Loving like Jesus

Summer is almost here! That time when family and friends spend quality time together. I can't wait!
Today, I was reading The Message version of 1 Peter 1. I came across a verse that said:

"You must love others as if your life depends on it."


I thought about that a lot. What does that statement mean? The actual meaning is obvious, but how can we apply it to our hearts? Why must we love others as if our life depends on it? Because that is what Christ did. Christ loved us because our lives depended on it, and our lives still depend on it. So if we are to be like Christ, we need to love others unconditionally. We need to love them because it's Christ-like. Even if they are hard to love. Even if they despise us. And it's not humanly possible, and that's why we can call on Jesus for help. He longs for us to ask for His help. Can you imagine what this world would be like if we all loved like that? If we thought about others before ourselves? The change would be outstanding. Jesus, help us all to love like You!

Children of Light

It's been a while since I last wrote! It has definitely been a crazy couple of months... with mom's pregnancy, school and just life in general! But I know that through all of the chaos, God is the calm.

I have been reading through the book of Ephesians and I am constantly awed at all of the little gems hidden inside each verse. As I read chapter five, verse 8 struck me. It says:

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light..."

It really strikes me when it says that we were darkness. Without Jesus' saving grace, we are darkness. Not just like darkness. Nope, we are darkness without Him. I think of the things that remind me of darkness... the evil creatures in Lord of the Rings that portray darkness so vividly, the White Witch in Narnia... all the things that are a picture of utter darkness, and without Him that's what we are! That's what we look like! ((Not a pleasant thought at all.))

But if we have accepted the salvation of the Messiah we are the complete opposite! We get to portray an all glorious and powerful light, which is the exact opposite of the evil things I described above! We get to portray beauty and grace, love and generosity. How great is that?

I don't know if any of this strikes you, but it definitely hit me... and I am so thankful for Jesus in my life!

Hope you all have a wonderful, Light filled weekend! ;)

Hello to whoever is reading this... :)

It's been a crazy couple of weeks! Lots has happened, but I am happy to report that I have made it out semi-whole.

The first, and probably the craziest of things that has happened is that I turned 16! It's wonderful and scary at the same time. It feels like this year will be huge, although in what ways I know not. I just know that God has some amazing plans for me!

Yet another crazy thing is that I am going to be a big sister again. I am still a little shocked about the whole thing, but really excited. We were privileged to see an ultrasound the other day, and it was really exciting to see a completely active little one.

Today my Bible study 'Believing God' by Beth Moore took me to Hebrews, where I read about Abraham. She talked about how Abraham left everything for something God had promised later. How often do we do the things God asks us to, knowing that the fulfillment of the promise will come later? This was something that made my mind spin. Often, I find myself feeling restless and impatient for God to come through with the plan. Maybe in those times, God just wants us to be still and wait. Sometimes that's hard, but maybe God is trying to teach us a lesson in patience, trust and a number of other things. Just some food for thought. :)

There isn't much else to report, but I know I cam constantly in need of the grace of God. May He be glorified through my words. :)