Sunday, September 27, 2015

Love Is. But Am I?


Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 



Whenever I'm annoyed with my sister my mom reminds me of this verse. I've heard it so many times over  the years as soon as someone says "love is" I can finish the verse for them without thinking about it, and sadly I think I may even take this verse a little lightly... 

Sure, I get it. It's a picture of what love is supposed  to look like. It goes arm in arm with  Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13 But I think it has become like the song you sing in church- over and over. Until its just words coming out of your mouth with no meaning or thought. 

It tells us what love is supposed to look like, but do we apply it to our everyday lives? For a minute remove the word 'love' and insert your name. 

  • Am I patient with friends, strangers and my family? 
  • Do I boast?
  • Am I arrogant?
  • Am I kind?
  • Do I keep a record of the things people have done that hurt me?
  • Am I jealous?
  • Do I put others down to elevate myself?
  • Am I self-seeking?
  • Do I delight in other people's misfortune?
  • Do I rejoice in the truth? 
  • Do I always protect?
  • Do I always trust?
  • Do I always hope?
  • Do I always persevere? 
  • When other people hurt me, does my love for  them fail?

Sunday, September 20, 2015

20 Books Every Teen Girl Should Read

 

Passion & Purity by Elliot
One Girl Can Change The World by Mitchell & Goad
Made To Make A Difference by Lucado
It's Not About Me Teen Addition by Lucado
Courageous Teens by Catt & Parker
Case For Creation by Strobel
Case For A Creator by Strobel
Case For Faith by Strobel
Walking His Trail by Saint
Jesus Freaks by DC Talk & Voice Of The Martyrs
Not A Fan by Idleman
God's At War by Idleman
Christ Commission by Mandino
Cost Of Discipleship by Bonhoeffer
God Smuggler by Brother Andrew
Kisses From Katie by Davis
Sister Freaks by James
Beautiful Battle by DeMuth
Re-Creatable by Scott
100 Ways To Reach Your Community by Sjogren