Monday Monday

Today is Monday.

How did you feel when you read those words?
Blah, great another Monday, yippee! It's Monday, ugh back to work!
There are many options for responses to the above statement, and most of them are negative, but let's think in a different light about Monday, specifically this Monday.

Today is not like any other Monday out of the year 2014. Today is the day after Easter. We celebrate Easter because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Today is not like any other Monday. If you are a Christian, this day has so much meaning, because we now get to live in freedom from our sin. If you are not a Christian, I pray that you will come to realize the significance of this day.

You see, on Friday and Saturday, we were still dead in our trespasses. Jesus made the sacrifice for us on Friday, and had the resurrection not taken place on Sunday, we would still be lost without hope. However, this is not the case. See Mark 16:1-8.

You matter. Your life matters.

Do you believe this about yourself? If you didn't matter, Jesus would not have sacrificed Himself for you. You are valuable and precious to God. No matter what you've done, no matter what you think or feel about yourself, and no matter what other people say about you, God's Word is what matters in the end, and He loves you dearly, even to death. You can find rest and eternal life in Christ.

When it comes to enjoying Monday, especially today - this Monday, it starts with realizing the significance of God's grace, which affects the rest of our lives. We have hope. We have purpose. We have assurance that Christ will return and that we will no longer dwell in a cursed world. No longer do we have to dread Mondays. No longer do we have to complain because the weekend is over. The work that we accomplish during the week has meaning and purpose.

I encourage you to reflect on the sacrifice that Jesus made for you. I encourage you to see how valuable you are. I encourage you to let God embrace you.

Palm Sunday

Today is Palm Sunday. This day a couple thousand years ago was the Sunday before Jesus sacrificed His life for mine. This weekend my church was going to have an outdoor picnic, but because of the weather, they had to cancel it. This meant that I had more time to rest.

It seems as though rest has been the present theme of my life. As a student working part time and being involved in various ministry settings, it is easy for my schedule to reach its max. Yet, God has been teaching me how to rest in the midst of a busy life.

Things I've noticed when I rest physically:

- more energy for daily tasks

- fewer numbers of colds

- sharper ability to focus

Things I've noticed when I rest spiritually:

- My relationship with God grows stronger as I remember and live according to the sacrifice that Jesus made for me.

- I accept that it's okay for me to be weak, because then Christ is strong in me.

- I allow my worth to come only from what God says about me instead of what I say, what others say, or what Satan says. No longer do I have to listen to the voice of the accuser.

What about you? Do you let yourself rest? What about spiritually? Who do you rely on for your strength to get through each day? You can be assured that Jesus is the only source of strength you need, and the rest that follows is sweet. 

When it comes to resting physically, what helps you relax during the week? Do you take time for yourself on weekends? How many hours of sleep do you give yourself at night? Letting yourself sleep enough hours each night is a gift that keeps on giving. On the weekends do you get pulled into work assignments that can wait until Monday?

One reason so many people dread Monday is that they have not taken enough time to rest during the weekend. Allow yourself to rest physically during the weekends. You'll be taking better care of yourself and will be ready for the week ahead.

When it comes to resting spiritually, let go of the tendency to work so much, relying on yourself, your parents' faith, or any ole version of spirituality. Let the Lord lift that burden for you and show you the joy that comes from a relationship with Him.

May the Lord draw you to Himself this week. May you find rest in God.

Is Christ Worth Living for?

Your relationship with God through Christ is the most important thing in your life.

What is your response to the above statement?
1. My whole self (heart, mind, and soul) agrees with that completely.
2. I know that in my head, but...
3. I know Jesus needs to be the most important thing in my life, but honestly speaking, He isn't.
(Fill in the blank) is more important to me.
4. I have a different religion.
5. I'm spiritual, doesn't that count?
6. I don't want anything to do with spirituality or religion.
7. I have no clue.

Christ as Center | Cross | Salvation

My encouragement to you:
1. Hold tight to your faith. Remember not to become complacent in your walk with Christ. Ask God to show you ways in which you are likely to be complacent and how to press on.

2. I applaud you for your honesty. Ask God to help you translate what you know in your head to what you can know in your heart.

3. What do you consider as most important to you? What would devastate you the most if you lost it? What do you wake up for in the morning?

4. Would your deity have compassion on you if you messed up? I know for sure that mine would. In fact, He already has. My Lord, Jesus, chose to have compassion on me knowing that I would forsake Him. He gave His life to pay the penalty for sin in my life. He did this for you, as well.

5. The joy of my spirituality is that I get to interact with the Creator of the universe. So, not only to I get to enjoy nature, but I also get to enjoy a relationship with the One who can tell me all about nature. The beauty of the Gospel is that while it celebrates creation, it also communicates to us the story of God, who wants to be the One with whom we enjoy creation. Jesus pursued us.

6. The decision is yours. I respect you. I just want you to know the deep joy you can have from relationship with God through Christ. Maybe you trust only in science. Maybe you believe religion and spirituality to be mere child's play. I challenge you reconsider this.

7. Everyone will have to make a decision at some point about a relationship with God through Christ. I encourage you to ask Jesus to be your Savior, the One who can take away the penalty of sin and who will walk faithfully with you.

Squeaky Clean

Southern tip: Always wear heels (or your favorite shoes) when cleaning the house (unless its heavy-duty cleaning).

Do you have a favorite season? If so, which one is your favorite? If not, what do you like about all of them? Seasons give us opportunities to enjoy the creativity of God. We recently transitioned from a season of lights, lavish decorations, and well-meaning resolutions to a new season of brisk weather, goal-driven lifestyles (either long-term or short-term), spring cleaning, and more time spent outside. Now that we are a few weeks into the new season, how are you spending your time?

With the change of seasons comes change in the way we lead our lives. Not only do we experience changing weather, but we also experience changing paces of life.

This also occurs in relationship with God. In your relationship with God, what do you notice about the season you are currently in? How does it affect the way you live? In each season of your relationship with God, it's good to do a "spring cleaning" of sorts. Take inventory of the things that encourage you this season. Also list out the things that cause you discomfort or even pain in this season. Ask yourself the following questions:

- What is God trying to teach me in this season?

- Give this season a title or a caption.

- What do I like most about this season?

Least?

- How am I growing from this season?

- What do I want the most out of this season?

Rooted

Southern tip: Always have a full pitcher of iced tea (preferably sweet) in your abode.

My Southern roots grow down deep into the sweetest soil right next to the most beautiful magnolia tree. Though surrounded by darkness like a mud pie, they draw nutrients from the brightest Light. In the summer, the crickets sing their songs late into a warm twinkling sky as a gentle verbena breeze brushes through my leaves. In the fall, my branches sway to the beat of a tailgate kickoff. They shimmy a wintry two-step through coldness and snow (sometimes) until those blossoms make their springtime debut. Only don't miss my blooms, for they disappear almost as soon as they blossom. They are quick and fleeting, but serve an eternal purpose.

Movie Time - Saving Mr. Banks

I have to admit, I was not sure what to expect from Disney's latest film, Saving Mr. Banks. The trailors looked entertaining, and friends said that they enjoyed the movie, but contemplative facial expressions among them stirred up curiosity in me. From dining with Mickey to singing on stage at Space Mountain to princess birthday parties and singing along with Simba in the Lion King, my heart stirs when I remember the positive influence Disney had on my childhood.

Without sharing details of the movie, Saving Mr. Banks truly brings out the magic of Disney. The film tells two separate, but interwoven, stories. It tells the story of P.L. Travers and her childhood, which more than inspires her book, Mary Poppins, and it tells the story of how Walt Disney adapted it for the big screen. The movie gives viewers a charming behind-the-scenes feel as they watch these stories unfold. Tom Hanks, who plays Walt Disney, and Emma Thompson, who plays Ms. Travers, engage audience members throughout the film. As you watch tensions rise and fall between author and producer, you become frustrated when it seems like the movie will not happen, sad when you learn of the childhoods of Ms. Travers and Mr. Disney, and you feel excited and inspired as you watch them learn to work together.

In her book, Ms. Travers tells a story she knows all too well and defends every detail of it throughout the production of the movie. She fears that Mr. Disney will communicate the story for monetary gain or greed and will end up telling the wrong story. One can see this fear vividly and understandably as the story unfolds. Yet, towards the end of the film, you learn why she wants the story told in a certain way. You also realize there is much depth to Walt Disney and the stories he wanted to tell through his entertainment business. Saving Mr. Banks shows how Ms. Travers grew from the stories of her childhood and how Disney sought to help others grow from their childhood stories, as well.

What are stories that you want to tell?