1 Corinthians 13 is known as the "Love chapter". Verse 13 says,"and now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love". When we think of love we may think of a relationship with someone or feelings towards someone. Maybe we think of hearts and sacrifice or a warm, fuzzy feeling inside about something. But sometimes through our actions of loving, we see pain show its ugly face. We may reach out to someone and they reject our love or we may have unrealistic expectations on how we should receive love or "lovely" things.
Through the ministry of foster care my husband and I have experienced this many times. We are not perfect parents by any means, and many days we probably look like we're a mess, but we do try to pour ourselves into these hurt children and love them. The rejection didn't seem so heart wrenching at first, but through years of having this feeling it starts to wear down on you. It's hard to understand how someone who came from neglect or abuse would hate the fact that someone is loving them and meeting their needs. We've learned through the years that kids act this way because it is us providing these needs for them and not their family members who are suppose to be. This angers them. Even though we know this and are not surprised when the rejection occurs, it still HURTS!
This whole scenario makes me think of Jesus and how many times I have rejected His love in my life. I am so thankful He is God and I am not. I would've gave up on myself years ago. Jesus paints a beautiful picture of unconditional love through the good and bad times. I Corinthians 13:4-8a says,"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails". Wow, that's a tall order to follow. When I read this passage I definitely see areas in my life where I need to look more like Jesus. In my prayers recently I have been praying about someone in my life who continues to reject my love and tries to hurt me, yet the right thing for me to do is to continue to pour out love to that person. Honestly, sometimes I don't want to though. Man do I ever need Jesus? I need Him, I need Him, I need Him. Only through Jesus can I love this person and only through Jesus can I see areas in my own life that need to change and surrender them at His feet. We all need Jesus!!!!!!!
Would love to hear your thoughts on this topic.
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Frame to share at local church
Frame will be sharing at Christ Community Evangelical Free Church in Savannah, Ohio on Sunday, March 22, 2015. We will be sharing during the adult Sunday school time and some during the worship service.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Freedom from strongholds
Good morning! I've been needing to post a blog again so with a snow day today, here goes.
I love how the Lord loves us. He loves us not if we do certain works for Him but because He created us and loves us. Growing up in church and accepting Jesus as my Savior at a young age has been a blessing. I've heard Bible story after Bible story repeated time upon time and have heard more times than I can count Jesus loves me said. So thankful for that. Recently though while reading a book called, Gospel by JD Greear, recommended by one of my dearest friends, my eyes and heart were set free from a bondage I didn't realize I still was having at 35 years of life, especially after being saved at a young age and growing up in church with loving, godly parents.
The part that God used in the book to speak to my heart was this:
"In Christ, there is nothing I can do that would make You love me more, and nothing I have done that makes You love me less."
You might be thinking to yourself well if you got saved young and grew up in church you should've already knew that. Well I knew it in my head but apparently not in my heart like I should've. As God spoke freedom to my heart it was like a brick lifted from my chest. A stronghold had been demolished. I grew up wanting to please everyone for the most part. Being a people pleaser isn't all bad but letting it control you is. Pleasing man over God is never acceptable. Feeling many times I never measured up or would be good enough at whatever I was doing. Sometimes this would not be a struggle at all and other times it would slap me right in the face being a stronghold in my life. In Christ that stronghold is gone. My loving Savior reassured my heart that when God looks at me He looks at me through the righteousness of His Son, Jesus Christ. Once again I had known this before but man did it ever sink in during this time with the Lord. Times I would feel guilty if I didn't spend enough time in the Word or prayer or do this good thing or that good thing and my Savior lovingly reassured me," Monica I love you! Not what you do but you! I love you if you spend time in My Word. I love you if you pray to Me. I love you if you serve at the church. BUT, I also love you when you didn't spend time in the Word with Me that day, or you didn't talk to Me as much as I would've liked you too and if you feel overwhelmed at times serving, I still love you! " Wow! What freedom. My perspective has changed and I have a peace in my heart that words alone cannot fully express how I feel. Freedom to raise my hands in church and worship a loving Savior even if I've had a bad week and my character hasn't reflected Christ much, because worshipping isn't about me, it's about Him. Freedom to start over each day, each moment and enjoy spending time with Jesus, not because I should because that's what Christians should do, but because I get to do it. So thankful that God continues to mold and shape my heart to look more and more like Jesus.
I love how the Lord loves us. He loves us not if we do certain works for Him but because He created us and loves us. Growing up in church and accepting Jesus as my Savior at a young age has been a blessing. I've heard Bible story after Bible story repeated time upon time and have heard more times than I can count Jesus loves me said. So thankful for that. Recently though while reading a book called, Gospel by JD Greear, recommended by one of my dearest friends, my eyes and heart were set free from a bondage I didn't realize I still was having at 35 years of life, especially after being saved at a young age and growing up in church with loving, godly parents.
The part that God used in the book to speak to my heart was this:
"In Christ, there is nothing I can do that would make You love me more, and nothing I have done that makes You love me less."
You might be thinking to yourself well if you got saved young and grew up in church you should've already knew that. Well I knew it in my head but apparently not in my heart like I should've. As God spoke freedom to my heart it was like a brick lifted from my chest. A stronghold had been demolished. I grew up wanting to please everyone for the most part. Being a people pleaser isn't all bad but letting it control you is. Pleasing man over God is never acceptable. Feeling many times I never measured up or would be good enough at whatever I was doing. Sometimes this would not be a struggle at all and other times it would slap me right in the face being a stronghold in my life. In Christ that stronghold is gone. My loving Savior reassured my heart that when God looks at me He looks at me through the righteousness of His Son, Jesus Christ. Once again I had known this before but man did it ever sink in during this time with the Lord. Times I would feel guilty if I didn't spend enough time in the Word or prayer or do this good thing or that good thing and my Savior lovingly reassured me," Monica I love you! Not what you do but you! I love you if you spend time in My Word. I love you if you pray to Me. I love you if you serve at the church. BUT, I also love you when you didn't spend time in the Word with Me that day, or you didn't talk to Me as much as I would've liked you too and if you feel overwhelmed at times serving, I still love you! " Wow! What freedom. My perspective has changed and I have a peace in my heart that words alone cannot fully express how I feel. Freedom to raise my hands in church and worship a loving Savior even if I've had a bad week and my character hasn't reflected Christ much, because worshipping isn't about me, it's about Him. Freedom to start over each day, each moment and enjoy spending time with Jesus, not because I should because that's what Christians should do, but because I get to do it. So thankful that God continues to mold and shape my heart to look more and more like Jesus.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Adoption Essay written by my daughter
An amazing adoption essay writing by my daughter its very touching its a must read
https://docs.google.com/a/crestviewschools.net/document/d/1Kjr2ALbyVW0ax6PLpspWIagSAf1O50u1x96TpKa8n4I/edit#
https://docs.google.com/a/crestviewschools.net/document/d/1Kjr2ALbyVW0ax6PLpspWIagSAf1O50u1x96TpKa8n4I/edit#
Friday, October 31, 2014
Orphan Sunday-November 2, 2014
This coming up Sunday, November 2nd is Orphan Sunday. Our family gets the privilege of sharing at our local church about orphan care and our passion for defending the "least of these." While doing some research this week I came across a poem that is fitting for this Sunday I wanted to share. Also please check out the short video clip we shared from Francis Chan about Orphan Sunday. Powerful!
Poem by wefostercare
Please don't call me a foster child. I'm someone's son, granddaughter, nephew, great-grandson, sister, god-son. I'm an athlete, a piano player, an artist. I'm an honor-roll student. I'm a child of God. And I happen to be in foster care. Words are powerful-choose them wisely.
Poem by wefostercare
Please don't call me a foster child. I'm someone's son, granddaughter, nephew, great-grandson, sister, god-son. I'm an athlete, a piano player, an artist. I'm an honor-roll student. I'm a child of God. And I happen to be in foster care. Words are powerful-choose them wisely.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Excited for Saturday-Zombie Frenzy!!!!!!!
Excited for this Saturday! Frame will be out at the Ashland County Fairgrounds for the Zombie Frenzy 5K run to raise funds for local adoptions. The race starts at 10am. Come on out and stop by our table. We will have our brochures, ministry cards and CANDY! The weather is suppose to be beautiful. Hope to see many of you there.
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