Things I've learned from my Social Media Cleanse

Recently, I took a three weeks hiatus from social media. I felt I needed it not only because I was constantly on my phone but also to get more connected with God.

I started off the night before the cleanse by deleting all the apps from my phone so that I would be tempted/by habit go to them. As soon as I did this I felt an instant feeling of relief. Below I will highlight what I'v learned and discovered.

1. Social Media CAN have a positive influence

    - I follow a lot of inspirational people on Instagram and Facebook and I didn't realize how big of an influence they had on my life. I follow fitness pages, spiritual pages, and just friends that are super motivating to me. I like to hear and see the positive aspects of people's lives and get inspired by how people are growing and improving. The catch 22 to this is that, people only post the positive aspects of there lives and rarely do you see the negative things that are going on. This can make you feel horrible about yourself because you only see everyone at their best and you wonder what you are doing wrong but, it is all just an illusion and we have to remember that no one is perfect. Sinse getting back on the social media scene it has reignited my motivation in many areas of my life.

2. I read 10 books!

    - Since I was not constantly on my phone, I always had a book in my hand. I was able to read 10 books in 3 weeks! I also have been studying for my board exam so I can't imagine if I didn't have to study, how many books I would have read. 

3. Social Media CAN keep me spiritually grounded

    - I know that statement sounds funny but, I follow a lot of spiritual, godly pages, and of course churches that I attend or have attended. By seeing the exciting things happening at Cascade Hills everyday from the salvations to baptisms, it ignites my spirit and keeps me spiritually grounded. It reminds me to pray, read my bible, and just spend time alone with God.

4. My anxiety decreased
    - I have a problem with anxiety and yes I know it is not godly to have anxiety. By being off social media and living in the present moment and actually connecting with people I am with, my anxiety decreased! I was not constantly comparing myself to others.

5. My phone battery last way longer!!

Final Thought:
   - Social media can be a good thing if used in moderation. Since I have been back on social media my book reading has decreased significantly but I am also closer to taking my boards. I have become inspired again for fitness and to me following a lot of spiritual pages keeps me grounded. I don't think I'll stop using social media but I would like to decrease my usage. I would recommend a social media cleanse to anyone, its just good to see how much more you can accomplish and see without constantly being connected.

-Jenn😘

Purpose Driven Life Day 29

Day 29, May 29th, "Accepting Your Assignment"

    - The fourth purpose in our life is serving God. Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Each of us was placed on earth to make a contribution. God designed each of us to make a difference with our lives. "You were created to add to life on earth, not just take from it." (Rick Warren).

YOU WERE CREATED TO SERVE GOD
    - Whenever we serve others in any way we are serving God. Each one of us was placed on earth for a special reason/assignment. Jeremiah 1:5 says, "Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations - that's what I had in mind for you." God shaped us before we were even conceived. He planned who our parents were going to be and what our assignment was going to be.

YOU WERE SAVED TO SERVE GOD

    - 2 Timothy 1:9 says, "For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time - to show us his grace through Christ Jesus." We were saved to serve God. "In God's kingdom, you have a place, a purpose, a role, and a function to fulfill." (Rick Warren). Jesus gave his life to purchase our salvation. We need to serve God out of joy and gratitude and not out of guilt or shame. We own him our lives. "Through salvation our past has been forgiven, our present is given meaning, and our future is secured." (Rick Warren). If you only have love for yourself, no desire to serve others, and are only concerned about your needs, you should question whether Christ is really in your life. "A saved heart is one that wants to serve. Every member of God's family is a minister" (Rick Warren). When we serve, we are ministering. We are saved to help others. We are saved to serve, not sit around and wait for heaven.

YOU ARE CALLED TO SERVE GOD
    - Every Christian is called to serve, not just preachers. "Anytime you use your God-given abilities to help other, you are fulfilling your calling." (Rick Warren). Each one of us have a role in our local church. There is no small service, any kind of service matters. There is no correlation between the size of service and the significance. Every role matters because we rely on each other to function. Just like the body if one part fails to function, you get sick. When my thyroid stopped functioning correctly I became sick. Cancer invaded my body and I had to have my thyroid taken out and radiation. My immune system was down and I got sick a lot. It's important that each of us play our role and serve in our local church, so that the church stays healthy and continues to grow.

YOU ARE COMMANDED TO SERVE GOD
    - Serving is the heart of Christian living. "Holy living consists in doing God's work with a smile." (Mother Teresa). If you are not doing God's work with a smile and a grateful, giving heart you might as well not do it. As christians we need to act on what we know and practice it. "Impression without expression causes depression." (Rick Warren). When we serve we are exercising our spiritual muscles. We need not to ask what someone can do for us but we need to ask whose needs can I meet.

PREPARING FOR ETERNITY
    - When we go to heaven God is going to evaluate us on how well we served others in our life. He will compare how much time and energy we spent on ourselves compared with what we invested in serving others. Romans 2:8 says, "But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness." If we live for ourselves and do not serve others, God will show anger towards us and we will lose eternal awards God has planned for us. "We are only fully alive when we're helping others." (Rick Warren). This is so true! When I am serving others in my work, I absolutely feel so alive. I feel so fulfilled, thats how I know serving others is my spiritual gift.

SERVICE AND SIGNIFICANCE

    - Service is the only pathway to real significance. We all will give our life to something. It's what we choose to give it to that matters. You could choose your job, a hobby, fame, wealth, etc. None of those will have lasting significance. Through ministry we discover the meaning of our lives. God wants to work through us. "What matters is not the duration of your life, but the donation of it." (Rick Warren). God uses even us misfits for his service. We need to stop making excuses and start serving.

Point to Ponder: Service is not optional.
Verse to Remember: "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
Question to Remember: What is holding me back from accepting God's call to serve him?

Purpose Driven Life Day 26

Day 26, May 26th, "Growing Through Temptation" 

    James 1:12 says, "Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out it is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and and more life." Every believer is faced with temptations, every temptation is an opportunity to do good. Temptation is simple a choice. We can choice to do whats wrong or what is right. "Every time you choose to do good instead of sin, you are growing in the character of God." (Rick Warren). Temptation is Satan's primary method to destroy us. The closer we get to God the more temptations he will place in front of us. Galatians 5:22-23 says, "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!" As believers we have the Holy Spirit in us to help protect us from temptations. "Fruit always matures and ripens slowly. God develops the fruit of the Spirit in your life by allowing you to experience circumstances in which you're tempted to express the exact opposite quality" (Rick Warren). Temptation helps teach us things. It teaches us to love by putting unlovely people around us to love. It teaches us joy in the midst of sorrow, when we turn to him. "Happiness depends on external circumstances but joy is based on your relationship to God." (Rick Warren). Temptation teaches us peace by us trusting God in circumstance we are tempted to worry or be afraid. This one is my biggest temptation and I fail over and over again. Worry is a problem for me. Temptation develops patience by putting circumstances where we are forced to wait. Again, another huge temptation for me. I am very patient with other people but when it comes to myself, I am not patient at all. Integrity is built by defeating the temptation to be dishonest. What ever you are struggling with know that it is normal. "You can't claim to be God if you've never been tempted to be bad." (Rick Warren). As believers we are all tempted, its how you respond to temptation that matters most.

HOW TEMPTATION WORKS

   - Satan is predictable when it comes to temptation, its a four step process.
        1. Identifies a desire inside of us
            - This could be a normal desire or a sinful desire. He plants temptation in our minds. Mark 7:21-23 says, "For from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile us."
       2. Doubt...is it really wrong?
           - Satan starts to plant a seed telling you its really not wrong, its not that bad, everyone is doing it, etc.
       3. Deception
           - Satan can not tell the truth. He makes you think it is okay to do it. Anything he tells us is either untrue or half-true.
       4. Disobedience
           - We act on the temptation and do what is wrong.

OVERCOMING TEMPTATION
       1. Refuse to be intimidated

          - We will never outgrow temptation. As believers we will always be tempted in one way or another. We need to think of temptation as a compliment. Satan doesn't tempt those that are already doing evil. Even Jesus was tempted but, he never sinned. "You can't keep the Devil from suggesting thoughts, but you can choose not to dwell or act on them." (Rick Warren). The closer we become to God the more Satan will try and tempt us.
       2. Recognize your pattern of temptation and be prepared for it
          - Each of us have certain situations that make us more vulnerable than others. Some of us may be tempted by worry, lust, trust, etc. We have to recognize our patterns that we fall into and avoid them and pray over them. Who are you with when you are tempted? Where are you at when you are tempted? What time of day? Proverbs 4:26-27 says, "Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts. Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust."
       3. Request God's help
           - Heaven/God have a 24 hour emergency hotline. Send up a prayer flare when you feel tempted. Psalm 50:15 says, "And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." We need to cry out to God! Shout to the heavens. "The Bible guarantees that our cry will be heard because Jesus is sympathetic to our struggle." (Rick Warren). Jesus was tempted throughout his whole life, he understand the struggle we face. Hebrews 4:15 says, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin."

"Temptations keep us dependent on God." (Rick Warren). Without God, we would give in to all our temptations. Next time you are tempted send up a prayer flare.

Point to Ponder: Every temptation is an opportunity to do good.
Verse to Remember: "God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12
Question to Consider: What Christlike character quality can I develop by defeating the most common temptation I face?

Purpose Driven Life Day 25

Day 25, May 25th, "Transformed by Trouble" 

   - First off, I just want to say that this chapter has been my favorite chapter of the book thus far. It has spoke to me the most and has shown me a different perspective of my troubles. Through all the trials I have been through, this chapter is helping me understand them the most.
    - God has a purpose for every problem that we have in our lives. He uses circumstances to make us more like Jesus. Life is a series of problems. We all go through problems. Not all of them are big but, all are significant in God's growth process for us. 1 Peter 4:12 says, "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." God uses the problems in our lives to draw us closer to him. Every problem we have is for a reason. Psalm 34:18 says, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Often times in our darkest day are when we have the most intimate experiences of worship and feel closest to God. For me this is definitely true. When I am going through a rough time I draw near to God and feel a close intimate relationship with him. "It is during suffering that we learn to pray our most authentic, heartfelt, honest-to-God prayers." (Rick Warren). We learn things about God and ourselves through our suffering, we draw closer to God. Through my broken heart and suffering I have drawn closer to God then I have ever been before. I feel God's present more and I here his voice clearer. "Problems force us to look to God and depend on him instead of ourselves." (Rick Warren). Living in Arizona after my break-up, I felt very isolated and alone. I prayed more than I have ever prayed before. I read the bible daily and meditated daily. Sometimes God has to get our attention and problems are the only way that he can

get our attention. "You'll never know that God is all you need until God is all you've got." (Rick Warren). For me I think I like being away from family and friends because it makes me draw closer to God, it takes me out of my comfort zone and makes me rely on God more. Now, I am not saying I enjoy being alone and not having friends and family around but, I need my own space and the times when I have moved away and did not know anyone, I felt the closest to God. Everything that happens to a child of God is filtered through God and he intends to use it for good even when Satan and others mean it for bad. Everything has spiritual significance in our lives. Romans 8:28-29 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters." This does not mean that God causes everything to work out the way we want it to or that everything always has a happy ending. Only in heaven is everything perfect.  God can bring good out of the worst evil. Life events work together in God's plan. Everything that happens in our life happens for a reason and for a purpose. "God's purpose is greater than our problems, our pain, and even our sin." (Rick Warren). We have to go through battles to appreciate the great things in life.

BUILDING CHRISTLIKE CHARACTER

    - "Every problem is a character-building opportunity, and the more difficult it is, the greater the potential for building spiritual muscle and moral fiber." (Rick Warren). I have been through a lot in my 27 years of life and every event has made me a stronger person, spiritual, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Troubles produce patience - patience produces character. God wants us to be like Jesus so he will take us through the same experiences he went through. We will go through
temptation, loneliness, stress, criticism, rejection, etc. Romans 8:17 says, "We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him!" We go through both good and bad times but they are both to build christlike character.

RESPONDING TO PROBLEMS AS JESUS WOULD
    - We have to remember that God's plan is good, he knows what is best for us, he has our best interest at heart. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." When we go through times of trouble this makes it hard for us to trust in God's plan but we need to remember Jeremiah 29:11 and continue to meditate on it to get through the troubles. We need to focus on God's plan and not on our pain and suffering. It is all for God's good.
    - We need to rejoice and give thanks in his love, care, wisdom, power, and faithfulness. God goes through the pain with us and he will never leave us or forsake us.
    - We have to refuse to never give up. It is a slow process. We need to pray conforming prayers. Prayers like "Use this to make me more like you, Jesus" and not prayers of comfort such as "Help me feel good." "You know you are maturing when you begin to see the hand of God in the random, baffling, and seemingly pointless circumstance of life." (Rick Warren). Last Sunday, I went to church and I sat behind the young adult leaders at the church. I was nervous about going to the bible study because I didn't want to be the "old" adult. They talked to me about coming and told me I would not be the old adult and that they would love for me to come. That was all God, God placed me in that seat for a reason! We have to ask God what he wants us to do in every situation. When things go bad or we get in trouble we need to not give up we need to grow up!

Point to Ponder: There is a purpose behind every problem.
Verse to Remember: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
Question to Remember: What problem in my life has caused the greatest growth in me?

Purpose Driven Life Day 22

Day 22, May 22nd, "Created to Become like Christ"

- God's plan has always been to make us more like his son Jesus. We humans are the only things made in God's image. All people possess a part of the image of God - but the image is incomplete and has been damaged and distorted by our sins. God sent Jesus to restore the full image. "This desire to be a God shows up every time we try to control our circumstances, our future, and people around us." (Rick Warren). How many of us try to control our future? I know I do. I constantly think of my future. Who will I marry? When will I have kids? When will my debt be paid off? Why can't I live in the present? If I'm not living in the future I'm living in the past. Why did my past relationships not work out? Why did I end up getting 2 degrees and am going back for a third to figure out what I wanted to do? Why, why, why? We, including myself, need to live in the present! God's ultimate goal for us is character development. His goal is to change our character not our personality. Life is suppose to be difficult, it enables us to grow. We go through each of the difficult times in our lives to help us grow. We exist for God's purpose, not vice versa.

GOD'S SPIRIT WORKING IN YOU

   - "It is the Holy Spirit's job to produce Christlike character in you." (Rick Warren). Sanctification is the process of changing us to be more like Jesus. Only the Holy Spirit has the power to make changes God wants us to make in our lives. Sometimes he nudges us with a gentle whisper or a huge tug. 1 Kings 19:12 says, "After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." Often times the Holy Spirit just talks to us in a gently whisper or through someone else.

WE MUST COOPERATE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT'S WORK
    - Obedience unlocks God's power. We have to be obedient in order to have the blessings God has in store for us. God often times waits for us to act first, its how our character develops. In order to grow spiritually we have to actively participate. We have to make an effort to become like Jesus. Surround ourselves with people who are on the same spiritual path as you. Listen to music that will help you growth. Get connected with your church family. We have to let go of our old ways. Change the way we think and develop Godly habits. Post break-up I am struggling with this. I have such habits of texting my ex and its not because I'm holding out for him, its my crutch. It gives me comfort. I know I need to stop messaging him but I continue to do it, its my crutch. I will get there but why can't I cooperate with the Holy Spirit?

GOD USES HIS WORD, PEOPLE, AND CIRCUMSTANCES TO MOLD US

   - "God's word produces the truth we need to grow, God's people provide the support we need to grow, and circumstances provide the environment we need to practice Christlikeness." (Rich Warren).  In order for us to become more Christlike we need to read God's word regularly, connect regularly with other believers, and trust God in difficult situations. Trust is hard for me. God ALWAYS comes through for me and I have no reason not to trust him yet, still when I am put in a difficult situation I question God and its is wrong and sinful. Often times God uses people rather than miracles. He wants us to connect with others not just be in isolation of prayer and bible study. We need to have fellowship.

BECOMING LIKE CHRIST IS A LONG, SLOW PROCESS OF GROWTH
   - Spiritual maturity is not instant or automatic, it takes an entire lifetime to reach full maturity. We
are only finished growing spiritually when we get to heaven or when Jesus returns. God is more interested in what we are more than what we do. He looks at our character not our job description. We have to make an effort to become like Christ or the world will bring us down.

Point to Ponder: I was created to become like Christ.
Verse to Remember: "As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more." 2 Corinthians 3:18b
Question to Consider: In what area of my life do I need to ask for the Spirit's power to be like Christ today?

Purpose Driven Life Day 21

Day 21, May 21st, "Protecting Our Church"

   - It is our job of members of a church to protect the unity of the church. If we destroy unity in the church it rips God's heart out. We as members need to model the trinity, father, son, and holy spirit. "Nothing on earth is more valuable to God than his church." (Rick Warren). Yesterday I was talking to a friend and I told him I didn't understand this second purpose as much. I understand that God wants us to have real fellowship but, how is this purpose teaching me or someone else reading it their purpose. He told me the church is God's most valuable possession so one of our purposes is to treasure and honor the church. It opened my eyes up and made me realize why this purpose is in here. Ephesians 4:13 says, "This work must continue until we are all joined together in the same faith and in the same knowledge of the Son of God. We must become like a mature person, growing until we become like Christ and have his perfection." There are 6 things we can do to help protect our church:
   1. Focus on what we have in common, not our differences
       - We need to focus on harmony, not differences. We should value each others differences because God gave each of us our unique personalities. We need to not let differences in each other divide us. We should stay focused on what matters most. Love like God does. "Conflict is usually a sign that the focus has shifted to less important issues." (Rick Warren). Shift your focus on loving each other and filling God's purposes in your life. 1 Corinthians 1:10 says, "I beg you, brothers and sister, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that all of you agree with each other and not be split into groups. I beg that you be completely joined together by having the same kind of thinking and the same purpose."
   2. Be realistic in your expectations 
       - We MUST passionately love the church with its imperfections. "Longing for the ideal while criticizing the real is evidence of immaturity. On the other hand, settling for the real without striving for the ideal is complacency. Maturity is living with tension." (Rick Warren). Other believers will let us down but that doesn't mean we stop fellowship with them. We are all family. Ephesians 4:2 says, "Always be humble, gentle, and patient, accepting each other in love." We have to understand that we are all sinners and the church is made up of sinners as well. Sometimes we hurt each other intentionally sometimes unintentionally. It is important that we reconcile rather then run away. "Divorcing" your church or a friend is a sign of immaturity. Every church and every person has its strength and weaknesses.
   3. Choose to encourage rather than criticize

       - "It is always easier to stand on the sidelines and take shots at those who are serving than it is to get involved and make a commitment." (Rick Warren). So many people complain about things but do not do anything to get involved to change them. If you are not going to help and get involved you should only encourage those who are doing something. Whenever we judge another believer 4 things happen: 1. Lose fellowship with God
              2. Expose your own pride and insecurities
              3. Set yourself up to be judged by God
              4. Harm the fellowship of the church
It is not our job to judge, blame, or critic someone. Romans 14:19 says, "So let us try to do what makes peace and helps one another."
    4. Refuse to listen to gossip 
       - Whether you are the one gossiping or the one listen it is wrong. It is our responsibility to tell others to stop talking about others."People who gossip to you will also gossip about you." (Rick Warren). I am sure we have all been apart of gossip and the repercussions of gossiping are never good. Avoid it at all cost.
    5. Practice God's method for conflict resolution
        - Matthew 18:15-17 says, "If your fellow believer sins against you, go and tell him in private what he did wrong. If he listens to you, you have helped that person to be your brother or sister again. But if he refuses to listen, go to him again and take one or two other people with you. 'Every case may be proved by two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen to the church, then treat him like a person who does not believe in God." The bible tells us exactly what we need to do.
    6. Support your pastor and leaders

        - Cascade Hills Church in Columbus, GA has pastors prayer partners who pray over the pastor, leaders of the church and their families. People meet together before each service and pray and then go on the stage and kneel down with the pastor and pray over him before he gives the message. There are not perfect leaders in any church but God gives them the authority to maintain unity. We need to honor the leaders and pastors. Sometimes we have to do whats best for the "body" and not yourself. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 says, "Now, brothers and sisters, we ask you to appreciate those who work hard among you, who lead you in the Lord and teach you. Respect them with a very special love because of the work they do." "We protect the fellowship when we honor those who serve us by leading." (Rick Warren). Pray for your pastor, honor him, and do not put him down.

Point to Ponder: It is my responsibility to protect the unity of my church.
Verse to Remember: "Let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony and the growth of our fellowship together." Romans 14:19
Question to Remember: What am I personally doing to protect unity in my church family right now?

Purpose Driven Life Day 16

Day 16, May 16th, "What Matters Most"

   - God is LOVE! The most important lesson that God wants us to learn is to LOVE! We are most like God when we love. God wants us to love everybody but He specifically wants us to love others in His family, believers. He wants us to pay special attention to His family and love them because He wants His family to be known for its love. We can not learn to love in isolation. We have to get out and meet people and serve others. You have to be around people to love. You can't just stay in isolation. You have to go out and socialize. For some people this may be a challenge. Start with joining a group at your church. Through fellowship with other people we learn 3 important truths:
   1. The Best Use of Life is LOVE

       - Love should be our TOP PRIORITY in life. Rick Warren says, "Relationships must have priority in your life above everything else." I am really good at putting my romantic relationship top priority. When I am in a relationship I love so much and so deeply. I definitely make a HUGE effort for that person in my life almost to a fault. That person becomes the center of my world. I switch work schedules, I stop going to other activities, etc. This is good and bad. Yes, I am putting that person top priority and our relationship top priority but, thats just one person. I need to not neglect family and friends which I often times do. "Relationship, not achievements or acquisitions of things, are not what matter most in life." Rick Warren. A lot of people struggle with this one. For me I'd give up all my possessions and degrees to have my friends, family, and future husband and children. The enemy of relationships is busyness. We have to carve out time in our schedules for relationships. They should be our top priority. So often people get so caught up in their career and paying bills that they forget the best use of life is loving others. For me, I work in a career field where I can love on others all day. Life - Love = 0
  2. Love Will Last Forever

      - Love and kindness have the most impact on earth when you die. When someone is on there deathbed they don't ask to be surrounded by there diplomas, trophies, earthly possessions; they ask to be surrounded by the people they love. You have to love others and make relationships important to you now, we never know how much time we or someone else has left here on earth. When you die no one is going to remember you for your success in sports, degrees you had, career achievements, those will fade. What they will remember you for is the love you poured out to them and others.
  3. We Will be Evaluated on Our Love
     - God measures spiritual maturity by the quality of our relationships. He is not going to ask you when you get to heaven to tell him about your career or your finances, instead, He is going to ask you how you treated other people. We should love people like God loves the church. Random acts of kindness is a good way to show love to a stranger. Next time you are at a coffee shop pay for someone behind you, it will make someones day and you are showing love to a complete stranger.

THE BEST EXPRESSIONS OF LOVE

   - The more time you give someone or something the more you reveal its importance in your life. Again, when I'm in a romantic relationship giving them my time is easy for me, I love them, I want to spend time with them, I make it a huge priority to me. I prioritize other things so that I can adjust my schedule to have time with them. Especially being in a past military relationship, TIME together is important and shows your love. They may get deployed, sent to the field, go to a school and be gone for months at a time. When they are home its important to spent as much time as possible together. Again, this may be a fault in me because I neglect other relationships in my life and I hope in the future once I get into another romantic relationship that I can balance it more. If you want to know a person's priorities look how they spend their time. Do they spend all their time at work, at church, with the ones that love them? Look at where they spend the majority of time and that will show you where their priorities are. The greatest gift you can ever give someone is your TIME. The most desired form of love is focused attention, especially for us women. I would take away all my earthly possessions to have focused time with the ones I love. That means no cell phones! This is hard for all of us in this day and age but we need to give the people we love our focused attention. Guys often times do not get this. They think I am providing for there every need, they should feel loved! For us women the focused attention, one on one time is so important. For those of you that have kids that means date nights without the kids as well. It's important for your relationship.

THE BEST TIME TO LOVE IS NOW!!!

- One day I will enter into another romantic relationship and I hope and pray that I can be more balanced in my love. I definitely make that relationship my first priority and it should be once we are married but I should not neglect my other relationships. Of course, my relationship with God comes first, then will be my spouse, then children. I pray for God to send me my future husband but until then I am going to spread my love, especially to His family. I challenge you if you are single to trust in God's timing, as hard as it is, it's his perfect timing! Pray for exactly what you want in your spouse. Write it out. Give God every detail. I heard God tell me after my last break up, tell me exactly what you want in your spouse. I wrote it out. I then had a lady at work tell me to tell God exactly what you want. I wrote out another list. Then again Pastor Brent Purvis from Cascade Hills Church preached on prayer and he said you have to tell God exactly what you want from hair color, to career, to height, etc. I then proceeded to make a 3 page list and left room to add more. Of course some of those I can budge on but some I will not. I challenge you, tell God what you want and in the meantime focus on your relationship with God. He will reveal things to you and others may often times confirm it.

Point to Ponder: Life is all about love.
Verse to Remember: "The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love thy neighbor as yourself.' Galatians 5:14
Question to Consider: Honestly, are relationships my first priority? How can I ensure that they are?