Looking Forward

Today is the last day of 2011. And I simply couldn't be happier.

This year has been hard. Not just, "oh my toe got smashed and it hurts," kind of hard. Like legit painful. Not just for me, but for those closest to me as well. There have been so many ups and downs. But through it all, God has remained faithful. I could tell you a whole list of prayers that God has answered this year. I could tell you a whole lot that he hasn't yet. Regardless, he is always there.

This past year has been not only hard with all of the things happening, but Satan just likes telling me lies. Most people that I've expressed this to have commented that they've been dealing with the same thing lately. This is a quote that brought me some revelation.

"it is funny how mortals always picture is as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out." -Screwtape Letters

Every lie that we live in becomes how we think and process life. Those lies are lies. Therefore, it's unhealthy to think them. Too much of the time, we forget to rebuke them. We just sit and let them fester in our brains. DON'T LET THEM FESTER!!!

This new year is going to bring new opportunities, new joys, new trials and new choices to be made. I don't want this night to be about forgetting this year, but looking forward to what is to come. I want to live better. This may be corny, but I was watching the movie New Years Eve and one of the girls gave this speech...

"It's suspended there to remind us before we pop the champagne and celebrate the new year, to stop and reflect on the year that has gone by. To remember both our triumphs and our missteps, our promises made and broken. The times we opened ourselves up to great adventures or closed ourselves down for fear of getting hurt cause that is what new years is all about- getting another chance. A chance to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more. And stop worrying about what if and start embracing what would be. So when that ball drops at midnight and it will drop, let's remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other. And not just tonight but all year long." -Hilary Swank, New Year's Eve

As you enter in the new year, remember that God is always with you. This year will bring challenges, but don't forget the people he has placed in your life for support. Don't forget about the things you learned this year. Don't forget about the prayers God answered. Don't forget that each season is good in its own way. Remember to always keep your eyes on Him. He is ALWAYS with you. 

Happy New Years Eve, friends!!

 

Inspiring Couples

Relationship is a big part of life. What are we on earth for? Relationship with Christ.
But each relationship we have reflects of Him, in one or another. One thing I've been conscientious about lately is watching the relationship of couples that I really value and respect.

My best friend and I have talked about this quite a bit. The couples that inspire us.

Being at 7 weddings this year, I've had my share of watching couples my age. Seeing their parents, siblings and friends gather around them and share in their joy. More than that, I have friends that are now pregnant, after their weddings. And in every direction, more of my friends are getting engaged. I am so happy for them though!

As I look at those couples, I see the beginning. It's the start of something new.
Then I look around and see other couples increasing in age.

What I've realized is how different people are. There are so many ways to relate to people. There are so many ways of people showing their love for one another.

I want to encourage you to take notice of couples in your life that can mentor you and that inspire you to live more like Christ.

There are a few couples that I can name that I want to aspire to be like. :)
The first is Jen, my mentor, and her husband, J.
Jen has my mentor for almost 4 years. It was New Years Eve that she asked if she could mentor me, back in 2007 (it was almost 2008). I wasn't exactly sure what that would look like, but I wanted a mentor more than I ever let on. I wanted someone who would keep me accountable, who would speak to truth to me and know me really well. These are all things that she does.
But as I've known her family, I see more and more how Jen and J operate. They are loving and caring. There are obviously bumps in the road. The path for them hasn't been easy, but they are strong together. They are the couple that I know will always be strong together. They were also my college pastors for a while. Getting to see them lead a ministry together was SO inspiring. That is what I've always wanted to do with my husband. They inspire me to be who I am with Christ and with my husband.
Then there is a couple from my church named Marshall and Melissa. I met this couple when they started coming into Grove Coffee. We talked the first day then they sat down outside and chatted with each other. They've made Grove Coffee their regular date spot. They are the couple that you look at and see how they are truly best friends. They are easy going and comfortable with who they are. I've never felt like they were judging me. And they care SO much.  Honestly though, half the time they are there, I'm talking to them :) They inspire me to be the very best of friends with my husband.
Another couple that I truly admire is  one of my bestest friends, Dana. This January, Dana got married to the love of her life, Lucas. I got to walk along side Dana during her journey with Lucas. They have such a marvelous story. I have loved watching them grow together in their relationship with each other and with Christ. They are the couple that has inspired so many younger generations to live like them. At their wedding, I got to hear numerous people just fawn over them and how they've been such Godly examples. What kills me is their humility through all of it. They know that it's only by God's grace that they are together. And it is so beautiful to watch.

As a young woman, I wonder if I'll get to have what Jen and J and Melissa and Marshall have...but seeing Dana and Lucas. I know it's possible.

Friends, there are so many ways that you can choose to treat your significant other. My encouragement to you is be around couples that you respect and admire. Let God use them in your life to inspire you. The people who we surround ourselves with is who we will become.

Living loved is the best determining factor of how you love those around you. Are you living in Christ's love? To better love those around you?

Something New

It's the day after Christmas, and all through the house...the new things are unwrapped and in the rooms of their owners.

The day after Christmas should be a time to reflect on how Jesus came to earth. How his Father gave him up for us. It should be...but how often do we just go on with our lives. There are sales to get to and things to do. Why should we think about Jesus?

On Christmas Eve, I came home from a cruise to the Bahamas. It was seriously amazing. I've never had a more relaxing vacation. I got time to spend with Jesus, time to read and so much food.

For the past few months, I've been having stomach problems again. I can't quite put my finger on the cause though. When I've struggled with this in the past, it has been stress. But most of the stress in my life is non-existent. God has got my back and I'm not too worried. There is always something happening but God has truly been working on me in that area. So that can't be it. It's something new...just not pleasant.

Anyways, back to my story. On Christmas Eve, I was at my church, helping out with the Christmas Eve services. Grove Coffee was open and hopping. Through the first two services, it was all I could do to just keep going. For some reason, my head wasn't in the game. I wasn't able to function. Then I went to the service.

Palmer talked about love.

As you know, this is one of my favorite subjects.
Love is so important to show to people this day and age.
No one knows how to love unconditionally anymore.
The one thing Palmer pointed out was the performance aspect of love.
Wherever we turn, we are asked to perform.
If we perform well, we are given approval, which is mistaken by most as love.
That's not love.

Love is unconditional. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does 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 in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a) Love is hard to see in others. Because we give love in all kinds of ways. And we receive love in all kinds of ways.

How are you loving people? Examine your heart. Are you loving unconditionally? You're human. Don't be too hard on yourself. I'll be the first to admit that I know I do not love unconditionally all the time. But that's why I have God. To give me that love to give. I am incapable without Him. Are you legalistic about things? Do you write people off when they don't follow exactly how you think they should live their life? Do you stop showing them love? Who are you to do that? You are a fallen human, as am I.

My challenge to you is to love. Don't love out of obligation. Love because he first loved you. Love unconditionally. You don't know what battle people are fighting. All you know is loving them could make all the difference in the world. Love, my friends. Love unconditionally.

It's a Life and Death Situation

It's drawing closer and closer to Christmas.
All I can think about is Jesus and his life.
Last night though, I was struck with a realization.
There is death.

I know, I know. Why didn't I think about that earlier? Well, my dad I were watching a movie called J. Edgar. We went out on a daddy-daughter date :) While I don't agree with the lifestyle that J. Edgar lived, I do admire his ingenuity. The man was stinkin brilliant. At the end of the movie, it showed his death. I'm not sure why, but I was almost moved to tears. Even that man, that brought corruption and held so much power had people that loved him.

He said one line in the movie that stuck with me. He said, "Love is the only true thing in life." A man with great power knew that the thing worth living for is love.

Driving home, dad and I were talking about death. How it's a natural part of life. I've also been reading fiction books that have a death of a character in them. I'm that girl that gets so caught up in books that I feel connected to the characters. And seeing one of them die just brings me to tears. Whenever my dad and I talk about death, my mind instantly goes to him or my mom dying. I've never experience a death that is that close to me. Then even just the idea of that brings fresh tears to my eyes.

But I've also been thinking about how wonderful it would be to be with Jesus. To be washed of this world. To be in His presence for eternity. How marvelous would that be?

Some people struggle with the fear of death. Honestly, I don't understand why. I can't wait to be in heaven. Granted, I know that I have a very specific purpose to be on this earth. But I'm also ready to be with Jesus.

Life is a gift that has been given to you. If you knew that you would die tomorrow, would you live your life any differently? Why not live that way every day? How much would change in your life?

Live life to the fullest. You don't know how much time is left. But I know that when I get to heaven, I want to be able to stand before God and tell him that I lived my life to the very fullest. And He'll know, cause He was with me every step of the way.

Love is the one true thing in life. God is love. If we don't live life with Christ, we don't have love. Live love every day. It's part of living life to the fullest.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 
1 Corinthians 13:1

An now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 
1 Corinthians 13:13

Changing

I've been meaning to write for DAYS... Like seriously, days. FINALLY, I'm here. Writing again. :)

There have been so many things that God has been teaching me lately. For example, on Monday and Tuesday of this week it was raining. All day long. In case you don't know, rain is God's way of telling me that everything is going to be okay.

A lot of my struggle lately has been spiritual attack. Ever since I got home, I've been feeling more and more attacked. In all of the little things, and all of the big things. It's the end of the year and I feel like the year has gone by so so so quickly. I guess I'm getting nostalgic. I'm reminiscing in my head. I'm looking back at the change that this year has held. All of the different jobs, all of the different friends, all of the new things, all of everything. I'm changing, my friends are changing, my jobs have changed, my living situation has changed.

I have gone from change to change. And there just never seems to be a silent moment. Yet, change can be good. I can't tell you how many blessings have just been poured out on my life...and it's all because of Him.

I have seen a tremendous amount of change in my friends lives too. Which has been an honor to watch. One of my friends, a long time ago, told me that people don't change. And to this day, I disagree. People change. Their hearts change. Their sayings change. Their lives have changed...sometimes drastically.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 
Hebrews 13:8 

My constant. My center. My everything. My true love.

Is Jesus Christ. 

 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed, by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

Romans 12:2

God calls us to a higher standard. We are CALLED to be transformed. And because we are human, we resist. 

Change is good. In more than one way. Embrace it. If God is allowing it, then you know for certain that he has got your back. Would you want anything else? I sure wouldn't. Allow change in your life, friends. But don't just allow it, embrace it.

Control

There are a lot of people in my life who want to control the environment. They want to control how they are perceived, what is said, how things are run, what happens and everything in their lives. I'm not being over dramatic. Have you ever met anyone like that? It's frustrating for me...because they won't let you help them. It's frustrating for me, because I can be like that too.


I would love to say that I've given complete control to Christ. My life is in his hands and I don't ever try to take it back from Him. But I'd be lying.


I can't tell you how long I've felt like I've had no control over my life; I don't know what I want to do or where I want to go. Every time I need to know, I lay at God's feet and ask that he will give me patience. Then he tells me...


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11


Friends, I know what it's like. I know that it's hard to live in this in between stage. I see so many of my friends getting married, and graduating and starting careers. I see them do these things and envy that they know what life will look like. It's a challenge.


It's raining today. Rain means that everything is gonna be okay. That's how God tells me physically, in this world, that it's gonna be okay. I might be stubborn and hard to get through to at times...but He knows me best. :)


I want to have control of my life and know what is going to happen. But as I have seen in my life thus far, it never turns out the way I think it will. God's plan is ALWAYS better. When I have "control" of my life, it sucks in comparison to Christ.


Everything is gonna be okay. God gave me rain. Today, I will rest in Him. I will trust His goodness. Today, I am his and he is mine. We'll tackle tomorrow, tomorrow. But for now, he's got my back.


Have you given him control? Are you content with where you are? Cause no matter where that is for you, He's got your back.

Crippling

Lately, all I have seen is crippling fear.

Lately, I've seen brokenness that shapes people.

Lately, my heart has gone out to so many.

I've been in Georgia for about a week now. I'm leaving on Wednesday to come back to Arizona. But there has been so much that God has allowed me to see while being here. One of the things that I have seen outshine the rest has been fear. 

Fear is always there. God tells us to not fear anything except for Him. Honestly, I still don't completely understand that concept, but if it's what God says, then I'm sure He'll show me eventually. There have been quite a number of posts about this on my blog because it is constantly an issue in this world. 

Today in church, we were talking about Matthew 17:17...

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have the faith of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." 

Fear can be a comfort for some; a close companion for others; a known wall to hide under for the rest. What I have seen though, has been a fear that is crippling.

Crippling to their relationship with Christ, with others, with family, and in their every day lives. It might not be a fear that is overarching. But it is a weight in their every decision. Literally. 

So do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

Isaiah 41:10

For God has not given us a spirit of fear

but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7

If you are choosing fear before Christ,

you are hurting yourself. 

God is hurting for you.

He is the only one that can take that fear away.  

Let Him.