Closing of Summer

Summer is rapidly coming to a close. Bo and I have had so much transition lately, but it has been a fun ride! We moved into a townhouse, are attending a different church, and just bought a car! This has been one of the most relaxing summer's Bo & I have had together, and I think it sunk my motivation in getting ready for campus activities. However, after reconnecting with the gals I "coach," and our LifeGroup, it is great!

I recently read through Romans, and Chapter 12 (see pasted below) is amazing. First, verses 9-21 stuck out to me. I thought they were great, and began reading over them often. I was going to share them at Lifegroup one night when we were speaking about desires for what our LifeGroup would be. Funny thing, Bo went first, and shared 12:3-8. So then I thought those verses were really great too. And then I decided to keep looking back, and I found that the whole chapter is really awesome! :) I actually really enjoyed reading through all of Romans. Anyways, the 2 thinks that stuck out to me the most (the first time I read it). Verse 9- Let love be genuine (ESV) & verse 10 - Outdo one another in showing honor. What a testament to the body of Christ if that was lived out those verses. Those are 2 things I want God to change in me. I want my love for people, life, everything - to be genuine. And I want to show everyone honor - not just the people I choose. Each person I encounter is a creation of God's, and I want to cherish it. Not yell at them when they cut me off. Not curse them when they annoy me, or do not do what I want them to do. But to value them always (which I know is impossible because flesh gets in the way). But let me love my neighbor (and husband, family, friends, coworkers, strangers, etc.) as myself - and may it be genuine!

Romans 12 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in porportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is eveil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Seriously - Woah! It's good huh? Tall order, but I want to gorge! :)