Love Like God Loves

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that" (Martin Luther King Jr.).

This is just a reminder that love goes so much further than hate. Today I'd like to look at 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 in the English Standard Version. I'd like to reflect on the importance of Love. 

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:1-3 ESV).

There is nothing as powerful as love... if there was then God wouldn't be so known for his. That love reaches out to all of God's children! How can we then not show love to one another when God gives his to all of his creation? 

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things" (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV).

God does not show us his love my forcing it upon us in a smothering way. We can choose to accept his love or choose to ignore it. By ignoring that love, we ignore the very thing that binds us to him. In the same way, we have to remember that our love must spread to all of mankind and God's creation but understand that not everyone is going to want it. Just because someone doesn't want the love we are to give, doesn't mean we should ever stop loving. Love is never-ending! Never-failing... it is a fire that cannot be put out, a thirst that can never be quenched, an emotion that cannot be tamed. We are the epitome of love. Because of this fact, there is no way to believe that we can live without it.

Here's the rest of the passage for you all to read if you'd like to, I love it! ;)

"Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. ¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:8-13 ESV).

Winter Weather in West Tennessee

Well, fall is finally here in this area! I'd have to say I'm a little underprepared, but I guess my hoodies will do. I can't very well walk around toting my blanket on my shoulders, no matter how much I would like to! I had a very relaxing weekend; I can’t express to you all how much I needed it, too. I’ve been so busy with tests, projects, performances, and my job… I was so very excited for a few days that were stress-free and that is exactly what I got.

My family came down Friday for my brothers Harvest Party and that was a lot of fun. We carved pumpkins, grilled out, drank cider, and ended the evening singing praises to God—what an uplifting way to finish if I do say so myself! I then went and watched a movie with a couple friends and went back to spend the night with my family.

That next morning we got up early—one of my friends said there’s no such thing as Saturday morning, there’s Friday night, and Saturday afternoon and I can’t agree more with him. We all went shopping for groceries and for a few new pieces of clothing for me and then headed back to get ready for the Carothers’s Hayride that night.

I had so much fun there with the hayride with friends, smores, and singing hymns to God. We got back around 9:00 from that and then watched Puss in Boots at my brothers house with my family and some pals from school. There was nothing about this weekend I didn’t enjoy!

Yesterday I said goodbye to my family and then after services last night, I carved pumpkins with my best friend, I made Pikachu, he’s pretty much awesome. :P

All in all I feel so blessed in my life because I have so much!

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be touched—they must be felt with the heart” (Helen Keller).

Welcome to Antarctica

So apparently the next ice age is happening in East Tennessee today, it came out of nowhere. Yesterday it was 80+ and sunny and today it's in the 40's with a frigid breeze and cloudy skies. Don't get me wrong, I love cold weather! But I tend to be a fan of knowing when the cold weather suddenly comes around. It needs to make up it's mind here, because my sinus's and my sanity are confused! I hope you are all having a good day! I have a memory verse test today in about 3 minutes and here's a little slice of it just for you:

"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we ear?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself, Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:31-34 ESV).

A Little Something

I'm sorry I neglected to do this earlier today, but here's something to keep in mind!

"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit " (Proverbs 15:1-4 ESV).

We need to think before we speak! Funny how often this is an afterthought... ironic, isn't it? ;) Our personal image is so heavily impacted by our actions. Not only does this affect us personally, but it gives an image on our Church body as well! We don't want to encourage the false image of Christians of today by acting like fools in front of an already judgmental world! God sees everything! This is so very reassuring, because it is proof that he is always there. But this is also a reminder that we are under the never-ceasing eye of our eternal Judge! So let's go out today keeping in mind what we say. Let's also not forget who we are and who's we are!

From Me to You

I hope you're all having a marvelous day; it's gorgeous here in Tennessee! Don't forget to take some time today to thank God for the little things! 

Here's a scripture I felt like sharing, hope you enjoy!

"I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you—so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:4-9 ESV).

God is faithful and will always be that way. Let's go out today with our heads held high with confidence in this!

My Weekend Away

I had a wonderful time this weekend on a GTO (Γ Τ Ω) retreat. Am I a part of the club? No, but it's full of some of the sweetest people on campus. 

There's something gratifying about knowing that you can go away on a retreat with guys and girls and not having to worry about anything going on that shouldn't. On the way back from the bathhouse on Saturday after the day's events were through--and this was around 1:00 a.m.--I heard worship songs being sung around the campfire. 

After everything was done, there was a group of guys and girls singing to God together. Not going off and doing inappropriate things with their significant others, but praising God; worshipping together! 

There was so much this weekend that reminded me of how blessed I am and how much God has given me! There was a period of time on Saturday where we had "Prayer Trail" where we had a passage to read on our own for an hour for personal reflection and prayer to God. You could either read Psalm 39 and 40 or read something of your own. I headed off into the woods to see if I could find a spot off the gravel road. As I made my way down a trail, my heart was warmed as I saw individuals leaning by trees and huddled over logs, bibles cradled in their crossed legs. I couldn't help but smile; THIS is what they want to do on a weekend! Personal reflection and prayer... I digress. 

I looked over into the woods as I walked, saw a fallen tree shaped like an L cradled by gorgeous yellow, orange, and red leaves, and that's when I couldn't keep walking. This was the place for me! I trudged off the path and plunged through the crisp leaves to lean against a tree just above the fallen one. I was seated above a small ravine that then lurched back up into a hillside covered with beautiful autumn leaves. As I sat reading my bible, I heard a rustling in the brush beyond the drop. Looking up, I saw a deer galloping through the leaves. If God was trying to get to me, trying to speak to me, this was definitely that moment. What beautiful things God has given us and blessed us with! He created it all; it was almost too much for me. I was overwhelmed with the beauty around me. The awesome creation I was a part of just going on around me! So often we forget to stop our busy schedules and take the time to enjoy all that God has made. Every bit of nature is so complicated. We go on living, thinking nothing of the natural beauty around us. So often I know that I have thought that it's all just a pretty thing to look at. But below the surface there's so much LIFE! To stop and listen you hear so much. From the leaves to the bugs to the birds and the deer, nature is so complicated. There is nothing about nature that is simple! What a foolish thought! 

I'm done with my rant, my apologies. ;)

But anyway, I read over the passage, and then did some of my own reading. I stumbled upon this passage and thought I'd share:

"But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my cause and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light; I shall look upon his vindication" (Micah 7:7-9 ESV).

In all, my weekend away was much needed and I enjoyed every bit of it. I feel like even at a Christian University I rarely get enough time in for studying the bible. I was feeling lost, alone, confused. All of the "God time" I got in this weekend boosted my spirits and helped me to remember who I am and who's I am. I hope you all can make time this week for personal reflection and time in prayer with God!

Hello All!

I have not used my blog in so long... I feel like I've neglected everything. Maybe it's about time I got back to blogging. Since college I haven't found much time for any sort of documentation or journaling but maybe I can change that from now on. No Promises...

Since packing up and heading to Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee, I have been so busy with the constant movement of college. Never is there a dull moment here, never a calm day. There is always something happening, always some event being planned, and always continuous sleepless nights. Even though I never seem to get a break, I absolutely love it here. 

Freed is a christian university and it represents that in so many ways. I can't tell you how much I've grown mentally and spiritually in my year and a half of being here and how much I wouldn't change this opportunity for the world! I'm learning daily by making it through my shortcomings, experiencing different devotionals, and taking on new leadership roles. 

So many people ask me what it's like to go to a school full of people claiming to be Church of Christ and all I have to say is it's wonderful! There is no stronger bond you can have with someone than sharing your spirituality. So many people have told me that "college is where you make friends that will last a lifetime." As much as I believed that and still do, there's more I'd like to add. College IS where you make friends that last a lifetime, but Freed is where you make friends that last beyond this life. There is nothing as encouraging as knowing that the friends I have already share my beliefs. I truly believe that because my friends and I already have our relationship with God as groundwork for our friendship, we can build so much stronger bonds with each other than you could ever imagine!

The choral group that I'm involved with now is designed so that people can hear us sing and also know God. We sing A Capella hymnals and arrangements focused around making a difference, accepting God, and even outlines the struggles we all have in this life. Dr. Gary McKnight, our director has been such an impressionable person on the entire Chorale. Some of the things he's said:

"To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, and to be late is to be left."

"Remember who you are and who's you are!"

"Oh yeah, that's perfect! Print that on a T-shirt!"

I'm loving it here and continuously growing in my spirituality, my faith.