Faith

To most people July 10 is just another ordinary summer day. But to me it’s a very special day, because July 10 also happens to be my birthday.

I don’t know how it works in your family, but birthdays are a big deal on my mom’s side of the family. Not only did your birthday mean you got to choose the meal for Sunday dinner at gramma’s — it also meant you got to choose your favorite kind of cake to eat. It meant that people would shower you with love and presents all day long; It meant almost 20 people singing “Happy Birthday” to you; It meant a day totally dedicated to you.

Since my birthday is in the summer, July 10 also meant boat rides around the lake my grandparents live on. These traditions made birthdays anything but ordinary, and I felt completely loved, cherished and cared for.

Then … I grew up. Mr. MLS and I moved away. The hoopla of the magical year 21 came and went. And somewhere along the way it began to feel like my birthday was just another day. Just when I think it couldn’t get any more lackluster, this year happened.

My sweet parents were kind enough to drive to Iowa to celebrate with me in person. We were having a great time together, until Sunday rolled around. Have you ever had a day where one thing after another goes wrong? And eventually, after awhile you just start laughing at how bad the day is? Yeah. That was my birthday this year. I don’t need to go into details but I will tell you this: I’m thankful I had a sucky birthday. Why?

Because it taught me that birthdays are not about receiving attention and having everything go your way.

Nowhere in the Bible does it say everything will be perfect on our birthday. Nowhere are we told that it will be a sunny day with rainbows and butterflies and a perfectly made cake. Nowhere are we told that we will get every present we hoped for. But you know what we are told and what we are given? We are told that because of our birth, we have been given not only the free gift of life here on Earth, but also — for those who believe — the free gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord {Romans 6:23}.Read More

Silent whispers spread like wildfire around the room as my high school English teacher handed out a list of the capstone requirements for our senior class.

One of the assignments: Memorize John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address.

“Wait a minute … you want us to memorize what?” a classmate asked in disbelief. “Do you realize it’s 27 paragraphs?”

The teacher nodded and I felt worry lines form quickly across my forehead. I’ve never been good at memorizing things. In Sunday school I had a 50 percent success rate when it came to remembering the weekly scripture. There’s no way I have the time or talent to memorize this. I thought to myself. I’m just not a memorizer. Ugh. What’s the point anyways?

It strikes me that how I felt about an assignment as a senior in high school is how many of us feel about scripture memorization as grown women.

We tell ourselves we don’t have time. We tell ourselves we aren’t any good at it. We tell ourselves it’s just for kids. We tell ourselves it’s not worth it. But those are all just lies the enemy wants us to believe. Here’s the truth — You and I are both capable of memorizing scripture.

Because I was motivated to get an A in my English class, I worked hard to memorize JFK’s address and eventually accomplished the goal. I use this story as an illustration to encourage you: If a girl who’d never had a good memorization track record was able to memorize JFK’s entire inaugural address, I promise you that bible memorization is within your reach.

Memorizing is not a matter of skill — it’s a matter of motivation.

So why memorize scripture?

When we memorize something, it becomes a part of us. It has the power to transform our thoughts.It can strengthen and comfort us in our time of need.

It’s been more than six years since I memorized JFK’s address, but there are still parts and pieces that come to mind and inspire me every now and then. Although it seemed like a silly high school assignment at first, ultimately, it was the catalyst I needed to see the benefits and effects of memorization.

Once I recited the address to my teacher, I began to take scripture memorization more seriously. I worked diligently to commit the word of God to memory just as I had committed the address to memory for a school assignment. Not because I felt like I had to, but because I wanted the scripture to become a part of me. I wanted to be able to recall the Word of God whenever I needed to.

The most wonderful thing about all of this? The more I meditated on God’s word, the more I was able to claim His truths; The stronger my faith became; The more prepared I was to deal with anything that came my way; The more I appreciated the beauty of God’s story; The more I wondered at the love of our Creator.

God doesn’t just want His children to open up their Bibles on Sunday. He wants His children to be filled with His word each and every day — and He wants to use His Word to transform us from the inside out.

If you are interested in memorizing scripture, here are the top 10 verses that have transformed my walk with the Lord:

1. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Life is unpredictable and it can get really messy, really quick. Whenever the rug feels like it’s been pulled out from under my feet, I reference this verse to remind myself that God’s working all things together for my good.

2. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. 2 Timothy 1:9

Every day brings along with it a deep longing for purpose and meaning. We all want to know our life has value. But we don’t have to strive for it; We just have to follow after our Father. God has showered us with grace and saved us through His Son Jesus, and He calls us to live holy lives for His glory — not our own fame.

3. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Anytime you experience anger, bitterness, judgment, hatred, jealousy or any kind of dirty-rotten feeling, it’s time to do a gut check. Where’s your heart? Are you bearing fruit or growing thorns?Read More

This weekend my husband took an impromptu roadtrip with one of his friends to Tennessee, so that meant you know what: Lots of God time, girltalk, playing with the puppy, Netflix, chocolate, ice cream and a few glasses of wine here and there. I missed my man like crazy, but I also got to relax and spend a few days doing absolutely nothing. It was glorious.

During my moments with God and in His word I spent nearly an hour in Romans, focusing particularly on Romans 1. It’s a passage I’ve read a thousand times, but for some reason, this time I got stuck on Romans 1:9. Paul writes: “God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son.”

I know God uses people and life events to speak to us, but I find that more often than not if I want to hear directly from the Lord, it’s best to open my Bible. When I think about spending time in God’s word this way, it never feels like a chore or something to check off a daily to-do list. Because I know that each day spent in scripture is a day to receive fresh perspective and truth from my Father.Read More

I don’t have a long post for you today, just a verse to share and three words to remind you: You. Are. Forgiven. Happy Friday, friends!

He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. {Psalm 103:12}