Tuesday, November 4

Four Years and Distinction

So, today is the day where every adult gets to walk around proudly wearing their own sticker. :)
I love this thought. I also love that tonight on the way home, Starbucks is going to give me free coffee. I've been watching election coverage while working the classroom all day. Tonight is going to be very interesting. I don't think I have ever felt this much apprehension or interest in an election. Of course, a span of four years could have helped me to forget the feelings of excitement leading up to an election. Adam and I are watching the results together tonight. We have decided that no matter what...God is in control.

And isn't that the truth? No matter what...no matter who wins...all will be well for those of us who love the Lord...for those of us who are listening to His voice...for those of us who are willing to act on His word. It is not the government who has been called to bring God's kingdom to earth. It is not the government who should decide how we as Christians affect the lives of those around us. No matter who the government is...we are still called to be the hands and feet of Jesus...we are still called to spread the gospel...we are still called to love the Lord...we are still called to pray for our leaders and for our nation. When we have done what we know to do in order to stand...then we stand...and we trust God. He is not surprised by candidates or the votes of an entire nation.

We as the church need to rise up, take responsibility and become a voice that speaks truth as well as peace in the government, our communities, our workplaces, our own homes. Pastor Dale illuded to this on Sunday..."We are not electing a savior, we are electing a president...and we need to pray." I agree. We need to stop looking to our governmental leaders as saviors. Christ is our Savior, and as the years unfold ahead of us we will see more and more of a distinction on this matter. I too am concerned about moral decisions. I am very concerned about abortion, lifestyle choices, foreign policies, etc. However, as these past few months have progressed, I have felt more and more convicted that I need to stop relying on the government leaders to affect change. Instead, I need to pray and ask God what I should DO about the things that concern me in this area. Change will not truly happen until the love of God is allowed to transform someone's heart. And how will they know...unless we stop talking about our beliefs and get out there to act on what we believe?

It is time for a change...but let it begin with me...with you...with the church responding to the love of our great Savior...Jesus Christ. His reign and rule will be forever...four years is only a grain of sand in the ocean of God's plan and timeline.


Proverbs 19:21 says:
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

Monday, November 3

Love

Love...
surprises you at just the right moment
speaks words in a language your heart can understand
has eyes that see beneath the surface
listens to the rise and fall of every emotion
stays calm in the midst of a storm
holds your hand close to its heart
holds you as close as it possibly can
brings you food when you are hungry
gives without thinking twice or asking for a return

Love is...
full of hope
full of kindness
full of thoughts you never could have thought up yourself

Love...
holds dreams for the future
waits patiently
knows that bumps in the road are just bumps
and the journey itself is much more important

Love is...
not afraid
not rude or self-seeking

Love...
forgives right away
and keeps no records of wrong

Love never fails.

Love is opening my heart.
Love is beckoning me to trust...to let go...to dream...to hope...to plan...to get ready...to believe.
Love is casting out all of my fear
and replacing it with peace...the kind that surpasses all understanding.
Love is...once again...teaching me how to live.