Music as Remedy for most Common Aliments

I have always enjoyed the sweet sounds of music, and all genres at that. From as early as I can remember, when I was old enough to know music and truly appreciate music, I was always listening to music. I was the first in line to buy a new CD, the first in my family to own a Walkman or Discman or iPod, thought the latter was gifted to me. I can remember on family trips or youth group events I would always take my music with me. I was "that" kid w/ the music. I might have been the only one with my ears plugged up, but it was ok for me. Music was/is my release, my outlet and my way to enjoy just living. 

Who else enjoys music so much? I hope you can find a way to embrace the gift of music that the world has been given. There are different types of music in my music library: pop, classic rock, soft rock, rap, regga-tone, worship, folk, alternative, chill, and yes, a touch of country, but the era to be most treasured would have to the any sound that came out of the 80's! Anyone agree?

Why music? I'm not sure, there is just something about it that does my soul good. No matter the condition of my "ser" (my being) I can usually find a music to match the mood in which I find myself. 

When I feel joy I enjoy embracing music from Passion. When I feel sorrow I find myself embracing certain songs from Amy Stroup. When I feel rebellious I embrace Everclear, haha, one my favorite's from jr. high/high school. When I want to just be with Jesus in a "non-be with Jesus way", Dave Barnes. When I feel reflective I find my way to Joe Purdy or Leigh Nash. When I feel chill, like just existing they way I am, or in a complete place of being over taken by the Spirit I find my way to Shane and Shane. They have a way of honestly speaking to the existence of my knowledge about the truths of scripture. When I want some lyrics to ponder over, I find my way to Coldplay, U2, or Jack Johnson. When I feel a need to get in touch with my roots, Johnny Cash. When I just want to have fun, I find myself going back to the 80's to Madonna or Bon Jovi. When I want complete randomness, Tom FM :). When I need some truth back in my life (which is more often than not) you will find Derek Webb coming from my speakers. When I feel socially apt, Billy Joel or Elton John are always fun. I've always thought pondered on the historical significance of that one night that The Piano Man represents. (I once won tickets, in the 5th grade, to go see Billy Joel and Elton John play together at the Pyramid in Memphis. I was too young to exactly appreciate what I was experiencing.) What other emotions with which are we most regularly acquainted? Oh, when I want to dance alone in my room, you might hear Nelly coming from underneath the door, yes I said: Nelly and he is in my music library. If I'm dancing with others, then those well established and distinguished dance songs will get the job done. Partner dancing is the best. There is just something about enjoying music and the movement of the body with someone else, while facing them and embracing those moments of physical touch for 4 lovely minutes, and even more minutes if you're fortunate to get more than one dance from him. 

So, whatever your aliment (positive or negative) try music as a remedy. Reach deep into your pockets and fill your iTunes with a variety of songs from which you can create a variety of self-prescribed treatments for whatever your "ser" is feeling in the moment. 

the internet lives!

Urg, I get so frustrated with myself when I realize how long it has been since I last wrote a blog. My excuse this time is that for the last months that I was in Honduras, I was on super conservative internet usage mode, which means, no blogging. But now that I am Stateside again, get ready for this: maybe I'll blog regularly. (I journal daily, what if I just journalized (cool word) everything here? Then you would know how I talked to our Lord, you would feel my deepest inner thoughts and I would be super vulnerable.)

That last blog was good though and those thoughts on Hebrews still resound with me today. 

Life has taken it's fair share of twists and turns over the past several months, and I have landed back in the United States of America, permanently. This was a planned thing, when back in January I notified WGO that I would be moving back to the States. I do have a job and plan to move into a duplex here within the month or so. 

If there is one thing that I have come to terms with, it's this: my ministry is not over. If anything, my life-time of ministry is simply getting started, and what a better place to jump start Shelly's life-time ministry than in a foreign country? I feel so blessed to have lived in Honduras for the past three years of my life, and as I transition back into Arkansas, I totally look forward to what the Lord has for this next chapter of my ministry. 

God is in the middle of revealing some cool things to be about Elijah. I've been so intrigued with his life and the power of prayer in his life. Stay tuned for more about him and what the Lord is teaching me (and maybe you) through Elijah. 

:)

not the normal guy

This past Sunday, Pastor Darren and his family were gone on vacation, which means that someone different was speaking. You know how it is, the normal Pastor is gone and somebody else fills us. 

God used one of his people to speak volumes into my life, as well as others, I know. We all discussed how Trevor did such a great job and how he really has a gift of speaking, in a way that hit home with several of us. Maybe it was just the topic, but I left there just thinking and I am still thinking about what was said. 

I'm tried right about now, as my everyday work is getting the best of me, but I just have to share with you what I've seen tonight, just as I go back and reread my notes and study the Scriptures a bit more on this message from Hebrews 12. You know me, I could go on and on, but just a few simple points:

I am a runner, right, so I am familiar with the idea of hitting the road and what it takes to make a good run happen. One thing that you don't want is extra stuff! Trevor is also a runner and he made this point: a runner does not, by any means, take extra stuff on the run that might slow him down.

Hebrews 12:1 says this:

" Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us... "

so my question for myself is: What is my sin that clings and slows me down? I must discover it and get rid of it!

And, before I fall asleep here at the computer, one more thought from verse 7:

"It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?"

Since I am a child of God, I am being disciplined. I must look at my strengths and my weaknesses (more so the latter) and discover how God is trying to show me and direct me in discipline. 

so the question is: what is the discipline that God has be under? and am I willingly and hopefully embracing it. 

These are just some, for me, very life-changing thoughts: 1. what sin is weighing me down in my run? and what type of discipline am I under right now? 

 

His will taking root in our lives

I've been hanging out in the Proverbs over these past few days. Wow, how I've forgotten the riches that are in Proverbs. 

Where ( typed that word and then went to do something else and forgot what I was going to write, so moving on )

oh, I remember, I was going to say "where do I start?" I've only made it through the first four chapters of the Proverbs, and I've read the Proverbs before but never before have they impacted me the way it has this time. 

I guess I'll choose one thing and go with it:

Proverbs 3:6 --

"Seek his will in all you do, 

and he will show you which path to take" (that's the NLT)

or 

"In all your ways acknowledge Him

And He will make your paths straight" (that's NASB)

(disclaimer: I like to study these two versions side by side. I find that the NLT can speak to my heart and the NASB can speak to my mind and intellect.)

This morning, God revealed to me that when we find Him and acknowledge Him in all that we do, He will help us succeed. He wants His name to be glorified and when our motive for doing what we do is to glorify Him, why wouldn't He be on our side and help us do what we want, as it lines up with His will. The tough part is discerning if/how/when it is His will and if/when/how and it our own will with our own selfish motives. 

So, taking that, a few chapters later I found this:

Proverbs 4:23 --

"Guard your heart above all else, 

for it determines the course of your life."  (NLT)

or 

"Watch over your heart with all diligence, 

For from it flow the springs of life" (NASB)

From what I've discovered, we will spend the most time doing things that we love; we will do things that our hearts are drawn to doing. If we aren't careful in guarding our hearts with all diligence -- meaning, our hearts will be revealed in the things that we spend our most time doing -- and keeping our hearts focused on what God loves and His purpose/will and glory, then it's very likely that our hearts will become distracted and drawn to things of this world; things that don't bring glory to our Lord and essentially, things that aren't good for our being. 

That was a lot of babbling. That last sentence was a long one, with lots of part, kind of like Paul when he goes on and on in some of his Epistles. Oh well. 

So, as we move forward, or as I move forward, my goal is to keep my heart focused on the things of Christ, things that He approves of, things that glorify Him. As I do this, the promise found in Proverbs 3:6 will prayerfully take root in my life: that God will make my paths straight, or give me success, as I seek His will, find it and live it out. 

Now, this is will not be easy. 

He named the Stars

This morning was so refreshing for me. God has been revealing Himself to me in such clear and obvious ways. It's comforting to be in love with the creator of the universe and to desire more and more of Him each today. 

Today I was reading Psalm 147. I've probably read this Psalm a dozen times, but this time, something new just stood out to me. It's nothing revolutionary but it gave me a renewed sense of peace in my soul and a new recognition for the grace of our Savior:

"He counts the number of the stars

He gives names to all of them" vs. 4

continuing further:

"The Lord favors those who fear Him,

Those who wait for HIs lovingkindness." v. 11

Our God not only created the number of stars, he knows where each one is placed and He even named them. Amazing! Simply astonishing! 

As I've pondered on this thought many times, it just hits me in a new way today: This same God made us, He knows our every detail, even better than we do. 

If you had a friend that could do something as amazing as know every name of the people, let's say: in your hometown, wouldn't you be enamored with the idea of that? Amazed at his capability of something so hard to understand HOW that could work. None the less, enamored with the person himself? 

Look at what God did, with the stars, the universe, ALL of the people of the world and probably so much more that we don't know of right now; but to be revealed to us in eternity. This same God is our best friend, when we allow it. 

vs. 11: God favors those who fear him.

Those who wait for His lovingkindness

The point: who could not fear a God that knows the name of every star, every person, every tree, every mouse, every coffee plant, every cloud and every other living thing that He created? Not a fear in a sense of "Oh, I'm scared of you" but a fear of honor and love and desire to know the person even more.

I want to know Jesus more! I want to love Him more each day. I want others to love Him with me and fear Him with me, fearing in such a way that we recognize that He holds us in His hands, he is protecting us, and guarding every part of all that we are!

I'm going outside.

I like to sleep in. I like to get up early and be with my Jesus.
I like the cold. I don't like to be cold.
I like the sun. I don't like to sweat, unless I'm exercising.
I like to stay up late. I like to crawl in bed early with a good book.

I like to sing. I don't like to sing in front of people.

I like a hot shower. I don't like cold showers.

I like food. I don't not like food.

I like friends. 

I like 80's music. 

I like to run. I like day off from running.

I like to figure out the answer to a problem. I don't like problems.

I liked high school.

I liked being 17. I didn't like being 15.

I like thought out photography. I don't appreciate poor photography.

I like art. I don't like to discuss the definition of art, but I do it. 

I like order. I like disorder just as equally.

I like to be included. I don't like to leave others out.

I like my family.

I like the beach. I don't like the salt water. 

I like straight hair. I don't like to straighten my hair.

I like curly hair. 

I like clean bed sheets. I don't like to make the bed.

I like Coke. I don't like the empty calories in it. 

I like Coke Zero. 

I like jeans that fit. I don't like shopping for jeans. 

I like my jeans with holes. I don't know how the holes got there. 

I like movies. I don't like paying for the expense of a movie in the States. 

I like going to movies in a third world country. 

I like patience. I don't like being patient. 

I like the banjo. I don't play the banjo. 

I like getting fancy and dressed up. I don't do it often enough.

I like reading. I don't know why I hated it so much in high school.

I like traveling. I don't like the ridiculously insane rules at airport security.

I like being a teacher. I don't have the qualification to be a teacher. 

I like dancing. I don't do this often enough either. 

I like using my cell phone. I don't like checking the voicemail, so I usually don't. 

I like people. I don't like to be alone for long periods of time. 

I like my life. I don't own this life. 

I like to learn. I don't see education ending in the classroom.

I like doing this. I don't feel the sun on my face in this room though.

I'm going outside. 

  

January 2009 Updates and Big News!

The Time Has Come

Since I moved here in July of 2006, I knew God would bring this season to an end when the time was right. Each year, as it came time to renew or terminate my commitment with WGO, I fervently prayed and asked the Lord for wisdom and discernment. Each year, He provided an answer.

This year was different. Beginning in May of 2008, I was seeking the Lord and His face concerning what to do in June of 2009, as I knew that a decision would need to be made by the end of 2008. At the end of 2008, I felt a peace about not knowing which way I would go, but I still didn’t know what to do. I rested in that peace and continued to ask the Lord for His wisdom over the Christmas vacation.

Two Words: Be Faithful

The time had come and gone to decide and I still didn’t feel a firm answer from the Lord. The ministry asked for my decision. For the first time, maybe in all my Christian life, I felt the Lord saying: “Shelly, just make a decision. You can go either way, just choose one and be faithful.” Two key words stuck out to me: be faithful. At this point, I knew that either way: stay or go, just be faithful. Be faithful.

So, I have chosen to continue my life in the United States starting in June of 2009, which is when my current term with WGO ends. My emotions vary. I am very excited at the opportunities that have presented themselves back in the States. My heart breaks to leave this ministry, at least for a time. I do see myself continually being involved, be it through short-term trips, or financially giving and prayerfully supporting this ministry. Please continue to lift up this ministry in your prayers. Pray that God will send someone to fill my shoes. Pray for a peaceful time of transition for those here as well as for me.

Academic Success

I have watched so many of my students grow academically. I can remember one student in particular. She came to me with poor reading skills and a true lack of Phonics knowledge, therefore, impacting her reading, writing and spelling. I knew that she would be coming through my class. At the time, I had the option to move on with my current class, therefore, not having her in class. It would take a lot to bring her up to speed. I really didn’t want the extra work. It was recommended that I stay at her grade level and help bring her up to par. I did. In the course of one school year, she went from making D’s and F’s to making the A/B Honor Roll! Her academic goal this year is to make the A Honor Roll and she is well on her way! Praise God!

Three Years of Giving
God has continually confirmed me and blessed me with finances. Even over this past year, I have gained more monthly supporters than ever before. In the past, I have depended mostly on “special gifts” and the monthly gifts subsidized the financial reserve from special gifts. Each month, the ministry deposits all of my monthly support into my checking account and then, that which is given as a “special gift” is added to the monthly gifts to help me have enough to meet my approved budget each month. This year, about half of my budget is covered by monthly gifts, the other half is covered by the “base” that is built in my account.

Finishing Strong: I Need You
I need you to know that my financial reserve account is running low. Right now, there is enough to cover one month of my budget. What does this mean? This means that, without my monthly supporters, the finances will run out after February. But, it also means that with my monthly supporters giving faithfully each month, through June, and with the rest being subsidized by the reserve account, I can make it about three more months. The timetable does not match up: three months is April. I am committed through the end of June.

To make a complicated thing simple: I want to finish strong! I believe that God will provide for me to finish out the time that I’ve committed here, but I will need your help. If you give monthly, thank you so much! Please help me finish strong by giving monthly through the end. If you give special gifts, and maybe you’ve been waiting to give, I ask you, please give now. I need about double of what is currently in my reserve account. Whatever is leftover in my account, the ministry will give to me over three months after I’m gone to help with the transition and to lessen worry of immediate need for finances. Remember, you can give online at www.wgoreach.org or mail a check made out to WGO to the address in the bar on page one, designating the check to “Medlock fund.”

I know that you probably have questions about what I will do. I don’t have exact plans yet, but I’ll be glad to share with you ideas that I do have. Shoot me and e-mail: Shellymedlock@gmail.com and I’ll fill you in!

Thanks for taking this journey with me. God has made a difference through me. He has recently revealed that to me through the words of those I’ve been with over the past three years. Without you, and your belief in this ministry and mission, God would have had someone else to be His hands and feet here. Instead, the blessing is all mine, and what a joy it has been!

Be Blessed in Jesus-

Shelly