Front Lines: Guest Blogger, Ms. Carrie Clement

For all of you who are tired of hearing from me :)

I would like to introduce you to Ms. Carrie Clement.

Known for her amazing good looks and her charming and warm personality, Carrie's talents include (but are not limited to) living in the moment, running with any good vision you give her, and investing in the lives of those around her. She currently works as the TSC Women's Coordinator at Veritas Church and loves to spend her time reading fiction novels, being outside, and seeing chick flicks. Carrie is also in a courtship relationship with Mr. Bryan Dermody who resides in New York City (he may or may not work for the Jets!).

AND if you would like to hear more wonderful things about Carrie, CLICK HERE!

M: What is God currently teaching you?!

C: I tend to learn the same simple Truths over and over, but they are really fun to learn each time. Simple things like God loves me - He delights in me as his daughter. Or, His grace is always enough and always necessary. Or, I can't do anything apart from him...and trying to do things out of my own strength is exhausting.

But, I think the biggest thing I'm learning is the balance between fear and being in awe. It's been something I've continually come back to for the last 3 months or so...or even longer. I think I'm learning that fear isn't always a bad thing, but it's something that should drive me closer to Jesus. In Matthew 28, both Marys were at Jesus' tomb and there was an earthquake and then an angel appeared to them and told them that Jesus had risen. I can't imagine what it must have been like for them...I would have been FREAKED out! In verse 8, it says that the women hurried away from the tomb, "afraid yet filled with joy." That phrase has stuck with me for quite some time.

There seems to be this balance between having a healthy fear of God, but it's something that draws you TO Jesus instead of away from him. I think I've had glimpses of that healthy balance in my life, but I think I have a lot of growing to do as well. I tend to think of fear as a bad thing, but by these passages, I'm learning that there is a balance to it...just like everything in life.

M: Do you have an example of this from your own life?

C: Yes. I think the best example I have is when I approach a new semester or go into any sort of retreat...I always think, "God, I don't know what you're going to do to me. I don't really feel like changing. I get my life. I know what's going on and everything fits together. I don't want you to mess that up." That is the kind of fear I don't think is good. I really have to battle through that and REMEMBER what God has done in the past. I think we forget to remember a lot and it's one way to battle through any temptation or trial that Satan tries to throw your way. I have to realize that trusting God with whatever he has for me each day is going to be better than trying to keep a tight hold on what I think I have control of...because if I'm honest, I don't really have control of anything. So, whenever I feel like I'm going to "experience" God in a new way that I haven't in the past, my first emotion/feeling is fear.

M: How has it looked in your life to learn God's voice?

C: This is something that I continue to learn and grow in. I think it always starts, or at least is grounded in, in God's Word. If I want to hear from God, I need to be in the Scriptures, no doubt. I've also started to learn and recognize how God speaks to me specifically. I think this is different for everyone, depending on how God made you. For me, God uses my emotions and feelings a lot. He also just speaks to me in my head. I don't hear a booming voice, and it isn't even audible. In fact, it sounds a lot like my own voice because it's just in my head. It's in the moments when I allow it to happen...when I take the time to quiet the life around me, to take it all in and ask God what he has to say to me. Then, I have thoughts that come to mind. Then I ask myself if it's something that God would say to me...does it line up with Scripture? Does it line up with God's character? Then, I can more easily distinguish between God's voice, my own voice, or a lie from the enemy.

This started very simply. I had a friend challenge me, and then my brother challenge me to just sit and listen to God...even for just 5 minutes. My friend told me to ask God, "Who am I in you, Lord?" So, that's what I did. I literally set my alarm for 5 minutes and asked God who I was. I had a journal next to me and I just wrote what came to mind. There were days, I was so distracted and could only think of things that needed to get done. There were days when I didn't hear anything. There were days when I heard one word answers. I think all of that is normal. You can't expect to go run a marathon without training, so I figured this was like training...only not to run, but to hear God's voice. From there, it has grown and I think I'm able to hear God's voice more and more. It is a beautiful thing...to hear from my heavenly Father.

M: What makes you feel most alive?

C: I feel alive when I'm laughing...I mean, really laughing. I feel alive when I am able to recognize the simple things in life - a sunset, a quiet moment, when something just "clicks", being able to sit and think deeply about something. I feel alive when I think of the perfect gift for someone. I feel ALIVE when I can share my life with someone in such a way that it impacts them - I LOVE to see people understand who God made them to be and take steps into living that out to expand God's Kingdom around the world. I feel alive when I feel loved and am able to love.

M: If you had to give a new Believer only one piece of advice what would it be?

C: I think I would say to the new believer - listen and learn God's voice in your life. Allow him to teach you (in prayer and in his word) who you are and who he's made you to be, because then you will know your true identity, your true purpose, and your true value...and it's in those moments (they are still and quiet for me) when you know you can have an impact in God's Kingdom, and there is really nothing better than that.

M: If someone was discipled by you what do hope they would takeaway from your life?

Responses from a few of her "disciples" - Compassionate heart - Joyful (cause she likes to laugh :) - Uplifter (she's always encouraging others in some way) - Patience - Loving Personality - and the list goes on and on!

AND FOR FUN!

Whose your favorite Friends character? HARD question. There is so much I like about each of them...if one was missing, it wouldn't be the same, so I can't really say. Lame and cheesy, I know. I'm not very good at "favorites" either.

If you were on a TV show which one would it be? The Cosby Show. Best. Show. Ever.

Favorite blog - Hmmm, I don't think I'm very good at following blogs. My favorite is probably my cousin's because she puts up a TON of pictures and doesn't write a ton...it's quick and pictures are always fun! I follow a friend who is serving with her husband in Thailand and is an incredible writer. I also follow another friend who is in Spain, and she too, is an amazing writer.

Here are some pics from a recent boat outing!

Ohh golly I hope England has some lakes!! :)