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Posted in Life
by Emily Halls
on 5/12/2008
 "Cuz you're my, you're my, my true love, my whole heart
Please don't throw that away
Cuz I'm here for you
Please don't walk away,
Please tell me you'll stay, stay
I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all"
Guardian Angel by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
I have no idea where my life is headed, but you know what I am okay with that fact. I have never been one to embrace the unknown, in fact I have always kind of avoided it. Maybe it has to do with my OCD/control freak tendecies, but I won't excuse myself based on my personality. I feel like I have made giant leaps this year, God has blessed me with a spirit of peace that only he could provide. I look at the bright side, no longer quiver in the dark. I think of my life as a uncharted map ready for adventure, not that I need to have every detail arranged. Caleb, my teamate, had to leave tongiht to go home due to sickness. While it is sad for him to leave, I will not let Satan get me down. God has a plan for him and everything will work out in due time. I don't need to know God's plans, I don't need to have a map. I just take God's hand and go on this walk called life. It is so much more peaceful, I feel better (both spiritually and physically). I honestly belief everything will work out, I definitely could not say that a year and a half ago, but everything will work out. Keep holding on, keep faith, things will turn around, God will give you a glimpse of him and it will be more beautiful then you could have every imagined. I will leave you with my new favorite verse, "So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs." Heb. 12:12 Sacrifce is a part of life, and uncertainty makes us stronger.
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Posted in Life
by Emily Halls
on 5/3/2008
I have a habit, well actually I have tons of habits but I want to share with you about one habit. When I'm reading a book and I find a quote I like I write it in the back of my journal. So, this week I was taking the time to write the quotes from one of my favorite books into my journal and I came across that spoke to me so truly about our culture.
I feel that people are always looking to please people, whether consciously or subconsciously. We want people to like us, we want to feel accepted. We live our lives in a fashion that they are never truly ours but mere vessels to get approval and acceptance.
"Here are some signs that I am failing to take responsibility for my own life:
- I am overly eager to please. I find myself looking for others to validate my choices.
- I can't decide. I lack clarity on what it is that I truly think is right or good or even enjoyable. I waver and hesitate to commit.
- I am anxious. A little criticism from the wrong source leaves me feeling defeated.
- I lack integrity. Instead of freely saying what I believe, I calculate and adjust my words to fit more closely with what I think the other person wants to hear. "
From Love Beyond Reason by John Ortberg pg. # 82
I think if you look closely at that list and think about your own life there are ways that we all aren't living our own lives. So, what is the key to living our own life? How do we do that? What steps do we take to make that happen?
 Well . . .
We live our lives with Jesus in our sights. We keep our eyes locked on him. When we are in a situation, when we have to make a choice, we need to think (I know this is cliche) but how would Jesus react? What would he want me to do in this situation? What is the best way I can respond to bring glory to God?
I think the key to living your own life is to figure out why you are on this earth. If you are on this earth just to be rich and happy, then forget what I said. But if you know there is more to this life then meaningless dawdling, then take this to heart. Look deep inside and see, How am I not living my own life? How am I living this life for only me? And ask the one who is supposed to be your focus how to change.
I want to be clear. My life is Jesus'. My life is not my own but God's. I just thought that I should write this blog, because I feel that this is a big issue in the Church.
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Posted in General Articles
by Emily Halls
on 4/22/2008
 "What is the work of God? It is simply to see what Jesus would see if he were looking through my eyes, and respond as he would respond."
"The main place you do the work of God is as you go along. It doesn't have to be in high-profile, important positions. It will happen, if it happens at all, in the routine, unspectacular corners of your life. As you go along."
I had a friend last year who constantly drilled it in us that the great commission (Matt. 16:14-18) said in your going preach the good news. So, GO unto your world. In your
routine, in your every day, see those divine appointments and take that step of faith. Be courageous and trust that God will give you the words to say.
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Posted in General Articles
by Emily Halls
on 4/18/2008
 I read a blog recently from Mary Kate Martin. She recently shaved her hair for St. Baldricks, which raises money for the Cancer Foundation. She wrote about it changed her whole outlook on beauty and self-image.
So . . . 
I have decided that if I get $2,500 in my support account (in pledges and gifts) by June 10th, then I will shave my head. While I LOVE my hair I feel like this would be a good opportunity to grow and stretch myself and become a better person. I think this will help me rely on God and trust in him even more. Plus, I think it will show me my identity in Christ and how God sees me as beautiful.
To support me click on the link in my Main Menu that says "Support Me!."
My Beautiful Hair
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Posted in My Day
by Em Halls
on 4/15/2008
So, I officially have 14 minutes till I have to leave for work but I just felt like I really needed to put something up today. I found a verse that really hits me where I am at it is Psalms 56:3-4 "When I am afraid I will put my trust in You my God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall NOT be afraid. What can mere men do to me?
What can mere men do to me? On the roller coaster, a ton mere men can dictate my emotion and my life when I live by emotion. But when I live in the spirit? Men can do nothing to me. I was told last night that the key to staying off the roller coaster is having that daily God time. I personally believe that God time can look like almost anything, but I think what is key to living in the spirit is spending some time every morning giving your day and agenda to God and praying through your schedule with God. I know that it helps me keep my mind where it needs to be.
Another wonderful key is to give yourself little reminders. In small group we made these post-it notes of verses of encouragement to post around our apartment. So, now wherever we go in our apartment we are reminded of why we are here.
I am just trying to live day to day, in the spirit and not on the roller coaster.
Em
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Posted in My Day
by Emily Halls
on 4/10/2008
 This last couple of days have been very eye-opening. We spent a night with the World Racers who are in training for going out in July. They were out in Unicoi State Park camping. We spent Wednesday night out with them, and stayed in their squirrel's nests. After work we headed over and got there after dinner. We looked around a little and took some pictures, then headed back for their worship/surrender time.
I learned about living in the Spirit. How in Romans 6, 7 & 8 it talks about dieing to sin & the law. We no longer live by our flesh or a set of rules, but then where does that leave us? Well in Romans 8 it talks about living in the spirit. When we are in tune with the Spirit we do what we are supposed to do, and that is how we get the abundant life that Jesus talks about.
I have also been learning about community, laying all your junk and problems at the feet of the people you trust and that love you. Then, proclaiming forgiveness for them and accepting your identity in Christ.
I know this probably doesn't make any sense. But this is it. I also just got back from a wonderful vacation back home in Nebraska. I was back April 1st - April 8th. During that time I got to hug my nephew Aiden and attend my teammate from my Engand FYM Stephanie.
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Posted in Life
by Em Halls
on 3/19/2008
 My team! It astounds me to think that 6 completely different people from completely different backgrounds and I don't care what you say guys, but most of us would not be friends or even talk to each other if not for God's divine will. God wanted us all here, isn't that amazing! God handpicked my roommates and friends. If I would have thought of it I would have prayed fervently for these wonderful people before I came, but of course my flurried mind did not think about it.
I'm not the type of person who makes friends easily or really gets to know everyone. It is just not in my nature, no matter how much I wish it was I know that I am (in the true sense of the word) an introvert. I don't really like to get to know strangers. I would rather know one person really well then fifty people kind of well. I'm not sure what God was thinking calling a person like me to (at least a season) of missions work, but don't doubt God. So when he said jump, I jumped. So, here I am in Gainesville, GA with probably yet another year of missions work ahead of me. Yet another year of just following what God wants me to do and just following his course.
I just want to do what God's will is, whatever that may be. I am willing to die for Christ but I am willing to do the even harder things living for him. I will let my actions speak louder than my words. I will preach the gospel and if necessary use words. I will listen to what other people have to say and try and look past what they are saying to what they are meaning and the pain and struggle behind those words. I will try not to complain and try to get past this darn old flesh of mine the point that this life is not about me, it's about them, whoever that them might be.
This was not the blog that I was going to write, I was going to write about my trip to NYC and I will, trust me to much happened not to pen it away. But for now this on my heart so I will share with you my pursuit of God and prayers of what my life looks like. It could be college a job, it could be missions, it could be a carnival worker for all I know, but I trust and I know that what God has for me is best and hope that I will follow the course that God has set out for me. I hope you wish the same.
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Posted in Life
by Emily Halls
on 3/9/2008
I've had such an amazing weekend. All the Interns lead a Retreat called Discipleship Now. Discipleship Now is different from other retreats because the youth don't go away. Church Members volunteer to host certain groups of the youth in their homes. Ashley King & I lead the High School Girls. There was 7 of them.
 King & I were supposed to do 5 sessions with the girl's but only got around to doing 3. We spent a lot of time just getting to know the girls, all the girls attend the youth group pretty regularly so it was more deepening the relationship.
The thing I really want to write about is on Saturday night after a session on how much God love's us. The speaker came up and spoke to our girls and said that the lie that Satan uses the most is "That we are the only one struggling with (whatever we are going through)." So, we took the example that Driver gave us a couple of Monday nights ago where we prayed for each other. We asked the girls to open up and share their what they are struggling with, with us and their friends. King & I went first, to show them that we were struggling as well.
 The girls really opened up and shared things that they were struggling with. This morning there was a rap-up and one of the girls said that "I found out something about my best friend that I never knew."
Now, I absolutely love those girls. Last night hearing them say what they are struggling with, and going through and seeing the tear fall down there face just broke my heart. I cried for them, with them, more than once. I am really looking forward to getting to know these girls better. I think that they really trust us, and that we learned as much from them as they did from us.
I am actually, now, very sad to go to New York City this weekend because I will not get to see these wonderful girls on Sunday Morning at church.
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Posted in Postsecret Blogs
by Em Halls
on 3/6/2008
 I read blogs and this week I was reading a blog and became rather upset when on one of the blogs she was basically dissing her supporters.
I have realized that I do not thank you enough for everything you do for me. I could not be on the field and doing ministry without you. You ministry through me and you empower me to minister. I want to thank all who read my blog (and I thank even more those that encourage me by commenting.) Your prayers are my energy and would be paralyzed without the showering of prayers I know I receive daily.
Thank you for encouraging me and for supporting me, especially with prayer (and I guess financially too, LOL). No seriously, I am thankful for anyway that you support me.
This Weekend, The Interns are helping to lead a retreat. It's called Discipleship Now. Basically, instead of going away the kids divide up and go to church member's homes. King and I are responsible for the High School Girl's House. We are leading 5 sessions and spending Friday night to Sunday morning with the girls (basically a weekend without sleep). Our goal this weekend is to strength the girl's relationship with God and us. I think this will be a great weekend to build on the relationship I have already started with these girls. There will be 9 girls there, and we know all of them from Sunday school and Wednesday night youth group. Please pray for this weekend and things will go smooth and that King & I will have the right things to say to lead these girls closer to the Lord.
Never take for granted what you do! Just talking to someone might make their day!
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Posted in Ponderings
by Emily Halls
on 3/2/2008
"Take your hesitance, and your self defense,
leave them behind, it's only life,
don't be so afraid of facing every day,
just take your time, it's only life, " It's Only Life by Kate Voegele It's only life, this life that  we are in is only a portion of who we are. This life is nothing to worry about or stress over. Why am I hesitant or worried about what others think of me? Why do I care about what happens to me here on earth? Why am I scarred of death? Why can't I let go of my need to be in control? I think my problem is I don't trust God like I should. I don't trust God with my life. I have trusted God with my life, in the area of what I do and where I am, but I don't trust God with whether I am alive. I don't think I will ever be to the point where I won't have to struggle about trusting God, but I can keep striving to be at that point. I am giving up my hesitance to do what I know the Lord wants me to do. I'm giving u my self defense, I don't need to care what others think of me. I will think of how I can make a situation better, not how I can get something out of this situation. I wanted to give you a little update on my support. It turns out that the New York trip will not cost anything extra than my trip cost. So all I need is $694.10 .
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