You're the God of this city

Couple of things really been on my heart this week. 

First, I went to Pittsburgh last week with a group of my high schoolers for mission trip and it totally messed up my life... We participated in The Pittsburgh Project (www.pittsburghproject.com) and it was incredible. Scripture tells us that in order to serve Jesus, we have to serve the least of these. It's true. I got to see the face of Jesus in the homeowner (and the kiddos) I got to serve last week. I was blown away. I don't even know if I can put into words all the things that God put right in front of me. I really have the desire to work with urban youth now, and I'm working on planning another trip to Pittsburgh to learn more about what they do and how can I take that to another city. I think the other thing that hit me was the "theme" song of the week - God of this City:

You're the God of this city, You're the King of these people

You're the Lord of this nation, You are

You're the Light in this darkness, You're the Hope to the hopeless

You're the Peace to the restless, You are

There is no one like our God, there is no one like our God

For greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done in this city

Greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done in this city

Greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done here

"God Of This City" led by Chris Tomlin and written by Bluetree

I love it. It speaks truth. Pittsburgh is one of the coolest places I have ever been. It isn't full of ancient places or huge cathedrals and tons of other churches, but the Body of Christ is alive there. God is working! Praise Him! So I want to go back and learn more and serve more and bring that back to Waco. 

I'm also reading Shane Claiborne's Irresistible Revolution which will also mess up your whole life... and I read it along with going to Pittsburgh. Whoa. I was content being where I was, and now I know that I'm not doing the very thing which I have been called to do. I have been called to serve and live as brothers and sisters. Acts 2 tells us this:

⁴²They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. ⁴⁴All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. ⁴⁶Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

I fully believe that in order to be the Church we must be committed to living in community. I have this thought that if we do this, we will see God move in ways that will blow our minds. This is my challenge. I think we can do it. 

I want to be committed to these things. I want to be committed to the Body in a new way... not when I come back in the Fall or when I leave school, but NOW. I'm seeing the Lord change me and this is just one way... 

Ask me about Pittsburgh (I would love to talk more about it!) and I definitely have a ton of pictures posted (check 'em out!). And this is starting to get wordy... more soon. 

Just give me Jesus. 

Today, I conquered a fear.

Today I went to Lake Travis to go cliff jumping (and also rock climbing... but...) and I was all for it. Then I got there and looked down. omg. are you joking? I wanted to jump so bad. I just couldn't. So finally, after a lot of encouragement from one of the guys with us and my boss, I did it. It was incredible. Of course the first time, I did not pencil on my way in and now have some bruising, but the next time, I totally did pencil (not the chair) and it was incredible. First of all, I was on this beautiful lake totally surrounded by the wonder of God and getting to hang out with some of our youth. On top of that, I did something that I didn't think I could. AMAZING. I also tried a little rock climbing. This wasn't like rock climbing at the SLC at all though... it was on a real rock. Crazy. I'm not great at it, but I enjoyed it and would really like to do it again. 

In other news, God is amazing. Taking care of my little needs and teaching me to rely on Him for everything. Which is so great. We have an awesome God. I'm totally in love with the Hill Country and would live here forever. No joke. Plus, the best part is that I love my job! It is so great! The kids are awesome and my boss is incredible. I get to work with great people doing a job I honestly love. I can't wait to do this with my whole life... I kinda don't want to leave at the end of the summer. I want to finish school and do this. I love being a minister and help kids out and be with people who are all striving for the same things. It's great! I couldn't have been in a better place! 

I will try to keep this updated as much as possible, promise. Also, if you could be praying for our mission trip, that would be fantastic! We are leaving on Sunday (really early) and flying to Pittsburgh to take part in the Pittsburgh Project. Pray that we all learn and touch people's lives all in the name of Jesus. Also, please pray that God captivates us all this summer. He is amazing and He can daily captivate our hearts... if we allow Him to! So do it! Be adventurous and fall in love with God every day! It's awesome!

Soon... Love God, Love others. 

Mags