AFTERMATH

There is this song by Hillsong United called AFTERMATH. This song has been tugging at my heart for the past month. In fact, it's on repeat in my car. I felt the need to look up what "aftermath" meant.

af·ter·math

   [af-ter-math, ahf-]  

noun

1.

something that results or follows from an event, especially one of a disastrous or unfortunate nature; consequence: theaftermath of war; the aftermath of the flood.

You know even through the affects of an AFTERMATH, GOD IS WITH US! YOU have to KNOW that HE is with you EVERY step of the way. His love will light the way...It's a daily process, don't rush it. Allow the aftermath (results) to happen and lean on Him.


THE GREATER THE BATTLE, THE GREATER THE VICTORY!!!


AFTERMATH by Hillsong United
[Verse 1:]
The skies lay low where You are
On the earth You rest Your feet
Yet the hands that cradle the stars
Are the hands that bled for me
[Chorus 1:]
In a moment of glorious surrender
You were broken for all the world to see
Lifted out of the ashes
I am found in the aftermath
[Verse 2:]
Freedom found in Your scars
In Your grace my life redeemed
For You chose to take the sinner's crown
As You placed Your crown on me
[Chorus 2:]
In that moment of glorious surrender
Was the moment You broke the chains in me
Lifted out of the ashes
I am found in the aftermath
And in that moment You opened up the heavens
To the broken the beggar and the thief
Lifted out of the wreckage
I find hope in the aftermath
[Bridge:]
And I know that You're with me
Yes I know that You're with me here
And I know Your love will light the way
[Chorus 3:]
Now all I have I count it all as loss
But to know You and to carry the cross
Knowing I'm found
In the light of the aftermath

Are you Consumed by the Call?

Consume- to eat or drink especially in great quantity . to engage fully : engross

Synonyms: devour, eat (up)

Antonyms: renew, replace

Everyone has something that they are consumed with. It consumes their time, energy, and resources.

However, are you consumed by the "call?" The call- the plan and purpose that God has designed you for here on this earth. That you are so consumed by it that you are engrossed by it and you just devour, eat (up)? I never want something to replace the call that God has put on the inside of me, instead I want to be consumed by it.  I want to dream, plan, and pursue what He has for me and I won't settle for anything less...and neither will you :) I'm rooting for you!

Consumed by the Call,

Rachel Baldwin :)

 

"Strongholds"

2 Corinthians 10:4 (nlt)
We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds in our lives..

Stronghold- a fortress, tall gates, thick walls, old difficult discouraging challenges...

We have the Word of God, the Bible, (that's our weapon) to fight off the Strongholds in our lives.

-I want to destroy every proud obstacle that keeps me from knowing God more..( 2 Cor 10:5)

After David became king of Israel, he had to face a Stronghold and capture Jerusalem.

Nevertheless, David took the stronghold. The wall was difficult. Voices were discouraging. NEVERTHELESS he went thru in order to get the Breakthrough!

You need a NEVERTHELESS in your story!

Struggling with Pride NEVERTHELESS called to ministry.
Addicted to Drugs NEVERTHELESS great father and spiritual leader.

What's your Nevertheless?

With God's help, I can capture my "Jerusalem" and YOU can too! :)

Here's just a couple things I've been personally learning concerning this... Felt the need to share..
- Quit giving someone else the responsibility of making me happy.
-I can't love people if I don't love myself.
-If I'm critical with myself, I will be even more critical with others.
-If I demand perfection from others..I will get let down every time..NO ONE IS PERFECT- INCLUDING ME! Only JESUS IS!..so look to Him

Have an Awesome Week! You're a conqueror!!!

Fixed or Growth?

Barry told me about this book he was reading about changing your mindset.  The main question in the entire book is- DO YOU HAVE A FIXED MINDSET OR A GROWTH MINDSET?
If I want to continue to grow in every area of my life, I must have a growth mindset!


GROWTH MINDSET:
What once works, might not work.
 I can change the culture.
 I can learn and change my mind on something that I always believed was right and now its WRONG!
Even if it's all up to me- I can make a difference.

FIXED MINDSET:
I want to be comfortable...not uneasy
Why can't things stay the same?
This is how it will always be, can't do anything about it...
Been there, done that...We've tried that already.


I was thinking, whats the reason I become fixed and not growth over time? God began to show me that a lot of times, it's my PRIDE. My way is the right way, the best way, and no one else's opinion is worth listening to. I've done it this way for this long, why change? Why adopt a new way of thinking? Because you think that what your doing now is the RIGHT way! Listening to others opinions and ideas is humbling, especially when you're the one that "created the system." But the question still remains....Do you want to have a FIXED mindset or GROWTH mindset??

God help me have a GROWTH MINDSET!

grOW......

There are so many times in life when we can be so consumed by a problem or situation that is really gets the best of us.  Joyce Meyer said it this way, "your problem is not your problem; it's your attitude towards the problem." This has really been my focus lately...I'm going THROUGH this situation to learn something FROM this situation and I'm not going AROUND this situation to AVOID this situation. (Yeah it's my own confusing quote :) lol! I'd rather learn lessons from the little things in life, before they become Bigger things. I used to give the devil way tooo much credit- well it's the Devil that caused that situation to happen, instead of "Rachel- There is a lesson to be learned! Are you learning it?" I might not understand why things happen but I know this-I would rather His presence around me than my problems around me! If I want God to do amazing things in my life, my family, my church, my school, and in your life--then I have to Grow!! Because His presence is way Better than my problems!!
I'm not quitting, not giving up, and I'm EXPECTING Him to do great and mighty things in my life and YOURS! SO LET'S GROW!!

Dreaming...

If you stop dreaming, you get complacent, and complacency NEVER changes the world. We must understand the "God Gap!"  The "God Gap" keeps us dependent on His ability to do the impossible, when we can't do ANYTHING! That's where God can step in! I want to live my life dreaming! I always want to have More vision than money.  I love being a part of a Church that DREAMS!

WE NEED YOU TO DREAM!

we NEED YoU!

When you are about to give up....

When you are exhausted and worn out....

When everything you do seems to fail....

When you feel like you always fall short ....

DON'T GIVE UP!!!

He see's EVERYTHING!

YOU ARE AT THE BRINK OF YOUR MIRACLE!

WE NEED YOU! EVERYONE NEEDS YOU! GOD NEEDS YOU TO DO YOUR PART FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD!!

It all goes back to...

Loving God and Loving People....

Matthew 22:37-39
New International Version (NIV)
 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]

That is all I'm required to do! That is all God is asking of me! That is all my focus should be! This is a mission statement for our lives! You might say- but the bible tells us to be diligent, selfless, understanding, hardworking...etc Well these are all results of Loving God and Loving People! When I'm compassionate, understanding, selfless---I'm loving God and people, because I'm acting like Christ and loving people around me.

My prayer everyday:Love God, Love People and everything will fall into place in His timing.

Stacking up Prayers like Grandmother...

God has really been showing me lately about the importance of the power of Prayer. As I look back over my life I can see the prayers that my parents, grandparents and others prayed over my life come to pass. I know that because of those prayers, I am in full-time ministry today, doing what I'm called to do. My grandmother was a praying woman, and I have seen the giftings and callings flourish in my brothers and in my cousins lives..I wanna leave a legacy like that! That I prayed so much that it affected generations!!! I want to stack up prayers in heaven like my Grandmother did...

Words sometimes aren't enough...

I was thinking this morning of what God has done in my life, and I began to just thank God for his provision and blessing over my life....Then I thought, sometimes words just aren't enough. It's like the love of a spouse, parent, child...words are just not enough to tell them how much you really love them!
When words aren't enough, you have to Show someone how much you love them. That's what the Father is after, not your words but your actions- Spending Time With Him. Being still in His presence, Worshipping Him, and Reading His word.....that's MORE than enough!

Telling someone how much you love them verses Showing them how much you love them is a big difference!

Thanks God for getting my attention when I get off track :)

Give me Faith

Today in LCA chapel we sang this song by Elevation Worship: "Give Me Faith..to trust what you say"....
What I have been learning about trust is that involves a lot of learning and leaning on God. Sometimes God is teaching you a lesson through the situation you are facing. But sometimes you have done all you can and the only thing that you can continue to do is pray---Well, that requires just Leaning on God and His presence. We won't understand everything, but that's the beauty of TRUST...it must extend past understanding. No comprehension is required, only complete Faith in God is required.

Trust Him Today, Even when you don't understand- that is Trust!!!

How Busy Are You?

-When we over-schedule ourselves in the belief that we can do everything, we stop being human and try to become godlike-not only impossible but also incredibly arrogant.  Most of us are living at a pace that is not only sustainable; it's also unbiblical.

-God will often give you more than you can handle so you can learn to depend on Him rather than on yourself.

-You have enough time to do everything God wants you to do.

-If the devil can't make us really bad, then he'll make us really busy.

-We must discern what God calls us to accomplish rather than mindlessly adding on everything presented to us.

-Make a "To Don't" list!

(From the book: Weird)

A NEW THING!

Last night in band practice, with one of our Sunday Teams, I felt God speak very clearly to my heart..."HE IS DOING A NEW THING!"  Towards the end of our band practice we just began to worship and allow the Holy Spirit to move, and I just kept hearing those words...The cool thing about it was I sensed that He was going to do a New Thing in EVERYTHING! yeah good stuff..bittersweet? you bet! Because that usually means Change and Growth-which is not always easy! But it's all so worth it. If you want Him to do a new thing in your life, you must give Him your everything!
Want a new thing in your relationship with God, marriage, kids, church, relationships, job?---it starts with YOU just allowing Him to take full control of your life (THIS IS WAY EASIER SAID THAN DONE!)

GIVE HIM EVERYTHING, AND HE WILL DO A NEW THING IN EVERYTHING!!!

Defining Moments

At TFC we are wrapping up our Follow Series this Weekend with Water Baptisms. I am beyond excited to see what God is going to do at our services and beyond that. You see, everyone in life at certain times has  a "defining moment." Well, I believe this is one of those moments. However, it won't just be for people that are getting baptized but also for those cheering them on! It's a prime example that we can't do life on our own. There is nothing like celebrating with others in those defining moments!....
Let's be the body of Christ this Sunday and watch God do miracles not only in the lives of those being baptized but everyone in attendance!

I HAVE DECIDED,
Rachel b

The Daily Process...

Have you ever heard people say? "I am so different than I was 10 years ago. "Kids changed my world, I learned how to be unselfish." "I used to be very healthy and athletic, but not anymore!"......
Well, for me personally, I have learned some stuff about the word CHANGE.
You see, growing up I was very messy, unorganized, and never had a schedule. My parents constantly told me to clean my room- Although I rarely ever did! (So when company would come over they would just close the door or clean it themselves. lol!) I was involved in many things in high school so I was always on the go. But honestly, there were always a couple of things that I hated to do- house chores, make my bed, clean my room, and stay organized on a daily basis. I ALWAYS told my Mom, that I couldn't wait to get married because I was hiring a Maid!....yep things do change! God has stretched me in these past three years like never before, and It has been all for the good, of course. You see, last night at 11:30, I was waiting for the towels to be done, cause I like to "stay on top of things." I always want the house clean and in order, I have a supper list for the entire week that I make on Sunday afternoons, I know our entire work schedule for the week and I plan accordingly. I am constantly re-prioritizing, when I get off track. (And I don't even have kids yet!) What has changed? My DAILY process! I asked God to show me how to get better for the rest of my life. I thought it would be a God moment, and the next day I would just be like Super Woman. No-It's a daily and continual Process! I have not arrived, nor will I ever, and I'm not here to brag but share my heart of what God spoke to me last night... "Rachel, my process is a process. It takes time, it's daily, and continual BUT It's life changing!!--that is My process."  I kind of laughed with God last night when He reminded me of how I used to be in this certain area and how I allowed Him to change me. So I must continue- THE DAILY PROCESS- It's NEVER over, but oh so worth it all!

P.S. "People often ask me how I keep my priorities straight in life and I tell them that it is done by constantly straightening them out!"- Joyce Meyer

Love, Rachel

Ephesians 4:2

 BE COMPLETELY HUMBLE, GENTLE; BE PATIENT, BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE...EPH 4:2

-The areas in my life that I consider I'm weakest at are these areas in this verse!  It's amazing when God leads you to a scripture..cause 99% percent of the time, It's not for someone else, but for YOU!
So instead of telling you to be patient, I'm typing this to remind myself --RACHEL, be patient, humble, gentle, and walk in Love!

Because I know that Patience brings an internal calm during an external storm.

Have a Patient Day :)

My Notes from Staff Meeting..

The most important attribute that you can possess as a leader is TRUST.
 -It has to be given to you.
-You have to be trusted as a Leader.

Pre-Requisite for Trust:
SELF CONFIDENCE..it inspires Trust.

1. Be sure of Yourself...be confident in your ability.
2. Be comfortable in your identity.

THREE Things that help Build Trust:
1. SHOW RESPECT...When you make others feels valuable it draws them to you.
2. BE DEPENDABLE...You trust what has been reliable over time.
3. SPEAK TRUTHFULLY.... Don't over promise and under deliver.

-Mean what you say
-Stay close to the truth even when it's uncomfortable
-speak the truth in LOVE.


HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!

POWER!

The past two days this word just seems to come to my mind a lot- POWER!

When I think of POWER....I think of power rangers, my dad's big diesel truck, power chocolate bar, power tools....etc

But God really showed me something about POWER that I never really understood until now. I had heard it before, but to experience it is another thing.

*THE POWER OF PRAYER*
It's stronger than anything else! I can't fix everything- but I can pray- which can cause things to change!
It's more powerful than you and I and my dad's diesel truck.... It can move mountains, alter our future, heal the sick, and cause the lame to walk!  There is Power in Prayer! Yeah now that's POWER right there!!!

So now when I think of power , I just think of Prayer.... Cause I'm talking to the ONE who is the Most Powerful who can do anything!

p.s. One of our TFC Groups at The Family Church this semester is called "the power of a praying wife."
go to www.thefamilychurch.cc for more details..

Taking things for granted..

It's funny how we complain about things we take for granted....
Complain that I have clothes to fold, dishes to put away, a house to clean, fill up gas in my car, wait in one open line at wal-mart....etc

God has been showing me that it's all about PERSPECTIVE...

Rachel at least you have so much clothes that you have to actually set aside time in your day to fold them all!
You have dishes for days...
A beautiful house to clean instead of a shelter being my home..
At least I have a car to fill up gas and money to pay for it..
Yeah the line in Wal-mart is very long..but I am so blessed to buy all these groceries and shop in a nice store with ac!!!

Lord, I don't want to take anything for granted--including your son Jesus!! You have done sooo much for me, that if you never do another thing for me- you've done enough already!!

John 4:23-24

John 4:23-24

New International Version (NIV)

²³ Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. ²⁴ God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

1. The time is NOW! Not tomorrow, not yesterday, but NOW..This is what He is looking for today.
2. Worship in SPIRIT. God is not limited to one place. He is not just present in the church, but His presence is everywhere. Which means, don't just worship Him at church but in spirit (EVERYWHERE AND ALL THE TIME)
3. Worship in TRUTH. God's word (the Bible) is truth. When I read his word, I am worshipping Him in TRUTH- Because I believe His promises are true and not what the world says...

So how can I worship in spirit and in truth the rest of this week?
By talking to God throughout the day, reading His word, and actually believing in His word. 

The more I think about this scripture- the more I realize that's what He looks for all day long! 
This IS your Worship!

P.S. HIS TRUTH- HE THINKS YOU'RE AMAZING!! BELIEVE IT :)