My Absolute Favorite Verse (Honest)

Isaiah 49:14-16

I’m one of those people that throws around the word favorite a lot.

“She’s my favorite person.” “That’s my favorite restaurant.” Blah. Blah.

But, honestly, this is my absolute favorite verse(s). And it has been for a while.

It just SPEAKS to me. Like if I sat here and thought about it long enough I could definitely start crying. Easily.

If I were asked to read these verses to a group of people, forget it. They would all be really uncomfortable because there is a 100% chance I would be crying.

So, here’s why. Let me break it down why these verses have this effect on me.

First, it starts out…

“The Lord has forsaken me, 
the Lord has forgotten me.”

Maybe I’m a drama queen, but I feel this fairly regularly. Not so much “forsaken” as in He’s turned His back on me. But, maybe that language is just a little strong for me. FORSAKEN is kind of harsh.

But, forgotten? Yes. I sometimes think He’s forgotten me.

Or just given up on me altogether.

I feel like a 5-year-old little girl saying, “Do you remember me, God?”

So that first verse is my line: “God, I think you’ve forgotten about me, and maybe given up on me altogether.”

Then God says: “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
 and have no compassion on the child she has borne?”

And this is such a great line because he’s leading me somewhere.

He’s saying, “Could a loving mother forget a baby that she birthed and nourished?”

“Could a mother possibly have no compassion and love for a child that is her very own flesh?”

And you think, well this is obviously a rhetorical question. No way could she forget! What heartless woman would do that? Forget her child? Impossible!

And then the curveball:

 Though she may forget,

In other words, maybe so. She really might forget you. Mothers abandon their children all the time. People in general, not just mothers, let us down. They break our hearts. They turn their backs on us. They make mistakes.

But, God says:

“Though she may forget, I will not forget you!

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.”

He will never forget me. He will never let go of me. He will never leave me.

He has not given up on me.

And he will never forget you either, dear child.

He’s always been there, right by your side.

And He has the scars to prove it. 

33 Things Every Christian College Freshman Should Know

This is my 4^th year working in college ministry. Therefore, I know everything. Just kidding. Therefore, this is the first time I have walked all the way through college with a class of girls.  

Every week for the last 4 years, we have sat on UT campus, or in my living room, studying scripture and sharing life together.

I have washed 39,485 water cups. We have eaten our weight in Nutella and hummus.

Average number of cups used after Small Group. Notice our fine china. 

We have cried a lot. Truthfully, tears is the 17^th member of our small group. And tears usually comes in waterfall formation – one girl starts to cry and then we all cry. Most of the time after we cry we get really silly. Like stupid silly. Like ‘I hope no one is recording us right now’ silly.  Then I usually say something inappropriate and they love it.

These women have blessed me more than I have blessed them.

Watching them graduate in May was much harder than I expected. I was a wreck. Crying at all the “lasts”. The last small group was brutal. But, I have to believe what I told them: “This is just the end of the beginning of knowing each other forever.”

A few small groups before the brutal emotional last small group, I asked them what advice they would give to an incoming college freshmen. In other words, if they could rewind the clock and talk to their terrified freshman self, what would they say? Words and thoughts immediately swirled around the room, and I could barely keep my pen writing fast enough.

Reading over their list, I see the footprints of wise women who have had many victories and failures these last 4 years. Women that will make incredible wives and mothers. Women I am proud to call my friends.

Some things they learned in our small group, but most just from living and walking with the Lord.

The funny thing is that almost all their advice applies to my life, my mother’s life, and every woman’s life. I love that about God. He is teaching us the same truths over and over and driving them deeper into our stubborn souls.

So here it is…I picked a nice round number…

33 Things Every Christian College Freshman Should Know:

1.     Study 1.5 hours per day, but no more than 3 hours.  

2.     Exercise and take care of yourself.

3.     Everything in moderation (sleep, food, TV).

4.     Live with a few people and DO NOT isolate yourself.

5.     Time is never wasted in community with other people.

6.     You’re never going to know everyone, so don’t try.

7.     Understand friendships take time to build.

8.     You’re never alone in your feelings.

9.     Don’t take yourself too seriously.

10. Busyness isn’t good or impressive.

11. Designate time to be in the word.

12. Go to church every Sunday.

13. Make time to pray – like in the car or walking to class.

14. You’re already a success in God’s eyes, you are allowed to fail and you will at some things.

15. Stop comparing.

16. Don’t feel like you have to do it all.

17. Practice being thankful.

Elena's Page of Thankfulness from Small Group

18. Everything you are sure of will probably change, so hold them loosely (friends, major, ect).

19. Don’t go home too much.

20. People do care, so let them in. Allow yourself to receive love from people.

21. Don’t have FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). Enjoy what God is doing where you are in the present moment.

22. Pray protection over your friendships. Confront and give grace. Have no expectations, but also great hope for spiritual friendships.  

23. There will be seasons. Believe in the hard seasons that God is good. Your circumstances will change and you will be ok.

24. Don’t assume people view you the way you view yourself, especially in the times you feel least like yourself.

25. Don’t worry how you will handle things in the future. God will give you the strength at that time.

26. Challenge people and open yourself up to be challenged.

27. Be quick to apologize without excuses.

28. Rest more – not just sleep, but rest spiritually by getting alone with God.

Chillin at the lake at the busiest time of the semester. Boom.

29. Think how to bless your family, not just how they can bless you.

30. When you try to please people, you’re not pleasing God. Remember, people were angry with Jesus all the time.

31. Tap into each other’s gifts and speak those gifts into people.

32. Speak lies you are believing aloud, and it will diminish their power in your life.

33. Don’t peg other people. Be open to friendships with people that are different than you.

Me & Casey. An unlikely friendship. JK Casey! ;)

That’s it. You don’t need to know anything else in college! You don’t even need a degree! Don’t tell your parents I said that.

Who is Jesus to us?

I am a researcher by nature (nerd alert). I often find myself asking a question and then diving into scripture, books, or (let’s be real) my magical iPhone to find the answer. Often I don’t find the answer, or the answer is one of those shades of gray answers that involves faith and long deep breaths.

But, sometimes God is gracious and He answers me.

Like when I asked, “Who are Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit to us?”

They are all one God, but they must have unique purposes. Otherwise, what’s the point? And I wanted to know what each of their purposes meant for me.

So, this is a three-part post on what I found. We’ll start with Jesus. The Man.

Here's how this is going to work. 

I just thought of the movie Tommy Boy when he yells out, "Listen up! This will only take a second!" and everyone thinks he's robbing the bank. Amazing. 

And we're back. Like I said, here's the deal:

First the scripture, then a basic explanation in my own words including who Jesus is to us. Got it? 

In no particular order…

1 John 2:1

He’s our advocate – when we sin, He speaks to the Father in our defense.

Revelation 3:14

He’s our Amen. Our stamp of approval. Our period at the end of our sentence. Our trustworthy witness. He’s the Anointed One – chosen for a specific task by the Father.

Hebrews 12:2

He’s the Author (the creator) of our faith and the perfector who brings all things through to completion. He always finishes what He started. <----A quality I admire. Not that I don't also have that quality. 

John 6:48

He’s the Bread of Life. The bread that if you eat it you will never die, but live forever. The ultimate satisfier of all our needs and desires.

thepursuitaesthetic.tumblr.com via Pinterest

Revelation 22:16

He’s the Bright and Morning Star who shines in all our dark places.

achowlife.com via Pinterest

Joshua 5:14

He’s the commander of the army of the Lord who defends God’s children.

1 Peter 2

He’s the Cornerstone on the building of God. He is the stone that the builders rejected that has now become the cornerstone. He’s our Deliverer. The One we have waited for.

Isaiah 7:14

He’s Immanuel, God with us, not distant but gets down on his hands and knees to be with us.

Revelation 19:11

He’s the ultimate prince on the white horse whose rider is called Faithful and True.

Matthew 11:19

He’s a friend of sinners who befriended prostitutes, liars, thieves…that includes us.

Psalm 23

He’s the Shepherd of His sheep who protects us. He makes us lie down in green pastures and restores our soul.

Hebrews 4:14

He’s our high priest, our ultimate intercessor. The last sacrifice once and for all.

1 Timothy 1:1

He’s our hope when we have no hope.

ffffound.com via Pinterest

Hebrews 1:3

He’s the perfect image of God – the exact representation of His being.

John 8:58

He’s the great I AM! The ultimate existence or being. No words can fully explain him.

Acts 10:42

He’s the Just judge who judges the living and the dead rightly.

Isaiah 40:23

He’s the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and he can and will bring the rulers of this world to nothing.

John 1:29

He is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world and makes them white as snow.

 

John 14:16, John 10:10

He’s the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Life to the full.

John 8:12

He is the Light of the world and whoever follows him shall NEVER walk in darkness.

www.aaronweissart.com via Pinterest

Revelation 5

He’s the Lion of the tribe of Judah who is worthy and powerful.

waitforthursday.tumblr.com via Pinterest

John 15

He is the True Vine and if we remain in him we will bear much fruit, but without Him we can do nothing.

whimsicalepiphany.tumblr.com via Pinterest

Matthew 9:12

He is the great physician who says, “it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.”

Isaiah 63

He speaks only in righteousness, and he is mighty to save.

And a few bonus characteristics:

• He is prophecy fulfilled.
• He healed the demon possessed
• He fed 5,000 with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish
•  He heals lepers
• He teaches in beautiful tabernacles and dusty households
• He gives sight to the blind
• He raises the dead
• He dines with the wealthy and religious, but prefers the poor and humble
• He corrects hypocrisy and gives grace to the repentant
• He blesses little children and says we should act more like them
• He drives merchants out of the temple in righteous anger
• He washes his disciples feet and says “do as I have done for you”
• He prays a lot and is always getting alone to be with His Father – even amongst chaos

What did I miss?  Jesus is so much to us if we allow Him to be!

If I Can Just _____ Then I'll Be Happy.

This is a good moment.

I’m currently sitting on the carpet in our living room with the coffee table pulled up close so I can type. My husband is playing a variety of songs on his guitar across from me. Mostly country classics, but some original songs he wrote. My absolute favorite candle is burning. (Although it is a little like I’m burning money because it cost $18.) I’m eating chocolate covered raisins, a personal fav. Also, I’m staring at some gorgeous garden roses my friend Sarah gave me when she asked me to be her Maid of Honor this morning. Technically she asked me to be her Matron of Honor, but I told her if she ever called me that again I’d kill her. What am I, 80?

So, like I said this is a good moment.

I’m trying to soak it in because I haven’t been doing much soaking lately.

One of the biggest lies that I believe is that if I can just __________________ then I’ll be happy. 

I tell this to the college girls I mentor all the time. For them it’s: “If I can just get to Christmas break, Spring Break, Summer, past this test, then I’ll be happy. That’s where rest, fulfillment and all my dreams for life will come true!”

For me it’s more: “If I can just buy a house, have more free time, make more money, master this certain aspect of my marriage, get these to-do’s crossed off, then I’ll be happy.”

For many of my friends it’s: “If I can just find a husband, have a baby, have another baby, get my dream job, or progress into this next stage of life, then I’ll be happy.”

And so we all push through.

Instead of stopping and enjoying the present moment that God has given us, we push through with the hopes of tomorrow. But, tomorrow was not made to hold the weight of all those hopes and dreams. Tomorrow just is what it is.

So, when we…

    get the vacation

           buy the house

                find the husband

                              land the job

                                    cross off a few to-do’s

                                                            ace the test

                                                                    make a few extra dollars

                                                                                   we’re left unsatisfied.

                                                                                                                          
And maybe a little angry.

We’re mad at Tomorrow. Livid even. “But, you promised, tomorrow! You promised that this was the thing, this was the finish line and that happiness was on the other side!”

The truth is all these things are great. They are strawberries and whip cream on the sponge cake of life. They are beautiful gifts. But, they are not where true fulfillment and joy is found. So, we can’t expect something from them that they were never created to deliver.

Then where do we turn?

Jesus said this about himself:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

And David found his satisfaction in the One who created it:

I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. (Psalm 63:2-5)

Lord, I will try to go to you and receive your love that is better then life. I will try to stop  placing expectations on future goals, possessions, and relationships to fulfill me. Amen. 

Lighting the Lamps of the Past

Isaiah 63:7

I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD,

   the deeds for which he is to be praised,

   according to all the LORD has done for us—

yes, the many good things

   he has done for Israel,

   according to his compassion and many kindnesses.

Philippians 2: 1-4

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

Why can’t we do this?

Remember what God has done for us, and have faith he will do it again. If anything to remember the first time we experienced God and he said to you as a captive, “Come out!” and you in darkness, “Be free!” (Is. 49) Or if that memory seems far too distant, there must be some moment not that long ago where you can remember His voice?

Have you ever been sick, and you were healed? Even of the flu?

Worried about finances, and were provided for?

Weighted down by a burden, and felt relieved?

Encouraged in a time of trouble?

Comforted in sorrow?

Don’t forget what God has done for you. Think about the past for a moment.

Has the Lord never met with you? Climbed a mountain with you? Helped you in a time of need?

I know he has.

“Go back, then, a little way to the choice mercies of yesterday, and though all may be dark now, light up the lamps of the past, they shall glitter through the darkness, and thou shalt trust in the Lord till the day break and the shadows flee away.” –Charles Spurgeon