Irony

“This is the very perfection of a man, to find out his own imperfections.”

Crazy Love

Have you ever picked up a book and from the very start of it realized that the content in your hands would soon change the way you view things? It has happened to me a view times and the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan was no exception. One thing I found surprising about the book was its utter simplicity about very profound topics. God is love, love is God but somehow Francis managed to keep these concepts within the scope of my understanding. Thank you, Francis. Actually, that got me to thinking. Do you ever wonder if, as Christians, we tend to overcomplicate things sometimes? Okay, maybe it is just me but I know for a fact I will spend so much time running in circles trying to understand the concept of the trinity while missing the profound commandments like love the Lord your God and your neighbor as yourself. 

Crazy Love brought me back to the basics. I hesitated to write a summary of the book, for fear of taking away from its message. Rather, I decided to share a few quotes from the book in hopes that it might spurn you to pick Crazy Love up for yourself =] 

It won't be wasted time...promise.

"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."
— Francis Chan

"Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter."
— Francis Chan

"We need to stop giving people excuses not to believe in God. You've probably heard the expression 'I believe in God, just not organized religion'. I don't think people would say that if the church truly lived like we are called to live."
— Francis Chan

"God's definition of what matters is pretty straightforward. He measures our lives by how we love."
— Francis Chan

"He wants all or nothing. The thought of a person calling himself a 'Christian' without being a devoted follower of Christ is absurd."
— Francis Chan

"We don't get to decide who God is."
— Francis Chan

"Joy is something that we have to choose and then work for."
— Francis Chan

You Doubt Your Value, Don't Run From Who You Are

You know those moments, the ones where you instantly think, "I will never forget this as long as I live." I had one of those while sitting in an AMC Theater the other day, which I was not expecting because I so rarely go to the movies anymore due to the decline of morality in media today. However, I felt rather safe venturing to see Narnia with one of my very dearest friends. 


I had to fight to see many scenes through thick tears, but one scene particularly pulled at my heart strings and has permeated my thoughts many times since. As Lucy, one of the main characters, strives to change her appearance in an attempt to look like her older sister, Susan, she begins to lose her identity. Aslan, a lion representing God in the series, comes to remind her of her immense value in His eyes. I quoted part of the scene below and I cannot wait to share the powerful clip with you once it makes an appearance on YouTube.


Soak this in, whoever you are, if you ever feel unworthy or less than sufficient.
Then listen to the Lord, who forever tells you that He loves and accepts you just the way that you are.


Aslan: Lucy
Lucy: Aslan?
Aslan: what have you done child?
Lucy: I don't know, that was awful.
Aslan: but you chose it, Lucy.
Lucy: I didn't mean to choose all of that, I just wanted to be beautiful like susan. That's all
Aslan: You wished yourself away and with it much more. Your brothers and sisters wouldn't know Narnia without you, lucy. you discovered it first, remember?
Lucy: I’m so sorry.
Aslan: You doubt your value, don't run from who you are


Don't wish yourself away, as so often we are tempted to do. The creator of the universe knit you together in your mother's womb. He knows the number of hairs on your head and the number of breaths you will take. Rest in that.

Mold, Make, Place Him

"Lord I know there is someone, 
In this world for me
Keep him safe from harm,
And from temptation help him flee
Make him a leader,
Who can guide me through the years.
Give him a loving arm to hold me,
And to dry all my tears.
Mold him to be a father,
As you have been to me.
Always keep him by my side
A right arm forever he’ll be.
Cause his love for you to grow,
And a true doctrine let him know.
And in his life forever,
Let your light always show.
Place him in the ministry,
So more can hear God’s word
And when the trials come,
Help us praise you Lord.
Give him a compassion,
Toward those who are orphaned
And to such as these,
Our home will always be open.
Finally Lord I ask you,
Help him keep himself
Because a Christian man like this,
Is valued above great wealth."


I decided to post this prayer that I have lifted to the Lord countless times because I was reminded this past weekend how easy it is to forget God's sovereignty over every single detail of your life. As Christians, we are called to bring glory to God through every single area of our life, including our marriage and while I know that may  very well be many years away for me, recent discussions with brothers and sisters in Christ warrant this post.


While I may not always keep it at the forefront of my mind, deep down I know that even a moment of worrying about who the Lord has set apart for me to love and cherish one day is waisted time because He is Lord of all and He holds all things together.


So may I just encourage you, if ever you struggle with worrying about these types of issues, remember that the Lord holds all things together! Maybe you too can find comfort in praying these precious and sincere words to God, who is intimately involved in His children's lives.

Just Think...

Just Think,
you're here not by chance,
but by God's choosing.
His hand formed you
and made you
the person you are.
He compares you to no one else --
you are one of a kind.
You lack nothing
that His grace can't give you.
He has allowed you to be here
at this time in history
to fulfill His special purpose
for this generation.

Sometimes it is necessary and comforting to simply be reminded that God has a purpose for you each and every day. Many people, definitely myself included, loose sight of how revolutionary this Biblical truth is. THE God of the Universe has a plan for you and I; that is certainly nothing to be overlooked.

Whenever you are in need of encouragement, as I was today, remind yourself of the fact that your Heavenly father has it all under control!

Just A Thought

I suppose you could call me a 'quote junkie.' I get the same level of thrill when I find an inspiring, moving, and original quote that I do when I find a good book, song, or any other piece of art that fits the same description. I've found so many different quotes over the years that I've fallen in love with that I thought I would share some with you every now and then. 

Some are classics, some are far off and random, and others are elegant by personal opinion; however, whatever they may be I love them all.

"The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference." - Elie Wiesel.

"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect."

- Mark Twain

"There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I have loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough." - Nicholas Sparks