Spring Fasting LTE

The air was silent and carried the vibe of loneness. But I wasn’t alone the Lord there speaking to me… teaching me. We spent three days fasting and two of them not talking at all. It was a beautiful thing. Sure I did miss my core and everyone around me. At times I was close to cracking but I kept going. In that time I learned to lean on God for strength and to trust only him. My outlook on myself went through a dramatic twist and I gave up the part of me that says I am ugly, and worthless, because I’m not to God I am one of his beautiful daughters who has every right to ask for him to help. You see I just didn’t want the Lord to carry the weight of my burden so I buried it. But it came up and I found myself learning to give it all to him completely to not let it hinder me.

I don’t know why but I feel so close to God when I do this. I still can’t believe what God told me when I did it. “Lydia you’re going to be a Youth Pastor”, “A Worship Leader – Singer”, “One who prays for my coming”. So much was brought onto me from visions to this. I had asked God to tell me or at least give me a sign of part of what I am to do with my life and he springs this on me. Honestly I wasn’t expecting it. I don’t know how I am going to do all this but then again through the Lord is the only way it will be accomplished. The funny thing is I sort of like what he’s called me to do. I just have this inner fear about it. I will do it however because this is what he called me to do and I want to accomplish his will. I know there is more to the puzzle then this but he’s allowed me to see this much of it so far thus I am thankful for that.

No it was not my first time fasting however it’s the first time I’ve fasted for three days. I was so weak by the end of things. Yet it was worth it. I enjoyed the experience. I will do it again whenever the alternate comes. It just taught me so much to buckle down and allow the world to just slip past me as I enjoyed the Jesus’s presence in my life. Fasting is so important. It truly does bring you closer to the Lord. You give up everything around you and just soak in the word of God. Enjoying his presence hearing him only, you learn how to have a relationship with him or to grow even deeper in your intimacy with Christ.

Fasting is so important you’re giving up your fleshly desires to worship and enter into a nearness with God you can’t experience when you’re enjoying the things of this world only. Through fasting and prayer things happen and you understanding deepen. I think the average Christian should fast at least once a month. It teaches you so much just listening to the Lord. He will give you the strength to keep going if it wasn’t for him I would have collapsed but he kept me upright. Fasting is a way to submit to Jesus Christ fully everything to learn to give it all up to him and know that even when your weak he is there for you. And in those moments is when your soft enough he can mold you into what he desires you to become. Just allow yourself to be open in times of fasting and to only look to him for strength.

Alternate LTE, 2-19-09

Being one that was three minutes behind the limit for the corporate test, I did not attend to Mountain LTE. However I did do the Alternate LTE while the rest of the interns were gone. It wasn’t anything as amazing as the mountain would have been, we only watched a movie. However much I wish for my time to have been different it wasn’t. I was one of those who were stuck back on campus. While this didn’t test me as much as the mountain would have, the movie in itself really opened me up to an understanding of the courage you must have to keep pressing after God despite what tries to press you down.

The movie was on a Mount Everest Expedition, it showed teams of people who went together to do the unthinkable and climb a mountain that had killed to so many others in the past. Throughout the movie the climbers faced much hardship, and pains. This mountain wasn’t something people should be able to breathe; they had to take oxygen tanks. They were weak and tired but still they kept going knowing that something waited for them at end. Even though I didn’t experience the mountain LTE. This movie in itself was a lot like it. These people had to push their limits and not let their flesh and nature rule over their outcome. When everything was against them they still kept moving. Some might think what they did was crazy. But the outcome inspires others to do the same. By challenging themselves to do what needs to be done and not what they want to be done.

This I think we need to do with God. We need to press into him instead of others because they will only keep us down. Like the climbers there is so much you give up to make the first step into the new life of nearness to Jesus. You give up much that you once held dear or enjoyed. In the end though the film showed the triumphant and joy that comes when you don’t give up, but press through those trials to stand on the top of that mountain, and still be there. There are many mountains in our lives that would take work to climb. We won’t always be in the most comfortable circumstances following the Lord, but in the end just to stand before his throne and be welcomed into the arms of the father makes it completely worth it.

January Gauntlet, 2-26-09

Arriving here I wasn’t expecting what happened to me in the first week. I was open and wanted to learn. However I was scared once everything hit the fan, I honestly didn’t realize exactly how big of a commitment this was. Only that God had a plan for me to come to Honor Academy thus I needed to obey his will. The sessions and activities were amazing. I realized how many questions that had been left unanswered I had in my life. And here the things I longed to understand Jesus is beginning to explain to me. A big one was about the Bride of Christ, and how we all are that. I never understood it till then. Fear of Man really was an eye opener to things I need to deal with in my life. The rope course also was a big impact it showed me exactly some of the things I am doing that I need to change such as Self-doubt and Self-worth to major conspiracies in my life.

Since I came here God has been teaching me. Every day a new trial comes to haunt me push me away from this calling. Sometimes the change is small sometimes it’s big. In the end I’m learning to see myself in the eyes of the Lord not in my carnal mindset. I am his alone the world doesn’t have a hold on me. I gave up so much that week not really things that are considered sins more like idols that I held onto, but knew in my spirit it wasn’t right to have them. Once I gave them up it felt so right to do so. People might think I’ve always been this way. I wasn’t I did choose to be open however I didn’t know how I was going to give up things to God. But I allowed myself to walk in Faith. Coming to Honor Academy was the first step and now it going farther.

At first I was really nervous, insecure, and shy really around my Core. I didn’t understand why God put me with this set of girls and a part of me wanted to rebel because I missed my Gauntlet Core but still a part of me accepted it. For I knew it was God’s plan and not me, and though I’m good friends with Abby Steely. I just didn’t know if in her core I’d be challenged the way I needed to be. In my core Hearts Afire I’m tested big time I love it. I can tell the girls are so loving and passionate for God. I’m learning from them in so many ways of maturity and self worth. All these things I struggle with they’ve done similarly I feel such a strong bond with them then I ever felt with any other group of people I’ve been around.

In some ways I believe God is planning to teach me humility in my Ministry Placement. I wanted something where I’d be out there and seen. Or not in a desk job like my mom, however I’m okay with it. It took some time but I’m really starting to see things in the right mindset. He wants me to be low to finally accept things humbly that has almost always been a problem for me. Still I won’t contain myself to be invisible and I’ll bring in my strong points to help others. I believe also he wants me to work on discipline to do what I’m supposed to do in the amount of time it’s supposed to be done.

Through January a lot trials faced me. The second day I was beginning to want to go home, but I stayed. I’ve chosen not to let my flesh control my actions and to live humbly. I’m not saying I’m there yet. I still have much to face, and it won’t be easy. But the Lord has told me time and time again these past months “Press into me and you will make it through every trial, and adversity you face.” And I shall keep myself open to learn because I am coming into this Internship wanting to be trained, and discover how to be the daughter God has called me to be. I won’t let this year be a waste for it is the year Lord wants to start molding me towards a healthy life of faith, boldness, love, and Christ. Thus I will accept it with my whole heart even when my fleshly desires want me to go home.

The Begining of a Long Journey

Hi my name is Lydia I am but a humble 20 year old. Attending The Honor Academy. Like all stories this one begins with a dream...

For the longest time I have not known what to do with my life.
I still don't fully know.
But God has called me to attend the Honor Academy.
I stumbled for a time and denied my calling but he planned it for me all along.
For the longest time whenever I heard of the HA I felt his pushing.
I've denied it and regretted it.
I've been empty for a time when I turned from my father, my Lord Jesus Christ, to satisfy my own soul.
But nothing could satisfy this thirst inside me.
Then he called me back and I came like the prodigal's son.

Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

– (Luke 15:32, KJV)

Now I am following his will in my life.

His voice runs deep in my life and I shall follow him the rest of my days.
Call me crazy call me foolish.
But I'd rather follow someone who loves me then one who would destroy me.

So the next time I heard him saying to come to the Honor Academy.
I took a leap of Faith and despite the odds of being accepted in November only 2 months before the internship and having to earn 2,400.00 for tuition I made it because as I told my parents
"If is God's will for me to come in January he will make a way for me to come in January."
And I prayed and believed for this.
FAITH works my friends.
It is our foundation in our belief in Christ.
But it is also what moves mountains and brings around the impossible despite what others think.
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain for what we do not see. - (Hebrews 11:1)

And now I am here.

And this humble blog is a testimony to the long Journey I am coming in to here at the Honor Academy.
In Garden Valley, Texas so far away from my home.
ABOUT THE HONOR ACADEMY (aka HA):
The HA is not just a pre college thing. It is a place where young adults can go and figure out exactly what they're calling is. Grow deeper in the Lord. Learn many things that will help us succeed in life.

Teen Mania's Mission Statement
To provoke a young generation to passionately pursue Jesus Christ and to take His life-giving message to the ends of the earth!

Our Core Values

Faith
We receive direction, provision, and motivation directly from God and His Word to take the Gospel to the world.
Integrity
We are who we say we are, and we always do the right thing, regardless of expediency.

Relationships
We have servants' attitudes, and we go to heroic lengths to meet the needs of others.

Vision
We dare to dream as big as God dreams and believe that, with God on our side, we can achieve the impossible.

Excellence
We demand of ourselves uncompromising quality and strive to be people who demonstrate excellence in everything we do.

Ways you can help:

Despite being here now I still have so many funds to raise.
If you feel moved enough to help this is how you can.

I still need to earn $ 4,600.00

SEND A CHECK:
Lydia King CPO# 913
Teen Mania
P.O. Box 2010
Lindale, TX
75771

DONATE ONLINE AT:
http://www.honoracademy.com/donate.php
ID# 2516552

And Pray for this to be an experience I'll never forget and that Finances will come in.
PRAYER IS IMPORTANT!