What's ahead?

New York City.  

YAY!

"We believe that nothing promotes the peace and health of the city like the spread of faith in the gospel. It renews both individual lives and reweaves the fabric of whole neighborhoods. We believe that nothing moves Christians to humbly serve, live with, and love all the diverse people of the city like the gospel does." - Redeemer Vision

We will be leaving Saturday to go to NYC.  We have a group of 17 going.  

What's on the agenda, you ask?

- Redeemer Presbyterian - hearing Tim Keller speak

- RUF at NYU

- Graffiti Church - working with low income children in backyard bible schools in the East Village

- Hearing from NewSong Church in Harlem

- Hearing from leaders in Redeemer - hearing their vision for the city

- Having fun in this amazing, amazing city!!!

The Lord has been so gracious ot allow me to go on this trip.  It's neat to see how He has put it together.  My prayer is that students would be impacted by the need of the Gospel in the city and the power of the Gospel in the city.  These students will be in the midst of this environment very soon once they graduate, and I want them to see the urgency of God's Kingdom in the city.  I've had a passion and heart for this city for a long time and I look forward to learning more about the ministry there next week.

We leave Saturday morning and return next Thursday... though I am going to stay a couple of extra days to hang out with some students who will be in New York for an art trip.  Pray for safety too!

I can't wait to share with ya'll how things go.

Also... I'm so excited to be able to attend the Gospel Coalition Conference in Chicago in April!  I just wish that I could retain all of the amazing teaching that I am receiving and will be receiving in the next month or so.  

I get to hear from Tim Keller, Matt Chandler, Michael Horton, John Piper, Bryan Chapell, and music from Kevin Twit and Sandra McCracken... just to name a few.  I'm so pumped!  

In the meantime... Kevin is continuing to preach through the gospel of Mark.  It has been really powerful in breaking and shaping students and myself!!  Last night he spoke from Mark 10 about the Rich Young Ruler.  What is he asking us to surrender in order for Him to truly be Lord of our lives?  What is controlling your joy, contentment, and security?  Christ or something else?  

My prayer is that I will lay those things at His feet that control me.  That I will be fully content in who He is.  I should be because this is true...

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.  For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—  to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,  he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ." - Ephesians 1:3-10

Also... we had our 4th meeting for Global Missions Fellowship.  We heard from a student who grew up in Thailand and Guatemala for the majority of her life.  She was especially impacted by the orphanages in Thailand.  Its so amazing to hear about God's work throughout the nations.  I am SO excited to be able to spend time with this group of people who have a deep conviction for the global and persecuted church.  We have spent time in prayer for Christians who are facing much danger because of their faith in the Middle East during this turmultuous time.  Please keep them in your prayers.

And, finally, I am continuing to lead Kappa and Chi O girls in a study through Prodigal God.  I am praying and hoping that this story and the Gospel is tearing down barriers between "elder brothers" and "younger brothers" that can so often formulate in the sorority setting.

As I type out the amazing gifts that God has blessed me with, it's hard for me to admit that I still struggle so much with contentment.  That's why all of this teaching is soooo much for me as well as for the students.  I'm daily struggling with contentment and finding security and identity in Christ alone.  

Thanks for you support and prayers!

my heart shall become your heart.

"Safe?" said Mr. Beaver."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you."


God can't help but be good to us.  But He also says He didn't come to bring peace, but a sword.  What does that look like?  Well, he's going to break us... if He comes into our lives, if we accept Him as Lord, well that means He is Lord of all.  That means He takes over all.  That means the things we want to take hope and security in, He will take away so that we will take hope and security in Him!


I want to be honest with you.  This year has been in one word, humbling.  Humbling: to destroy the power,  independence, or prestige of.   Yep, I'm dependent upon Christ for all things.  I am not to receive glory.


I am surrounded by academia.  Students, here, are not aspiring to be in ministry when they graduate.  Not only that, but I have a leadership role in the midst of it.  Its quite scary.  I have a co-intern who is has a very, very big personality and a boss who is well respected.  Needless to say, I feel small, a lot!  And, well, that's good.  I came into this thing dependent on this verse... "when I came to you brothers,  I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.  For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." - 1 Corinthians 2:1-2.  I came here to proclaim Christ, not for me to be lifted high.  Saying that and living it out are two different things.  Kevin preached on this passage the other night... "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.  For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul." - Mark 8:35-36  This has dwelt on my heart since then!  That's it... taking up your cross daily.  For me, it's ok, Kate... who cares if they aren't praising you.  That's not my reward.  Do I love Jesus for Jesus, or for what He is going to give me?  Well, then that would not be love at all, would it?  So, I choose to serve Him, humbly.  


This all sounded beautiful to me, journaling and praying in a coffee shop in Auburn where people do aspire for ministry, more often.  It was great when my friends hosted fundraisers for me and told me how great of an intern I'd be.  I patted myself on the back as I thought, look at me humbly taking my place as the gospel-proclaimer among college students.  Nope.  Jesus is saying... you don't get it.  It's hard.  It's really, really hard.  You will lose your life.  This isn't happening because you're great, but because I am great.  


But neither is the dissatisfaction that comes when you realize the big pretty house in the fancy neighborhood isn't quite as fulfilling as you thought.  It's not much fun when you are fighting once again with your spouse or when you're on the letdown week you return from an amazing weekend in New York City.  It's not great when you win a national championship trophy and wake up the next day, thinking, that's it?


What's good?  What's hope?  Recognizing that the more you lose of yourself, the more you'll find.  For me thats when I'd rather be by myself for the afternoon but a freshman girl wants to spend the afternoon watching TV in my apartment instead.  It looks like the really tough conversations of how do I get over this temptation to get drunk again, or my future looks really scary!  Or maybe its in the outcast guy shows up at RUF and we get to welcome him.  Maybe its even in being putdown by my fellow workers in RUF.  Its me losing more of myself.  It's hard I tell you, but its worth it.  See, I feel like I'm knowing more of Christ these days... more of why He died.  That's more than enough.  It's a beautiful story, really.  He said, your reward's in heaven.  Maybe our idea of a colonial house with a doctor husband and 3 children isn't always the best thing for us.  (Cause, dang it that might be much harder than what I'm enduring).  Instead, God knows precisely what He wants to make happen according to His will in our lives for His purpose.  That's what we are to live for.  


Today, I am gaining much more confidence in Christ.  I am learning much more of the scripture... cause it's life to me.  I am learning to communicate better.  I am learning to trust God for providing for me.  I am learning not to be dependent on others to fulfill me.  I am learning to be content in my circumstances.  That's good... that's really good... but it comes at the price of losing myself.  


"Give me all of you!!! I don’t want so much of your time, so much of your talents and money, and so much of your work. I want YOU!!! ALL OF YOU!! I have not come to torment or frustrate the natural man or woman, but to KILL IT! No half measures will do. I don’t want to only prune a branch here and a branch there; rather I want the whole tree out! Hand it over to me, the whole outfit, all of your desires, all of your wants and wishes and dreams. Turn them ALL over to me, give yourself to me and I will make of you a new self---in my image. Give me yourself and in exchange I will give you Myself. My will, shall become your will. My heart, shall become your heart." - C.S. Lewis

mockingbird sun.

I'm a little late in posting this, but a few weeks ago we had one of my favorite RUF events, thus far.  We hosted Mockingbird Sun and Rachel Stevener for a private acoustic show for RUF.   Mockingbird Sun is a new up and coming band out of Nashville.  One of the guys from Mockingbird Sun is about to finish up his internship at Vandy.  Rachel Stevener is the former intern from SMU.  So, it was definitely an RUF intern filled music night.  They were awesome and everyone seemed to love them!  Get their EP here.

In the Hours

The truth of the Gospel in the words of this song are lifting up my head tonight.  So glad it was introduced to Wake RUF tonight.  And our worship team did an amazing job with it.

In The Hours

1. In the hours of pain and sorrow,
When the world brings no relief
When the eye is dim and heavy,
And the heart oppressed with grief
While blessings flee, Savior Lord we trust in Thee!
While blessings flee, Savior Lord we trust in Thee!

2. When the snares of death surround us,
Pride, ambition, love of ease
Mammon with her false allurements,
Words that flatter, smiles that please
Then ere we yield, Savior Lord be Thou our shield
Then ere we yield, Savior Lord be Thou our shield

3. When forsaken in distress,
Poor despised and tempest-tossed
With no anchor here to stay us,
Drifting, sail and rudder lost
Then save us Thou, who trod this earth with weary brow
Then save us Thou, who trod this earth with weary brow

4. Thou the hated and forsaken,
Thou the bearer of the cross
Crowned of thorns and mocked and smitten,
Counting earthly gain but loss
When scorned are we, We joy to be the more like Thee
When scorned are we, We joy to be the more like Thee

5. Thou the Father¼s best beloved,
Thou the throned and sceptered King
Who but Thee should we adoring,
All our prayers and praises bring?
So blessed are we, Savior Lord in loving Thee
So blessed are we, Savior Lord in loving Thee

Grace & Works Continued...

Today, Tullian Tchividjian had a wonderful post on his blog in response to an article written on antinomianism, or the negligence of holiness.  Here's a paragraph or two from the article, but here's the link to the whole thing.

"The other way, which I believe is the right and biblical way, is so to startle this restraint-free culture with the gospel of free justification that the functional justifications of human approval, moral performance, sexual indulgence, or big bank accounts begin to lose their vice-like grip on human hearts and their emptiness is exposed in all its fraudulence. It sounds backward, but the path to holiness is through (not beyond) the grace of the gospel, because only undeserved grace can truly melt and transform the heart. The solution to restraint-free immorality is not morality. The solution to immorality is the free grace of God—grace so free that it will be (mis)heard by some as a license to sin with impunity. The route by which the New Testament exhorts radical obedience is not by tempering grace but by driving it home all the more deeply.

Let’s pursue holiness. (Without it we won’t see God: Matt 5:8; Heb 12:14.) And let’s pursue it centrally through enjoying the gospel, the same gospel that got us in and the same gospel that liberates us afresh each day (1 Cor 15:1–2; Gal 2:14; Col 1:23; 2:6). As G. C. Berkouwer wisely remarked, “The heart of sanctification is the life which feeds on justification.”

Faith vs. Works

I have begun reading though Galatians with one of my freshman.  Studying this book this morning shed a lot of light on some things I am wrestling with right now.  

"For freedom Christ has set us free, stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you.  I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.  You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.  For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love...

But, I say walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for hese are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." - Galatians 5:1-6, 16-19

How many times will He have to tell us, do not add works to faith.  You are jusitified by faith alone, and it is His Spirit working inside of you that sanctifies you and helps you in your good works.

"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?  Or am I trying to please man?  If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.  For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel.  For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ." - Galatians 1:10-12

Even our good works are 100% dependent upon Christ.  Meaning, everything is done for Him and through Him.  We are to live for Him, not for man.

The Highlights

Ok, now I'll do your typical year end review& top 10 list.  Its amazing to think that a year ago I probably would not have given Wake Forest a second thought.  I guess it was on my radar at this point... my CM had mentioned it to me.  But, I had done little research.  I knew it was in North Carolina and that one of the former interns was Dave Barnes's brother, but that's about it.  Leave it to me to be concerned with location and people connections.  I knew nothing about its academic strengths, size of school, or sports history.  But, Wake Forest is now engrained in me and I love it, dearly.  I am thankful this is where the Lord chose for me to be this year.  I won't say it hasn't been challenging, it certainly has, but nonetheless priceless.  Here are some of my favorite memories thus far.

1.  Fall Conference - seeing students out of their studious element was wonderful.  I think it was a turning point in the semester, getting to know new people and getting to know others better.

2.  New York City trip - that's all I've got to say.  I love this city and can not wait to go back for our spring break mission trip.  I also loved spending time with Louisa and her family.  There were so many blessings about this trip, I can't really narrow it down.  I haven't shared pictures yet, so I'll do that now.

3.  NEEDTOBREATHE concert at the verrry beginning of the semester.  It was a great intro to Wake.  I was thankful to get to know some people better.... and uber thankful to meet Seth Bolt and Bear Rinehart!

4.  Getting to know these boys.  Its been wonderful albeit challenging... I get to work with two of the most ADD people I've ever met, but it's been a blast.  I've learned a lot from Tease.  Its been wonderful to sit under his teaching and counseling.  (And, this is quite possibly the most unflattering/awkward picture of all of us, but I just found it and thought it was hilarious... and it brings up another memory... Preschool!)

5.  Bowlin' for Soulin'/these freshman girls... I think this list might be a little out of order, because freshman girls should be #1... but, they have been such a blessing to get to know!  Truly, the Lord has gifted our little staff with freshmen eager to get involved in RUF and eager to learn more of the riches of the Gospel.  I look forward to watching them grow in Him.  Oh and, bowlin' for soulin' has been such a blast.  (Which is where this photo was taken hince the combo).  I have increased my score to 100!

6.  Chattanooga Intern hang out/training!  Honestly, one of the best aspects of the internship is getting to know other interns.

7.  Auburn trip!  Ok, maybe this has nothing to do with Wake RUF, but Auburn football has definitely shaped this semester.  And, it was a really great encouragement to return to old RUF friends at Auburn.  And meet up with a few current interns at the same time.  Plus, I got to take one of my students with me and show her where I come from.  She was quite amazed at the difference in Wake and Auburn.

8.  Snow at Wake!  It was truly one of my favorite days at Wake Forest.  Filled with SNOW, friends, and the same day Auburn killed USC in the SEC championship!  One of the days you wish wouldn't end.

9.  My parents' visit.  Again, this feels out of order... should've mentioned earlier.  But, it was a great treat to have them see my new world, drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and visit Mt. Airy.  It was soo good to see my parents.

10.  And all the minute stuff... sitting on Mag Patio, eating in the Pit, watching Glee, walking and coffee dates... I am blessed to have the job I have.  I am so grateful I get to share with others the love of Jesus Christ.

(Just a few more picture highlights from the year)

Ok, one more thing, and I'll be done.  Everything I just said is true, all of those moments were really great and awesome and I'm blessed and thankful for God's goodness.  But, all of that leaves out the hard stuff.  It leaves out the loneliness, and homesickness, the fear of not making any kind of impact, the conflicts, and just plain life isn't fun right now.  Those days were there for sure.  But, as hard as it is to say and believe, I'm thankful for those moments too.  Because like I posted this morning,

"These inward trials I employ, from self and pride to set thee free, and break thy schemes of 

earthly joy, that thou mayest seek thy all in me".  In all of this, I want to know Him more 

and to be broken of my self.  That is what He is doing. I am thankful to look back on the 

things  He has so generously given though, to recognize my that He is working and He is 

aware of my situation.  As He is with yours.  Praise God that He has given purpose to the 

chaos and confusion.  He has given meaning to the good times and to the bad.  Praise God

that He sent His Son for us.  Merry Christmas!!

"And Mary said:

   “My soul glorifies the Lord

 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

 for he has been mindful

   of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—

   holy is his name.

 His mercy extends to those who fear him,

   from generation to generation.

 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

   he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

 He has brought down rulers from their thrones

   but has lifted up the humble.

 He has filled the hungry with good things

   but has sent the rich away empty.

 He has helped his servant Israel,

   remembering to be merciful

 to Abraham and his descendants forever,

   just as he promised our ancestors.” - Luke 1:46-55