Love Wins

Yes, love wins... But it wasn't on June 26th, 2015. It was years ago when an innocent man was beaten, stripped, and crucified for my sins, for your sins, and for the sin of all of mankind. It was when the son of God breathed his last breath and died between two criminals hanging on crosses beside him. It was when 3 days later the tomb was empty and Christ had risen from the grave. That's when death was conquered. That's when sin was conquered. And that's when love really won.

So in light of the Supreme Court's recent decision to legalize gay marriage in all 50 states, I believe that love already won way before that. The love of Jesus Christ is a very different kind of love... A love that as Christians we are called to share to the world.

Regardless of beliefs and opinions and the differences between all the different views going around, love wins when people come together to serve and relate.

Love wins when people are kind to all people, regardless of race, religion, beliefs, sexuality, etc.

Love wins when people let go of the pride in their judgements and instead they listen, understand, and forgive.

Love wins when community is built even between people from different backgrounds and with different beliefs.

I am far from perfect. I make mistakes and sin every day. Who am I to judge others for their choices? My personal beliefs may be very different from yours, but maybe instead of shoving my opinion down your throat, my goal should be to speak the love of Christ into your life. I believe that if I'm really going to say that love wins, then I love anyone and everyone regardless, even if I disagree with their choices and beliefs.

We don't have to agree with others to love them. I think this Casting Crown's song definitely hits the spot:

"Jesus, friend of sinners, the one who's writing in the sand

Made the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands

Help us to remember we are all the least of these

Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees

Nobody knows what we're for only what we're against when we judge the wounded

What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners

Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers

Let our hearts be led by mercy

Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours"

If you're reading this and you have ever felt shamed, judged, unwelcome, and unloved by the Christian community for any reason, I deeply apologize. It saddens me to read and hear of Christians saying hateful things and judging you for your choices. But praise God for his son; we all need Jesus' love. I pray that one day you will experience the real and unconditional love of Christ.

Lastly, for everyone reading this, let me remind you that love won on the cross. Our debt to sin was paid for, and it's our duty as believers to bring the true, winsome love of Christ out into the world. Religion, beliefs, opinions, skin color, sexuality, political party, etc.... None of these factors change the intrinsic human value that ALL people were created with in God's image.

"What if we put down our signs, crossed over the lines, and loved like Jesus did?" –Mark Hall, Casting Crowns (“Jesus, Friend of Sinners”)

What if this is our chance as believers to really show God's love? We can shame and judge and turn people away from God's saving grace, or we can love and relate and bridge the gap to be able to share God's saving grace.

Let God's love win in your life today.

Be held

Sometimes you just have to let yourself be held.....

As I rocked a little baby to sleep today, I realized as she was crying and straining to keep her eyes open, that that could be me in sense. Instead of just relaxing, closing my eyes and letting God hold me, am I fighting to keep my eyes open and focused on the world around me? Am I letting God give me the peace and comfort he so desperately wants to share with me?

If you're anything like me, you might find yourself in this same situation… Trying so desperately to stay caught up with life, that you completely ignore the God of all peace.

It's not necessarily easier to fight to stay awake to my worldly business, but it allows me to feel in control. It's hard to let go of the biggest stresses on my mind, all my struggles, and internal anger. Our human nature is to fight for control and power.

But as I fight and struggle, I'm fighting against a God who is much more powerful than I am and I'm wasting all my energy in the process.

God isn't going to let me go. God isn’t going to let you go.

No matter how much a little kid might kick and cry to battle to stay awake, eventually they're going to fall asleep. So, the sooner you realize that God is reaching out to you ready to completely embrace you in his love, the sooner you will experience his peace and everlasting joy. Let yourself be like a baby… Content that you have a Father constantly holding you and begging you to find rest in him.  

Psalm 131 (The Message)

"God, I’m not trying to rule the roost, I don’t want to be king of the mountain. I haven’t meddled where I have no business or fantasized grandiose plans. I’ve kept my feet on the ground, I’ve cultivated a quiet heart. Like a baby content in its mother’s arms, my soul is a baby content. Wait, Israel, for God. Wait with hope. Hope now; hope always!"

Let God hold you, and listen as His calming spirit speaks, “Be still and know that I Am God." (Psalm 46:10)

Dear Dad

Since I wrote one for my mom, I suppose that means I also have to write a blog for my dad…. Just kidding, it would be an honor to write a blog for you, Dad, because you have already done so much for me. Happy Father’s day to all the dads out there today, but especially to my dad. I hope you know how much I truly appreciate you and how blessed I am to have you for a father. Words can’t do you justice, but I’ll try J

35 Reasons why I love my dad <3

1.      "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” – Deuteronomy 6:6-7

I am so thankful that my Dad has set a godly example and has passed down his faith in God’s word to me. Ultimately, flesh will fail, but God’s Word will never fail and as long as I stand on that, I have nothing to fear.

2.      Although we like to make jokes sometimes, my dad really is very wise and I’m so thankful for all the advice and sense he’s talked into me over the years.

3.      My Dad is really an amazing father and husband, although he would probably never truly admit it. But, I am thankful for my dad’s humble attitude.

4.      He has a great sense of humor and is always making people laugh.

5.      I’m so thankful that he passed that sense of humor on to me and that we can joke around about pretty much anything.

6.      He has never stopped believing in me.

7.      He has always supported and encouraged me through prayer, words, and always being there. In sports, school, my choices, and everything in between my dad has always supported me. And he’s always been there to encourage and guide me in my failures and struggles.

8.      I am thankful that he gave me a competitive spirit.

9.      He volunteers in friendships and out in the community to serve and help others.

10.  He puts up with my bad moods.

11.  He was the “tickle monster” and the reason for countless afternoons of my siblings and I running around the house hiding, laughing but fearful that we would soon be found.

12.  I am also thankful that my dad used to let me paint his toe nails.

13.  It wasn’t insignificant that my dad let us keep the cats. ;)

14.  He married my mother and has stood by her side from the beginning.

15.  He makes the best over-easy eggs.

16.  Spending time with him never gets old.

17.  He is always the driver, even in the terrible big city traffic that drives us all nuts. But, we have yet to get in an accident, and my dad always seems to make those long road trips a lot more fun.

18.  He taught me that life isn’t fair, but regardless I should make the most of what I do have.

19.  Along with that, he taught me to count my blessings.

20.  I already said my mom always wins when we have family game nights, so I’m thankful that my dad is a good loser.

21.  He is patient.

22.  I know that he’s praying for me.

23.  He admits when he is wrong or has made a mistake.

24.  He is caring, kind, and compassionate.

25.  He’s involved in our church community.

26.  He gave me his height.

27.  He’s a hard worker.

28.  He’s diligent.

29.  He’s a good friend.

30.  He has loved me unconditionally.

31.  He is very forgiving, no matter what.

32.  He’s not afraid to speak his mind.

33.  He is genuine, real, and honest.

34.  He has stayed committed to our family. I know I take it for granted quite often, but I really am incredibly blessed with the family that I have.

35.  He makes me proud to be his daughter. 

It is pretty easy to take my Dad for granted. It's easy to think that just because he's my dad he is supposed to be and do all these things for me. But although he really doesn't have to be or do any of them, he chooses to and for that reason I believe he is one of the best dads in the world. I love you to the moon and back, Daddeo <3

Airports, Planes, and Patience

Well folks, this past week I had quite the experience with flying. On the way to South Dakota, our first flight was delayed so we missed our connecting flight and ended up having to drive the rest of the way to our destination. Sitting in an airport all day is not a super great experience, not to mention having to drive 4 hours afterwards on top of that. 

I didn't think our luck could get much worse, until on the way home from our visit, our first flight was delayed so we once again missed our connection. We then had to stand in line for quite awhile to get hotel vouchers and rebook our flight for the next morning. With no change of clothes or any of our luggage, we made it to the hotel and back to the airport the next day only to find out that our rebooked flight had been delayed 2 more hours. And just for a brief side note, I'm writing this blog whilst I am still traveling and trying to finally make it home. 

Needless to say, this was not the best and most joyful experience. Did it test my patience? Most definitely. Did I pass that test? Most definitely not. 

I had to skip a couple meals, didn't get a change of clothes for the day, and had to change a bunch of my plans. And I really wasn't patient about it at all. 

With that said, I'm probably not the one to be telling you right now that patience is a virtue... 

But what I can tell you is that all my complaining didn't change a single thing about the situation. It didn't get me home sooner, it couldn't get me a change of clothes, and it certainly didn't keep me from spending hours waiting around in the airport. 

The only thing my attitude truly affected was myself and probably some of the people around me. 

I don't read my Bible near as much as I should, but I'm fairly certain it doesn't ever say, "When life throws curveball after curveball, you should just get mad and complain." And if it does, I sure would like to know what version you're reading... 

Instead, the Bible actually contains all sorts of good words on the opposite attitude- Patience.

Just one example is 1 Corinthians 13:4, which says that "Love is patient." 

If I say I love God with all my heart, but my heart isn't patient, that's not really love. And, if I say I trust God but I'm not patient with his plans, then I'm not really putting my complete trust in him. There had to be some reason why this happened, and although I may never know it, I still don't have an excuse to not love or trust God with all my heart. 

If I say I'm loving my neighbors and my enemies but I'm not being patient with them, that's not really love. 

And even if I say that I love myself and who I am as a unique handiwork of God's creation but I get so frustrated and worked up instead of being patient, then that's not really love. 

Clearly, this experience was a learning lesson for me. But I suppose if somehow it can reach your heart as well, then maybe that's the first reason I've found to be thankful for having 3 delayed flights in a row. In the end, love is patient and if I'm a follower of Christ, then I should be characterized as patient. If hours sitting around in an airport is what it takes for me to learn that, then so be it. 

19 (part 2)

In my latest blog I started explaining some of the most impacting Bible verses on my life this past year. I didn’t get through all of them, so here’s the rest today!

            8. Daniel 1:8-

“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank.”

I really just love Daniel’s story because he stood up for his faith, even when the odds weren’t in his favor. I think this verse just highlights his story, in that he resolved not to go against God’s commands. He made a choice to serve God, and he followed through with it.

9. Now this next verse may seem strange to pick as one of my favorites. But, it really did speak to me in a huge way this year. It is Genesis 3:10-11.

“And he (Adam) said, ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.’ God said, ‘Who told you that you were naked?’”

One way I look at this verse is that God is questioning why Adam and Eve are afraid. In comparison to our fears or shames, God is way bigger. Don’t allow yourself to be told, or to start thinking to yourself that you have problems and fears that God isn’t bigger than.

10. Zephaniah 3:17-

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”

It is always good to be reminded that God is forever present in our midst as believers, and He truly rejoices in us, through us, and with us.

11. This verse really stands out to me, because in a relationship with God, knowing Scripture is absolutely vital. You can never be in the Word too much.

            Matthew 22:29-

“But Jesus answered them, ‘You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.”

          12. 1 Peter 6:6-

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.”

            Stay humble, and God will lift you up when the time comes.

            13. 1 Peter 6:7-

                                    “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

This is the second part of the previous verse. But it really is so cool how we have God that not only can we put our faith, hope, and trust in, but whom we can lay down all our burdens and worries.

14. 2 Peter 3:8-

“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

I really can’t wait to spend just a day with God in heaven. Seriously, I can only imagine how incredible it will be to be right there with him in his presence.

15. Love like Jesus loves. It sounds simple, but when you put it into action it actually becomes quite the task sometimes. Jesus’ love is so beyond any love that we can give, but we should still strive to serve and love others how Jesus’ loves us. John 15:12-

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

15. There are so many distractions and things that can get in the way of our pursuit of Jesus. It is an everyday battle, but we must work to prioritize our relationship with him and get rid of all the roadblocks. Hebrews 12:1-3-

“Let us throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

16. It is okay to cry sometimes, but be sure to cry out to the Lord. When the storms in life hit, cry out to God because He will not ignore you. Psalm 9:12-

            “He does not ignore the cries of the afflicted.”

17. John 7:37-38-

“On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

There is absolutely nothing in this life that will satisfy your needs like the Living Water found in Jesus Christ.

18. This one has always been one of my favorites. God has a plan for you and for me, and it is far better than anything we could ever imagine. At the age of 19 now, I still am not always sure what my next step is, but God knows and I have to remember to let him lead.

            Jeremiah 29:11-

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

          19. And last but not least, 1 Chronicles 16:34.

                        “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever!”

I apologize if I say a lot of the same things over and over again, but that’s because I truly believe it. God is so good. And my words will never be adequate enough to explain his goodness or to ever thank him enough for everything he has done in my life. Again, I pray that each of you can also experience his goodness, his grace, and his ever-enduring love each and every day.  

19

First of all, I’d just like to say thank you to everyone who has been reading my blogs. I’ve always felt like writing has been something that God has wanted me to do, and I’ll continue to keep writing as long as people continue reading. 

Secondly, it is about halfway through the year now and I just turned 19 so I thought I would do something a little different with this blog. I’ve been alive 19 years now and have experienced a lot of different emotions on my walk with God. Today I just wanted to share 19 of my favorite Bible verses that have been a blessing for me over the years. And again, thank you for reading. My prayer is that somehow and someway, you’ll experience God’s goodness and His grace.

1.      This first verse became one of my favorites after I went to Israel and got to see for myself how God equipped the deer and other animals in the desert and in their certain climate to do what they needed to do. The New International Version has Habakkuk 3:19 as

“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.”

No matter what mountains or valleys you face in life, with God, you have everything you need to get through it. He has given you exactly what you need to get through every struggle you face.

2.      Psalm 32:7-  

“You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from     trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.”

This verse has been such an encouragement for me, especially during my first year of college because I’m not always a people person. And whenever I really needed to just escape from everything and everyone, I had God and his Word as a hiding place and a sweet escape.

3.      We’re people, we’re flawed, and if you’re like me, you might fail and mess up a lot. That’s why I love this verse, though, because no matter how weak I am or how badly I mess up, God still works with perfect strength.

Psalm 73:26-

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

4.      2 Corinthian 5:17-

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new has come!”

It’s such a great reminder to know that when you are in Christ, your past doesn’t matter. He has brought you freedom and new life, and none of your past shame, guilt, and sin has to stay with you.

5.      I already wrote a blog on some of my thoughts from Proverbs 31, but it has definitely become a great reminder for me. It can be hard being single sometimes, and wondering where that guy is that God has set out for me, especially when I always have to wonder if I’ll ever be good enough or ever find someone. But I always come back to this verse, and am reminded that I do have worth in who I am as a woman of God. Vs 31:

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

6.      I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before, but I’m not very good with change sometimes. I like consistency and get anxious when unexpected things pop up. But that is the beautiful thing about God; He is always the same, He never changes, and his love for me never changes. Hebrews 13:8-

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

7.      This next verse goes along with the last one. I tend to worry and stress over even the smallest things sometimes, but God is always in control and I have no need to worry when I put my faith and hope in him. Philippians 4:6-

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

 The rest of the verses will be continued in my next blog! But once again, thank you for reading! God is good, and I pray that you have and will continue to experience his goodness right alongside me. God bless!