Quotes That Caught My Attention

So I peruse a secret website every now and again for random quotes by some of my favorite Christian authors, and lately here are a few that caught my attention:

"We must take the initiative to restore peace. Jesus taught that it makes no difference whether you have wronged your brother or he has wronged you. Either way, you are always responsible to initiate efforts toward peace (see Matthew 5:23-24 and 18:15). If we are serious about intently pursuing peace, we won’t be concerned about which of us is the offending party. We will have one goal: To restore peace in a godly manner. Unresolved conflict between believers is sin and must be treated as such; otherwise, it will spread throughout the body like cancer until it requires radical spiritual surgery. Far better to deal with it when it is easily contained." -- Jerry Bridges

"Earth has nothing more tender than a woman’s heart when it is the abode of piety." -- Martin Luther

"Accordingly, we never find the apostle drawing a depreciated picture of woman; every allusion of his to the believing woman is full of reverent respect and honor. Among the Christian women who come into Paul’s history there is not one who is portrayed after this imagined pattern of childish ignorance and weakness. The Lydia, the Lois, the Eunice, the Phoebe, the Priscilla, the Damaris, the Roman Mary, the Junia, the Tryphena, the Tryphosa, the “beloved Persis” of the Pauline history, and the “elect lady” who was honored with the friendship of the aged John, all appear in the narrative as bright examples of Christian intelligence, activity, dignity, and nobleness." -- Robert Lewis Dabney

"Our relationship with our fellows and our relationship with God are so linked that we cannot disturb one without disturbing the other. Everything that comes between us and another, such as impatience, resentment or envy, comes between us and God. These barriers are sometimes no more than veils – veils through which we can still, to some extent, see. But if not removed immediately, they thicken into blankets and then into brick walls, and we are shut off from both God and our fellows, shut in to ourselves." -- Roy Hession

"Your words and the manner in which you speak are critical to harmonious relationships. As you learn to speak the truth in love, you must also determine when to speak, how to speak in an edifying manner, and to whom you should speak. The power of your words is enormous, and they also show the condition of your heart. Even your idle words will be accounted for in theday of judgment." -- Biblical Counseling Foundation

"If (God) is on the throne of our hearts and in control of our lives – then all our human relationships will be positively affected… Instead of looking to our relationships for what we can take from others, we will begin to see relationships in light of what we can give. Finding our own deepest need met in our relationship with God, we will be free to be used by Him to meet needs in others." -- Eddie Rasnake

"A vital Christian, radiating that hidden beauty of the heart, is more attractive to the right sort of Christian man (the only kind you want) than the raving beauty who is hollow within. A woman who is developing her domestic abilities, who is reasonably attractive, and who is a vital Christian in her own right is an irresistible person." -- Jay E. Adams

What Every Girl Should Know About Herself

My Mom recently bought me a book by Holley Gerth called "You're Already Amazing" and I admit, I'm reading it!  I say that because those of you who might know my Mom, know that she buys me a lot of books that I rarely get to read.  Between being a full-time Reporter, a graduate student at Liberty University, riding horses, and being involved at church it's A LOT on my time.  But, I'm glad I've made time for this one.

I was particularly moved by one excerpt in chapter 1 of the book, that reads this:

 ~ "It's time you knew you're amazing." ~

You smile, laugh awkwardly, glance at the ceiling. "I know, I know," you reply. "So kind of you to say."
I respond, looking at you more intently.
"I mean it's time you really knew. And there's more....

- You're not only amazing.
- You're enough.
- You're beautiful.
- You're wanted.
- You're chosen.
- You're called.
- You've got what it takes....not just to survive but to change the world.

By this time your fingers are wrapped around your coffee cup.  You stare down at the bottom of it, focused on the emptiness, wondering why these words are so hard to hear.

Finally, you ask, "Who told you that?"
And I respond, "The only One who really knows - Someone who loves you."


I was so moved by this, as I believe these are things, we as women, we forget about ourselves - or sadly, we honestly have never heard it.  These words have never reached our ears by anyone leaving us feeling unnoticed or worse, like we aren't worth it.  But there is Good News - God knows you.  He knows you better than you know yourself, better than anyone else for sure.  And He believes all this about you and more.  He is crazy about you, so much so that He laid down His life for you.

Girls, maybe you've heard these words a time or two by a man in your life who decided not to stay for good? And what I believe most don't realize is that men don't get to say these things to a feminine soul and just leave.  When they leave, it completely invalidates what they've said to make you feel amazing, beautiful, wanted, chosen.  This is because a man who believes you are amazing, beautiful, wanted, and chosen isn't going to leave if he believes these things - the mere fact of him leaving shows he doesn't believe himself if he says these things.  Words and actions are powerful.  Actions have to back up words in order to make them believable, to prove and validate the words as trustworthy.  Only a fool would leave a woman who he truly believes is amazing, beautiful, wanted, chosen, and called into the kingdom of Christ.  But, there is again, Good News!

The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. - Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV

Jesus Christ Himself will never leave you, He will always stay.  Everyday.  You can wake up to the Lord everyday and know that YOU are wanted - just as you are, He chose you, He called you to be with Him forever and will stand with you forever, He thinks you are amazing (Zephaniah 3:17), He sees you as nothing less than absolutely beautiful (Psalm 45:11), and He knows every little detail about you - and He can't get enough of you.  What a King!  Jesus knows you are worthy, but more importantly, we are worthy because of Him!  Jesus IS just that into you!

So, if there is a woman in your life who you think deserves to know she is wanted, she is beautiful, she is already amazing, she is enough, she is called by Christ, and she has what it takes - let her know. And let her know, more importantly, that this is Christ's view of her and that He is just crazy about her!

Story of Ian & Larissa

Should I ever have the honor of serving the Lord as a wife, I hope to exemplify this kind of sacrificial and honoring love to my husband:



...May we all have a "board of gratefulness" in our lives, and understand that love is selfless to the core. It's not what is best for me, but what is best for those you love - and for God. A love that brings Him glory and exalts His name will never go unnoticed, as this beautiful couple has shown.

You don't leave the one you love in a time of challenge and suffering, instead, that's when God opens the door for you to be His hands and feet the most. I'm inspired, and pray God will use me for His glory. I pray people will know I am a Christian by how I love.

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. - John 13:35, NIV

Meet Jonathan

After a long and tough week, I was laying on my bed scrolling through photos on Instagram using my cell phone and I read a message that perked up my weary heart. You see, I’m a huge fan of Compassion International and they have a team of bloggers and sponsors traveling throughout Tanzania this week uploading photos, writing stories, and posting it all on social media. The photos I saw on Instagram were posted by Compassion International, with two smiling little boys from Tanzania and it said, “Always have hope!”

Amen! Let me introduce you to someone who has made a massive and profound impact on my life….

Jonathan Dominic Mayala is 11 years old and lives in Tanzania. He lives with his grandma, while his dad is a farmer and his mom works sometimes. Jonathan loves animals and he sends me pictures he draws of zebras, giraffes, and lions. Jonathan has a beautiful smile! Jonathan enjoys singing songs, playing marbles, and playing games with other children. Jonathan also loves playing soccer and hide-n-seek. Jonathan washes dishes as part of his family chores, along with carrying water, cleaning, and running errands. Jonathan’s favorite bible verse is about honoring thy mother and father! Jonathan regularly asks me to pray for him, and to pray for his studies in school. I get Jonathan’s report cards on a regular basis and it helps me to know how to pray for him.

Jonathan is my sponsor child. On March 24, 2008 I made a commitment to sponsor Jonathan through Compassion International for a monthly fee which helps with his schooling expenses, his health, his family’s needs, and also with food. Jonathan and I exchange pictures every so often, and I cannot tell you the joy it brings me to get his letters. I see God working in Jonathan’s life, and I can see God using Jonathan to work in the life of others. I wish so badly that I could tutor Jonathan one on one myself, but I do not live in Tanzania – I live in Washington, DC. I would love to adopt Jonathan, but he has family who loves him and I am certainly in no financial position to welcome a child.

As we approach mother’s day, I am reminded of this verse:

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. – James 1:27, NIV

How has Jonathan impacted me? Aside from being a child I pray for, I see his joy and hear his little heart poured out onto his letters as he tries to learn English. I hear about his aspirations and even little things like his favorite food is rice and beans. I get to be a part of his life, one life. I get to love him - even if from a distance, and he gets to love me. This little person, prays for me. It was Mother Teresa who said:

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” – Mother Teresa

While Jonathan is only one, I know that God can do great things through the life of just one. I love children and hope to have my own someday, and I certainly hope to adopt someday as well – again with hopes of making a difference in the life of a child, if God should grant me the blessing. We all may not be able to feed, love, want, or care for a hundred kids, or even 10 kids, but we can make a difference for just one. Isn’t that part of loving your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31, NIV) – a commandment of the Lord?

I don’t get to come home to little arms and little hands wrapped around my neck each day, nor do I get the privilege of cooking bite size meals for little hungry mouths each night. I don’t get to hear the “I love you” from a little voice, nor do I get any kind of flowers on Mother’s Day. I don’t get to read children’s bed time stories to a little one at night, nor do I get to shop for little shoes to put on little feet. I don’t say this to solicit pity for not being a mother, but I say this to understand the blessing of a child – and how just one child actually changes YOUR life. So often, I think we as adults believe we are the ones making a difference in their life, and we do, but let us not forget the massive difference these little people make in ours.

“People who really want to make a difference in the world usually do it, in one way or another. And I’ve noticed something about people who make a difference in the world: They hold the unshakable conviction that individuals are extremely important, that every life matters. They get excited over one smile. They are willing to feed one stomach, educate one mind, and treat one wound. They aren’t determined to revolutionize the world all at once; they’re satisfied with small changes. Over time, though, the small changes add up. Sometimes they even transform cities and nations, and yes, the world.” – Katie Davis, mother to 13 adopted orphans and missionary in Uganda

Will you let a child come into your life and change your heart?

The Risk of Not Loving

I'm currently reading a great book a dear friend of mine gave me called "Turn My Mourning Into Dancing" by Henri Nouwen. It's a collection of writings from the late pastor, teacher, and thinker. I find myself wanting to underline just about everything, does that ever happen to you when you read a book? I digress....anyhow, I came to this particular excerpt of the book that discusses C.S. Lewis's book called "The Four Loves" and Henri Nouwen quotes Lewis' work:

To love at all is to be vulnerable....If you want to make sure of keeping [your heart] intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entangelments; lock it up safe in the casket of your selfishness. But in that casket - safe, dark, motionless, airless - it will change. It will not be broken - it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.... The only place outside of Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from the danger of love is hell. -- C.S. Lewis

I mean, like wow. This begs the conclusion, life without love is hell on earth. So what is a life without God Himself you ask? A life without God is not only hell, but it is also a life absent of love. God is love.

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. - 1 John 4:16, NIV

Now, Nouwen says, "And those who try to avoid all risk, those who would try to guarantee that their hearts will not be broken, end up in a self-centered hell."

Personally, I could not agree with Lewis and Nouwen more. Have you taken the risk to love? I believe one must have a true understanding of what love is to truly understand not only God, but also themselves. Better yet, to truly understand what love is, one must increase their understanding of God and who He is. God is selfless, and I've learned that love is selfless to the core. Nouwen elaborates on loving a person through giving freedom:

Loving someone means allowing the other person to respond in ways you have no control over. Every time you engage yourself in an intimate, loving way with someone else you become at least partly subject to exhilaration of hearing another person's yes or the disappointment in his or her no. The more people you love, the more pain you may experience. For the great mystery of love is that while it can be received, it can also be rejected. Every time you love you enter into the risk of love. -- Henri Nouwen

To me, this begs the question, God loves so many because it is who He is, and how much more do we often hurt the heart of God? Granted, God is so much bigger than any hurt we can conceive, but it had me thinking how must God feel in the ways we often treat Him, putting Him at a second priority in our lives, or blowing off our time with God to do other things. People could debate for hours on whether it is or isn't a risk for God to give us free will to choose to love Him or not, and that's a debate I'm not jumping into here. What I do say though, is there is an even greater risk in NOT loving. You have everything to gain by choosing to love someone, and yes, there will be pain in that because we are all human beings - and we make mistakes, and we'll keep making mistakes. However, the greater pain lies in living a personal hell, completely absent from all love. To love is to engage in a commitment, a choice, an action that glorifies a living God. To abstain from such an action is to cheapen your own human experience.

From an Author Known Only to God...

As most of you know, I rarely do this, but I came across this quote and felt it needed to be shared with anyone willing to read it. Such a beautiful picture of self-denial...

"When you are forgotten or neglected or purposely set at naught, and you sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ -- that is dying to self. When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take all in patient loving silence -- that is dying to self. When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, or any annoyance, when you can stand face to face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility, and endure it as Jesus endured it -- that is dying to self. When you are content with any food, any offering, any raiment, any climate, any society, any attitude, any interruption by the will of God -- that is dying to self. When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good works, or itch after commendation, when you can truly love to be unknown -- that is dying to self. When you see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances -- that is dying to self. When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself, can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart -- that is dying to self." -- Author Unknown

Somewhere in the world, someone clearly "gets it," and to me that is comforting - because I'm still trying, as I'm sure are most of you. I think I'll print this quote out and hang it up as a good reminder that He is everything, and next to Him I am oh so small.

"He must become greater; I must become less." - John 3:30, NIV

Random Acts of Kindness

Every week before I go out to the barn to ride horses, I usually stop at my local Chick-FIl-A to grab breakfast (riding a horse on an empty stomach is not advised). Usually I'm kind of rushing around as a result of trying to squeeze in just a few extra minutes of sleep. This morning as I got into my car, I turned on our local Christian radio station 91.9 WGTS. Then I remembered. The radio station is encouraging listeners to go to any drive through and when paying for their meal at the drive-thru window, go ahead and pay for the person's meal in the car behind you. On my way to Chick-Fil-A, I decided, today was the day, I'm gonna do it! I drive up and I order, there is no one behind me! I waited and waited, still no one. Finally, as I reached the window to pay for my order, a guy in a black Mazda sedan had just ordered behind me in the drive-thru. The teller barely opened the window, and I said I'd like to pay for the person's order who is in the car behind me. The teller said, "well, ok!"

He handed me my food, charged my debit card for my meal, and then informed me the guy in the car behind me had ordered $7.80 worth of food. I handed him my debit card again, got a receipt and away I drove. I was beyond excited! Such a simple act, costing me less than $10 and I'm sure the guy behind me had no idea he'd get a free meal today! This got me thinking, acts of kindness bring us joy because they bring God joy. However, acts of kindness don't have to be so random - giving or receiving.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. - Colossians 3:12, NIV

When I was in Ireland, I was set to go out and ride horses that day but was unable because I was incredibly sick. While I wasn't well enough to go outside and ride horses, I was stuck inside and in bed reading a book. It was rest much needed, but I still wished to be outside with the horses playing and being surrounded by God's creation. And then, as I sat in bed looking out the window, a butterfly flew across the room. It was the most bizarre occurrence! The door had been shut all day, the windows had been shut all day, there was no way it could have even got in to the hallway outside the door. The butterfly landed on the window sill, and I immediately went over to look at it. So beautiful and alive, it fluttered around some more until I finally caught it and decided to take it outside so it could be in it's natural habitat.

After setting the beautiful butterfly free, I kept thinking how ironic that was and what a blessing from the Lord it was to see something beautiful in such an unexpected place. To me, this was God's act of kindness given to me that day. It was God's way of still wanting to bless me with His creation even though I could not make it outside. I felt so loved by Him. It was so sweet! God's acts of kindness may take us by surprise at times, but they are never random. He is a loving God who long to show us His compassion, His mightiness, His beauty, and His kindness. When I look around, I can see God showing me kindness each day.

It's easy to be quick to snap at others, let them get under your skin, or perhaps you may be tempted to make fun of those who are different than you. Maybe there are people who look different than you, have a different job than you, don't eat just like you, don't talk just like you, don't worship God just like you, or maybe they dress different than you. The list can go on, but what about showing them kindness? It's easy to love those who love us, but even more difficult to get out of our comfort zone and risk being rejected to show love and kindness to others. Jesus said it best:

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? - Matthew 5:46, NIV

You see, of that time, tax collectors were considered the low of the low. Jesus was saying, if you love only those who love you, that anyone can do that - even the low of the low of society. Let's make our acts of kindness not so random, and more of a practice revealing our faith and our fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, NIV). God is not random with His acts of kindness, He is consistent and trustworthy. Let's align our heart with His, and bless others by being kind - not randomly. Reach out to those who are not like you, reach out to those who you know are hurting even if they do not show it (after all self-protection is just another form of fear resulting from pride and insecurity), reach out to someone who needs a hand, or just reach out to someone around you to show you care. Let's make kindness a practice, and not so random. Kindness is an attribute that can make anyone attractive, and reveals what is in your heart. Let's choose kindness. Let's bring glory to God by revealing His kindness through us. Are you with me?