News release review: International Justice Mission

God has been teaching me about joy this semester. Paul writes in Colossians 3:23-24: Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Last night at my Bible study, we read about the early followers of Christ in Acts 4. They counted nothing as their own and viewed all that they had as things to be used for the Lord’s glory. A friend in the group talked about how she feels happy when she is able to meet the needs of others. Although our motivation to give and serve shouldn’t be driven by how it makes us feel, there is an undeniable feeling of peaceful joy that results when we do.

I wrote about International Justice Mission in my last post. Those involved in the organization find joy in their work to help end modern-day slavery because they feel this work is what God has called them to do. On Tuesday, the organization put out a news release about President Obama’s announcement of an executive order regarding labor trafficking in U.S. Government overseas contracts.

The release does a good job explaining how the organization is connected to a newsworthy, national event without being promotional. The release is timely. Journalists could easily construct an article from the information and interesting quotes from national and organizational leaders. It would have been good to put the job title of the person listed as the contact with the contact information. Just a name tells the reporter nothing about whom they would be contacting about the release.

International Justice Mission’s use of traditional and evolving forms of communication continually inspires me. I like to think the organization does so well communicating messages because those creating the messages find joy in doing the work God has given them.

Website review: International Justice Mission

I met Jill my freshman year through the sorority I was involved with. She was finishing her undergraduate degree after having spent more than a year doing mission work in Africa. She seemed so sophisticated, full of life and “on fire” for sharing Christ with others. Jill was several years older than I was, and I wanted to be just like her.

On a snowy, January morning during my freshman year, Jill told me about International Justice Mission as we drank coffee at a local Starbucks. Hearing Jill speak passionately about the organization made me want to know more. The Lord used Jill to direct my interest toward nonprofit communications.

The organization’s website is one of the best I’ve seen for a nonprofit. Its website does more than promote its goals through information about the organization and how people can connect. The website is also a source for timely information about modern-day slavery.

Feature style articles are regularly posted on the news section of the website. Each news story will have a dateline followed by a lead that draws the reader in. Articles are easy to read, being written without excessive adjectives and “fluffy” phrases. Sometimes headlines tend to be too long, but well-written articles offer information and stories that interest the website's audience.

International Justice Mission maintains a website that expresses its mission and values through a balance of information about the organization and relevant news stories. I would have never visited the website had Jill not told me about the organization that January morning and encouraged me to follow Micah 6:8: to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.

Blog review: A Holy Experience

I studied in a local coffee shop on Thursday afternoon as rain steadily fell on the world outside. I realized that the falling water was a gift not only to the desperately dry ground but also to me. A reminder to slow down, the rain was God’s way of reminding me that he always provides. I wrote “feeling of peace as rain falls” in the journal where I record God's gifts to me.

I started counting things I am thankful for after reading Ann Voskamp’s “One Thousand Gifts.” I recently discovered that Voskamp also maintains a blog, www.aholyexperience.com, in which she writes about her life, displays her photography and shares her views about God’s grace.

The writing in the blog is beautiful. Voskamp’s posts often read like poetry. Each post tells a story about a recent experience she has had. Each story is punctuated by her thoughts and photography. The posts are lengthy because of the photography and her writing style but for this blog the longer length works. Fans of A Holy Experience are willing to scroll to read and admire.

For those who are looking to be encouraged and have a few moments to read, A Holy Experience is worth looking at. I never fail to be inspired by Voskamp’s writing. Her words remind me to be thankful for moments like watching rain on a Thursday afternoon.

Joy Found in Thanksgiving

I knew this semester would be busy. I knew I needed to be prepared. I was eager to do the work set before me, excited for the opportunity to intentionally show Christ’s love to others. I was confident in my capabilities, certain that a comfortable equilibrium could be achieved in a busy life through planning and diligence. How pleased the Lord would be that I could handle so well everything he had given me this semester.

Within a week of beginning my busy, but well-planned life, I was exhausted, discouraged. My mind continually running through lists and responsibilities, I found my joy and eagerness to intentionally love others diminishing at a frightening rate.

Being an RA, I returned to school early for training. I spent the time when I had no training responsibilities to read Ann Voskamp’s book, “One Thousand Gifts”. The book examines the need to live a life of thankfulness to God. There is joy to be found in praising God for all he is and the blessings he continually gives.

How void of thanks my life has been since starting a new school year. My joy is not found in “doing” for God. My joy is found in Christ, and my “doing” should be an overflow of thanksgiving. How beautiful and freeing.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” –Colossians 3:16-17 (ESV)

Let gratitude to God saturate my soul, filling the cracks in my heart before they become deeper and wider.

I bought a new Bible today

            It sounds silly, but it was a hard decision for me. I was/am so attached to my old one, but it literally came out of the binding and I knew it was time for a new one.

            I went to what I think is the only Christian bookstore in Stillwater. The woman who helped me check out started to tell me about a Beth Moore Bible study she had done.

            “In the study, Beth Moore talked about how exciting getting a new Bible can be,” she said. “We become attached to the old one, and we sometimes just start to fall back on the old notes we’ve made in it. But when we get a new Bible, it can be an opportunity to read God’s word with ‘fresh eyes,’ allowing God to speak to us in new ways.”

            Letting God reveal new truths to me and not just reminding myself of the old ones…

            What a great way to look at getting a new Bible. (And how fortunate am I to live in a place where I can buy a Bible whenever I want)

            There was another woman working (she was maybe a year or two older than I) who engraved my name on my new Bible. After it was done she came over to where I was standing.

            “Whenever someone buys a Bible we like to pray over it with them,” she said. “Do you mind if we do that right now?”

            Of course I didn’t mind! One thing she said in that prayer stuck out to me more than anything else. She asked the Lord that I would use this Bible to share the gospel with those who need to hear it. Wow. Here is this complete stranger praying that I would grow in the word and then use it to be a witness in the world around me. Every time I think about it I have to remind myself to breathe. I don’t even know what to say. Our Lord is so awesome.

I should be doing homework...

My list of things I need to do seems to multiply every day.

I have to confess that I spent a good deal of time this semester feeling physically and emotionally drained. I also spent more time than I like to admit feeling bad for myself. I’m so embarrassed to admit how many “woe is me” moments I allowed myself to have over the past few months.

Our God is so awesome. (even when my attitude is less than awesome) Whether it was an unexpected letter from a friend or a note left on my door by a resident, God continually encouraged my heart this semester. It’s amazing to look back and see his hand every good thing that has happened.

I read 1 Corinthians 4 today and came across this passage:

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (verses 16-18)

“We are being renewed day by day…”

As this crazy semester comes to a close, I am reminded that God renews me every day. If he can give strength to all those believers as they endured more than I can ever image, then I know he can and will provide a little college girl with the strength needed to make it to the end of her semester.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” 1 Cor. 4:7

Back to homework…

"Few Are Needed- Indeed Only One"

I can hardly believe it has been almost a month since I have been on here…

 I have been working a lot on getting my major declared and learning about what I need to do to prepare. I find myself thinking about the future… a lot. It really is an exciting place, but can be scary when you don’t know what’s ahead. I honestly have no idea what my future holds. I actually kind of like the thought of this. I like the idea that what is ahead is completely open. Even though I have no idea what it holds, I do know one thing. I want my life where God has placed me to be my ministry. No matter where I am, I want to be where he wants me serving Him. My problem is that I struggle with being too focused on “seeking” what God wants for my life. I feel like I have to plan and worry and constantly be “looking out” for the place he wants me; when all the while he just wants me to simply trust him. There have been times that I have found myself cutting my quiet time short because I think he would rather me do something “productive” that needs to be done. Now what could be a better use of my time then spending it with him, in his word? This is where he teaches me and reveals more of himself to me. Why would I want to cut this time short? But I do. I am reminded of when Jesus visits the home of Mary and Martha. Martha is upset that her sister simply sits with the Lord, while she is busy doing things for him. Here is what the Lord tells her:

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “You are worried and upset about many things, but few are needed- indeed only one.” –Luke 10:41

Okay, so I would most likely not be the girl you would find cooking and cleaning (Ask my mom. She’ll tell you.), but I am the girl who finds herself worried and upset. I am the girl who feels the need to be preparing for my future, when all I need is God. He wants me to leave the details to him, seek him continually, and trust that he provide (which he will). Several weeks ago my pastor talked about a time when his family needed to sell a house. They turned down the help of a realtor (despite her warnings that a house in the area couldn’t be sold without help), because they preferred to simply trust God to sell the house in his time. It sold within the month. When we simply trust God for things he always provides in his time and in his way.

“All these kings and all their lands (and there was a lot!!!) Joshua conquered in one campaign, because the Lord, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.” –Joshua 10:42

God will fight for me and provide for me in my future. He wants to do this. He just asks that, like Joshua, I walk in obedience to him.