Right now I am packing for a trip I will be embarking on on Wednesday...
My school offers something like 20 missions trips a year and holds a meeting about these trips at the beginning of each fall semester. This was my third fall semester at Liberty and my first time attending one of these meetings. It has been a very long time since I have been on an overseas missions trip (about 7 years) and felt like God was telling me it was time to go on one again.
I walked into the meeting with my best friend with the intentions of going on a trip during spring break with her. We looked at the list of trips and decided on one that looked interesting for spring break, but as the meeting started both of our hearts were drawn to two different places.
One of the first trips they discussed was a trip to East Asia. When I read the description of the trip my heart was immediately stirred. I looked over to my friend and said "I want to go on this trip." As soon as the meeting was over, I headed over to the computer to print out an application because if you don't get your application in the next day you most likely won't be able to go on the trip you desire.
Well the next day I handed in my application and set up an interview for the following week. It was September 8th (ironically my birthday) when I walked out of the Light Ministries office with the news that I had been chosen for the trip and would be going to East Asia over winter break.
I leave for East Asia on Wednesday, and I cannot believe how fast time has gone. The team will be there from December 29th until January 15th. While we are there we will be teaching English in a kindergarten and also going to an orphanage. I ask that you would keep the team and I in your prays over the next two weeks. Specifically pray for my health because my body tends to rebel against me when I travel.
I know God has a lot in store for me and the team over the next two weeks, and I cannot wait to see what he does. While I am there I will be keeping a journal and when I get back I will post everything in my blog. Thank you for your prayers!
About Me
- Nicole Salerno
- My name is Nicole and I am a graduate of Liberty University. I am currently a teacher searching for a classroom. And I will forever be a slave to righteousness
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Spoiled
Well I have been studying all day and my brain feels like mush, so I am taking a break and thought I would write a little bit. Tomorrow I have my last two finals, and they are my hardest finals. I will probably be up most of the night preparing so this break is definitely needed.
I have been reading the book Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller, and I am really enjoying. His opening note for the book says "I never liked Jazz music because Jazz music doesn't resolve. But I was outside the Bagdad Theater in Portland one night when I saw a man playing the saxophone. I stood there for fifteen minutes, and he never opened his eyes. After that I liked Jazz music. Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can live it yourself." That in itself gives you a good taste of the book. Miller takes you on his journey to falling in love with God.
The other day I was reading the chapter entitled "Gods" and towards the end of it there was a very convicting line, "Don't complain about the way God answers your prayers...Your problem is not that God is not fulfilling, your problem is that you are spoiled." Well if that is not a slap in the face then I don't know what is. I think that so many Christians today pray for things and then tell God exactly how they want Him to bring about their request. Sorry to burst your bubble, but God doesn't take orders from us. When you tell God exactly how you want something to come about you are putting Him in a box, and not allowing Him to show his power.
As Christians we are suppose to present all of our requests to God and give Him complete control of the circumstances in our life. Its such a simple concept and yet there are still so many spoiled Christians. Be willing to break out of the box of spoils and let God do whatever He pleases with your life. Your life His is to do with what He pleases, and all he asks of us to follow his plan, not your own.
I have been reading the book Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller, and I am really enjoying. His opening note for the book says "I never liked Jazz music because Jazz music doesn't resolve. But I was outside the Bagdad Theater in Portland one night when I saw a man playing the saxophone. I stood there for fifteen minutes, and he never opened his eyes. After that I liked Jazz music. Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can live it yourself." That in itself gives you a good taste of the book. Miller takes you on his journey to falling in love with God.
The other day I was reading the chapter entitled "Gods" and towards the end of it there was a very convicting line, "Don't complain about the way God answers your prayers...Your problem is not that God is not fulfilling, your problem is that you are spoiled." Well if that is not a slap in the face then I don't know what is. I think that so many Christians today pray for things and then tell God exactly how they want Him to bring about their request. Sorry to burst your bubble, but God doesn't take orders from us. When you tell God exactly how you want something to come about you are putting Him in a box, and not allowing Him to show his power.
As Christians we are suppose to present all of our requests to God and give Him complete control of the circumstances in our life. Its such a simple concept and yet there are still so many spoiled Christians. Be willing to break out of the box of spoils and let God do whatever He pleases with your life. Your life His is to do with what He pleases, and all he asks of us to follow his plan, not your own.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
The Playlist- Part 4
It's been a while but here is the next for my playlist. "I will waste my Life" by Misty Edwards
I will waste my life,
I'll be tested and tried.
With no regrets inside of me,
Just to find I'm at your feet,
Let me find I'm at your feet.
I leave my father's house, and
I leave my Mother.
I leave all I have known, and
I'll have no other.
For I am in love with you,
and there is no cost.
I am in love with you,
and there is no loss.
I am in love with you,
I want to take your name.
I am in love with you,
I want to cling to you, Jesus,
Just let me cling to you, Jesus.
I say goodbye to my father, my mother,
I turn my back on every other lover, and I
Press on, yes I press on.
I say goodbye to my father, my mother,
I turn my back on every other lover, and I press on, yes I press on.
For I am in love with you,
and there is no cost.
I am in love with you,
and there is no loss.
I am in love with you,
I want to take your name.
I am in love with you,
I want to cling to you, Jesus,
just let me cling to you, Jesus,
I want to cling to you...
I was listening to this song this morning as I was running some errands and just singing it out as my prayer to Jesus. All I really need right now is to cling to Jesus and let him have all of me. So in singing this prayer I decided to dedicate the next three and half months to him and him alone.
I still find myself in moments of complete brokenness but it is a brokenness that leaves seeking Jesus. I feel like I have reached this new level of maturity because I recognize that what I want right now is the one thing I really don't need. So I'm going to turn my back on what I want, and I am going to press on and seek out what I need the most...Jesus.
I will waste my life,
I'll be tested and tried.
With no regrets inside of me,
Just to find I'm at your feet,
Let me find I'm at your feet.
I leave my father's house, and
I leave my Mother.
I leave all I have known, and
I'll have no other.
For I am in love with you,
and there is no cost.
I am in love with you,
and there is no loss.
I am in love with you,
I want to take your name.
I am in love with you,
I want to cling to you, Jesus,
Just let me cling to you, Jesus.
I say goodbye to my father, my mother,
I turn my back on every other lover, and I
Press on, yes I press on.
I say goodbye to my father, my mother,
I turn my back on every other lover, and I press on, yes I press on.
For I am in love with you,
and there is no cost.
I am in love with you,
and there is no loss.
I am in love with you,
I want to take your name.
I am in love with you,
I want to cling to you, Jesus,
just let me cling to you, Jesus,
I want to cling to you...
I was listening to this song this morning as I was running some errands and just singing it out as my prayer to Jesus. All I really need right now is to cling to Jesus and let him have all of me. So in singing this prayer I decided to dedicate the next three and half months to him and him alone.
I still find myself in moments of complete brokenness but it is a brokenness that leaves seeking Jesus. I feel like I have reached this new level of maturity because I recognize that what I want right now is the one thing I really don't need. So I'm going to turn my back on what I want, and I am going to press on and seek out what I need the most...Jesus.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The Playlist- Part 3
Alrighty, this next song I want to share with you is called Deeper. It is written by Brittany Stricklin from the band Through the Veil..They are an awesome band, look them up on itunes
I just want to fly away with you,
Where nothing else matters
And all I want is You
Cause You're such a big God
And yet you make yourself
Small enough just to be with me
And I can't help but be amazed
At Your wondrous works
The beauty of Your creation draws me in
Take me deeper
And deeper
In Your presence now
Take me deeper
And deeper
In Your presence now
As the sun rises and I awake
Heaven's oceans ripple
And proclaim Your name
And as the wind blow
I hear you whisper my name
Come quickly my child
I am always there
Just to hear your cry
And to answer your prayer
So just sit with me for a little while
And wait, just wait
I first heard this song when the band was leading worship at my church this summer. Brittany talked about why she wrote the song and I felt like I really related to it. She heard God telling her to just sit with him and wait in his presence. I guess when I heard this, it was God first telling me to be patient and wait in him.
I love the last part of the song that is written from God's voice. He is calling all of his children to come quickly to his presence. He is always there and hears our every prayer. That is such an awesome thought to dwell on. The almighty God, creator of the universe is calling me to come and sit in his presence. I am so not worthy of him, yet he still calls my name.
When we ask to go deeper with God, he meets us and walks in deeper with us. Guiding our every step...
I just want to fly away with you,
Where nothing else matters
And all I want is You
Cause You're such a big God
And yet you make yourself
Small enough just to be with me
And I can't help but be amazed
At Your wondrous works
The beauty of Your creation draws me in
Take me deeper
And deeper
In Your presence now
Take me deeper
And deeper
In Your presence now
As the sun rises and I awake
Heaven's oceans ripple
And proclaim Your name
And as the wind blow
I hear you whisper my name
Come quickly my child
I am always there
Just to hear your cry
And to answer your prayer
So just sit with me for a little while
And wait, just wait
I first heard this song when the band was leading worship at my church this summer. Brittany talked about why she wrote the song and I felt like I really related to it. She heard God telling her to just sit with him and wait in his presence. I guess when I heard this, it was God first telling me to be patient and wait in him.
I love the last part of the song that is written from God's voice. He is calling all of his children to come quickly to his presence. He is always there and hears our every prayer. That is such an awesome thought to dwell on. The almighty God, creator of the universe is calling me to come and sit in his presence. I am so not worthy of him, yet he still calls my name.
When we ask to go deeper with God, he meets us and walks in deeper with us. Guiding our every step...
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The Playlist- Part 2
The next song I would like to share with you is "Your Great Name" by The People's Church
Lost are saved, find their way
At the sound of Your great name
All condemned feel no shame
At the sound of Your great name
Every fear has no place
At the sound of Your great name
The enemy, he has to leave
At the sound of Your great name
Jesus, worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us
Son of God and man
You are high and lifted up
And all the world will praise
Your great name
All the weak find their strength
At the sound of Your great name
Hungry souls receive grace
At the sound of Your great name
The fatherless find their rest
At the sound of Your great name
The sick are healed, the dead are raised
At the sound of Your great name
Redeemer, My Healer, Lord Almighty
Defender, My Savior, You are my King
I first heard this song in convo(for those of you don't attend Liberty this is what we call our chapel services) and I could not stop singing it. There is something about the name of Jesus that makes you stop dead in your tracks. His name is so powerful! This song was God's way of reminding me of his awesome power. I took a trip to visit some friends in Ashville at the beginning of the summer and during the drive I must of listened to this song 30 times. I just could not stop singing of God's awesome power that is packed behind his name.
When you sing the name of Jesus it is heard not to worship. His name is so glorious. Just as the song says, at the sound of his great name the sick are healed and the dead are raised! There is nothing to be afraid of because we have the power of Jesus!
I'm not sure if I truly conveyed how much I absolutely love this song, but I feel like I can't find the words to describe how powerful Jesus is and how much I love him. Listen to the song for yourself and let God minister to you...
Lost are saved, find their way
At the sound of Your great name
All condemned feel no shame
At the sound of Your great name
Every fear has no place
At the sound of Your great name
The enemy, he has to leave
At the sound of Your great name
Jesus, worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us
Son of God and man
You are high and lifted up
And all the world will praise
Your great name
All the weak find their strength
At the sound of Your great name
Hungry souls receive grace
At the sound of Your great name
The fatherless find their rest
At the sound of Your great name
The sick are healed, the dead are raised
At the sound of Your great name
Redeemer, My Healer, Lord Almighty
Defender, My Savior, You are my King
I first heard this song in convo(for those of you don't attend Liberty this is what we call our chapel services) and I could not stop singing it. There is something about the name of Jesus that makes you stop dead in your tracks. His name is so powerful! This song was God's way of reminding me of his awesome power. I took a trip to visit some friends in Ashville at the beginning of the summer and during the drive I must of listened to this song 30 times. I just could not stop singing of God's awesome power that is packed behind his name.
When you sing the name of Jesus it is heard not to worship. His name is so glorious. Just as the song says, at the sound of his great name the sick are healed and the dead are raised! There is nothing to be afraid of because we have the power of Jesus!
I'm not sure if I truly conveyed how much I absolutely love this song, but I feel like I can't find the words to describe how powerful Jesus is and how much I love him. Listen to the song for yourself and let God minister to you...
Monday, November 15, 2010
The Playlist of a Journey
Music is a very big part of my life. I have found that it is one of the things in my life I would be lost without. Throughout the journey God has been taking me on, he has really spoken to me through different songs. At first the songs were ones that would bring comfort, but then they soon changed into songs that sing of His love.
In the next few posts I would like to share some of the songs that have really spoken to my heart and ministered to me. I have already written about two songs in previous blogs so I figured I should share some more.
The first song I would like to share is Desert Song by Hillsong.
This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger in me
My God is a God who provides
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
And this is my prayer in the battle
And triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow
I love this song because it shows the different stages we go through in our Christian life. We go through seasons that feel so dry and then God fills us up again and it is time for a harvest. In talking with a friend about this song, I shared how I loved the bridge because it says "All of my life, in every season you are still God and I have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship." This line is so powerful, and I think it is so easily forgotten. No matter what we are walking through in life, God is still God. He still loves and cares for us.
I think it is so easy for Christians to forget to worship God in the seasons in our lives that feel like a desert. I believe that if we seek God out in those desert seasons, he meets us in ways that we could have never imagined! God blesses us for worshiping him in the good and the bad times in our lives. You just have to trust that everything is going to be okay because it is in God's hands.
I know how unbelievable hard it can be to give up control and put all of your trust in God, but it is the best thing that you could ever do. God continues to bless me everyday because he knows I have given him everything and trust him completely.
Remember that God is still God always. Psalm 45:11 says "because he is your Lord, worship Him"...
In the next few posts I would like to share some of the songs that have really spoken to my heart and ministered to me. I have already written about two songs in previous blogs so I figured I should share some more.
The first song I would like to share is Desert Song by Hillsong.
This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger in me
My God is a God who provides
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
And this is my prayer in the battle
And triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow
I love this song because it shows the different stages we go through in our Christian life. We go through seasons that feel so dry and then God fills us up again and it is time for a harvest. In talking with a friend about this song, I shared how I loved the bridge because it says "All of my life, in every season you are still God and I have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship." This line is so powerful, and I think it is so easily forgotten. No matter what we are walking through in life, God is still God. He still loves and cares for us.
I think it is so easy for Christians to forget to worship God in the seasons in our lives that feel like a desert. I believe that if we seek God out in those desert seasons, he meets us in ways that we could have never imagined! God blesses us for worshiping him in the good and the bad times in our lives. You just have to trust that everything is going to be okay because it is in God's hands.
I know how unbelievable hard it can be to give up control and put all of your trust in God, but it is the best thing that you could ever do. God continues to bless me everyday because he knows I have given him everything and trust him completely.
Remember that God is still God always. Psalm 45:11 says "because he is your Lord, worship Him"...
Thursday, November 11, 2010
God hears me
One night last week I found myself laying in bed late at night talking with God. I was asking him for something that I have asked him for many times before and still have not gotten. As soon as I asked God the question I would then say, but I know you want me to be patient so I will. I went back and forth with the question and that statement a few times and the went to sleep.
The next day God gave me what I asked for. It was not in the form that I would have liked to have it in, but alas he still gave it to me. I kind of laughed about the situation later because I know God sure was when he gave it to me. I can just see him now with a smile on his face saying "You asked for it, so here it is...literally." I could have easily been made about the way God answered me but I wasn't. Instead I was happy to know that God heard me.
I don't think I have ever gotten an answer to my question as quickly as I did last week. God saw me pose the question, but then remind myself to be patient. I was content with being patient and God rewarded me for it. I know that God will answer my question in the way I truly mean it one day, but I'm not ready for yet.
I think I am getting better at this patience thing after all...
The next day God gave me what I asked for. It was not in the form that I would have liked to have it in, but alas he still gave it to me. I kind of laughed about the situation later because I know God sure was when he gave it to me. I can just see him now with a smile on his face saying "You asked for it, so here it is...literally." I could have easily been made about the way God answered me but I wasn't. Instead I was happy to know that God heard me.
I don't think I have ever gotten an answer to my question as quickly as I did last week. God saw me pose the question, but then remind myself to be patient. I was content with being patient and God rewarded me for it. I know that God will answer my question in the way I truly mean it one day, but I'm not ready for yet.
I think I am getting better at this patience thing after all...
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