Kayla grew up in the small town of Raymond, WI as the second of three girls in her family. She moved to Madison to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2007. Kayla graduated from the UW in May of 2010 with degrees in Sociology and Communication Arts and is excited for the opportunity to live out her life working in full-time ministry. Along with interning, Kayla is currently working part-time at a women’s clothing boutique in Madison. Outside of work she spends her time running, reading, and enjoying the outdoors with friends. She loves Jesus, dancing, and cereal.

Last year, my favorite football team made it to the Super Bowl and WON! This team of course, would be the Green Bay Packers. The Super Bowl Championship was such a fun game to watch and the victory was sweet. But the celebration was SO much sweeter for those of us who had followed the entire regular season, for those of us who knew the whole “back story” if you will.

The Packers finished 10-6 in the regular season, entering the playoffs as the sixth seed. Despite many injuries, the team rose from the ashes, landing the wildcard at the last second, defeating their number one rivals for the NFC Championship, and finally beating the Steelers to become World Champions! (just thinking about it gets me excited again!)

In reading the New Testament we can celebrate in the victory that we have in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but what about the back story? What about the story of Israel, God’s chosen people, who chose over and over again to reject God? Maybe this is cheesy, but the way I see it, celebrating Jesus without knowing anything about the story of Israel is like cheering for a final score without watching any of the game. The more we understand the back story, the more we understand how amazing God’s grace truly is! Could it be that God’s story is bigger than we thought it was? Could it be that our journey forward with God, is dependent on our willingness to journey back with God…  

“He who has not felt what sin is in the Old Testament knows little what grace is in the New. He who has not trembled in Moses, and wept in David, and wondered in Isaiah will rejoice little in Matthew or rest little in John. He who has not suffered under the Law will scarcely hear the glad sound of the gospel.” —R. W. Barbour

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I’ve begun to think about ALL of the things I am thankful for. It’s overwhelming.

But if I had to, I would sum it all up with this JJ Heller song. Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNbbeIJtWZo

Thank You

For painted purple skies
For never telling lies
For giving all you had away
For crying when I cry
Ooh thank you…

For changing autumn leaves
The salty ocean breeze
For coming down from heaven to save a wretch like me
Ooh thank you…

I can’t understand why you left your throne
But I know that you came and you saved my soul…

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Ooh, thank you

Last week we kicked off a new Series on Prayer. Near the end of the night, I mentioned a source that provides some really practical ideas about prayer that I thought you might find helpful. Well here it is! Take what you find helpful and leave the rest… this is just one person’s view of prayer, why we should be devoted to it, and how to go about doing that.

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/be-devoted-to-prayer

[excerpt] “…God’s word to us today is “Be devoted to prayer.” Be constant in it. Be faithful in it. Why? God commands us to; the needs are great and eternity hangs in the balance; and God hears and does more in five seconds that we can do in five years.

Let your prayer be…

F – Free and Formed
A – Alone and Assembled
D – Desperate and Delighted
E – Explosive and Extended
S – Spontaneous and scheduled

…without these things, prayer F A D E S”

- John Piper

Join us for week two and three of the Prayer Series as we continue to explore the “why, what, how” questions surrounding prayer!

“I want you to imagine you’re walking through the woods on a quite narrow path, and you go on that path for quite some time, and all of a sudden it comes to a Y, and there’s a path going off to the right, and there’s a path going off to the left, and there’s a sign right down the middle…  The marker leading to the left, says simply, PLEASING GOD! The one leading to the right, reads TRUSTING GOD! It’s hard to choose one over the other because both roads have a good feel to them. We discover there’s no third road, and it becomes obvious that we need to choose one… We are not able to jump back and forth, only one, and the one we choose will indelibly mark the way we live.”

-TrueFaced, by Bruce McNicol

I read this on another blog written by Pete Briscoe (you can check out his stuff at www.tellingthetruth.org). It was intriguing to me. And he goes on…

Which way is the right way? Which road would I choose? Am I trying to live a life that is pleasing God, or am I trusting God?

It really came down to trust, faith, and whom I was placing my trust in.

1. I can choose to trust in myself and in my own efforts in order to earn God’s pleasure.

2. I can choose to trust in Christ, living His life through me, to enable me to live a life that is pleasing to God.

Consider Hebrews 11:5-6

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Do I choose to “please God” or will I “trust God?” …

The road of trust leads to both. The road of attempting to please God leads to neither.

…did you know that there is a place, a far and distant land, where people fall asleep to the sound of wind rustling through the trees and the subtle vibrations of God’s creation, fully alive yet completely at peace…

…did you know that beyond our world of jackhammers, sirens, and buzzing mopeds there exists a place where people reside in a quiet and calm atmosphere?

…did you know that CAM is going to this place!!!?

and YOU are invited!

CAMping Trip

Nordic Pines, Baraboo WI

July 8^th-10^th

Cost: $10

The other day I was at a coffee shop, sitting at a table next to the store front wall of windows. It was the perfect spot so soak up the sun, sip my coffee, and observe all the people as they passed on by on the sidewalk. (Turns out, if you are a people-watcher like me, this is also the best place to procrastinate on work). Anyway, at the table across from mine alongside this wall there was an elderly man sitting with kind of a dismayed looked on his face as he drank his coffee and read the morning newspaper. (That’s right I observe everyone…not just the street walkers). For nearly an hour, this man did not make a sound. People were coming in and out, brushing past him, making lots of noise yet he remained completely silent. It was as if he was sucked into his own little world. Until finally he looked up from his paper and bent his head around to look outside.

Approaching on the sidewalk was a woman and her young daughter. The little girl was probably no older than two, but boy was she independent; it was so funny to watch her waddling around on her own, pausing every few steps to shake her little hips and laugh at herself. This little girl, had definitely gotten the elderly man’s attention, and in an instance, I saw everything about him change. His eyes softened as he began to smile, and moments later he was in a rousing bout of full-out (loud) laughter.

What just happened? It was kind of shocking at first, but the longer I observed this man’s reaction to the little girl the more joy I felt. Sure, it was fun to watch the little girl on the sidewalk, but watching this man come alive, watching him fill up with so much joy, that was even more enjoyable to me! I was smiling about it long after the man had left the coffee shop.

It made me think, maybe this is kind of like what God experiences when he sees us full of joy. God wants us to be joyful in this life. He wants us to take his forgiveness, his grace, and his freedom and live life joyfully! And as we do, I think we start to understand the kind of God we serve; a God who loves us unconditionally and seeks us endlessly. 

Zephaniah 3:17

            The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

Last night at CAM we watched a documentary about TOMS shoes, a company that operates under a “One for One” promise: for every pair of shoes purchased, they give a new pair of shoes to a child in need.

It started as a simple idea to meet a need… and now five years later, over one million pairs of shoes have been given to children in need. Incredible.

The numbers are impressive but here’s what really gets me: “It started as a simple idea…” The wheels in my head are turning… what would it look like to take a risk and trust God with an idea that could potentially impact lives all over the world? What are the greatest needs I see? What can I do about it?

All too often we are intimidated by either the vastness of a problem or the seemingly smallness of our own capacity to make any kind of real difference (or probably both). This assumption reveals the reality our lives: we need God. And the truth is, through Him we can do ALL things! (Philippians 4:13)

Lately I’ve been learning that taking steps of action (meeting needs that seem way too huge to be met) requires the acknowledgment of God’s power and the assumption that He is trustworthy. Do we really believe that God could use us to fix the brokenness in the lives of others, in the world? Do we trust Him enough to risk our time, our money, and even our lives in the pursuit?

The way I see it…. only one thing can get in the way of me living a life that makes an incredible impact for God…. me.

All the talk surrounding Valentine’s Day has got me thinking about love. To feel loved is a great thing, but how easily does that feeling come and go! Our emotions are circumstantial and our circumstances are unpredictable, therefore we cannot depend on a feeling to tell us the truth about love, especially God’s love for us! Some days we feel close to God but let’s face it, other days we just don’t.

In Deuteronomy chapter 7, Moses explains to the people of Israel that God’s love and his choosing is not about their merit, saying…

⁷ The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. ⁸ But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. ⁹ Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

This is so encouraging to me! God’s love is not about a feeling, it’s about a choice! God has chosen to love us and He is committed to loving us. So even when we don’t feel it, we can KNOW that God is faithful and His love for us is unfailing and everlasting! (no flowers or candy necessary).

amen.

With Christmas fast approaching and the year coming to an end, it’s become easier and easier to slip into auto-drive. Life has somehow become a giant race in which my “to-do” lists are now cracking the whip behind me.  But what a foolish way to spend my time!

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by all of the things that I have to do; all of the things cluttering my calendar. But, the truth of the matter is, I’m the creator of those to-do lists and that chaotic calendar. Why not pencil in time to rest, time for friends, time for family, and most importantly time set apart to spend with God?

Unfortunately, for most aspiring academics (or if you’re a realist… poor students), this upcoming “break” includes no real break at all. It’s nothing more than a few weeks to cram in as many hours of work as possible in order to pay for next semester’s books and rent (or if you’re honest… that ticket to Pasadena and your upcoming spring break trip). In any case, taking time to rest is somewhat of a foreign idea to us; it’s just not the culture we live in. But I would encourage you, even in this season of life, to take time away from your busy day-to-day schedules and rest. (I recommend utilizing the well known, but often over-looked: nap. If done correctly, they are gold mines!)

Beyond physical rest, however, I would encourage you to take time to spiritually rejuvenate. Spend time with God and let Him restore you. And when you’re with family and friends be with family and friends. Be present. Value those relationships and the time that you have with them…

Merry Christmas and Happy Napping!

WHO is God?

What is He offering?

Can I REALLY trust Him?

If you have never asked yourself these questions. Ask now.

Growing up in a Christian home, these questions were all answered for me. Really, when it comes down to it, anyone can tell you (1) who God is, (2) what He has to offer, and (3) that you, indeed can trust Him, but let me tell you, there is a difference between understanding and knowing.

I understood what my parents and my pastor and everyone in the church was telling me about God, but I didn’t truly know God or believe that I could trust Him until I sought Him out for myself. I met Him in prayer, I got to know Him through His words written in the Bible, and I found peace in securing a faith that was finally my own.

…having doubts? Got lots of questions? Join the club! We ALL have doubts and struggle with the uncertainties of life, but if you’re serious about knowing God and putting your trust in Him, I would encourage you to face those questions and those doubts head on! Confront them, do research, read God’s word, talk to other Christ followers… talk to God!

If you’re interested, these resources might help get you started…

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis (for the intellectual/thinker type, this one is awesome!)

The Prodigal God by Tim Keller

Christian Beliefs by Wayne Grudem (be advised, this is a dense one!)

Simply Christian by N.T. Wright

The Reason for God by Tim Keller