After spending the first night with you girls yesterday, I was literally so joyful to be embraced by such an awesome group of young ladies that have such an energy and passion to pursue Christ. Whether you were someone that has heard it all before and grew up in the church to a newer believer, it was such a delight to see the common bond of Jesus bring us all together...and that we genuinely enjoyed each other's company. After sharing last night about my own unfulfillment at my church community, you can probably understand that having a group of people sharing a common desire (even within church) is not always a guarantee...so you guys bring a renewed sense of joy and reminder of what true community and communion with each other as sisters looks like!
THANK YOU KATIE for doing a great job! And remember...we wouldn't be Pulse if it wasn't 'awkward' sometimes ;)
So this morning I read another entry in The Love Dare book. As a challenge to myself and the Bf (maybe you guys will meet him later haha), we are taking on the challenge of performing these Love Dares to those around us...friends, church, enemies, family...
Today's challenge was: Love is Thoughtful.
"Love thinks. Its not a mindless feeling that rides on waves of emotion and falls asleep mentally. It keeps busy in thought, knowing that loving thoughts precede loving actions. But too often we become frustrated or angry because we lack the patience to deal with others or are tired and easily frustrated. You speak harshly now and determine later if you should have said it. But the thoughtful nature of love teaches you to engage your mind before engaging your lips. Love thinks before speaking. It filters words through a grid of truth and kindness." *hmm reminds me of the vs...being slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19*
DARE= Contact a friend sometime during the next few days, maybe one you have neglected to speak to bc they annoy or frustrate you. Have no agenda other than asking how he or she is doing , how you can pray for them and if there is anything you can do for them.
I will be taking on this challenge! Feel free to join in or share about something else this week!!
Looking forward to a wonnnnderful year of pursuing Jesus with you girls!
Thanks for sharing the quote. I'm reading it right before going to class. I found that I don't always think before I speak and that sometimes my words, though I may think it's just joking, can really hurt people. Something I want to work on is really thinking before saying anything that could potentially be hurtful to someone else. I want to also work on apologizing immediately afterwards when I hurt someone's feelings. I normally wait hoping that it will go away on it's own, but it doesn't. This is my challenge for myself. Please hold me accountable and tell me if anything I say hurts you. I want to use my words to encourage not break down others.
ReplyDeleteOf course, Dee! I will hold you to that. Confrontation is never easy, but I'm glad you're taking the challenge and learning easy. It's much harder when you get older! :P
ReplyDeleteoops. i meant *learning now* heh
ReplyDeleteTHANKS LIZZ! Working on my dare RIGHT now! =)
ReplyDelete