What is Love??

I know this may sound corny and this verse is definitely over used at weddings but Love, true love, is... Patient, Kind, It doesn't boast, It doesn't envy, it isn't proud, It doesn't keep records of wrongs, its not rude, Love never fails, It always protects, hopes, and perserveres. (1 Corinthians 13: 4-7)I think often verses like this one get way overused people forget the real meaning behind it. I mean think about your life for a second, think about your closest relationship be that a significant other, a friend or family member. Think about the times you were rude, or brought up past failures, think about the time you got impatient and said unkind words. I'm not trying to be a downer but I'm sure everyone reading this (if anyone does read this! :) ) had to say "ugh... yup... I've done that!" I mean we are not perfect by any means so there is not one person who can truly do all these things, all the time (except God of course) but we have God to help us! And that is the beauty behind this verse. Not only does it show us how to love others but it also shows us how God loves US (His very imperfect creation!) So remember that the next time you want to say some unkind words or bring up some past mistake, remind yourself of this verse. Love ALWAYS perserveres!

To be honest I have NOT been the best at this lately, God has truly convicted me of it and so to those of you whom I have hurt (you know who you are) I can say from the depths of my heart I'm so sorry.... and from now on, my love to and for you will perservere!

Deep Roots

Psalm 1:1-3 "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked... but his delight is in the law of the Lord... He is like a tree planted by streams of water..."

Recently we had an interesting string of storms that blew through North Dakota and Minnesota. We didn't see a lot of it here in Fargo but at my apartment there was some interesting damage. A big oak tree that was nicely placed between the apartment building and the garages quite ironically was completely uprooted and fell. Now, luckily the tree fell North, and not East or West into either of the buildings, but the whole thing got me thinking... there is a song by Justin Rizzo called "Tree" and it says "I want to be unmovable and unshakable so let my roots go down deep, unmovale and unshakable in You..." I mean look how easily the natural winds of this earth tore down a HUGE tree. If figuratively I were that tree that would be like me getting spiritually knocked over because of some minor sin or minor upset in my life. So I need to have deeper roots, that I will be unmovable when the winds and storms try to blow me down. I need to keep those roots firmly planted in HIM! What a great reminder!!

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven..."

Some times in our lives we have times that seem more like winter, some like spring, summer and some like autumn. Some times the rains come down and we are flooded and overwhelmed with either emotions or just the busy-ness of life... Sometimes we feel cold and heavy like the winter wind and snow. With not much to look forward to or just kind of "dead". In the autumn seasons of our lives we watch as our lives start to twirl and spiral to the ground like the leaves on the trees... In the summer we have drought spells where we are dry and feel useless...

BUT (and there always is a but!) let's not forget that after the heavy spring rains comes the beautiful, green plants; after the bitter winter wind and cold comes the beautiful glistening snow topped trees; the beautiful colors of autumn leaves that remind us God is SOOO creative and of course in the dry drought of summer the wind will blow away the dust and we can bathe in the sun (or the "Son" if you will!)

Jesus, help me to remember that seasons come and go and that there will be times of cold, rain, spirals and drought... Remind me that to everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven. AMEN!

Proverbs 27:14

"As water reflects a face so a man's heart reflects the man" Proverbs 27:14

Friendships are like mirrors they show you who you really are... OUCH... When I really think about that phrase it kind of stings... Lately I definitely think my mirror would not show the prettiest of faces. I have not been the best friend or the most encouraging person that I normally am... You know, I could sit here and blame it on life's ups and downs, or on the past or even the future. But in reality it is a reflection of my heart. In those times of ups and downs did I run to God... I have to admit that no... I didn't... I have learned so much in only one week that I have no idea where to even begin. All I can say is GOD is SOOO good! I just have to continually give my heart to HIM! "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD He directs it like a watercourse wherever HE pleases." Proverbs 21:1. I place my heart in HIS hands and HE directs it... That way my reflection will be a beautiful reflection of the true me! The me I couldn't be with out HIM!

WOW! What an awesome revelation!

My challenge to you... Who do you see in the mirror today, the mirror of your heart... if you don't like what you see, give your heart to GOD, your worries, anxieties, hopes and dreams and I promise HE will direct them all and that reflection will change! I know mine has! :)

Let It Snow!

"For You created my inmost being, You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be!"

Psalm 139:13-16

Today the snowflakes were lightly falling down and I could see their shape and design and I thought about the fact that no two snowflakes are alike, and its the same with us. God created each of us to be unique individuals! These verses in the Psalms are just a glimpse. He knit us together in our mother's womb. He knew me before I even came to be! What an awesome thought!

Thank you God that I am fearfully and wonderfully made!

Sore Muscles... Ugh!

"Do you know that in a race all the runners run but only one gets the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air."

1 Corinthians 10:24-26

Yesterday my roommate's car wouldn't start so we (along with the help of a few others) pushed her SUV out of the garage... I am definitely not in the best shape and am not very strong... so today I am feeling the ill effects of sore muscles and an achy back... That reminded me of this verse. Often in our Christian lives we forget that we need training to keep in "shape"... just like a runner or a boxer would not do well if he/she only trained randomly or spontaneously so it is in our walk with the Lord. The Lord desires that our relationship with Him be an ever-growing, productive, "Trophy" winning, life long relationship. He gives us all the "equipment" we need... his word, prayer, the church... We just need to take advantage of these freely offered tools! Come on... Who will join me! Lets get in shape for the King of Kings!!

OUCH!

Isaiah 53:5 "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed."

Today I got a paper cut... I really don't understand why such a little thing can hurt SOOOO bad... the paper cut brought to mind this verse... This verse was written LONG before Jesus even came to earth yet it is about him. (That in and of itself is amazing!) When I got this painful paper cut today I was kind of complaining about it... But my Lord and Savior Jesus took a much harder beating for me... He was pierced, crushed, punished and wounded... all for me!

What an AWESOME blessing!