Only one thing is needed

Luke 10:41-42

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” NIV

In this wonderful season of hustle and bustle in the streets

Glitz and glamour in store windows

Excitement and and relief of FINALLY graduating college

Stress and nerves of finding a job

Uncertainty and change of ending one chapter while starting a new one

I have chosen these words that Jesus spoke to Martha as a daily reminder that no matter what distractions or worries come my way only one thing is needed.  To sit at the feet of Jesus and simply take in His presence. 

As we are all in a busy season in life, let’s not forget the one and only thing that is needed.  Jesus, take our focus off the distractions and bring it back to you. 

Season of Thanks

 

What’s better than walking into a home filled with the scents of pumpkin bread just out of the oven, Dad’s warm, welcoming hug (in the driveway because he never does wait till we make it inside),  Mom’s laughter bouncing of the walls, the unconditional friendship of a big sister, or the pitter patter of 15 year old doggy paws on the hardwood floor? 

I am blessed and thankful to be a part of an amazing family.  I am even more thankful to be a daughter of a King and the sister of a Savior.  The grace and mercy the Lord has shown in my life and my family’s life is the only reason we are where we are today.  He is a redeemer and a healer. 

For that I am thankful beyond words.   

Thank you Jesus!

After My Hiatus

Hello again blog world! Its been a while. 

We have had a great summer. 

The run down: 

Kurt got a new job at Echols Middle School.  We will miss our friends at Hillcrest middle but are very excited about this new adventure. 

We have been quiet the traveling duo this summer which has made for a fun and relaxing break.  A couple trips to the beach, my best friends wedding, and threw the lake and a canoe trip somewhere inbetween.

I did a girls bible study on Unity with quiet possilbly the best girls ever!  God did some big things in that little room. 

And finally, this July started my last class ever at The University of Alabama! There are only three days left.  Hard to believe.  It is a creative writing class and has been the most fun!

Hopefully more creative thoughts to come.  Glad to be back. 
 

When you give God a dream…

He gives you

Foundation.    

Support.

 

Strength.

Beautifully Orchestrated Masterpiece.

Building a house in a week was the challenge.  Ms. Mattie was the reason.  College students and adults from vastly different careers and majors came together for one goal above all others.  Spreading God’s glory and love. 

I was reminded last week that God’s glory and love cannot be spread by the mere individual.  It takes painters, screwdrivers, sawers, wood cutters, wood carriers, yard workers, house cleaners, decorators, food providers, drink providers, errand runners, water drainers, roofers, tile(ers), tile cutters, tile carriers, wheelchair ramp builders, landscapers, and So MANY MORE!     

It takes a community of individuals coming together to unselfishly contribute whatever they can for the cause of Christ.  Whether it is carrying wood or picking up scraps, when it is added and multiplied through Christ the masses will be fed, blind will see, deaf will hear, and houses will be built in a week! : )     

To God Be The Glory!

Blitz Build Spring Break 2011

James 1:27

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. 

When I think of what a group of college students and so many adult helpers are doing during this week of Spring Break, that is the first thing that pops into my head.  College students, choosing to pay money,and spend their whole week getting up at the crack of dawn to go build a new house for a widow in need.  

Miss Mattie is a sweet friend that we have made by visiting her home and having the privilege of sitting and talking with her.  She is confined to a wheel chair and her house is in no shape for living in.  This video says it all in the dryly humorous way that only Duane Dixon is capable of : )

Duane had the vision for building this house.  Despite his history as a contractor, there are many concerns for a project of this magnitude.  He did not shy away at the cost, time constraints, or needed resources.  He knows our God is bigger than all of those things.  He and a team of skilled men put the walls together in a “bus barn” outside our church.  Foundation has been laid and the house is ready to go up.  A team of college students from the surrounding area and Montgomery have assembled to be a part of the Blitz build team.     

Tomorrow at 6:30 am the fun will begin!  If the God of the universe created the world in seven days (yes, while the length of those days may be up for debate) surely, through his power we can put a house together in five!

Updates to come…

To God be the Glory!

Revelations and Goodbyes

 

It was a weirdly emotional weekend in the Prater household. 

I have been trying to think through and wrestle with some really compelling and life changing lessons/ revelations of life, love, and godliness that have come to me lately through different venues.  I have had that feeling that God is trying to tell me something big.  Unfortunately, he never tells things all at once, it is always this big long process of learning and growing and yada yada yada : )

Me, being the inpatient one with a slightly obsessive personality would NOT let it go. 

Bless Kurt’s heart. 

I am an English major.  All I do all day every day is read, than discuss. How do I feel about that novel or what do I think about the point the author is trying to get across?  Therefore, in order to think and process information I have been conditioned to discuss, question, and discuss some more.

Come to find out my man, a physical education major, is wired entirely differently. 

Me: “Hey baby, what do you think about what David Platt is saying in this chapter of Radical?”    

Kurt: “Um, its good.”

Me: “What do you like about it?”

Kurt: “I dunno, I just like it.”

I also learned the other day from a friend about men and their “nothing box.”  They can literally think about nothing.  I cannot even comprehend that!

These differences in communication are in no way a bad thing!  I love Kurt for his simplicity and content nature.  It just amazes me how differently we can be!  

It, however, does pose a problem at times like this weekend when I am trying to process information.  This made for some fun, “heated discussions” about communication.  : ) Now,  I finally think we are making progress with understanding both sides.  We need each others differences to balance us out.  Yes Kurt needs to let me in on a little bit of his feelings so I don’t go completely crazy, but more than that I need to take a cue from him.  I need to just be still, trust God, and stop trying so hard. 

Also, this weekend our sweet friends Logan and Lindsey, have made a decision to follow God’s calling for them in a different city and state.  We could not be happier for them, but it finally became real as they made the official announcement to the church this morning. I was a mess.  But I eagerly look forward to watching how God works through their family to bring his kingdom to earth and set the oppressed free!     

After this weird emotional but wonderful weekend I am thankful for:

• God’s perfect plans and timing
• A sweet patient husband
• Deep talk time
• Our differences of personality that keep us on our toes
• Eternal soul friendships that God has blessed our life with  
• Friends that are open and willing to go where God calls, even if it is hard
• Getting to watch God work powerfully in the body of the Church

Haunted

 

This picture was posted on Tesney's blog the other day.  I have been haunted ever since.  Look at it closely.  Let it break through the barriers of your calloused heart like only a picture can. 

What if she was your daughter, your sister, your grand-daughter?

 

Through the blood of Christ,

She is

 

 

I, of 22 years,

Know, no emptiness

Know, no drought

Know, no famine

Know only excess and waste

 

You,

Precious innocent child,

Know only emptiness

Know only drought 

Know only famine

Only the slow pain of life decaying from the inside out. 

 

My biggest problems are not studying for a  test

Yours are life and death

 

“Let the little children come unto me”

Jesus was not too busy

WHY ARE WE?

 

My stomach is full

My pantry is full

My house is full

My life is full

But, the vulture is waiting

He knows my soul is empty and decaying

 

Have mercy on me Father.  Rescue me from a life of meaninglessness: where starving decaying children are cast aside and looked over, for the comforts of our “American Dream”  Align my heart with yours; fill my starving decaying soul with your nourishing perfect Spirit.