Oh, good.

When we were growing up, my mother didn't like us using the word 'awesome', unless we were talking about God. Well, just in the past couple of months, I've been thinking about this one word, kind of like awesome, and how it has totally been downplayed since the time of old. Good.

How often do you use that word? And what do you use it for? "Good grief" "How was your day?- Good.(When you don't want to talk about it)" "Good golly" Yah, it's totally not what it was when God used it first. He used the word 'good' to describe His creation! Now, I can't even think of enough words to describe the beauty of His creation! Because good just isn't enough anymore. So, I started looking up all the different times 'good' is used in the Bible. Here, listen:

"...and how good is a timely word!" Prov 15:23

"...and good news gives health to the bones." Prov 15:30

"He who finds a wife finds what is good..." Prov 18: 22

"Hold on to the good." 1 Thes 5:21

"For everything God created is good..." 1 Tim 4:4 (Could that not be more clear?!)

"In everything, set them an example by doing what is good..." Titus 2:7

Oh, man, there are so many more. So many that talk about the 'good news' i.e. the gospel! And how about in the gospels when Jesus says "No one is good except God alone." So guess what...God is described as good. But here's my favorite: "Well done, my good and faithful servant." 

Good is a good word. 

These are just thoughts- I'm not trying to convict anyone here...because there's nothing to be convicted of! I am just loving the simplicity and the power of the word "good."

Good day!

Clay in Your Hands

I am easily influenced. I have been realizing that it is in my power to make this a good or a bad thing. It should be a good thing- it means that I am moldable- which is good. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand..." (Jer 18:6) But, it means that I need to be super careful that I don't let other things besides my Maker mold me. I need to have my filter on at all times. I've been having some really interesting conversations at work, and I love it. And I want to know more about these things we are talking about; but I have to be careful. Because I am easily influenced. It shows me the importance of staying in the word every day. Of being surrounded by strong lovers of Christ. Of serving God's church. Of praying without ceasing. That is my foundation. That is what keeps my relationship with Him firm. That is where I want to be molded. Lord, I want to be clay in YOUR hands. 

The Look

I got it twice today. I can't really describe the look. I can't really describe the feeling I felt when I got the look. Pride, yes, yet a little bit of shame? No, not shame. Just wonder. What are they thinking? Why did they just give me that look, and what is going through their brain?

Up till now I have only told friends and family about my venture to Moody in August. And so far, I have had no "looks." That changed today. I feel like I've 'come out of the closet', because I told my manager at Barnes and Noble that I would be leaving at the end of the summer. Now I can speak freely about Moody to anyone who asks! But now, I have to get used to getting the look. I tell random customers who ask what I'm studying in school that I'll be going to a Bible College in the fall. They pause, probably from shock, give you the look, then say, "Well that's different!" I chuckle and say, "Yes, yes it is." 

I'm thankful for these opportunities to step out in faith and be bold in sharing what I'm doing and why. That is the most important part- why. I wish I could sit with each person who asks for a good hour and tell them, but sadly there's not enough time in the day. I'll just have to live with the short 30 seconds and hope that it gets their brain and heart rumbling. 

By Our Love

The song, "They will know we are Christians by our love" has been running through my head all day, and those are the only words from the song that I know, so literally those 9 words have been on repeat in my mind all day. And it's been awesome- there is a lot in those 9 words! It's based off of John 13:35~ By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. So it's legit, it's in the Bible. But I love it. It doesn't say others will know you are Mine if you have every verse in the Bible memorized, or if you have the 'correct' theology about certain doctrines, or if you have done 50 VBS's in your lifetime, or if you've never missed a day of church. No. It is merely love. Merely and magnificently love. Colossians 3:14 says ~ But above all these, put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Isn't that beautiful? Perfect harmony. Just imagine! If all loved like Christ loved, there would be perfect harmony. I know that is how heaven will be. 

It doesn't say that loving comes easy as pie, though. Just look at us- who would want to love a bunch of lying, judging, murderous, covetous people? I know Christ would, and did, and does, and always will! Thank goodness we have a God who has shown us unconditional, perfect love so that we know what it feels like. I wish all could know this love! Too many people in the world don't know what it's like to be loved, really loved. And yes, sometimes those people are the hardest people to love. But that is when we totally abandon ourselves and ask Christ to consume us with His love, that it might overflow to others! I am learning more and more about this- and boy is it hard sometimes. But we can do all things through Christ!

My roommates and I went to a JJ Heller concert last night, and I was introduced to this song by her. I pray these words, Heavenly Father. Let only love remain. 

Scenes of you come rushing through

You are breaking me down,

So break me into pieces

That will grow in the ground

I know that I deserve to die

For the murder in my heart

So be gentle with me Jesus

As you tear me apart.

Please kill the liar, kill the thief in me

You know that I am tired of their cruelty

Breathe into my spirit

Breathe into my veins

Until only love remains.

You burn away the ropes that bind

And hold me to the earth

The fire only leaves behind whatever is of worth

I begin to see reality for the first time in my life

I know that I'm a shadow

But I'm dancing in your light.

Teach me to be humble

Call me from the grave

Show me how to walk with you upon the waves

Breathe into my spirit

Breathe into my veins

Until only love remains.

Only Love Remains

by JJ Heller