update!

So, it's been a while since I last made a post. But all for a good reason--I've been working full time and then spending my evenings doing a variety of events, sharing my faith, and building sweet relationships with some super awesome girls! Work has been crazy busy and super tiring! For the past three days I have been working on register, which is fine and all, but I've been really wanting to do other things and work to get a feel for what goes on at McDonald's. Today, I was finally able to be a runner. A runner is someone who brings food from the "Hot Loading Zone" (haha, i know, right?) to the people who ordered it. It's really tiring, but my feet hurt less because I am not standing in one spot the entire day and I get to burn a few extra calories! (:

This week's theme is "Killing the Giants". These "Giants" are things that get in the way of sharing; things that we may be scared of, worried about, don't think we can do, ect. One of my giants is sharing to people during house parties. Since North Myrtle Beach is a huge party area, we are surrounded by people, mostly high school graduates, who party like this is their last day to live. I've been super scared of this because I have never been to a party with alcohol and I have never witnessed face-to-face young adults binge drink and choose to make poor decisions. It is really heart breaking to see all of these lost students who put their fulfillment in alcohol and other associated behavior. I haven't actually "killed" this giant yet, and I am definitely praying that God will give me strength to, but I do have all summer. Also, I've been praying for these students who are just so far away from the awesome Truth of God!

Tonight, is "date night with Jesus" and after working all day today, I could really use some alone time with Jesus and really reflect on all of the awesome things He has been doing in my life! There has been so much that has been going on and I really need to take time and sort it out with the help of God and really rely on Him!

So, with that said, I hope y'all (yeah, that's right, a southern accent) have a great evening and have enjoyed reading my update!

Identity in Christ

So, during one of the orientation mornings, we were taught about our identity in Christ. The person speaking used the "4 C's of the adoption process" to describe God's adoption process with us. Enjoy!

The primary verse that we focused on was Galatians 4:4-7

"But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba,' Father. So you are no longer a slave, but a son and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir."

What we learn from these three verses is that:

• we have full right as sons (and daughters)
• we are heirs
• we are no longer slaves

This verse clearly explains our identity in Christ--it is that we are His sons who are no longer slaves and are heirs to His throne. This is really awesome! But, despite how awesome this is, we don't always live up to our identities. Here's why:

• we've been wounded and hurt in the past
• we search for worth in wordly things (ie. money, clothing, the latest stuff)
• or maybe we feel like we can't be forgiven

Here's where the "4 C's" come into play.

1. Choice (Ephesians 1:4)

• God chose us
• He made an adoption plan for us before time

2. Cost (Ephesians 1:7-8)

• the ultimate cost was paid to adopt us--Jesus at the cross

3. Condition (Ephesians 2:1-4)

• God know our true condition
• we were once dead
• BUT because of God's great love for us, we've been made alive through Christ

4. Completion (Ephesians 1:13-14)

• by accepting the Gospel we have competed the adoption process
• we are now guaranteed to be children of God

I love how simple it is to be children of God. There is no messy, lengthy paper work that needs to be filled out, no background checks, no hidden fees. Just by accepting the Gospel, we can be children of God. It's that easy.