The other day Jared and I were walking home from the grocery store. We don't have a car here so we usually go to the store once or twice a week and just stock up on what we need for the week so we won't have to make too many trips. Easier said than done when you are hiking for 20+ minutes with a week's worth of groceries in your hands. Sometimes I have to pump myself up for grocery day because I really just dread the workout it entails. But most days...I just don't even think about it, I just do it. I have no choice...if I want to eat...I endure the hill...that's all there is to it. I am not a complainer. Complaining doesn't really accomplish anything. I'd rather figure out how to overcome challenges when I'm faced with them then belly ache about them. When it comes to grocery shopping...overcoming means sucking it up and just getting it over with. I won't lie though, there are days where I have to pump myself up because I don't always have a positive attitude about it. It's a matter of knowing what a certain convenience feels like and now having that convenience unavailable to you. You're in a sense, going in reverse. It takes some adjusting.
On our most recent shopping trip, we had run out of a lot of things I guess and had more than usual to carry home. At one point I told Jared to go on ahead but I had to stop so I could switch which arm I was carrying each bag because one was heavier than the other and I just needed a better grip. He turned to me and said "I feel like I've failed as a husband because I can't give you a car so you won't have to carry all these groceries." I laughed. I laughed because he has given so much and is so much to me already. I'm taken care of, I may not be spoiled, but I'm taken care of and he is the one who provides for me...for us. I love his big heart and the fact that he would do anything for me. And that is just one of the many reasons why I love him. It is also the reason I felt lucky lugging around bags of groceries with him that day. I'm happy without all the extras. Sure, they would be nice, they would certainly make life easier, but I have everything I need. I have a loving, compassionate, Godly husband, a safe place to live, food to eat, all the necessities. The rest is just bonus. And I certainly don't expect more than what I've already been given.
Some people search their whole lives to find a love like ours. I'm not saying that we have it all together or that we're praiseworthy or anything like that, but I just know how valuable our love is. It's priceless. We've never had a lot, but we've always had everything we need. God has always provided. I try to never lose focus of that. There's nothing wrong with wanting your situation to improve, but there is a difference between working towards improvement and wishful wanting. I think we have to learn contentment before we can experience genuine happiness. It could always be better and it could always be worse. We choose whether or not to be grateful in our circumstances.
Appreciate what you have, especially the people you have in your life. Because having your loved ones by your side is what really matters most. Hope you all have a blessed week!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
SPREAD THE ROAR!
I am so excited to share with you a combination of two of my favourite things. Music and Giving.
Monday, May 2, 2011
A Clear Understanding
I am saddened by the hatred that some professed “Christians” have for the unsaved. It is tragic. Yes, God hates sin and the wrath of God rests upon Christ-rejecters (John 3:36); but let us never stray from the great Biblical doctrine of God's wondrous love for mankind.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
Notice the words, "God so loved THE WORLD." Not God so loved the Christians, or God so loved the elect...but He loved ALL of humanity. Even the vilest of sinners. God DOES hate sin, but not the sinner. He equally loves each and every person and desires for them to repent and get saved.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
Too often we as Christians think that because we have accepted God's salvation that we are some sort of prodigy or somehow better than those who are unsaved. That is pride, my friends. We are all sinners. The only difference between the saved and the unsaved is salvation. We are all unworthy people in need of a Saviour. Arrogance is not from God. It is a sign of our sinful nature and proof that none of us are pure of heart. This video is an excellent illustration to evoke humility for those of us who have lost sight of ourselves.
God proved His love toward mankind by sending His Son into this hostile, sin-cursed world and giving His life for our sins. Jesus paid a debt that He did not owe, because we owed a debt that we could not pay.
The Bible teaches that God finds no pleasure in the death of the wicked.
As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel? (Ezekiel 33:11)
If we are to be Christlike, then we must not rejoice in the death of the unsaved. It is a sad thing when someone dies and goes to Hell. No Christian who has God's love in their heart should be glad to see anyone go to Hell. Many people rejoice that sinners are burning in Hell, but God is not pleased about it. God does not love sin, but He loves the individual.
This is how we too, must love.
This is how we too, must love.
Too often we project our own human vices upon God. We portray Him as monstrous and unjust when in reality He is a loving, merciful God. If God were to be fair, then we would all be doomed to die and go to Hell with no chance of redemption. Because of our sins, that fate would be fair. But He is just and generous and offers us mercy through salvation. I don't know about you, but I don't want fair....I want mercy. It is when we refuse Him and His mercy that we accept our deserved fate. God doesn't send anyone to Hell. We choose that destination. And it breaks God's heart every time one of His beloved chooses death over life. It should also break our hearts.
Instead of taking pleasure in the demise of the unsaved we should desire to love them to Christ. There are several who come to mind that I am burdened for daily. They frequent my prayers, not in a condescending way but in a compassionate way, because I know the fate of those who refuse to believe in Him and the thought of eternity without them is grievous.
But never underestimate the power of prayer and God's redemptive power.
There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
(Luke 23:43)
The story of the sinner on the cross is proof that no matter who we are or what we have done, even in our last moments here on earth, God is merciful and can save us. If we own up to offenses against God and accept Him into our lives, we can know His loving mercy, be freed from our guilt and be inseparable from His love. We should sincerely desire that for everyone. God's love is meant for ALL so let's share God's love with everyone and rejoice in their salvation.
Friday, April 29, 2011
CPC Banquet 2011
I just got off the phone with my Mom and she was sharing the exciting details from last night's Crisis Pregnancy Center Pro-Life Banquet in Terre Haute, Indiana. There are so many amazing things happening through their organization and I feel blessed to be involved. It's awesome to see so many people coming together to help and encourage others.
This year's speaker was Abby Johnson, who was a former Planned Parenthood Director but after witnessing an actual abortion, made a courageous choice in favor of life. She now travels across the country sharing her story and motivating others to speak out for the women and children being hurt and deceived by abortion.
I read Abby's book, Unplanned, and did a brief review in another blog post if you want to check that out. She has such an incredible story and I only wish I was able to be there to hear her speak last night. I was thrilled, however, to hear that close to 1,000 people were at the banquet to hear her amazing story. One of the things my Mom shared that Abby had said last night really stood out to me and it was this:
"I get choked up every time I say this but, think about your child, your grandchild, your niece or nephew and think about putting a price tag on that child. I can't even imagine putting a price tag on my own 4-year-old daughter. But Planned Parenthood does. It's about $450....that's the average cost of an abortion." -Abby
Friends....human life is priceless. Yet each day abortion devalues life. Every 21 seconds an unborn child is given a price tag but never given a chance. They are denied life. That means that every ten minutes, 28 babies die from an abortion. Over 50,000,000 unborn babies have been killed since the legalization of abortion in 1973. That is 42 times the number of men and women lost in the Civil, World, Korean, Vietnam, Gulf and continuing war on terrorism combined. Gone...will never exist again. I think we fail to realize how final and absolute abortion is. It permanently removes someone from existence. Abortion is terminal.
But it isn't simply abortion that is killing generations of children and hurting countless women. It is our apathy as a society. We aren't educating ourselves or each other about what abortion actually is and what it does to not only the unborn, but to women and families. We are allowing this injustice to continue by not standing up and speaking out. Our silence, our unresponsiveness is perpetuating the injustice.
Yes, abortion isn't fun to talk about. Sure, it may be uncomfortable to address. But it NEEDS to be talked about, it NEEDS to be addressed. Otherwise we will continue to live in a society where the value of human life is subjective. That is a dangerous mindset to have because where does the giving out of price tags end? We must establish that human life is invaluable from the moment that life begins to exist and therefor should be respected and protected at all stages of life.
So when does life begin you might be asking? Science (not religion) tells us that human life begins at the moment of fertilization. That is not a matter of opinion, it is a scientific fact. It would not become human if it weren't human already. Here is an objective, fact-based report without any religious or political overtones....just the scientific facts. I encourage you read it.
“He who denies that human life begins with conception does not need to contend with religion, but science. To deny this certainty of biology is not to express a lack of faith, but a lack of basic knowledge of human genetics, something that is even known by the general public.” ~ Ecuadorian Federation of Societies of Gynecology and Obstetrics, April 17, 2008
The abortion issue tends to get overshadowed by other agendas and if it appears to be prominently associated with a certain ideology then people often ignore the truth because they don't like where the message is coming from. But regardless of your beliefs the facts and logic is simple....
I hope you will join the countless men and women who choose to stand boldly for life. To give real hope to women in need. And to share love and compassion with families all over the country and world. If you want to learn more about how you can make a lasting impact....please contact me personally or your local life-affirming center. And thank you to all who continue to fight the good fight. Bless you for your service.
This year's speaker was Abby Johnson, who was a former Planned Parenthood Director but after witnessing an actual abortion, made a courageous choice in favor of life. She now travels across the country sharing her story and motivating others to speak out for the women and children being hurt and deceived by abortion.
I read Abby's book, Unplanned, and did a brief review in another blog post if you want to check that out. She has such an incredible story and I only wish I was able to be there to hear her speak last night. I was thrilled, however, to hear that close to 1,000 people were at the banquet to hear her amazing story. One of the things my Mom shared that Abby had said last night really stood out to me and it was this:
"I get choked up every time I say this but, think about your child, your grandchild, your niece or nephew and think about putting a price tag on that child. I can't even imagine putting a price tag on my own 4-year-old daughter. But Planned Parenthood does. It's about $450....that's the average cost of an abortion." -Abby
Friends....human life is priceless. Yet each day abortion devalues life. Every 21 seconds an unborn child is given a price tag but never given a chance. They are denied life. That means that every ten minutes, 28 babies die from an abortion. Over 50,000,000 unborn babies have been killed since the legalization of abortion in 1973. That is 42 times the number of men and women lost in the Civil, World, Korean, Vietnam, Gulf and continuing war on terrorism combined. Gone...will never exist again. I think we fail to realize how final and absolute abortion is. It permanently removes someone from existence. Abortion is terminal.
But it isn't simply abortion that is killing generations of children and hurting countless women. It is our apathy as a society. We aren't educating ourselves or each other about what abortion actually is and what it does to not only the unborn, but to women and families. We are allowing this injustice to continue by not standing up and speaking out. Our silence, our unresponsiveness is perpetuating the injustice.
Yes, abortion isn't fun to talk about. Sure, it may be uncomfortable to address. But it NEEDS to be talked about, it NEEDS to be addressed. Otherwise we will continue to live in a society where the value of human life is subjective. That is a dangerous mindset to have because where does the giving out of price tags end? We must establish that human life is invaluable from the moment that life begins to exist and therefor should be respected and protected at all stages of life.
So when does life begin you might be asking? Science (not religion) tells us that human life begins at the moment of fertilization. That is not a matter of opinion, it is a scientific fact. It would not become human if it weren't human already. Here is an objective, fact-based report without any religious or political overtones....just the scientific facts. I encourage you read it.
Read the scientific facts HERE: http://sfuhl.org/
“He who denies that human life begins with conception does not need to contend with religion, but science. To deny this certainty of biology is not to express a lack of faith, but a lack of basic knowledge of human genetics, something that is even known by the general public.” ~ Ecuadorian Federation of Societies of Gynecology and Obstetrics, April 17, 2008
The abortion issue tends to get overshadowed by other agendas and if it appears to be prominently associated with a certain ideology then people often ignore the truth because they don't like where the message is coming from. But regardless of your beliefs the facts and logic is simple....
The pre-born are human beings.
Killing a human being is wrong.
Abortion kills a human being
Therefor, abortion is wrong.
I hope you will join the countless men and women who choose to stand boldly for life. To give real hope to women in need. And to share love and compassion with families all over the country and world. If you want to learn more about how you can make a lasting impact....please contact me personally or your local life-affirming center. And thank you to all who continue to fight the good fight. Bless you for your service.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Things I Love: Giving
I live to give is definitely one of my frequent phrases. I sincerely enjoy helping others and doing things for people that might improve their quality of life...even for a moment. Why? Because there is nothing in this world I treasure more than people. Now, before some begin making assumptions...I am not attempting to portray myself as some saint, (I am far from it) but I can't and won't deny something that brings me a lot of joy in life. You know that elated feeling you get when you enjoy that thing you love? That's how I feel about giving. I simply love it.
I don't have a lot to give as far as money is concerned but whenever there is a sincere need I like to meet it when I can. Sometimes that just means being there to listen or to physically help someone or volunteering my abilities in some way. Giving to me means giving of yourself not just of your goods. If I could live simply off smiles, I would. Because I believe smiles are the heart's greatest reward.
No one has ever become poor by giving. ―Anne Frank
A giving heart gathers. ―Luke 6:38
It is in giving that we receive. ―St. Francis of Assisi
The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving. ―Albert Einstein
I don't have a lot to give as far as money is concerned but whenever there is a sincere need I like to meet it when I can. Sometimes that just means being there to listen or to physically help someone or volunteering my abilities in some way. Giving to me means giving of yourself not just of your goods. If I could live simply off smiles, I would. Because I believe smiles are the heart's greatest reward.
No one has ever become poor by giving. ―Anne Frank
A giving heart gathers. ―Luke 6:38
It is in giving that we receive. ―St. Francis of Assisi
The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving. ―Albert Einstein
*photo from google image
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)