Live.Like.You're.Loved

The lyrics for "Live Like You're Loved" by Mark Schultz

Wonderful.

Amazing.

Beautiful.

She packed up her bags and she turned to tell them goodbye
She kissed her dad and promised her momma she’d write
For 18 years she’d been their baby
Oh, but now she will learn how to fly

Live like you’re loved by the Lord up above
Spread out your wings and never give up
‘Cause you can do anything, be who you’re meant to be
Always remember to dream and keep your head up
And live like you’re loved


Now she’s out on her own making her way in this life
And some days are fair, but some days she barely gets by
But when she feels alone, she picks up the phone just to hear her daddy’s voice
He says “I tell the whole world I’m proud of you girl”
And before she tells him goodbye, he says

Live like you’re loved by the Lord up above
Spread out your wings and never give up
‘Cause you can do anything, be who you’re meant to be
Always remember to dream and keep your head up
And live like

You’re loved by the Lord of the whole universe
Loved by the Maker of heaven and earth
Loved by the Father again and again
Loved with a love without end

Live like you’re loved by the Lord up above
Spread out your wings and never give up
‘Cause you can do anything, be who you’re meant to be
Always remember to dream and keep your head up
And live like you’re loved
Live like you’re loved
Oh, live like you’re loved

The Healing Has Begun

Beautiful song by Matthew West.

Missing.the.Mark.

Life is busy. Life is hard.
So many decisions. Where will we live? What will we eat? How will we pay our bills?
But are we misplacing our priorities?
Are we letting worry, fear, anxiety control us-and not letting God work in and through us?

"Therefore, do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'...For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about it's own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." -Matthew 6:31-34

Our desire for power, wealth, possessions and status have become idols in our lives...hurting our personal character, our friendships and our relationships.

We must remember that these idols are only temporary, not eternal.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21

"Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." - Colossians 3:2

If we are not intentional, we will focus on good things, but not the BEST things.

We Christians sometimes ignore parts of Scripture- we forget that all of it is ours to use, that each passage has a reason, a purpose.

If we haven't read a certain passage or scripture, we can consider those parts of the Bible, 'buried treasure'.

We have to read scripture in order to understand what our purpose is, who God created us to be and how to live in this broken & sinful world.

So, what does this mean?

God commands His people to reach the lost.

How does this happen?

God has ordained a message (the Gospel) for people to hear and a method (the saved) to teach others (the lost).

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." - Romans 10:17

God commands us to be obedient.

"If you love me, keep my commandments." - John 14:15

To not merely listen, but to do what is asked.

Many of us can recall growing up and listening to our father's..and doing what they ask. If we didn't, there would be punishment or consequences. Or, even disappointment.

If we loved our father's, we would obey them.

This is the same with God, our Heavenly Father.

Jesus said, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind..You shall love your neighbor as yourself." - Matthew 22:37-39

Our Heavenly Father commands us to love one another, helping to carry other's burdens.

Showing love, compassion & concern for others.
I was once broken and if it weren't for some truly faithful friends, family & mentors, I am not sure where I would be.
I was once lost..I was once blind..I was once dead..I was once an enemy of God.
We have learned the sinful patterns of this world, but we have a chance to learn a NEW way to live.
I am not perfect...but, I am changed.
We need to repent..in sincerity..and this doesn't just mean confessing our sins, asking for forgiveness and going back to the same way of living.
I knew I needed to turn from one way of living to ways that honor God.
I needed to change my mind and attitude about God- ultimately changing my actions & decisions.
I have been experiencing fear...and while fear is normal, I knew it wasn't of God.
It was a spirit of fear coming from Satan (the fear of the unknown) and not of God (truth).
Everyone is born with spiritual cancer (sin), and Jesus is the cure...He forgives.
I have asked Him to come into my life, a few times.
I loved going to Church. I loved being inspired by His word..but I still wanted to do the same things I was doing. I was still making unwise decisions.
I have learned that I need to surrender my whole life to Jesus..and begin living for Him.
I need to be filled with the Holy Spirit..for my flesh alone is not able to do this.
God has given me another day to glorify Him & I need to make the most of every opportunity!

I love you, Lord.
Your beloved daughter,
Brenda

Mission.Possible.

My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me."

And my heart responds, "Lord, I am coming."  ~Psalm 27:8

I packed up my life and moved to Nashville, Tennessee.

Some things have turned out great..and some things didn't exactly turn out as I expected.
But, then I am reminded that my life is in your hands, not my own.

Here I am..out of my comfort. I miss home. I miss my friends. I miss my family. I miss my favorite coffee shops. I miss my favorite quiet places I would meet with you.

I have cried out to you in my loneliness.

Is this of you, Lord?

I am overwhelmed. Heavy with burdens. My heart is grieving. I feel lost..abandoned. I need you.

You knew I would be hurting. You know my fears and anxieties.

I see how you have comforted me with your word. With your people.

Thank you. I love you.

You set out to give us a hope and a future, not to harm us.

We don't always understand your ways, but we trust that you will always use our circumstances for good.
I feel a sense of peace that I am still supposed to be here.

I embrace the unknown. What do you want to show me? What do you want to teach me?

Take me on mission with you.

Visit orphans in their distress..

You have commanded us to do this.

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." ~James 1:27

I want to obey your commands.

Equip me mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Lead me. Guide me. Teach me. Love me.

Lord, I trust you can use my grief on the mission field in a powerful way.

We are spiritual orphans if we don't have you.

Help us to share love and hope to the broken.

Your Word promises that you will never leave or forsake Your children.

Broken hearts need healing only you can provide.

Compassion. Listening. Love. Comfort. Encouragement. Blessings.

This will restore joy & hope to our souls.

I desire a pure heart, Lord.

A heart that yearns for you. A heart that honors you with my thoughts, my actions and my words.

Love is not our duty, it is a destiny.

You give us a choice.

Will we choose to serve you? To obey you? To put you ahead of everything else? To pursue you?

Use me to lead others to you - to go and make disciples, in your name.

Reveal your calling on our lives.

This passion for missions..for working for your Kingdom..for reaching the lost..for Africa..

These have filled my heart, mind and thoughts.

For this I know is a calling on my life and I desire to pursue it wholeheartedly!

This mission is possible, for with You, anything is possible!

I love you, Lord.

Your beloved daughter,

Brenda

1st post coming soon! :)