Ohio State

~Tuesday Thoughts~

Among all the crazy things happening in the world, I want to bring to your attention something that happened at Ohio State University this week. Please pray for everyone involved, especially the ones injured.  

"Brothers and sisters, pray for us." 1 Thessalonians 5:25 (NIV) 

Someone to lean on

~Monday Movies & Music~

Shawn McDonald's song "Gravity" (lyrics) is a beautiful reminder that we always need someone to lean on - God. And He will always love us. 

  "I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;

    he heard my cry for mercy.

  Because he turned his ear to me,

    I will call on him as long as I live." Psalm 116:1-2 (NIV)

How about you? Have you turned your problems to God? 

I hope you don't mind

~Saturday Stories~

I battle the urge to tell you 

Because I've been vulnerable not long ago 

And it would only be annoying if I asked 

For support again

But I can't seem to help it 

I'm really sorry if I'm bothering you

Just tell me and I'll stop

But I've thought this through 

And thought that telling you and easing my own pain

Would be worth the slight aggravation it would cause you

Especially since I would do the same for you

So that is why I'm opening up

I hope you don't mind

"Brothers and sisters, pray for us." 1 Thessalonians 5:25 (NIV)

Pray for us

~Friday for Friends~

"Brothers and sisters, pray for us." 1 Thessalonians 5:25 (NIV)

One of the last verses of the letter, hanging around with the verses about praying continuously, rejecting evil, acknowledging hard work, and greeting others with a kiss, 1 Thessalonians 5:25 gives a personal request. It asks to pray. 

How often do we ask others to pray for us? Why do we feel shame in asking for prayers? It is not admitting failure but it sure can seem like it sometimes. We want to portray that we have it all together and do not need help. We want to be as close to self-reliant as possible, even if that means a little less support and a lot more times crying alone. But why not share our needs and have others bathe us in love and in prayer? And why not pray for others, especially when we know how hard it is to open up? 

Never-ending forgiveness

~Thanksgiving Thoughts~

Something I am immensely grateful for is God's never-ending forgiveness. I've been pretty bad at reading Scripture lately, postponing it again and again and again.

God, thank you so much for loving me through my mistakes! Help me try to be more and more like You and more and more in love with You! 

  "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[a]

    his mercies never come to an end;

   they are new every morning;

    great is your faithfulness.

   “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,

    “therefore I will hope in him.”" Lamentations 3:22-24 (ESV)

Praising Him and serving Him - always

~Monday Movies & Music~

NF has a cool song, "Oh, Lord." Check out the lyrics. 

It's so easy to ask God this: 

  "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

    Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

  O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,

    and by night, but I find no rest." Psalm 22:1-2 (ESV)

And, yes, He hears us. 

But do we serve Him when everything is going well? Do we acknowledge Him in days when everything is "perfect?" Do we bless His Name when He blesses us? Do we talk to God all the time or only in times of struggle?

His love never fails

~Tuesday Thoughts~

Do you ever find yourself so amazingly alone? Like, where is this joy people talk about? Where's this freedom? Where is God, for crying out loud?

It is encouraging to know that, no matter what happens, we do have one constant in our lives. It's true whether we feel like it or not. Whether it has been a good day or a bad day. Whether we have been trampled on or complimented. Wherever we go, whatever happens, nothing can separate us from God's love. That includes our feelings.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

The Newsboys sing a great song about this, "Your Love Never Fails."