Wisdom in other's words...

"There are times when something needs to be done and yet we know that if we step up and do this needful thing, we will pay a heavy personal price..." -CS Lewis


"It is about the greatness of God, not the significance of man. God made man small and the universe big to say something about himself." -John Piper 


"We serve God be serving other. The world defines greatness in terms of power, possessions, and prestige, and position. If you can demand service from others, you've arrived. In our self-serving culture with its me-first mentality, acting like a servant is not a popular concept." -Rick Warren


"The purpose exceeds the pain." -Beth Moore

"God doesn't tell you to do hard things so He can stand back and laugh and watch you struggle . He tells you to do things,  the things that He knows are gonna work out for your good in the end." -Joyce Meyer

So true.

"It is so easy to try to use techniques with the underlying intent of getting something back. But God will test our hearts and, in his mercy, purify our motives to the point that our only agenda is to know Him." -Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org


From: www.thedailybibleverse.org

The Miss(es).

In my recent observations of the world (well, women really) around me and with (perhaps) a bit of self-reflection, it seems I have discovered a weakness in some single women. (It's about time, right?) We, single women*, tend to live at extremes.

Let me explain. It seems there are some women who have abandoned all values and self-respect and seem to date any guy who has a shirt on. And then there are women so tied up in fairytales that they overlook several princes. Let's call the first single type of woman "Miss Opportunity" and the second type of single lady "Miss Overlook."

There are a number of reasons that could define why "Miss Opportunity" dates any guy who registers a pulse. However, I think that two reasons are most likely. She could be fearful of ending up alone or she could misinformed when it comes to her worth. The fear is the easier one to resolve. "Miss Opportunity" may not understand that she is valuable...and in the eyes of an incredible God, she is full of beauty. She doesn't need to settle for something or someone that fills her "love" bank temporarily and then at any sign of withdrawal, leaves her feeling empty. In an attempt to feel comfortable and secure again, she reinvests herself in something and someone new. "Miss Opportunity", hear me when I say, that God will  overfill your "love" bank and even replenish it when you're the one who withdrawals. But first, you must recognize that you are searching for unconditional love in a world full of conditions. You must first realize that you have value and beauty. God sees it and with Him you will never be alone.

"Miss Overlook" probably knows God. She may have just started trusting Him or may have trusted Him for years. And because of this, she knows that she is God's wonderful daughter. So what's the problem? Well "Miss Overlook" finds it hard to give any guy a chance (though she may not even be aware of it) because she is imposing her view of God on man. There is one God and many men. Men are in Christ's image, but are not Christ. Do not forget that they have faults. Do not forget that they have pasts. Do not forget they make mistakes. Do not forget that they may struggle with showing loving or executing forgiveness. (And don't forget "Miss Overlook" you may struggle with those things too). A man may not always share your definition of love. His idea of fighting for you may seem more to you like him surrendering (giving up). "Miss Overlook" realize that the way God, your Father, loves you is the way you should attempt to love. And then instead of looking to receive a particular definition of love that you think will satisfy you, you will be able to give God's love. And it may be through the giving of Christ-like love that you find love back. Love that you're thankful you didn't overlook.

*The term "single women" in this post refers to females who are not yet married. 

In death, there is new life...

“Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.  5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath.”— Psalm 39: 4-5
I recently attended the funeral of my Aunt Curtis, an incredible woman. For those of you who don't know me, I dread funerals. I know that no one likes them, but I absolutely hate them. I get uncomfortable even thinking about them. In fact, my aunt's funeral was the first I've attended since my father passed away in June 2008. However, I'm glad that I went because I was able to see the beauty in a woman who lived for Christ. It's no secret that she will be missed on this side of eternity, but she now gets to spend her days in the tangible presence of the Lord. It's easy for us to forget about death, a fate that we all have in common, but I think reminding ourselves that death is near will allow us to truly live. We aren't supposed to just be preparing for eternity. We should be living for it. Living a life practicing for it. Practicing praising and pleasing the Lord. I hope that I will not focus on death, but on the two sides of life that it separates. Because death is just an exit  to a life "with" God's presence and an entrance to a life "in" God's presence.