Angels: "Fear Not"
Shepherds: "Aaaaaaaahhh!"
Angels: "I said fear not"
Shepherds: "Aaaaaaaaaaaaahh!"
Angels: "What part of fear not do you not understand?"
Any avid fan of Jungle Jam and Friends is probably familiar with the quote above, I must admit it is one of my favorite Christmas quotes. As I was thinking about it last night it makes sense to me why the shepherds would have been scared, I mean come on, if you were a guy out there watching the sheep and an angel appeared in the sky I think you would be a little freaked out too! But what about the angels that aren't all bright and shiny, or that don't have wings, do we even recognize them, much less fear them?
A lot of people get out there and do their "good deeds" during the holidays to relieve their guilt. They go work the local soup kitchen, or ring a bell for the salvation army, or some such thing, which isn't bad, but what is the motivation behind it? To make ourselves feel better? To look good compared to others? Hebrews 13:2 says "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained strangers without knowing it." There are several stories my parents tell us of hosting strangers that were stranded on the side of the road etc. that needed help. One that jumps out the most in my mind are when we picked up a lady at the gas station who was broken down and brought her home from church with us. Sammi had been sick and miserable for days on end, but she climbed in this girl's lap and instantly fell asleep. Both mom and dad swear she must have been an angel, and after that day we never saw her again. The other story that is very vivid in my memory is when mom and dad were teaching us the concept of hospitality. We would host single men from our church for dinner every Tuesday night as well as having other young adults for holidays and weekends when their families weren't close by. On one of those occasions my mom told us to go feel Matt's back and see if he had wings. When he asked us what we were doing we told him we were looking for his wings to see if he was an angel :)
As you celebrate your Christmas this year remember that angels come in many forms, and you never know who you may be blessing with your hospitality.
Matthew 25:35-36, 40 "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
All It Takes Is A Little Faith To See The World In A Wondrous Way...
I know it's a God thing when I feel inspired and encouraged by a poorly animated kids movie from 1999.
For the past two or so weeks I have been having a very hard time getting to sleep at night. I would go to bed just to lay there for hours and hours on end feeling royally miserable inside, I would eventually put on a movie or a favorite tv show until I fell asleep from pure exhaustion... so I wasn't sleeping until about 1am and then getting up at 6:15 to get ready for work, and I was turning into a walking zombie. All that said, two nights ago I was laying in bed browsing through the "holiday classics" (none of which I had ever heard of) on netflix and came across "The Nuttiest Nutcracker". Just a short way into the movie a nut starts singing this song about having faith in Christmas, but the only time that phrase is even mentioned is once, then the rest of the song is just about having faith and believing.
I thought it was kinda neat. Then later in the movie when the princess is locked in the rat's dungeon there is a song about not giving up hope. It's supposed to be the prince singing to the princess, but that is never actually stated.
For the past two or so weeks I have been having a very hard time getting to sleep at night. I would go to bed just to lay there for hours and hours on end feeling royally miserable inside, I would eventually put on a movie or a favorite tv show until I fell asleep from pure exhaustion... so I wasn't sleeping until about 1am and then getting up at 6:15 to get ready for work, and I was turning into a walking zombie. All that said, two nights ago I was laying in bed browsing through the "holiday classics" (none of which I had ever heard of) on netflix and came across "The Nuttiest Nutcracker". Just a short way into the movie a nut starts singing this song about having faith in Christmas, but the only time that phrase is even mentioned is once, then the rest of the song is just about having faith and believing.
All it takes is a little faith, to see the world in a wondrous way,
Open up your heart and say you believe
and you will see the most miraculous things
No need to worry, let your troubles go
Lose your fears and let the laughter flow
Open up your heart and let your spirit free
Anything can happen when you believe
I thought it was kinda neat. Then later in the movie when the princess is locked in the rat's dungeon there is a song about not giving up hope. It's supposed to be the prince singing to the princess, but that is never actually stated.
Don't think that you're alone when your heart is empty and you're far from home.
Just reach out your hand,
I will hold you, help you stand,
feel the love that's all around, God's love showering down.
Calm me childish, but I was in tears by the end of that song. Between the first song and the second one, it tapped the misery I had been harboring inside and in just a couple minutes of saying "ok Lord" and letting myself rest in His love, I felt at peace on the inside like I hadn't in a long time. For the past 2 nights I have fallen asleep as soon as I have gone to bed, and tonight I'll sleep in my own bed for the first time since Shane left, so first time in a month. Do I know what is gonna happen next? No. Do I know when I will see Shane again? Nope. But instead of just seeing the "not knowing" in things, the world has taken on a different view of miraculous things, and it is beautiful because God really does work in wondrous ways.
Merry Christmas Everybody!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
If Your Waitin' For Love...
If your waitin' for love, well it's a promise I'll keep, if you don't mind believing that it changes everything, time will never matter.
One of the words I have the hardest time with is "wait", I would much rather hear a solid "yes" or solid "no", "wait" requires patience and perseverance, I can't move forward in any direction. One of the areas that I am deeply struggling right now is waiting for love. I'm gonna give a minute of "back history" before I explain.
Many of you have asked the story of me and Shane, and here is the reader's digest condensed version. Shane and I have been friends since we were 10 and 12. We met at Fox Hollow Farm where I first learned how to ride horses and at the time Shane was working there. At the time we were in the same 4-H group and our homes were only a couple of miles apart so we would she each other here and there at 4-H events and the occasional homeschool get together. We lost touch for a couple of years until I was about 16 or so, and then I ran into Shane and his brother working at our local grocery store. Every day from that point until they left for college that fall I would see Shane in P&C when I stopped for my chocolate milk fix on my way home from work, we'd talk for a couple of minutes and then I'd go on my way. After he left for school I received a letter from him asking if it was ok to write me, I said sure (and yes I still have all of his letters). We wrote back and forth for the semester and then saw each other again when he came home, and he decided not to go back to that school. Through the months he was home it wasn't always easy, but we remained friends. In 2007 I moved to FL, we kept in touch, but after a time we parted ways for about 6 months. In the fall of 2008 we started talking again and I went to Miracle Mountain Ranch for the apprentice program. In January of 2009 the subject of courtship/dating was approached, but there wasn't a peace about it, so we took a step back for another while. In the fall of 2009 we were talking again (seeing a pattern here?), and into 2010 as friends. In the fall of 2010 I had a different "romantic interest" when Shane wanted to approach the topic of dating again. Once again we parted ways for a while. Then, once again, this past spring we started talking again. We both knew we would be seeing each other at my brother's wedding in September, so we needed to know where we stood. As the fall drew closer we approached some tough topics that we had disagreements on, and many many hard conversations ensued as we both wanted to move forward, but didn't see a way with us having different beliefs. When I got to NY for the wedding Shane came and picked me up for a day out on the town that both of us greatly enjoyed. We hadn't seen each other in 3 very long years, so a day together was very special. Unfortunately with all the wedding stuff going on we didn't get an opportunity to discuss the "elephant in the room", which made parting that night rather difficult, but I knew I would see him in 2 days at the wedding. We sat together at the wedding, but again we couldn't talk with all the distractions. When he left that night it felt like my heart was being ripped from my chest because I didn't know when I would see him again and having un-resolved issues between us was more than miserable. The following week I was at MMR to visit, and that Saturday we were out at the woodpile for the first wood bee of the year (one of my favorite activities!). I was running a stacking crew and my phone went off with a text from Shane saying he was there and looking for me. I've never bailed off the woodpile so fast in my life! I showed him around the ranch and then we sat in the mess hall and talked for about 3 hours. In that time we worked out our "issues" with each other and decided to give this a go. He called my dad the following week and we have been dating ever since :) I was blessed by a surprise 3 week visit from Shane back at the beginning of November. He has applied for jobs out here and is hoping to move out here sometime soon, but for now he is back at home in NY, which is where I was headed with this post.
For both of us the struggle with waiting for God to bring us both to the same place has been very hard. After the ups and downs, proving and strengthening of our friendship and being apart for so many years we both just want to be together, at least in the same state would be nice! But for the moment God just keeps saying "wait". So we are waiting, or trying to at least.
On a personal level (ie: just me), I am waiting with work, waiting with what to do with Shane, waiting to buy a car, waiting for my life to feel like it is going somewhere. Last night I was talking with Shane and described my currents feelings like "I'm running on a treadmill, getting all sweaty and tired, but not really going anywhere.". I want to be financially independent, I want to be able to see Shane any day I want without having to fly across the country etc.
The ironic part is that just a week ago I taught on "Godliness with Contentment" (1 Tim 6:6-8) at Bible study. Looking back through my notes today I was struck by Philippians 4:11-13 "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Him who gives me strength." In EVERY circumstance, whether in plenty, or in little, I can be content, because I don't gain my power from within my human self, but from my Heavenly Father who breathed the stars into existence and holds the universe in the palms of His hands. The same God who came to earth and died on the cross out of His love for me, and cares about everything that happens in my life, is the God that controls when things do and don't happen. So when He says "wait" my answer shouldn't be "how long?" or "why?", but "yes Lord, and how can I serve you better where I am at right now?". The feeling of running on a treadmill may be true, but instead of focusing on the sweat and pain my focus should be on the strength I am gaining for when He says "now you can go".
Here are the rest of the lyrics from "Sunny Days" by Jars of Clay
One of the words I have the hardest time with is "wait", I would much rather hear a solid "yes" or solid "no", "wait" requires patience and perseverance, I can't move forward in any direction. One of the areas that I am deeply struggling right now is waiting for love. I'm gonna give a minute of "back history" before I explain.
Many of you have asked the story of me and Shane, and here is the reader's digest condensed version. Shane and I have been friends since we were 10 and 12. We met at Fox Hollow Farm where I first learned how to ride horses and at the time Shane was working there. At the time we were in the same 4-H group and our homes were only a couple of miles apart so we would she each other here and there at 4-H events and the occasional homeschool get together. We lost touch for a couple of years until I was about 16 or so, and then I ran into Shane and his brother working at our local grocery store. Every day from that point until they left for college that fall I would see Shane in P&C when I stopped for my chocolate milk fix on my way home from work, we'd talk for a couple of minutes and then I'd go on my way. After he left for school I received a letter from him asking if it was ok to write me, I said sure (and yes I still have all of his letters). We wrote back and forth for the semester and then saw each other again when he came home, and he decided not to go back to that school. Through the months he was home it wasn't always easy, but we remained friends. In 2007 I moved to FL, we kept in touch, but after a time we parted ways for about 6 months. In the fall of 2008 we started talking again and I went to Miracle Mountain Ranch for the apprentice program. In January of 2009 the subject of courtship/dating was approached, but there wasn't a peace about it, so we took a step back for another while. In the fall of 2009 we were talking again (seeing a pattern here?), and into 2010 as friends. In the fall of 2010 I had a different "romantic interest" when Shane wanted to approach the topic of dating again. Once again we parted ways for a while. Then, once again, this past spring we started talking again. We both knew we would be seeing each other at my brother's wedding in September, so we needed to know where we stood. As the fall drew closer we approached some tough topics that we had disagreements on, and many many hard conversations ensued as we both wanted to move forward, but didn't see a way with us having different beliefs. When I got to NY for the wedding Shane came and picked me up for a day out on the town that both of us greatly enjoyed. We hadn't seen each other in 3 very long years, so a day together was very special. Unfortunately with all the wedding stuff going on we didn't get an opportunity to discuss the "elephant in the room", which made parting that night rather difficult, but I knew I would see him in 2 days at the wedding. We sat together at the wedding, but again we couldn't talk with all the distractions. When he left that night it felt like my heart was being ripped from my chest because I didn't know when I would see him again and having un-resolved issues between us was more than miserable. The following week I was at MMR to visit, and that Saturday we were out at the woodpile for the first wood bee of the year (one of my favorite activities!). I was running a stacking crew and my phone went off with a text from Shane saying he was there and looking for me. I've never bailed off the woodpile so fast in my life! I showed him around the ranch and then we sat in the mess hall and talked for about 3 hours. In that time we worked out our "issues" with each other and decided to give this a go. He called my dad the following week and we have been dating ever since :) I was blessed by a surprise 3 week visit from Shane back at the beginning of November. He has applied for jobs out here and is hoping to move out here sometime soon, but for now he is back at home in NY, which is where I was headed with this post.
For both of us the struggle with waiting for God to bring us both to the same place has been very hard. After the ups and downs, proving and strengthening of our friendship and being apart for so many years we both just want to be together, at least in the same state would be nice! But for the moment God just keeps saying "wait". So we are waiting, or trying to at least.
On a personal level (ie: just me), I am waiting with work, waiting with what to do with Shane, waiting to buy a car, waiting for my life to feel like it is going somewhere. Last night I was talking with Shane and described my currents feelings like "I'm running on a treadmill, getting all sweaty and tired, but not really going anywhere.". I want to be financially independent, I want to be able to see Shane any day I want without having to fly across the country etc.
The ironic part is that just a week ago I taught on "Godliness with Contentment" (1 Tim 6:6-8) at Bible study. Looking back through my notes today I was struck by Philippians 4:11-13 "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Him who gives me strength." In EVERY circumstance, whether in plenty, or in little, I can be content, because I don't gain my power from within my human self, but from my Heavenly Father who breathed the stars into existence and holds the universe in the palms of His hands. The same God who came to earth and died on the cross out of His love for me, and cares about everything that happens in my life, is the God that controls when things do and don't happen. So when He says "wait" my answer shouldn't be "how long?" or "why?", but "yes Lord, and how can I serve you better where I am at right now?". The feeling of running on a treadmill may be true, but instead of focusing on the sweat and pain my focus should be on the strength I am gaining for when He says "now you can go".
Here are the rest of the lyrics from "Sunny Days" by Jars of Clay
Sunny days keepin' the clouds away
I think we're coming to a clearing and a brighter day
So far away. Still I think they say
The wait will make the heart grow stronger or fonder
I can't quite remember anyway
So if you're waitin' for love
Well it's a promise I'll keep
If you don't mind believing that it changes everything
Then time will never matter
Winter, Spring... is what love can truly bring
Ice turns to water, water flows to everything
You can lose your mind, maybe then your heart you'll find
I hope you won't give up what's moving you inside
I think we're coming to a clearing and a brighter day
So far away. Still I think they say
The wait will make the heart grow stronger or fonder
I can't quite remember anyway
So if you're waitin' for love
Well it's a promise I'll keep
If you don't mind believing that it changes everything
Then time will never matter
Winter, Spring... is what love can truly bring
Ice turns to water, water flows to everything
You can lose your mind, maybe then your heart you'll find
I hope you won't give up what's moving you inside
So if you're waitin' for love
Well it's a promise I'll keep
If you don't mind believing that it changes everything
Then time will never matter
If the car won't start, when you turn the key
When the music comes on, all your cold, cold heart can do is skip a beat
It's a promise I'll keep
When you're waitin' for love
If you don't mind believing that it changes everything
Then time will never matter
Well it's a promise I'll keep
If you don't mind believing that it changes everything
Then time will never matter
If the car won't start, when you turn the key
When the music comes on, all your cold, cold heart can do is skip a beat
It's a promise I'll keep
When you're waitin' for love
If you don't mind believing that it changes everything
Then time will never matter
Thursday, December 8, 2011
If You Want Me To...
Why does the same old thing come back and bite me in the butt every single time? Why does it seem like I never grow in this area, it just stays a weakness? Why does it always hurt the people I love the most?
To some of you what I am gonna say isn't rocket science, but right now it feels like I am battling for my life, and I am definitely fighting for my future. So here it goes...
a) my outward confidence is to an extent a coverup for the scared and insecure little girl on the inside
b) in my insecure moments I mess up
c) I'm working on it
Thankfully God forgives me when I mess up... now I'm asking, will you?
If You Want Me To
Ginny Owens
The pathway is broken
And the signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley
If You want me to
No I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
So if all of these trials bring me closer to You
Then I will walk through the fire
If You want me to
It may not be the way I would have chosen
When You lead me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'll never go alone (yeah oh oh)
So when the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the sufferin' Your love put You through
And I will walk through the darkness
If You want me to
'Cause when I cross over Jordan, I'm gonna sing, gonna shout
Gonna look into your eyes and see you never let me down
So take me on the pathway that leads me home to you
And I will walk through the valley if you want me to
Yes, I will walk through the valley if you want me to
And the signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley
If You want me to
No I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
So if all of these trials bring me closer to You
Then I will walk through the fire
If You want me to
It may not be the way I would have chosen
When You lead me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'll never go alone (yeah oh oh)
So when the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the sufferin' Your love put You through
And I will walk through the darkness
If You want me to
'Cause when I cross over Jordan, I'm gonna sing, gonna shout
Gonna look into your eyes and see you never let me down
So take me on the pathway that leads me home to you
And I will walk through the valley if you want me to
Yes, I will walk through the valley if you want me to
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Life Is Short, Don't Waste It...
Ok, so something that most people don’t know about me is that I really enjoy listening to Christian hip-hop and Christian rap. The title of this post is from one of my favorite John Reuben songs called “Life is Short”. I’ve included more of the lyrics from this song so that there is a more “well-rounded” picture of what I am trying to get at here.
This life is short, don’t waste it,
This life is what you make it,
Live a little, come on breath a little
Who wants to rhyme to close-minded people
Not I, ok good me neither
This here feature won’t follow procedure
Instead the forecast includes a brainstorm
With elastic thinking help me stretch the norm
Life’s to short for me to conform
Help me transform
Live life to the utmost, here’s a toast
To the future faith love and hope
And the things that truly remain and exist
It goes a little something like this
This life is short, don’t waste it
Life’s too short to have enemies,
I make no apologize for being friendly
Life’s too short to live in poverty,
I’m not talking money I’m talking mentally
Cause I’ve been broke and at the same time happy
I’m well aware of my history
So I approach life a little more humbly
Because being full of yourself will leave you empty
Life is short, don’t waste it
Life is what you make it
Life truly is short in relation to eternity, all you have is the “dash” on your tombstone to represent your time here. No man on this planet knows the number of his days, or can predict when he is going to either meet his maker in heaven or be sent to hell for eternity. Several days ago I had a set of lyrics from Audio Adrenaline’s song “DC-10” as my facebook status and some of you probably questioned my sanity. Here are a couple verses from that song that give a little more light hearted to the side that you don’t know how long you will be here, but do you know where you will be spending the rest of eternity?
Do ya know where you’re gonna go?
DC-10 fell on your head, you’re layin in the ground all mussy and dead
Or a Mac truck run over you, or suddenly die in your Sunday pew
Do you know where you’re gonna go?
It can happen any day it can happen any way
It can happen while you’re nappin in your easy chair
Can happen at home, can happen at school, happen while you’re starin at the sky like a fool
Do you know where you’re gonna go?
I said do you know where you’re gonna go?
Do you know where you’re gonna go?
Do you know where you’re gonna go, straight to heaven or down the hole?
747 fell outta heaven, crashed through the roof of a 7-eleven
sippin on a slurpy, things get hazy, reach for the twinkie now you’re pushin up daisies
Do you know where you’re gonna go?
In all seriousness though, we don’t know how long we have, what are we going to do with it? In Psalms 39:4-6 David puts this thought into a well worded picture of how short our lives really are: “Lord, make me to know my end and what is the extent of my days; let me know how transient I am. Behold, you have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing in your sight; surely every man as his best is a mere breath. Surely every man walks about as a phantom; surely they make an uproar for nothing; he amasses riches and does not know who will gather them.”
Jesus Christ came as a baby and lived on this earth as a man solely to take our sins upon himself so that we could have a renewed relationship with God. He died on the cross, but He didn’t stay dead, he raised from the dead on the 3rd day and returned to heaven to be with the Heavenly Father. As Christians we have placed our faith and hope in Jesus Christ so that we are forgiven of our sins and can have fellowship with the Father. Being a Christian shouldn’t just mean that we have “fire-insurance” so we won’t go to hell when we die, but should change our lives as a whole. 1 Corinthians 6:20 says “For you have been bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 reads “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” These verses give purpose for why, as Christians, we should do what we do. Are you working your tail off at work simply to make your boss happy, to get that promotion or maybe a pay raise, or to be a witness and glorify God?
This was a struggle for me over the past several weeks. Things at work had been a little on the stressful side and it felt that no matter what I did I couldn’t make my boss happy. I was tense at work, felt like I was always playing catch-up, and came home frustrated every day. 2 weeks ago now my boss and I were actually at each other’s throats and I was really close to not having a job anymore, but through God’s grace we talked it out and things have improved immensely. At the end of that day I had some serious thinking to do, and it all centered around my motivation for working as hard as I do. I don’t get paid much, and some days my job feels rather thankless, so why? Any non-Christian would question my sanity, but for me the answer has become more clear, and more of a challenge. I work hard to glorify God and to shine His light in a dark world.
1 Peter 3:14-16 reads “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.”
In this short life we will struggle, we will be falsely accused, we will go through times of trials, just as Christ did. But as Christians we have the power of the Holy Spirit living in us so we have the ability to glorify God in everything we do, and the others around us will be put to shame. Don’t waste this life simply aiming for riches and honor and trying to please man, for they will leave you empty; but glorify God and He will give you everything else you need in this life and you will not only be filled, but the light and love of God will overflow from your heart and life into the lives of others and they will want to know why you are different. Let me clarify here also, I am not saying that “good works” are required to be a Christian or to go to heaven, I am saying that “good works” should be a result of accepting Christ. Take your life and use it to share God with others around you.
So my challenge is this:
If you are a Christian then you know the hope that you have for the end of your life, but what are you doing before then?
If you aren’t a Christian what are you hoping in? Do you know where you will be spending the rest of eternity? We, as humans, can’t save ourselves. Being a “good person” won’t get us to heaven, won’t fulfill the ache in our hearts, or make you complete, only Christ can do that for you. You can have a scarred past, you don’t have to be perfect, it doesn’t matter where you have been, or what you have done, you are still welcome in the family of God. Our Heavenly Father loves you, He made you and created you on this earth for a purpose and He wants to have a relationship with you. He sent His only Son to die for you so that your sin will no longer keep you from His presence. To accept Christ is easy. Romans 10:9-10 says “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”I recommend you check out this resource that has been put together by the church I attend, it gives an excellent outline for what it means to become a Christian. http://alpinechurch.org/foundations/101-2/
Saturday, March 19, 2011
You'll Find Out Who Your Friends Are...
All of us know people who are the "popular ones", the "in crowd", "nerds", "losers", "cast outs", "weirdos", "jocks", "blonds" etc. and all of us have been in different categories during our lives. Usually the ones in the "popular" and "in crowd" categories had more friends, hence the category title, but do they really have real friends? We've all watched it happen... the popular cheerleader gains weight and gets abandoned, or the football jock that gets injured and can't play anymore etc. I am getting to a point here, so stick with me.
A mentor of mine once told me that there are 5 levels of friends. 1- Friends that you know you can get in trouble with. 2- Friends who don't take much convincing to do something you shouldn't. 3- Friends who are average, they won't encourage bad behavior, but they won't really challenge it either. (The majority of friends usually fit in this category). 4- Friends who will challenge you, but aren't "grandma". 5- Friends you know will always shoot straight truth with you and slap you upside the head when you need it most. Now, I do have friends that fit into all of these categories, and you know who you are, and I'm not condemning anybody in categories 1 and 2, but this blog is gonna focus on categories 3 and up.
Proverbs 17:17 says "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.". I never realized how many real friends I do have until the trials arose. The injuries, the family trials, the moves, loneliness, unemployment, and just plain every day struggles. Each time friends that I thought I had (categories 1, 2 and occasionally 3) would disappear, and friends that I didn't realize I had would appear out of the woodwork.
But a friend's love doesn't just come in the form of encouragement, hugs and chicken soup, there is also tough love. Now, call me weird, but I am a fan of tough love. Proverbs 27:5-6 says "Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.". I'm not saying that I only feel loved when I'm rebuked, that would be REALLY weird, but that I have come to discover who has the guts to stand up to my strong will when I am in the wrong, even when I don't ask.
All of this said to say that sometimes it takes friends from the first 2 or 3 categories burning you to realize how valuable the others are. This hit home for me when I was recently severely burned by a relatively new relationship. The hurt, pain, and realization of it all proved beneficial in clearing my head as to who my real friends are, and the ones who's relationships I can always stand on without fear of being ditched or dropped. So "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Hebrews 10:24
Proverbs 17:17 says "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.". I never realized how many real friends I do have until the trials arose. The injuries, the family trials, the moves, loneliness, unemployment, and just plain every day struggles. Each time friends that I thought I had (categories 1, 2 and occasionally 3) would disappear, and friends that I didn't realize I had would appear out of the woodwork.
But a friend's love doesn't just come in the form of encouragement, hugs and chicken soup, there is also tough love. Now, call me weird, but I am a fan of tough love. Proverbs 27:5-6 says "Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.". I'm not saying that I only feel loved when I'm rebuked, that would be REALLY weird, but that I have come to discover who has the guts to stand up to my strong will when I am in the wrong, even when I don't ask.
All of this said to say that sometimes it takes friends from the first 2 or 3 categories burning you to realize how valuable the others are. This hit home for me when I was recently severely burned by a relatively new relationship. The hurt, pain, and realization of it all proved beneficial in clearing my head as to who my real friends are, and the ones who's relationships I can always stand on without fear of being ditched or dropped. So "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Hebrews 10:24
Sunday, March 13, 2011
That's The Good Stuff...
"The good stuff" takes different forms for each of life's stages, but those things are what carry us through. The little reminder's that God really is faithful, and that it really is okay to have "tough skin and a soft heart", and not just be tough all the way through like an over-cooked steak. So, I bet you are wondering where I am going with this... over the past couple of weeks a lot of random "good stuff" has been drifting through the abyss of my mind, and not just random good stuff, but good stuff that happened in rough times. Moments like my dorm mom bringing me breakfast in bed when I was injured... different people being there for me only when God could have brought them across my path... a chocolate milk on my car the morning we moved from NY... unexpected notes from friends far away... midnight talks in the bathroom with roommates... the hours spent in vehicles where I could ask any questions and get honest answers... learning how to drive stick... quotes, songs, and scriptures in random places... and pages of journal entries.
These are all special moments, sometimes very brief periods in time, where God's faithfulness, compassion, and unconditional love shown through those around me. Points in time where I realized who really was close to my heart, and who I could really trust. God works in mysterious ways, and a lot of times the biggest blessings and most special moments come amidst the greatest trials. Just as the Israelites were to erect the memorials as they headed into the promised land and tell their children the stories, so am I to do the same. Remembering is what strengthens me in current trials, what gives me perseverance and patience when I don't see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. I heard this song on the radio while I was riding this past week and it put to words what I was thinking.
I know this song is about romantic relationships, but the concept applies to other things as well. Anyway, I know this post hasn't been incredibly "deep", but it is what has been on my heart this week.
These are all special moments, sometimes very brief periods in time, where God's faithfulness, compassion, and unconditional love shown through those around me. Points in time where I realized who really was close to my heart, and who I could really trust. God works in mysterious ways, and a lot of times the biggest blessings and most special moments come amidst the greatest trials. Just as the Israelites were to erect the memorials as they headed into the promised land and tell their children the stories, so am I to do the same. Remembering is what strengthens me in current trials, what gives me perseverance and patience when I don't see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. I heard this song on the radio while I was riding this past week and it put to words what I was thinking.
Kenny Chesney - Good Stuff
Well me and my lady had our first big fight
So I drove around till I saw the neon lights
At the corner bar it just seemed right so I pulled up
Not a soul around but the old barkeep
Down at the end and looking half asleep
And he walked over and said what'll it be I said the good stuff
He didn't reach around for the wisky
He didn't pour me a beer
His blue eyes kinda went misty
He said you can't find that here
Casue its the first long kiss on the second date
Mama's all worried when ou get home late
And droping the ring in the spiggetti plate
Cause you hand are shaking so much
And its the way she lookes with rice in her hair
Eating burnt suppers the whole first year
And asking for seconds just to keep her from tearing up
Yeah man thats the good stuff
He grabbed a carton of milk and he poured a glass
I smiled and said I'll have some of that
We sat there and talked as an hour passed like old friends
I saw a black and white picture and it caught my stare
It was a pretty girl with beuphant hair
He said thats my bonnie takin bought a year after we were wed
He said I spent five years at the bottom
When the cancer took her from me
And I've been sober 3 years now
Cause the one thing stronger then the wisky
Was the sight of her holding my baby girl
The way she adored that string of pearls
I gave her the day that our youngest boy earl
Married his hight school love
And its a new tee shirt sayin im a grandpa
Being right there as her time got small
And holding her hand as the good lord called her up
Yeah man thats the good stuff
When you get home she'll start to cry
When she says sorry say so am I
And look in to those eyes so deep in love
And drink it up
Cause that's the good stuff
So I drove around till I saw the neon lights
At the corner bar it just seemed right so I pulled up
Not a soul around but the old barkeep
Down at the end and looking half asleep
And he walked over and said what'll it be I said the good stuff
He didn't reach around for the wisky
He didn't pour me a beer
His blue eyes kinda went misty
He said you can't find that here
Casue its the first long kiss on the second date
Mama's all worried when ou get home late
And droping the ring in the spiggetti plate
Cause you hand are shaking so much
And its the way she lookes with rice in her hair
Eating burnt suppers the whole first year
And asking for seconds just to keep her from tearing up
Yeah man thats the good stuff
He grabbed a carton of milk and he poured a glass
I smiled and said I'll have some of that
We sat there and talked as an hour passed like old friends
I saw a black and white picture and it caught my stare
It was a pretty girl with beuphant hair
He said thats my bonnie takin bought a year after we were wed
He said I spent five years at the bottom
When the cancer took her from me
And I've been sober 3 years now
Cause the one thing stronger then the wisky
Was the sight of her holding my baby girl
The way she adored that string of pearls
I gave her the day that our youngest boy earl
Married his hight school love
And its a new tee shirt sayin im a grandpa
Being right there as her time got small
And holding her hand as the good lord called her up
Yeah man thats the good stuff
When you get home she'll start to cry
When she says sorry say so am I
And look in to those eyes so deep in love
And drink it up
Cause that's the good stuff
I know this song is about romantic relationships, but the concept applies to other things as well. Anyway, I know this post hasn't been incredibly "deep", but it is what has been on my heart this week.
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