BIG things
It cut me off.... that's probably for the best. Hopefully you get the point! I wouldn't rather be anywhere else in the WHOLE world!! I was made for this!!
Matthew 5:6
I have never before seen the Lord so clearly at work than over the past three weeks on this campus.
It says in Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied." This verse is ringing true each and every day here and... to be honest with you, I'm at a loss for words.
Evidence of the Lord
I spent all of yesterday painting my living room, a fantastic de-stressor after a long week of hard work, with three girls who interestingly represent the three major areas of my life right now. Paige is a freshman who is so ext
It says in Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied." This verse is ringing true each and every day here and... to be honest with you, I'm at a loss for words.
Evidence of the Lord
I spent all of yesterday painting my living room, a fantastic de-stressor after a long week of hard work, with three girls who interestingly represent the three major areas of my life right now. Paige is a freshman who is so ext
July Newsletter
Dear supporters, friends, and loved ones,
I apologize from the bottom of my heart that you have not received an update from me in quite some time! I also apologize that the formatting of this monthly newsletter is neither glamorous nor extensive but my newsletter software is currently unavailable and, in the midst of my chaotic life, I haven’t had time to fix it. Regardless! I have all kinds of news for you! I will try to be brief for your convenience but PLEASE visit my blog (allisongortney@blogspot.com) for regular updates and email me if you’d like to know more!
Some Cliff Notes on Bama and my ministry:
FIRST! In case you don’t already know, I’m in Tuscaloosa! God TOTALLY provided after an incredible summer in ways that were far more miraculous that I ever expected! My financial support came flooding I and, on August 7th, moved into my new house on Bama’s campus!
I feel more ‘in my skin’ than I have ever felt in my life within this job. I also LOVE this town! I’m the 5th member of my staff team and spent all of last week planning for the year to come. I have every day of my calendar filled up from now through December! We began this week by taking the student leadership on an overnight retreat; casting our vision for the year, equipping them for ministry (which is odd as I’m just now learning ministry, myself!) and establishing expectations. We then began our “week of welcome” activities on campus.
All week we’ve been giving out free flash drives (packed with previously uploaded articles on Christ and Crusade), free popular Christian books (Piper’s Don’t Waste Your Life, McDowell’s More Than a Carpenter, Miller’s Blue Like Jazz, etc), flyers, and chick-fil-a coupons, all linking back to information about both Christ our weekly meetings. We made a video that we’ve been working to really promote on youtube and facebook (go watch it!), have been forming community groups, collecting contact cards from students, setting up individual appointments to discuss students’ interest in Christ and the ministry, and have had staff meetings all week. In everything we do, we’re in prayer, forming relationships and starting conversations. We’ve also begun the mornings with praying throughout the campus and ended the past two days with games of Ultimate Frisbee on the quad. Needless to say, I’m exhausted…. Hence I haven’t put out a fancy-smancy newsletter lately!
Thus far, I feel like this job (although completely exhausting) is the greatest on the planet! I can see myself doing it for quite a while.
Support-wise, I will continue to plan support appointments throughout the year so that I am constantly building my contacts and list of potential supporters. I’ve come to love MPD (Ministry Partner Development) because I no longer see it as ‘begging’ but an incredible opportunity to provide others a chance to plug into, what I believe, is one of the greatest causes around. I’m excited to report back to you with where your money and prayers are going because TRUST ME, they are, in fact, effective in BIG ways!
Again, please check out my blog at allisongortney.blogspot.com for pictures and specific stories!
Without you, this would not be possible and so, for that, I extend my most sincere thanks! I’m praying for all of you!
The verse that has been EVERYWHERE lately that I’d like to share with you is Matthew 5:6. It’s quite simply, “ 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.”
I am so extremely hungry for the Lord and am thirsty for His Word all day long. When you live in a position like this, (and are sweating like crazy in the insane Tuscaloosa heat all day!) you want all of the wisdom you can soak up! I want others to see the Jesus I love and I want our work to be effective. In this same way, I desire for those around me, students and supporters alike, to really hunger and thirst for Christ because, as this verse says so clearly, if you seek, you’ll find.
Have a blessed day, guys! As soon as my zip drive (and camera which I just now dropped) are fixed, I’ll record more video blogs and newsletters!
May “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
7th Screet
Things you need to know.
1. Let's be serious. This house is AWESOME. And! It was the cheapest place I found!
2. It's only 2 blocks from the stadium so I can walk or ride my bike everywhere! (as soon as I get a bike..)
3. In a few weeks it'll finally be decorated but even until then, my house is your house! Come on over!
Mo Praise
Imagine this. You're Moses. You risk your life to fight for the freedom of your people; generations who have been bound to slavery. You did it despite all of your natural instincts but because of the Lord, because of His persistence. And just a few steps into their new-found freedom...they spit in your face, God's face. Their ungrateful impatience has dishonored God and pursuit of instant gratification has disrespected you. Now not only they, but you too, are no longer in the fast lane to the full freedom they were promised. Forty years to wander... and you're along for the ride.
Yet... in the desert, Moses writes this eloquent poetry; a ballad of unselfish, Kingdom-driven worship:
"Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. [...] Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us and for as many years as we have seen evil. Let your work be shown to your servants and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our god be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!" - Psalm 90: 1, 14-17
I'm not Moses and I'm not in a desert. Life is good! But if he, in obedience and 4o years of waiting, can look around at the hodgepodge of sandy tents around him and see God's glory amidst it all...how much more can I lift up worship in this new house, this new town, this new incredible opportunity....
(now do you get the post title? 'Mo Praise'... More praise... Moses Praise... praise like Moses? anyway...
Sweet Home Alabama
joseph: subtle obedience
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
