Meditation Monday: What are you clinging to?

Welcome back from Eagle Eyrie, ladies! Today's contributor is Melissa Chenault. Please enjoy what she has to share with us and leave some comments below!

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1).

I saw a YouTube video once about how people catch monkeys in other countries. It’s supposed to be very simple. First, anchor a narrow-mouthed jar down, then place some shiny scrap of metal in the bottom; perhaps used tin foil, an old spoon. You simply wait for a monkey to investigate the trap. It will reach in, extending its arm and hand long a flat to reach the shiny object. Once its fingers brush it, it will curl his hand into a fist around the object. His fist will be too big to remove and he will be trapped. Obviously, the monkey could release the worthless scrap and go free, but it won’t. The monkey won’t ever let it go. Monkeys repeatedly remain and allow themselves to be captured, starve to death or even gnaw off their arms before releasing the bait.

The story makes me think the things in my life that I refused to let go of: the wrong boy, the lie, the body image, the lifestyle. I stubbornly keep my fist clamped shut around that sin, remaining trapped in it. I regret those times when I channeled my determination into something that trapped me in a place distant from God. I challenge you to meditate on what in your life you’re clinging to, what you refuse to give over to God. Turn it over to Him; let him free you from that sin. Do not cling to it, it may seem appealing, it may seem important but really it’s worthless in the eyes of our Lord. Let it go. Go free.

Friendly Friday!

Name: Ar Moehrle

Can I just mention I love the chevron background on this blog? (yes, Ar, you can :) )

Major: Human Development

Favorite thing about cold weather? Ugly sweaters parties in igloos

What have you valued most at VT? That my life is not my own, and my own plans do not prevail. VT was my absolute last choice for colleges—I only agreed to apply because of the food & football (I lost every football lottery freshman year & I now have food allergies). I selected a small liberal arts school in the North with basketball, no Christian ministries, and a social requirement of dressing preppy. When I was picking my roommate, my parents told me I was going to Tech instead. Fun fact: Tech is in the South (yep), a football school, has Christian ministries up the wazoo, and we’re an engineering school. When I got here, I tried to change my major, but God was clear that I had to keep HD. I joined the clubs and ministries that I wanted, but God made it evident that those weren’t where He called me. Sophomore year I tried repetitively to make plans to transfer, and nothing worked. God has clearly put me here, and I find value that His plans win over mine any day.

If you could do anything without the possibility of failure and money wasn't a restraint: what would you do? I would partner with a business-savvy individual to start a benevolence ministry under the non-profit structure of the church. This would entail knocking on businesses doors to receive donations to be distributed to families in need. Through building relationships with those in the community, the Gospel can be shared because though we may meet material need, the most important need is that for salvation.

What is your favorite thing to do to rest and/or relax? Take something & make it anew--like photoshopping pictures; sustainable crafts; remixing music; reconstruction clothing.

Are you reading any books right now? Just finished “Stumbling Toward Faith: My Longing to Heal from the Evil that God Allowed” by Renee Altson

Favorite place to each lunch? Taco Bell.

How has God encouraged you recently? God has been really encouraging relationally these past few weeks. I’m a verbal-processor so talking about what God’s doing in my life helps me process. So, I love listening to people verbally process what God’s doing around and in them. In many of my friendships, I’ve had sisters come to me expecting words (& get mad when I didn’t say exactly what they wanted to hear), but lately God has brought me many situations where I get to sit and listen to how He’s orchestrating someone’s life to bring Him glory. LOVE hearing what’s He’s doing all around us even when we’re not aware of it.

Wordless Wednesday

photo taken by Katy Martin

Meditation Monday: Rebecca Williams - Psalm 139

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My fame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" (Psalm 139:13-16)

I, like so many others, struggle with self-image and worth. It seems sometimes that it is an all-consuming struggle, am I worthy based on the way I look or the way I act, do I do enough, say enough, am I enough? The amazing thing is that we all have worth in God. We are wonderfully made, made in the image of God. I love this verse, He made us wonderful and I know that. I sometimes forget, but I am. My days were written in the book. I have grown a lot lately in realizing that what I do and what I am called to do for God, that is enough. He has given me 24 hours, just like everyone else and He only expects me to use that time for Him.

God has been growing me immensely in this area. Remembering that I am wonderfully made is a daily battle, but one that I am not fighting alone. I am having to learn to see myself as God sees me. I’m also learning that I can’t do everything (I know, seems obvious right?) I am only one person and I only need to do the things God is calling me to do and do them to the best of my abilities. I am not always going to be able to help every person and my efforts aren’t always going to turn out the way I intended them to. Even when I am not enough, He is sufficient and His love is sufficient.

"I am the light..."

Last weekend, something hit me as I walked around enjoying sweet fellowship and taking pictures of the world around me.

I really noticed the way light affects how my pictures turn out. If you’re into photography at all, you have probably found out that lighting affects pretty much every single picture, and your task is to figure out how to work with the light you have in order to make the most beautiful picture possible. This time of year, the light is incredible. The light runs through leafs that are assorted colors: oranges, browns, maroons, and reds and it makes them come alive without the light, they’d be a bit dull, still able to be appreciated, but not as beautiful as they could be. It’s as if they were made for the light, in order to shine all of their glory.

Light does this to people as well, and their eyes and faces especially. When light shines on someone's face and eyes the right way, they light up and reflect that light back to you. The person’s face is illuminated and suddenly they are striking… you notice beautiful features about that person that never quite stood out to you before. There are shadows and the face and the person’s eyes are illuminated. That person was beautiful, but now their beauty is on a showcase for everyone to see.

What I find most intriguing about everything I have said thus far is that in John, Jesus claims to be light.

John 8:12 - Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Jesus is the light that illuminates our faces and fills our eyes with brightness and color. He is the one that gives life and makes things beautiful. And then, naturally, we reflect it.

“You make beautiful things… out of us.” - Gungor

Friendly Friday!

Meet the great Caity Edwards! Check out her Eagle Eyrie video if you haven't yet!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCgOpaT_MXU

Name: Caity Edwards

Major: English with a theatre minor

Favorite thing about winter? Snow!

What have you valued most at VT? As cheesy as it sounds, probably the BCM. Most of the people in my core group of friends in high school were nonbelievers, and I didn't really notice it until I came to Tech and that changed. I love being able to talk about my walk with my roommates, most of whom I met through the BCM. My Bible Study families have been incredible all three years. Last year, I was heavily involved with two large theatre productions that had rehearsal every night from 6-10, so I missed out on a large part of the BCM. The lack of accountability and fellowship was evident in my walk. As much as I love theatre, I've very glad I chose to take at least a semester off so I could plug back into this amazing ministry.

If you could do anything without the possibility of failure and money wasn't a restraint: what would you do? Be a Broadway star...oh wait, you didn't say, "if lack of talent wasn't a restraint." My bad. As of now, I would absolutely love to be a theatre teacher at a middle school with a fairly nice budget. I have this dream of creating a spectacular theatre department composed of awkward teenagers. We'd have complex musical numbers from hip shows like "Bye, Bye, Birdie" or "Grease." Theatre was and continues to be a huge part of my life. In high school, a lot of students find it as the one place where they belong. I not only want to create that sort of feeling in a middle school, where the sense of belonging is even more important, but also spark a passion for theatre in younger students. Also, I'd get to hang out with middle schooler all day, and you can't really beat that.

What is your favorite thing to do to rest and/or relax? As an English major, you'd probably peg me as a book reader, but you'd be wrong. Don't get me wrong, I do love spending hours in a good book, but I'm way more into watching movies. I geek out over interesting camera angles or costuming choices. I am also known for playing an inordinate amount of video games. I'm pretty beast at this game "Dr. Mario" that was made for the original Nintendo back in 1990. I'm always up for a round or ten if anyone wants to join me.

Are you reading any books right now? I just finished the Hunger Games Series. It was fantastic, but I don't suggest it unless you have time to read three books over the course of a week and a half. Literally every person I know who has read them could not put them down, and my grades for that time period definitely slipped a bit. haha

Favorite place to each lunch? If you're talking on campus, I guess West End and taking it outside on a nice day. Off campus, I really like Gillies, but I swear, I'm not a hipster.

How has God encouraged you recently? I've been really struggling recently with what to do after I graduate. God has placed a passion for young people on my heart, and I've done two internships through churches and two through the local high school. Since second grade, I've wanted to be a teacher. But over the last year the possibility of youth ministry as my career has become more and more of a possibility. I met with Lindsay Skipper to discuss this some on Monday. It was brilliant, because even though I'm not really any closer to deciding if I go to grad school for education or seminary for youth ministry, I'm way more at peace with the issue. She was just so encouraging. I know God will have me where He wants me, so I shouldn't stress over it. (And neither should anyone reading this blog! haha)

Chocolate or Salad?

As I savored what was left of my ice cream last night (by the way if you haven't tried Graeter's Black Raspberry Chip you have to get to Kroger this instant) I was reminded of something I read a few years ago. In Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller, Donald is having a conversation with a friend about reading the bible and his friend says "The Bible is so good with chocolate. I always thought the Bible was more of a salad thing, you know, but it isn't. It is a chocolate thing." It made me think, do I crave God's word like I crave chocolate? Or do I read His word because I know I should? Just like I know I should eat a salad, even though I'd much rather have ice cream for lunch. My prayer for us all is that Psalm 119 would become the cry of our hearts!

Meditation Monday - coming soon!

Hi, everyone! Next week we'll be launching "Meditation Monday". We'll have BCM women submit their reflections on a verse or passage from the Bible, a book they're reading, a sermon they've heard, or anything else to encourage us with what they're learning and enjoying about God. Please comment below if you know you're going to want to be a part of this at some point this school year.

Friendly Friday!

Hey Ladies -

Thanks for hanging in there with us, we're still trying to figure out how the blog is going to work, what will be featured on it and which days. Also, April has been sick this week so be lifting her up in prayer as she prepares for a fun weekend, hopefully all better!

In the mean time, we have a new featured lady for this week, and it is my pleasure to introduce you to Krysten!

Name: Krysten Marshall

Major: I'm currently in University Studies, but I'm looking to switch into Apparel, Housing and Resource Management. (Maybe.)

Favorite hot drink & why? Chai tea from Deet's. It tastes like Christmas in a cup and Deet's has the best!

Why did you choose VT? I chose Virginia Tech on a whim. I decided one day that it would be my first choice of the schools I applied to, but I began the semester with no idea what I wanted to pursue for a career. I knew the campus was beautiful, the people were friendly, it had great educational opportunities and Hokie football was amazing. That was all I needed to know!

If you could do anything without the possibility of failure and money wasn't a restraint: what would you do? If I could do anything, I would run a marathon. I ran the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon in May 2011 and I'm definitely planning on doing at least one full marathon before I graduate from Tech.

What is your favorite thing to do to rest and/or relax? This just might make me a total weirdo, but I enjoy cleaning to relax. I'm a very organized person, so it gives me a very nice settling feeling to know things in my room are clean and organized.

Are you reading any books right now? Adjusting to college has left me up to my neck in textbooks and novels for future essays. However, I have "Heaven is For Real" about 10% completed on my Kindle and I'm anxious to continue that when I find the time.

How has God encouraged you recently? God has really encouraged me by bringing me to the BCM. I started school here with very few good friends. After being surrounded by so many non-Christians in my dorm, I felt like it'd be difficult to find a group of people in which I'd fit in. Since attending 6:33 and bible studies with my Brown family at the BCM and going to NLCF Sunday services in Squires, I've really felt God working in my heart and bringing wonderful people into my life. I'm very thankful! :)

And the winner is....

Grace said...

I love everything that's already been said here, haha. This is such a fantastic idea! I love to write and this sounds like a great place to share what God has on our hearts. :)

Congratulations Grace! See me next time you're around BCM for your free book. I hope you like the book as much I did!

Friendly Friday

Chelsea, our BCM president, is kicking off our Friendly Friday series! Every Friday we'll meet a different woman from our BCM community so check your inbox frequently because you might be next :).

Name: Chelsea

Major: Communications: Electronic/Print Journalism, Psychology

Favorite Movie: I'm not a huge fan of picking favorites; but I usually like anything that is eclectic, funny, or scary.

What do you like most about VT? There are many things that I love and enjoy about Virginia Tech... but I think the one thing that makes me praise God the most is the beauty. This campus is one of the most beautiful campuses that I have ever seen, the buildings, the air, the flowers, the people - everything about this place is extraordinarily beautiful. My favorite thing to do (when I ever have free time) is to just walk around outside on campus and take photos of beautiful things.

If you could do anything without the possibility of failure and money wasn't a restraint: what would you do? I would take a year or two off and I would travel throughout the world, photograph beautiful things, experience all sorts of cultures and help wherever I was needed.

Are you reading any books right now? I just finished an amazing book actually, but right now I recently checked out the "spiritual disciplines handbook" from the VT library and I am trying to work that into my relationship with God at the moment, and also trying to finish The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis.

How has God encouraged you recently? God encouraged me this weekend despite my self-pity in my sickness. I was sitting alone at home on Friday night, and God came to me and He revealed some things about me and how I was relating to Him about the future. God reminded me that at this moment in time, He has me in a place where I need to seek the face of Jesus, to listen to Him and enjoy His comfort. That I am in a place right now to slow down and listen to my Jesus speak words of love toward me, and not to worry about what I am going to do when I am graduated. So, I did just that, and God poured out His love on me :)

Welcome and a little giveaway!

We're so glad you decided to visit. Our hope is that this blog will be another space for discussion and connection among the women at BCM. Each week you'll see 2-3 new posts, some content may change but each week we'll definitely have an interview with a different woman involved in BCM and hear about what God is teaching us through bible study, 6:33, or personal study. We're looking for writers or people who like to write (even if you wouldn't give yourself the official title author) to help with these reflections. If you're interested please leave a comment below. If you have any topic suggestions feel free to leave those too. We'd love to hear any feedback you have.!

To get this thing up and running we're going to start off with a book giveaway. To win a copy of So Long Insecurity by Beth Moore 1) Become a follower of the blog and 2) Leave a comment with your name and your answer to the "What's your favorite thing about Fall?" poll. The drawing will close Friday at midnight so get those entries in now. We'll announce the winner next Monday!