Perfection

Per-fec-tion:
1. the quality or state of being perfect: as
a: freedom from fault or defect: flawlessness...
2. a: exemplification of supreme excellence
b: an unsurpassable degree of accuracy or excellence
3: the act or process of perfecting

It's in the dictionary, but in the Biblical sense I don't think it is even possible.  It doesn't stop people from labeling various things as having perfection.  The first thing that comes to mind is Kelly Osborn on Fashion Police.  Any Joan Ranger would know when an outfit looks amazing Kelly is the very first person to call it Perfection.  I even like the way she says it and she is usually spot on with her favorite pick.

Needless to say, most people strive for Perfection.  But, realistically speaking we will always fall short.  If this is consistently our goal, it is possible to be unsatisfied and unfulfilled if you are not careful.  When we will fall short, we could have the feeling that we can never measure up or achieve our goal.  Though, it shouldn't stop us from striving for Perfection. 

My Senior Quote in our yearbook was, "Shoot for the Moon and you are sure to land among the Stars."  This quote reminds me, that while true Perfection is impossible, if you aim for it then you will and should be proud of your results.  This is the reason people tell me all the time how detail oriented I am.  I work hard and pour over the details.  If I can check and double check things to look for accuracy then I may be close to getting things just right.  It may turn out that I fall short but if I am truly honest with myself and the effort, then I can sure be proud of my results.  I also really enjoy being efficient.  "Work smarter, not harder."  I use that as my personal motto as well.

But when we fall short, The Trick is to accept the Grace of God that we can never become perfect.  Jesus was the only one who anyone can ever say was perfect.  He lived a completely blameless life.  Thus when he was sacrificed, it paid the price so we could have a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior. So give yourself a break.  Do your best and you will never have any regrets.  I truly believe that and this is why I work so hard.  I try to take pleasure in the small things and joys I come across.  I accept the Grace of God and live a life I can be proud of because I always give it my all.

Don't Give up on Me!!

"Don’t Give Up On Me"
Jason Aldean
I don’t to church enough
I curse out loud, I drink too much
I’m more of a sinner than a saint
Got a dusty Bible on my shelf
I just pick it up when I need help
Lord know there’s a lot I need to change
And I want to, baby, you make me want to
You tie the knot
When I’m at the end of my rope
You never stop believin’ in me
When I don’t know who I am
Or what I’m supposed to be
I don’t give you no good reason
But baby, don’t give up on me...

Some times people need to know that someone believes in them. If you feel like there is not anyone who believes in you, know this... God never stops believing in you! God will always give you a second chance when you don't think anyone else will. God wants to be there for you all the time not just when you need help. Pray to God when you are thankful not just when you want something. The more in tune with God you become the more his will for your life will be clear.

Jason Aldeans song "Don't Give up on Me" starts out telling a very familiar story. Someone feeling like they are not good enough or can't measure up.  But let's be honest, this is all of us.  We can strive to be perfect but we will never be that way so we need to accept God's grace and forgiveness! 

In the song I feel like the "Baby" could be replaced with "Lord."  When he says, "You tie the knot, when I'm at the end of my rope" I believe this is how the Lord Loves us.  He is there for us when we have nothing else or anyone else.  The Lord doesn't let us slip away... ever.  All we have to do is reach out and grab on to the rope of salvation.

The Struggle

I have had my fair share of struggles.  I have gone through long periods of sickness, I was laid off three times in Commercial Real Estate before I went into different fields, and I had loved and lost multiple times.  Now I am healthy, I love my job, and I am married to the most incredible man!  Without having lived my life and experiencing the struggles, I could never fully appreciate the blessings God has given me.  I always knew in my heart that God was with me and leaning into him and my loved ones is what carried me through the trials in my life.

It is kind of like appreciating a rainbow, or two, after a huge storm.  Or witnessing the most beautiful sunrise after the darkness of night.  The colors seem so brilliant when you gaze at a rainbow and the sun and breeze feel heavenly after leaving the shadows.  God let's us experience life, and unfortunately he can't protect us from bad things happening to us.  What he can do is give you the strength to persevere and he can carry you through the darkness or help you move past the trying periods in your life.  He blesses you with the grace to stay strong when we feel like we can't go on anymore.

My favorite quote is from the United States Declaration of Independence:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." 

We have the right to pursue happiness and have a will to thrive.  I don't know why but this is so profound to me.  No one ever said we had the right to be happy.  It is something I strive for every day and I make my own happiness by enjoying the little things and living in the moment.   It is a journey we are on all of our days to live life to the fullest, keeping all the while our inner joy.  Letting our light shine bright and loving others as Jesus and the Lord so loved us.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 NIV

Be True to Yourself

I may not be some things but I always strive to be myself and be true to my beliefs!!  I want to be known for loving myself for who I am and never trying to be something I'm not.  Having a solid relationship with yourself and your Heavenly Father are two of the most important things we can do.  Besides feeling accepted by our peers it is essential to accept yourself, to love your imperfections and realize you are only human.  Some people try to hold themselves to impossible standards and in that case are never happy or satisfied.  I'm can't imagine worrying all the time about being perfect, which is not humanly possible.

Jesus came and died for our sins so that we may have a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Since we are not perfect we could never be right in God's eyes unless we have the grace of Jesus.  His blood made the relationship possible because he paid the price so we can have a atonement for our sins. 

God made us just the way he wanted us.  Who are we to say that we are not good enough?  God doesn't make mistakes.  When Jesus is the one strengthening us what can stop us.  I love leaning into the Almighty and knowing he is rooting for me and that he is on my side, cheering me on the whole time.  He is desperate to have a relationship with us and just loves us unconditionally. 

The Northpoint Ministries is doing a series called "Climate Change" and the big take aways is that: Acceptance is the cure for insecurity.  Our views of ourselves improves when we learn to see ourselves the way God sees us.  We are already accepted by God and that is enough.  His love is complete.  If we don't learn to accept ourselves then our insecurities will follow us through life and we will not be satisfied.  Learn to love yourself, accept, and try to see you as God sees you.  He is proud of you!!

You can watch the full message here.

The Account of YOUR Life...

What am I doing with what I have?!  When I give an account of my life on judgement day to the Lord, I will not compare my story to anyone else. In the end, all that will matter is how I lived my own life.  Comparing our lives to other people is a waist of time!! In deciding where you will spend eternity, it will not matter how other people treated you, it will depend on how you treat other people!  It will not matter how much money you make, it will matter how you give back.  How you give back to God's Kingdom.  How have you blessed other people with the blessings God has graced you with in your life?

What a thought!!

Think about the people that are heroes.  The people that inspire us.  They are the people that help in others time of need.  The people that come to mind are the women and men in uniform.  They sacrifice, they lead, they save.  They fight for justice and freedom... so we don't have to be in danger.  They physically leave their family and loved ones to serve our country.  They leave their families to ensure that the greater good can rest easily.  While we sleep, they are vigilant.  They keep watch, and often times put themselves in EXTREME danger.  Most people don't think twice about how safe and fortunate we are to live in a society that respects every walk of life and our freedoms. 
 
Jesus is the ULTIMATE hero, and He inspires me!!

I really don't care what people say about religion and politics in our country.  The Lord is part of us and our Nation.   "IN GOD WE TRUST," American Money!!  We shouldn't have to hide or feel sorry for having a relationship with our Savior.  God is alive and well!  God commands us to love one another.  "So now I am giving you a new commandment:  Love each other.  Just as I have loved you, you should love each other," John 13:34 NIV.  Christians and other religions that know God and accept His love, realize when you show love, you model God.  We shouldn't have to hide our love for one another, just like we shouldn't have to hide our love for the Lord. 

The difference between Christianity and other religions is the realization that Jesus came as God in human form and He so loved the world that He died the most humiliating and excruciating death on a cross so we will ALWAYS be forgiven.  If this wasn't the case we would still be making animal sacrifices trying to make atonement for our sins.  Now, it is so easy to be forgiven just by letting Jesus into our hearts.  All we have to do is pray to God admitting that we are sinners.  Realizing we can NEVER be good enough or do enough to live a blameless life.  Then we ask for forgiveness of the sins in our life.  We ask God to live in our hearts.  Then we accept his grace that we don't have to be perfect and we never will be.  We can be forgiven because Jesus already paid the price with His blood for our sins.  Jesus died so we could have a relationship with God. 

So, on judgement day this is how my conversation with God will go:

"I know you are Lord. I know that you died for me. You died so I could be forgiven.  I am forgiven and I accepted your grace.  You showed me grace so I showed others grace.  You love me, so I loved others.  By this love, they knew I am yours." 

Then I will ask him, "Pretty please, can I share eternity with you?!"
 
Then He will reply, "Yes, you are MINE!!"

Humility, Truth, and Grace

One of the things I love most in people is a humble spirit.  There is nothing that can replace someone who is not proud or boastful.  This is actually one of the main reasons I feel in love with my husband.  He is the most humble person I know.  He is the type of person that has a lot of things to boast about and many accomplishments, but he is not the one who will tell you about them.  He works so hard.  Not to show off but for his personal drive.  He has worked so hard and after 3 years of working full time and taking MBA evening classes, he is about to graduate!  I am the one who has to brag on him! 

I feel it is the type of thing that it is better for people to bring up your accomplishments and be humble. Rather than trying to show off!  I admire this quality in people a lot.  It is so cool to know someone and like them and then have no idea what they do.  To like them for who they are and not what they do.  I always would prefer for someone to like me for the real me.  I never pretend to be someone I'm not.  I have a personal motto that, "I would rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I am not."

Obviously I would prefer to be liked.   "Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible." 1 Corinthians 9:19  I try to love like Jesus loves, to be his disciple.  I want to love one another as Jesus loves us.  "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another!" John 13:35 NIV

Andy Stanley brought up a great point the other day during part of his series "Christian," there is a tension when we want to love like Jesus.  We are often tempted to resolve the tension.  Don't walk away from the truth that we are sinners and accepting the grace to be loved by Jesus.  He brings up the story in the Bible where Jesus tells a crowd that whom ever has never sinned they can throw the first stone.  We have to live a life full of truth and grace. Jesus came to seek and save, he came for sinners.

The truth is we are sinners, and the grace is Jesus couldn't love us less!!  We must love others this way!

You can hear more messages from Andy Stanley by clicking here.

So grateful... I'm scared

I know I need to trust the Lord. I need to embrace the fact that whatever the circumstance, whatever the situation, every day, every year, for a lifetime because God loves you and Jesus wants to be your friend forever.  Our church, is part of the Northpoint ministries , teaches this and our mission is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

I know he is my friend and he loves me forever.  I know this, I always have and always will.

But then the small voice in my ear, that evil voice whispers to me.  It doesn't seem loud but it is there...

"You're life is too good.  Bad things are about to happen."

So then I pray, "God you are so good.  I love you.  I am so grateful.  Everything I have is from you.  Everything that is good in my life, great in my life, every thing... I know it is a blessing from you AND I don't and never will take any of it for granted!!"

Gosh, it feels really good to write this down.  I confess to you that I know that voice is not mine and not Gods... It is empowering.  God never wants or wishes bad things on anyone.  If anything God knows a true believer will trust him and be grateful for the blessings in our life, no matter had small.

I feel so blessed: physically, emotionally, and personally.

Physically:  I am fit, I work out, I have lost 6 pounds.  I have recovered from a broken collar bone, too many sprained ankles, and breaking my nose... twice.

Emotionally: I am truly happy.  I love my job. I have healthy relationships in my life.  I have people that love me.  I feel satisfied with everything in my life.  I don't want for anything.

Personally:  I have the most amazing husband.  He is not perfect.  But he is definitely perfect for me!!!  I love waking up every day.  I know I can overcome any obstacle. I have been through a lot of things.  My life may not be the way I would have thought it would be... It is better.  My life is way better than anything I could have ever dreamed. I prayed for things and God answered the prayers he did because he knew how things would turn out.  He is always with me.  It is a very comfortable feeling.  A loving feeling knowing my Abba knows and has planned my life so that I may honor Him and give back to Him, living my life as a testimony of His will and grace.

So because of this I wake up everyday grateful.  I look at my husband, I am grateful. I look at my things, and know they are just things.  I love my family and friends, you guessed it... so grateful!!

So when I hear that voice whispering that bad things will happen, I'm going to say out loud... "God is with me, with Him I am safe and what ever comes along I will handle it and adapt." Because in all honestly I know from my life especially, His plan is the BEST plan!!

Love and Heroes Persevere

There are times in my life I can remember, when I was so discouraged, concerned about what people thought of me, but most of all embarrassed with my situations and or mental health.  The best part of these times and the things that get me through it is Love.  The Love of my family, friends, doctors, teachers and coworkers has helped me through some very tough times!  For that, I thank all of you!!!!  I hope you know how much you all have meant to me and the amazing influence you have had in my life.

None of these incredible people let me feel sorry for myself.  They are some of the most positive people I have ever known.  Your encouragement has given me strength to never give up.   I can be positive because I have the Love of these people and I know the Love of the Lord.  How the Lord is perfect in his Love for each of us.  People need to just be Loved no matter what.  Through a relationship with Jesus you can be surrounded by his Love. People need someone to believe in them, when we don’t believe in ourselves.  The Lord doesn’t and will never give up on us, even in our darkest days. 

People need someone to say: “Everyone has something they are going through or dealing with in their own lives.” When we seem excited or surprised when someone likes us, it brings confidence to say, “What’s not to like?” something my mom has always said.  People need someone to remind us about our good qualities when we get hurt emotionally.  Sometimes the best thing we can do is to just hold someone when they are balling their eyes out. Sometimes we need to hear “take things one day at a time.”  Sometimes we need to stop, and be grateful for our blessings. When we are going through a trail the best thing to do is to think about how “one day this too shall pass,” something my Aunt says about her cancer.

Being brave means so many things to me.  When I think of the brave people I know, they don’t give up or stop pursuing their mission.  Bravery doesn’t waiver in its beliefs or goals. Heroes don’t stop or give up when faced with adversity.  They pursue.  They persevere.  They only think of succeeding, they are relentless in doing whatever seemingly impossible task they are undertaking.

A person in armed forces, those who protect, and public service personnel these are my heroes.  People that have not given up on all possible solutions to live a healthier life, these are my heroes.  For every man, woman or child that has been abused, or is an addict and works through the recovery process, these are my heroes.  People who forgive someone, even if it is unhealthy to have them in your life, these are my heroes. 

The news and media are filled with terrible things, and exploiting people’s misfortune.  What is rarely on the news are millions of people all over the world that make it a place I love to live in every day. A place where there is hope, love, and grace.  The Lord blesses us and those who work in his name by giving us the ultimate gift… eternal life.   

The best part, it doesn’t cost a thing.

Where will 2012 take us?

 

Jasper Johns "Map" 1961 with Karlie and Laura at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, GA

Life is a journey and we are all along for the ride.  We create our own path and sometimes it feels like we are lost in the dark.  Sometimes it feels like we are just passing through with a temporary situation.  Sometimes we try to think about our future or where we will be, but we really have no idea what will happen or what is in store.

I feel comforted to know that the Lord is always with me.  The Lord's love gives me peace and I feel like I have a path that is lit  by grace.  All I have to do is remain humble and ask for the forgiveness we all desperately need in our lives.  I have been faithful in the small things and the Lord keeps blessing me with more responsibility and more blessings.

Every joy in our lives should be treasured.  I am not talking about material things. I mean loved ones, friends, and the experiences we will treasure that will last us a life time.

I have no idea what 2012 will have for me, but I am grateful for the blessing of being alive.  Life is the biggest blessing of all.  The chance to become a better person.  The opportunity to help someone in need.  The blessing and peace to have the Lord in your heart.  The courage to endure when you are confronted with a trial.  The memories that only come from living life to the fullest.  And the passion for the love of life to get caught up in the moment to never care if you are the only one dancing!

This year I hope that my spirit is a light that shines so bright I will glow.  I want to always have my rain boots nearby so I dance and twirl in the rain.