Celebration of Death or Celebration of Grace?

**Let me just point out first and foremost that you're most likely not going to appreciate what  I'm about to say, so please feel free to completely ignore me if you don't agree.

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you..."-Matthew 5:43-44

This is a time of tragedy for our country after this past weekend's elementary school shooting. I am definitely not trying to defend the shooter; however, I am trying to defend my faith. I understand that there were a lot of mixed feelings going around and about as of Friday morning (rightfully so), which is unavoidable. Hate, however, should not be one of those. I believe that this situation and what happened was entirely unnecessary, but I also believe in justice and I believe in the untold story; behind the scenes.

I also believe this event is something to be mourned. It is heartbreaking that we are in this position in the first place. It is heartbreaking that there is so much hate, so much anger, so much bitterness, and so much evil. All of these are reasons that we experience these particular events. Humankind has been dealing with all of these since the fall, and it won't stop at the death of this man seemingly consumed with evil. For all we know, this man was at his final breaking point and had absolutely no idea what he was doing. (Again, I'm not defending him. Just viewing it all from a different perspective) We must continue to pray fiercely against all of the hate, anger, bitterness, etc., and diligently guard our hearts from them. 

"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."-1 John 3:14-15

Do you really think that this man deserves his fate any more than the rest of us? No, because we are all evil. It's by the grace of God, and the grace of God alone, that not every single one of us should have the same destiny... The only thing that ought to be celebrated in this event, is that we each are given the chance for eternal splendor rather than eternal damnation. We shouldn't be celebrating this man's death.

With that being said...

"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."- 1 John 3:16

A special thank you goes out to all of those who risked their lives for this cause. The cause of protection, freedom, innocence, a bright and exciting future for each and every one of these children . We still have a long haul ahead of us, but just know that we are grateful for all you have done and are amazed by the beautiful soul that you possess. And to the families and parents of lost precious loved ones as a result of this tragedy, no single man or woman or child has died in vain. My heart goes out to you all. 

Change Is Inevitable.

Shew! This has been the most insane semester of my college career thus far. I guess that's what I get for swearing multiple times that it was going to be my easiest. However, I have just turned in the last of my "big projects" (you know, because finals aren't just next week or anything...), squeezed in a bit of Christmas shopping therapy, and now I am resting in my humble abode, sipping on some hot tea while Ray LaMontagne speaks to my soul. All is as it should be. 

So, with that being said, a big decision has been made since the last you and I had a chat... A few of you know, a few of you won't care, but for those of you who don't know and do care: after this semester, I will be moving to Nashville to finish up my education at Trevecca Nazarene University. Knoxville has been so amazing. I definitely know why God miraculously opened up the doors for me to come back here. However, I now believe that He is leading me elsewhere... Why do I believe this, you ask? Because I simply don't have a choice; and I am thankful for that, because I cannot trust that-if I did have a choice-I would make the right one (and why after 15 years of school do I still not know or understand the proper use of a semicolon?). 

I have actually really struggled with this decision for about a year and a half now, which my family can attest to. I have had so many options of places I could go or schools I could go back to. This semester though, God just made it very clear to me that my time in Knoxville is coming to a close and I will not be returning to Johnson City. You know, I've had some of the best memories of my life in these two places, but I trust that it'll be the same no matter where I go. That is how it's always been. I'm sure that there will be trials to come, but He is my God and I am His child. In the past month or so, I have felt such a peace about this decision, and I am excited to see what He has in store.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts."-Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV

In other news, I am super blessed to have such amazing friends. I literally don't know what I would do without them. And I'm so glad that they are willing to always be there for me, no matter how difficult being friend's with a crazy person may or may not be.

Anyways, I hope you have a great December 3rd tomorrow! I've already been listening to my Christmas tunes (since September...judge me), but I have yet to finish my Christmas shopping, so don't be surprised if you get an empty box with "blame the Mayans, the world was supposed to end" written on it! Stay tuned for my holiday playlist for this season...

I Choose...

In a world where anonymity instills false power;
In a world consumed by the Joneses mentality;
In a world overcome by hate, rape, evil, and loss;
In a world where children are misled, mistreated, and misunderstood;

In a world where diagnoses are made for money;
In a world that is all about sales, worth, and stock;
In a world “made for man, by man”;
In a world concerned with self;

In a world where teenagers fear for their future children;
In a world seemingly heading for decay;
In a world in which intimacy, courtship, and love has been redefined;
In a world directed by feelings;

In a world full of torn homes;
In a world where the “solution” is adultery or divorce;
In a world mesmerized by sex and pornography;
In a world with broken families, where sons and daughters don’t have answers;

In a world that actively casts stones;
In a world with legalized murders; 
In a world that contains those dying to die;
In a world where “coping” means numbing;

In a world made up of religion;
In a world of separation;
In a world of politics and diplomats;
In a world where there is no hope;

I choose to believe in the power of song;
I choose to believe in the motivation of human contact and touch;
I choose literature, real, paper… print;
I choose to die to myself;

I choose to trust instead of feel;
I choose life;
I choose fellowship with the body, the entire body, not just the ones I deem appropriate;
I choose to try to do my best at all times;

I choose to let go-of shame, guilt, anger, bitterness;
I choose to minister to others, no matter the cost; 
I choose to pray;
I choose to worship;

I choose to lead by example, rather than force;
I choose to own up to my mistakes and faults;
I choose to embrace my quirks;
I choose to find the good in myself rather than dwell on the bad;

I choose to fight for what I believe in;
I choose to be stubborn about my values;
I choose to laugh, because if I don’t, someone else will;
I choose to jump, because it’s worth it;

I choose my Jesus;
I choose to make a conscience effort to represent Him daily;
I choose to be weird, different, happy;
I choose hope.

Such An Intimate Invitation

Come to the table. It's that simple. A genuine invitation to join God at His table. Me. He wants me to sit at His table. He wants me to partake in a meal with Him. It's that simple.

I've been thinking about communion a lot today. Communion is an event done in remembrance of Christ and what He did for us on the cross. I've taken part in many different communion services but there are two that stick out the most. Usually at my church, we pass around the trays and grab a little chalky square that is the bread, and a little glass of grape juice that you are expected to hold and not spill for 20 minutes while the preacher talks, reads, and prays for the congregation. However this morning at church, one of the pastor's talked, read, and prayed and then as you were felt led, you go get your own bread and dip it in the grape juice. (I kind of thought that was a little gross because everyone's hands had been all over the bread, and I would rather drink my juice separately, butttttt that is beside the point. It's not even about that.) When thinking about the differences between the two, that's when it hit me. We "come to the table", and have to actually move in order to take part in communion.

The whole point of this post is everything that happens before you take part in this act of worship. I guess, the whole idea of coming to the table was sort of humbling for me. God extends this gracious invitation to me. While I am dirty, impure, unworthy, and covered in sin, He is asking for me to join in fellowship with Him.

I never have realized the beauty in this part. Before accepting the invitation, I have a chance to lay everything at the foot of the cross. Not only can I lay down my worries and burdens, but I can lay down my pride, my sins, my filth. No matter how dirty and unworthy I may think I am, God forgets. He doesn't even care! He just wants to spend time with me, because I am his daughter.

Wait, there is more... I am cleansed. I am made new. I am made perfect in His eyes, because He takes it all.

That is the best part. And it's that simple. It really is. What a beautiful exchange... and such an intimate invitation...

The Light That Never Fails.

A servant of God must stand so much alone that they never know they’re alone. In the first phases of Christian life disheartenments come, people who used to be lights flicker out, and those who used to stand with us pass away. We have to get so used to it that we never know we are standing alone. 

“At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it…” 2 Timothy 4:16-17

We must build our faith, not on the fading light, but on the light that never fails. When people we love go their own way we are sad, until we see that they were meant to go, the one thing that remains is looking in the face of God for ourselves. Allow nothing to keep you from looking God sternly in the face about yourself and your beliefs. And every time you share His love with others see that you look God in the face about things first, then the glory will remain all through. A Christian worker is one who perpetually looks God in the face and then goes forth to talk to people. The characteristic of the ministry of Christ is that of unconscious glory that abides. We are never called on to parade our doubts or to express the hidden ecstasies of our life with God. He already knows it all. But the secret of the worker’s life is that they keep in tune with God all the time so that their light never fails. 

“And we, who with the unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” -2 Corinthians 3:18.

Insecurity.

It has been a while since I've posted, I know. But I have been stressing over the final weeks of the semester and getting ready for summer. That being said, it is finally summer and I couldn't be any happier! But, one thing struck a chord with me tonight and I find it necessary to discuss. I have probably posted something along these lines before, but let's get to it. Shall we? 


I have been running errands all day and when I came home I decided to get in my Facebooking. So as I scroll through the newsfeed, I continuously see negative statuses. Usually posted by girls. And it is a really upsetting thing to realize how many girls are struggling with confidence in themselves. Then I came across this quote on Pinterest "Don't let insecurity ruin the beauty that you were born with." 


That quote is so accurate. Why should you let others opinions effect how you view yourself? Just be yourself and those that matter will stick around. Find beauty in the person that you are...quirks and all. :)

Death in His Grave.

It still blows my mind: even Death bows to the King. I know you're probably all getting tired of my McMillan posts, but I just wanted to share a song that has blessed me this past week, and I know will continue to do so in the week leading up to Easter.

Though the Earth cried out for blood;
satisfied her hunger was.
Her billows calmed on raging seas,
for the souls on men she craved.

Sun and moon from balcony
turned their head in disbelief.
Their precious Love would taste the sting,
disfigured and disdained.

On Friday a thief;
on Sunday a King;
laid down in grief,
but awoke with keys
of Hell on that day.
The first born of the slain,
the man, Jesus Christ,
laid death in his grave.

So three days in darkness slept
the Morning Sun of righteousness,
but rose to shame the throes of death
and over turn his rule.

Now daughters and the sons of men
would pay not their dues again.
The debt of blood they owed was rent,

when the day rolled a new.

He has cheated

Hell and seated
us above the fall.

In desperate places,

He paid our wages

one time once and for all.