How to Fall in Love with God 101

My friend Matt sent this to me, it's kind of long, but extremely worth reading! I have been struggling a lot lately with "love" and this hit the nail directly on the head! It was written by Kelly Needham (the wife of the Christian artist Jimmy Needham) and I really feel like it's something that everyone can benefit from, girls and guys alike. -Tay
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How to Fall in Love with God 101

"I believe that one of the biggest reasons that we, as Christian girls, struggle with the issue of longing for marriage more than God is because we don't know how to fall in love with God. We have been taught how to obey and please God, but we do not know how to grow in our love for Him and fall deeper in love with the character of our Creator.


Consider this analogy:

My husband Jimmy and I are walking along the beach at sunset holding hands. From the outside, this appears to be a romantic relationship. But let's say that during this whole walk along the beach, I am not thinking of Jimmy, but of a guy in one of my classes. I think about what he said to me today, how he looked, the way he treats people, and how much I am looking forward to seeing him the next day. Anyone would say that that is wrong, it is emotional infidelity, emotional lust. Although it looks as though I am in love with Jimmy to everyone else, I am doing all the right things to look like I'm in love with Jimmy, my heart is set on someone else. This is exactly what we have done in our relationship with God! We know what to do to look like we are passionate about God, about our Lord Jesus: we talk about Him, we memorize scripture, and we attend Bible studies and things that are about Him. But our hearts are set on something else: usually marriage, a relationship with a man here on earth.



Our hearts long to be in a passionate, consuming, loving relationship; we were created for this. So when we do not find this fulfilling relationship in God, we naturally look for it in other things: mainly guys. This is a terrible situation here, because what is our GREATEST commandment? To "love the Lord you God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul, and all your strength" (Mark 12:29-30)!! Not simply love God more than everything else, not just put God first in your daily activities, but LOVE HIM PASSIONATELY!! What does it mean to love someone with all your heart? To love someone with all your mental capacity? To love someone with your whole being? With all the strength that you have within you? That is a passionate love!

But all we know to do is to please God, how to do the things that He would want us to do, how to look like we are passionate about Him. But our hearts are set on something we perceive to be more passionate. Let me ask you this? As Jimmy and I are walking along the beach, do you think that he is more interested in me simply doing what pleases him, or in me getting to know him and falling in love with him and then in turn doing things that make him happy because I love him dearly? The latter choice of course! No one wants to be in a relationship where their spouse is only there to serve them.


In the same way, it is a good thing to do and learn what pleases God, but what is our GREATEST COMMANDMENT? "To love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul, and with all your strength." Do this and love your neighbor as yourself and Jesus said that "all the law and the prophets hang on these commands." (Matt 22:40). Every other thing, every other command in the Bible falls under this one! We have been taught backwards. We have been taught how to do so many things that look like we are passionate about God and somehow fall in love with Him in the process. Instead, let us seek God with all our hearts, and learn about Him, get to know Him, and fall in love with Him, and NATURALLY we will desire to serve Him, because we love Him.


But this concept of falling in love with God seems so unattainable, doesn't it? How do you fall in love with God anyway? Here are a few practical things that have helped me to fall in love with the person of God. They honestly look a lot like what you would do with a guy if you were dating him. I pray that they would help you to fall deeper in love with who God is as well.


~Journaling: I write out my thoughts to God alot. That's what you would do with a guy if you were dating him and getting to know him: you would tell him what's on your heart. So do the same with God. I really like writing because it helps me to not daydream while I'm praying and to stay on one train of thought... kind of like if I were talking. Some of my best times with Jesus have been sitting outside with my journal and writing my thoughts about life, love, friends, God, guys, my struggles, my joys, to God himself. And I would pause in between to simply enjoy the beautiful scenery around me and think about how God made everything I see with his own hands.


~Think about God: This is one thing we do with guys so easily but not with God. We think about guys, we dwell on thoughts about them. Spend some time thinking about God, how He is the Maker of who you are, the Creator of the World, the one who saved you from eternal damnation. The reason that I am scared of conflict is because of Him, the reason that I love to play violin is because of Him, the reason that I hate cantaloupe (haha) is because of Him.... He created all my ins and outs and its so fun to think about why He did and why He thought I would be most beautiful to Him if He made me this way. Think about the way He cares so much for you that He sent Jesus to die to make a way for you to be with Him. If you can even set aside 15 minutes each day to just "day dream" about God, that is a start.


~Meditate on and memorize scripture: One of the best ways to really think on the things of God and on him is by memorizing scripture because it is so powerful! If you can find a couple verses that remind you of how much God cares for you and loves you, then try to memorize them, or write them on note cards to carry in your purse. Then you can read them each time you feel lonely or unloved or like you need a guy and ask God to make himself real to you that day. Some of my favorite verses are Psalm 139:17-18 (well all of Psalm 139 really).


~ASK! and you shall receive:
God says to ask and you will receive (matt 7:7) but so often we don't ask! So when you think about it, just say a quick prayer, a specific prayer, to ask God to reveal himself to you in a new way that day, or to speak to you through the Bible, or to help you fall in love with him, etc. You will be surprised how much asking does... =)

These are just a few ways I have found that truly help me to connect with the Lord in a deep way and provide avenues to fall in love with Him. But these are definitely not the only ways! I have friends who paint or write poetry to connect to God, and girls who sit outside in silence to study God's creation.
If you know of other things that have helped you to truly experience God in a fresh way, that cause you to fall more in love with Him, and that help you to get to know Him better, please post it as a comment for this blog so that other's who read this can benefit from it!

Lord God, I pray that you would reveal yourself in a new and fresh way to all who read this so that they might fall more in love with who you are and be able to count all things a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing YOU! Amen."

Kelley Needham's MySpace

I think I'm going insane...

Seriously how come I go through these phases where I'm fine, concentrated on my school work, enjoying church/XA and growing closer to the Lord, little things happen but I brush them off because in the overall perspective they aren't that big of a deal, then...

BAM!

It's like I full out hit a wall. I want to know my future, I want to know if there's a guy who will love me forever, be with me, stay with me, and grow with me in our relationship with the Lord. Wow, where did that come from (again)? Why does this happen? Where am I going to be in a year, who knows. not me. what job will I have after college? again...who knows, not me. @%&@$%&@ I'm so sick of all this uncertainty, I know that everything is NOT ABOUT ME. I don't want it to be, I just want some clues, just some simple clues for direction.

Easter Weekend --He Has Risen!

What a long and amazing weekend! It all started with the girls sleepover on Friday night; great time for eating junk food, and watching "Ella Enchanted." We all crashed around 2am. Besides Renee I was the first one awake Saturday morning, so I decided to make the cinnamon rolls Cassie had planned for us to eat. By the time they were done the majority of the girls were up and wandering around. Cassie, April, Jenni, and I took our cinnamon rolls, cereal, and oranges outside by the jacuzzi to eat. It was an awesome morning with some special friends. =D

I left around 9:30am to head to my churches annual Easter Egg Hunt. This year I was given the opportunity to face-paint. Lemme tell ya, I got really good at bunnies, Easter eggs, and flowers! Of course we had to have the skulls and snakes for the boys ;-p It was a great morning, the skit was so funny it captured the children's attention, and it brought the good news that He has risen!

My mom made the decision a few years ago to forgo the Easter baskets and simply take my sister and I shopping. With Alexis being in Spain for her spring break, it made this afternoon a really nice mother/daughter experience. She bought me some new tanks, shoes, shorts, skirts, a swim suit, and other essentials. It truly was a fun bonding time!

Around 5:30pm my LLT (long lost twin), Ashley showed up. It was time to get ready for Ladies Night Out. Back story: Ladies Night Out is an annual event the Chi Alpha guys put together to show us girls how special we truly are. How to be loved, served, and doted upon in a Christian-brotherly way. Each year peoples lives are touched and transformed. This year was no different.

LNO '08 took place at Desert Life Church in Scottsdale, AZ. As soon as we arrived our cars were valet parked and we were promptly given tickets to claim our cars at the end of the evening (of course I lost it within the first 5min). We were each escorted into the building, where the first picture of the night was taken, red carpet style! (Thank you Kurtis for escorting me in). We were then taken to a table, our chair was pulled out, and we were seated. The decorations were beautiful, each table had a bowl with marbles, blue water, and a live beta fish. Surrounding this were 3 candles, glitter, and table settings complete with an amazing letter written by our brothers and a business card for us to utilize if we ever get a flat tire, need someone to walk us to our car, help move something etc.

The night was full of humor, entertainment, and uplifting testimonies directed at us girls. The food was absolutely delicious, Kent and Waylon are amazing chefs whether they admit it or not. The appetizers included spinach and crab dips accompanied by fresh bread. My meal consisted of talapia, steamed veggies, and rice. For dessert I chose the homemade biscuit with strawberries and cream. Needless to say, I was extremely full and happy (physically and spiritually) by the end of the evening.

Throughout the event there were many things the guys said to us that made an impact. For myself it was Eric's statement on a person's value that stuck with me. "Everyone on this earth has a value, just remember you are worth one Jesus." Me? Worth one Jesus... most of the time I don't feel like I'm worth much. It's so amazing to think that my heavenly father used his son to pardon all of our sins, showing how much we truly mean to him as his daughter/son. The hardest realization of all is that even if I were the only person here on earth God would have still sent His son to die for ME. Pretty powerful, right?

Guys, the food was amazing, the service impeccable, the testimonies extremely thoughtful, and the love shown unbeatable! Any guy in our future has a lot to live up too! =]

Ladies Night Out '08 Photo Album

Easter Sunday started off with Sunrise Service at 7am, we had great music and an awesome message delivered by JD. It dealt with the weeds that infect the wheat. In order to save the wheat for harvest the weeds must be allowed to manifest and grow within the wheat, otherwise picking it out could damage the entire wheat crop. We cannot go through the future "harvest" and determine the wheat from the weeds, that is not our place. We are to welcome, encourage, and grow strong Christians, so at the time of the harvest...we and they will not end up being deemed weeds. The pancake breakfast served afterwards was absolutely delicious, thanks goes out to all the men who started cooking the day before. After Sunday School we headed to contemporary service, where yet again we experienced great music and an awesome message (this time delivered by Pastor Orr). I never knew all the things Jesus had to take care of during the time between his death and resurrection...if you're interested, ask me! =D That evening Alexis returned from Spain, she bought me this really cool leather bracelet from Madrid. Her boyfriend Barry and Pastor Orr joined us for Easter dinner around 6pm, overall it was a very enjoyable time. He is risen. He is risen indeed!

So this weekend was AWESOME, I am not looking forward to the ticket that will come in the mail later this month (speed camera on the 101), but there's nothing I can do about that now.

Lead Climbing & Prayer Walking!

Yesterday was just one of those good days, you know the kind... you wake up and have ample time to get ready. You get to your destination on time, classes aren't strenuous, you have time to go home and rest for a few hours. It was so nice. Stephanie and Phil met me at my house around 3pm, we ate a late lunch, then headed to Wal*Mart so Phil could pick up some athletic shorts to go climbing in. Of course a short trip to Wal*Mart is never that, we left around 4:30 and headed to the rock gym. While there Jeremy noticed Phil and my ATCs were clean and never used outside, when he discovered we didn't have ropes/lead climbing knowledge, he offered to teach us(for FREE)! I'm so excited for that! Steph did really well for it being her first time, I thought it was hilarious when Phil asked: "did I look like that when I started!?" ...yes Phil you did. I did. Esther did. It's just not pretty in the beginning. haha! Stephanie went home for her uncle's going away shin-dig, and Phil and I went to Del Taco, our pre-Chi Alpha ritual.

Easter is this Sunday (I hope you knew this by now!) so Chi Alpha was participating in Rez-week once again, this being my third year. Instead of taking out trashes and cleaning toilets I opted for the clearing of tables at Pitchforks Diner. However it was closed, so we helped clean the MU and then decided to Prayer Walk the campus! It was one of the best experiences I've had walking with a small group praying over the needs of ASU. At some point I can remember jumping up and down full of joy and enthusiasm knowing God was right there with us! Worship was absolutely amazing last night, the songs were perfect for everything I was going through. One song in particular brought me to tears (as it always does)...the lyrics are so powerful. The song is titled "In Christ Alone." I believe it epitomizes the entire reason we, as firm believer's in Christ, celebrate Easter. Here are the lyrics:

"In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand."

The video is pretty intense. Enjoy =]

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In other news...mom and I went and looked at a few Mazda 3's today. My parents are thinking of giving my car to my sister. I realized I really do like my car, it's like a mini-luxury vehicle... great stock system, sun/moon roof, power everything, 5-speed manual, 30+ mpg, leather seats/steering wheel, good acceleration. Yeah it's an '05 Hyundai GT, nothing spectacular by any means, but it gets me where I need to go in comfort.Plus, I don't know if I can find a car I could afford with all of those features!

Spring Break '08

This past week seemed to fly by so quickly I'm not even sure how to adequately write about it! However, I'll start at the beginning and try to include as much as possible.

Friday-Monday (March 7th-10th)

Havasupai was such an amazing experience! It was a "I can do this, I will do this, I'm not sure if I'll repeat anytime soon," type of deal. I'm sure if I had my own backpack and not one as big as myself it would have made it a bit easier, haha. Anyway... The 13mi hike in the middle of the night by headlamp, now that was interesting...was completed in 4hrs, I was the first girl! I'll never forget my "parting the red sea" moment with Kent, or when we thought we were lost, haha. Camping near the 200ft waterfall (Mooney-pictured) was so worth it! It was interesting to wake up that first morning and realize I had thrown my sleeping bag down not more than 20ft from the edge of the waterfall... The first day was spent sleeping in to about 11am, even though I had to leave my warm cozy bag around 8am then return thanks to all the water I drank on the way in. We ate brunch, then Kent and I decided we wanted to explore the other side of the waterfall, so we trekked through some crazy planks posing as bridges. We also attempted to go squirreling...we wanted to catch one and throw it into the river to see if it could swim. The second day we spent hiking down to the falls, and exploring around. A small group of us bouldered up to a cave, we managed to fit five people into it at one time. We encountered a rope swing, which I went on twice. Once I hit the water, my breathe was definitely gone, it was so cold. On the way out we managed to hike up a waterfall with significantly warmer water. My two days time spent there, the trekking adventures had, and the friendships grown (and made) were great! The 13mi hike out was a bit more painful thanks to my ankle (I forgot my brace) but I finished in 5hrs...I was proud of myself despite the tears of pain coming from my eyes.

Havasupai Photo Album

Wednesday (March 12th)
This was a night of firsts & lasts. Erik is really leaving... it's just weird. No longer will I drive to the Alta Springs Apartment Complex. No longer will he be at Sunday School, Church, go out to lunch with the family, just a phone call away, or right down the street. He's going home, and rightly so... he's been here much longer than expected, not to say that I didn't enjoy the company. There are many memories that will stay with me forever. This was one.

"Nickelback, Starbucks, Las Sendas, and the Desert at Night." One last night with one great friend! I'm going to miss you buddy, good luck with the rest of your flight training and your future career. Keep in touch, and I'll see you soon. =]

(Dropped him off at the airport at 8:30am today...)


Thursday-Sunday (March 13th-16th)
Hmmm... if I were to summarize this trip in words alone these would be them: no flushing. no showers. kids. poop. paint. ice cream. dirty feet. baby wipes. deodorant. broken glass. tranquilizer. crazy church service. GOD.

Anyway... after sitting in the ASU parking lot and leaving 3 hours later than expected we were finally on the road. Eric and I worked well together as driver/navigator. Our last taste of America was ironically...not. Panda Express baby! We were awarded the green light while crossing the border, and despite navigating dirt roads, many without street signs, and poor lighting, we arrived at Bethel Orphanage. The kids were already sleeping, so we unloaded, hung outside for awhile, then headed to bed. We had these rules: 1) If it's yellow let it mellow. 2) if it's brown flush it down. 3) all toilet paper goes in the trash can. 4) no showers. Fun, no?

My first day was spent helping clear out a dirt lot full of broken glass, trash, and unfortunately for Rachael and I... human waste. Gahhh...that was gross. We did take a small break to visit the local candy store, and after buying tons of goodies for cheap we had a mental lapse and bought popsicles. We ended up sneaking them to the children because we didn't want to get sick. A small group of us were given the duty of cleaning bird poop off the side of the church, we were excited because we got to use the hose! It was refreshing, until we realized we were getting wet and covered in bird poo... That evening a group of us wandered around the city to find helado(ice cream) we could eat, we found the OXXO store, and it was like heaven. I bought a Spanish Futbol revista to add to my collection of foreign magazines. The second day we all changed colors, the school I painted at was seafoam green, dark green, and beige. Let's just say we came back a bit dirty. That night we had an amazing worship service with all 100 Chialphians. Afterwards we all (and I mean like 100 of us) headed to the Taco Stand, I ran to the Botica accross the street and returned with galletas(cookies), which created a large group to visit there as well. The last morning was spent packing, then getting ready for church. It was interesting considering the no shower rule, so we did our best with baby wipes, lotion, and deodorant. I pretty much lived with french braids the last two days. We did learn that our beloved Embry-Riddle boy (Kyle) "accidently" shot Michael in the leg with a Mountain Lion Tranquilizer while the boys were camping out by our cars... he slept a looooong time. At the time it was scary, now it's definitely one of those "What happens in Mexico..." laughing moments! Our church service was intense, the music was loud, the pastor was louder, and the people were so full of passion. They also served lunch, sopas $1 each... I had two! Once we left we were stuck at the border for 3hrs... shopping and other mayhem occured.

Needless to say this trip made a definite impact on my life. It is so crazy to see how some people live so poorly yet are so happy! I think Americans are insane about "luxury" myself included. I can't believe how much I took for granted.

Mexico Photo Album

So my spring break was jam-packed... I think I need another one just for sleep. God blessed me in so many ways I couldn't even begin to describe them. Thanks to all my friends who shared these experiences with me, the memories will last forever! I still laugh at the fact I only took 3 showers in the entire 9 days...