.....Love.....

I have a friend who is by far the kindest person I have ever met. The thing that stood out the most when I first met him was his genuine kindness and how well he loved people around him. I have learned so much from his life. I have learned that (although he is so talented) it doesn't matter how many accomplishments you check off your list, how talented you are or what approval you get. He taught me that value does not come from awards or deeds. What truly matters is that you LOVE people. He's loved me and others with words of encouragement, offers grace repeatedly, forgives immediately, with acts of kindness, and in the way he communicates. This is a lesson I am continuing to learn, and so glad I've had an example of what that looks like. The bible says that if we speak god's word with power,  have faith that moves mountains, give everything to the poor, and are the world's greatest evangelist and speak with eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love. we are nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.  If we do all these acts of good but don't love, our spirits are bankrupt. This is so powerful to me and makes me want to love people so much more and better than I do. My friend put it into perspective about being kind to others the other day using Job 31:15, which says " Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?"..saying in the passage that, servant or master, God made them both. This also means, sinner, saint, friend, enemy, family, and strangers are to be loved. We are all connected by the same God who made us. We are to love even when it is of no benefit to ourselves  or when it is difficult. We are Christ's, and he did that for us. While we were STILL sinners, He died for us. Love doesn't keep score, or keep record of wrongs, but love simply LOVES with no hidden agenda or expectation of gaining something. This is a lesson I pray I will continue to learn.

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.

Love doesn’t strut,

Doesn’t have a swelled head,

Doesn’t force itself on others,

Isn’t always “me first,”

Doesn’t fly off the handle,

Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,

Doesn’t revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end.

'8-10 Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.

11 When I was an infant at my mother’s breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.

12 We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

13 But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

Love

Hannah

Remember your Blessings

I am so excited about serving in the Congo, and am so blessed to be going. But, for some reason this morning, I woke up worried about funding and raising enough money to go or somehow coming up short. (I need funding for roundtrip flights, and it's 630 per month to live, along with other additional personal expenses) I went downstairs for my morning routine of coffee and reading. This morning I read through some of Nehemiah.

Nehemiah 4:14 says, "Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, "Don't be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!" The situation Nehemiah was talking about was vastly different and far more severe than my small hypothetical worry. But this showed me to glance at my situation/worry, and to not be afraid, because my GOD is GREAT and GLORIOUS. Also, it says REMEMBER. This immediately caused me to remember when GOD provided before (both the opportunity and funds) on my previous mission trips.

Here is what I remember God did before. I have had a heart for missions both here and overseas. [I believe we are a missionary no matter where we are. We are Christ's and we are to share His love near and far] . I desired to go on my first mission trip and sought out trips, but for some reason it just wasn't happening. So 2011 after a final failed attempt to go on a trip with my friend to Africa, and not getting any responses from the leader who was extremely busy, I gave up. I prayed "Lord I know you've put this desire in my heart. I am tired of chasing things that aren't your will.. So if you want me to go on a mission, send someone to ask me to go with them."..I prayed that prayer one time. I knew it was a little far-fetched but I prayed in Faith. Three days later I was downtown feeding the homeless under a bridge, and a Volunteer who I always saw there but didn't really know asked me to "come over here" beside a van and said "Hey Hannah, do you have an inchin' to go on a mission trip" ...Yes... "Do you have an inchin' to go to Africa?!" ...YES! ...and he continues to say "Well I lived there for ten years and want to take a trip...etc etc...I'll plan the trip around your schedule...etc."...Prayer answered. So I wrote my letters and sure enough God provided....not just for Kenya, but  provided enough funds and the exact amount I needed to go to Romania 3 months later where I was asked to join a team whom I'd worked for in Colorado the previous summer. God Provided and He will again.

I am working, cleaning out my closets, getting rid of my stuff to sell, redoing furniture, and have a bunch of things my sweet sister-in-law surprised me with the other day for me to sell. We HAVE to starve our fear/worry and FEED OUR FAITH...All day, I've been intentionally remembering all of the ways God has cared for me and provided for me.  So today again...of course God proves to me I shouldn't worry but instead Trust. I wasn't feeling well and left work a little early to come to my parent's house before the high school service tonight and rest. Our dear friend and neighbor Jackie came over and brought a bowl of her soup just because she's sweet and loves cooking (and boy do we love it). I walked up to the door to say hi, and she all of a sudden looks at me and goes "We're gonna get you to Africa baby!!!" I didn't even know she knew I was going yet, but she and my mom talk all the time so she of course already heard the news. My mom had told her earlier about me wanting to have a fundraiser garage sale. Little did I know that my sweet neighbors had been brainstorming for me, and had recruited her friends/children to gather their unwanted things for my sale, telling me the things they were going to bake to sell, and countless other things and ideas she told me about to help get me to Africa. I feel like I can't explain fully how shocked and touched I was to hear this good news and how I had been so unaware just an hour prior of all the love and support I have received. I was in tears at the love I feel from friends, family, and my Heavenly Father.


Even looking back at posts I've made, I am seeing how much the Lord is teaching me repeatedly to trust and obey him. Each day has new opportunities we can either trust God with or worry about. Trust is a daily thing that we have to give to God. I have learned that I must not only trust, but trust JOYFULLY and in thankfulness ahead of time of what God can and will do. I have learned that if He wants me there, he will get me there. He can do all things. Let us remember the LORD who is Great and Glorious.

Philippians 4:6-7:  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

Ephesian 3:20:  Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

 

2 Thessalonians 3:16:  Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

 

 

 

 Love,

Han

 

Send forth your truth and your light,

let them guide me;

 let them bring me to your holy mountain,

to the place where you dwell.

 

You are my JOY and my DELIGHT.

I will sing your praises.

I will trust you GOD.

Keeper of my heart and my strong tower.

Beautiful Life

I hope I'm not misunderstood, but something I've learned is that a relationship [a deep, life affecting relationship] with Jesus is bitter sweet. With Christ I have gained everything. But many times I've had to give up things I've desired in my stronger desire for the Lord and His Peace. These past two years have been the best and most challenging of my 23 young years. I've had to cancel a dream of a life of serving in missions for a year with a best friend, let go of plans and hopes, find closure,  and given up my idols that I found my worth in. In the last two weeks, because of an overwhelming feeling in my spirit, I've had to give up my sweet boyfriend who became my best friend, who was a walking example of what it was to be JOYFUL and thankful no matter the circumstance. In the past week I've been accepted into taking part in an organization that will be doing life changing mission work in the Congo(Africa), forfitting American life, my friends and family, and embark on a journey completely alone for months. Many of these things have been hard this past year or two, and although some of these things have felt like loss at first, I feel I have gained so much more and am consumed by God's peace. I have gained a knowledge that my identity is not in things, friendships,works or education. That life does go on after heartbreak of any kind and healing can come. That lost dreams aren't failures, but a redirecting by the One True Guide who is a lamp to our sometimes scared and shaky feet. That God's delays are not no, but YES in His time and His version, not our plan of how things should go. I've learned that obedience to my God isn't a loss at all, but an eternal gain. I have learned that God will guide me regardless, even when I doubt myself, or feel like I might have heard Him wrong and worry. Even though I'm shaky, He is constant and strong and will forever be worthy of my trust and dedication. My God loves me [and you] more than we could ever even try to love Him back. He is worthy of all of our life, love and thankfulness. Life and all it entails is bittersweet, but the sweet is so much sweeter with Jesus. Life is so so beautiful. TRUST. TRUST. TRUST. :o]

Fulfilled

One thing I know is God desires obedience. As we walk with Him, we start to desire the same. Our eyes, hearts, and minds will gradually line up with His. I have believed in God and His protection over my life since I was a little girl. But it was until a few years ago that I truly gave my life over, was baptized in Jesus’ Name and starting running to Him with my whole heart. With that surrender came the desire to be obedient to Honor the Lord in all I do, whether that be joyfully (or sometimes being a little nervous). God has called me to obedience in bigger ways lately. God has been showing me through His word to trust Him with my whole heart. So I have done so even though I can’t see the whole picture and peace has filled my heart more and more each day.

Another truth I know and have experienced is that Blessing follows obedience. God wants us to be obedient and to radiate Him. God wants us to find fulfillment in Him. We most radiate God when we are most fulfilled/satisfied in Him.  God made His commandments not for us to just aimlessly follow a list but to give us a fuller, deeper life. When we follow His commands and don’t get trapped in the death and complications that Sin brings, we are naturally going to be blessed. By no means do we not have trouble beyond our control sometimes. But when we are obedient we bring in and allow more life and fullness, because living free from the chains of sin and living the way God desires will naturally do so. I have seen this in my own life and family’s life.

With obedience comes peace. Many times, it has taken my obedience first and then the peace and assurance comes. Sometimes I’d rather have a known promise and THEN be obedient because the promise is obvious and SEEN. But what good is that really in our growth? God wants be to be obedient and grow by FAITH. Faith is being obedient and believing even when things are UNSEEN and trusting that God has you in the palm of His hands. God is teaching me more and more about obedience (and sometimes making me realize my own stubbornness, all the while softening my heart and growing my faith).

Because of my obedience to the spirit He’s given me, I can say that today I am in His Peace and His rest.

Job 36:11 If they hear and serve Him, They shall end their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.

Psalm 119:10 With all my heart I have sought Thee; Do not let me wander from Thy commandments.

Romans 8:5-6 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

I love this from Hosea. If we are disobedient/Sin, we can come back to Him and he will restore. Here is a call to repentance: Hosea 6...

“Come, let us return to the Lord.

He has torn us to pieces;

    now he will heal us.

He has injured us;

    now he will bandage our wounds.

2 

In just a short time he will restore us,

    so that we may live in his presence.

3 

Oh, that we might know the Lord!

    Let us press on to know him.

He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn

    or the coming of rains in early spring.”

-Han

His...

You may or may not always see the purpose in the steps you are taking as you are taking them in your life, but be assured that they do matter in the kingdom of God. Don't let anyone make you feel unimportant or irrelevant in your daily life, because, just like yours, their perspective is sometimes flawed. God says that he will work everything together for our good and His glory. So in everything you do, do it for Him. No matter what. Sometimes I wonder what the things I'm doing will lead to, how they could possibly bring glory to God or what impact they will have on my future. Most of the time I don't have an answer during that step, but looking back I remember seemingly irrelavent things that turned out for my good and His glory, and I am so thankful for those small steps of obedience that turned into very important, relevant memories. We can't isolate an event in our life, for everything is deeply interwoven and connected. We must take in every step and stage of life, because it will most certainly be gone one day. Each stepping stone is important and is a lesson. If I don't see it, I will pray that God opens my eyes and heart to show me how to make the most of it and do it with all my heart. We must not pass through the moment with groaning and complaining but with Thanksgiving to God even before we see their fruits. Sometimes the Truth is drowned our by our feelings over the situation, and it clowds our vision of the blessings even when they are right in front of us. So many of us feel doubtful that what we are doing matters or has an impact. The truth is that it does and it can. God is a God who is alive and dwelling in our hearts and lives daily. He is mindful of us and cares deeply for us. We belong to him and are HIS. You are important. You are thought about. You are deeply LOVED.

 

WHEN YOU DOUBT, REMEMBER TO WHOM YOU BELONG.

"You know when I sit and when I rise;

you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down;

you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue

you, Lord, know it completely.

You hem me in behind and before

and you lay your hand upon me."

Isaiah 43:1

But now, this is what the Lord says—

he who created you, Jacob,

he who formed you, Israel:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

...

"All we see is a large stone, but we have no idea it covers the source of a spring."

The Same God.

¹⁴ The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. ¹⁵ “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”

¹⁶ They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”

¹⁷ Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? ¹⁸ Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? ¹⁹ When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
“Twelve,” they replied.

²⁰ “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
They answered, “Seven.”

²¹ He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

I know there is much more meaning here that what I've found today, but what my heart sees today is God's provision and the need for us to trust Him. What I love is the normalcy the disciples and their incredible way of being ordinary. Like us, the disciples have seen many blessings, miracles, and provision, yet still seem to forget that Jesus could do anything. Why do we forget Who God Is so easily? To me, this seems kind of unimaginable considering all the Things Jesus has done so far. They had literally PHYSICALLY BEEN WITH JESUS. But like us, they forgot. So Jesus Reminded them. I think what is so important about the Lord and trusting Him is that we remind ourselves of what He's done in our lives. I can take a look at my life and look at how the Lord weaved so many things together for His purposes, answered my prayers, and gave me provision in unexpected ways. The important thing is to never forget. We must remind ourselves often of what the Lord has done. When we tell others what the Lord had done in our lives, it not only is a testimony for them to hear of God's works, but it's a reminder for ourselves of what He can do when our hearts forget. When I doubt, God whispers, "Do you not understand? Look at the things I have done in your life. Those things were my doing, and I will do more. I will never leave you nor forsake you. Stay hopeful."  The Lord Desires for us to have faith and believe. The next chapter (Mark 9) a man with a sick son in need of healing says to Jesus... "Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked.“Anything is possible if a person believes.” May today bring BELIEF OF WHO GOD IS AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN. May we look back and remember what God has done. We must intentionally remind ourselves that He is the God who has worked in our lives, and the God who has healed , saved, and fed the thousands with what seemed like an unfathomable idea considering the small amount of food. He can do all things. Stay full of Hope and Faith. He is the same God yesterday, today and forever.