This is my reaction

This past weekend, most of the second and third years of Twenty-Four Seven, including myself, had the amazing opportunity to help launch a new ARC (Association of Related Churches) church. Because so many students have an interest in church planting and love serving, staff decided to take the cadre up north by a couple of hours for a few days. During our time there we helped promote the church’s first service by mostly handing out fliers everywhere and talking with people.

Besides the radio announcements and mail announcements provided by ARC, we put hundreds of door-hanger invitations on home doors, passed out thousands of fliers in shopping areas and at college campuses, and put many invitations on car windshields. Many people to whom we talked had heard about Action already and couldn’t wait to attend. One of my cousins and his wife also looked forward to helping with childcare at the church; I loved seeing them and a mutual cousin with them. Saturday night before the first service on the 26^th, we got to help clean up the school where the church holds its service by washing windows, weeding tree beds, and picking up trash around the campus. Then the morning of the launch we all set up different areas of the church and served in various ministries at the church. I had so much fun playing with kids, leading them in worship, and discussing the Bible lesson with them!

Although Action had a bigger launch than most church plants probably have, I enjoyed seeing the small beginnings of something God will use to do great things in that area and around the world. Many of the staff and launch team also came from Twenty-Four Seven, so learning about the opportunities that alumni can have was cool too. Pastor Justin Dailey, the former Twenty-Four Seven director and current lead pastor of Action, has a great attitude about how God builds the church instead of him, and he trusts God throughout the birthing and development of the church. This mindset helped him to have such a successful launch with nearly 700 attendees at the very first service. God opened doors, provided funding, and helped him build a great lead team; He will continue to help His church all over the world too.

Leading to where I am now

GOD ALWAYS DIRECTS OUR PATHS.

Before I joined Twenty-Four Seven all that I really knew about myself was that I could do virtually anything with hard work and God, and that I wanted to share the love of Christ with others through ministry like missions. Throughout my life I have always known that the typical college and career life did not suit me, so in high school the military life really appealed me. I have family members that have served in some military branches and/or attended service academies, but I had no real understanding of the military. Despite that I convinced myself of the possible benefits of attending a service academy and pursued this throughout high school. Not only could I reach soldiers and internationals with the gospel, but I could also get paid to protect my country and learn a valuable and interesting trade. Between tenth grade and graduation I pushed myself to have the best possible student resume and worked hard on the application, which required a lot of time, effort, and ability. While interviewing with liaisons,  taking medical tests, training physically, and much more, I excelled in classes, played sports, participated in theater, volunteered in my school, church, and community, and did a lot of other stuff to look good on paper, which I did not mind since I love trying new things and working hard. In my mind serving in the military and earning an engineering degree were worth the work. Despite excelling in many areas, I could not get a nomination from a state or national representative. Slowly realizing that God was closing that door for me, I remembered visiting my cousins in Arkansas at their ministry school called [Ca]dre Academy.

In the midst of my military pursuit, my mother sent me to Little Rock to check out this ministry school and internship program and to see some of my cousins. Since I had little interest in ministry school and was planning to attend Video Games Live with a friend, I mostly went to see my cousins, but did not really even want to fly out. However, once I arrived, friendly faces greeted me and the director talked about all of the amazing growth that took place in students’ lives. God transformed the young people who came through events, classes, and training that facilitated accelerated physical, social, mental, and spiritual growth. All of this sounded so exciting and appealing, and I knew God wanted something like it for me. Once I returned to Virginia, though, I forgot my trip to New Life Church and resumed my business.

After things started to look bad for me and the military, my aunt called my mother to talk about some changes happening to Cadre. God showed me again that He did not intend for me to enter the military. My aunt also told my mom about a similar school in Florida called Twenty-Four Seven that did things the way that I saw and liked during my Arkansas visit. Next I began to reach out to this ministry school and apply. Every detail worked out perfectly for me to come to school in Florida, and my life has forever changed for the better.

A broadened perspective

THERE ARE A LOT OF GIRLS.

On my team right now, girls outnumber guys eight to six. Before Thanksgiving break one of the five teams in Twenty-Four Seven this year dissolved. All of the ladies from that team, except one cadre, joined my team; all of the men from that team joined another team. Staff decided that this difficult move would have the greatest benefit for all of the students, and I agree. During this sudden change, I had mixed feelings of excitement and nervousness, sprinkled with disappointment and anticipation. Initially the idea of five first-year females under my care overwhelmed me. Later, though, I realized that God broadened my perspective on all of the first-year ladies in the whole school, not just on my team. Every woman in Twenty-Four Seven needs loving on, pouring into, and hanging out with; whether or not a certain girl is on my team should not determine the amount I invest in her. Also, after finally becoming comfortable with not having other cadre ladies on the team, I had to readjust my way of thinking and operating. Now that there are both more cadre and first-year females on my team I can see the bigger picture of how everyone works together to help with the growth of everyone. Since the addition of new members, I have grown closer to more girls in the school and seen how so much good can come from something that seems negative at first.

A journey of finding, rejecting, and rediscovering my calling

GOD PATIENTLY TEACHES.

(This is a warrior angel character that I made based on the Ephesians 6 passage on the armor of God. I first drew her for a high school art class project, but this version of her I drew at a conference at the beginning of my first year in Twenty-Four Seven.)

God has always been leading me into what He has for me; specifically I want to talk about a purpose. Growing up I loved watching anime and dreamt of becoming a cartoon artist. Constantly, I practiced drawing random cartoons or things that I could see. As I got older, I trained to perfect my skill through classes at a private art studio, various competitions, and a lot of practice. Everywhere I went, godly friends and family spoke life into my dream, encouraging me to never give up. I frequently heard messages on how people shouldn’t bury God-given talents, but use those gifts to glorify and worship Him instead. However, around middle school, things started changing.

Greater talent in others became increasingly evident to me. Their skill intimidated me, and impatience started to turn me away from drawing; I wanted to be at a higher level without the years of experience, practice, and lessons. Slowly, insecurity about my artistic ability grew. After I refused compliments about my artwork, discounted other artists, and lost confidence in my blessing, the amount of time I spent drawing dwindled. Reasoning “there are people better than me, so why should I bother?” I proceeded to make excuses to justify quitting, like “artists don’t get paid well, and I don’t want an impractical job.” I even blamed others for making me stop!

(I made this water-color Jesus portrait for a young adults Christian ministry art competition. I wanted Him to be hidden like parchment stains with the overlaying words having an impact before noticing the subtlety of His face. It says "I am ... [with His different names and descriptions found in the Bible] ... Indescribable.")

This year the girls of Twenty-Four Seven are redoing a book study called So Long Insecurity by Beth Moore. In chapter 7 of her book, Mrs. Moore talks about how insecurity can negatively change us. One passage especially spoke to me after rereading it; this section talked about how insecurity can turn gifted people into competition. After reading that part of the chapter again, I realized that this exact thing happened to me. Instead of celebrating with others God’s greatness and generosity for giving us all special talents, I allowed a spirit of insecurity to convince me that I had no talent and should stop drawing. Now, however, I can crush the enemy under my feet! God has taught me this year about what He wants me to do, how I can use art in ministry, and why being MY best pleases Him more than trying in vain to be THE best. Learning this lesson took longer than necessary, but now I can boldly regain ground and push even further in my drawing without fearing the judgments of others or myself.

Spirit break out

WHERE TWO OR MORE ARE GATHERED …

Last year I grew immensely in my relationship with the holy trinity of God, but my growth will never end because He is infinite. This year we have experienced several breakthroughs, two of which I would like to share with you. Each week during chapels, classes, prayer and worship sessions, or weekend services, we all have the opportunity to learn more about God and experience Him in new ways.

When Jarod spoke for staff chapel, he delivered a powerfully freeing message on finding freedom from insecurities. I have gone through a freedom session before to rid myself of my metaphorical chains and burdens, but dark feelings hid deep beneath my skin. For a long time, I denied any insecurity even though I know that I can never be perfect until I get to heaven. However, the Holy Ghost pushed me to go forward and write “INADEQUACY” on the mirror that later shattered under Jarod’s hammer. My whole life I never felt good enough to do anything for anyone, despite what the Word says about me. Now the truth of God has pierced my heart. Letting go has been a big theme for me lately since I have so much I can let go of, but this message will remain in my heart to the end of days. During this chapel, I also took advantage of an awesome opportunity to better the relationship I have with my mom. We had a great talk and now we’re closer than ever.

Later during communications class, Pastor Gregg felt led by God to have students go up on the stage and give public apologies. Because I have a habit of almost over-apologizing on-the-spot every time I feel like I’ve wronged someone, I don’t think I had anything I needed to say. However, many students went forward to share things that happened even years ago with people they haven’t seen in practically forever. The incredible vulnerability and realness of each person in Twenty-Four Seven was humbling for everyone involved. I’ll never forget the new perspective I gained on the truth that every person has a real story.

Amazing things happen when people are sensitive and obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, especially when we worship Him.

1. Modern Literal (Word-for-Word) Translation

Here's another essay for one of my theology classes.

The New King James Version (NKJV) of 1982 is just one example a Modern Literal, or word-for-word, translation, also known as a complete equivalence version. Other Modern Literal translations include the New American Standard Bible (NASB), the English Standard Version (ESV), the Revised Standard Version (RSV), and the King James Version (KJV). Word-for-word translations attempt to stick as close as possible to the original language by keeping as many exact words and phrases as the translators can manage. These Bible types hope to maintain flow of ideas and not lose any historical accuracy.

In 1975 the Thomas Nelson Publishers group commissioned Arthur Farstad, a conservative Baptist, to make a good translation of the Bible better by creating the New King James Version. More than 130 scholars wanted to improve and preserve the original King James Version of 1611, and although most of the original diction remains, a lot of the syntax has been modernized. For example the obsolete verb endings of “eth” have been removed, and the “thee’s” and “thou’s” have changed to “you’s” and “yours.”  Also, many of the original transliterations, or English spellings of untranslatable words, have stayed the same as the King James Version.  When following along to a reading out of the King James Version, listeners can easily keep track of the word flow with minimal confusion.

Michael Marlowe, the creator of bible-researcher.com, compares and contrasts the New King James Version to the New American Standard Bible. Although the New King James Version is not as literal as the New American Standard Version, it has conserved the literary style of the first King James Version. The New American Standard Version, though more literal, also contains more paraphrases than the New King James Version. Also, the New King James Version has better sustained the Hebraisms (Hebrew idioms, expressions, and cultural characteristics) of the original texts. Rather than original manuscripts, the New King James Version followed the Textus Receptus, which is based on the Byzantine Texts. This means that in order to compensate for the lack of use of critically edited texts readers must make sure to check margins to have more accurate or literal translations of some words.

Finally, the New King James Version would clearly add great value to any Bible student’s pool of resources. This translation improves upon an already great translation that holds true to the original version and texts, but provides more ease of reading without losing any phraseology or historicity.

Unconventionally conventional fundraising methods

BAKING IS WORK.

(This is my Dad and Holly resting during Thanksgiving break. Holly looked so cute and peaceful!)

Last week Twenty-Four Seven had time off to rest for Thanksgiving break. Although many students stayed in Florida for the week, my boyfriend Alex and I traveled to my hometown in Virginia to visit my parents, my sister, and my sister’s husband. We had a blast touring where I grew up, seeing the Natural History Museum in D.C., and decorating my family’s Christmas tree. Seeing my family was also really enjoyable; from way down in Florida I sometimes really miss them. Alex also got to meet my sweet little dog! During this trip, I also baked pies, almost 40 to be exact.

(Me, Alex, Anne, Mom, and all of the pies we made between Sunday and Monday.)

For missions last year, my mom, who has her own wedding cake making home-business, came up with the brilliant idea of having a bake sale to raise mission support. This year, people in our neighborhood, church, and workplaces bought pies by ordering them ahead of time. Each pie flavor was a family favorite; we offered pumpkin, pumpkin praline, pecan, and apple crumble.Within two days my boyfriend, my sister, my mom, and I baked from scratch each and every pie that was pre-ordered. Then throughout through the rest of the week, people picked up or had delivered their pies. After subtracting the cost of baking ingredients and supplies, my mom calculated an estimated profit range of $500-$600! Many people even bought a pie just for the sake of spreading the gospel through the Twenty-Four Seven spring mission trip and supporting me. Some also donated money without even ordering a pie. To everyone who helps me financially this year, I am eternally grateful.