Flawed to Perfection

I look around me and I see beauty in everyone. I consider my family and friends- their positive characteristics as well as their less than lovely issues, and I am convinced that, deep down, everyone is loving and kind, in spite of less than admirable choices, mistakes or environments. And I'm sure I am not alone.
It's human nature to argue that our good outweighs our bad, yet even at our personal best, we are at our worst because our "goodness" and our "beauty" is only circumstantial. The sin that so easily ensures us makes it impossible for us to be completely whole, completely perfect or completely guilt free 24/7. We can do good things, say good things, act in a good way and encourage others to do the same, but without Christ, our best has holes in it and leaks out any effort we make to combat our imperfections.
Human nature tells us to excuse our flaws away; make light of wrong doings, compare ourselves to others, explain why our issues are personal and no one else's business... we've all been guilty of the "cover up". In Genesis chapter 3, we see that Adam and Eve produced the first attempt to cover and explain away their sin and man has been doing that ever since. Why? It's because the "cover up" is easier than the confession. It's easy to pretend nothing is wrong or that we have it all figured out. It's easy to excuse our messes or to avoid people who we know have higher standards for us than we do for ourselves. But there is no freedom in the "cover up". Christ has come to take away our shame and trade it for His freedom!

"But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin,

so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ."~Galatians 3:22

Sin is a prison and it confines us when we don't confess. Like weeds, it creeps in and restricts the opportunity for complete beauty to shine through. Confession is the pruning of the weeds which goals are only to hold us back and strangle God's Spirit within us, which is ours through Jesus. But let's be real. None of us go around exposing every internal conflict, mistake or issue. And as Christian women, we often get slapped with the hypocrisy syndrome- we are afraid to expose our problems in fear that others will judge or reject us. But I think it is important for us all to understand that hiding our issues is not strength, it is the lack of it. Maturity is the ability to live humbly before God and before man. Instead of hiding, its more liberating to recognize this is the number one struggle that the majority of us deal with in our lives: how to live a Christ-centered life, despite our spiritual struggles. I know I am not alone in this.


Last quarter, the Pearls completed a study on the book of Esther, and I'd like to share a quote which got my brain rolling on this subject.  "Even those most serious about their pursuit of God and godliness fail to be perfect examples all the time. That's why God is busy conforming us into the likeness of Christ."

To me, this is a sigh of relief and a breath of fresh air! In my weakness and in my struggles to avoid temptation, God has made Christ strong in me! Not so that I can continue to practice things which His word instructs me not to do, but so that I can have the resilience and the desire to say no when such things begin to slither my way.

To be human is not synonymous with hypocrisy. This was a fear that I spent the first years of my salvation trying to avoid and prove; to no avail. It's debilitating for us to deny the reality of our humanity. Christ calls us not to ignore it, but to expose it and to receive forgiveness and grace that only He can give! 1 John 1:9 is a scripture that we have committed ourselves to learn in our Bible Study:
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us of all wrong".

Perfection is not proof of salvation! We each WILL FALL. Let's go ahead and accept that reality now and save ourselves so much stress and worry. Our beauty isn't based on our efforts, its a result of God's goodness. When we live for Him, our lives are immaculate. But when we fall, know that we fall in God's grace! Our flaws are made perfect when we trust Him with all our hearts- The great and the misguided; the struggles and the victories. His loving kindness will catch us each and every time- when we are truthful with Him, with ourselves and with others. He is more than enough for all that we endure and he equips us with what we need, as we need it. We can find trusted mentors, family members or friends to pray with us and encourage us, because this Journey with Jesus is dynamic when we are connected with others. And as we travel and grow, confess and progress, we begin to shine like Christ, in spite of our situation, and that is true Strength!

As we live this life of faith and over come our instincts to cover up, then the beauty that is ours in Christ becomes more visible and exposed. This is the true testimony: not that we are good, but that God is great! We each have our ashes, but God wants to trade them for His beauty (Isaiah 61:3). That is what makes others feel encouraged and motivated to take part in this life of Grace!

One day, we will shine like our savior and we will be free from all of our flaws, but until then...Be bold in your living! Grace is not meant to be covered up, but shared and displayed! His love is continuously perfecting us and that is worth smiling about!
~Pearls

Happy Easter!!!

Mark 16:2-7

2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”

There was a time when we all were in darkness: when life's trials closed in on us, with the intension to burry us. But God, in his loving mercy, sent Jesus to die for our death. He is risen and we can rise with Him, through hope in salvation that only comes from Jesus! This salvation is not circumstantial. It is not an escape card, but rather an invitation to a new life- a life where there is no more darkness! If you have not accepted Christ and His salvation, we invite you to do so today! Jesus is alive and He longs to be alive inside of your heart!

Happy Easter!

~Pearls

At the Airport!!! Honduras Bound!

In only a few hours we will be hopping onto a plane: Ariel, Kourtney, Ashley, BeBe, Angela, Brandi, Jessica, Lydia and Katrina. In only a few hours, we will be taken out of our comfort zones, asked to do things we would normally never volunteer to do, serve in humility along side people we do not know, eat foods we've never tasted and share with those whom the world overlooks and has forgotten. We will be called to love, give, be compassionate and operate in obedience. In only a few hours, our lives will never be the same. Even now, I stand with my plane ticket in my hand. My heart is racing and I keep reminding myself to breath. The reality of our mission is sinking in, inside each of us and we know that there is no turning back.

Honduras is a place with lots of hopelessness. Crime, sex trafficking, drugs, gangs and disease are among the top concerns leading towards a high mortality rate within this country. Children are abandoned, villages are destroyed, communities collapse under poor government funding and natural disasters. There is no money, little education and not enough volunteers or supporters. Yet, we know, even in such a situation as this, our God is still in control and in His loving kindness, He has opened the door to allow His love to shine through! It is only in this way that hope can be shared amongst the people of Honduras and where there is hope, there can be change!

There is no telling and no limit to what God can do in the lives of anyone who simply desires more of Him. Sometimes, we think that we have to get things right, or have a little more time to have our fun. Sometimes, we confuse God's love with our ability or we think that we aren't good enough to make a difference. The truth is, all it really takes is only a few hours and a willing heart. The powerful love of God isn't anything we earn and it definitely isn't something that we can prepare for. But, if we are willing, He can do more for us in only a few hours, than we can do for him in a lifetime of years!

As we carry our bags and head toward the airport this morning, I want to be sure and thank EVERYONE who supported us! Anyone who donated money, items or their time and prayers- THANK YOU! There is no telling how your measure of love will impact those we are going to serve. We are so excited and geeked with great expectation for what the Lord will do! We know that this opportunity is only a small comparison of the Missionaries who have dedicated their lives to loving and serving, but we are so honored for the opportunity to work alongside them and make a difference; not just for the world, but for God's Kingdom!

It is my deepest desire that we come back with stories to tell, hope to share and love to lead us in even more amazing opportunities! Please continue to pray for us. Our journey is only beginning and we anticipate all that Christ will accomplish within us!

Thank you all, and see you soon!

~Pearls

The Greatest Commandment

If love is free, then why is it so hard to give? If love is so necessary, then why do we struggle to show it?

During our study of Crazy Love, we are being challenged with questions such as these, but not just in the pages of the book. We are experiencing it in our lives. We are being challenged by unkind co-workers, family members that have hurt us in the past, friendships that have created unfair accusations and relationships that have produced disappointments; sometimes, we even struggle with loving ourselves.

For me, I know that a topic is necessary when not only life produces opportunities to practice the topic, but also when the Holy Spirit presses upon the heart of our ministers to expound even further on the topic. God is moving and flowing in our Bible study and He has allowed situations of life to show up in our midst, to challenge us to not just discuss truth, but to practice and live it out!

Yesterday, apart of the sermon that I received in church expounded on the woman with the alabaster box (Luke 7:47). In these verses of scripture, Jesus exclaims that in order to love much, we must understand how tremendously we have been forgiven. "A person who has been forgiven little shows only a little love". In other words, Love reflects forgiveness. If I feel as if I'm not "that bad", or if I dwell on always being a victim... if I feel as if I've done nothing wrong, if I cannot see past my own circumstances and not accept the reality that ALL HAVE SINNED, then it is difficult for me to show compassion and mercy on others. How can I love those who are imperfect if I do not identify myself with imperfection? Jesus explains that this is not possible.

As Believers in Christ, we must understand that all sin requires forgiveness and that forgiveness is the ultimate act of love. Jesus forgave my sin because of His great love for me, I must forgive others because of my great love for Christ. In his book, Francis Chan goes to explain that loving people can be very difficult, because it goes against our human nature, so we must pray that God equips us with Love for others.

In the Gospels, Jesus declares that the greatest commandment is to Love God with all that we have and all that we are, and then to Love others. Why is this the greatest commandment? It's because is the most difficult and most selfless act of obedience. Loving God and loving others is the most powerful act of dying to self. As Children of God, we must extend great love to others because God has extended such great love to us. This goes hand in hand... when I love God, I can love others, When I love others, I am loving God. If this were easy, it wouldn't be the greatest commandment. But thank God we have a helper... the Holy Spirit, who gives us the strength that we need to accomplish all things, for the glory of God, through His son, Christ Jesus!

Go out and love, my sisters!
~Pearls

Hope for More

There are only 5 days until Christmas and you can feel it in the air... anxiety, that is! People are hustling and bustling, just as the song says, buying this and buying that; fussing, pushing, celebrating and consuming. Just the other night, my good friend found her self in a car accident- the victim of an overstressed mom, trying to make her way down the highway towards the mall, no doubt.

I think it's hilarious how, during this time of year, people seem to loose their minds. The media is full of stories highlighting disgruntled customers and impatient people during this time of year, yet, in spite of such, underneath all the frantic reactions to this particular holiday, people are really just excited and hopeful that this year will be their year for peace, love and joy, as is the undertone of the season. This year, they might have the perfect gift, or the perfect family get together; this year, maybe broken relationships will be mended, or new romances started. Maybe this year...

As I sit back and look at my own wrapped gifts, I suddenly feel a hope for peace, love and joy myself. I hope for a closeness with family members that is just as effortless on their part as it is on mine. I hope to see my daughter grow up to be smart, kind and passionate for Christ. I hope to see my husband fulfill all of his goals and dreams and I hope to one day buy my father a boat. I hope for love to arrive in the lives of each of my friends. I hope to grow closer to God. I hope to grow closer to myself.
In my opinion, each hope that we have is like a wrapped Christmas box. We know there is something inside that must be worth the fuss of gold paper and bows, but without a giver, we will never receive what ever the gift may be. Hope is a beautiful thing. It gives us drive to do the impossible and requires a faith in what is yet to come. There is strength in hoping and lovely anticipation for the revealing of what we hope for, but hoping must have a source, otherwise it is not hope. It's merely a wish.

The cry of humanity is peace. The hope of humanity is in finding a way to usher in that peace. We sign treaties that fail, make promises that are broken, ask favors that are never returned and demand justice that is only biased. The answer to our problems is a state of peace, but what source are we hoping in? If our hope is in the government, then we will surely be let down. If our source is in our money or in our success, it will be short lived. Are we hoping in that new relationship- if so, any signs of an argument could propel us into fear, not peace. If I merely hope in my ability to attain a result, it may never come to fruition; but if I hope in a source greater than myself, then odds are, I will receive what is best for me, concerning the results in which I hope for. Jesus wants to be that source for you. He wants to be what you most hope in and hope for. The idea of gift giving is not merely of habitual tradition; it's a spiritual reality, wrapped in love, and culminated at the birth of a Prince of Peace that the world continues to hope for; though they do not always recognize it.

"For unto us a child is born...And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."- Isaiah 9:6

The peace that we hope for, pray for and fight for, can only be attained through the love of Christ. When we put our hope in Him, he delivers those results in our personal lives, and one day, will deliver those results for the souls of the whole world. When our hope is in Him, we will never be disappointed.
As we embark on yet, another Christmas, I urge us all to take some time to consider things that we hope for. What is it that our hearts truly long to see? Is it peace of mind on our jobs? Marriage? Children? A new promotion at work? Health for a family member? Direction for our dreams? Whatever it is that we want, consider the source we are using to realize these things. Is this source dependable, reliable or trustworthy? Can we expect this source to be a permanent answer, or will it only be temporary? Our hopes and dreams are too valuable to leave up to chance and our longing for peace is too precious to entrust with anyone other than the Lord. Trust in Him to give you what you need. He will never disappoint or fail you. His gifts are eternal and HIs promises are sure.

This Christmas, as we hope for peace in our hearts and peace on Earth, remember the one who was born to give us just these things! In Christ, we do not hope in vain and the peace He promises is everlasting and wrapped in love for all to receive, if we just believe!

An early Merry Christmas to you all!

~Pearls

Here are some inspiring ambitions that we Hope for. We know that Jesus is our source for all things and we have peace in our hearts in knowing that He will give us exactly what we need.

Be Thankful in Prayer

As many of you know, my friends and I are getting ready to endeavor upon an out of the country missions trip to Roatan, Honduras. We will be ministering to young women, ages 12-25 (approximately). In our training, we are learning scripture, how to share our testimony and how to leave our comfort zones. At yesterday's training, I grew in my faith from all the sharing and exchanging that went on between my friends and I. It was so powerful to green from everyone's confidence and interpretation of what God is doing in their lives and how they want so much more of Him. It's a powerful thing when you see others seeking the Lord, because, in the best case scenario, it usually causes you to operate in a deeper desire for Him, as well.

In light of the tragedy that is swooping over the whole world, we as Christians have a very unique opportunity to not only pray for those who are hurting and less fortunate than ourselves, but to also lift up our hearts in thankfulness for all God has done, is doing and will continue to do in our lives. There is no telling what my friends and I will encounter in Honduras. There is no telling how truly horrific the lasting affects of the attacks in France have left it's citizens. There is no telling how every day people are suffering in their circumstances, confused in their purposes or weary in their well doing. There is no telling because, in reality, we are truly only ever capable of completely understanding our own situations. We can empathize with people, but we are not mind readers. We cannot assume the issues of others and interpret everything the way that particular individual is interpreting their own situation. We can really only handle our own hurt, confusion, frustration or disappointment. Yet, in spite of where we are or where we may recognize others to be, we have so much to be thankful for.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Give thanks in all circumstances; 

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Sometimes, even though we know in our heads to be thankful, it takes some effort to practice thankfulness from our hearts. So how can we push through the need to complain or fight our feelings of being unsatisfied? How can we ignore our pain that can seem to overwhelm us at times, or how do we overcome our own frustrations and disappointments? How do we forgive world tragedies, like

what's happening in Paris, and really trust that God has it all in control? Well, first, we must recognize that it's normal to have these moments and feelings; it's normal to forget to be thankful. This is why the Bible reminds us, in Colossians, to be thankful in prayer (Colossians 4:2). There are times where we must pray! There are times when all hope seems to be lost, when we cannot stand any longer, when anger wants to swell up within us and when life just seems to be unjust. So, we must pray! For us, for others and for the world! But in our prayers, we must be thankful.

Scripture says that "this world is not my home", (Hebrews 13:14). It's easy to get uneasy and fidgety when you are homesick. Our hearts cry out for more than this world can offer, but while we are in this world, we must realize that God has and will continue to provide for all that we need, in every area of our lives- physically, emotionally, financially, spiritually, and so on and so forth. He does not have a blind eye to our existence. He sees it all and He cares so greatly. His desire is to give all of His children good things (Matthew 7:11).
No, this does not mean that God will remove all our hard times. More than likely, He will not drop a million dollars in your pocket, or propel you to the top of your career instantly; neither does this mean that the man of your dreams will magically appear and fulfill your every dream and wish. In the experience of life, there will be tears and doubt, but God is love! His provision for our lives consists beyond the material. He wants to provide us with more of Him- more love, peace, patience, grace, mercy, wisdom, worship, truth, joy, light...ect. All these things are summed up in our relationship with Jesus and He longs to give us so much more, if we but only ask! We are not eradicated from the troubles of this life, but through the troubles, God is there and provides what we need in the midst of every storm and season. These provisions allow us to persevere through this life and in this world, that is not our true home. As we continue to grow and pursue Christ, we will live a more thankful life, produced in our hearts out of Love for our AMAZING God and result in prayers that will change what we ourselves cannot! So be thankful, in good times and in trying times, because God is mighty and a constant friend. He will not abandon us in our hour of need.

Yes, the whole entire world seems to keep flipping itself upside down and in spite of our humanitarian efforts, our global donations, our walks for this cause or that cause, even our well intended hugs with friends who need us most, we are of no excuse to loose hope. Life my be chaotic, and things may not always go our way, but we have everything we need in Christ, and therefore, we must choose to be thankful in all things; remembering those who are hurting, of course, and lift them up in prayer.
As we continue living in thankfulness that our God is always there, we are better able to serve and aid those around us who need to know His love! After all, that truly is our purpose: to love people and point them to the God who loves them more. We have a unique opportunity to not only help the physical situations, but to help in the spiritual as well. The truth of the matter is that there is evil in this world, and it's obvious. Its not a person or a particular group of people, it is just the enemy of sin and it  wants to defy God and take away our hope, our love and our attitude of gratitude. But we must be strong in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10)! We must remain in faith and in His love, because there are people who are counting on our prayers. We must remind ourselves, even in the trials, that God is faithful and will never break His promises. We have so much to be thankful for, because we have a God who loves us!

Here are some scriptures to remind and encourage us all to give thanks, often and sincerely, for all the Lord has done... and really, just because He is! As these scriptures encourage you, let's all continue to pray for the hearts that are hurting in Paris, and all over the world for that matter. In spite of such tragedy, God is still near. He is not ignorant to what is going on. He is not busy doing other things. He sees the pain and He hears the cries. He loves us through our darkest moments and His light will shine when all else fades. I am so thankful to know a God who will one day right all wrongs. If for nothing else, I am thankful for His love, not just for me, but for the entire world.

Ten Reasons Why Christians Should be the Most Thankful:

1. We have been adopted as sons and daughters by the King of the universe (Galatians 4:4-6.)
2. We have been saved from the penalty of sin (Colossians 1:13,14.)
3. We have true security and significance in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-10.)
4. We are part of a global fellowship of spiritual brothers and sisters (1 Peter 5:9.)
5. We are being saved from the power of sin (1 Corinthians 1:18.)
6. We have a cause, THE CAUSE, to live for here on earth (Matthew 28:19.)
7. We are engaged in an epic struggle against a dangerous arch enemy…so life’s never
    boring (Ephesians 6:10-12.)
8. We will be saved from the presence of sin someday soon (Philippians 1:5,6.)
9. Our movies are getting better (they had nowhere to go but up…I wish I had Scriptural
     support for this point.)
10. Because Jesus has conquered death we will too! (1 Corinthians 15…the whole
      awesome chapter!)
List provided by Greg Stier, from his website, Gregstier.org.

The Action of Prayer

"I can do all things, through Christ who strengthens me"

-Philippians 4:13

People pray a lot. Christians pray a lot. We ask for blessings. We ask for strength. We ask for guidance, purpose, direction, confirmation, husbands, jobs, success, love, faith and the list goes on. But what happens when we get off of our knees? What happens when the pages of scripture is closed and the day begins? Are we motivated to act out our faith? Are we living by Philippians, that we can accomplish anything in Jesus? Do we live as if we cannot fail in Christ?

Time and time again, we get encouraged by other people's stories. We see the effects of prayer in the lives of family members and close friends, even strangers. We read their books, visit their blogs, repost their statuses and admire their relationships with God, but for some reason, we find it hard to grasp the concept that the same God who loves them, loves us. The same God who hears them, hears us. The same God who sees them, sees us, and He is waiting on our action to approach Him in confidence and faith.

A relationship with God is not a VIP members only spot. There will never be a Christian who is better than another. God does not have favorites and He is not more impressed with one person over the next. There is nothing we can do to get more of His attention, we already have it all!!! When we are struggling, He sees us and loves us through it. When we are victorious, He celebrates with us, because He delights in seeing our excitement in Him. Our passions, our drive, our hopes and each complexity of our lives is so very concerning to the Lord and He has given us His precious Holy Spirit to ensure that we accomplish all things that He, Himself, has purposed for us to do. This includes our careers, our future marriages, our current marriages and children, our ideas, our dreams and all of our compartmentalized realities that we face, daily. God is in the midst, but He is waiting for us to acknowledge Him, first and for us to put our faith in Him.

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to You." - James 4:8

When we begin to move past merely acknowledging God and start actively seeking Him, He begins to make Himself known to us in ways unimaginable. He begins to move within our lives and develop His strength within us to do "all things". There is nothing that is beyond God and so therefore there is nothing that is beyond us. His power and His authority become evident in our lives, once we invite God to become evident in our hearts. What once seemed impossible to do, becomes possible with the Lord. Millions of people have experienced this, both in the past and in the present. The tools they all use is active faith in a powerful God. Their stories begin with prayer and end in action. They are not the result of privileged access and their relationship with God is not exclusive. Power spills in their lives because they believe and they walk in answered prayer because their faith produces action and confidence in the Lord. Whats more amazing is that God wants to move in your life as well. He hasn't met His quota with people in the past. He is still eagerly anticipating hearts who are earnestly seeking Him and want more of His presence in their lives.

This week, I'd like to challenge us to act out our faith in the doing, not just in the praying and believing, alone. Believing has it's place. Faith has its place; but faith without works is dead. James teaches us, "But some will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works (James 2:18). We need to move past the act of wanting faith and move into the action of living out our faith. We have all the confirmation we need, through Jesus, and as we live out His word in our lives, He will direct our paths! It's easier said then done, I understand, but the best way to increase your faith is to increase your prayer life. Here are some scriptures that can help you on your way as you develop a life of prayer and take those first steps in seeking  God and drawing close to Him.

Start by asking God to help you believe (Mark 9:24)
Confess any sins (mistakes, struggles, wrongful motives) that you have encountered (1 John 1:9)
Begin to read scripture for understanding, not for information (Proverbs 3:5)
Invite God's presence into your life by seeking Him and His ways (Jeremiah 29:13)
Practice Thankfulness and a willingness to obey (Colossians 3:17)

As you begin to move toward a real relationship with Christ, your prayer life will begin to increase, automatically. You will begin to experience the joy of living in God's presence and the confidence in knowing the Love of God, first hand. Power will begin to grow within you, as you begin to grow in God and the faith required to accomplish all things, will be fed through scripture and through your own experience and journey with Jesus. This process is not without it's ups and downs, but we can be encouraged by knowing that God is not distant; He is ever near, waiting for us to call on His name and desire more of Him in the every day living.

Enjoy the living! Be like Jesus! Love like Jesus!
~Pearls

No More "gods"!

There comes a time in everyone's life where they must choose: What to major in, what job to take, what church to join, what man to marry, what "god" to follow...
In this life, there are so many choices, so many "gods". In Greek Mythology, there were 13 Olympians and 48 minor gods and goddesses, including 9 Muses and the 3 Fates. I took a course in ancient world cultures, as a sophomore in college, and I remember being completely fascinated and overwhelmed by all of the deities associated with the Greek and Roman Empires. Each was responsible for a certain element of happiness or human fulfillment. There was the "god" of love, the "god" of wealth, a "god" of power, a god of "crops" and even a "god" of fertility. Each promised to provide a certain aspect of happiness, yet it always came with a price. Their beauty and lure was undoubting, yet not one of them could ever compare to the majesty of our true and living God! His love supersedes that of any other identity. He expounds beyond the comprehension of man, because he was never made by man.
The Bible does an impeccable job of describing our most beautiful and glorious God:

For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and forever...
~Ps 100:5

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
~2 Corinthians 3:18

And in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, His feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
~Revelations 1: 13-16

How resplendent is our God?! His entire being is beautiful, because He is truth! His word is ablaze with fire from heaven and His love is all consuming- offering life and promise and hope to all who would only accept Him. His very being is grander than the cosmos and His Spirit is an unrestrained expression of His heart. Yet, inspite of this, we tend to be more drawn to the one-dimensional "gods" of our own creations.

Yes, believe it or not, polytheism is very much alive and well in our modern day, Westernized culture and we give our true worship away to the wrong entities. It may seem far fetched, but if you take the time to trace your own desires, there you will find your "god" at the root of it all. They are very much apart of our culture, although we've given them different names. They gloat among us, disguised as ambition, and in some cases...it's hard for us to tell the difference.
We worship self, as if we are immortal.
We worship money, foolishly putting our trust in what will inevitably run out. We worship the opposite gender, mistaking the trammels of sex as perennial love. We worship our homes, our cars and our clothes, and our beauty- forgetting that everything will one day rust and tear. We worship celebrities and their fading glamour, only to be let down by their humanity and inevitable failures, and we worship our intellect and degrees, to no avail, because they can never truly help us over come all the trials and lessons of life.

As we turn from one "god" to another, the overwhelming relentless love of the One and Only true and living God inundates us, calling us back to remember who He is and who He will always be! He has a calling and a purpose for each of us, yet we fail to hear His voice among all the tiny voices that we allow ourselves to be distracted by. Instead of seeking Him, we seek ourselves. Instead of glorying in Him, we often tend to trade His eternal state of grace, fulfillment and joy, for that of temporary, handmade happiness. I've recognized this in my own life at various points. To say the least, it is an embarrassment that none of us will ever fully overcome, until that day when Christ returns. Yet, in our weakness, He is made strong (2 Corinthians 12:9) and His mighty love continues to pursue us!

When we finally understand the magnitude of God's love for us, the other "gods" will loose their control, because we will begin to recognize that our fulfillment is found only in The Lord. Chasing after these "gods" is only our limited attempt to fulfill our own happiness. We think that success, relationships, self-preservation and other attempts will hold the power to erase our longing; but a spiritual void can never be fulfilled by carnal measures. If we are to experience the fulfilled life, we must seek after the fulfiller of all life! His ways are not our ways and so His plans for us go beyond our mere lusts for happiness; God wants to fulfill our lives with joy- a spiritual state of being, that no one and no happenstance could ever take away or replace.
Happiness is an emotion. It  evolves and devolves based on our current circumstances. When things go well, we are glad; but when things go wrong (beyond our control, plans or expectations) we loose hope and heart. Yet God's gift of everlasting joy, through Jesus, is not a gift that fades; it fulfills. It extends beyond our existence and further than our circumstances, and He is the only God that can ever provide this for us.

As we embark on a new week, it is my prayer to live more purposefully in the promise of eternal joy, which comes from our God who will never fade, fall or forget. He has made me an everlasting promise to love me, to set my feet on a successful path and to hold me up above my enemies and give me eternal life of which my spirit will never die... yet, all it takes is a seemingly disappointing moment in my day to take my eyes off of His face. When will we ever learn? What will it take for us to allow the truth of our salvation to be permanently implanted within our hearts? How long will we remain in a repetitive circle of chasing after our own created "gods" in order to generate a counterfeit happiness and fulfillment? The time has come for us to take revenue of our lives and make a choice concerning who we will follow and what we will pursue. Happiness has its place, then its gone.
I want God's joy, that can never be duplicated or lost. I want the fulfillment of His promises that were set in place before the first star ever flickered. I want a relationship with my Heavenly Father- who never goes back on His word and who never leaves me disappointed. I'm confident to believe that you want the same things as well. Nothing can hold us back... except for our man-made "gods". It's time to put them to rest! It's time to put our trust in Jesus!

Dear God,
I've made several attempts to fulfill myself with my own man-made "gods". I've tried to acquire happiness in my own way, despite it's temporary flair. But I realize that unconditional joy and true fulfillment only comes from you! I need you to fill me up with your fire, a renewed passion for your spirit and for  your word! I need your love, your glory and the beauty of your Son to take a permanent residence within my soul. I trust in you alone. There are no other gods... not any more. There is only you, and in your presence, I am made whole. Love of God, overflow and permeate on my soul. Amen.

No more "gods", girls.

~Pearls 

The Beauty of Rejection

It's 1:56 in the morning currently and I am tossing in bed. I tried so hard to get myself back to sleep, but I keep having these thoughts...which turned into frustrations, which turned into a heartfelt prayer to the Lord... "God, today I tried to start a conversation with... It was completely awkward and it was obvious that they had no interest in talking to me. I'm tired of reaching out to that person! I don't want to do it any more... I'm done!" (Amen). lol.

I think sometimes, in our walk with Jesus, we each have the best of intentions for others who God has placed on our hearts. In our minds, we think, as long as we are kind and loving and reach out, they will reciprocate those efforts and appreciate them. But the truth is, you can't make someone love you, even if your motives are pure. Sometimes, that person who you are trying to witness to will reject you. Sometimes, it's awkward, because you try so hard to show them Jesus. Sometimes, they just plain won't be interested in what you have to offer, and that can really hurt! Part of the frustration is that when we do something for others in a genuine spirit and it is not appreciated, we feel personally

wronged and if we don't deal with those feelings of rejection or hurt (meaning if we don't forgive them) then we ourselves begin to operate in sin against God, who constantly forgives us, over and over and over again. See, when we love like Jesus, we must actually put on the heart of Jesus, who has no time frame, no criteria and not ultimatums. He is always patient with us and asks us, time and time again to love others the way He does;  regardless of the other person's actions or responses. That's how He loves us; so that is how we must love others.

Colossians 3: 12-15 states, "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another...And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts..."

Let's break portions of this scripture down, shall we? On the surface, it seems like a sweet little advice for daily living, but it is so much deeper than that. First, we see that Paul is calling us to acquire a God-like heart and attitude of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. That in itself is a mouth full and one of the most difficult challenges of being an effective Christian, because it requires us to deny us!

Compassion, according to the dictionary, means to be concerned for the affairs of others. How easy that is when the one you extend this expression to is just as concerned for you, but what about those who don't seem to be moved by your efforts? What about that co-worker who seems too obsessed with their career to get to know you? Or that family member who always acts annoyed when you walk into the room? Showing compassion can be easy at first, because we expect it to be received well, but what happens when it's not? Do we give up (the way I really want to right now)? No! We are called, by God, to wear compassionate hearts and there are no exceptions to that request. 

Compassion is not possible without kindness and kindness puts us in vulnerable places which ushers in the need for humility and meekness. To be humble is to put someone first. To be meek is to be yielding. I for one hate to be yielding. I hate to feel as if I am being stepped on. I hate to feel as if I am being taken for granted; yet scripture demands it. 

In our natural ways of thinking, "You scratch my back and I scratch yours" makes so much sense! It's comfortable, because you know there is a guarantee that you will get something out of the deal. But this verse in Colossians expects us to expect nothing in return! As we learn to love like Jesus, we have to develop the maturity to recognize that not everyone will love us back (John 15:18), not everyone will appreciate us and not everyone will desire a relationship with us. It's just the facts. Sometimes, its intimidation: people see a strong Christian woman and compare themselves... feeling inferior because they recognize the standard to which you live by is higher than theirs. Sometimes, its envy: people will assume that you think you are better then they are because you live without compromise and so, instead of them dealing with their own sin, they reject you because you have renounced sin in your life. Sometimes, it's feelings of unworthiness: they might consider themselves not good enough to associate with you because they see Jesus in you and mistake that for perfection; and sometimes, they just plain won't like you, for no apparent reason at all. Yet, Jesus still requires us to love, anyhow.

When Christ puts someone on your heart to reach out to, realize that it is strategic for your growth and development and it is a spiritual calling. There is beauty in rejection, because it shows us the daily position that Christ allows Himself to be placed in for mankind. He willingly offered Himself to the world, knowing that some would not appreciate Him. He calls us to do the same. 

The natural question will always be: How much is too much? When is enough enough? As I write to you, I am battling theses exact same questions in my heart. "Lord, I've been dealing with this disappointment in reaching out to this person over and over again and it seems to only get worse. I give up! Please don't make me do it any more."... Yet, I know that I cannot give up; not if my goal is to please Jesus. I'm not saying it's easy... Lord knows I'm not saying it's easy! But odds are, we aren't living this Christian life because it's easy. Being a Christian is a daily struggle in so many areas at once. It is a constant battle against our own natural selves, allowing the Love of Christ and the Power of God's Holy Spirit to take over in our hearts and mold us to look like Jesus. Molding is a process and it requires lots of patience and a willing heart.

My heart is so willing!!!!!!!! Isn't yours? Even in the hurt and the frustration and the trying and the efforts and the rejection and the disappointment and the tears and the confusion and the unfairness and the humility, kindness, patience, meekness and compassion, it's my hearts desire to look like Jesus, love like Jesus and live like Jesus. I'm confident to believe that it is your heart's desire as well.

We who profess Christ do so at the risk of being rejected. But we cannot let that fear intimidate us or cause us to give up! We cannot allow ourselves to be discouraged! So, instead of praying for God to make things easier or to give us an out when it comes to loving difficult people, let's start praying that God give us more opportunities to share His love with others. Let's seek God in asking Him to give us a stronger heart that won't give up on "so and so", regardless of the hurt you may feel. In this way, we are being more like Jesus than we may realize. We will be operating with His heart towards someone who doesn't realize how much they need Him, and regardless of their response (whether they begin to come around or push you further and further away) our Heavenly Father will be so pleased and one day, we will hear Him say, "Well done".

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

It seems like an impossible burden I have towards someone whom I know you love. I've tried all I can think of to reach out to this person. I've tried to be kind and loving like you, but sometimes the rejection just seems too heavy for me. Sometimes, I just want to walk away and give up. I get tired of being kind with no response from their end. I get frustrated when my efforts aren't appreciated or received well. But Lord, I know that loving others is not about me; it's about you. Help me to love like you do. Help me to have compassion in my heart and kindness towards those You love! Help me, Lord, to seek opportunities to extend myself in hopes that my love will point them to you. Give me discernment on when to speak and when not to. Teach me to wait on your perfect timing and in the mean time, help me to stay diligent in prayer concerning others. Give me confidence and courage to continue to try. Thank you Lord for loving me and thank you Lord for teaching me to love others. I pray that you will be pleased in everything I say and in everything I do.- Amen

Love them for no reason at all. Love them because Jesus loved them first!

~Pearls

Preparing for "Mr. Right"...

So... you're praying for a man. You're praying for a handsome man; a man with physique and eyes that light up the night. You're praying for a man with education and strong financial status, who goes to church and loves his family. You're praying for a man that has the potential to be more than just a dinner date on one random Friday night. You are praying... but are you preparing?

In this Facebook generation we live in, I've noticed some concerning trends from women of the "Christian" community regarding their expectations (or demands) on dating and relationships. Sometimes, the waters seem murky between "Christian" dating and secular dating. Christian women fall prey to pre-martial sex, just as much as unbelievers do. Standards begin to fall, while demands increase and expectations are unrealistic, yet blessings are still assumed to fall in line. What is going on within our hearts and minds? How do we navigate the waters of dating without completely drowning ourselves in the waves of pop culture and the world's false advertisements?

First and foremost, it's imperative that we, as Christian women, recognize that our lives should be lived out differently than the world. This includes our dating lives (Romans 12:2). Everything we do should be different: the way we love, the way we date, the way we approach various situations. We cannot pattern our relationships after Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, then pray for blessings from a Holy God. We shouldn't  be quoting Cosmopolitan magazine articles in our Facebook status regarding the "5 Steps to Keep a Man Interested", because odds are, they defy what scripture says. These sources should have no prevalence in our lives, because they are not based on true love or God's expectations concerning how to love. We must remember that love is deeper than pretty faces and cute skirts on a Saturday night. I'm not saying that the secular world can't give solid advice, but we have to be sure that we are conducting ourselves in the likeness of Christ and not in the likeness of society, whose rules (or lack there of) do not reflect the holiness that God encourages us to live by. Our men must see Jesus in us. That is true beauty and will prove to be our strongest asset in terms of a lasting relationship in dating and in marriage.

Next, we cannot continue to demand from a man what we are not demanding from ourselves. Do you want a man with money... well, how are YOUR finances? You want a man who will bend over backwards for you and take care of you and treat you like the queen you are... so are you willing to give as much and pour as much into him? You want a man who will wine and dine you, but are you capable of feeding his spirit and his soul?
1 Corinthians 10:24 states, "Let no one seek their own good, but the good of their neighbor". This is extremely counter cultural. In our society, we are told to "take care of me, first".  It is suggested in film, books and music to give only after we receive and to do only after we have been satisfied with the other person's actions. Janet Jackson's song, "What have you done for me lately", is the mindset that we continue to incorporate in our dating and relationship experiences, but this goes against scripture. Finding a Godly man requires having a Godly character. Everyone wants a Boaz, but no one is willing to be Ruth. This, my friends, is backwards living. If we want to be blessed with a man who will love us like Christ loves the church,  we must be willing to be Jesus to him as well- putting our needs and wants aside in order to pour into him and be pleasing to the Lord in the area of our relationships. In this way, no one is lacking. We should be seeking how to please the other person first. We must be willing to use our gifts and talents to pour into his life and encourage his growth in Christ, but instead, I notice many women who are so consumed with their own personal interests that they drain the men that they prayed for. Ladies...It's not all about us! Our purpose is not to get, but to give. To go about it any other way is only self-seeking and love does not abide in selfishness.

Another concern I have is the unrealistic notion that, because we are living "right" we deserve a man who will be perfectly packaged and intuitive to our desires. We want a man to take us for our flaws and all... but when He is vulnerable with his struggles or opened to share his past mistakes, is he given the side eye and labeled "too complicated"? As Christians, it's important that we realize that no matter how much we pray, hope and dream for "Mr. Right", there will always be imperfections in his heart; just like there are imperfections in ours. He is God's work in progress, too, just like you. Galatians 6:2 tells us that we are to carry each other's burdens, meaning, we aren't to abandon someone just because they sin differently than we do or because they have struggles in their lives. We need to be able to operate in the Love of Christ, recognizing that what Christ has done for us, we must then do for each other. Remember, at the end of the day, that man is not just a boyfriend, fiancé or husband... he is our brother in Christ and we must treat him accordingly!

Lastly, I am concerned about the exposure we are opening ourselves to that warp our expectations of how relationships are suppose to be. We need to stop putting so much emphasis on feelings and fairy tales. The rose colored glasses are only cute in selfies... not in real life. To think that dating a Christian man means no problems and no tears is immature at best...stupid at worst. Whenever two flawed people join together, there will be problems; that's a guarantee. There will be mistakes, broken promises, misunderstandings and hurt feelings. Oh, but there will be joys as well! There will be confidence and encouragement, strong identity and guilt-free experiences; but we must be willing to take the risk and the leap of faith. Relationships are not about finding your personal happiness and comfort zone; they are about revealing God's holiness within one another and working together to form a life of unity that reflects Christ. Pain proceeds joy and joy proceeds pain. You cannot have one without the other, so if you are looking and praying for a relationship that excludes hard times, then my advice to you is to buy the world's coziest pillow and snuggle up alone, because that's more realistic. Just as Jesus was willing to endure hurt for our sakes, we must be willing to endure hurt for each other's sake, "knowing that we are full of joy even when we suffer (go through difficult times). We know that our suffering gives us the strength to go on and persevere. This perseverance produces character. Character produces hope. And hope will never bring us shame. That’s because God’s love has been poured into our hearts" (Romans 5:3-5).

The love God has poured into our hearts is not for us to horde for ourselves, but to share willingly. In this day and age, people give up so easily. One mistake and we're on to the the next guy. One disappointment and we have cut off a fellow believer. One misunderstanding and we have rejected the opportunity for growth, encouragement and support for someone else. Ladies, this will not do! Where is our love, our grace and our compassion? Where is the selflessness that we are called to exercise?

Katrina and Husband, Jarrett

In my two years of marriage, I have grown so much as a Christian, not because we've done it all right and never had any problems, but because we established a foundation during our dating that we would never quit on each other. I for one have come to realize the beauty of serving and what it means to put someone  before myself. I mess up often, but when I focus on how to lift my husband and when I fall to my knees in prayer over his life, the Lord begins to do some amazing things! Marriage, my friends, is not about a man rescuing us. It's not about Him providing for our securities or about us being adored 24/7... really, it's all about Jesus. When he is wrong, I love him through it. When I am wrong, he prays for me and encourages me to seek Jesus. It's not an error-proof life, but it is so worth every sacrifice and element of discomfort. The Joys truly outshine the pains and knowing what I know now, I wouldn't want it any other way. In our dating we were preparing through our individual pursuit of Jesus. Jarrett and I dated for 3 years and struggled in our boundaries, but God blessed us to keep our bodies pure until marriage because we were more concerned about each other's relationship with God than we were for our own physical desires. We argued about family differences, but God is now creating a special family between the two of us that we can develop together. We hurt each other by revealing some very sensitive mistakes from our past, but God has used those disappointments to grow our trust for one another and in Him. We've raised voices in anger and even slammed doors out of frustration, but God has opened the gates of our hearts to experience and create a genuine love for each other and reflect Christ's unfailing love in this ministry of marriage.

Ladies, I want to encourage each of you who are in your place of waiting and praying for your spouse... do it God's way! Don't cut any corners or compromise what you know is right. Don't compare yourself to friends that date recreationally and have 3 and 4 boyfriends on the side. That's not love. That's not Christ! His vision for you far proceeds beyond the temporary flattery this world has to offer. Jesus has a specific and purpose filled plan especially for  you. When you date and love God's way: putting the Lord first, seeking how you can serve, loving through the pains and building your relationship on scripture, then you experience a freedom that goes beyond the comforts of simply just having a man. It becomes a lifestyle and a true blessing... with no hindrances, guilt or regret. The process will never be perfect, but we must begin to prepare our hearts now so that when he comes, we will be ready and equipped! God has a  man already in mind and in preparation for you, but you will miss out on him if you try to do things outside of Christ's will. So don't give up on doing what is right (Galations 6:9)! A reward waits for those who wait on the Lord. Trust me. I know this all too well. In your singleness, it can get lonely, frustrating and tiresome; but the results of your waiting will be worth it all! I challenge you to pattern your love life after the love that Christ has established in you. Your future man will see it, and he will praise God for your light and faith!

Be patient in your preparations, my loves... "Mr. Right" is not so far away.

~Pearls

Pearls of Hope: A Glimpse at our Tuesday Meetings

Happy Sunday, everyone! As you are preparing for your day, please take some time to check out our latest youtube video! As you watch, you will get a sneak peak of what goes on every Tuesday evening in our Bible Studies! We are extremely excited to share with you our journey with Jesus and we pray that we will be an encouragement to you as you travel through your own path with the Lord!

If you have any questions or topics that you would like us to address, please feel free to add any comments or suggestions! We are here to support you and each other! Remember, Jesus has HUGE plans for you! You are not alone and we love you!

~Pearls

Serving Others

There are two types of people in the world: Those who serve and those who need serving. Each can't do without the other. The server needs someone to serve and the one being served needs someone who is available and willing to serve them. In our lives, we can see patterns of when we have played the role of one or there other. It is a balance and a joy to be active on either of the two sides. The server enjoys the gratitude that comes from the appreciation of the served; the served enjoys the selflessness that comes from what the server bestows. And thus lies the impact of Christian living: to be a servant to others and share the gifts that God so graciously serves to us, each and every day!

Yesterday, the girls and I had the highest privilege of serving Greensboro's homeless community through our participation in Service Under the Bridge; launched by the 16 Cent Ministry. Even our guys came out to support! It was a scorching hot day. Sweat dripped from every area of the body and there was not a fan in sight. Yet, it was such a beautiful experience and as I watched the crowds form and offered spoon full of cole slaw, I reflected on the goodness of God! How he loves us all! No matter where we come from, or our economic status, we are dearly loved by our creator!


With blue gloves on and smiles offered, we hugged new friends, shared laughs with strangers, made hot dogs with chili and passed out cold water bottles. Some people gave thanks, others took their food quietly, but regardless of the reaction, it was evident that lives were touched... especially ours!

I was so proud to serve along side my Pearls yesterday! Their love and beauty shone like the stars underneath that dark and uncomfortable bridge. I truly saw Jesus at work within us all and I pray that our Savior was pleased!
I challenge you all to find a way to serve someone this week! It could be in a little effort, like helping a stranger with a task. Or maybe you know of someone whom you could anonymously pay a bill for.
The sky is the limit when it comes to serving, and the reward is everlasting!

If you and your group would like to participate in Service Under the Bridge, or if you would like to come solo, please visit this website for more information. Who knows... maybe we'll see you out there next time!
http://www.16centsministry.org

Serve with your whole heart! Be Jesus in someone's life!

~Pearls

Thanks MOM!!!

Today is the day we set aside to celebrate our moms... those women who have sacrificed for us, supported us, corrected us and loved us through our best and worst of times. There is nothing like a

mother's love and we are so blessed by God that He saw fit to provide us with their love!

Without You

Mom, without you, there would be no me.

Your love, your attention, your guidance,

have made me who I am.

Without you, I would be lost,

wandering aimlessly,

without direction or purpose.

You showed me the way

to serve, to accomplish, to persevere.

Without you, there would be an empty space

I could never fill, no matter how I tried.

Instead, because of you,

I have joy, contentment, satisfaction and peace.

Thank you, mom.

I have always loved you

and I always will.

By Joanna Fuchs

WE LOVE YOU MOM!!!!!!

As White as Snow

There is a precisely calming awe connected to snow. What is it about the frigid white blanket of solid precipitation that always seems to melt away the impatience, the moodiness and the restlessness of the world, if even for just a moment?

On Facebook, a friend posted, "Was I the only one who looked out of my window to check and see if it snowed this morning?". The response resulted in 244 likes and 52 comments. So, clearly, others around the country reacted in the same way. I know I did. To peel back even one blind and glance at a white covered world brings such amazement and serenity within that very moment. It makes me wonder: If natural snow, that will melt away, can give such affirmative peace, how much more than should I allow my life to rest in the eternal peace of my Salvation, which scripture tells us will make our hearts as white as snow?

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow..." ~Isaiah 1:18

God desires to give us peace, not just for the moment, but for eternity. His peace is what guards our life from the troubles that come with this world and sustains us through the uncharted waters and the ups and the downs of life. Sin, that which separates us from God, no longer has to be a fear in our hearts. When we align ourselves with God and His word and when we agree to allow Jesus to be Lord over us, then our sins are washed away and our Salvation brings about a clean heart before a Holy God. No need to fear His holiness, if we are partakers in it! It is a free gift with an everlasting promise: If we turn from our own ways and accept Jesus as our Savior, there is freedom from fear, peace for the unknown and a heart made clean like snow.

As we continue to experience the winter weather of the days to come, remember that all the beauty we see out of our windows will soon melt away. The white ice will turn black from the dust and the mud. Children will ruin the crystal landscapes with their sleds and snowball fights. The city will begin to shovel and salt the mystery away, but for those of us who are rooted in Jesus, His purity, which makes our hearts snow white, will never fade. It is eternally beautiful. Our peace and security in Him and in His love will outlast any season we may experience in this life. Through Jesus, our souls are made holy and pure and nothing can take that away!

~Pearls

Share Your Bag of Gold!

This week in our Bible study, we ended our week 4 session in a riveting discussion about loving others like Jesus. In our study, Children of the Day, by Beth Moore, we found ourselves engulfed in the "madness and gladness" of human relationships. Beth clearly painted the picture of both sides of the love coin for us: on one side, we feel the glee, harmony and excitement of mutual feelings that exist between siblings, friends, lovers and other family members. When love is reciprocated and received in a balanced way, it is most fulfilling, confident and enjoyable. These are the relationships we live for. These are the relationships we pray for.
But what about the other side of the coin? What about those relationships where it seems as if we are pouring into to someone, but they don't seem to mind not pouring into us? What about the co-worker that takes the support, but never gives it? What about the cousin who always needs a favor, but is never available to help when you need it? What about the parent that demands the most of you, but always has excuses as to why they don't need to show up for themselves? These are the relationships that, naturally, we want to avoid. We want to "shake them off", as Taylor Swift would put it. We want to ignore, retreat and, at times, reject, such situations from our lives because, as we all know, love is suppose to be positive, happy and fun, right? Wrong!

"The world thinks that Christians are push overs sometimes because we keep giving and giving. It's not always easy and Christ never said that life was suppose to be easy. Love is hard. It's not about unicorns and rainbows. It's a daily fight against our flesh to love others like Jesus"- Jessica Gray, Pearls of Hope

This was the kickstart to our discussion! What do you think about Jessica's comment? In my heart, I felt so at peace to hear her words because it's comforting to know that I am not alone in the struggle to love difficult people- or to love easy people in difficult situations. It is a fight, as Jessica said. It is a daily decision that we must make, to pick up our cross and love like Jesus! As Beth Moore so eloquently put it, "there is madness and gladness when you invest yourself in other people". There are no guarantees that people will accept you, love you, respect you or value you. There are no promises given in scripture that if you treat people kindly and show them love that they will extend it back to you in return. Yet we are still called to love, regardless, just as Jesus has loved us.
In a way, it makes me so much more thankful to my Savior, because I realize that Christ put himself in this very position. He died for the sins of all human-kind, with no guarantee that he would be accepted, valued or loved in return. Yet, he was willing to take that risk for you and me. What love!!!

During our discussion, we were also reminded of the parable of the King and the Debtor (Matthew 18:21-35). Ariel Taylor, one of our newest Pearls, did such a great job retelling this story:

A man owed a king a great debt (like thousands). He was arrested and sentenced to prison because he could not pay. But the man pleaded for his life and the king had mercy on him and forgave his debt. The next day, debt free, the man ran into an associate who owed him a few hundred dollars. Enraged that the associate did not have the money, the man grabbed his comrade by the throat and demanded instant payment. When some of his other associates saw this, they went and told the King. When the King heard this, he was disgusted and sent the man to be tortured for his evil deeds and greed.

...So... What in the world does this have to do with loving others? What does this have to do with Jesus? WE  are all the debtors. Our sins, our selfishness, our ill motives and bad habits... they have put us in spiritual debt before God. We all owe a great price for our sins, as scripture says it- "the wages of sin is death"! (Romans 6:23). Yet, with no guarantee that we would receive his free payment, Jesus came and gave his life for ours instead. His love is like a bag of gold for our souls! Our sins/our debt have been forgiven! How much more should we show compassion and love for others? How much more should we share the gold, without hesitations or requirements attached. If we want to be effective Christians, we have to learn to share what we've been given. It's not ours to keep, we've been bought with a price! (1 Corinthians 6:20)

Love is a daily fight. It has it's highs and it's lows. It has its rainbows and its storms. It can come in the form of romance or it can come in the form of friendship or family relations. Love is multifaceted, yet the commandment is not: "Love one another, as I have loved you" (John 15:12).

Let's be like Jesus and love hard, as he does! Let's show the world our bravery to love without limits, give freely and share openly the same as our Savior does for us! Let's give what we've been given!
There is gladness in the madness and the results, even if never experienced here on earth, will be worth the sacrifice in Heaven! Let's share our bag of gold with the world and love on purpose!

Live lovingly!
~Pearls