LOVE Redeemed 2013

"Therefore I am now going to allure her;
I will lead her into the wilderness 
and speak tenderly to her.
There I will give her back her vineyards, 
and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.
There she will respond as in the days of her youth, 
as in the day she came up out of Egypt."
Hosea 2:14-15, NIV

Those of you that know me, know that reading is not exactly my favorite hobby but the idea of a warm fire, hot coffee and a good book was even too great for me to resist during this cold, rainy winter. I must admit that I actually have a  list of new books that I would like to read but yet again I could not resist the temptation to pick up Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers for what I believe is probably the 5th or 6th time. There is just something about a love story evolving a handsome, western farmer that gets me every time. Needless to say I am a fan even if it is almost 500 pages. If you are like me anything over 200 pages is pushing it, oh who am I kidding 100 pages is probably more accurate.

Anyways...
Redeeming Love is a fictional love story based on a retelling of the book of Hosea in the Bible. Without compromising the integrity of the story in case you plan to read it yourself, the novel is about a man who continually displays his love for a young woman despite betrayal, pain and rejection much like Christ's continual pursuit of His children.I never cease to be amazed at how something new jumps out at me every single time I read this novel and I think it must have something to do with perspective. 

A few weeks ago Beth Moore posted a video titled "The 12th Month that Redeems a Whole Year" (Please check out her video A 12th Month That Redeems a Year. She is fantastic and I just love the way that God speaks through her. My description just does not do it justice!). In the video she talks about how 2013 may have been a challenging year, a year that we wish to forget but she points out Biblical examples where 12th month was a time of reversal. Historically it is a time where things intended to destroy were turned around and used ultimately for God's glory. She presented a challenge asking that we might be so bold as to ask the Lord to do an outstanding work in December that would redeem the entire year despite the hardships and challenges that have been faced.

A recent theme in my personal study in the word has revolved around the story of Joseph in Genesis 50:20:"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives". As I was reading Redeeming Love last night, I could not help but feel this verse come to life as I kept noticing the parallels between the main character and the Lord in regards the way He displayed the depth of His love for me this year.

2013 at a glance was a trying year personally in regards to my faith. The combination of several heartbreaking events for both myself and a few of my close friends left me questioning God and His faithfulness. I found myself asking, "If God is good, why do bad things happen to good people?" , "Is God still sovereign when I am continually disappointed that things don't go my way?", "What is the point in holding out hope?". My frustration and doubt led me to a place where I felt numb. I was in survival mode, were I felt it was best not to hope at all because hope just led to disappointment. But somewhere in the wilderness God's sweet voice tenderly drew me back to His word (Hosea 2:14-15). In the midst of my doubt God spoke truth to my heart through the testimonies of cherished friends and devout leaders of the faith and I can now answer all of those questions with a resounding "YES". God is faithful, God is just and God is sovereign in all things and He is working everything together for our good even if it isn't according to MY plan.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose(Romans 8:28) ." 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).

After listening to Beth Moore's devotion I began praying that God would redeem my 2013 in this December month and last night I realized that He already had, even though it was not the redemption I had imagined. It was much greater! Christ poured out His love for me in 2013 and He pursued His wayward child and mercifully drew me back to His side. He poured His Grace out over me and brought Genesis 50:20 to life as He took a year that was intended for my harm and re-purposed it into good through growth, strength and maturity of my faith.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trails of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)

2013 may have been a tough year for me spiritually but God prevailed victorious and the battle ended well! 

May He receive all the glory and all the praise!

-Emily

"Here in the power of Christ I'll stand"

Lately I have been rather hesitant about blogging. I guess it is because I find myself thinking, "I am just a simple, small town girl, why does anything I say matter? Who on earth would want to stop and read anything I've written? I am not an English major and I definitely cannot spell, even if my life depends on it. Better yet, what's the point or what is my motive?" 

I think I found my answer in the passage that our pastor shared this morning:"26Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.28God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him. 30It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”1 Corinthians 1:26-31

 

I am not wise, not influential, not of noble birth. I am often weak and lowly. I've made more mistakes than I care to admit. I am stubborn, proud, independent. I have spent the last year of my life being aggravated with myself for letting circumstances of loss and disappointment make me question my faith. "I've been the one to try and say I'll overcome by my own strength I've been the one to fall apart and start to question who you are." (MercyMe-You are I am). I am just a sinner saved by grace.

"But by the grace of God I am What I am, and his grace to me was not without effect." I Corinthians 15:10

 

Take a look at verse 30 & 31 again.

"It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore as it is written: "Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord."

I have made a mess of things time and time again but because of him my life has been redeemed. It is because of him that I am a new creation. It is because of him that I woke up this morning. It is because of him that I have the strength to face each day with hope. Because of him, I live.

As was appropriate our service ended today with one of my favorite songs: 

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the World by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

-es

New definition for sexy

According to Ashton"Chris" Kutcher the rules to being sexy are: "Be smart. Be Kind. Be Compassionate". I have to say that he definitely earned some respect from me after watching his speech at the Teen Choice Awards this year. This a message that all young ladies and even young men should hear! You're worth is not defined by how your physical body looks! There is so much more to you than that! Check it out! Way to go Chris!!!
-es

Let's try this again...

"I found us in a photograph
 I saw me and I had to laugh
 You know I'm not who I was."
-Brandon Heath, I'm Not Who I was

A similar feeling surfaced as I logged back on the blog that I start my senior year of high school. (I refuse to delete the earlier posts because of the irony!) You can imagine how funny it was to read the words that I wrote as an innocent, naive, high school girl.

As I sit five days away from the beginning of my SENIOR YEAR of COLLEGE I can't help but think, "Where has the time gone?" and "FINALLY, light at the end of the tunnel." (And why on earth am I writing this at 12:30 p.m.? What can I say, once I get an idea in my head there is no time like the present to put it into practice!)

In four years time a lot of things have changed/happened in my life while other things remained constant (Details to follow, eventually!). But in all things I take heart in knowing his TRUTH in Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." 

As the Lord would have it, I will not graduate from my "dream" college or my "dream" degree (Did I mention this was the "dream" of a high school girl and not a young, adult woman? Just checking!) Instead I will graduate with a degree in Exercise and Sports Science. (Hints my passion for personal wellness and fitness.) I still have no idea what is next!

One thing that I do know is that God has had his hands on throughout the entire process, even when I resisted (Me stubborn? Never!!!). I have found that his path is usually the best!

So as I begin on the journey of my senior year I hope to be able share something that will encourage you, bless you or inspire you whether it be in the realm of fitness, music, books, crafts, etc.
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."-1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
Yep, that one still stings! Preaching to myself here: Am I really doing everything for God?

To set the tone of the blog I would like to share a short story with you:

While at dinner with my mother the other night I happened to run into some old high school friends. Friends that I used to feel inferior too. I wish I could say that body image has never been an issue for me, but for now lets just say that I did not escape my college years without a few major melt downs. Satan knew all too well that this was an area where he could break me down, and break he did!

Either way, before the end of the meal I made a trip to the restroom. To set the stage, I did happen to be wearing a cute outfit but my makeup and hair were a bit of a mess from my Sunday afternoon nap. I was slightly bummed that I was not dressed to a "T". (Let's be honest, that would be a rare occasion for me.)
As I started to wash, my hands a young girl walked in. As soon as she noticed me she stopped and said "Woah, you're pretty". It seemed as though her words were from the lips of an angel. Just when those old, self-doubts could have crept back in and ruined my perspective, the truth of the Lord rained down upon me! In God's eyes I am beautiful and that is all that matters. (Yes, I do still have trouble accepting that truth. especially with the pressures of today's society.Notice the title of my blog says "molding" not "complete".)

Today remember to listen to the Voice of Truth instead of lies! And why don't we look for a way to lift each other up whether it be a compliment or a recognition for a job well done?

To the little girl who took the time to notice me that day, "Thank you". I can't tell you how much your words blessed my heart!
-es