Awesome Times!

Awesome times in Mexico with an awesome group of friends!

Great Quote

When thinking of relationships and waiting on God to bring the right one, we know how girls think – right?!

Well, I really never thought of what it’s like from a guy’s perspective. How do they view the idea of initiating a relationship?

God works on both sides. It’s best for girls to wait and it’s best for guys to initiate. Why? It forms character and Christ-likeness.

I came across the following quote by Carolyn McCulley and found it to be profound.

“Women exercise trust in God by waiting to be pursued, men exercise trust in God by risking rejection.”

A Death Sentence

“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:14-15

We often don’t think of the consequences that our sin will have, especially when it comes to the “small sins” (as excused in our own human understanding). We resist the Spirit’s promptings and harden our consciences towards the still small voice. This comes from a lack of hatred towards sin. We think the sin isn’t THAT bad (after all, it’s so small) and we won’t ever let it go too far. Right?! We excuse ourselves by walking the line of compromise.

How many times have we allowed a somewhat small compromise in our life and it turned into a dreadful monster – a fearless giant that controls our actions, thoughts, and attitudes? Not only does our spiritual growth become hindered but we start to reap the consequences of our sin. At first it may be in small ways as God tries to get our attention; but the more we resist, the more He needs to prune.

We’ve been given many good and perfect gifts from the hand of God. However, we can bring death to these gifts by our willful compromises. We end up destroying the good that God was going to bring from His blessing because we start to use it for our own self-gratification and pleasure, we become unthankful, or we mix the blessing with the “dirt and grime” of this world.

Consequences come in many different forms: strained relationships, unrest and turmoil in our soul, a lack of joy and contentment, even a closed door of opportunity. God uses these consequences in our lives to bring us back into right standing with Him. He uses them to show us our miserable state and how much we desperately need Him. But most of all, he uses them in our lives to show us again how very much He loves and cares for us. He doesn’t want us to experience pain or disappointment or hurt, but because of our stubbornness these are often the things that brings us to our knees crying out to God for mercy.

Next time we are tempted to compromise or give in – think of the consequence. How will this affect me spiritually and emotionally? What will I reap because of it even if it is down the road of life? How will this affect those around me?

Let’s stop right at the enticement of sin so we won’t be tempted, we won’t sin, and we won’t experience “death”. A life of obedience to the Saviour is the most blessed of all. I need to daily surrender my will to Him and pay attention to His promptings so I can continue to enjoy His good and perfect gifts and be a light in this dark world! What about you?

A Blissful Week!

My time at home was so wonderful. My visits are relaxing in some respects just to be able to kick back and enjoy home life but at the same time they are always so very busy. I have a great time catching up with relatives and friends, shopping with my mom, going out to eat, nursing home ministry, taking walks, and lots of other fun stuff!

I was happy to be able to celebrate my dad’s birthday while I was visiting as well. It was a special evening with a wonderful dinner and a good time of fun and games!

the world’s most awesome parents!!!

my grandparents

Thomas and his adorable wife (and my bestest sister-in-law!)

everyone hungry and ready to eat

I’ve certainly been blessed with a dad who has given his life for Jesus Christ and has poured his everything into his family! My life has been blessed just because of who he is!

We played a very INTENSE game of Jenga. Take note of the concentration.

…and Jenga came tumbling down

there she is – my little baby!

Viva Mexico #2

Each evening, we all went out for dinner. Here we are at a Spanish restaurant.

a hamburger stand where I most definitely had to get some french fries!

in the MetroBus going to town. This was a pic at the beginning of the ride. We were packed in there like a can of sardines! It was hysterical – quite the experience!

a new friend along with Alisa, Johanna, and me

 

Most of the guys

Tacos on the street are the BEST!

Fried Cow Skin – and yes, I am proud to say that I ate it even after I knew what it was!

I most certainly didn’t want to leave beautiful Mexico!