God's Great Love

A man was overheard in a psychiatrist's office saying, "Make me sure there is a God of love and I shall go away a well man." Isn't that what we all desire deep inside of us? To make sure there is a God who loves us, despite ourselves. I was reading Embracing the Love of God by Richard Foster this morning and I realized that I don't really understand how much God loves me. I have felt God's love many, many times and there are even times when I have actually felt him right beside me. But, it's the daily reminding that he loves me with an incredible love that I struggle with. Foster tells how when God told Moses, "You shall say to them, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you . . ." he was basically saying "When I look at you I smile and I want you to know that." God smiles when he looks at me? There are so many days when I really doubt that. How can God smile when I get upset with my husband or get mad at my kids? But, HE DOES! This love is deeper, larger, more vast than we can comprehend. In spite of our child-like understanding, he makes this beautiful love available for us to feel and share with others. That's tough, sharing this kind of love with others and looking at them the way God looks at us. Richard Foster describes this love beautifully, "When we love and feel and experience God's love we cannot but love ourselves. This kind of self-love is nothing like the cheap form of narcissism peddled in our culture. It is a genuine, comprehensive kind of love that is based nothing of what we do but on who we are." Who we are in Christ is what our focus should be and that's the hardest for me to get. It's a slow process for me, but I feel like God is showing me bit by bit who I am and how much he loves me. Enough of my rambling, I better sign off. I pray that God shows you too just how big his love is

Fun with the Teshuva

BOOMIN'

I got to go the Toby Mac concert with the Teshuva last week! I know your jealous! I LOVED IT! It was awesome! I think the best part about the trip was getting to talk with the youth. I haven't really been able to be at youth group to get to know everyone yet, so this was the perfect time. I especially got to know Tasha a little better. I love this part of ministry, really getting to know people. My favorite is the one on one time. It's funny because when you start a new job there is always a little hesitation on both sides. I didn't know anyone and they didn't know me, but now James and I really feel like we are connecting with the youth in our ministries. It's a great feeling! I'm amazed at how God can help you connect with certain people and put different people in your path at just the right time. I really feel like God came before us and prepared the hearts of everyone to be open and loving toward James and I. The church and the people have been such a blessing to us, I can't even begin to express how grateful we are. Thank you to everyone who has opened their homes and hearts to us in large and small ways. Wow, I sound so cheesy and mushy right now. Anyway, here's some pictures of the concert for all of you who missed it!