All of those lies...

The lies that people tell about us hurt. I won't debate that. When you allow those lies to take root in your heart, they become a reality to you. They strip you of your God-given strength and you lose the courage to step out in faith. The amount of pain that comes from those lies is great and depending on the person it can take years to repair the hurt and pain that comes with them.

I pray that you read this and believe that it is coming from a genuine place: I'm sorry. I'm sorry for your pain, I'm sorry that you were lied to for all of those years. I'm sorry that those lies crippled you and caused you to not trust anyone. I'm sorry that you never got that apology from the loved one who hurt you so long ago. I'm sorry. 

If I write nothing else my desire is for you to realize this truth: all of the lies that you heard in the past were just that...LIES. They had no place being spoken into your life then and they certainly have no place in your life now. See them for what they are so that you can move on to bigger and better things.

My story is full of bumps and bruises. Stories of hurt and pain. My past could have made me bitter but I've chosen to have joy. Why? Because my strength, my desire to go on, comes only from God. He makes me unstoppable because greater is He who is within me than he who is within the world (1 John 4:4). He renews my strength (Isaiah 40:31, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10). I've tried to do things on my own for so long but have failed time and time again. I am but flesh, weak in every way, but the truth is I rather be weak any day knowing that God is on my side than to boast of my own strength independent of God.

Be love and be open to receive love.

Love in Action

I will never boast of perfection and praise be to God that though I am not where I want to be I am not where I used to be. I don't have all of the answers but I can point the way to God, the only one who does.

God is love

Our creator, our source, our everything

I say love is all you need

But do you really believe it?

I write about LOVE a lot. My focus isn't on romantic love but the love of God towards His children and the love we were created to show towards God and to each other; as brothers and sisters. Every day is a celebration of love; it is only by the grace and the love of God that we arose to see another day. Think for a minute about those who didn't wake up this morning. Tomorrow isn't promised so I challenge you to start showing love today.

Love in action simply means reflecting love through your actions. Love is more than just words. How genuine would you think my love is if my actions never lined up with my confession of love?

Ever hear of the 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman? I would encourage you to take this test! http://www.5lovelanguages.com/profile/ Be honest with your answers and this tool will single out your primary love language and will also give you insight into how others receive love. It can actually change the way you connect with those close to you and will enhance your relationships/communication. I challenge you to demonstrate love with your words and your actions. Treat people with the love and kindness that you expect to receive. The biggest challenge will be showing love to those who show you hate but we are called to love even those who hurt us (Matthew 5:44). 

1 Corinthians 13 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible; it not only describes what love is but also describes the characteristics of God and in turn the characteristics that are to be true about us. Try substituting "love" with "God" and then try substituting "love" with "your name". This is love in action.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.