Numbers and Direction

Lately, I have been reevaluating what God wants from me and where He wants me to be. It seems like I do this every 6 months or so - kind of check back and see if I am supposed to still be here in Brownwood. While my time here has been great, I am always nervous that I am going to grow complacent and miss another opportunity that the Lord has for me somewhere else.

At the same time, I have been trying to read through the Bible - all the way through the Bible. This has been a goal for a long time, and it seems like every year I start over in Genesis and about midway through Exodus I just give up again. Well, this year I have been more persistent than ever before - although it has taken me a long time, I am in the middle of Numbers right now. I know that's not very far - I still have a long way to go, but at least I'm still working at it! Maybe five years from now I'll reach Revelation, and maybe I'll need to be reading Revelation at that time in my life.

I have always wondered about Old Testament books like Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, etc. While I know that they are history books and are important enough to be in the Bible, so many times I have questioned their relevance to my personal life. There's a little background for you - back to Numbers.

The other night I was reading in chapter 9 about how the Israelites were being led by God with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. When the cloud moved, they did - whether it was in the middle of the day or the middle of the night. Sometimes they stayed put for a while, other times they were moving a lot. In verse 23 it says, "At the Lord's command they encamped, and at the Lord's command they set out. They obeyed the Lord's orders in accordance with his command through Moses."

I was really struck by how obedient they were. When God said go, they went. When he said stay, they stayed. How I wish that I was that obedient and in tune with the Lord's direciton for my life! I was reading the commentary on that verse in my Bible and was really struck by what it said. "When you follow God's guidance, you know you are where God wants you, whether you are moving or staying in one place. You are physically somewhere right now. Instead of praying, "God, what do you want me to do next?" ask, "God, what do you want me to do while I am here?" Direction from God is not just for your next big move. He has a purpose in placing you where you are right now."

Wow! That was exactly what I needed to hear. God is so amazing! He spoke to me through the book of Numbers - how awesome is that? The physical place I am at right now is Brownwood - so I need to be seeking what God wants me to do while I am here. God's plan is so much better than anything I could ever come up with. His timing is perfect and He is in control. I think I need to be reminded of all of these truths everyday. God is so good and He is so patient with me as I learn.

Desert Song

"All of my life, in every season
You are still God,
I have a reason to sing,
I have a reason to worship"

So lately, I have really been loving Hillsong's "Desert Song." Not because I'm living in a literal desert (although it feels like it - with all this 100 degree heat) or even a figurative one. Just because the words are so refreshing and such a great reminder of my Lord and how He loves me! I really love the part that I quoted above. It is so true that in every season of my life, God has remained the same and that in and of itself is a reason to sing and worship.

I have so much to be thankful for in my life! I have been blessed beyond measure and all I have to do is look down the street to be reminded of God's mercies. I was walking past the bell towers today at HPU, and if you've ever been on campus, you know that they are an icon. I was flooded with memories of my time as a student here, and the last three years on staff. God has placed so many amazing people in my path during my time here and each person has had such a wonderful impact on my life. I am so thankful that I have found a home here at HPU. I was sharing with someone the other day about how, since Dad is a pastor, we moved a lot when I was growing up and I have a hard time really telling people where my "home" is - basically it's always been where my family was living at the time. But stating a literal physical place has always been hard for me. I can never really answer the question "where are you from?" very easily. But God has given me a home here in Brownwood. Amazingly, I have lived here longer than any other place in my life. Living here has been so wonderful, because I have been able to put down roots and I feel like I have really be able to grow into who the Lord wants me to be. I still have a long way to go, but at least I'm making some progress - I think. :)

This may be a bunch of rambling and you are probably asking yourself what all of this has to do with the song that I started out talking about. All that to say - I serve a God who is always going to be God and that is a reason to sing today!

Home on the Range

I spent my past weekend "home on the range" here in Brownwood, but I had a wonderful treat - my sister Lorin and her best friend Cristal came in to visit. Lorin drove up from Galveston (about 6 hours) and Cristal came down from Canyon (about 5 hours) and I got to stay right here in the middle and welcome them.

We had such a great time catching up! Steve's, the Runaway Train, movies, talking... what more could you ask for? Lor did end up getting a flat tire, but Brittany and her boyfriend Jonthan vallantly came to our aid and changed it for us. Lorin even got to stay on until Monday, so we had a fun sister day, just hanging out at my apt.

For the past four years, the three of us have had weekly dinners together and lots of hang out time and I am really going to miss having them around this fall!

Cristal brought my old bed and dresser down with her, so my bedroom is shaping up! For the first time in seven years, I actually have a fullsize bed! I'm having fun looking for a new comforter and figuring out how I want to arrange my bedroom. This has been the area of my apt that I have just not focused on for the past three years - now it's finally getting my attention. Hopefully I can find some fun things to put in there to make it cute.

Also, my little sister Jamie moved into college today! I just can't believe it! She's starting her freshman year at DBU and it feels like just yesterday I was a little freshman here at HPU. Seven years sure can fly by! I'm so excited for J and all that the Lord has in store for her! I think my freshman year was my favorite! God blessed me with amazing friends and we had so much fun going on roadtrips, playing pranks, watching Jeopardy, and getting to know each other. I'm praying that Jamie is blessed with great friends as well. I really wish I could have been there to help her move-in! Being a grown-up stinks sometimes! There was just no way I could have gotten away, but I'm looking forward to family weekend in Septemeber when I can see her new dorm room, meet her friends and see DBU for the first time.

Treasures

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where theives break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where theives do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

My mom and I were talking this weekend about her love for French and her strong desire to be in Paris. She was saying that she has invested so much time into learning this new language and has such a strong desire to go to France, that there must be a reason and she is just waiting for God to reveal His plan to her. We were then talking about how in our lives, we pursue worldly knowledge and sometimes we do not understand why we have a desire to learn something like why King Henry VIII just couldn't keep a wife. We were reflecting on the verse above and how, we should not store up earthly treasures (like a really awesome jet plane that would take me anywhere in the world) because it will not last after we die. How does that apply to our passions and pursuits? How does me watching countless hours of Gilmore Girl reruns help further the kingdom of heaven? It really made me think about how I spend my time and what I invest myself in. I should live my live in a way that glorifies the Lord and should use the talents and gifts that He has given me for His glory.

I was reminded last week through the tragic death of a 12-year-old (Maggie Lee Henson) that life is so short and we need to make the most of EVERY day we are blessed with. Maggie Lee was in a bus accident on her way to youth camp about 4 weeks ago. She lived for three weeks in ICU, and during that time, her story spread like wildfire across the country. There were more than 200,000 visits to a website her parents were updating about her condition. Thousands of people who didn't even know her, including me, were united in prayer for her. And while, she did not ever wake up here on Earth again, I am confident that she is in Heaven with the Lord today and I know that many lives where touched by the testimony of her life. To God be the Glory forever and ever! May I strive everyday to pursue things that are pleasing to the Lord and share His abounding love with the people in my life.

Mom's Birthday Celebration in Lubbock

This weekend I went to Lubbock to see my parents and to celebrate my mom's birthday. On Saturday morning, Mom, Dad and I drove to Whiteface to see my cousin Sarah, her husband BJ and their new little baby Ben. He is such a sweet baby with some really great parents! It was fun to see where the Brooks live and to get to meet this precious new addition to the Lowrie family!

Then that afternoon we went to Mom's favorite restaurant, Outback Steakhouse, to celebrate.

Dad headed back to Canyon and Mom and I enjoyed hanging out, talking, playing games, swimming, and watching a movie. It was a lot of fun to have some one-on-one time with Mom! This morning we went to church at FBC Lubbock (my papa's old church) and for lunch we had a surprise treat - my sisters Jamie and Madie met us on their way back from Rock the Desert with their friends. Here's a picture of the group at lunch - celebrating Mom's 49th bday (see the #49?).

Me, Jamie, Kalyn, Kade, Josh, Mom, Bailey, Danessa, Cristal and Madie

Fun weekend! Happy Birthday Mom!

Milwaukee Bound

Travel Update: I'm headed to Milwaukee!

Well, it didn't take long for me to find a new place to go! I'm so excited because last night I bought tickets to Milwaukee for Labor Day weekend. It's been a year since I was there for Amanda's wedding and I have missed it so much. I can't wait to see all my old friends and be back in the wonderful state of Wisconsin! It's really amazing how much of an impact living there had on my life in just three years! It's now been 11 years since we moved up there, and it seems like forever ago that we moved back to Texas, but I still have a part of me that will always call Milwaukee home. I was truly blessed with some amazing friendships while I lived there and am so thankful that time and distance haven't changed them. It's fun to plan trips only a month in advance because then I don't have to wait very long until I am actually there. Can't wait!!

Me and my best friends from Tosa East - Court, Steph, Erie, Jen McT, Katie, Vonnie, Jenny P and Erin!

Vote Lowrie

Well, as you can tell from my previous post, I think I am a little wordy as a blogger. I can't decide if it's because I write for a living or the fact that I like to talk a lot, but regardless, I will try to shorten my blogs in the future to maybe just one point, rather than a news bulletin. haha.

The big news in the Lowrie household is that it's time to get out the vote again for my dad. He announced on Friday that he is going to be running for President of the BGCT for a second term. If you click here, you can read the story on the Baptist Standard website. If you notice at the very bottom of the article, I got my name in there as one of his very proud daughters. Dad is actually the first second-generation president (my Papa was prez back in the '80s), which makes me the first first daughter that was also first granddaughter in convention history! Pretty amazing, right?

Seriously, though, I am so proud of him and all that he has accomplished this year. Dad has such a heart for the people of God, and particulary right now for the BGCT and seeing God work through this organization. The political part of me is ready to make posters, yard signs and buttons, but of course Dad would never let me do that. Wouldn't it be fun, though? Here's my little grassroots campaign - if you are a member of a BGCT church, become a messenger this year for the convention in Houston and VOTE LOWRIE! :)