Love you....

I Love You-Truly-

At work yesterday a woman began to leave after purchasing something and as she did, she turned her head slightly, looking not at me, but at soaps on her right, and confidently proclaimed "God Bless You!" and as it always does, though I didnt take note until this time, I got a rush of love and my face turned red, not in embarrassment or shame, but in thankfulness. Then I began to think about that statement, I have no doubt that her intentions were loving! But I began to ponder my own, do i give those words, the name of my Lord, enough credit? Have I let it become a casual clique? What about "I love you" is it simply a mandatory response? Or do I feel it, hold it, fully take responsibility and joy for these powerful words?! As its valentines day today, I am renewed by the awesome and fulfilling Love of my King of Kings! I am thankful for the people I love in my life, and the people that Love me! But I want them to know, that I dont say "I Love You" without understanding, or for some kind of acclimation from them. I say it....because its true!
Do you?
The tongue is SOOO POWERFUL!

Jeremiah 9:3
"They make ready their tongue like a bow, to shoot lies; it is not by truth that they triumph in the land. They go from one sin to another; they do not acknowledge me," declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:8
Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks with deceit. With his mouth each speaks cordially to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him.

It gets pretty serious, as we see in James:

James 1:26
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

However there is hope! If we are submitting our words to God and letting Him rule us through Love!

Acts 2:26
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope,

Psalm 37:30
The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just

Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.

Psalm 139:4
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD


I am so thankful that God loves us so dearly, that even though he knows we will tell lies, cause pain, and deception, he still loves us!!! I am learning, be it ever so slowly, to sacrifice my words to him. Its a challenge, and I dont doubt I will make mistakes. But this valentines day I am reminded of the beauty of speaking the truth. In Love, with Praise and Thankfulness!!!!

LAUREN-Thoughts on singleness and contentment this Valentine's Day

As each passing February day has brought Valentine's Day closer and closer, I will admit that I have been thinking a lot about love, romance, and relationships. I am what you would call a "hopeless romantic". I sigh over romantic movies...whether the hero of the day is Mr. Darcy or Gilbert Blythe. As the movie credits roll and some inspiring film score plays, I am filled with hope and excitement for the future.

While I don't believe that it is wrong to look forward to that time in our lives, I do believe that oftentimes singles are guilty of wasting time. And I am including myself in this! I have noticed that we as singles are often looking to the next big thing in our lives to bring us happiness and contentment....finishing school, getting that job, starting a career, beginning a relationship, etc. We focus our time and energies towards that point in time and forget to invest in today.

This can also be applied to the romantic relationships area of our lives. I have known many young people who are so discontent with their lives simply because they do not have that special someone in their lives. They feel incomplete with the intimate companionship of the opposite sex. And yet, when they are finally in that much-desired relationship, they are rarely truly happy, because either the relationship should have never began, or it was started for selfish reasons.

Don't waste time! If God has marriage in your future, then this time is precious! You will never have this time back again. This is preparation time for us. There are so many things that you are free to do while you are single that you may not have the opportunity to do once you are married, if God so desires. Don't waste time longing for the future to come--it will come soon enough. I encourage you to use your singleness to serve God with passion. Use your singleness to serve others....family, friends, and church. Focus on growing and building godly friendships with other singles, and encouraging one another in their relationship with Jesus.

We as singles will never be truly content in any relationship until we have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. And no, I am not talking about going to church on Sundays, or reading our Bibles for a few minutes and then mumbling a prayer for the day. I am not even talking about missions trips and ministry. I am talking about a intimate, personal relationship with the Creator of the Universe, the One who's mighty hands formed us. The One who knew us before we were even a thought in our parent's minds. Paul writes in Philippians 4:11, "...for I have learned to be content with whatever I have." This is so true. For those who long for romantic relationships and marriage and are not content with their present situation, they will likely be discontent in a relationship or marriage.

The romantic earthly love of another person can never compare the love of Jesus. He is the Lover of our souls. He desires to be close to us! We don't deserve His love, yet He longs to be one with us. Jeremiah 31:3 says "I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself." I love that! His unfailing love draws us to Him! His love will never fail and never end. Even in good, godly relationships, we will face disappointment at times. Those we love will let us down and hurt. But God promises unfailing love.

Let's not be discontent this Valentine's Day! I would encourage you to get alone with the Lord, spend some time talking the King of your heart. He is the greatest romantic...He died so that we might know the beauty and hope of His unfailing love. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).

Lauren