You Have A Way With Humor

"He will yet fill your mouths with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy."- Job 8:21 

In the midst of every single day that the Lord has made there is some room for some laughter. I don't know about everyone else but I love to laugh; and I tend to laugh even when things aren't funny, and often I laugh or work to produce laughter when the situation is less than ideal. When you can look at the world with humor and see everyday as an opportunity to laugh or make someone else laugh that is awesome. Shining your light through your demeanor and sharing a laugh and a happy moment with someone is part of what the Lord calls us to do. 

This summer I felt that the Lord called me to work with SummerShine at the Myrtle beach KOA. So I arrived to move in this past Sunday with my Mom and my brother only to find out that I was there before my Activities Director and they weren't expecting me until the following week. So naturally my first instinct was to panic and think "how in the world could this happen to me?" Once I got settled into where they were going to let me hangout for a few days I really thought about the situation and I came to the conclusion that it was actually kind of funny, a story to tell sometime and laugh about the crazy things that always seem to happen to me. I believe the Lord has a sense of humor and that we definitely see him in the funny instances in life. 

Psalm 126:2 speaks some serious testament to how the Lord's love and devotion really impacts our lives; "Then was our mouths were filled with laughter, and our tongues with songs of joy. Then they said among the nations, The Lord has done great things for them." When I sit and break this verse apart I get these few things; a deep spiritual connection with the Lord produces happiness which then brings laughter, when you are immersed in God's love you want to shout and sing for joy that he is your beloved and you are his, and among those people who are right where you are you then do what you are called to do, which is to share God's love with every single person you meet. 

This summer is going to be one with some crazy new things but I am excited to see what it holds for me. I can only hope and pray that my love for the Lord will be shared with those around me. Whether it be some laughter, a smile to someone in passing, or just a friendly hello to a neighbor, God's light can shine so bright if you only let it. 

One of my all time favorite verses is about going out and being salt and light and shining before all men. Matthew 5:16 says; "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." It is really just as simple as laughing at a sticky situation and making the best of it. Simply choosing to look on the bright side of things shows those around you that you are a part of something so much bigger than this world. Our God is an awesome God and I pray that this summer and forever we all take the time to laugh, sing, smile, and show others the amazing love of our Heavenly Father. 

When You Hit a Bump in the Road of Life

It is a wonderful thing to know that God's word is a lamp to my feet a light for my path...

Just yesterday I found out that one of the dearest people to my heart, my amazing Papaw, received an unforeseen bit of news from his doctor. The bladder cancer that we thought to be completely gone has actually spread to his abdomen. This has not only shocked my family but the doctors. No one could have seen this coming and if there was a bump in the road this would definitely be it. Chemo is the next step to try and reduce the tumors. I refuse to believe it is over, God is so much bigger, bigger than cancer, bigger than our troubles, bigger than every single bump in the road. 

We cannot foresee what is going to happen in the future and what is to come of situations that we wish we weren't in, but God has a plan. In psalm 119:105 it says that "your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." I know I will be spending some serious time in the word seeking that light to my path and the closeness to the one true God. I take comfort in knowing that I not only have God in my heart and in my life today but everyday for the rest of my life. Of course it is hard to except the hard things in life and believe that the Lord could do something so shocking, but the Lord never does things to hurt his children who seek him daily. He never let us go through things we cannot handle and learn from. 

"So that no one would be unsettled by these troubles. You know quite well that we were destined for them."-1 Thessalonians 3:3  As christians we can expect troubles because we know that hard times grow faith. Life is not without the troubles that we daily face. We are held in arms of the one who love us immeasurably more than we could ever hope or imagine. 

I look at today with a smile in knowing that the Lord is present and he has his hand on my Papaw. Whatever the outcome this is not a time for weariness or pessimistic thoughts but instead a time to praise the Lord for what he has blessed us with. "The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him."- Exodus 15:2 My strength in everything comes straight from the Lord and I choose to sing his praises and shine my light in the hard times. What good are we if we cannot love the Lord and others when times get tough and we hit those bumps in the road? "The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still" and know that he has you in his arms and he will never let you down or let you go.

As it says in Ecclesiastes 3, "there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven..." For me and my family this is a time of hope and prayer and that is exactly what I intend to do. I hope in my love for the Lord everyday and I only hope that something amazing comes from this and in knowing that no matter what the circumstance the Lord is in it and he is working. I believe in miracles and amazing things happening but I also believe in God's timing and I know he calls all times soon. So in this time I pray for everyone who is going through something, a trouble, a praise, whatever it may be, I pray that we all continue to look to the Lord for refuge and strength. He is so big and we rest under the shelter of his wings. Face today and tomorrow with a smile and know that no matter what the bump in the road God is bigger and his plan is far more than just sufficient. 

Practice His Patience

Problems...Will Always Be Present 

Today. What a funny thing today. Today is another day the Lord has made but I am having a hard time rejoicing and being glad in it. The thing about today is that no matter where we go the Lord will be there. Despite the disappointment or stress we may feel for whatever reason we must keep the faith. 

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the almighty love of Christ that forever flows through us."- Romans 8:38-39

I know I am experiencing a really hard day and as soon as I got back to my dorm room this afternoon I went to the word. The only place we can ever truly find a home is in Christ himself. It is evident throughout scripture that nothing, NOTHING, not one single thing, can separate us from Christ and his amazing love. There is a peace that we find in the Lord and I know that sometimes we have trouble resting in it. But even in that we must know that many problems vanish instantly in the Light of God's love because we realize that we are NEVER alone. 

The Lord replies in Exodus 33:14 "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." We have rest, peace, love, and everything we could ever possibly need in the presence of the Lord. Even in the midst of our problems and our days that just fall short. Each moment we can choose to practice his presence or to practice the presence of problems. Often it feels easier to take the problem or problems at hand and run with them; but in the Lord we are blessed to have patience and understanding in knowing that no matter what the circumstance he is so much greater. 

Christ has set us free. He has set us free from the attachment of the problems that come with living in this world. For we know that what awaits us is more than worth the problems we face. I know I must remember and that we all must remember; Nothing, not one little problem, NOTHING, can separate us from God's great love for us. 

I am Famous in My Father's Eyes

He Knows My Name 

"What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world (and gets fame and fortune) yet, loses his soul?" - Matthew 16:26

As I sat down to write this post of course the Lord decides to prompt me with the song by Francesca Battistelli, He Knows My Name. This song really speaks to me in a deep personal way; from when I was a little girl I had this dream that I could be famous. This dream that I could be the next pop superstar/actress was a fire for years fueled by so many different things. Of course as I got older it wasn't as much of a pressing dream, but the embers from that fire still remained. So when I was in high school I was involved in many different theatrical and musical pursuits and it seemed to me as though such a thing as 'fame' could be a potential facet in my future. I truly got swept away with the glamour of people knowing my name and being commended for my performances. Graduating from high school I was voted 'most likely to be famous' and I was told that I had the potential to really make that happen. So I really began to think about what that might look like for me. 

While it is wonderful to have a talent and a blessing to share it with the world, it became this fantastical to-do that was an important part of my future. So I really got to thinking about this thing called 'fame' and the idea of millions of people knowing my name... 

I asked myself questions like; 

                                        What would my life look like to be famous?

How amazing would it be to be noticed on the street by fans?

                                                                                

                                                                                   What would it take for people to know my name?

But in the midst of this obsession with being known, and taking my talent and showcasing it for the world to see I soon realized that is not at all what this life is about. Of course I knew that to be the truth but it didn't actually set in until I was sitting in church this morning and I realized that I am at home in the Lord, my Heavenly Father, who is more famous than any single I, or any single celebrity could ever hope to be. How amazing is it that God knows my name and knows me more personally than anyone could ever hope to? He crafted me to be the outspoken, theatrical, musical, Christ-lover that I am. He made each one of us and HE knows each one of us by name. 

So while it wold be interesting to be famous, we already are. We are famous in the Lord. He knows your name and he makes a big deal about everything you are and every talent you have because he loves you and me infinitely more than we could ever hope or imagine from fame and fortune. In Ephesians 5:19 Paul tells us to "Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord." For the Lord is the only audience that truly matters. He gave us this life so that we may sing for him and proclaim his name for the world to hear. 

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to his power within us, to him be the glory!"- Ephesians 3:20

Let us always know that he knows each and every one of our names and we are blessed beyond compare to call the most amazing God our Heavenly Father! Whether it be fame or fortune you seek no that the Lord is much more than you could ever wish for in something so fleeting.

Good Morning Beautiful!!

I See Your Face in Every Sunshine...

This morning I woke up to the birds chirping and the sun streaming through my bedroom window. I know it sounds like the beginning of any Disney Princess movie ever, but this morning it was just so beautiful. As I was doing my morning ritual and preparing to go to my church I was getting butterflies. The Lord's presence was so thick this morning and I couldn't wait to fellowship with his children who too share such a love for Jesus. 

Today, this morning and every morning is a morning the Lord has made. As I was sitting and listening to pastor this morning the Lord really laid something on my heart. The Lord actually spoke to me and my heart stirred with excitement and there were those butterflies again. This stirring really made me think about how every day something different happens to us in our walk with Christ, whatever that may be. So that being said, every single day is a special day between you and God.

On my drive home I couldn't stop smiling. As the sun was shining through my windshield and warming me I thought about how God is in every sunrise, sunshine, and sunset. His presence in this world and in us warms us, from the inside out. What could be sweeter than God's unfailing love for us? Wow we are so blessed. So blessed beyond compare. 

I opened my bible this morning and it fell open to Psalm 143. I had to giggle at the Lord, because wow how he knows my  heart. The main verses that my eyes went to were 8-10 which essentially say, "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love...show me the way I should go...teach me to do your will." How amazing is that? This morning truly brought word of the Lord's unfailing love for me and for all of us. The stirring in my heart about mission work in another country was present in the verse with "show me where I should go." This truly opened up to my eyes to the fact that no matter where we are, whether it be in the beautiful morning, in the dark night, wherever we may be, the Lord is the home of our hearts and he makes everything beautiful. 

God's unfailing love is present in every morning, day, and night. He is forever within us warming us from the inside out, living in us so that we may spread his love and shine his bright light. So wherever the Lord may lead you, know that you always have a home in him and that he is present in every morning. 

"In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation"-Psalm 5:3 

An Immense Love for Love

Love is Not Just a Four Letter Word...

I have always had a such a crazy love for love. From a young age I would watch romantic comedies and dramas, read books with an underlying love story, and just take notes. Obviously I soon realized that real and true love wasn't just like the movies or the books, but it was better. But with that knowledge that it is better, it is also more real and raw than one might realize. True love isn't forced, it is as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13; "patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not rude or self-seeking, not easily angered, doesn't delight in evil but instead rejoices in truth, it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love NEVER FAILS." 

Real and true love is unforced like waves because authentic love comes right from the Lord. We are blessed with the ability to love others the way the Lord loves us. So when I was younger I made the decision that I would hold out and wait for that love that love that mirrors Christ's love for his bride. There is no love that can match the Lord's love for us. When you think about that and the love you feel for others here on earth it is something to know that the love you feel stems from the love the Lord has for you. That crazy love is everything. 

Even as I read novels today and watch movies, I am so in love with the loves stories that I see. To be in love is something that every woman, man, child, everyone wants to experience. True love on earth is a blessing from the Lord. Proverbs 19:22 says it best, "What a man truly desires is unfailing love." The truth is that unfailing love is something that comes from our Heavenly Father. The love we experience and indulge in on earth is just a glimpse into how much the Lord loves each one of us. When I think about it I can't imagine a greater gift than that. 

I am still currently waiting on that true love that is shared with a significant other. As I am only a freshman in college that isn't too crazy. When I think about that love that the Lord hand crafted between man and woman I get butterflies and a warm feeling. Because when I think about it, the longer you wait in the Lord's timing for that love the sweeter it is when you have it, and the less likely you are to ever think about letting it go. I know and believe that when the Lord's timing is right that love will be awakened. So fret not because your love story has been written by the one who created love. How amazing is that? 

"May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else...may he strengthen your hearts that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones." Whenever I read those verses, 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13, I can't help but smile to think that our love will increase and overflow for our true love because in the Lord love is abundant. Being that love is my favorite thing, that simple fact that love is abundant, is just beyond anything I could ever imagine. 

Watching true love unravel before your eyes in movie form, book form, or even in real life with people you know and care for is so amazing to me. It warms my heart and makes me smile to see love so uninhabited and so real. It is only natural to want a love like that. So true love is different than the books and movies, so what? The love that is bestowed upon us from the Lord is crazy. His crazy love for us knows NO BOUNDS. "Hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (Romans 5:5) 

So the next time you see a movie, read about love, experience love yourself; know that, that love comes from the one who loves you more than you could ever begin to imagine. True love doesn't wait, you already have it in the Lord. The truth is, you have no idea who you are meant to share that intimate love with here on earth. The moment you know who you are going to spend the rest of your days on earth with, is when you can't imagine sharing your love and life for the Lord with anyone else. Now I don't know about you but that sounds like a love worth waiting for. 

That four letter word, Love. L-O-V-E. Isn't just a word. It is so much more. 

Beauty is in the Eyes of The Beholder

What Makes You Different Makes You Beautiful!!!

You are who the Lord made you to be. He makes beautiful things out of the dust, and he  made beautiful things out of us. We live in a society where physical beauty is the focal point of ourexistence. Many times more than not this is the downfall of our society and our self image. The domination of physical beauty puts such a damper on God’s amazing love for all of us. He made us in his image to be a people who spread his love to all of the people. 

Ecclesiastes 3:11  

I know that I struggle so personally with believing that I am beautiful. Of course true beauty comes from within but our brains are trained to see all of things about us that we wish we could change. That  unhealthy thinking makes us part of this world and in reality we are not at home here and our earthly physical beauty cannot compare to the heavenly beauty within our hearts for Jesus.

Proverbs 31:30

  

You my dear friends are beautiful to the Lord, so beautiful. No matter what you are going through, what you have been through, or how you see yourself your beauty lies in the eyes of the  beholder whom is the most beautiful of all. 1 Peter 3:3-4 tells us, “Do not let your adornment be merely outward; arranging the hair,wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel; rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”  Our Heavenly Father is so perfectly beautiful and he made us in his image.
  So, look to the Lord for he would never lie. Song of Songs 4:7

 You are altogether beautiful! Never forget the one who made you because he never once made a mistake.