still breathing

I’ve forgotten how good it feels to have honest discussions about things that really matter. Conversing about thoughts on the heart of Jesus and our genuine desire to pursue Him, but our tendancy to get tripped up by the same things that can produce a lifestyle that doesn’t always reflect that desire. Tonight reminded me that we are meant to be together. We’re meant to talk about what’s on our heart. It can bring so much relief. And reminds me that God knows what He’s doing. I’m grateful for nights like these.
 

Admit you’re ready

To trust in something real

It’s not weak

You’re stronger than you know

When you realize you’re not your own

I must admit, I love learning.
If money wasn’t an issue and I could just come and go as I like, I would stay in college forever. The class part that is. I love how are there so many options. It’s too hard to declare a major because I’m interested in too many things.

You have it in you

Dig deep, find you’re dying

To believe in something true

Leave your world of gray behind

This love is the boldest black and white

You’ll ever find

I’ve been informed that politics is a personal matter and one not to be discussed unless invited to.

Sounds similar to how we approach faith.

Wouldn’t want to offend anybody now would we?

Anyway…call me politically incorrect but I enjoy listening to people’s opinions and views and am quite comfortable talking about mine. To be honest I don’t think it’s an offensive topic, and I’m unsure as to why society makes it out to be something taboo to talk about.

This is my first year voting and it’s pretty exciting.
It’s also pretty draining. Looking back at all the reading and research and conversations I’ve had with people about politics…it’s really exhausting. And I guess that makes sense. The more I learn, the more I realize politics are important to be educated on, but not something to be passionate about.

If I spent half as much time reading the Word instead about each canidate…I wonder how much closer to Jesus I would be.

And if I spent half as much time talking to my friends who don’t know the Lord  [and Josie and David] instead of discussing foreign policies and social welfare, how much closer to Jesus would they be?

I don’t want what you don’t have
I understand your position

You’ve been in it for far too long

And you’re in no condition

For me to leave you this way

You’ve already given so much of yourself away

I won’t demand anything

But give me what’s left of your remains

And I promise my love, I’m a sure thing

He had begun to feel this incredible sense of yearning. An overwhelming feeling of surrender had started to set in.

Surviving wasn’t his purpose. Life produces life. His God had already claimed victory, but so soon had he forgotten.

He began to wonder if he lived victoriously, how different things would be. Victory would allow him to live with passion. Pursue holiness. Believe that there was more. Confidence to live beyond just today. And courage to trust that God knew what He was doing. So many things would change if he could just trust in truth. But the risk scared him. His apathy made him nervous. His insecurities left him unsure. He was unsure if he could get past them. Unsure if they were conquerable. Unsure if God still had a place for him despite him rebellion. Just plain unsure.

He wanted to live to give life until he had nothing left to give.

For all who don’t know, my mom (Josie) is a HUGE Keith Urban fan. She never saw him live until this summer when my brother and I got her tickets to see him in Atlanta. Little did I know that taking her to hear him play live would be the catalyst of her Keith Urban addiction.

Josie and I went to Greenville, SC on Thursday night to see him in concert. I didn’t mind so much because he is one of the few country artists that I can listen to without my ears bleeding from all of the honky tonk. He’s also probably one of the best guitar players I’ve heard.

not to mention he’s quite good looking.

I love live music…but 2 concerts of Keith Urban hasn’t left me screaming for more. Regardless of the fact that I love accents…and his is Australian, I wouldn’t exactly want to go see him again. Josie however doesn’t feel the same. She got tickets to see him AGAIN when he comes to Gwinnett Arena with Carrie Underwood in April. Is there a program for Keith Urban junkies?

All in all it was an interesting experience. It’s kind of fun to watch Josie throw up the rock fist at a country concert…and it makes me happy to see her happy.

So it’s Thanksgiving. Although there are not many things we agree on…I’m very grateful for my family. I’m grateful for how different everyone is.

For dad doing the traditional stand around the table to hold hands and pray, while my brother rolls his eyes.
For my german grandma (Oma) still not able to pronounce my name through her thick accent. (Heda instead of Heather)
For my mom still loving me everyday even though I always have a smart A comment to make to her.
For watching my grown up brother with his obnoxious facial hair play Wii like a little boy and loving it.

I tend to generally spend more time thinking about how things could be different if I changed the way I do life. If I acted this way or was better at this then things would work out better. Too much of this leads me to taking freedom for granted. Sometimes it’s such a struggle to choose to live out of bondage and to choose to be free…because it seems like it should come at a price. Something that I need to accomplish. So I waste all this time forgetting what Jesus did. Momentarily forgetting the magnitude of God’s love that He displayed through Christ and suddenly it becomes cheap. Something that I can just take as I want, and leave it behind when I want. How can I forget to be free?

I’m grateful that the Lord is so patient with me. I wouldn’t blame Him for leaving and just moving on to somebody else.

I’m grateful that He chooses to hold on even when I feel my grip slipping and that He’s constantly reminding me that it’s okay to live without chains. That I don’t have to earn it because it’s been taken care for. This freedom is free.

Be Free.

Heather Davis (Gainesville State ‘08)
It’s also funny how this guy who I know through a friend messages me on facebook and simply says “Hey I heard you’re going to Gainesville.”
Really? Did you hear that? Is that the rumor being passed around, or did you just happen to the paranthesis next to my name that lists what college I am currently attending? Silly goose.

Anyways, in case you were wondering I do actually have more meaningful things than this to spend my energy on. I attended the National Youth Workers Convention in Atlanta today. 
Props to Miss Lindsey Laney for hooking me up with a ticket. I really enjoyed the break-out groups. There was a list of HUNDREDS of breakout sessions that you could attend regarding all topics. The one Lindsey and I chose was Middle School Ministry.

Middle School ministry is preventive. High school is corrective.
They are beginning to really question the things that used to concrete about their faith. As a kid we’re taugh tons of bible stories and think they’re sweet. Once in middle school we want to know the reasoning behind these stories and why things are the way they are. With that said, to have the opportunity to teach and love and invest in kids when they’re 12 year old can establish the foundation for them when bigger pressures and struggles come along later in high school.