Friday, May 31, 2013

Dear Goodbye {3 Things You Need To Know About Goodbye}

{In a season of graduations, summer moves and goodbyes.}

Dear Goodbye,

You should know, I have a really big dislike of you.

It's not really your fault - I mean, you're just a word, right?

But you're more than just that. Somehow whenever you're around this ache starts in my chest and most times swells in my throat and ends up as tears.

And when I see you lurking around in the corners, coming near, it makes me wanna just tell time to stop please.

Because as you come nearer, Goodbye, people I love get farther.

But guess what, Goodbye? I'm finding some not-so-bad - even good - things about you.

You bring change. And change isn't always so bad.

I said it at small group just a few months ago - being comfortable is never good. If you're getting a little too comfortable, maybe it's time for a change. Because Jesus isn't about comfortable.

And sometimes - not always, but sometimes - you're the change needed, Goodbye.

Change means growth. Change means new, exciting things. And although change is tough, it makes people stronger.

Another thing, goodbye? Sometimes you bring people closer.

In the light of you, we seize the moment and spend as much time as possible with our soon-to-be departures.

And the people still around? I'm reminded how much they mean to me. Because I'm reminded how fast you come and take them away.

I don't who said it, but it's so true: Sometimes you don't know the value of what you have until you lose it.

The last thing, Goodbye, and maybe the most beautiful good thing about you? You remind me how excited I should be for heaven.

Because one day, Goodbye, I'll get to say goodbye to you. 

And that's one goodbye I'm very much looking forward to.

One day, I'll get to spend eternity with all my brothers and sisters in the presence of our Father, and the grief and sadness you cause won't exist.

Dear Goodbye, you suck.

But you're a part of life. And like most everything, Jesus makes you better. 

Because the beautiful thing about Body of Christ goodbyes is that they are never permanent.

And for that, I am thankful.

'Til we meet again, Goodbye.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Jesus In The Everyday

So I kinda haven't blogged in awhile!

And to be honest, it's cuz I really haven't had anything super interesting to share with you all lately. No huge God-things. Or epiphanies. ;)

But I thought, I gotta blog about something. 

And why not blog about the lack of huge God-things?

I mean, what about the little God-things?

Instagram: @_godsgal4ever
Like yesterday, I started writing a history essay and just felt pretty overwhelmed. So I put it aside and decided to come back to it tomorrow.


And today, somehow that essay just flowed out of my fingers. The whole. thing. :)

And yesterday, while writing said essay, I didn't have time to go over math stuff that I had a test on today. I don't usually study for math [#AsianProblems;)] but this particular unit I was feeling a bit squeemish about. However I knew if I concentrated, I'd be fine sans-review. And the math test got handed out, and I was able to concentrate and breeze through. 

Romans 8 - one of my faves. :)
Then there's simply home church laughs, fresh rain, art class, a ride to school and a ride home, and music.

And here's what I have to be reminded of: Jesus isn't always big miracles, crazy risks or high emotions. Sometimes, actually, oftentimes, He's just the small everyday stuff. :)

Jesus just wants to do life together. The everyday stuff. 

And I forget him sometimes, but oh, how I so need Him in the everyday. 


Where have you seen Jesus in the everyday lately? :)

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Book Review: Priceless by Tom Davis


"'I mean that most people who follow God, most Christians, don't understand the meaning of the word redemption. ... Iskuplenye, redemption, means vosstanovlenye i obnovlenye togo, chto bilo pokhisheno, to restore and renew what has been stolen. Most people squeeze their eyes shut and pretend the Devil doesn't exist. ... They live their lives as if there were no problems in the world, no hunger, no orphans, no child sex slaves. They don't do what God calls every single one of us to do, to redeem mankind. ... [This is] about you establishing the kingdom of God in a significant way by finding freedom for the captives. All of this is the beginning of a new life for you.'"
- Priceless, Tom Davis, Chapter 36
This was a very good read. [Plus, it was free - yay for free ebooks! ;)]

So, it's becoming a well-known stat - there are 27 million slaves in the world.

Priceless takes us on an educational, spiritual, emotional and page-turning journey through that sickening reality.


educational

In Priceless, we journey with Stuart, a photojournalist, who's in Russia to document the rise of HIV/AIDS in the nation. However, through an old friend, he soon finds himself in the middle of an operation working to free trafficked sex slaves.

Throughout the [fictional] story, readers learn about the grim reality of human trafficking and the sex trade. Yeah, you might have heard a bunch of stats before, but this book pulls you right into the brothels, streets and sickening circumstances. [For this reason, I'll say now that this book is definitely PG13 - there are a few gruesome/graphic scenes.]

I also learned a lot about how people are pulling these girls out of captivity and into freedom. While readers learn of the deep darkness of sex slavery, we also learn of heroes who are trailblazers for freedom. Tom Davis does a fantastic job of educating readers on many of the aspects of rescuing sex slaves, without getting too boring or technical.

spiritual

Priceless recognizes that we are fighting for hearts and we're fighting against a real live evil. An evil that grips lives and causes hearts to turn to evil things. An evil that reigns all too often.

Priceless reminds us that "'it's God who will ensure [our] success in this matter.'" [Chapter 37]

And what must we do? "'We give ourselves, in spite of what we might prefer and in spite of fear. ... None of us is good, but God's salvation is perfect. He can do good through people who allow for it.'[Chapter 36] 

emotional

As we journey with Stuart, we are also pulled into the gripping story of Marina, a girl who is chained into sex slavery, as well as the stories of countless girls much like her.

Their stories pull you into feeling just a tiny sliver of what a sex slave might feel on a daily basis.

The torture. The darkness, the evil. The utter hopelessness.

Their stories rip your heart out. Because it's not fair. None of it is fair.

"'Why does God allow it?' I say this almost under my breath. It's my greatest struggle." [Chapter 36]
Yes. Why? How? Yet there's this -
"I cannot trust life, but I can trust the One who created it." [Chapter 39]
 Yes. That. He has overcome the world.

I'd recommend Priceless 100 times over. You learn. You cry. And you cling to the only hope - Jesus.

Last thing - this book will disturb you. You'll be angered. Discomforted. Wrecked. Fair warning, ok? ;)

-

Grab Priceless here [US] or here [Canada].

Would you fight for freedom? Check out International Justice Mission.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Celebrating Mom...

mom & kids. :)
[not really sure what was so funny.]

My mom.

You really could figure out how great my mom is without much help from me, just by looking at her life.

My mom teaches me to be disturbed at injustice. She teaches me to run from apathy - and into the arms of Jesus.

My mom teaches me to guard my heart and that a girl's value is always in Him. 

She has always taught be to never settle for anything less than my best, but also that mistakes are redeemed by Christ.

My mom teaches me to love deeply and loudly, chase grace, spread hope... and occasionally organize my life. ;)

And she teaches me all this through the way she lives her life.

Neither of us is perfect.

I don't help cook dinner.

Sometimes, she forgets to pick me up from school.

We don't always agree, and sometimes we say things we don't mean.

But both of us are redeemed by grace. Perfected in Him.

My mama is a listening ear, some great advice, dinner on the table, a refuge, a role model and a woman who strives with her all to live like Jesus.

And I love her a lot. :)

Here's the type of woman my mom is.

Right now, she's counting down the seconds until the spotlight is off her. Because she walks humbly.

Really, she'd rather me tell you about struggling moms in developing countries or struggling moms right here at home.

I could tell you about how much I admire the way she gives of herself for others [because she acts justly and loves mercy], but she'd rather me ask you to help one of those struggling moms by clicking on one of those links.

That, my friends, is the beautiful woman I'm celebrating today. :)

Happy Mother's Day!

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