"Our God is in Control"

In the panic that's wrecking havoc on Baylor students right now, someone posted this to facebook, so I went ahead and listened and found it worth sharing.


Steven Curtis Chapmen, Our God is In Control


Sometimes we so just need that reminder not that "everything is ok" but rather that "our God is in control".


Sovereignty is no easy thing to grasp, but that is actually my reassurance right now. I cannot comprehend it, and in a moment where even the things of man can seem to big to wrap my head around ( Calculus anyone?) to know that my God is so much greater and beyond yet simple to know gives me peace.


Think on that, God is complex to understand, but simple to know.


He is accessible, and spreads His truth through all creation that we may discover and realize His reign over it all. I am so grateful for a God that is beyond the capacities of my mind...my mind is a worrisome place, and so He surrounds me with proofs of Himself in things like sparrows and flowers...


Psalm 50: 10-12 "for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine... 

For the world is mine, and all that is in it.

"


Matthew 6:25-33  “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."


Seek FIRST His Kingdom, and His Righteousness, and then all other things shall be added to me. I must "set my mind on things above" (Colossions 3:2) and the rest will order itself under Him as it ought to. 

Baylor Business Women

As promised, more information about "BBW".

Officially, BBW's mission is "developing a strong network of Christian women to provide opportunities for personal growth and business relationship development by integrating professional insight, integrity and leadership."


So basically, we're a network of Christian women created to personal development and business skills. We do this by a combination of socials, educational events, and community service. For example, I was blessed this year to participate in a build for Habitat for Humanity with a team of the BBW. 


Ethics, philanthropy, growth, and sisterhood...all in business context. We wear our purple v-necks proudly around campus, but show up dressed professionally for every meeting; I love the combination of casual and corporate, learning and serving, that are all tied into BBW.


If you want to see more (like our Prison Entrepreneurship Program!) look at the link to our site below. Believe me, you'll hear plenty about it in the future.


**for photos of BBW at PEP, select the "media" button on the left and event "Etiquette Night". The ladies in the purple shirts are BBW members.**


...That was the final thing I forgot to mention, I'm the new President!


The youngest they've had actually, and amazingly I didn't even apply for the position, it was offered to me after my interview for the Community Service Chair spot. They liked my vision, and so a few days later called and asked if I was interested! Wow! It's funny how things like that happen and I feel incredibly privileged to be in this place.


And for those that recall being my selection of "Most Likely to Succeed" from last semester, yesterday I represented Baylor Business Women at the Career Expo and helped vote for this semester's students that in the running. The Lord has certainly gone before me back here! If you would like to pray, pray for the ladies on the board. Pray that I serve those I am to lead well! And please pray with thanksgiving and request that I represent Him well in all I do. 


I am so excited to head the Baylor Business Women into the 2010-2011 school year, and feel so blessed by the ladies on the board with me...friendships have begun to develop quickly :)






(Click here for Baylor Business Women webpage.)

April 18th

Though it isn't really what I would choose to talk about right now today is significant, and to ignore so would just feel inconsiderate of all the Lord has accomplished.

Some of you know instantly, some don't. So instead of going into any elaborate story let me come out quickly and say today is the 2 year anniversary of the assault. I hope this isn't a surprise to anyone; I'd feel awful if this is the startling first way you've heard, so of course, please talk to me. Just call my number or message me on facebook, but here's what I want to do now that I've hurried through that announcement...

Two years in review.

I'll be leaving a lot out, but these are the parts that are most apparent to me as milestones at the moment. 

April 18, 2008: THCF's junior high Purity Night at which I was supposed to be a speaking to the girls about Purity, the assault occurred the afternoon before I arrived. 

August 2008: I began school at Baylor University as an Accounting major in the Honors Residential College and Baylor Interdisciplinary Core program.

Thanksgiving 2008: after having talked to girls I was in Bible study with, I planned, and then failed, to tell my family about the assault.

December 30th, 2008: after receiving a deficiency notice from the University my parents checked through my Baylor accounts, found a letter in which I had written of the assault, and approached me on it. We decided I would not return to Baylor for the spring semester.

January 2009: I had my first counseling appointment and Mom and I flew to Baylor together to pack up my things. During my check out of school, we met Melanie Smith; an academic advisor in the Hankamer Business School, and Dean Mark Dunn. Both of them expressed a desire to see me back at Baylor, and I found myself incredibly encouraged by them in the midst of feeling "just not cut out" for the school.

January 2009-April 2009: FAMILY, counseling, lots of God time, and an interview to work at Hume Lake Christian Camps

May 2009: last counseling appointment, Mom and Mary Ann and I head to Hume Lake to drop me off

Summer 2009: Hume Lake, I learned that God had some amazing appointments set for me that summer. Shared with a lot of girls in ways that were divinely orchestrated.

August 2009: I officially heard I'd be back at Baylor!!! Spent a few days home and headed back to Texas. 

Fall Semester, 2009: I felt incredibly challenged to prove I did belong back, and as affirmation won "Most Likely to Succeed" from my business class of 250! Melanie Smith introduces me to Baylor Business Women, a key reason I won the success award. 

Spring Semester, 2010: I become president of Baylor Business Women, and am reintroduced to Dean Mark Dunn who recognizes me and welcomes me back. 

Friday, April 16th, 2010: the Friday that would be the two-year-mark of the assault. Preston-my boyfriend- and I have a movie and cooking night.

Today, April 18th, 2010: the numeric two-year mark, I post this to declare ... Oh how good and great is our GOD!

 I'll post soon about the more recent updates, but for today this review felt appropriate. Thank you for pouring into me in my need, and celebrating with me in the victories,

Allison