One Year!

A year ago yesterday (August 10th), I started going to Fountain of Life. Upon the suggestion of a friend who could tell I wasn't happy with my current church (where I was raised and never intended on leaving), I went to FOLF and never looked back. It was an instant awareness that this was the right thing for me. As hard as it was to take a step in a direction opposite of what I had planned, it had to be done. It has seriously been the biggest blessing and such a sign of grace on my life. Why the Lord continues to rain down blessings on me, I will never understand. His love is unfathomable to me.

I've honestly learned more in the last year (not only about the Bible, but about myself), than I did in the 22 previous years of my life. I believe in the leadership, I trust the teaching, and I love the congregation. One of my biggest desires was to be a youth group leader and I knew that would never happen before. Now, one year later, I have grown to love the FOLF youth group and can't wait to see it grow, grow, grow (physically and, most importantly, spiritually). 

So grateful and so blessed to be part of this group, the body of Christ!

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."-Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)

The Love of Money

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, I send a text message to 13 women at 6:30 a.m. The goal of this text is to get everyone up and out of bed in time to spend some quality devotional time with the Lord before shuffling off to work, school, or whatever mom/wife tasks they have that day. I include a verse to kick-start the day.

Today's verse is Hebrews 13:5.

"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'” (ESV)

Living in Orange County, this is not an easy task. ;) People love their things. Big houses, expensive cars, lots of bling- whatever it is. I'm definitely guilty of this! I can't afford a big house or an expensive car but I catch myself desiring to have these things "when I'm older". I'm not saying it's necessarily bad to want or have these things, but when our love and desire for these things goes above and beyond our love and desire for Christ and His glory, it becomes idolatry.

Lately I've been trying to keep my priorities in check. I want to make sure God's glory is first in my life. Sadly, that's definitely not always the case. I am prayerfully hoping that it becomes easier and easier to just naturally desire God's glory above anything else. After all, the promise that Christ will never leave or forsake me is way better than anything I could buy.

"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."-Matthew 6:20 (NIV)