The Beauty of Broken People

I struck up a conversation this morning with my good friend Robin
about the story of Jonah.  Her response was one of the most
beautiful things I've ever read.  

Hope you get something out of it.

Me: When you get a chance, re-read the story of Jonah and let me know what you get out of it. I've spent all day reading and re-reading it because it's so deep and rich, yet simple. It's amazing how a city that is so wicked and evil, after one sermon, could completely repent and turn their lives around and cry out to God. It's amazing because that was God's plan all along and He WILL save even the people who everyone has the hardest time believing will EVER come to God. And I also think it's funny because people who feel so broken and unworthy of love are the most open to embracing God's love and more excited to run around proclaiming it, because they feel so unworthy. Yet, people like Jonah, feel like they have this entitlement to it, and get angry when God pours blessings over people who seem "less worthy" in their eyes. The fourth chapter boggles my mind. And I wanted to hear your thoughts on it. Whenever you get time, I know you're a busy working woman. Hope you have a blessed day!

Robin: I will read it tonight. omg just you saying that part about ppl being unworthy can receive more easily. it's so true. when we have zero religiosity we are like, the free gift of righteousness, free salvation, free healing. OK where do i sign up? it's those who fall into religiosity and pride about traditions and what they do or how they follow the rules. well, they feel entitled. and there is no mistake. it's never God + Me = salvation. it's GOD and God alone. I can do nothing without him and everything with him but it's not a collaboration. it's a "me accepting His free gift" that's why the "I can Do It" and self affirmations "all good things are coming my way today" are so dangerous. Yes, all good things are coming my way. so is favor and influence and finances, but only by the hand of God. ok, i'm off in left field. that's what was on my heart. stay pure and stay simple. that's the key. and have lots of unsaved friends. it's when we isolate and start picking and choosing and getting int the "christian club" well that's when we lose our ability to hear God. "For He did not come for those who are well but for those who were in need of a physician" I love unsaved ppl. I love broken, addicted, messed up, got no plan, got nowhere to go, got nothing going on people. I love gays, strippers, rapists, people on death row, drug dealers, cheaters, thieves, --- they are all God's favorite. They are who he came to seek and to save. he came for them. He looked upon the city and said, Look...they are like sheep without a shepherd. He came for the most vile, the most disturbed, the demon possessed, the most lowly, the most hated, the most surprising in society. He came for them. the outcasts. the ones no one wanted. the throw away people. and he delivered them and said, child...you are mine. you are my prize. you are my beloved. come home. he said that to the wicked city of ninevah. he looks at us like we would look at our own children. when you look at your child, even on death row because they've killed someone...you say, that's my baby and i can see the little boy or little girl inside. God sees us like that. He sees the helpless place that we try to cover up with motivation or anger or a fake smile or a boyfriend, girlfriend, food, drugs, etc...he sees that broken child and says...I'm here and its time to come home. He never looks at our mess. He looks at His creation. Ok, gotta work. i love you so much! I'll read Jonah tonight.

Two Big Reasons for Growth

I've been living with my father since we moved down to Florida (from Wisconsin) in late June of 2010.  It's been a roller-coaster of a ride, to say the least.  However, living with him has brought me to places of brokenness, gratefulness, self-reflection, challenge, and patience that I'd never thought possible.  I'm sure he is completely unaware of how much he has actually impacted my faith, but I know God brought me to this place with him for a bigger purpose.  I always thought it was my role to bring my father closer to God, but little did I know God was using my circumstances to reveal to me some of my own deep rooted sin that I'd never seen before. And for all that, I am blessed.

Meet Kerem, what a blessing she has been to my life this year.  When I came back to Orlando this January, I was about as far from God as a girl could get, lost in the confusion, loneliness, and pain that my choices, mistakes, and sin had brought me to.  Lucky for me, she had just gotten home from Passion 2012 and  was able to pour the love of Christ all over my life. She challenged me to get right with God and to not hide from opportunities to surround myself in a community of believers, because that was the only way I was going to truly be able to step away from the lifestyle I had been living.  She has challenged me like none of my other friends have before.  I've never felt so blessed to have someone like her in my life.  These past few months she has literally become like a sister to me, and I couldn't imagine life without her anymore.  It's amazing the impact some people can have on your life when you really open up and let them in. I can't wait to see the places God takes us and the experiences we go through the following years.