Beautiful Love

this post will be short and sweet; I PROMISE.

So God has been sharing and revealing a heck of a lot to me recently; some through personal quiet times, other people and other lessons have come the hard way. I just wanted to share some things I've learned (am learning) so far in 2013.

1. I am learning the good side and the value in being vulnerable (aka I'm learning its okay to be "weak"). [ie. when I'm weak he is strong; and the value vulnerability holds in "community"]

2. I am learning the importance of Sabbath.

3. I am learning it's okay to say "no" sometimes; use discernment. Don't overwork, over-commit or overwhelm yourself to the point you're not effectively living out your purpose.

4. I am learning that good Financial Stewardship is hugely important.

5. I am learning that you should pay your parking and driving tickets on time (or simply avoid getting tickets) *learned this one the hard way

6. I am learning that mission work is costly (time, money, resources etc) and requires a lot of faith in God

7. I am learning that walking in integrity is an everyday every MOMENT type of thing.

8. I am learning that I CAN and WILL trust my future to God.

9. I am learning the power of reflection and debriefing.

Below is an excerpt from a Relevant Magazine Article entitled; "An Open Letter to this Generation." It stuck out to me because as a person passionate for social justice; serving, helping others and the like... The things stated here are hugely important to keep in mind being that my ultimate goal is to serve Christ and be used as a tool to bring others to him.

You know how much I affirm your commitment to justice for the poor and your rejection of an evangelism that focuses only on the “soul” and neglects peoples’ material needs. I have spent much of my life arguing on biblical grounds for precisely these concerns. But I have also watched some Christian “social activists” lose their concern for evangelism.

Evangelism and social action are inseparable. They are two sides of the same coin. But they are not identical. Working for economic development in poor communities or structural change to end systemic oppression is not the same thing as inviting persons who do not now confess Christ to embrace Him as Lord and Savior. If we only do social action and never say we do it because of Christ, our good deeds only point to ourselves and make us look good.