Encouragement

Yesterday was almost the most perfect Sunday imaginable. Church was absolutely wonderful as Scott Hanson delivered one of the most heart wrenching messages I have heard in a long time. He challenged the congregation to step back from the American dream and to be honest with themselves asking the question “what are we willing to suffer or die for?” He called us to be as dead to ourselves as possible in order that Christ can be just as alive in us as He was the day He was resurrected. He said one thing that gripped my heart, “people do not have access to Christ.” What would my life look like, who would I be, where would I live, if it weren’t for Christ in me? My heart aches all the more to go to the unreached. To the unknown. To the unloved. How can it be possible that some have never heard and some will never hear before they pass from this Earth? It isn’t fair to them to hold back life and love. They need to hear the Gospel; they need to hear of the love of Christ and a God who’s grace is greater than the ocean.

After church and lunch, I went back to Preston’s house to kick back and relax. I asked Preston the question “What is your Holy Discontent? What is something you can’t stand and you feel God has called you to interject it?” Little did I know that the answer to that question would become so dominating in the rest of our conversations that night. Preston’s Holy Discontent is the way that Christians are so negative. In our group of friends we joke around all the time and say sassy, mean, and sometimes crude things to each other. So, as we began to discuss how wrong we are in that, we imagined a community where there was nothing but uplifting, encouraging, and loving words being spoken to one another. We looked up scriptures like Ephesians 4:29:

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

And Proverbs 4:23-24:

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

James 3:10:

Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

Matthew 15:18:

But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart.

1 Thessalonians 5:11:

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.

By this point, Michael and Jonathan had joined in on the conversation. Preston suggested that before we end the talk we actually do what the scripture says, and, so, we began encouraging one another. Though it was uncomfortable at first, we all ended up teary eyed at how much love for one another we felt and how much the presence of the Lord was with us. Complimenting each other and telling each other how much they are appreciated and loved does wonders. We closed by praying that we would continue in this edifying way.

I have so much more love and respect for each one of those guys now. We had a great rest of the night as we were filled with the joy of the Spirit. Literally all today I have felt uplifted and loved like I never have in my entire life.

I pray that this encouragement, edification of one another, and joy becomes contagious to all who interact with Preston, Michael, Jonathan, and me.

Anger and Confrontation.

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. – James 1:19-20

You know when someone says something that just eats away at you, and you feel like you have ruined their life but you don’t know how or why?… Yea, that’s how I feel.

It really makes me rather angry. I am not one to get angry about things either.

Really it’s all ridiculous and we should all grow up and get over it. But that’s kind of hard when the other half of the problem won’t budge and won’t tell you what you have done to wrong them.

Confrontation, my friends, only works if both side agree to lay it all out on the table. 

For now, I am trying to gain some perspective. Some peace (the kind that seriously passes my understanding). And some all around good wisdom from the my God.

 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. – James 1:5-6

I am lacking. I am asking. I am believing. 

Let’s do this, God.

Conviction

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. – James 1:22-25

So often I listen to the Word of the Lord and “try” to soak it in. Even when I am dry, with nothing left, I only “try” to let the Word be soaked up by my dry bones. Yet, I seem to fail every time.

Tonight at Eighteen22, my churches young adult ministry, I was hit by how much God just loves me and wants me to love Him back. This is such a simple, elementary concept that I had forgotten along the way. You see, I had become somewhat legalistic in my walk with Christ. Things had become routine as they sometimes do, and ‘quiet time’ was hardly happening. I filled my down time with busy work, media, and friends. I avoided spending time at Jesus feet because I knew He called me to higher standards and higher grounds… even though that’s totally what I have always wanted! Confusing? Yes.

I forgot that all He wants me to do was love Him. It’s as simple and complicated as that. The amount of time I spend and the location don’t matter to Him. He just wants to show me His deepest affections for me and asks for one thing from me in return: my deepest affections for Him.

What does that look like for me? Opening my Bible daily. Maybe this isn’t what He has asked you to do, but it is my personal conviction. In the past I have copped out by saying, “I just don’t know what to read!” So, I ask you, what do you suggest I read? Old and New Testament suggestions are welcome!

Prayer is also something I have been lacking in. Colossians 4:2 says, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Devote: to give all or a large part of one’s time or resources to.

Yep, I am certainly lacking in that department! Praise God for His ocean of grace that never runs dry!

It is time for me to re-devote myself to being a true disciple of Christ. Time to get down to business.

Scripture, Prayer, Acts of Love. Ready… GO.

Springing Towards Summer Nights.

It’s cookout time!

Two weeks ago it was almost 90 degrees, and today it is 59 degrees. That’s so cruel. We didn’t really need a fire then… we need one now.

Two weeks ago Preston hosted a BYOM cookout complete with corn, burgers, hot dogs, steak, fish, chicken kabobs, pineapple, and veggies.

I have recently been feeling very sentimental when I think about my friends. Probably because for the first time ever, I feel like I have a group of people who love me no matter what and who truly want to invest time in my life and vise versa. What a wonderful, warm feeling!

And this guy here gets Best Boyfriend Award. I was sick Sunday night with serious chills, weakness, and a throbbing head ache but I was all the way at his house downtown, my car was at the church, and we both had to work in the morning. The moment I started feeling absolutely awful, he dropped everything he was doing (cooking Monday’s lunch and entertaining Jolyn) and drove me home. I hit the hay as soon as I got home and the next morning woke up feeling like I had been hit by an 18 wheeler. My entire body was aching and my back felt like it was bruised all the way up and down. I also had the worst dream ever… but I won’t get into that other than telling you I was sold into sex-slavery and no one cared to rescue me. Anyway, right after Preston got off work on Monday he came over with two movies and made me some oatmeal. We watched one of the movies together called We Bought A Zoo. Cute movie. Good for sick days! And Colin Ford is an incredible actor for being 15 years old. Anyway, I have the sweetest boyfriend ever. Even my mom said this morning, “Preston gets Good Boyfriend Award, for sure.” Haha, yes, yes he does.

I love spring nights; they bring such great anticipation for long summer nights!

I can’t wait until Stephanie is home for the summer and everyone can enjoy each other all together! I miss her so much… It’s getting close!

Cupcakes for Lunch!

I love eating cupcakes for lunch with a wonderful life long friend!

Annemarie and I share a deep, longing love for cupcakes. Actually, we just love all things sweet!

Good memories that will never fade.

Ironing.

I forgot all about this dress.

Then I remembered how much I hate ironing it… I will never buy another item of clothing that I have to iron in order to look presentable. Never. Ever.

Hump Day!

Well, it’s hump day! Half way through the week, praise God. Even though I am not in school this semester, I still find myself longing for the weekends. I love Saturday and Sunday. Only three more days!

Monday night Preston and I had dinner at his casa. He bought the ingredients, I did the cooking, and he cleaned up after. We are so domestic! I sort of love it :)

It honestly reminded me of my parents. When Mom cooks, Dad almost always cleans. I find it so sweet. It’s like a little ‘thank you’ gift in return for the hard work of putting the meal together. Random side note: I am so happy my parents are so in love still; it makes me thankful for the life I have.

Anyway, back to our dinner! It went from this:

To this:

Dinner for two!

Here is the recipe I used. Of course, I never follow a recipe to the T. I just can’t. So, I used less butter, added chicken, and TONS of lemon. I also used GF Spinach Spaghetti from the folks over at Tinkyada. It was so yummy we couldn’t even believe it. And it was cheap!

Scrumdelicious and cheap… that’s a winner in my book!

In other news, one of the little girls I babysit gave me this dogwood flower this morning as we were walking to the bus stop.

Kids are the sweetest. I just love ‘em.

Have a wonderful Hump Day!

Heather