Here's to You Kid

I can't believe this day has come. Today was my last day to see all of my junior highers at Grace Fellowship. What an amazing year and a half it has been. Whether it was dressing up like a crazy person and going to HEB with all the 8th grade girls and Scott. Or the many Spirit and Splashes on Wendesday night. Or the many Huddle Groups or THRIVE nights where the glass almost always broke on the worship center because of the many dodgeballs that hit the windows. Or the late nights on mission trips listening to girls who are ready to love God with all their soul but they are hurting with every part of them. Or the many prayer altars on Sunday mornings at AM Rush where all the kids surrender their hearts to God. Or the retreats and campout, or the mission trips where you saw these junior highers really think outside of themselves.

I have loved watching them pray, worship, cry, laugh, go crazy off the sugary bagels, and love God in the midst of a hard three years of life.
Here's to you Grace Junior Highers. I love you  all so much.

"Christianity is..."

Picked up a great quote at the gym this morning,"Christianity is not a religion but a relationship."-Dr. Thieme.
What an incredible reminder. If you think, and I fall into this trap sometimes as well, that our relationship with God, us being a Christian is only part of who we are, then we are doomed. Jesus is the reason not only for this season but for life. He sent his only son to live a perfect life, reach those who were hurting and broken, to heal diseases, bring life to the full, then die on a cross in the worst way possible only to rise again. He did that all because God wants to be in a relationship with you, with me, with the mormons, with the muslims, with the hindus, all races, all statuses, all people. Jesus died so that all may live.
Now let me say this, its not going to be easy, but what a gift Jesus has left us with, the Holy Spirit, the counselor. Nothing on this earth can ever bring life, feed my soul, than life with Christ.

Francis Chan's book- Crazy Love, was a challenging, convicting read that I believe everyone should pick up and dive into, then his second book-The Forgotten God. But in Crazy Love, he says this, "The irony is that while God doesn't need us but still wants us, we desperately need God but don't really want Him most of the time. He treasures us and anticipates our departure from this earth to be with Him-and we wonder, indifferently, how much we have to do for Him to get by."


May we as Christians not make God, reading His word, praying, and seeking His face and relationship with Him be an afterthought after we have done everything else on our to do list. Matthew 6:19-21 says,"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also."


Treasure doesn't necessarily mean materials though, where is your time, your money your effort going towards. God is waiting and ready to be in relationship with you, grow you, lead you, bring you ultimate joy, reach the nations through your gifts. He doesn't need us, yet he chooses us. 


It's not a religion but a relationship, Christianity, is the only "religion" that is not about rules and laws but a relationship with the most high. Take hold of that today and relish in the fact that you are a child of God, sit in your father's lap and listen.

God's Perfect Gift to Me!

This past weekend Nick and I were able to attend the Familylife Weekend to Remember-a well know marriage conference. Besides the fact that we stayed in the nicest hotel we have ever been in, were unplugged, and indulged once again in amazing food,  the best part of the weekend was that it was with my best friend, my dearest husband!
I don't mean to be proud or come across as a know it all, but most of the things that were taught, we already do in our marriage. This goes to show that we have amazing people who are speaking into our lives, our family, and many resources that we are always reading in order to better be a godly couple. I love that God has placed amazing friends who pursue the Lord in their marriage and on their own. They love us, encourage us, give us great resources, and great biblical truth in order to better our marriage so that I ultimately respect my husband the way God wants me to, and Nick to love me the way God calls him to.
We have been together for over 8 years and it's so cool to see where we were, obsessed with each other, and now following the Lord in everything! We are not perfect by far, but we are very blessed. So here's to you friends who read this, I love and appreciate all that you share with us and encourage us in!
Now for Nick, we spend a lot of time together simply because we don't have kids yet. But, this weekend was an incredible gift. We often come home and watch our favorite show, cook together, or workout together, yet we are not totally here. Whether we are looking at news, facebook, or surfing the internet, we don't give much intentional attention to each other. Technology is great, but when you say no to it and give your husband your eyes, your ears your heart, you show so much respect to him! I learned that I am a little addicted to technology and it was so freeing to relish in the fact that my husband is phenomenal. No email, no job site checks every 10 minutes, no facebook!

I challenge everyone to take a full sabbath even a week of unplugging while at home, devote your whole self to God first and then to your spouse!

Nick you are God's perfect gift for me, thank you for the support, the anger, the hugs, the love, the listening ear. I am my beloved's and he is mine!