spiritual shape

Wow. My time here at the Hope House is coming to and end. I thought that four weeks would go by fast, but it just seems that I came here yesterday. God has showed me so much during my stay here at the home. It's been such a blessing to work with people in the house and girls who have come through during my time here.

For the past two weeks after all the transitions there has been one girl here at the home. The house can hold four girls, but we just got a new resident director so we are getting adjusted before more girls come. It's been an interesting, but great time to be here at the house. I so glad that I get to see some of changes that are coming to the home. Last week our new case manager and resident director stared working, and I can already see God at work in the house. I can know that Hope House is going to be a an even more powerful tool that God uses to crush Satan's plan to ruin these girls. Ah, I am sooo excited!

One thought that God has put heavy on my heart while I have been gone is being in "spiritual shape" If you know me, you know that I am advocate of physical fitness and staying healthy. One of my hobbies is working out. Some of my friends would also call me a health nut.. but I tend to say that I eat everything in moderation. In my book it's soo important for us to exercise regularly and eat good to maintain a healthy mind and body. We just functions better when our bodies are fed the right things and we exercise regularly. Of course we know that it's great for us to do so.. but we always do not find time or make the smartest food choices. One funny thought, there are tons of doctors who tell their patients to exercises and eat smart but don't do it themselves!

Just like it is so important for us to keep our bodies in check physically. It's even more important to stay in shape spiritually. Just as exercise and right nutrition keeps our bodies healthy, so it is the same for staying spiritually healthy. Prior to coming to the Hope House, I struggled with a lot was studying my Bible and spending "quality" time with God. The change of location brought a new and fresh urgency to press further into God's presence and study his word. I knew that it was high time for me to lace up my tennis shoes and get back into spiritual shape. Of course getting into physical shape is not an over night process, neither is getting into spiritual shape. One trip to gym is not going to do it, neither will one prayer session and couple Bible verses do the trick. Getting into shape is not a fun or easy task. It takes hard work, time, willingness and dedication.. but it's soo worth it! Getting into spiritual shape will enhance your relationship with Jesus like no other. It strengthens our Holy Spirit sensors and sharpens our ears to hear what God wants us to do. Also not to mention the Word of is our sword, and weapon against Satan's attacks (Ephesians 6:17) We will not be in ready to fight attacks from the enemy unless we are in shape spiritually! That means studying and reading our word daily!

This verse really spoke to me "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." -Isaiah 40:31
Getting into God's presence and diving in your Word will defiantly put you in spiritual shape! There is no other way to strengthen your effectiveness and power in life. Jesus wants us to seek him at all times! Want to go from "couch" to 5k, read your word and press into God's presence! Get into Spiritual Shape and see the results and benefits appear!

loving the least of these

Jesus tells us above all else love God and love others. This the is greatest commandment that God give us.

Here at the Hope House due to safety reasons we are presently in a bit of transition with the girls. We currently have one girl in house and later this week she will be moving on to another Christian program. Then a another girl will be coming back in the home for good and not leaving! PTL. :) So things have been a little crazy around the house, but it's been such a blessing just to be here and be used by God. The girl who is currently in the house right now is very bit of 12..ha! Moody, wants attention, silly, crazy, and is has a really sweet personality. The poor thing has been going through a lot of changes/transitions during the past week and is just mentally tired. Within a week she found out that she had to leave the Hope House, was told she could not go back home (it's a good thing, her mom knows she needs more help and restoration) and discovered she is going to a totally different program (one that has a uniform, does not allow make up, jewelry.. ect.) Soo.. at the house we are trying to get to her ready to leave, make sure she has the right things to bring, go through her stuff, clean, take her doctors visits and did I mention clean? Since she has been through a lot changes during the last week and had a lot of decisions made for her lately, shes been a bit frustrated (to say the least). Her frustrations come out through fits of anger(anger is a very lite way to describe what happens). Then 20 minutes later she feels horrible about getting so mad and saying ugly things. She knows that Jesus is bigger than her anger and is praying for Him to help her over come it.

Well, we all know that when someone gets mad at you and says ugly things to you it's really hard to show love back. I learned that above all else my job inside and outside of the home is to show and model Christ's love. Even when the girl gets mad and says very ugly things to me and about me. I know she doesn't mean it and more than anything she needs me to show Christ's love. I know that she shows so much anger on the outside because she was hurt so bad in the inside. Even when she is mad, when I look at her all I can see is Jesus. In spite of her fits of anger and 12 year old immaturity Jesus made her and loves her dearly. When we love and serve others, it's actually Jesus that we are serving and loving. Every time we touch the heart of another, we are reaching the heart of God also.

Today I was reminded of this teaching:

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' - Matthew 25:31-46

wow, whens the last time you touched the heart of God by serving "the least of these?"