While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

jmekcurtis:

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

— Romans 5

And it begins…

traveltheroad:

Today is full. Today is full of reading Acts and Ephesians. Today is full of crying out to God, humbling myself before Him. Today is full of worshiping alone at the top of my lungs in an empty building. Today is full of long handed love letters to my Savior. Today is full of praying for people that I miss and love so dearly. Today is full of drinking tea. Today is full of watching videos from Africa with one of the sweetest couples I know. Today is full of free hot chocolate for people who look cold. Today is full of dancing through the store because I just cannot contain this joy that is inside of me. Today is full of planning my support video and how I am going to get through it without crying. Today is full of writing my support letters. Today is full of lists, one of a hundred things I am thankful for today, and one of groceries we need to buy, and one of homework, and one of verses in Proverbs I have yet to memorize, and one of fundraising ideas. Today is full of practicing Lugandan and French around the house. Today is full of singing in spanish (I have four songs down.) Today is full of sitting at the park, just watching the brutal waves crash against the pier (if grace is an ocean we’re all sinking.) Today is full. Full of love. Full of Joy. Full of growth. Full of fellowship. Full of THANKS. Full of Him.

Lovely <3 what a beautiful woman of God!

Isaiah 40:31&32

bibleyear:

Even youths grow tired and weary, 
   and young men stumble and fall; 
but those who hope in the LORD 
   will renew their strength. 
They will soar on wings like eagles; 
   they will run and not grow weary, 
   they will walk and not be faint.

This one was my “verse of the week.” I chose it as kind of an inspirational verse.  It is nice to “feed your mind” with words of encouragement… especially when they are words that remind us of God’s activity in our lives.  

I remember times in my life when I was really busy, sleep deprived, maybe a little over-extended, but those have also been times when I have turned to God to sustain me and give me strength.  And, I think God grants us energy even more so when we are doing the work/ministry to which he has called us.   

“

If you are in the dumps about a mental illness, please do not give up. There is light at the end of the tunnel. I know it may seem hopeless at times—it may seem like a darkness that never ends. But you can get through it. In fact, you might just be at the beginning of the final corner before the road turns to health, freedom and happiness.

Please, do not give up. You can do this.

”

Michael Ellsberg