ForeverLOVEd

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. Luke 9:23-24 With my eyes barely open and the moon still bright in the sky, I hugged my brother goodbye. He rolled his suitcase down the driveway, said his goodbyes to my mom and hopped in the car. It was 3:30 in the morning and he was on his way to the airport for a flight to Georgia.  This past January Robbie applied to be a Life Teen missionary by serving at camp for six weeks over summer. He found out about the opportunity one week before the application was due and in those seven days managed to put together an application full of brief and detailed answers as well as a written explanation of why he was applying and a video explaining who he is! It was a crazy week, but he got it all done and after a phone interview and a few other minor details he was picked

So then, dear brothers and sisters, be firm. Do not be moved! Always be outstanding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58 I am not that good at cards. I have had my fair share of nights around the poker table and lost enough dollars to the cousins to know, gambling is not really my hidden talent. I remember the nights fondly though, as we flipped the cards, placed the bet, and watched the flop. But I know that beyond the fact that my poker face says it all, I also am unwilling to wage my chips on things that are uncertain. And thus, although I am playing the game, I am never the one to walk away with the big win at the end of the night.  How often in a game of poker are you actually dealt the full house or pocket aces? See, the way I play, that is the only time I will place the bet. I hold on to my chips. I guard them. And I do not want to put them on the table, unless I know positively I am getting them back. But, you do not w

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore  keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a  yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1  My alarm ringing on a Saturday morning was the last thing I wanted. And, as I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and poured the coffee, I could not think of many things I would like to be doing less than going on a hike. But, with the promise of a waterfall at the end and a willingness to share in the passions of the people I love, I laced my shoes and hopped out of the car.  We made our way to the path and marched on, sweat pouring down our backs.    Slopes and hills awaited us. Dirt shuffled under my feet and I was wondering what was so fun about this activity. We kept putting one foot in front of another. It seemed kind of odd just walking. I wondered why we had to make the 40 minute drive, I mean you can walk anywhere right? We finally met a curve in the path and stepped down among the trees. The shade was a welcomed favor, shielding us from the

And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 Despite the brief moments when I feel like SuperWoman, I have spent most of my life dwelling in insecurity. I often feel like I am not enough or too much. I doubt my decisions and fear what people might think of me. I know I am not perfect, but so much of me longs to be or feels like I need to be. It is something I have struggled with for as long as I can remember and something I am certain I will struggle with for a long time to come. That being said, as the guitar strums held the beat in the background, my heart was captured by these lyrics from the song, The Stand. "ALL I am is yours."  We prayed these lyrics over and over at a young adult night. I was overwhelmed, almost to the point of tears, as I sang these simple words. God wanted me to know