From the time I joined marching band, memorial day has had a certain significance in my life. I didn't appreciate what it stood for until I was older. When I was younger, it was just a parade to march in and play patriotic songs for the ceremony. But now, I'm deeply grateful for those who served in the past and currently serve in our military. While freedom looks differently today than it did even twenty years ago, while you may have various opinions on our government, men and women laid down their lives for our country and for your protection. I am so thankful for their sacrifice and I continue to be thankful for the men and women who are currently serving. And a very special thank you to my brothers, Dan & Joe, and my cousin, Dave. Take time to thank those who serve.
Saturday, May 25
Thursday, May 23
Be Content
It used to be that if I didn't have a few hundred dollars extra in the bank, I felt like I didn't have much. Then God started taking me on an incredible journey of faith. And one day, after not having any spare cash, someone bought me a soda. Not only did they buy it for me, but they told me they were bringing it to me whether I liked it or not, so I should just pick which kind I wanted. I was blown away.
The thing is, a year ago, a soda wasn't a big deal. (Especially because I worked at a place that gave me a free drink per shift.) I was never like, "Hmmm...I wonder if I can afford a soda." I wouldn't say I was rich, by any means. I had more than enough money to live and have some fun. But I look at what I was making a year ago, and what I might make in a good month now and am like, "Where did I put all that extra money????" If I had that much now, I'd think I WAS RICH. But, I'll tell ya what, not having much money has made me start to realize what is important and what's not. And I feel blessed to have a special drink or a good meal. And I've seen God's provision and faithfulness OVER and OVER again.
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)-> "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
The thing is, a year ago, a soda wasn't a big deal. (Especially because I worked at a place that gave me a free drink per shift.) I was never like, "Hmmm...I wonder if I can afford a soda." I wouldn't say I was rich, by any means. I had more than enough money to live and have some fun. But I look at what I was making a year ago, and what I might make in a good month now and am like, "Where did I put all that extra money????" If I had that much now, I'd think I WAS RICH. But, I'll tell ya what, not having much money has made me start to realize what is important and what's not. And I feel blessed to have a special drink or a good meal. And I've seen God's provision and faithfulness OVER and OVER again.
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)-> "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Sunday, May 19
Remembering Martha Waite
"Every now and then you get the privilege of meeting someone who makes your life a better place. I am so honored and blessed to have known Martha. It was only for a few months, but who she was inspired me to love more deeply and care about others more deeply. She truly represented putting others above herself. She was one of the sweetest people I have ever met. I will miss her smiling face and her caring ways. Thank you, Jesus, for allowing us to connect. While my heart is sad, it is feeling so blessed to have known such an amazing woman."
That was my Facebook status the day I found out Martha had passed away. My house-mate and I were introduced to Martha through a friend of ours. We met her while she was in a very weak state of her life (physically). But I was just amazed at how she was just so sweet to us and the people around her. In a time where her body was so drained all the time, she kept giving of herself. From what I saw and knew of her, she was more concerned with how others were doing and caring about them, than her own personal troubles. She inspired me to love deeply. Not the cheesy, worthless love in some movies and such, but LOVE-putting others above yourself, really caring about people, loving when things aren't easy, loving when life is hard, being humble, always being full of hope.
While I wouldn't say that I knew Martha WELL, I think I got to know her a lot faster than I normally do with people because I spent a lot of time in her home. And while my heart still has an ache that she is gone, I am honestly so glad that we connected. It's not often you meet people that truly love. And her example of loving, even her weakest state....well...I pray that I remember that and continue to live out my life DEEPLY LOVING OTHERS, just like Jesus.
While I wouldn't say that I knew Martha WELL, I think I got to know her a lot faster than I normally do with people because I spent a lot of time in her home. And while my heart still has an ache that she is gone, I am honestly so glad that we connected. It's not often you meet people that truly love. And her example of loving, even her weakest state....well...I pray that I remember that and continue to live out my life DEEPLY LOVING OTHERS, just like Jesus.
Saturday, May 4
Move
"You can't hear God when you're rooted in what you own and where you're at. (He can't speak to you about moving if you're not willing to move.)" -Dad
My Dad is a very wise man. I'm blessed to have him as a father and a spiritual input into my life. We had been talking about how we both know know people who have been just packing their whole lives up and moving hours away just because they feel like God called them to do it. Anyway, what he said really got me thinking. I wonder how many of us just stay put because we're so settled in what we have and where we live.
My house-mate and I have also been talking about Abraham and Sarah: what God called them to do and their faith. I don't think they did everything right, by any means, but they took some huge risks.
Hebrews 11:8-12 (NIV) By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him ofa the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
What is God asking you to do? Maybe it's time to do something outrageous. :)
My Dad is a very wise man. I'm blessed to have him as a father and a spiritual input into my life. We had been talking about how we both know know people who have been just packing their whole lives up and moving hours away just because they feel like God called them to do it. Anyway, what he said really got me thinking. I wonder how many of us just stay put because we're so settled in what we have and where we live.
My house-mate and I have also been talking about Abraham and Sarah: what God called them to do and their faith. I don't think they did everything right, by any means, but they took some huge risks.
Hebrews 11:8-12 (NIV) By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him ofa the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
What is God asking you to do? Maybe it's time to do something outrageous. :)
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