"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." -Romans 5:8
To put it plain and simple...we need to love others like Christ loves us. We spend so much of our time judging others and assuming things about people based off of their actions (I know I have done this many times; it's just my human nature), that we do not even give them time to explain their behaviors. Not that we should even require an explanation. We are all sinners and there's nothing more humbling than being smacked in the face with your faults.
Hopefully you can take something from this post, as unorganized as it may be, but if not...this is something I needed to be reminded of today. I've really been failing at loving others lately. So for all us, let's just remember to purposely love others because that is what we are called do to.
I really should be studying for, what will be, the most heinous test I've ever taken but this has really been on my heart lately...and I feel pressed to write and just lay it out there for you readers. I hope it speaks to you in some way.
"Therefore, behold, I will allure her,
and bring her into the wilderness,
and speak tenderly to her.
And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord."
-Hosea 2:14, 19-20 ESV
With Valentine's day less than a week away, I am finding myself getting caught up in this commercial holiday as much as the next person...there's lots of pink, new lines of perfume, clever greeting cards, and yes, even chocolate. It's a rather charming time of the year, might I say. Though, it is not one of my favorite holidays.
Nevertheless, I dare say that it is just as easy for couples and singles alike to dwell on this holiday for far more than what it's worth. If you're like me, I needed to be reminded of that this week. Regardless of whether or not you have a special someone to share the holiday with, I hope you can take away something from this post to remember this week.
Most of you know what the book of Hosea is about. It's a love story--a romance, if you will. It parallels Hosea's marriage to the unfaithful Gomer to God's covenant with the rebellious Israel.
Just as Gomer got caught up in her other lovers, so do we. We waste time blindly seducing lovers of our own (whether it be individuals, dreams, money, etc.) that don't include the Ultimate Romance. This is unfaithfulness through idolatry--it's adultery. Meanwhile, the betrayed Hosea waits on Gomer, and continues to pursue her, just as God still pursues us. And the best part about it, is God still girdles us in his ever-loving embrace with excitement, even though He knows our hearts still wander.
Not only are we graciously accepted back into communion with Him, but He makes us right again. As if we did no wrong. This is the sweet, intimate, constant, no-strings-attached, Great Romance that all of our hearts long for.
I do not have a valentine this year but thinking back on past years, I am thankful for that. But for those of you that do have a valentine i have only this to say: I'm sure you are grateful for your significant other and they are all you could ever ask for and are beyond blessed by them. But if you don't strive to keep The Great Romance at the center of your attention, as a couple and as individuals, then you're missing something, and will never be able to experience the fullness of love that God intends for you. And at the end of the day, that person is just one of the vessels that God has chosen to reveal His sweet love to you. They are just one of the countless ways that He romances you.
I close this letter to you readers with gratefulness and awe. I hope you have a blessed week full of Romance and romance alike, and I pray that you would find yourself in the arms of the Faithful One.
"Behold You have come over the hills, upon the mountain To me, You will run My Beloved, You've captured my heart
Won't You dance with me Oh, Lover of my soul To the song of all songs?
With You I will go You are my Love, You are my Fair One The winter has passed and the springtime has come
Romance me Oh, Lover of my soul To the song of all songs"
How amazing it is to me, that He loves our dirty, filthy, tainted souls.
It has been a while since I've blogged, but this topic has been on my heart for the past couple of days and I just want to share my opinion. (Take note that if you don't agree with my opinion, that's fine. But I stand by it.) This post won't be long so here we go. :)
For all of those who have been living under a rock for the past couple of days, I just want to fill you in on the latest news. There has been an uproar over the Susan G. Komen decision to cut out cancer screenings and give a large sum of money to Planned Parenthood instead. With all of the commotion surrounding their decision, there has been talk about them reversing that decision and so forth. I'm not completely sure what the organization has or has not done at this point, but I do know that Planned Parenthood is still able to apply for the Komen grants. But that being said, I only have one thing to say about the Komen and Planned Parenthood partnership.
The Komen Foundation is an organization focused on cancer research and I believe that they should be spending their money on exactly that. This organization's mission is to save lives so it makes no sense to give money to an organization that promotes abortion. Therefore, my personal opinion is that the Komen Foundation shouldn't take part in killing America's babies...it isn't a woman's right to choose death for her child.
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute..." -Proverbs 31:8
I belong to a group of people known as "Christians". I am a Christian. It's all I've ever known and it's all I'll ever be.
Meet my friend Jennifer. She has a unique style about her. Pink hair, high-top sneakers, heavy coated eyeliner and a lip ring is what she portrays in her outward appearance. She digs it. She says she likes to look and express herself differently than all the "normal" girls she sees day after day. Jennifer has a heart that is on fire for God. He has blessed her with so many talents; one of them being singing. She writes the most beautiful and moving songs that I've ever heard. She says that is what God is calling her to do and that its her purpose to lead others through worship.
The church Jennifer attends does not agree with her style and composure. The elders say she is a bad example to the young girls and don't give her the time of day. The girls in her youth group that make fun of her skinny jeans and "off the wall" hairstyles don't realize what kind of damage they do to her heart and confidence. No one accepts her as she is because she isn't perfectly polished and pressed in her polo shirts and designer handbags. Her passion as a child was to sing for her church praise team when she finally got old enough but her spirit has been broken and tarnished by the so called "Christians" her church congregation has claimed to be. She feels like she's not worth anything.
Meet my friend Jennifer. Today, she committed suicide. She couldn't take the pressure of peoples words and remarks so she's left this world with unfufilled dreams and a wasted purpose. Jennifer's story made me question myself... Do I, as a Christian, treat others like the Christians in Jennifer's life treated her? What is a Christians purpose? Is it just a cliche steryotype that everyone joins as an easy way out?
I want REAL Christians. I want a Christian who doesn't judge those who choose to standout. When new people "try out" church, I want a Christian who won't shove their knowledge of redemption down their throats but instead will be open minded to people who think different things. I want a Christian who practices what they preach. One that leads people to God by testifying His love for them in place of instiling the fear of dying and going to hell if they don't have a relationship with God.
I want a Christian who isn't afraid to have fun. A Christian who breaks all steryotypes and has passion for everything they do. I want a Christian who accepts that we ALL make mistakes and doesn't live life behind a fake smile... who may slip the "F" word when they stub their toe but where their heart's at is greater than the simple four letter word they cursed. I want a Christian who fills the void of drugs and alcohol with God's unconditional love inside of them. One that believes God made them exactly who and how they are for a reason and shouldn't second guess their own life.
I want Christian relationships that work. That last, happily ever after, because they fell in love with God before they fell in love with each other. I want a Christian who wants to wait and have sex until marriage but know that even if they don't or didn't, that they can be pure again in Gods eyes, 100%. I want a Christian boy who can withstand the worldly temptations because they know that the wait is worth it in the end and a Christian girl who knows she's loved and respected by a man without giving herself away.
Also, I want a Christian who hears this, reads it for what it's worth, and doesn't tune me out because they think they already have all the answers. Instead, they take a look into their own lives and realize they're Christians but sinners, too. I want a Christian who realizes there is no such thing as a perfect Christian because I'm living proof of one and I'm imperfect, too.
I'm an imperfect Christian, living an imperfect life, doing my best to glorify Christ daily. I stumble and I make mistakes, but no matter what I do...I know that my Savior will be right there with His arms open wide; no matter what stereotype other's place me under.
I am aware that it has been a hot minute since I last blogged, but don't worry I haven't abandoned you. It has been a very busy week, to say the least. So much has been going on and so much has been on my mind, I haven't really made the time to just type it all out and express my thoughts. That being said, I'm going to do exactly that. (Attempt to do so, anyway)
For the past few days I have been in one of those "grumpy" moods, if you will, because in one of my classes we have talked a lot about cancer. This would normally be fine but it's caused me to think about my grandpa's dealings and it has brought back a lot of painful memories. I know that for those who have ever had to sit through one of my depressing episodes of grief over my grandpa's death...it is a rough spot to be in and I sincerely appreciate your willingness to listen. But what bothers me is that rather than just letting me grieve and then go about my business (seeing as how I have a happiness rebound rate of about 3 minutes) a person or two will pull out their Bible and read Philippians 3:13 to me...
"One thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead..."
Now, I appreciate their attempts to make me feel better but I think they are confusing Paul's words in this passage. I believe that the well-meaning Christians take this phrase out of context about "forgetting what is behind" and apply it as a command from scripture to never look at the past. But that is not what Paul is saying here. Paul was talking about the "trophies" he had to leave behind to follow Christ. ...The Bible clearly expresses what a good and effective teacher the past can be. But only if we approach it as a good student, from the perspective of what we can gain and how we can use it for His glory.
Thankfully though, there is another passage that someone brought to my attention that is much more suited to grieving.
"When a man dies, will he come back to life? If so, I would wait all the days of my struggle until my relief comes." -Job 14:14
Thank goodness the loss of someone never has to mean the end of abundant, effective, or even joyful life for a person. These things may seem to pause momentarily while grief takes its course, but those who allow their hearts to be bound by Christ will experience these again. Our Savior is the God of resurrection life; no matter what kind of death has occurred to a believer. When our hearts have been shattered by loss and sadness, we have the opportunity to welcome a special power into our lives--the power to live again on this Earth when we would rather die.
Needless to say, I am feeling much better tonight knowing that even though I still have random spouts of grief; if I allow my heart to be bound by Christ...I will experience true happiness and fulfillment. Maybe not right this second, but eventually.
Have you ever been in those situations where you were just too scared to commit yourself? I find myself in these situations more often than I tend to realize. It's usually during those times that God is telling me to do something and it puts me out of my comfort zone... (Or when I'm too scared to commit myself to a relationship, but that's for an entirely different post) I'm sure you have had those times as well. You know, when God says "do this" and you think "you're kidding me, right?" Until finally He tells you that you are just scared. Which is usually pretty accurate for me. No one likes feeling uncomfortable or placing themselves in a situation where they have to fall/surrender. But a good friend of mine went skydiving recently and gave me a bit of advice that she didn't realize would stick with me. She told me that once you get the courage to jump, the fall is worth it all. So, why not give God a chance and let Him be your parachute? Let Him lead you in the right direction, sure you'll still make mistakes, and you will still be placed in those uncomfortable situations but the fall is worth it all.
And who knew Train was so good at writing music? I love this song and it fits perfectly with this topic. So enjoy some good music while you're at it. :)
I wanna take you with me
to life with no more yesterdays
we can start again awake and so excited
and change the way we always push
we always push
I'll open up and be your parachute
and I'll never let you down
so open up and be my human angel
and we'll only hit the ground
running
and when the world gets sharp and tries to cut you down to size
and makes you feel like giving in
oh, I will stay, I will rain, I will wash the words and pain away
Tonight I'm going to discuss a topic that I'm almost certain I've covered before, but it's really been on heart lately and I feel like it's something that we all need to be reminded of. Almost daily.
I have seen and heard so many girls go out of their way to impress a guy and it kills me every single time. Why do we ladies feel like we must dress in tight clothing or be physical with a guy to get his attention? That being said, there is a phrase that I've used to explain this (idiotic) concept of impressing boys and it is as follows: How you catch them is how you keep them. What I mean by that statement, is that if you catch a guy by dressing inappropriately or by being physical or sleeping with him....that's how you keep him. You will have to continue giving him more and more of those things (and more of yourself) and you will have to continue dressing that way, or he will lose interest. But if you catch a guy by being humble in spirit, having a Godly character, dressing modestly, and just being yourself then he will continue to pursue those characteristics in you; because he wants that. He wants to pursue a beautiful relationship with you that has Christ at the center. So how you catch them is how you keep them.
I hope that all of you ladies will realize that you can't catch a guy at a party or elsewhere by going out of your way to impress them with your clothing or by being physical and then just suddenly change who you are. He's not a guinea pig, you can't just change and have him love you for your personality or for your Godly spirit, etc. So when you are "catching" a guy, be aware of what you're getting yourself into before you get hurt.
Honestly, I feel bad for the girls that are upset over a relationship, but when I hear girls complaining about the fact that their boyfriend dumped them because she wouldn't sleep with him...it really begs me to question why he even thought that was acceptable in the first place. You know? If you aren't genuine when you begin the relationship, it won't last.
I really wish I could state this more eloquently but it's not happening. So there you have it and I hope that some of you will go about relationships differently. You don't need to impress a guy or go out of your way to get his attention. The one that matters will notice you, without all of the extra effort.