He loves me, he loves me not...

I'm sure we have all played the game of "He loves me, he loves me not..." at one point in our lives. I sure did when I was a kid. Little Amy Lou (as my friend's mom called me) plucking leaves from the honey locust tree in the front yard, wondering what the heck life was all about. I would grab a stem of leaves when rushing out the door for another day as a student in the Lake Central School Corporation. [#lcindians]

Today, Love has found me. Yesterday, I was still looking for love. Tomorrow, I will be sustained by His Love.

You may also remember the game of Wheel of Fortune. In this game, you spin a wheel and where the spinner lands, you get the amount on the wheel. In Jesus' game of Wheel of Fortune, all the spots are already filled with Love. The spinner will always land on LOVE because it is impossible for God not to love you.

Love is not romance, just a chance. Love is purposeful. God has purposed in His heart to love you to the END. Jesus died on the cross ON PURPOSE. It wasn't heaven's accident.
God isn't like, 'Woops, I accidentally sent my only Son into the world just to die.'  or 'Woah, I didn't know that he was going to die for the sins of the world.' God knew very well what He was getting Himself into.


In fact, John 3:16 CLEARLY states, "For God 'so loved' the world, that he GAVE his ONE AND ONLY SON JESUS...so that ANYBODY who believes in HIM will not die, but have LIFE FOREVER."

This is love. God knew very well Jesus was going to be handed over to Pilate. Jesus also knew as well. But, didn't let the cup pass from Him. (Luke 22:42) He did the will of his Father. Jesus loved God, until the end of his life on planet Earth.

Listen to: "Strong Love" by Jon Thurlow

Likewise, in Jesus' version of the game of "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not...," the Mighty King only gives us one option to choose from: He Loves Me. There is no other option except for Him to love us. This is why the church sings:

We won't stop pouring out our love to Him

'Cause He loves us every time

Yeah He loves us every time

Jesus Culture - Heaven is Here

God is the very essence of Love. God is Love.

This is the first verse that my aunt, Sofi, decided to teach her daughter, Cristina. Cristina memorized it pretty quickly at the age of two! (1 John 4:8)

God cannot NOT love. He only gives us one option in the end: to love.

#jesusislove

The last traditional game I played of "He loves me, He Loves Me Not....," was at Bellevue Square Mall. I was at the counter checking out, and I decided to prepare the daisy I bought from the store for this blog post. As I started plucking the petals to prepare the daisy for the picture, the palpable presence of God's love was felt across the counter. People noticed the SHIFT in the whole store!

'Amy Lou' shyly tugs at a flower petal, while wondering to herself, "Does this picture look good for my blog?"

CAUTION: FLOWERS WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS BLOG

Glory Daisy!

As we grow in His Love for us, confidence grows in who He is and who He has made us to be. In worship, I feel confident singing to him. Ask some of the people who sit next to me in church meetings.

Even as you read Song of Solomon (signifying the bride's love for her bridegroom), the beloved grows more confident in her understanding of the lover's love for her. In marriage, your spouse will open up more and more to you, as he becomes one with you.

"But, Amy...," you ask, "...what about

Those leaves. Those petals. Those pretty little lies.

The disappointments, the hang-ups, the break-ups, the heartaches? What do they all mean? Why did I have to go through that if God 'so loved' me? What is 'so love' anyway?"

We need to find our satisfaction [or identity] in Jesus' 'so love.' To be more secure in the love of God in Christ Jesus. To really know that God has a plan for our good. To remember Him. To be employed with the King of Kings. And to dance in step with the greatest song ever composed. To believe is the answer.

In early 2012 in Waco, Texas, [#wacotown] God whispered to me, "Believe in My Love," as I desperately searched for a drop or snippet of HOPE. The greatest encouragement I have received from Jesus is just that: "Believe in my Love." And those four words will forever mean the world to me. Forever. Believe in My Love, Child. Believe in My Love, Beloved. Believe in my Love, Amy. Believe in My Love, Daughter. Believe in My Love, Princess.

Believe in My Love, ______.

God's Love is not based on the way we think he works. His Love is going to operate in its way (constant, unchanging) whether or not we believe in His Love.

Hopelessness and heartache could be the result of failed or unmet expectations. Sometimes, we put our hope in expectations we put on others. As people, God will not take his unfailing love from us. Because of His Love, we are made to be set free from all condemnation and fear. He calls us to a Higher Place in Him. Because of His Love, we can be set free of everything that hinders his love from resting on each and every one of our lives. He makes all things work together for our good. (Romans 8:28)

Remember:
You are the One He Loves. @judahsmith

I was introduced to the song below from Shaina, a friend of mine from Waco, Texas. She posted the link below on her facebook page back in January. The song so deeply moved me that I proceeded to message her asking her for prayer. She prayed for me and gave me a prophetic word:

1/10, 5:09pm (Amy to Shaina)

Shaina,
I need help from God. Do you have a word or something? I would appreciate it.
Thanks,
Amy

1/11, 1:24am (Shaina to Amy)

I feel like He wants you to know that He created you for His good pleasure. That He picked you. He chose you. He wanted you. He adopted you. And He is saying, "Will you trust Me more?" I feel like He wants you to give Him your all. Soul, spirit, mind, body, heart. Yield everything you are at the feet of Jesus and look into His eyes. Spend a few days just gazing upon His beauty as He holds you. Rocks you back and forth. Saying, "I love you. I have always loved you. I will always love you. I've got you now, right here in my arms. Will you trust me? Will you give me your heart? I will give you Mine in exchange. Will you look into My eyes? You fill find peace and healing. Will you lay against my chest. I will hold you. I will embrace you. I will kiss your little rosy cheeks. Come away with Me. Come away."
Read Hosea 2 Amplified Version

1/11, 1:35am (Amy to Shaina)

Shaina, I want to be intimate and spend time with Jesus so badly. And I felt his loving arms around me while I listened to Through and Through by Will Reagan that you posted. Yes. I need this. You are so generous in giving me a word. I am so thankful. I just didn't want him to let me go when he was holding me in his arms when I was listening to that song.

&& I pray you KNOW you are HELD SAFE in the ARMS of LOVE. Welcome to the Family. (1 Peter 2:9)

HE LOVES YOU! 

It's a Waste..... really....

& wherever the gospel is preached, her story will be told...

She didn't have to do that. 

She REALLY, REALLY didn't have to do that.

She is f____ out of her mind.

They start to scorn her:

WHY are you doing that?! You're a f------ whore!
(and the voices around her get louder & louder)

Did you f___ see that, bro?!
Yeah, still a whore- doesn't change who she is.

***

based on Mark 14:3-9 

   One morning, I opened the pantry to find some sort of sugar or spice or SOMETHING else nice. As I was frantically searching, my hand hits the bottle of vanilla and you guess it...the cap was loose. I didn't notice the cap was broken/loose, until there were ounces of vanilla on the countertop. The smell of the vanilla started seeping through the whole kitchen. All my room mates could totally tell that something in kitchen was happening. Recklessness. Ugh, what a waste from a stupid accident.

     ....But this woman's perfume poured out was no accident. This woman recklessly gave all she had at the feet of Jesus. She knew what she was giving away- she was giving away everything that gave her security in her life. Did she know how Jesus would react after she gave she was to him?

But, she had faith in the Messiah.

She knew after she offered what she had from her life, she would become new in his presence. When she gave all she had, she arose from Jesus' feet clean & forgiven. She did not consider her life important apart from Jesus. (Revelation 12:11) Jesus became her new life & hope. After all she had desired, Jesus became her pure desire. (Haggai 2:7)

     Now, imagine yourself in her situation. Do you feel the fragrance of your love on his feet? Do you want to give your life fully to Jesus? Are you afraid of losing your security, a relationship, money, job, or a reputation? Are you afraid your offering to Jesus is not enough? Good, because your offering is not enough, but he will take whatever you have to give him. He offered his life in exchange for your life. He gave himself to bring another person (you) into his glorious presence, with no shame or condemnation.

Now, make your life count. He has given us another chance. If you wish you can press the "reset" button, you can look to the cross of Jesus.

 If all you have is your pain to offer him, pour out your bottled-up pain. He will turn your pain into beauty. It's the great exchange, the only exchange that matters.

God took all our sin and exchanged it for a new life in His Son (Jesus Christ). This is our story. It was her story.

Was her act of giving her perfume truly a waste? Or was it just an exchange?
It was a exchange, a glorious one at that.

HELLO, my name is:

David. David was a camper at the first annual KidzJam Spring Break Camp, Catalyst, in Waco, Texas.  Click Here to find out more about Catalyst. I definitely fell in love with his sweet heart. I remember when I got extremely stressed out for about 2 minutes, and he came up to me, took my hand, & just looked at me and loved me. It was so humbling. Beautiful mercy. Beautiful memory.
David means beloved in Hebrew.

A name. Meaning.
A name. Existence.
A name. Given.
A name. Expectation.

John 10:3 (NIV)

The watchman [or gatekeeper] open the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
concept from New Women's Devotional Bible, 2006, pg. 1300:

What are the favorite names I know for God? 

The Good Shepherd

He will never leave us or forsake us. Psalm 23.

Lover of my soul

He will teach me how to love. Psalm 37:4.

He will love us to the end. 

He will stick closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

Son of God

He will dwell with us; Immanuel. 

My Beloved/His Beloved

He will be One us.

JT, Mirrors- Song of Solomon version:

Beloved

His biggest seat is set in His heart
There's a space, but now we're home.

Lover

My biggest seat is set in my heart

There's a space, but now You're home.

& God knows my name.

He is with me.

He knows how I function.

He wears me like a robe. (comments?)

He speaks to me.

what about the NEW name in heaven (revelation 2:17):

Shekinah

 The King is Here, manifest Presence of God. 

aka---the name of my future daughter :)

HELLO my name is:

"Catch Me if you can" - JESUS.

I don't got a name, lady!

And it finally happened. I never thought it would. What, you may ask? Take a look at this video, then read on:

I just finished my first bike ride - and I was at the trail's water fountain getting a drink. My friend had went back to help our other friend catch up. So, I was waiting at the end of the trail alone. My drink was one of refreshing to me savoring the few gulps I took after a hike up the last hill. Just as I finished, I glanced up aspiring my next destination, home. Just on the other side of the street, there he was, the man with no name. He was approaching the water fountain. So, I watched him take his soda bottle and fill it with water. I was a little confused thinking, "Why would he want a half bottle of pop and a half bottle of water?" Then, I decided to ask the question...
"Are you hungry?," I asked.
"No..." he said.
"Oh, you sure?" I asked.
"Yeah," he said.
SILENCE...
"What's your name?" I asked. As I asked, Micah's line wrapped through the crevices of my mind, and with a nanosecond of warning, I knew what words were coming.
"I got no name, lady." he remarked.
I had no response for a good 20 seconds, and by that time he was walking away. Thoughts were running through my head, and I grasped onto one. I remembered that Heidi Baker gave someone a name that had no name. So, I shouted out to him, your name is beloved. I don't know if he heard me, but I know that he was loved by God, and that's all that mattered. As I went home, I needed to watch Micah's poem again. Was the man afraid what I would think if he told me his name? Did he have some regrets? Who was this man without a name? Beloved.

Isaiah 54:10 (MSG)

For even if the mountains walk away and the hills fall to pieces, My love won't walk away from you, my covenant commitment of peace won't fall apart." The God who has compassion on you says so.

Maybe, just maybe, everyone walked away, and there was no use for a name anymore.

Iron Man 3 | Robert Downey Jr.

I was recently looking back at a project from 10th grade.
I was so happy to find Robert Downey Jr.'s face in this setting:
This is what I wrote while I was attending Lake Central High School, Spring of 2007...
Under "Famous People I want to meet"

5. ROBERT DOWNEY JR.- Just give the man an Oscar already. I think he is a great actor and a down-to-earth person. He has actually went through rehabilitation for drugs and I think he has changed dramatically after that. He is also really handsome. 

I wanted to meet him! I still do. This time to tell him about Christ, the hope of glory. I saw Iron Man 3 with my cousin, Omar, this past Friday. It was full of action. My favorite scene was when Iron Man goes into Air Force 1 situation. People are falling towards the earth towards death at an unstoppable speed, but Iron Man comes in and has each one hold another's hand, creating momentum. This reminded me of God's love... he is constantly pursuing us with momentum. 

Another scene that reminded me God loved me was at the end when Iron Man wins the game and fireworks (of all the other Marks versions) go off. I love fireworks!

Go see this movie, and pray I meet Mr. Downey...soon.

We win, Gracie!

We have all heard the saying, 'Stop and smell the roses.' Do you remember a time you said this to someone you cared about? Do you remember a time this was said to you? If you don't, that's okay.

The phrase's systematic use is to change a persons' perspective on his day/life, not necessarily to offend the party.

On Tuesday, I had the privilege to sit-in on a 2nd year BSSM (Bethel Supernatural School of Ministry) class with Kris Vallotton. After the class, I met with the hero (friend) of my story.

In a good story, when the character gets confused, the writer brings in a friend or mentor. Heroes rarely figure out the path alone.
— Donald Miller (@donaldmiller) April 27, 2013

Her name is Olga. After Kris spoke, I met her in the parking lot. She shared with the pain of my unchanging circumstance. She encouraged me that we are not supposed to make life harder, it is already hard enough. During this time in the car, I recollected memories of where I thought I would be in life... and what these memories of the heart surprisingly brought in was JOY in the midst of my pain. 

A scene-by-scene lifespan ran through my head:

One of me smelling roses, one of me running through a wide-open field of grass (Psalm 23), and finally, a scene of Grace (Liz Taylor) in Armageddon hoping against hope. 

For example, if my friend was in a difficult unchanging circumstance, I would say (at some point in the conversation) have you stopped to smell the roses? There is always good to be found despite circumstances. 

There is always rest to be found in the midst difficult circumstances. "Oh Great God, Give us Rest," by David Crowder  Band is a beautiful worship song to bless you. Psalm 23 is my place in God's story, running in open fields, where time and space seem trivial compared to God's vastness and beauty. (Thank you, Larena for this)

In the 1998 movie Armageddon, Harry (Bruce Willis) sacrifices himself for the sake of his daughter's future with A.J. Frost (Ben Affleck) and for the future of the world. In the final scene, A.J. Frost states, "Harry doesn't know how to fail." A.J. demonstrates faith in Harry. Of course, this is like God. The God of the Bible doesn't know how to fail. He never fails us, he is unfailing love (read the Book). Before Harry preses the button to detonate the asteroid that is about to destroy the earth, he states, "We win, Gracie!" Love knows no sacrifice that is "too big." It does not stop at "woah, that hurts way too much to give that part of me away." Love gladly gives the deepest part of it away, without stopping. Scenes of Grace's life pass before her eyes, and the mystery of God is revealed in this scene (2 Corinthians 4). Love always wins. 

God's goodness is ultimately shown when he sacrifices Jesus for the sins of the world to be removed, and for the world to know truly who God is: Our Father. Let his sons and daughters rise. (John 3:16; Romans 8; John 1)

Today, I want to ask you have you stopped to smell the roses? 

What have you done for someone else today? (John 15:13)

That's Something Else!

Last November, I was at Calvary Church in Naperville, IL. My friend Marie Fe (a Spanish Professor at Trinity Christian College) told me a pastor was going to minister to los Zetas, a people group, in Mexico. I didn't know who they were, yet alone what they are known for. (At first, I thought they were a "people group," but then I realized they were a drug cartel, who are still a people group)
She just told me this pastor was risking his life for the sake of the gospel. So, my first thought was, 'man, this guy is crazy!'
Then, I realized, dangerous people groups are important to God. Woah. [this has nothing to do with the recent terrorist attacks in Boston, Jahar is a different story]
I was sitting in lifegroup thinking, man, 'I know how these things work, but then I heard about this radical man of God going to risk his life for the sake of the gospel.'  Literally, he was saying I am ready to die for this, thinking to himself it has been a good race, if I die, I die.
***
I found myself back n Aurora about 4 months later.
So, she updated me last March (2013). It was amazing!
She said he went down there. When he went down there (Mexico), he was doing the work of Jesus. I asked her how did it go, is he alive? Then she went into the story...
He went down there, and los Zetas wanted a good story. They told him it better be a good story, or we are going to kill him. So, they put him in a van, and he was thinking that's it...I'm gonna die- this is crazy.
But, then a blind lady who got healed started looking for the evangelist. She came up to the window of the van and knocked on the window, los Zetas opened up. And she was testifying my eye is better! I can see. They decided what he was sharing was worth listening to!

At this point, I responded, "That's Something Else." Anyway, I realized that was Jesus! So worthy to be praised!

Really great! Until next time, do what you do.