At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The Earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.

- Matthew 27: 51-52

This morning I had the pleasure of getting up super early to meet the sun while worshiping The Son. A bunch of students from Collide were able to wake up and gather together to have a time of worship and just some simple scripture reading to celebrate this Easter day.

Easter used to be such a time of gifts, and bunny rabbits, and secret childhood stories, but today Easter means so much more to me. I came to realize this when I was at the Target the other day simply picking up a few things. I saw parents and teachers scrambling around to get Easter basket goodies, and immediately I was flooded with memories of childhood Easter Bunnies long long ago.

Today Easter is so much more. It is realizing who our maker is. Realizing that He sent His one and only son to DIE for us. For US. Can you believe that? We didn’t deserve it. We cursed and spit in Jesus’ face, and he still chose to die for us. He died because he knew what we were getting was so much better. We were receiving his power and his might, along with his Holy Spirit. It is a beautiful beautiful thing really.

If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

- John 14:15-17

To know that we have that Spirit in us leaves me in awe. That Spirit has the divine power to accomplish many things through us. Divine power. Just let that sink in. To know that He is my counselor, what more could I ask for. I just have to let it sink in. I have to let it resonate with me. I have to obey it.

That is the hard part. Obeying everything that He commands. We all mess up daily. We struggle with our sins, we struggle with doing the right thing all the time. This is where His grace comes in. He gives it freely, so that we may have life. Jesus put his own desires aside, and did what He knew was best for us. He laid down his life for us. True love is sacrifice. I have the Spirit of His true love living inside of me. I can only hope and pray that one day I find someone else with the same spirit of true love living inside of them. Until then, my Counselor will be more than enough.

In His Love,
Buffy

This is an old video we did for Collide a while ago, but I feel like it is still relevant. Take a peek :)

(Source: vimeo.com)

(Source: thecanvaschronicles.com)

I think this picture sums up my weekend perfectly…. Heavenly. I have had one of the most fun/spirit-filled weekends ever and I am extremely grateful for the experiences I’ve had.

The weekend started out great with an awesome song-writing session with Ignite Church’s worship team. We went to the river in Bath and stayed at an under-constructed home right on the water. The team wrote two songs, and I was able to video and film most of it. (I can’t wait to get that video done. It will be like “The Loft Session [Brian and Jenn Johnson] on steroids haha).

Then the weekend just continued with an amazing spirit driven night at Collide. We had a married couple from our board of directors come in and give us a lesson or two about love, and the grace that is offered to all of us by our maker. It was so pure, raw, real, and beautiful. Not to mention our worship was so on point tonight. I actually cried tonight. I haven’t cried at Collide in a long time I feel like, but tonight the flood gates were opened. It was so great being able to have everyone sort-of pray for one another, and lead one another in becoming closer to the spirit of God. I was completely moved, as I’m sure so many other people in the room were.

I love the place I am in right now. I love being able to feel the spirit move around me. I love knowing that everything I am doing right now is serving a greater purpose. I love not knowing what lies ahead, but knowing that I am secure no matter what. I also just simply love being able to live and find new adventures around every corner.

I’m so excited to be wrapped in His presence this week. I am excited to feel the love of Christ and know that I am complete in Him.

In His Love,
Buffy

Here’s a little love from the office…

Jesus often interrupts our very mundane ordinary lives to wake us up for the need to change. Change is something that is coming, and it is coming like lightning bolts. Going to the Passion Conference this week, has really helped me to refocus. Mainly just to get me thinking again.

I think for so much of this semester I was kind of dead to what was going on around me. I didn’t take into account the fact that everything I was/am doing has dramatic effect on the people/things around me. With this new year I plan to refocus my energy in a different sort of light.

This year is going to be scary, but it is going to be completely worth it all. I am graduating, I will be moving (somewhere, anywhere), I will hopefully be making it back to Ghana, I will change lives. At least that is my intent. If there is one thing that I’ve learned though, it’s that you can’t seemingly plan too much, because just when you do Jesus comes in and shipwrecks your life. It’s a beautiful mess.

The fruit of our faith glorifies God publicly. That is what we are here to do. We are here to glorify God publicly. Whether we are doctors, firefighters, photographers, filmmakers, architects, whatever it is. Our purpose is that we may fearlessly and boldly proclaim the glory of the Lord. In any and every thing that you do. This is our first prayer.

“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” -Ephesians 6:19-20

So whatever this year brings, whatever trials and tribulations come my way, I will make known the glory of the Lord for it all. I will praise him when I am happy, I will praise Him when I am down.

This new perspective is one of beauty. It is one of freedom. This is what the world needs more of. More freedom. Not freedom from rules of the government, or freedom from our parents, or freedom from school. We need freedom of the soul and spirit. We need the freedom/passion/desire to live out the will of God in our lives. We need to have the freedom that comes with faith. Letting go of our fears and our inhibitions and just going for the gold.

I am going to take advantage of this season in my life, and I am going to live it all for His glory. I am going to help those in need, and I am going to try my hardest to shine His light in the darkness.

I can’t wait to see what this year has in store, and where God is going to lead me. It is a new adventure, and a new perspective for it all. Selah.

In His Love,
Buffy

(Source: thecanvaschronicles.com)

I will live by the light of the glory you shine on me.

I will live by the grace that you offer so freely.

                        - Will Reagan & The United Pursuit

I want you to provide me with a new perspective starting today. A new way of seeing all the beauty and life you have given so freely to me Lord. A new way of viewing all the people around me. A new reason to wake up every day and smile. “Your Love lifts me of my burdens and teaches me to dance.”

I want to wake up each and every single day with the Spirit of dancing on my heart. I want to wake up every day and emulate the joy that you have given to me Lord. I want people to know that I am who I am because of YOUR great love.

I want to be able to go through my day without complaining, without grumbling. Even now here’s my heart God…

I know I mess up. Every single day I mess up. Every single day I complain about this or that. Every single day I fail to give you the credit, honor, and glory that you deserve.

Well today I stop. Today I stop forgetting who my maker is. Today I stop judging everyone around me. Today i stop saying hateful things under my breath. And today I start…

Today I start maintaining my focus on You God. I will get rid of my faulty view, and any distractions. Today I start praising you for everything that you have blessed me with. Today I start reaching out to those around me. Today I start praying more.

I love you Lord. I love you for all the emotions you have allowed me to feel. I love you for helping me battle the fear. I love you for sacrificing your son. I love you for breaking the chains that this world has put on us. I love you for providing me with all the opportunities that you have.

I just pray Father that you give me the courage, power, and strength to do something about it. I pray that you give me the strength and courage to make moves in this world. You are the Great counselor, comforter, creator, and Father. You hold the power to move mountains and I thank you for it.

In His Love,
Your daughter

Collect all the change you have. Put in in a bottle by the tree table at Collide. Make change happen in someone’s life.

We talked about Worry at Collide on Sunday and why we shouldn’t do it. It was one of the best Sundays I’ve had at Collide in a long time. It was something to be shared that’s for sure. Anyone who missed out really missed out on something special.

If you want to join us at Collide this Sunday you totally should. We are having a POTLUCK party. Covered dish entry-fee. haha. Happy early Thanksgiving everyone.

In His Love,
Buffy

(Source: greenville.beautifulcollision.org)

Tonight was the first time in a long time that I felt so much while I worshiped. Collide tonight was absolutely amazing. I felt so much. I cried, I laughed a little to myself, and I prayed like never before. It was the best feeling.

“I’m not afraid, I’m not afraid…. Show me your glory.”

These were the words that resonated with me the most. I don’t want to be afraid of God’s plan in my life. I continually prayed tonight for God to just show me His glory. Show all of himself to me in everything that I do. In everything that I am, and in everything that I reveal to other people.

Tonight was the first night in a long time that I had prayed that hard to God. Prayed that hard simply to feel His presence. It was a beautiful beautiful experience.

In His Love,
Buffy

(Source: beautifulcollision.org)

Directed by: Chelsie Buffington
Edited By: Elizabeth Coggins