly reminding people that we’re not gathering for a concert, but as the church worshiping an almightly God. Worshiping our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ was the whole purpose of this conference and I just love that no one at Hillsong ever tries to mess with Gods’ well-deserved glory. So much more can be said about a true God Encounter, but you’ll just have to experience one for yourself!

–Lydia

Why Is Grace Confused With Movement And Ultimate Forgiveness?

When I say Grace what do you think of? You’re probably either thinking of movement, like a ballerina seeming to glide on her toes, or youre thinking of a forgivness beyond which nobody can wrap their minds around. But why those two? Why movement and forgiveness? Is it because of culture’s perspective? Probably, but I believe there is a deeper explaination.

I mean, really. How in the world did our minds manage to get swift, beautiful movement and indescribable forgiveness confused? What about the two did we see that had the same meaning? Here’s what I think.

When I think of Grace as movement, I picture a woman. She’s dancing, she’s carefree, sunlight seems to dance on her smiling face as she twirls her skirt swiftly. Nothing could harm her. BUT- wait. She isnt Xena. Or an Athena spit-image. In fact, she is the total opposite. She’s calm, she’s beautiful, she’s- absolutly stunning. Yet, at the same time, she seems strong. You wouldnt dare harm her. The essence that comes from her seems (and does) protect her. Worries? None. Sorrows? It wouldn’t matter. She’d dance them away.

So, what about all of that compares to forgiveness? Strong, true, beautiful, authentic forgiveness?

True forgiveness comes from a force none could understand. Some, and I hope you do, know this force as “God.” Sound familiar?

Let’s face it. If you could honestly wrap your mind around God, you have made your own idol. Seriously- if you walk with Christ on a day to day basis, you know not all of your questions are answered. In fact, if you have no questions, something is wrong. It’s those very questions that keep us dancing and moving in his Grace.

Now do you see? The dancer I picture answers the question of why she is dancing with a smiling face, and answers with, “God.”

Her dancing is true. Her every movement is authentic. She didnt train for this. It’s from her joy she dances so beautifully. Her sweet essence of strength is- well, strong. You couldn’t wrap your mind around the absolute joy she is feeling. You wouldn’t dare try. She allures you with every Graceful movement she makes. And as she moves, you have a desire to have the joy she has.

Sound Familiar?

I know it does to me. It reminds me of my Father, My God. He’s strong. He’s alluring. He’s true. He’s himself. He is all that he is- authentic. He’s stunning. He allures us to dance with him. He- He is the beauty that’s worth dancing for authentically. Without care. Without shame. He’s the author of

Salvation, Grace-

Something we cannot wrap our minds around.

Something- no. Someone that is all that HE is. All my life is worth DANCING for.

–Ali

Gauntlet poetry by Dani

My Love,
I see you in this day.
In the glorious sunrise that greets me;
In the way that I just feel loved.
I know that’s you.
We’ve been together long enough that I recognize the signs of your presence.
I love you in ways I never thought possible,
And yet you love me so much more.
Be with me always,
For I cannot bear separation.

–Danielle

Gauntlet at BigStuf: Wow

Hey Everyone,

This a special edition of Ask Anything Saturday where I’m gonna ask you the questions instead! I want the other girls and leaders who weren’t with you all week to get a taste of what happened in your lives. This might also help you to further settle in your mind what all God did in you this week.

So, for those of you who went to the Gauntlet:

What did God do in your life? (I know it was a lot, but you can just run down the highlights or a specific story, etc.)

For those of you who didn’t go:

What do you want to know about it?

Respond in the comments, and if you think you’ve got something too long to share there, send it to me an email or on Facebook and I’ll post it as a new blog post.

Love you all!

–Tiffany

Like, Whoa? by Ali

Okay, to get this thing started, Im stoked. God is teaching me more and more day by day. So, if Im babling on, Im sorry. Im exited!!

So, God has been giving me the same message at least twice in one in a half week. It’s awesome. He’s being bringing out my fierce side, and it’s so cool.

Woot! And basically, this is what he has been telling me.

“Dont be afraid to get out and take a risk. I made you fierce, and Im never going to let you go. Keep your head high and never fall to your enemy. Im with you, therefore you have nothing to fear. Get ready. It could be thrilling despite the wounds. By the way, Ill make you stronger by healing those.”

Yay. That wasnt word for word or anything, but I could feel it. I could just feel that knowledge when I took normal risks like challenging games. Now, it’s time for my next REALLY tough next steps in my walk with Christ.

It shames me that sometimes I can worry. Because it IS true that my life is planned for the better. I am chosen in Christ. Why? I ask him everytime I pray. And sometimes (fessing up) I cry when I ask. I mean, why me? What makes me so worthy? Im a filthy human. But Christ made my soul white as snow when He called me back home.

Sooooooooooooooooooooooooo

oooooo………………..…………

haha!!

Bring it!

Let the games begin.

I have God on my side.

So why should I fear my enemy?

Small Group Recap 7/1

If you weren’t there or just need a good reminder of where God took us in small group on Wednesday, here ya go:

Who you really are is who you are when no one is looking.

Jeremiah 17:9-10 “The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful,
a puzzle that no one can figure out. But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be.”

Don’t be slack now. God is preparing you now for where He wants to put you, for what He wants to entrust with you–develop character now so you will be able to handle the calling He’s put on your life when it matters most.

Still, we grow so much in our relationship with Him when we learn to go to Him with our screw-ups and just offer it to Him like a child taking a broken vase to her mother. He loves us no less; we don’t have to run from Him.

We can be an incredible witness to unbelieving parents. They know us better than anyone; so they will notice first if Jesus has changed us for real. And keep this verse in mind (because the promise is so true),

^“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise— that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Eph. 6:1-3

Humility is the key to honoring our parents, because we don’t always feel like they deserve our honor. We won’t always be perfect just because we know Jesus, but Christ in us causes the humility that leads us to apologize and always seek to repair relationships.

Something to think about when in conflict with our parents (particularly moms): Your parents have hurts and wounds that Jesus needs to heal same as you, and you can be a tool God uses to heal them. Instead of responding out of anger, ask God to help you respond with His love in ways that touch the deep places of insecurity or hurt in the lives of your parents.

Those of you who were there… did I forget anything? Anything you want to add?

–Tiffany