Be Different!

Once when I was about 8 or 9 one of my cousins said I wasn't normal... Umm. Thanks. I think he was a little surprised by my reaction. I smiled and walked out of the room.

Who wants to be normal?

Not me!

I want to defy odds, explore unchartered trails and dance in the rain. So many people want to be like "those people". The popular girl, or that celebrity. Everyone wants to dress like the cool person, act like them, and be them. Why do we spend so much time trying to be something were not. God created us to be different.

Each one unique and beautiful. Handcrafted to be you. Not anyone else- just you. You with your freckles, with your short, curly, long, straight, frizzy, bangs. You with your skinny figure or your full figure. You with your green, blue, brown- or any other shade eyes.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, Psalms 139:14

He made you just the way you are- and He said "perfect". You in all of your beautiful mess are perfect. Beautiful, and er-replaceable. Tailor made and work of art.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

You were made to do amazing and wonderful things for Him. So be different! Embrace all of your quirk and styles, embrace you crazy hair and freckles, or pail skin and be different. Embrace it and live it to your up most for His glory.

...Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

Dance in the rain, explore the untrodden path, change the world, reach for the stars, follow those dreams He put in your heart- because He picked you. Not so and so, not that person, or this one. You. He chose you to do amazing things through. So be different- exactly the way He made you.

“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” ~ Mae West

Mean Girls Turned Mean Adults

Several years ago a church friend of my moms asked us to pray for her daughter's boyfriends daughter. Several girls at her school had called her fat and wouldn't stop bullying her. So she had stopped eating. Let's face it girls know how to be mean. We know just what to say to inflict wounds that will never be seen. After all "sticks and stones may break my bones and words will never hurt me". Bones mend, but a broken spirit won't.

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

Maybe women are mean because they feel they have more to prove.  Men are physical and then most of the time they let it go.  The women default to words and they know what tears down another woman.  They use it because in tearing down another woman it lifts them up.  It is hard for me to even express what words have done to my own heart.  I can't even describe it.  Our neighbors when I was little and innocent.  Her words I have carried with me all this time.  I think I was maybe 6 and the depression, sadness, and insecurity.  I admit even today I feel those words, I hear them again and again and they have become part of me.

Check out some of our other posts: 

You Were Born For This
You Were Called To Be MORE

Courage To Stand

If we have ever needed the courageous to stand on beliefs- on our morals it's now. This is no time to be timid, to back down, to blend in. This is no time to hesitate.

We need to ask God to empower this generation -our generation- and make them willing to risk everything for Christ. Our culture and country's morals are so depleted that they are virtually extinct, they could make the extinct creatures list, right up there with the dinosaur and who knows what else.

When we take the easy road, the path of least resistance we place ourselves in the path of compromise, and we go along with the crowd. We will remain ineffective in addressing and confronting the problems of this world.

We can no longer play it safe we can no longer hide our light under a bush and hope that life will always be safe and easy. Because it won't. Compromise is not an option no matter what other say, we are commissioned and commanded to be salt and light- so that we will stand out. We are supposed to be a beacon in the dark, a lighthouse. Not a broken light bulb.

Stand. Make a difference. Be who He made you to be. Because as a movie that just came out states so well, "God's Not Dead". When we hand over the reigns of our life and get our rear-ends out of the cockpit seat and let Him have control big things happen. But you have to have the courage to say "It's yours" and then release control- and follow wherever He leads.

Stop The Circus Act!

Anyone else feel like getting in the shower after reading through the news? Over here we have some celebrity sharing bathroom shots while over there we have someone calling someone else a racist, while still over here we have Trump making fun of women or being crass. Since when do we have to roll in the mud to get news? Seriously. When did what pictures so and so shares become news?

Maybe its time we got our brains out of the gutter and started focusing on real news.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Philippians 4:8 

While I understand that some stories are horrible- but we need to know what is happening, I don't recall gossip being news and frankly nothing that comes out of Mr. Trumps mouth lines up with the verse above. We need to stop wallowing in the dirt. 

“He that lies down with dogs shall rise up with fleas.” ~ Benjamin Franklin 

It's like a three-ring circus- and many Christians are just as much of a problem as those who are not. I've watched as people who claim to be Christians tear apart people who support Senator Cruz over Mr. Trump. Stop! This is America. We don't have to agree on every little thing.
America was and is a melting pot. It's not supposed to be one group of people that all look alike and agree on every little thing- that would be a robot, not a person. We are adults - not little kids. We can agree to disagree and agreeably without disrespecting, or abusing someone else. That's why we have freedom of speech- so that we can say what we believe. Stop trying to shut down people you disagree with.

 “If your eye is pure, there will be sunshine in your soul. But if your eye is clouded with evil thoughts and desires, you are in deep spiritual darkness. And oh, how deep that darkness can be! Matt 6:22

The person with the best argument will win - know the answers. But argue with respect. Christians its time to act like Christians. Not jump off the bridge just because everyone else is doing it. 

 "I will set no wicked thing before my eyes" Psalms 101:3

"Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good morals'" 1 Cor. 15:33

Above everything else, guard your heart. Everything you do comes from it. Proverbs 4:23 

"In your anger do not sin":  Ephesians 4:26


Click on the photo to be taken to another post. Check out this post: 

Why Voting Is Important

Seven Ways To Know He's Not Prince Charming

Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14 (NLT)

Alright ladies, admit it- in some form at some point in our lives have wanted the handsome prince to ride up on his magnificent white charger to slay the dragon and sweep you off your feet and as you ride into the sunset the words "And They Lived Happily Ever After" slide above your head in a graceful arc - Yeah. Guilty as charged, I love fairytales! In fact sleeping beauty graces my bedroom walls, I have a collection of jewelry with fairy tale quotes and - well you get the picture.

But how do you know when the guy in your life isn't Prince Charming? I know that seems like a really obvious answer, but bear with me for a second. Yes there are some easy answers - like someone who isn't running from the law (cue the western music with horses hooves pounding), or someone who is living in their moms basement playing video games in his underwear... but seriously what does Prince Charming look like for a Christian girl?

Let's start off with looking at what he should look like...

Prince Charming should:

1. Always puts Christ first. 
2. Has a deep desire to grow in his faith and is on the path of growth. 
3. He encourages you to seek Gods will for your life and encourages you in your walk with God. 
4. Honors and respects you. 
5. Makes an effort to reflect Christ in everything he does. Weather its how he talks to his parents to how he treats elderly people. 
6. He's invested in his bible. That means that he picks it up and reads it and not just twice a year. 
7. Makes an effort to pray with you regularly. 
8. He has a passion to remain pure sexually. 
9. Does not flirt with other women. 
10. Did you get some red flags? Now that we looked at what Prince Charming should look like lets look at a few ways to know he definitely is not Prince Charming.

Prince Charming Does Not:

1. Do whatever he wants. 
2. Treat you like he can live with or without you. 
3. Get high, drunk or endanger others for his own enjoyment. 
4. Encourage you to disobey God's laws or your parents rules. 
5. Treat his parents and or others with disrespect. 
6. Treat you like you are worthless, he does not yell at you, or hit you. 
7. Remain stagnant in his faith. Which is really impossible. My old pastor used to say, there is no standing still in your relationship with God. It is like riding on a escalator. You are walking forward or going backward. 

But don't take my word for it, let's look at some scripture.


Don’t become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; that’s war. Is light best friends with dark? Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her Ephesians 5:25

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”1 Corinthians 15:33

Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long Exodus 20:12

Do two people walk hand in hand if they aren’t going to the same place? Amos 3:3

Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing... 1 Peter 3:8-9

Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, Proverbs 22:24

It isn't smart to get drunk! Drinking makes a fool of you and leads to fights. Proverbs 20:1

Keep Your Feet In The Water

We all know (even the person that kills everything they try to grow- at least I hope they do...) that you have to water a plant for it to survive. It's the same thing for Christians only our water is the bible. Many of us barely crack a bible in a week- and many times not even on Sunday now that they conveniently place the verses up on the screen during church services.

A while ago my friend was over doing homework and asked to borrow my bible for her bible homework. I hadn't read my bible that day so we ended up doing it together. Somewhere along the line I happened to mention that I had read through the entire bible several times. I don't know who was more surprised- she that I had read it or I that she hadn't. Why is it not a given that we need to crack open the bible and read it instead of allowing it to collect dust on a shelf?

I love summer! One of my favorite parts is grilling out, over the years I've learned that you have to marinate certain kinds of meat before cooking it. Otherwise, it's dry, tough and gross. That is a great picture for us. We need that time in God's word to keep us from being dry and tough and letting the world overcome us with trials and hardships.

The same thing with tea- I live in the south always have (alright finicky people who are going,"you're from California"- I was born in southern California. See... From the south.) The south loves its tea. But to make a good batch it has to be steeped, the tea bag has to sit and allowed to flavor the water. We are like that. We have to be steeped in the word and just like a cup of tea the longer we are allowed to steep the stronger we are. 

Love Or Hate? It's Your Choice.

Over the last few months, I have been kind of stunned by the amount of hate and anger that has been spewed over Facebook during this election. I find myself losing a little respect for some friends for their choice of who to support for the president. Why are people so attracted to people who openly lie, abuse the power they have been entrusted with, have no respect for others and trample on the same constitutional rights they claim to support and defend. People they encourage us to hate instead of love.

The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. Proverbs 12:22

Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler! Proverbs 17:7

Shouldn't the person we choose to lead us, to represent us a nation be a person that calls us to love each other- not give us a scapegoat to hate. Shouldn't they be someone who tells the truth, even when it's not popular and stands for what is right even when no one else will.

Act justly... love mercy... walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. Proverbs 29:11

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19 

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, Ephesians 4:26

I have heard people say that this is the most important election since the founding of our country. Let's not make the choice of a president out of anger or a desire for revenge. Let's do it out of love. Nothing good happens we act out of fear or anger. It's how we ended up with the Salem Witch Trials and so many other horrible things.
  

Respect For The House

Last Sunday we happened to sit in front of a row of teenage boys. Through the entire service they messed around, talked, laughed, jostled and were disruptive. After the service the guy at the end of our row turned around and said Maybe you boys should attend children's church so you can learn how to behave in church. My parents would have yanked my butt out of that pew and outside before I knew what hit me- that was never allowed in my family,  and no I did not go to children's church to learn how to behave.

Yesterday as I was sitting in church this Sunday I happened to look down at the hymnals- someone had written all over the ends of the pages. Where did they learn that that was OK? Is it OK to draw on walls? Is it ok to talk in school? We have a family friend who literally will escort misbehaving children to the front of the church, to sit with her. Lets just say they behaved from then on. This is why my parents didn't let me sit with the other kids- we sat with them so they could teach us how to behave and then yank our sorry behinds out of their if we acted up.

"Keep my Sabbath days of rest, and show reverence toward my sanctuary. I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:30

How did we get the point that we take church so lightly that we will do things that we know would land us in trouble anywhere else? I understand younger children getting figgity but for the most part they shouldn't get away with half of the stuff they do in church- and as for my piers, you generations of teens you should know better. You are supposed to be an example to the younger kids, while you sit there on your phone, or messing around with your friends what are you teaching them? You may not realize it but they are watching you. You are teaching them that they don't need to pay attention to the sermon and you are also distracting everyone else around you from listening.

My mom has a great analogy... if you were to die right there, or if Jesus was to come back would He be disappointed in what you are doing?

I was taught that you enter the House of God with reverence, it is not a playground, you are not there to check your phone, your social media or that text.

You can talk to your friends after the service.

Why I Think Its Important To Vote As A Christian

(My sister and I after registering to vote)

A couple weeks ago a friend asked why I was so excited that I got to vote this year and why I was so into politics. I kind of just looked at her like 'Why wouldn't I be?????' But I bit my tongue and just shrugged- after all, we all know the line; Never talk about politics and religion in polite company. {Enter the absolute unladylike snort} yeah right. If you hear someone laughing after that one it's my mom. After 18 years she knows me way too well.

In my family voting is a HUGE honor and a very great responsibility. Not just because as a girl it was not always a right. For 17 years I watched my grandmother show up to the voting office to cast her ballot. Even when she couldn't see the screen very well and had to use her wheelchair she showed up. She would have me read it and tell her where the buttons were and then she would be so proud when she pushed that last one that cast her vote. My grandma was a woman of prayer. She did everything with it- I think she even pushed that button while saying a prayer for our country.

Maybe this is why I am so excited. Or maybe it's the fact that several of my family members signed the Declaration of Independence all those years ago, an act that resulted in my ability to vote for what I believe in. Maybe it's because I am a second generation Navy brat. I don't know really- maybe it's all of them. Maybe it's just that I refuse to apathetic. Maybe it's because I love this beautiful country too much not to help direct her course.

As a student and a Christian, I have grown up on a steady dose of the original writings and speeches of the men who founded this country and the Bible. I firmly believe that it is not only our right as Americans but our duty to vote. Not just for a party... not for a 'first' but for a candidate that represents our values and will not be swayed by pressure.

It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the bible. ~ George Washington 

At the end of our discussion, she said something that amounted to she still didn't care about politics and it was a waste of time. To be honest I am kind of struck by the apathy of people- especially Christians who refuse to get into politics or in some cases even speak about their faith in  public or in their homes. Why is this? Since when has it become wrong to respectfully disagree with another person? My friend and I disagree - quite a bit actually. We're still friends. So why have we become so apathetic? We're all big kids- we can take someone disagreeing with us. Maybe it's time we grew our skin a little thicker and start changing the direction of the ship- because if we don't someone else will and you may not like it. 

• So, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. Revelations 3:16

• The price of apathy toward public affairs is to be ruled by evil men. ~ Plato

• The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil but by those who watch them without doing anything ~ Albert Einstein 

• The hottest place in hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict ~ Martin Luther King J.R. 

• Any society that will give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both. ~ Benjamin Franklin 

 If you haven't gotten out to vote yet, please pray and then get out there cast your ballot. Personally, I've had enough change and promises of something new. I think it's time we restored our country to the values and standards we were founded on. 

"Whereas true religion and good morals are the only solid foundations of public liberty and happiness . . . it is hereby earnestly recommended to the several States to take the most effectual measures for the encouragement thereof." ~ Continental Congress, 1778

"[T]he Christian religion, in its purity, is the basis, or rather the source of all genuine freedom in government. . . . and I am persuaded that no civil government of a republican form can exist and be durable in which the principles of that religion have not a controlling influence." ~ Noah Webster 

I'm Possible

Ever feel like it's just impossible? It's too high a goal? Too hard to accomplish? Too lofty a height? Too scary? Too big a thing for little old you. So you tell yourself it's impossible, that you'll never touch those stars... Me too. All the time!

Nothing is impossible the word its self-says I'm possible - Audrey Hepburn

First of all, I love Audrey Hepburn, not only was she a great actress but a very wise woman. She has some great quotes out there that you should really check out but this one has to be one of my favorites. I'm also a huge fan of inventors and creators (I know- sounds crazy but there is some much we can learn from them). Many of them started with nothing. Some immigrants with just the clothing on their backs. But that didn't stop them. They took to the skies in an attempt to touch those stars. 

“What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Luke 18:27

Yes, sometimes we will fail. Sometimes we will slip and come tumbling down. Sometimes we will get hurt, sometimes we will want to give up. But if it is where He wants you I can promise you it will be well worth all of the pain. All of the fear. All of the exhaustion. With God all things are possible. Trust Him. He will always have your back. If He is pulling you toward the cliff perhaps He is teaching you how to fly.

What if I fall? Oh, my darling but what if you fly? - Erin Hanson

 

When Life Gives You Lemons

Last night we watched a documentary called "Home Is Where Jesus Is" it was about the Christian refugees in Syria. As they went through the camps you are struck by how happy & kind they are- Even though they lost all - or most of their worldly goods. Some had lost children. When asked why they were so happy they responded with we have our beautiful families, and we have Jesus.

These people live for faith and family - they endure things I couldn't imagine in my worst nightmares and yet they have more joy than most people I have ever seen- more faith than most Christians I know.

They were and are willing to die for something most Christians in America aren't willing to live for... Life gave them lemons, but they made lemonade- A drink that unites, draws people together and they willingly share what little they have with others.

Let's try to be like them, even when life is unfair and bad, let us be a light in the darkness. Please keep our brothers and sisters around the world in your prayers.




#Faith #Christian #PersecutedChurch

Maybe We Should Be Moving Instead Of Blooming

You know the old refrain, "bloom where you are planted". That's all well and good, but what if that's not what God wants from us? What if instead of "blooming" we should be moving? Changing?

As I write this I am on Facebook chatting with an old friend. We basically grew up together. Her family moved to Africa to be missionaries a few years ago and communication has been... spotty? We haven't spoken in a little over 6 months.

I have so many memories of all of us together playing in the sun, sledding, camping out in the yard. Then slowly life pushed us in two different ways and we drifted apart. I guess you could say we grew up, changed with out realizing it at the time... Now looking back you can see just how much we have changed. But what about those times when He wants us to make a radical change? A proverbial U turn in the center of our highway.

That moment you feel the world pulling you in direction and a still small voice pulling your heart in another. I will forever remember one of my friends telling me "we are just kids, we can't do that" the that she was referring to was getting published. For a long time that sentence nagged at me, and I of course (I can't stand being told I can't do something) set out to prove that sentence wrong. Every time I hit the 'publish' button on a new blog post I can't help but smile.

Don't let the I'm just a kid hold you back if you feel Him pulling you in a different direction, follow Him. Chase Him with everything in you. Maybe the spot everyone is telling you is where you should be blooming is the exact opposite of what He has for you.

Check out It's Not About Us 

~Now~

Hurry. Grow up. Get a license. Move out. Go to college. Hurry. Run. Rush.

Wow! Slow down there! Why? Why do we have to run? To rush through life like the end of the world is at our heels. Why do we have to grow up so fast? So we can change the world? We rush to be this or that. To imitate "those" people we are told we should idolize, that model or actress or singer saying we'll change the world when we are older now is our time for fun.

Instead of chasing the next big thing maybe we should chase Him. Instead of trying to be 'cool' we try to be like Him. Instead of rushing ahead with what we want we should listen to what He wants. In His will, you'll bloom like never before.

When I grow up I'll-. Why can't we do it now? Why not trust Him and bloom, right where you are, in the crazy stressfulness of life as a student why can't we trust Him and spread our wings? What if we fall? Then He is right there, ready to catch us. But the bigger question is, what if we change the world?

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

Trust Him, don't press the pause button on what He wants to do in our lives. Give Him the wheel and get out of the pilot's seat. He never wanted to be the co-pilot anyway.

Squeaky Clean

When you first become a Christian you are really careful to stay "squeaky clean". Kind of like when you first buy something. You're super careful with it but as time passes you relax and don't care about it as much. We are the same way with our faith. We get comfortable knowing He will wash it all away and make it new.

We get comfortable in our little sins knowing that He will wash it all away each and every day. Instead of trying to be better than yesterday. We wallow in the same rut, making the same mistake over and over.  We must step out in faith because of our love for Him and try to be more like him. How do we know what and who he wants us to be? By reading the bible and then putting it into action and taking another step forward.

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Romans 6:1-2

Let It Go!

Ok, you can stop singing it now, I'm not talking about Elsa.

Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal. If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me...  John 12:23-26

I want to focus on the last part of that verse... But if you let it go, reckless in your love. There is no better example of reckless love than Jesus dying on the cross for us. He chose to die a humiliating painful death for you and me. Our sins kept him on that cross. With nails through his feet and wrists. That's what love looks like. Pure and reckless.

As you continue to read through verse 26 you find this "Then you’ll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment’s notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me."


Love and service go hand in hand. You can't have one without the other.

Always Remember Who You Are

"Come on, everyone else is doing it," they urge you on. "Come on just do it!"

You want to be 'in'. You want to 'be cool'. You want to 'fit in'. To be 'one of them'. You dress like them. You talk like them, now the door is open- if you just smoke it you'll be in. It's what you've always wanted, to be one of the big kids. To be included. What harm could one puff do? It's not like you'll get hooked or anything. Your fingers stretch out to take it...

Encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:12

Its such a great feeling, to be included. To be wanted. That sometimes we don't realize just what the consequences are. Peer pressure is a strong thing.  It can sweep you away like a bubble on the ocean. It is so easy to get caught up in  the 'want to be cool' feeling that we don't realize that what they want us to do isn't that great. We get caught up in the high of being accepted and we forget who we are. That we aren't supposed to be like the world.

Therefore, come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. ... I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,  says the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

References for 2 Corinthians 6:17

• Cross References
• Footnotes

• 34 6:17 - Rev 18:4
• 35 6:17 - Isa 52:11 ; Eze 20:34,41

• d 6:17 - Isaiah 52:11; Ezek. 20:34,41                                                                                                                                                             

One of the times our family from out of town came for a visit we went bowling. Everyone got hungry so we were taking turns waiting in line for our pizza and drinks. One person would go bowl and then trade with the person in line. It was my turn to wait in line and one of the cousins who had already bowled was standing there talking to me- and swearing up a storm. As I picked up one of the drinks that were finally ready I noticed that he was wearing a Christian shirt that basically said: "ask me about my faith". I was a little stunned, what faith?

Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

References for 1 Thessalonians 5:21

• Cross References

• 36 5:21 - 1Co 14:29 ; 1Jn 4:1
• 37 5:21 - Ro 12:9

If it weren't for the shirt I would swear he wasn't a Christian, and yet he wanted people to ask him about his faith? The same guy who was swearing enough to be a sailor, want to tell people about Jesus? How does that work? We are supposed to be different, not look like and sound like the world.

 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life 1 Thessalonians 4:7

Whenever we leave the house my mom says two things, pray before you leave and remember who you are and who you belong to. Never lose sight of who you are, who you serve. It doesn't matter what 'those' kids are doing, or what they want you to do. You can't lead from the back of the line. You have to lead by example. You never know who is watching, who will see what you did and want to be like you and repeat it.

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16

Check out our other post "Let It Go" by clicking the photo below!

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?

Invisible

You walk in the doors- teens mill about chatting with friends, laughing, texting and checking social media on their phones. The wall of sound hits you square in the face, for an overwhelming moment you want to walk back out. You side step the crowd coming in behind you and slip into a corner. No one notices. The garbled conversations make you want to press your fingers over your ears.

Service starts and everyone else sits down with friends their conversations now in hushed voices. You sit by yourself in the back and fiddle with a nonexistent piece of lint on your clothing.  The lights finally go out and you let out your breath. The songs go on and you finally begin to relax.

The lights go on and they break down into small groups and you inwardly groan. How much longer?

Invisible...

The others chat, laugh, joke- without giving you even a glance. The teacher asks your name and tells you how glad she is that you are there. Minutes creep by, finally, the teacher closes with prayer and you can escape.

I know how it feels to be ignored, to feel like your invisible, that your an outsider, not wanted. It's horrible- it's just as horrible to have the people you consider friends ignore you. When you see the "new kid" or the one in the corner-  or the person sitting by themselves. Reach out, talk to them, ask them to sit with you or if you can sit with them. Invite them to sit with you next week.

You never know what someone else is going through. If you are a person that is outgoing and makes friends easily. Reach out- be Christ to someone. No one likes being the new kid.

He Love's Us

He love's you...

Three simple words we take so lightly. We sing to babies "Jesus loves me this I know..." we sing it in church "O, how he loves us..." Easter rolls in this year, and we race to church activities, Easter egg hunts, and family meals- stop, just for a moment.

Stop at the foot of the cross and listen to those words one more time. Turn off your phone for just a second and just listen. They will still be there. Really listen, "I love you," Can you hear Him? Can you almost see that day in your mind? Linger a moment longer and touch the rough wood. Trace the grain with your finger. Pick up one of the nails. Feel the weight in your palm... He loves you, so much he died for you.

We let those words slip by without much thought.

Remember this Easter, that it's not about the eggs, the candy, the hunts, the baskets, or even the time with family around the dinner table as delectable as that ham is...

It's about how much He love us...

First Impressions

They say the first impression you make on someone is the one that will be remembered. 

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left. 2 Chronicles 34:1-2

 Out of all 66 books in the bible and the tons of people in it and all the things that could have been said this is how we are introduced to Josiah, an eight year old boy who became king. At eight years old he was called to lead an entire nation... 

"He did what was pleasing to God." 

"He followed in the ways of his father David."

" He did not turn to the right or the left."

This is what, out of everything he did we are supposed to remember. Not what he had for breakfast, or what he did on the weekends, not what school he went to, but that what he did was pleasing to God. What will we be remembered for? How we snuck around? Cheated on that math test? Teased the kid with glasses? How we acted during the week when we are out of church and our "church friends" weren't around to see? Or that what we did was pleasing to God? 

In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David. In the twelfth year, he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles, and idols.
Under his direction the altars of Baals were torn down; he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them and smashed the Asherah poles and the idols. These he broke into pieces and scattered over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them 2 Chronicles 34:3-4

It's so hard to do what is "pleasing in God's eyes" for a short amount of time... But it is so so easy to let life claim our focus. At 16, Josiah was a man after Gods' heart. How many of us can that be said of? At 16, he was leading not one or two people but an entire nation back to the God of their ancestors. Can you imagine how absolutely terrifying that would be?  Can you imagine the honor?

In the eighteenth year of Josiah's reign, to purify the land and the temple, he sent Shaphan son of Azaliah and Maaseiah the ruler of the city, with Joah son of Joahaz, the recorder, to repair the temple of the LORD his God. 2 Chronicles 34:9

I drop my purse and notebook under the seat at the end of a row. The sanctuary fills quickly from the front row back. After a quick game, the band comes on stage, and the youth leader tries to settle the crowd of rambunctious teens that somehow all seem to be on a sugar-high as they giggle and joke. cell phones in abundance glow from hands of owners surfing twitter and whatever new social media form there is in the darkened room as the band begins a soft tune and someone on stage begins to pray. Some bow their heads- others make no attempt to even look like they are trying to be involved. 

The band goes into a worship song and one girl in the front row closes her eyes and raises her hands along with the song... beside her two more girls chat sidetracking the row of boys behind them that are already barely paying attention to the song. Singing along  to  a word here or there. A few others take their Que from the drummer increasing the beat to raise their hands. The pastor comes on and mentions what a good time they had the event over the weekend and how many kids got saved. A cheer rises as the number is announced. Then he begins the lesson for tonight. 

He talks about how when you're in the moment when the band is good and you're on a spiritual high its easy to be on fire for Him. To say I'm going to seek Him. I'm going to read my bible and go to church etc. But when Monday rolled around and the world hits you square in the face, you remembered you had a test do that you haven't done any work for. Why didn't God remind me about that?! Or an ugly situation raised its head and life went back to normal...

We have to seek God every single day. In every aspect of our lives... the way we talk, the way we dress, the way we treat others. Every way.  It's not easy, it's a constant battle. Because when you are seeking him you are a threat to Satan. We have to acknowledge who God is. Who is He every single day? But we can not let church be our idol. We love the idea of church but we don't always love Christ. How do we get to the point that our biggest desire is Him and our tradition is Church? Destroy the idols in your life. An idol is anything and everything that keeps us from putting God front and center in our lives. The world needs Christian leaders. There are plenty to fill in the cracks but we were called to lead. To be bold and be different.