Wannabe Friends?

C.S. Lewis made this statement about friendship... Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one.
I love this quote... it sums up half of the lasting friendships that I have today... bonds made over books, science fiction, and just random conversations... Michael W. Smith put it best in his song Friends... Friends are friends forever, if the Lords the Lord of them... we all know the song, it's been played at many a graduation. A friend is someone that you've create a bond with, someone who knows you as you truly are and still loves you.
William Shakespeare put it best when he wrote: A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow. We have earthly friends, but we also have a Heavenly Father who calls us friend, John 15:12-17 reads: My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit —fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.
Isreal Houghton wrote the song Friend of God and the bridge really sticks out to me: God Almighty, Lord of Glory You have called me friend Not only is he our Savior, he wants to be our friend! How great is that!
One song that has stuck out to me about true friendship lately is the song You've got a friend in me from Toy Story...


As simple as it is... true friends will always be in your life, no matter where they move to, where they live... Keep them close! Happy Monday!

Things of this world

For the past few weeks, my husband and I have been trying to clean house... clean up and get rid of the things that we don't want or need... It's funny, because when I first moved my things after the wedding, there wasn't that much, or so it seemed.
Now looking at how much stuff we actually do have, I am overwhelmed with the feeling that I don't need all this stuff... so as I took three bags of clothes and shoes (I cried a little parting with the shoes) to Goodwill, I was reminded of the of the scripture in Matthew 6:19-21 that says: Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Everything that we work so hard for here on earth will all break, get destroyed or wear out... but our true treasure is in heaven. Take a look at these lyrics by DC Talk... Things of this world are passin' away, Here tomorrow, but they're sure not here to stay. Things of this world are passin' away, So lay your treasure above And start to live for Him today.
I love the movie The Labyrinth from the 80's... it's the story of a girl (named Sarah, which I thought was so cool when I was younger), who wishes her baby step-brother, Toby, away to the King of the Goblins. She immediately regrets her decision and thus begins her journey through the labyrinth. She meets several new friends along the way, including a dwarf called Hoggle who is meant to double cross her and take her back to the beginning. The Goblin King hopes that if she gets set back to the start, she will give up. But she will not give up... The goblin King gives a peach to Hoggle, and when Sarah eats it, she forgets what it is she was coming for... at one point in the dream, she wakes up in a garbage heap and is helped to her room by a strange woman. While she is in her room, Sarah begins to see that all her "things" and precious treasures are junk and what really matters is getting her brother back. Needless to say, the spell is broken and she saves her brother.
It's not a bad thing to want something, but in this same verse, we are reminded that we want for nothing... God provides our needs (not our wants), but our needs... food, clothing, shelter, the basics. Money can't buy happiness, but seeking after God can be a journey of great hope, promise, and in the end, reward.
Verse 33 says: But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Burlap to Cashmere is a band that I was introduced to during my first few years at college. After hearing the song, Basic Instructions, I bought the album and have been a fan ever since. There is a song on their album Is there anybody out there called, Treasures in Heaven and it's the inspiration for my blog this morning. I hope you enjoy and have a blessed Wednesday!

A tortured soul...

This week as I sat through the third sermon in the the Soul Detox series at Hope, I found myself thinking of Harry Potter... for those of you who have seen the movies, you probably know where I am going with this.
In the films, you learn that there are three unforgivable curses, but you don't really see what they are until the fouth film, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The students are in defense against the dark arts and Mad eye Moody is sharing with them about these curses... on inparticular is the Cruciatus Curse, or the torture curse... basically it tortures the victim senseless.
Most of you probably have never been really tortured, but those with older siblings might have an idea of what its like to be "tortured"... or at least picked on when you were younger.
The tortured soul is holding on to sin, harboring secrets. This soul is able to hide this from other Christians... like the cruciatus curse, it will continue to eat away at that soul.
In I Peter 2:11 we are urged: Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Unfortunately, we are human and make mistakes. But we don't have to bury that sin and carry the guilt of that sin. Satan breathes lies in our ears, telling us that its our fault, we have to carry that guilt... we aren't good enough, we will never be perfect, how could God love me... and the lies go on and on...
But there is hope, God makes a way for you to get out of that sin and be healed! I John 1:9 says: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
I am reminded of the verse in Psalm 103:12 that says he takes our sins and seperates them from us, as far as the east is from the west... have you ever really thought about that? When does the east become the west? Where do they meet? Do they meet?
Casting Crowns wrote a song East to West, and I'd like to end with that today... If you are tortured, don't let it go on any longer... break free from the lies that are holding that sin there. Let it go... Leave it at the foot of the cross today.





Have a great Monday!

Broken World

I awoke this morning to the news from Aurora, CO... and I am at a loss for words... as I sit here trying to find the words to write, I find that the band Across the sky has already done that. In this midst of this tragedy, as we cling to the skin of this broken world, hold fast to Jesus. Praying for Colorado today.

We don't have a soul... we are a soul... we have a body.

George MacDonald wrote: It is not the cares of today, but the cares of tomorrow, that weigh a man down.
The series, Soul Detox continued with The Heavy Soul... The heavy soul is based on one of three things... Hurt from your Past, Trouble in the here and now and anxiety or fear of the future.
Pastor Kent made the analogy of helping a production crew moving gear into an arena... if you've ever had the privilage of helping out at a load in or load out, you know exactly what I am talking about... in my husband's case, there are several trunks on large casters that you push to the location. In each of these, there are lights, power cables, computers and consoles... each of which weigh quite a bit. It takes some effort to push these trunks around the location to its destination (not to mention the actual set up, but that's for another time).
His point was, the trunks were heavy, and took some effort to move. Like our physical selves, our soul can be weighed down with troubles, hurts and fears. We need to take care of our souls... because, as it was pointed out... we are not a body with a soul, we are a soul with a body.
That soul can grow heavy and if we are not relying on God, or trusting in God we can grow complacent or just begin to feel like that is the way it has to be. It isn't!
David wrote in Psalms 42:5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?
David was concerned, had a sit down and asked why he felt this way... he didn't say oh, my soul is hurting, oh well... moving on... lots to do today. He sat down and was concerned. But the verse didn't stop there.
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
God's plan is not for you to be miserable...
In the times of heaviness, remember that God has been faithful... the blessings in your life, In Lamantations 3:21-25, Jeremiah reminds himself of this: Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him. The Lord is good to thos who hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;... take the time to Cry out to God, David writes in Psalm 142:1-2: I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell my trouble. and in verse 5-6 it reads: I cry to you, O Lord; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living." Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need.... and finally Remember that God has been faithful in the past, he will be faithful in the future... he will not leave you when you need him most.
There are many songs and hyms written about God's faithfulness, but the one that comes to my mind is Great is Thy Faithfulness... and if you know this hymn like I do... it serves as a comfort to you that God is always faithful. He will be there in our darkest hours, and he will not leave us with a heavy soul... remember, God doesn't want you to be miserable. As I close today... listen to the song by Third Day, Cry out to Jesus Whatever is laying heavy on your soul today... Cry out to Jesus! He's waiting with arms open wide.

Choose your words wisely...

Joyce Meyer wrote this on her twitter page today: You can change a relationship with words. Make a decision to use your words to encourage others, not to discourage them.

Words are like ammunition and can hurt people... but the real culprit is our tongue... James 3:3-12 reads: When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

When we don't guard our tongues, we can hurt people... even if we don't mean to. Like James says, a small spark is all that it takes to start a forest fire.

I have been watching a show on Netflix while I work on my jewelry and writing... its called Pretty Little Liars... the premise was interesting and after watching a few episodes, I have noticed something about words... they can build up or they can tear down... it doesn't take a teenage drama to show you that... but it has been a good reminder about watching what I say and how I say things to people. Learning things in the strangest places lately...

Have a great Thursday!

My soul will rest in you...

I was first introduced to this song on a Sunday at Hope Fellowship... I was visiting for a time of refreshing in my life and they did this song... A few months passed and I had forgotten about it, until I was looking around on itunes for some good worship songs... this singer, Kristian Stanfill popped up and I clicked on the song entitled Always. I was immediately taken back to that Sunday at Hope and have been listening to the song ever since.
I attended services at Hope this past Sunday, where Pastor Kent was starting a series entitled Soul Detox, and the first one was the restless soul... and he talked about how hard it is to be at peace (real, soul deep peace) when you are worrying about everything around you... what you'll do tomorrow, how you'll afford something... any number of things can distract you from having a rested and peaceful soul.
We need to remember that when things are at their worst, we can call on God... Psalm 46:1 says God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, Psalm 18:2 says The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold, Psalm 28:7 says The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song, Matthew 11:29-30 says Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Why should we fear? we don't really have a reason to... Matthew 6:27 asks: Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? and I John 4:18 reminds us that There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord... Where does your help come from?

You knew that the topic of Jane Austen was inevitable

“My characters shall have after a little trouble, all that they desire” – Jane Austen from Becoming Jane

What would it be like if we got everything that we desired? I know that I would want to be thin, rich and never have to work again… well, not really, because what would I learn from a life of ease aside from self-centered and narcissistic behavior. I would never learn any lessons, understand what others are going through, or the struggles of a friend or loved one.

As a Christian, we should long for perfection, strive for it… being righteous is something we should want. But, alas, we are human and because of sin, we are not perfect, nor can we ever obtain perfection by any other way than through Christ. I think what Jane meant in the introductory quote is that without trials or tribulations, we would never understand the blessings of the good times, the precious moments and the amazing gifts of God. What she chose to write about were things that she could, to a certain extent, relate to. She knew the life of humble means, because, she came from humble means. She was the seventh of eight children in a clergyman’s home. This meant that her social standing was not of great importance and that in order to leave the life of poverty, she would have to marry well.

What I enjoy about her characters, is that most of them, with the exception of Emma, are not rich. Most of her characters came from impoverished families, with several children. For example, Northanger Abbey tells the story of Catherine Morland, who had nine brothers and sisters, Elizabeth Bennett, had four sisters. We also see, as the introductory quote says, that after a little trouble they always get what they desire. Like Jane, who wanted to marry for love, which she found in Mr. Bingley.

James 1:2-4 reads:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James is telling us to be joyful when we go through the trials. I have to laugh when I read this verse because I always think of a scene in Harry Potter. Ron and Harry are in Divination class and Ron is reading Harry's tea leaves and sees the grim and a sun... which represent polar opposite the grim is suffering and death and the sun is happiness... Ron sheepishly looks at Harry and tells him that he is going to suffer, but he's going to be happy about it.

How many of us can say that when we have troubles? Do we count these trials as blessings in disguise?

Laura Story wrote a song entitled Blessings
We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not our home

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say rejoice... have a blessed and wonderful Friday!

What's my motivation?

When actors get a new part, as they are studying the script... they begin to ask themselves, What's my motivation? Who is this character? What drives them?

What's your motivation in life? Is it fame, money, a good life?
Matthew 5:16 says: In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Our lives should reflect our "motivation" and shine back the light of Christ in our lives.
Newsboys wrote a song entitled: Shine...

What's your motivation today?