Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Enjoying God

This is an excerpt from the book Enjoying God by S.J. Hill.

"The blemishes, scars, and extra pounds may weigh on your heart, but they don't weigh on His. God loves your freckles. He loves your funky-shaped toes. He loves you -- just as you are. He loves your uniqueness. He loves the smile that only your face can radiate. He loves you when you're awake, vibrant, and full of life. And He loves you when you're down, struggling, and lethargic.

He even loves you when you're sleeping. He gets excited when you wake up -- even with morning breath and 'sleep' tucked in the corners of your eyes. He can't wait to hear your voice. He looks forward to your first thoughts. He loves accompanying you throughout the day. He enjoys being with you at work. He isn't watching the clock or tapping His toe until five o'clock. Just being with you is enough. He loves talking with you, traveling with you, and being tender with you. He loves watching you enjoy His creation. He smiles when you look at the mountains, sea, or sky and think of Him. "

I'm currently reading this book but I'm definitely willing to ship it off to whoever wants to read it after. Just send me an email to
kinder.nicole@gmail.com stating this!

What are your thoughts on this passage from the book?

Saturday, December 20, 2008

No, thanks.

I'm always confused by the people who turn down prayer when you ask them if there is anything you can pray for them about. What is it about us that wants to just simply say "Not anything right now, thanks though." to prayer when offered? Is it our pride? Our problems? The people?

We simply need prayer, at all times. Let us not be taken by our pride or our need for prayer. Let us turn to one another at our highest times and at our lowest.

Are the times when we feel the best, the highest times in our lives, the time that we need prayer the most? To keep that upon us, so that when we fall we don't turn away from prayer and fellowship and above all, the love that Christ gives us. That unchanging, everlasting love!

"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Hebrews 10: 22-25 ESV


What are your thoughts on this? Ideas? Comments?

Sunday, December 14, 2008

I continue to be amazed at:

The way He loves us. He wants us.

How our tears mean so much to him, each and every one of them.



We're never alone, no matter how much we think we are, no matter how much we feel we are. Never.

Challenge: Create a drawing, painting, or some form of artwork. Take time on it. Make it beautiful. Make it something you love.


Now, destroy it.
Get the picture? God loves us so very, very much! Oh, how He loves us! We need to be set in our daily lives with Him. Not turning back every few days. I know I do and now I realize how much it hurts Him every time.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Reading list

What's on your reading list?

Mine:

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Assumption

Do we just assume that the person we are talking to has heard the gospel and already made the choice to follow or to abandon. I, in a way, grew up knowing the gospel and so easily assume an individual knows the story of Christ. Maybe this comes from knowing that someone knows about God, and then we just leave it at that, thinking they lead a Christ-filled life. Where does this assumption stop, where do we start sharing what we believe? I've definitely been afraid to share, I think everyone has, but there is a joy in seeing someone accept Christ into their life for the first time. I want to hear stories, encouragement, prayers, anything to help encourage one another in this.

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4: 20-24 NIV