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New Blog Series – Colossians

Happy Friday, friends. I am excited to announce that beginning next week I will be starting a new series on my blog based on Colossians 3:12-15.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

This is one of my favorite passages in the Bible and I look forward to studying it in more detail and share with you what God is teaching me through it. Be sure to check back next week for the first post.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Articles, Christian Living, Devotionals

Love Bears All Things

The entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 13 on love is extremely convicting to me, especially the statement, “Love bears all things.”

Love may be easy when things are going our way, but this verse is not just talking about loving in the good times. This verse specifies the word all, which also means loving when times are tough and being willing to suffer for the sake of that love. When I read this particular verse I always think about the love of Christ, and ask myself, do I love Christ enough to suffer for the sake of loving Him? Am I willing to bear anything – persecution or death for the sake of loving Christ, and for others in my life that I love. I think that is what Paul is referring to in this statement, and is a sobering reminder for us to love in the same manner that Christ loved us.

Jonathan Edwards, one of my favorite theologians speaks of this matter and he gives several ways “love bears all things” in this regard. They are:

Love bears all things is being willing to undergo all sufferings, of all kinds, that are in the way of duty. For example, to prefer the honor of Christ before their own. This means to suffer and being willing to lose all things whether it be family, earthly possessions, etc. for that love.

Love bears all things is being willing to undergo all sufferings, of all degrees that are in the way of duty. This means to forsake all for the sake of Christ and to endure all degrees of mocking, contempt, etc for the sake of that relationship.

This type of love mentioned above is one that never gives up and has the ability to endure any hardship, sorrow, or disappointment that comes. This is how we should strive to love Christ and the people he puts into our lives. I think the true test of love in any relationship comes not when things are easy but when things are hard, and loving a person during the unlovable times. After all, that is how Christ loves us. When we are going through hard times and love does not come easy, Christ loves us anyway. There is nothing that we could go through that would make Christ not love us, and we should apply that concept to all the relationships God places in our lives.

Take some time today to pray and to surrender yourself to the Lord. Ask Him to show you how to love Him better, and ask him to give you wisdom in finding the ability to love the ones He has placed in your life.

Articles, Christian Living, Devotionals, Friendship

Loving the Unlovable

If we are honest with ourselves we can all think of people from different parts of our life that have been hard to love. Examples could be that one person from high school who sought to make your life miserable each day, the neighbor who is always starting trouble, the co-worker that is always pointing out your flaws, or that one family member who is always telling you you are not good enough. Of course there are also extreme examples of those who are hard to love like people who commit murder or those who participate in terrible acts of violence. However, the unlovable may not necessarily be someone that is considered an enemy, but rather an outcast. Maybe befriending and loving that person would make you uncomfortable and force you to step out of your comfort zone. As Christians, the Bible speaks specifically to this topic. God is very clear in His command throughout the Word that we are to love everyone.

No matter who you consider unlovable, or what they have done — God calls us to love them anyway.

I know from personal experience that can be a hard pill to swallow. Certainly God cannot expect me to love someone who made fun of me everyday for years, and made me out to be a laughingstock right? Wrong. In Mark 12:31 Jesus gives the command to, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Also, Matthew 5:44 states, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Jesus was the perfect example of this. He was persecuted and scorned but He still loved. In John 13 when Jesus washed the disciples feet He knew that some of them in that room would later betray Him. However, He still served and showed them love.

Christ could consider each and every one of us unlovable because it was our sin that He died for, but instead He loves us with an everlasting love that we do not deserve.

Being a friend to the unlovable takes on a whole new meaning when I think of the sacrificial love of Jesus. He is the example we should follow with everyone we come in contact with. Our purpose should be to love like Jesus loves. Instead of treating others as an enemy or outcast, we should look at them from God’s perspective.

Everyone deserves to hear the Gospel and have a chance to know Jesus as their Savior. This includes our enemies, and we need to live our life in a way that would be an example of this.

Take some time right now and search your heart and ask God to show you the person in your life that has been hard to love. Ask God to give you wisdom on how to love this person, and to show you some ways to serve them.

Articles, Blog Fun, Christian Living, Devotionals, Family, Sports

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday, friends. I am sure the talk in your house or work place this morning is about the super bowl’s outcome. I love me some football, and it has been a super weekend celebrating with family (mom, thanks for all the delicious food)! Of course being the Carolina girl that I am, I was cheering for the Panthers. It was sad to see them lose but it has been a great season, and congrats to all the Broncos fans.

I know things have been quiet on the blog since the new year has begun, but my health hasn’t been cooperating. I have had one infection right after the other, but the Lord has been good to renew my strength day after day, and I am grateful for that. I would appreciate prayers for continued healing — that infections and all bowel blockages will stay away. Thanks friends. I greatly appreciate all of your prayers and encouragement as I have walked this journey.

Also, keep watch on the blog this week as I will be posting some new articles as well as information about a new blog series I will be starting soon.

I hope you all have a wonderful day. No matter how busy you are or how overwhelmed life may be — take some time to stop and thank God for the little joys He has given you, and allow His peace to rule in your hearts and minds. God has brought John 16:33 to my mind many times lately and I pray that it encourages you like it has me. Jesus states, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Dwell on these truths today! 🙂

Articles, Christian Living, Devotionals, Holidays

Happy New Year – Hello 2016!

I am currently sitting here with Fox News Channel playing in the background waiting to ring in the new year, and pondering all that has happened in 2015.

2015 was by far the hardest year of my life. If you have followed my journey over the past year, you know that I have had some major health problems. A little less than one year ago I had my colon removed, and following surgery I had some major complications that I am still recovering from to this day. I have never been more thankful to be alive at the coming of a new year than at this one. Even though this year has been an enormous struggle for both me and my family, I can honestly say I am more at peace now that I have ever been, and that is truly a miracle from the Lord.

I have quit striving and living in the “I wants,” and the “what ifs,” and instead am finding my rest in the Lord.

No matter how much I dwell on what I wish was happening or what I want my life to be — my life is what it is, and the Lord calls me to be thankful for that. The life I wish could be, or all the “I wants” that I can imagine are not God’s purposes for me right now. Even though my present circumstances are not what I would have initially picked for myself, this is what God desires to be and therefore my life is good.

No dream or purpose for your life will ever be greater than God’s plan and His way is always the best way.

Earlier this year I let everything go and received God’s peace and acceptance regarding the present, and I am truly experiencing the peace from God that passes all understanding. Because of that there is no place I would rather be. Life is still hard and I do not know what is ahead but I can live at rest because God is leading me, and He will never let me down.

As I have thought and prayed over the coming year the Lord has continued to bring to mind a certain word, and that is restore. He has also continually brought me to the following verses, and my theme verses for the year are found in both Luke and 1 Peter. They are:

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” ~1 Peter 5:10

“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
~Luke 1:45

I pray that 2016 is a year of restoration and hope in my life and relationship with the Lord, and look forward to all that He will teach me and the promises He will fulfill. As 2016 begins, I have a strong desire to read through the Bible in a year. I have not done this in a long time, and I feel like God is leading me to do so this year. As children of God we are called to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things, and the main way we can do that is by digging in the Word.

My mom and I are doing this together, and I know that this will bring truth and encouragement to our souls. I am amazed that no matter how many times I pick up the Bible, there is always something new to be learned. If you are looking for something specific to do during your quiet times, or have a deeper desire to get in the word — I would urge you to join me in this challenge and read through the Bible. Throughout the year, I will be writing about what God is teaching me and I would love for you to join in on the journey. I will be using The Message Remix – A Daily Reading Bible. The Message is a paraphrase of the Bible and while I do not recommend using it for intense Bible and word studies it is helpful in daily and personal reading. You can find it here. You can also find other reading plans from YouVersion. No matter what you do — always make spending time in the Word your most important priority in the day because that is how you will find ultimate fulfillment and contentment in life.

Happy New Year to you and yours, and I pray that God fills you with His love and joy all throughout the year. Seek His face always. Happy 2016!

Articles, Daily Inspirations, Holidays

Merry Christmas 2015

Merry Christmas to you and yours! I am so thankful for the birth of Jesus and the wonderful joy He brings to me each and every day. Dwell on His greatness and love today.

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.” ~Luke 1:11

Articles, Family, Holidays

Let it Be Christmas

Merry Christmas Eve! It is one days before Christmas and many are traveling to visit family, while others are at home cooking, wrapping presents, and getting ready for family to come visit.

As for me, I have not been feeling well so I am spending the majority of the holiday at home. However, most of my family will come here on Christmas Day so I am looking forward to spending time with them. It is also nice to spend extra time with my parents, and I am enjoying the visits with friends who stop by. Even though I am not able to get out among the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I am very thankful for family — especially my mom, who tries to make things extra special here at home.

This past year has been a tough one, but the Lord has been faithful through it all. I am incredibly thankful this year for the gift of life, and not just my life, but most importantly for Jesus — and the meaning of His birth. I have never wanted a year to be over more than this one, but over the past couple months the Lord has done some great things in my heart and soul. Prior to and after my surgery last January, I lived with worry about the future, and in a state of disappointment that my life up to this point had not turned out the way that I had imagined that it would. However, the greatest gift God has given me this year is His peace. Over the past few months He has filled my heart with an acceptance of this season and given my mind an ease that could only come from Him. For that, I am very thankful.

Whatever this week looks like for you be present wherever you are.There are many times I am in a room with company and we are all on our phones texting, capturing moments, and posting them on Instagram. I know that I am personally guilty of this, and am trying to improve the habit. While there is nothing wrong with any of these things, we can spend too much of our quality time with others on our devices sharing with the world what we are doing. I am reminded more than ever on this holiday to treasure each moment and to live fully right where I am because none of us can know what the future may hold.

My challenge to you over Christmas and New Years is to put down your phones and Ipads and spend time with your family and friends without constantly looking down at your device every few minutes. I am not suggesting that you not take any photos through the holidays, or never be on your phones. Although, do not allow your time on social media platforms lessen the quality of your conversations, or distract from sweet family time that you will never get back. I pray that each of you will have a wonderful holiday with family and friends, but most importantly that you spend time with Jesus and celebrate who He is and what He has done.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours! I will see you in 2016!

Advent, Articles, Holidays

Anticipating Christ: Love

^“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” ~John 3:16

Love. Love represents everything God is and 1 John reminds us of that for it says that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). God loved us so much that He sacrificed his one and only son Jesus Christ on the cross to pay for our sins. It all started with a loving God, an obedient teenage girl named Mary, and a baby born in a manger. This is a gift that we could never repay. However, in return God wants our heart. Our whole heart. He wants us to die to self, live for Him, and according to His Word. Luke 1o:27 commands us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.”

As theologian Jeremy Taylor states, “Love is the greatest thing God can give us, for himself is love, and love is the greatest thing we can give to God, for it will also give ourselves. . . . The apostle calls love the bond of perfection. It is the old, and it is the new, and it is the great commandment, and it is all the commandments, for it is the fulfilling of the law.”

No matter who you are, where you’ve been, or what you’ve done — God is always ready for you to come to Him and receive His love and forgiveness. He is always there ready for us to come to Him. Only His perfect love will give the ultimate fulfillment we long for on this earth. Spouses, family, and friends may love us greatly, but Jesus’ love is the only love that will never fail in this life. As we fully accept the love of Christ, we are able to love others as the Bible commands and be the people God desires us to be.

As Christmas approaches the central focus should be on the birth of Christ and the love that He represents. It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays and lose sight of what the season is all about.

Christmas is not about me. Christmas is not about you. Christmas is not about presents or food. Christmas is about the Eternal love that was born in a manger to bring hope to the hopeless, peace to the restless, joy to the grieving, and love to the lost and hurting. It is a time to truly celebrate this baby who became our Savior, and praise Him for all He has done and will continue to do.

If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed this week, or if the holidays are a sad and lonely time for you please take a moment to remember that you are not alone. God’s love for you surpasses anything that you could ever imagine and the love of Christ is the greatest gift He has ever given so accept that love and a peace and joy that is unexplainable will fill your soul. Also, spend some time today doing something nice for someone else, and spend time encouraging them with the love of God because you never know how your act of kindness will impact their Christmas.

Erin will be posting her blog soon and you won’t want to miss it. I will put the link here once it is posted.

To view all posts in this series visit here.

Advent, Articles

Anticipating Christ: Peace

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” ~Isaiah 9:6

Happy Sunday, my friends! I am late in getting this advent post up because I have literally been in bed sick with cold/flu as well as a bladder infection since last Monday. I am heading to the doctor tomorrow, but I am just now able to see through the fog a bit.

One of my favorite descriptions of Christ that we hear often during the holiday season is “Prince of Peace.” Jesus is the author of peace and gave His life on the cross and rose again so that we could experience His peace for eternity. What an amazing gift! Certain seasons of life can weigh you down, and everything around you can be a chaotic mess, but that is when God’s peace shines through the most.

Throughout my life I have read the phrase — “Peace beyond my understanding” that comes from Philippians 4 numerous times, but over the past year I have truly understood that statement. Especially in the last few months. This past year has been the hardest of my entire life. I feel like everything that I once knew has been stripped away. My health. My home. My job. Even my friendships have changed. I feel like nothing has remained the same — except for Jesus.

A couple of years ago I listened to a talk from Naghmeh Abedini. Her husband Saeed is currently imprisoned in Iran because of his Christian faith, while Naghmeh and her kids are back in the States praying continually for his return. In her talk, Naghmeh mentioned that the only way she is getting through each day is the overwhelming peace that is beyond her understanding, and how that can only be from the Lord. I now am also experiencing that exact same peace in my life, and it is a miracle from God. Some of my hardest days have been some of my sweetest times with Jesus. In the hardest season of my life, I am more at peace than I have ever been, and there is no other place I would rather be.

During this Christmas season, I am thanking God each day for His son Jesus who was born to give peace to us all! Make room for Christ in your life this week, and allow His peace to fill your heart and soul.

Erin wrote an awesome post on peace earlier this week on her blog so be sure to check that out here.

Also, check back here soon for the next post in the series.

To view all posts in this series visit here.

Articles, Christian Living, Devotionals, Disability

Do The Next Thing

Hey sweet readers! I hope you are well on this Friday morning.

Thanks so much for your prayers for my doctor’s visit yesterday. It turns out I have a bladder infection and that is one reason my BP has been so high. Another reason is pain from other health problems that I have, and we discussed some ways to help with my pain management. I would like to thank the kind physicians and nurses at Palliative Care in Shelby, NC. They are a Godsend to so many and have been such an encouragement and help to me during this season. Living with a chronic illness and disability is not easy and these wonderful folks help make life so much easier and I am grateful for that.

Also, thank you all for your continued prayers. They are being felt. Yesterday in my quiet time, a poem that Elisabeth Elliot has mentioned frequently in her writings came to mind. So I immediately went on google and found it. It is called “Do the Next Thing.” It is such an encouraging word for those who feel overwhelmed and just do not know where to look next. However, God is right there. Trust Him, and as the poems states — “do the next thing!”

Do The Next Thing

From an Old English parsonage down by the sea

There came in the twilight a message for me;

Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,

Hath as it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.

And on through the hours the quiet words ring,

Like a low inspiration: DO THE NEXT THING.

Many a questioning, many a fear,

Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.

Moment by moment let down from Heaven,

Time, opportunity, guidance are given.

Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,

Trust them with Jesus. DO THE NEXT THING.

Do it immediately; do it with prayer;

Do it reliantly, casting all care;

Do it with reverence, tracing his hand

Who placed it before thee with earnest command,

Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,

Leave all resultings. DO THE NEXT THING.

Looking to Jesus, ever serener,

(Working on Suffering) be thy demeanor.

In His dear presence, the rest of his calm,

the light of his countenance be thy Psalm.

Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing!

Then, as He beckons thee, DO THE NEXT THING.

~Source Unknown

My heart needed those words this morning, and I hope they are comfort to your soul as well. Also, be sure to check back on the blog Sunday for the next post in the Advent Series I am writing along with my friend Erin. Below are links to our first posts.

Read Erin’s post here.

Read my post here.

Have a great weekend!