Guest Post {If We Are the Body}

After Live Link the other night, my cousin e-mailed me some of her thoughts about it.  She put it all into words much better than I could, so I have a little guest post from her today!

And just for fun before I let you read what Amy wrote, here's a picture of us when we were little :)

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When I arrived at Passion City Church with my cousin, Lindsey and 2 of her friends we waited outside with rest of the crowd. While we were waiting to be let in, volunteers circulated through the crowd greeting everyone. Then as we walked to the sanctuary we were welcomed by even more volunteers in the halls ready to greet us with smiles, high fives, and kind words. Seeing all the volunteers (especially as we were walking into the sanctuary) and how excited they were for all of us to be there reminded me of "If We Are The Body" by Casting Crowns. After the service the volunteers greeted us once again and here's the thing that stuck out when they greeted us afterwards. They didn't just casually say, "Hey, I'm glad you came tonight." and keep walking. They actually took the time to talk with us and even did their best to remember our names and to ask what we thought about the service. 

I was convicted that as Christians we need to go beyond our "normal" routine when we go to Sunday school, Bible study, or a church service. We need to be willing to step out of our comfort zone and seek a new person or family to welcome and help them feel a part of the church family.

The Confidence We Have In Christ

Message taught by Louie Giglio 

We are called to live out a confidence in Christ. Even though it is important to be able to give a response when questioned about Christ and your faith, you don't have to be the person with every answer about Christ. All you have to be able to say is, "God is alive in me and doing something awesome in my life." When asked, "What do you mean God's alive in you and doing something awesome in your life?" Share what God's doing in your life. We are called to be light to a dark world. God's looking for people who are willing to blend in among the lost. He doesn't mean we are supposed to conform to the world, but we are supposed to put ourselves among the lost and be a light to those who are in the dark and need Christ as their Savior. 

That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
2 Timothy 1:12 (NIV)

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
2 Timothy 1:12 (KJV)

I'm not exactly sure why but, God used ... and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. 2 Timothy 1:12 (NIV) to remind me of ... For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Even though I sometimes get frustrated with not having the answers to what God has in store for my life. Based on what I'm told in Jeremiah 29:11, I'm able to rest assured that Christ has all those answers and he has great things in store and I just have to trust Him and be ready to obey Him.