M-O-M

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all the fabulous, loving, kind, supporting moms out there! What would we do without you????

Today our pastor talked about mother's reflecting who God is and His love for us. He said everytime we look at our moms to be reminded of God and his love for us. Nathan also said that without moms our world would go into disarray and I have to agree;-) Dads are awesome but usually have the opposite qualities of a mom.

I know without my mom, my life definitely wouldn't be as complete or happy. I count and depend on her for so much. She is always there, always loving me. Everyone in the world can be mad at you and discount you, but not moms. Moms are right there supporting you and loving you and not giving up.

My life has been so blessed, not because I'm rich and have everything I've ever wanted (which I'm not and don't) but because I had a home full of love and support from two fabulous parents. I don't know what it's like to be from a home where there is abuse of any kind or parents who aren't around or don't support you. I had and still do have a home where I'm always welcomed, where I feel safe and where I can go anytime. That is huge in this world! This world can become very lonely. One of the greatest joys in this world is to love and to BE LOVED. Who doesn't want to be loved?

I've watched my sister and my friends become mothers and it's such an amazing transformation. Instantly there's a new love, like no other for that new baby in their arms. I haven't experienced it but I can definitely see it.

I know mother's aren't perfect and there's some not so great ones but mother's have a tough job and I have a lot of respect for them. I don't know how they do it all!

To my Mom THANKS for:

• putting me in dance and coming to my dress rehearsals and recitals
• letting me play sports and coming to all my games or meets
• coming to all my colorguard events and football games
• new clothes every school year
• supplying for all my needs
• helping me feed my barbie addiction as a kid
• getting me addicted to books
• the awesome bunk bed thing and tent bed we had as kids
• teaching me to give people the benefit of the doubt
• giving me a safe and loving home
• being my professional cleaner when I need you
• helping us with our laundry
• giving us memorable holidays and easter eggs with clues =)
• making me responsible and dependable
• showing us that we can be happy as long as we have health and family
• showing us hard work
• support and encouragement during the important times like college, traveling, moving and my wedding
• plus the hundred other things you have done and still do for me!

A Much Needed Heart Transplant

If someone asked me why she should believe in Jesus and God and the Holy Spirit, I would say.......because you get a much needed heart transplant! That's right a heart transplant. Your heart of stone will be changed into a heart of flesh. 


I'm sure many of us know people who are unforgiving, selfish, egotistical, arrogant, unkind, unloving and all those other "fabulous" traits. It's kind of hard to be around them, huh........or love them.....or care about them. Or how about the people who are just negative, pessimistic and down in the mouth. Are they any more fun? Is it easy to change those attitudes, thoughts and perspectives? Not usually. BUT with God all things are possible.

God is the God of love. He is love. It is truly an amazing transformation that takes place when the Holy Spirit is dwelling inside you and you have Jesus to turn too. I've always been a sunshine kind of person, glass half full and so on. However having God inside me makes me a much better person. I've always been a sarcastic one. The words would fly out of my mouth before I could even think about it. I could be competitive and jealous at times. I hated to lose (and to a point I still do but I'm getting much better). My insecurities would make me judge people before I even knew them. I liked to gossip and get the latest scoop. Have you noticed I'm writing in past tense? My attitude and most importantly my HEART have changed. I'm not that girl anymore. I see things through God's eyes (not all the time yet, though. still working on that). My heart of flesh has love, compassion, kindness, forgiveness, and no judging or criticizing (well very little compared to before). I see the best in people and look past their attitudes because we all come from different backgrounds and were raised differently. You have to give people the benefit of the doubt. No one is perfect. Only Jesus.

A friend of mine is really upset at his boss right now and said some things that were just mean and unnecessary. I couldn't believe he was saying the things he was about something that was so minor in life. Whatever was happening at work did not justify his attitude and words. So I prayed that God would intervene and work on his heart. That is the only thing that will change my friend. God is the only one that can change his heart of stone into a heart of flesh. I feel bad for my friend to have all that anger and rage and not know what to do with it or where to turn. I know we all get mad from time to time and unfair things happen but having God on your side to turn to is a tremendous help and encouragement. When you know that God is leading you and directing you and loving you, you can relax and trust. It won't be easy but you can have more peace of mind than if you didn't.

So what is so great about this "heart transplant?" I just told you=)

You are Not Alone

Does anyone else have a hard time with how much money to keep for yourself and how much to give away?! I struggle with this hourly, daily and monthly. My heart is split in two. One side wants to give everything I have away just to help someone else and then the other side w-a-n-t-s. I was in Bath and Body Works yesterday and I usually don't find much in there that I want but wow, yesterday that was not the story. I found way too much! I went in there looking for face wash/cleanser stuff (a must for my face that wants to break out like I'm in high school again, yuck). I found lotions, scrubs, shimmer mists and more! I was good though and only got what I went in there for but boy did my desires take over. The whole time I was looking my thoughts kept going back to those who have so much less than me. How can I shop for these "luxuries" when there's people in this world without a home, extra clothes, food, clean water or an education? I feel I have a responsibility to help others when I've been so blessed here in the U.S.

I don't mean to make anyone feel guilty. That is definitely not my intention. All of us have different concerns and passions and my passion is definitely for those in third worlds. I do donate and give often and try to help as much as possible but I'm also very selfish. There is so much that I want. I've gotten much better at spending and being financially responsible but that's only because God is working on my heart! It is all Him. I will look online for something and get to the very end to pay and then I decide No, I don't need it or want it anymore.

If you struggle with giving and caring for others and at the same time struggle with being selfish, know you are not alone! In the book, The Hole in the Gospel, Richard Stearns says after he gets back from seeing poverty in a third world country he is still affected and still has a lot of concern but after a couple days or weeks that concern starts to wear off and he gets used to life back in the U.S. When we aren't surrounded by the hurt, struggle, and despair of others daily, it's easy to forget. We need reminders to get us back in line.

As humans we are selfish and it can hard to control our desires and wants. No one is immune. However we serve a loving God who cares about everyone. Whatever you decide to give and share is between you and God. Just pray that God opens your heart and helps you make the right decisions. Our money is His. Think of us as money managers for God. We are here to distribute it as He would like.

lunch date

There is nothing better than bringing someone to Jesus! A friend of mine has been wanting to come to church but has been a little hesitant. I've told people at church about him and last week a friend from church, Lorrie asked if he was still going to come. I told her the reasons for his hesitation and she said she'd be happy to meet us for lunch sometime. I asked John* if he would be interested and he said yes, and we met today. 


First off I can't thank Lorrie enough for taking the time to meet John* and talk to him. Lorrie has been around for a while and she knows God's Word and she's has struggles but she also knows God's faithfulness and goodness. She is passionate about God and wants to bring people to Him. I couldn't have said the things John* needed to hear like she did. To have a friend like Lorrie is amazing because you have someone to teach you about God and the Bible. I've been a believer for a long time but not a follower, not a Bible reader, and not a church goer. I still have A LOT to learn. 


When Nathan and I moved home last March one of the main things that got me through those tough four months was church, bible study and the people. I want John* to have the same support, encouragement and help. And if I can help his journey by introducing him to a veteran believer I certainly will=)

We Should Be

I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE buying books! Even when I have thirty books to catch up on, I'll still buy more! I'm addicted, what can I say. (This is one of the only "similarities" that Nathan and I share-buying books but we disagree on topics.) I blame it on my mother. I inherited her illness. The problem isn't so much the buying but the READING of the books. I can't seem to fit all the reading I need to into my very busy schedule. HA! (Not busy just not managing my time well-at least I know my issues-LoL)


I started off on a tangent. Let me wander back to my topic. I'm currently reading Timothy Keller's book Generous Justice; How God's Grace Makes Us Just. As many of you are aware I'm very passionate about the poor and downtrodden and I believe I have a responsibility to help but I wanted to get God's perspective on the subject; hence Mr. Keller's book. In the few pages I've read today I already have many posts I'd like to write. But today I want to respond to a common thought that Christians have.......


"Christians should not be concerned about poverty and social conditions but about saving souls."


I have to say this, WHAT??? Okay it's out of my system now. This attitude is wrong on so many levels. Some may get this attitude because they believe that the Old Testament isn't valid anymore and has nothing to do with the New Testament. However that is a wrong thought. Yes, the Old Testament was all about evil and justice and the New Testament is about love and forgiveness BUT Jesus still cared about the same people in the NT that God cared about in the OT, who were the widows, orphans, socially ostracized and the stranger or immigrant. Jesus didn't just come to save our souls but to also show the poor and downtrodden that God loves and cares for them, just like He does for everyone else. They were no less special or important. Jesus' ministry was very different from OT times but he showed that the God of the OT was the same God of the NT. 


Of course as Christians we want to save souls from going to hell. We want everyone to know the gospel or good news that Jesus died on a cross for our sins so we can have eternal life as long as we believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior. (John 3:16) So how do we go about this? How do we save souls? Actions speak a lot louder than words. It is so easy to talk the talk than to walk the walk. All day long we can preach the good news but some won't get it by hearing alone. They need to "see" the good news.........but how do you "see" the good news? 


Well for one you can be concerned about poverty and social conditions. I am an avid supporter of World Vision. Yes, they are a Christian organization but when they are overseas helping in Africa, Asia or Latin America or wherever a natural disaster is, they operate by the rules, regulations and religious beliefs of that country. They will share the gospel if allowed but their main goal is to help the people in need. 
Who we are-World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.

Who we serve-We serve close to 100 million people in nearly 100 countries around the world. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.

Why we serve-Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, we serve alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people.

Reflecting Christ in Each Community-Wherever we work, our prayer is that our efforts will be used by God to heal and strengthen people’s relationships with Him and with one another. We do this by demonstrating God’s unconditional love for all people through our service to the poor — which includes providing for daily needs, working to build peace and promote justice, and partnering with churches and individuals to encourage spiritual transformation. So isn't World Vision doing exactly what some think we shouldn't be concerned about? By World Vision caring for those who have so much less than we do in the U.S., they are showing God's love for everyone. I much rather see a Christian ACTING like a Christian than talking like a Christian and that is what World Vision is doing. They will help anyone, whether that person or country believes in God. They are concerned for the people's well-being. I want everyone to be a believer but if you aren't that doesn't mean I won't help you or care about you. In fact by me loving and caring for you regardless of your beliefs in turn could turn you into a believer. As I write this, I don't feel like I got my view out like I wanted to. When I read that sentence today I wanted to shake the person saying it. To me showing concern for poverty and social conditions IS saving souls. It's a way of showing God's love for everyone. The two are one in the same, not opposing ideas. It isn't one or the other. As humans we are all sinners and as Christians we have a lot to learn and it won't happen overnight but when Christians act like a nonChristian it hurts us as a whole. If I say I am a Christian and I believe what the bible says but yet I don't follow the bible, what will people think? Would they want to be a Christian if they see me at church on Sunday and then on Monday I am cussing and on Tuesday I'm cheating on my husband?  Our attitude and actions speak for who God is and what he represents, so it is vital that we show the RIGHT God.

L-O-V-E

L-O-V-E such a small word but so powerful! How so? Well lets see....


Love can make you act in a way you never would before. Love can make you do things you never would before. Love can make you sacrifice for someone in a way you never would have before. Love is powerful. 


I recently saw the new movie Beastly, a modern take on Beauty and the Beast. The main star in the movie was always told by his father that looks matter and if your looks aren't top notch then you have nothing and no one will like you. This attitude turned Kyle into a beast on the inside. He was cruel and ruthless. As penalty for this attitude he was turned just as ugly on the outside as he is on the inside. His father hid him in a house and hired a blind tutor and then never came to visit him. The only way for him to be turned back into himself was to fall in love and have another person say to him "I love you." I'm sure we all know how it turns out since it's a movie but when he finally started thinking about someone else and caring for her, he changed. Kyle's love for her and her love for him, changed him for the better. 


Have you ever loved someone that is hard to love? Or didn't want to be loved? Its not easy. But did your love break down barriers? Did it change someone for the better? If you haven't received love, it would be very hard to show it. But if you have received love isn't it hard not to show it? All the love I receive from family, friends and definitely God make me a better person. Because of their love, I can give it away to others. For me personally, when I receive love I want to return the favor, whether it's right back to that person or passing in on to others. Another person's love validates you. It makes you feel like you are something and someone. 


There's all kinds of love. A mother's love for her child. A husband's love for his wife. A sister's love for her brother. An uncle's love for his nephew. And God's love for his people.


God is the ultimate LOVE. John 3:16 "For God so LOVED the world, that he GAVE his only son...." God created the world and us. He created us in his image and likeness (Genesis 1:27). When we couldn't do anything to save ourselves from sin, God gave us his son to be crucified and to take the penalty for our sins. Jesus didn't deserve what happened to him. He was perfect and blameless but because God loves us and wants a relationship with us and to have eternal life with him, he gave us Jesus. Can you imagine that kind of love? Would you sacrifice YOUR child to save many or even someone? Can you imagine the pain God was in? God loves us more than anyone will or ever could; so how do you think he felt about his only son being crucified on a cross?


L-O-V-E is powerful and changes people for the better. How can your love change someone? How can you help someone who needs your love today?

Building the Relationship

Do you know everything about someone as soon as you meet them? Do you know their favorite food? Favorite tv show? Or what bugs/annoys them? We don't, do we. How do we learn these things? By spending time with the person. Talking to her and building a relationship. It doesn't happen right away, it takes time. The same applies to God.

Often I hear people saying they don't need to go to church. They pray everyday and thank God for their blessings but they just don't have time for church or see the need for it. Everyone's opinion is different but I totally disagree with this idea. We NEED to go to church and there's many reasons why. One reason is to know God's word. How can we know God if we don't spend time with him? How can we know what kind of God he is and what he represents if we don't spend time with him and listen to his word, which is the Bible. That is God's "manual" for us.

Building a relationship with God is no different than building a relationship with your spouse, best friend or sister. It takes effort, time, and commitment but it is so worth it. When those tough times come you'll be prepared because you know God and how he'll help you get through it. Don't assume you know God by what you've heard and other people tell you. Go to God's word yourself! You probably won't understand everything you read in the bible and that's where church can help again. The pastor or elder can help you understand or put it in a new light. Church isn't a building, it's a group of people coming together to worship and praise our Heavenly Father.

Take the first step, God is waiting for you.

Love your Enemies

Matthew 5:43 "You have heard that is was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

There is no doubt it can be extremely hard to love your enemies. People who have said rude things or done mean things or just aren't nice people. Why in the world would you want to love them? Do they deserve it? Do you "owe" it to them? Probably not BUT does two wrongs make a right? Life is hard and some people have had very tough lives. Some people have never experienced love and forgiveness before so they have no idea. Think about it, if you never experienced love would you know what love is? Would you know how to show it or what it looked like? If you never experienced forgiveness could you forgive someone? Would you know how or what it looked like? If no one ever said to you "Hey no big deal man, it's in the past" but instead said "You owe me for this and that and until you pay me back your life is going to be hell" what would your life be like? How would you treat others? Would you think someone always owed you something? Wouldn't it be wonderful if by showing someone love and forgiveness over and over again even when they didn't deserve it, it helped that person to become a more loving and forgiving person. You changed that person's life because you chose to help the situation instead of keeping the cycle going.

God's word tells us to love our neighbors and our enemies. He says that even pagans love those that love them. To be Christians then we need love those that don't love us. Examples; when someone is rude to you for no reason, don't be rude back, instead be the bigger person and show kindness. Or if someone isn't a team worker at work, help him anyway. When someone does something that isn't right, don't retaliate. Repaying evil for evil won't make our world any better. God's advice is great because if we can follow it, it could lead to world peace and a much more loving and kind world.