Love

I thought it would be appropriate to write about love on Valentines Day.
As I reflect on what it means to love I realize that I'm pretty bad at it. To say that I always show love without expecting anything back would not be a  true statement. It is a daily thing to deny myself and honestly love my neighbor as myself. It is in us to make sure we are good and it is also in our culture to make sure that we take care of ourselves. I always hear people say, you deserve it, treat yourself and you got it. I mean your aren't suppose to neglect yourself and refuse to eat but I am guilty of mixing up what is a necessity to what I want.

To me love is a word that is over used and has become way to casual. How can we expect  people to believe us when we say we love God then say we love ice cream. To me we have just down graded what love really is. We need to remember what real love is;

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

I don't know about you but I fall short of all of theses, all the time. I mean these are some pretty impressive characteristics to posses. I did  have a new revelation about this scripture today, this is how God loves  us. I mean DUH! I always looked to this verse to figure out what I needed to improve on but totally spaced out about how perfect God's love really is.  To me this is something to dance for joy about, think about it, God loves you this way everyday!  His love never fails !

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13

I pray that you discover the sacrifice of God's true love and set your eyes upon him instead of the distractions of the world. Keep on pressing into him and he promises us that he never fails.

Who Are You Living For ?

As I sit here in my room waiting for God to answer my prayers I wonder “what am I doing”? I don’t want to fall into the same trap of taking control of my life. I gave control to God and I plan on keeping it that way, no matter how hard it is sometimes to just trust. I don’t know about you but I’ve never had to trust God with every moment of my life, I have trusted him in some moments but not all.

As I am trying to figure out the next step of my life I realize just that, I am planning, not surrendering. It is so easy to brain storm alone and add him into the plans when I have it “figured out”. I don’t want to run ahead of God, I want to walk hand in hand with him through this life time.  

In this world the right steps to a “happy “life are to get a degree, a nice car, an attractive spouse,  a house and then have some kids. All the while trying to play the ladder game, the higher you get the more successful you are and that is what determines your worth.  I can say that I my eyes have been opened and I pray that I never fall into the trap of this game.

To me those things aren’t bad but I can’t help but wonder if those things make people happy why God would call his disciples to share everything. Read Acts 4:32-36. I think when we get those things by our own strength we have no need to trust in God because we have made ourselves our own God. We rely on ourselves more than we do him.  I believe we become distracted when those become our priorities and goals. God has called everyone to complete different tasks. If we are too afraid to leave our stuff if we are asked to go, then to me that is a red flag that your stuff is more important than God’s calling. Don’t freak out yet, God does not call everyone to pick up and leave where they are but would you be willing to do it if he asked you?

It is easier for me to leave home because I don’t have those things to think about; however I need to make sure that I keep considering that question in all the stages of my life.  For me the hard part is trusting in him. I know that the next chapter of my life is to trust that he is my provider. This sounds normal but when you are called overseas and only have about 4 months to prepare it can becomes a little stressful if I’m not careful. I know that there is no way to make the amount of money I need to go where he wants me to go. So instead of trying to work my life away I’m going to have a normal job, spend my money carefully and also continue to be investing it in other people. I know it sounds crazy to give away the money that I’m going to make but I’m trusting God’s words “you reap what you sow”.

 At first I didn’t understand the importance of this call but it’s actually a blessing.  God wants me to trust him with everything he wants to be there for me and he wants to prove that he will never leave my side. My hope is that after this chapter I will be able to have total fear of the Lord and put my hope into him. After this my doubts and fears will continue to be something that can’t hold me back. I’m excited to be called to live by faith and it will do just that increase my faith in a loving, holy, all knowing God.

  Romans 8 & Romans 12

1 Corinthians 2

Goodbye New Zealand

Today is my last day in New Zealand I leave for the Airport in 1 hour. I can't believe God sent me to such a beautiful place. I can't describe all the ways I connected with him here. I do  however know that God is everywhere and will still be with me as I return home. I'm so sad to have to say goodbye but I know God has even great things for the future. As I close this door I walk into a new  and opened one. I'm not sure what all God has in store for me but he definitely has my heart and my faith is increasing everyday.

Here are some passages that have encouraged me throughout me DTS.

I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
   he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
   their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
   he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
   and he delivers them. Taste and see that the LORD is good;
   blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. -Psalm 34:4-8

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.                  2 Corinthians 4:16-18

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

It is better to Love, rather then not Loving at all.

Goodbye’s are so hard here at YWAM!  These 50 people who started out as strangers 5 months ago, have now become like family to me. God I thank you for each and every single person. I would be lying if i said that i got along with every one at every moment but i did learn important lessons with every person. I learned how to make God my best friend and I realized that I am never alone. I learned so much about living in community with so many people. I’m so thankful that God called me to such an amazing place with such awesome people ! I will never forget the impact they had on my life and i will never  forget what God did to me. God deserves all honor, praise and glory! 

As i prepare to head home, it is so bittersweet! I’m going to miss waking up with 8 sisters in my room with only 2 showers and 1 bathroom. Walking to breakfast  with the most beautiful view of the sunrise upon the mountains every morning. Eating corn flakes  every single morning and praying in groups for breakfast for the rest of our day. Having worship at least 3 times a week as a family. It is also going to be really hard not casually talking to people 24/7. This place has become like home.

I am however excited to go home to see all my friends and family. While being sick you forget how much you really miss home. I’m also excited to have my own bedroom and being able to shower whenever i want. I’m so stocked to have privacy and complete quiet time with God Ahh its going to be amazing at times but also super hard because its not the norm any more. The biggest thing will be being able to cook and eat when i want. I haven’t picked a meal or cooked something I liked in over 5 months !! My kind of food is sounding amazing now !! 

Dear God,

You have taught me so much and I can’t begin to thank you for all that you have done for me. Thank you for never leaving my side or giving up on me. Whenever I needed you most, you showed your self to me in some form. Because of your love God, I’m learning how to surrender all that I am to you. You are so beautiful and I can’t believe that I am yours and that you choose me ! I’m learning what its like to be a princess to the amazing King. God, you have humbled and changed my heart for your glory. I am your child and I can’t wait to continue to serve you for the rest of my life.  

Love your daughter,

    Emily Grace

Everyone thank you for all your prayers and support! I can’t wait to tell you all God’s stories and begin to help out with my community. I pray that I will be able to show Christ’s love for the people I come into contact daily. I pray that I may be BOLD and not fear man, but fear the LORD. With God there are no limits to what he can do through a willing heart. I challenge all of you to ask God to reveal to you what he has called you to do in this life, in this moment and this second. Never undermine the position and person God has created you to be. Now is the time to step up and show people the love that Christ has shown you.