Loving just one person

Confession: I love 7th Heaven! I was given a season for my birthday and one of the shows inspired this post! :)

This world is a sad, hurting, sick, perverted place.... I have this thing about watching the news and I'm not sure why because it is always sad, but I find it highly interesting. It is true though that there are plenty of bad people and bad things that happen in this world. Another truth is though that there is a loving and just God. That gives me peace to know that a God who calls me His daughter Loves me and in the end will have the final word. Not everyone knows that peace though...

Back to 7th heaven though... In the show Eric (the dad and pastor) challenged his congregation one Sunday. His challenge was to do one good thing for someone. It could be continuous or a one time thing. We sit around and complain dat after day about how bad our world is, but what are we doing about it? What are we doing to make a difference? We post statuses of Fb and tweet about how Obama has screwed up our country, yet he has not taken away our right to love others. We still have the right to make a difference. We can still encourage someone. No matter how many bad things happen nothing can take that away. we are to be salt and light! What are we going to do with this right and privelege? Are we just goin to sit by and complain about what has been taken away yet do nothing with what we have?

Today is the time you can love someone today! People come a go.... hurting... what do you do? What do I do? I could put verses on here about loving others, but I trust that you know them. We know what we are suppose to do, yet we just dont do it. We do not take the opportunity to...

YOU TODAY can touch someones life and make it better... Is that not an amazing thought? So what will you do? What will you do to make one person's life better? The options are endless! Stop and think about it... stop and pray about it... stop and do it... SHOW SOMEONE LOVE

A glimpse of joy!

I love life! I almost always do, but sometimes more than others! Today was a gorgeous day and we had an extra hour of sunshine! Matt and I grilled out together for the first time and it was yummy! He is a great griller (Yes, I believe i just made up a word! :))! Check out the fun pictures! I cannot wait to continue experiencing life with this wonderful man!  

 

I promised him I wouldnt put this on fb seeing that I begged him to take an "Excited" pic... No promises were made about blogging it! ;) Note, he was excited about the cooking, but just not about the camera... lol

 

Now, be jealous! My man has skills! ;)

 

JEN

 

What is your reputation?

What do people think of you? So often we get bogged down with the "Don't care what people think abbout you!" or how people shouldn't judge you. Well, both of those are true, yet at the same time I do believe that you should be concerned about what people think about God because of you. Are you any different than the world? Can people notice that you are a christian without you having to say so? This does matter. I have a story from my own life that encouraged me to stand stronger on what I believe.

My old roommate Jmo (Jennifer Moreman, but since we have the same name I'm Jro and she is Jmo!) who is now the other girls RA has made a strong stand against movies or TV shows with sex scenes in them. She doesn't judge others who watch them, but herself personally has decided to not watch them. It is something that everyone knows, but if you are close to her you know this. I agree it is not healthy to watch them, but I struggle to keep the same standard. Let's be honest... how many shows are there that do not have some form of sex scene. It is hard, but besides that. Jmo has made a stand and I'm sure she struggles, but she fights hard. Well the other night I was watching a movie and it was not a bad movie at all. I'm pretty sure it was rated pg, but when jmo knocked on my door I invited her in. I looked at the tv and realized there was a rather passtionate scene on. Nothing that to someone with usual standards would mind. I knew that Jmo would rather not watch it though. Girls this is the type of standard we should set... She never once said I thing to me or has never asked me to change anything. She just simply stood for what she believed. She made no big deal of it or anything. How about you? Can you say the same thing about youself? Sadly most of us cant... So the point of this post is to encourage each of us to be more like Jmo in the way we stand up for what we believe!

JEN

Quote!

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength.”

Corrie ten Boom

Value... Who has it?

Who has value? Lately this has been on my mind a lot... When I talk with girls it seems like a continues problem. Girls caught in relationships where they are not valued or treasured. They really do like the guys, but yet it doesn't feel right. After listening to their stories it becomes obvious. They do not see it though. The guy whether intentional or not does not show them respect. I do agree with submission to an extent. This topic can get divided very quickly and I understand that. I guess the point I am trying to get at is do not settle... Ladies please stand up for yourself. A guy will only respect you as much as your respect yourself.

I feel like I have rambled and not really made any sense... Hopefully I have. You deserve respect. You must first respect yourself first though before any man ever will. Any ideas on how to respect yourself?

JEN

True Listening

I read a book the other day and in one small part of it they discussed listening. Something I figured I was pretty good at seeing that I am going into counseling. As I read more about it I became convicted...

Listening intells giving your whole attention (Eyes, ears, mind, heart) to one person, yet not saying a thing.

How often does that happen? I have girls who come into my dorm room and pour their heart out. How quick am I to give them adivce? Oh so quick... Yes, it may be what they need to hear and it may point them back to God, but have I really done my job as a friend? I really believe I havent. People just need someone to listen and care. I may care when i give them advice, but does it show that I care or does it just show that I know what they need to do? My old roomate is the best at listening. I can ramble and ramble and she just sits quietly, completely focused on me, nods so that I know she is keeping up, but yet hardely ever gives advice. Btw, she is also my maid of Honor.. Wonder why?! :)

What does true listening look like? I believe that it starts with putting the phone down... looking the person in the eyes... and shutting your mouth. I dont have to add in things or ask questions. There will be a time for that. Now they need to be able to tell what they want to tell, how they want to tell it and when they want to. More than anything true listening says, "I care about you and value you." When was the last time someone really listened to you like this? Sadly, probably not tht recently. Yes, people listen, but not passionately.


I challenge you as well as myself to care... to truly listen to our sisters in Christ... They matter.
JEN

For all you single people!- Amber's guest post

Girl Patient: My mom's last boyfriend was bald. He was nice, but she didn't marry him.

Kate: No?


Girl Patient: There's always something better coming around the corner. That's what she says...


Kate: If she's not careful, she can spend her whole life waiting.


The above conversation is from the movie, The Lake House.


While I was watching that movie on the eve of Valentine's Day (or as I like to call it, Singles Awareness Day) this year, the last line from Kate really struck my heart, "If she's not careful, she can spend her whole life waiting."

I've gone 20 years without a Valentine and, that quote reminded me that I could miss it. But, what if I have missed it? What if Mr. Right has walked right by me, in and out of my life, and I missed it? But before I begin to wallow in my self-I'm gonna end up like Jane Austen-pity, the Lord reminded me of something He spoke to me right at Valentine's day...while I was, well, wallowing in self-pity - lol.



I was thinking about Valentine's and I was talking to God about how I hated VDay and how it should've never been made into "love dove day" and how I wished I had a Valentine (especially since I've never had one) and in the sweetest voice, He spoke to me and said, "Why would you want to spend that day with anyone other than the one true love I have for you? Until I send him, you can spend the day with Me, the One who will never leave you or forsake you." It was in that moment I realized that I shouldn't want to spend VDay with just a random guy even if it were just a friend, I want to spend it with the loves of my life at this present moment, Yahweh the Father, Yeshua the Son and Holy Spirit! And I want it to be that way until Mr. Right comes along.


To close this blog (which took hours to get just right), I want to write to all you single people reading this. I know a lot of people don't mind being single, they love VDay, but whether you love it or hate it, whether you love single life or hate it, just remember that one day, God is going to send that one very special person into your life and you're going to have them for every Valentine's for the rest of your life...whenever the time is right and God sends him/her waltzing into your life. Who knows, He may have already sent them and you don't even know it yet ;)

Much love,
Amber ♥

P.S. And I've learned that the movies get it all wrong. The awesome guy that the underdog always falls for, never falls back. It's seriously a one in a million kind of thing. But I guess I'll be one of the million that holds out hope anyway...haha. Who knows, that awesome guy could be Mr. Right. Same goes for all of you out there...it's whatever God's plan is and remember, He knows best! Stay in tune with God, you won't miss it but don't rush it!