Monday, February 14, 2011

"Love is just a word...until someone comes along and gives it meaning."

I saw this quote today and at first I just kind of rolled my eyes.

I roll my eyes a lot on Valentine's Day.

I think the idea of Valentine's Day is pretty solid, but it doesn't translate well to reality. I have never had a Valentine so I can't speak from experience, but I can't imagine that the gifts and flowers and dinners mean more today than any other day of the year. If anything, it probably means less because so many people participate in the holiday out of obligation. Or maybe that's my cynicism speaking.

I think the reason I can be cynical about Valentine's Day is because it's a holiday that puts so much emphasis on only one aspect of love: romance. Why don't we have holidays that celebrate other characteristics of love? Compromise Day. Sacrifice Day. You don't see those holidays anywhere. Perhaps I'm jaded because I'm single...who knows. :P

Anyhoo...I could go on all day about Cupid and his special day, but that's not why I'm writing today.

Back to the quote. I rolled my eyes initially because I read it as only a mushy quote for mushy people on a mushy holiday. However, upon a second reading I found it to be a simple, yet profound, statement. And I find it to be a statement that is applicable to everyone.

I am not married, I am not dating anyone. Yet, I have met someone who has given love a meaning that no one could ever come close to. Scripture says that God IS love. It also says that there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends, something the Jesus himself did for us. I have experienced love in the fullness of what it is because love has shown Himself to me. I wouldn't trade that for 100 Valentine's Days with the man of my dreams!

I have a deep desire for marriage and family, but I know that without Christ, it is meaningless. Knowing Christ now gives me the patience to wait for all He has planned for me. If any encouragement can be taken from this, I hope it's that you can know a true, full, perfect and never-ending love right now. Don't miss what's right here because you're looking for fulfillment in a person. God created us for relationship, but first and foremost, that relationship is with Him.

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loves is born of God..." ~1 John 4:7

Monday, January 31, 2011

No song...gasp!

I apologize for the regrettable, but necessary lack of posting since, oh, August. For anyone who still happens upon this little corner of the internet that I call my own, hello. :o)

I'm afraid I haven't got a ton to say, but I wanted to dust off the page and update it a little bit and bring it into the new year.

(And as the title says - there will be no song in this post! Am I turning over a new blogging leaf? Who knows...I kind of hope not though :P )

The past year of my life has been an incredible mix of ups and downs, brokenness and healing. The constant through it all has been the Lord and His faithfulness to me. I can look back on all that has transpired and see His hand guiding me all the way, drawing me ever closer to Him. In fact, there were several events this past year that I truly believe if they had not happened, I wouldn't have been able to move closer to Him. Some were painful, but when the end result is intimacy with Christ, it's okay.

I had had the gnawing feeling early last year that if some of my past wasn't resolved soon, I would arrive at a bit of a standstill with the Lord. I certainly didn't want that, but I didn't know how to even begin unpacking that baggage. I remember spending much of the first few months of the year pleading with the Lord to show me what to do. It really felt like He was being silent, but I continued to ask. I spent time in the Word trying to glean some new wisdom and direction, yet both were elusive. I began to feel the Spirit impress on me that I needed to wait, just a bit longer. That wasn't really to my liking as I still couldn't see how this was all going to work out, but not really having any other choice, I waited.

About mid-year, the Lord moved in a way that I couldn't have anticipated and yet, per His usual way of doing things, it was the best possible way. I saw my God step in for me and guide me, undeniably, to a place of healing and forgiveness. I can't even describe to you what that moment was like. All my time spent pleading and praying and digging into the Word was my way of trying to make something happen. I thought if I prayed and read enough, God would have to listen and respond. It amazes me that I still think this way from time to time!

What He truly desired of me was to seek Him, not just the answer I was looking for. I had spent so much time and energy focused on the issue at hand and not the Lord Himself, that I had lost sight of abiding in Him and waiting on His timing.

It can be easy to forget that we aren't the only ones who hurt when we go through difficulties - God is right there with us, His heart breaking with ours. He desires our healing as much as, if not more than, we do.

My small group has been studying the book of Zechariah and last week we happened upon a verse that has helped me a lot over the years and as I read it now, I find peace again.

"Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'If it is too difficult in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, will it also be too difficult in My sight?' declares the LORD of hosts." ~Zechariah 8:6

The Israelites were returning to the Promised Land from exile in Babylon. They were fewer in number and had a massive rebuilding project ahead of them. What seemed impossible to them is not impossible with the Lord. He doesn't bring us to the place He promised us and then leave us to figure out everything from there. He brings us to Himself and restores us and stays faithful to His promises.

Yes, it's been a difficult year, but where I stand now has made it worth the journey.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Strength in Weakness

It seems that many of my small revelations are brought on by music. This is an observation I made today and so I'd like to give some kudos to all of the singers/songwriters/musicians/etc. (and there are many so I won't list them) who have been instrumental (no pun intended...I don't think) in how the Lord reaches me. :o)

That said, tonight's revelation is brought to you by Matt Maher. :P

So I was playing some Frontierville and listening to the aforementioned artist when the first few lines of one of his songs resonated with me (eventually the whole song, but we'll get to that later).

I flirt with the world
It steals my love for You
My fear grips my faith
And I am left unmoved


Most of the summer I had been in kind of a slump spiritually. I was allowing other things to take precedence. Filling up my schedule and not really leaving time to spend with my Lord. It's frustrating for me when my faith operates on a Sunday/Wednesday schedule instead of living like my life depends on it (which it does).

So when I heard the first line of this song I tuned right in and immediately felt convicted (hallelujah!). As I thought about the past couple of months and the drifting I had been doing, I remembered a very familiar verse:

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." ~2 Cor. 12:9

At first, I wasn't sure why this verse was brought to mind because I had always kind of thought of it as Christ's power being made perfect in my weakness in relation to my witness to others. I reflected for a little bit and then I realized that it also means that Christ's power is made perfect in my weakness in regard to my own personal growth.

All the striving I do, the work I put into my faith because I feel like if I can conquer my weaknesses myself I'll somehow be closer to God, it doesn't help. Not that I shouldn't actively pursue God and spend time in the Word, I definitely need to do that. However, I spend so much time recognizing where I'm weak and trying to overcome it by myself before approaching the throne. That's why I get tired and end up floundering for awhile.

The first part of the verse says that His grace is sufficient...His grace is literally enough. If I accept His grace, which requires admitting I can't do this on my own and I need Him to cover me, then He will do the work needed on me. Where I am helpless, He is able. Where I am deficient, He is ample. Where I am weak, He is strong.

These are all things that aren't particularly new to me, but for some reason, I finally got it tonight. Jesus completes me...moves me...upholds me...is in me...around me...I could go on because He is everything. It is so refreshing to be back in a place of wanting to not only pursue Him, but to be pursued by Him (not that the pursuit ever ended on God's end...I just wasn't noticing). It's freeing to know that I still need Him to be my strength. I may fall away, but it just proves that I will never be able to do this on my own.

I said earlier that I'd get to the rest of the song later, so here it is. Only the first stanza really deals with the drifting, the rest of the song is about the deep love of Jesus and how it draws us back time and again and the praise that can't help but escape our lips in response. It's beautiful. :o)

I flirt with the world
It steals my love for You
My fear grips my faith
And I am left unmoved

Your gaze stops my heart
Your voice fills the dark
Your love is the spark that lights this life
So we rise

Out of the depths you cry
Come and be satisfied
Father, You sing
Father, You sing over Your children

You quiet the storm
Inside my shipwrecked soul
Your spirit will lead
It calls the wayward home

At the sound of Your name
Our sin is washed away
In Christ we're crucified
In You we die, in You we rise

Out of the depths you cry
Come and be satisfied
Father, You sing
Father, You sing over Your children

Let us see through Your eyes
We are Your great delight
Father You sing
Father, You sing over Your children

And we're singing along
Your daughters and sons
We're singing Your song
We are Your children

Out of the depths you cry
Come and be satisfied
Father, You sing
Father, You sing over Your children

Let us see through Your eyes
We are Your great delight
Father, You sing
Father, You sing over Your children

~"Sing Over Your Children" by Matt Maher

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Some Stuff

It has been a couple of months since I last wrote...whoops! I've been in a writing funk. Alas. :P

Even now, I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to write about, but there it is and here we are.

Thought for today: I have been craving innocence lately (maybe I should be craving it all the time?). I yearn for the time when I believed all people were good, I could be whatever I wanted and that one person can make a difference. For the days when I thirsted for knowledge, kept my head up and saw what was around me and expected more of the people around me without feeling guilty.

It amazes me how the journey of life can beat one down. Can shatter pure ideals and leave you wondering what the point is.

It reminds me on a daily basis that this is not the way life is supposed to be. It is not the way He intended things to turn out. What a meaningless struggle we have created for ourselves!

I'm not saying all this to be depressing, but it's simply an observation I've made over the past year or so. And once I was past the point of wondering when I went from wide-eyed wonderment to droopy-eyed acceptance, I began to ask, what do I do to get back what I have lost? Jesus came to redeem man...the whole man, not just part, so I have to believe that there is hope for perspective and not just purpose (though purpose, obviously, plays a lot into perspective).

I haven't gotten any answers yet, but I think the journey itself will be my answer. It is the journey that has been corrupted. The destination has always been Jesus...home...but there is a lot to happen still on the way and I pray that I would run a race worthy of the finish line.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." ~Hebrews 12:1

Monday, May 24, 2010

Healing Begins

Probably my favorite song right now. :o)

So you thought you had to keep this up
All the work that you do
So we think that you're good
And you can't believe it's not enough
All the walls you built up
Are just glass on the outside

So let 'em fall down
There's freedom waiting in the sound
When you let your walls fall to the ground
We're here now

This is where the healing begins, oh
This is where the healing starts
When you come to where you're broken within
The light meets the dark
The light meets the dark

Afraid to let your secrets out
Everything that you hide
Can come crashing through the door now
But too scared to face all your fear
So you hide but you find
That the shame won't disappear

So let it fall down
There's freedom waiting in the sound
When you let your walls fall to the ground
We're here now
We're here now, oh

This is where the healing begins, oh
This is where the healing starts
When you come to where you're broken within
The light meets the dark
The light meets the dark

Sparks will fly as grace collides
With the dark inside of us
So please don't fight
This coming light
Let this blood come cover us
His blood can cover us


This is where the healing begins, oh
This is where the healing starts
When you come to where you're broken within
The light meets the dark


-"Healing Begins" by Tenth Avenue North

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

May I decrease so that You may increase

I get shivers whenever I read this. I am humbled to be able to serve such an amazingly loving and caring God. I hope this passage blesses and inspires you as much as it has for me!


1 I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
2 Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.

4 One generation will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts.

5 They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

6 They will tell of the power of your awesome works,
and I will proclaim your great deeds.

7 They will celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.

9 The LORD is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.

10 All you have made will praise you, O LORD;
your saints will extol you.

11 They will tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,

12 so that all men may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
The LORD is faithful to all his promises
and loving toward all he has made.

14 The LORD upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.

15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.

16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and loving toward all he has made.

18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.

19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.

20 The LORD watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.

~Psalm 145

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Rumbly in my Tumbly

Over the past couple of weeks I've been experiencing a lot of stress and discouragement from a multitude of areas in my life. I don't say this to fish for sympathy or to make anyone feel bad for me. I say this because I find this particular valley in my life to be unlike any other that I've experienced.

Typically, when I am in a down spot and just kind of feeling bleh about everything, I just feel that way and wait for myself to get over it. This time, however, I find that even though emotionally I'm spent, spiritually I feel more alive than ever. I love where I am spiritually - it's as if what I'm going through now is spurring me towards Christ. I feel my need for Jesus more acutely now than I ever have before, and for me, that makes these trials okay. I relish my deep longing for Him...crave more of Him in my life. It is my sincerest prayer that when this temporary valley fades away and a joyous mountain stands before me that I will simply have gratitude in my heart. Gratitude that will only increase my deep hunger for the Savior.

24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.


25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.


26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.


~Psalm 73:24-26


Lord, I want more of You
Living Water, rain down on me
Lord, I need more of You
Living Breath of life, come and fill me up

We are hungry
We are hungry
We are hungry for more of You
We are thirsty, Oh Jesus
We are thirsty for more of You

We lift our holy hands up
We want to touch You
We lift our voices higher
And higher and higher to You


~We Are Hungry