For God so loved the world...

Those words used to mean nothing to me. Growing up in church, hearing those words from a young age, made the words meaningless to me. They were just words.

 In middle school and high school I used to envy those who didn't grow up in church, who read the Bible and saw the Word of God with fresh eyes and new heart. I had the same heart I've always had and reading the Bible was just rereading the stories I've heard all of my life. I didn't truly understand just what God did, why Jesus came, and what God is doing in and around us.

We've been studying Romans 8 at church. Sadly, I haven't been there for all of it but tonight's message really hit home with me. 

If you've read my past notes you know that I am in love with Love. The songs, the gestures, the books, the thoughts, and most of all the One who IS Love. I yearn to love God more and I pray that that yearning will never go away and will only get stronger. As I learn what love is and how to put it into action I've learned to fully love my family, friends, and even those I can't barely stand. If you want to learn more about love I recommend reading "The Four Loves" by CS Lewis or "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. Both will open your heart to what love truly is. 

"Some of the most profound things are simple yet hard to understand" That's exactly what God's love is. I wish there was another word I could use besides "love" It has so many meanings and for some it has so many negative connotations. 

"He who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" This verse comforts me to my core. If God sent what He loved most, His only Son, to DIE for me what makes me think he wouldn't take care of me in every other area of my life? What makes me think He doesn't care?

Jehu....

Kings. Leaders of kingdoms. Rulers of people. So much power in one man.

I have been reading about so many kings lately. The kings of Israel and the kings of Judah. Starting with David and going onward. They have faced so many trials. Won and lost so many battles. Were given every opportunity to turn to their God and more often than not they turned to other gods instead of the one TRUE God.

Jehu.

He was anointed king in secret by a prophet that Elisha had sent. After anointing him the prophet just ran out the door. Anointing a king while a king is still on the throne is...umm...treason. Probably punishable by death. When Jehu came out of the room his friends asked him about the "maniac" Jehu brushed it off nonchalantly but his friends pushed him. Once Jehu told them that he was anointed king they laid down their cloaks for his feet and celebrated. (2 Kings 9:1-13)

What I loved about Jehu was his confidence. On the day of the confrontation King Joram sent two horsemen out to see if Jehu came in peace. Jehu told both horsemen "What do you know about peace? Fall in behind me" and they did. That's a man getting stuff DONE! When asked point blank by King Joram if Jehu came in peace he replied "How can there be peace as long as all the idolarty and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound" Buuuuuurn. Then Jehu shot King Joram in the heart. (2 Kings 9:17-29)

"Shot through the heart and you're to blame. You give love a bad name"

Sorry...it couldn't be helped.

And after he killed Jehu he also killed the king of Judah. Prophecy was fulfilled. And on top of all that. He killed Jezebel too. She was thrown from a window and horses trampled her. When they went out to bury her nothing was left but her skull, her feet, and her hands. Prophecy again fulfilled. "Jezebel's body will by like dung on the ground in the plot at Jezreel, so that no one wil be able to say, 'This is Jezebel' " (2 Kings 9:30-37)

Jehu reformed Israel and Judah. Servants of Baal were killed (2 Kings 10:18-27), Ashereh poles were taken down and prophecy fulfilled.

The Lord blessed Jehu but he still didn't keep the laws of God. (2 Kings 10:30-31) Jehu still rocked in my book though!

Our wedding was many years ago. The celebration continues to this day

Yesterday two of my closest friends vowed to love and cherish each other til death. Even sitting here I want to cry happy tears at the sight of my mind's eye. I have never seen anything so beautiful, so wonderful, and so right. For the past two years these friends have shown me what true commitment is, despite all of the odds stacked against them. And now they are getting ready to go on their honeymoon cruise and reaping all of the benefits of being "just married" and knowing Alex like I do...I KNOW he is using the "we're on our honeymoon" line like crazy. 
His face when he saw her was priceless....I don't think he was able to move for a minute or two. 

I'm just so overcome with joy and happiness that I want to spill over and just watching them glide around the room (opposite sides of course...I love how that happens at weddings) and watching them share this special day with friends and family. I know this is a day I will lock in my memory to save for a time when it seems everything is against me. I can look back on this day, smile, and know that life is wonderful