"I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?"
2 Corinthians 12:15
Hiking along Lake Michigan
All I need is some coffee and a whole lot of Jesus. :)
Saturday morning at Conjure Coffee
2 Corinthians 12:15
Almost a month ago now, I took up a challenge to read the entire book of Philippians every day for a month. It has been really good for me and I would recommend it for all of you!! I do want to share with you my most recent discovery with the book. Until this past week I had created "sections" in my mind of the book. I am guessing that is how a lot of us read through it. For instance there is the section where he talks about contentment, the section he talks about walking worthy, the part where Paul talks about not complaining, etc. Over this past week a bigger theme emerged.
We are called to sacrifice our lives in service to God and for others, so that God would be glorified and His name proclaimed. It is like Paul is trying to drill this concept into the church so he continually brings it up throughout the book. In the first chapter, Paul is like "hey, I want you to realize how awesome this is; God has used my imprisonment to spread the Gospel to the imperial guard and all those around me! In fact it has encouraged other believers to speak His Word!" Yes, there were people with the wrong motives, but Paul chose not to brew over it, he simply rejoiced that the truth of the gospel was being shared!
In the next chapter it says "do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Don't just only care about your interests, but the interests of others." Christ, in the form of God, didn't count it a thing to be grasped! Jesus gave up all His rights in order to serve and gave himself to us even to the point of death. Paul goes on to say don't be people who complain, grumble, argue, and stir up strife. Why? Because people are watching you and you are shining the light of Christ.
Paul tells the church "Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me!" (The verse at the top was one I ran across while cross-referencing this verse.) What?! Is Paul really excited about having to lay his life on the altar for other people? Yep...and not only that, but as he lays out his pedigree for everyone, he considers it rubbish. (I love that word!) He strains the point that everything is nothing, because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ and being found in him. Anyway, I will stop with sharing examples now, I think you can get the point. We are called to fully sacrifice every part of our life to the service of God! Many times we find ourselves trying to crawl off the altar. It is so true, at least for me, that when it gets a little to painful and I find myself crawling to the edge of the altar. It isn't easy or pain free, however we are called to sacrifice and to sacrifice with joy to the glory of God our Father!
Life News...
This past Sunday I drove up near Grand Haven, MI to go camping. I had originally planned on going with Sarena, but she ended up going home for the weekend. Rather than sit at home with nothing to do, I decided to go by myself!! It has been extremely refreshing and relaxing! I was able to try out my new hammock too!! Since it is the end of September, the campground was really empty too! There were only a few other campers (especially once Monday hit), so it was very peaceful! It was really awesome just to be able to spend time enjoying God's creation. Being that quality time is by far my number one love language, it becomes vitally important for me to spend quality time with God in order to deepen my relationship with him. That is what these past few days were all about, and I feel mightily refreshed because of it!! :)
Some exciting news, is that I joined BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) this year! We are studying the book of John! I know absolutely no one in my group right now (there are about 10 of us), but I am excited to get to know them and be able to build relationships with them!!
A few weeks ago, Sarena and I went on my family vacation. We spent the week up in Lacrosse, WI. It was very relaxing and enjoyable! We rode a river boat, went kayaking/paddle-boarding, walked around downtown, sat at coffee shops, did an escape room (and escaped!!), rode Segways (I know...totally awesome!), and just relaxed. Then at the end of our vacation (Friday), we drove to Rochester, MN where we met up with Kevin & Nikki. Saturday morning, Nikki and I ran in a Half Marathon!! It was awesome! I have to admit I was (and am still) quite proud of my accomplishment! I have been training all summer for this and it has been on my bucket list for a long time. I even was able to met the time goal that I had set (2hrs 5min)! Huge thanks to Nikki for running it with me, it is really nice to be able to run with someone! Now onto my next goal....a full Marathon 2017. :)
Sarena, myself, Kelsy
I found my ol' man!!! :)
Too many delicious options....how do you decide!?!?!
Waiting on the river boat
Sarena & I
Selfie on the riverboat
Jeff was too lame to do this with me...so I solicited Sarena & mom:)
A stop on the Segway tour
Us with our Segway guide! Once again....Jeff was too lame (sorry if the truth stings Jeff...Xp)
Opps.....is the ball not suppose to go in the stream? :)
Analyzing the correct angle at which to strike the ball...
Batting Cages!
When you realize just how short you are........
We made sure to get our quota of ice cream:)
Friendship is never without its moments.... :p
Carb loading :)
3 Sets and a Run
Nikki & I before the race
Looks like I'm struggling...:)
Pounding out the last few feet!
Dude....WE MADE IT!!!!
The weather apparently caused my hair to get entirely knotted up!! I could literally feel my pony tail shrinking throughout the race! It took me an hour to untangle it!
We recently were able to capture our first roommate picture.....we won't mention how long we have lived together... ;)
And a couple random pictures to finish out this post....
Whole30 Egg Casserole and Ethiopian coffee!
