Tag: Love

Motivational Monday

On February 17, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! Thank you for letting me have an off week. It was my birthday and Valentine’s week so it was a busy week. One of the many reasons I love the month of February is because it is centered around love. We talk about love a lot in these motivations but today I want to focus on christian love. So, let’s talk about it.

Most of you know me in real life (unlike the internet one! 🙂). In real life, I have (more than) a few tattoos. I have the word “love” tattooed twice on me. Once on my left ring finger (for my love, Jon) and the second is a bible verse. 1 Corinthians 16:14, “Let all that you do be done in love.” I got this verse for many reasons. But the first and foremost reason was to be able to witness to nonbelievers. This verse speaks to me. If everyone did everything in love, this world would be a great place. I think even nonbelievers would agree, right?

Now, I love my husband. I do. But the easiest love is my son. Sure, he gets on my nerves but in my mom mind, the love you have for your child is the closest you will ever experience to pure love. It’s the closest love we can experience as how our Father loves us. Every person on Earth is a child of God whether they are a believer or not. Our God created everything you see. Look around…everything. And He did this for YOU. He did it for me. He did it for all of us. YES! Even those who hate Him. AND, He gave us HIS only son. Can you imagine allowing your child to use his life to pay for our salvation when we could care less about it? I can’t either. This love is agape love.

Agape love is the desire to do good for others, even enemies, and is not based on feelings. If you are anything like me, it is hard to separate feelings from doing good. I can’t tell you how many times I have to walk away to just think. In my younger days, I erroneously just reacted. I am definitely not perfect but I can tell you I have mellowed as I have gotten older. This more mellow Jennifer usually allows the opportunity to consult with God and ask questions. There are times I listen and there are times I don’t because I allow emotions to get in the way. I say this all the time, it’s because I’m human. Let me be clear when I say, that is no excuse for bad behavior. It’s just important to know that’s how God made us. Why did He make it hard on us? I don’t know exactly (I’ll ask when I get to heaven) but I feel certain it was a way to constantly seek Him.

Then, there is unconditional love. I think unconditional love and agape love are very similar but different. Unconditional love is what I believe is the closest most of us come to agape love. Let me sum up unconditional love. Jesus. Jesus helped. Jesus loved. BUT, Jesus also held people accountable. Unconditional love doesn’t mean allowing people to live a sinful life without you calling them out. It is your duty as a christian to tell them what they’re doing is wrong. This isn’t being judgemental. This is love. Remember, be careful of your delivery. When Jesus called people out, He did this with love and not hate.

And then, there is forgiving those who need to be forgiven. As a friend, I am going to tell you some bad news. People will hurt your feelings. They may do it intentionally or unintentionally. But when you are on the receiving end of that hurt, intentional or not, it hurts all the same. It will be up to you on how you deal with that hurt. As a byproduct of that hurt, it will shape you. Will you become bitter and angry? Or will you let go? What I can tell you is God is there to help you through it. And once you DO forgive, that is love. To just put it in perspective, can you truly love someone who hurt you bad enough to not forgive them? I know I couldn’t.

Love is hard and complicated because we have feelings. Love is an emotion that is hard to control. Love is the backbone of who we are or who we want to be. I used to say God tests us but I think God stretches us like a muscle. When a muscle is used and stretched for the first time in a long time, it hurts. It might hurt to use that muscle after it’s been worked but you still do it because you have to go about your day. Hopefully, you have used that muscle enough to where you don’t injure yourself too bad and need surgery. But with a little ice or a little heat, you are usually just fine. God wants to be our day to day life. He is our ice and heat. And if it’s too bad, He’s the only surgeon I want.

Love you all (and I promise I do!!),

Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On January 27, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! As I was thinking about what to write today, I was hit in the face with a subject idea (thanks to my best friend 🙂). Judgement. Who is supposed to pass judgment? So let’s talk about it.

When I was younger, I used to judge others pretty harshly. I honestly don’t know why because I never thought of myself as better than anyone else (truly). I guess, in my mind, right is right and wrong is wrong. As I have aged, I see there is a lot of gray in that black and white. Maybe this is easier for me to see because I have my own past. And in this past, I needed people to see my gray and not judge me. But, here’s the funny part, I DID need them to judge me. What I needed was grace, love and accountability. And to hold someone accountable that involves judgement. And those closest to me did and they helped change me (which I am forever grateful).

Following Jesus is simple, but not easy.

Matthew 7:1 simply states, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” That’s pretty direct, right? But let’s look at the verses after that, “For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:2-5.

If you read Matthew 7:1 and nothing else, it seems pretty clear. But when you keep reading, you realize Jesus tells listeners how to approach someone who is behaving poorly. If you skip down to Matthew 7:15-20, Jesus says that we can discern the true character of people by observing the fruit they bear. So, can we judge or not? Because, as a Christian, I feel like I am in a trap. If I judge someone, I’m a hypocrite but if I don’t then I am not spreading the true gospel. Personal opinion here, but this feels like the devil is doing his work perfectly. We are doubting ourselves and we are allowing Jesus’s own words to stop us.

Judging is looking at another person’s action in such a way that you are pronouncing guilt on them. But what if that person has told you they were guilty? They are coming to you needing guidance. During his time on Earth, Jesus lived what he taught, and he regularly (and rather assertively) addressed people’s harmful choices. So it wouldn’t make sense for him to prohibit us from using discernment in our relationships or the world at large. I believe when Jesus used the word “judge” he referred to condemning others or treating them with judgemental contempt.

Let’s go back to Matthew 7:3-5 above. Jesus’ words suggest there is a time and place to speak up when you see a problem. Like Jesus, we can call out wrongdoing in ways that do not condemn or diminish anyone else. But notice that it isn’t until the final line of his metaphor that Jesus says anything about assessing another person’s behavior. The majority of his instruction is about the important first step of self-reflection. This is where I used to fall off the wagon on the whole “judging others” thing. My self reflection was TERRIBLE!!

Recognizing, acknowledging and addressing our own failures is a very humbling experience. And if you have ever been in a situation where you are lost (mentally and spiritually) but you emerged on the other side…then you know. You were humbled to your core. From this place of honest humility, we are less likely ro judgmentally condemn or think less of others.

This week, as you are watching the news or listening to a friend/family, pay attention to your thoughts or words. Notice when judgement escapes. Where is this coming from? This is where self reflection comes into play. Likewise, if a friend is telling you something that is wrong, then stand up and say something! If they are your friend, they will appreciate you (maybe not right then but later 😂). It IS ok to hold people accountable for their sins. Mine did. They listened, loved me and showed me grace. And because of this accountability and love, I chose to come out the other side.

Love you all,

Jennifer

aka just some girl trying to get in heaven

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On January 6, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! Listen…LISTEN!! I live in Alabama because I don’t do cold. Honestly, I don’t love hot weather but I’ll take it over cold. It.is.cold! Have y’all been outside today??! What in the world?! As my teeth were chattering in the car, I started thinking about what the weather would be like in heaven (because this is NOT heaven to me 🙂). Once I started going down that path, I thought of a million other questions! So let’s talk about it.

Every week with these Motivational Mondays, we always talk about praying, doing the right thing, loving the Lord, etc. We do all of this to keep our eyes on the prize and that’s eternity in heaven. Heaven isn’t the only prize in all of this but we are promised eternity with our Lord and Savior. But have you ever thought about heaven? Sure you have…we ALL have. Now, I have never been but I hear the accommodations are phenomenal! Like you never want to leave phenomenal, which is good because well, you are there to stay. So today, I wanted to address a few common questions about heaven.

Before I start, I’ll be the first to admit that I DON’T have all the answers (and this applies to ALL Motivational Mondays). I try to put personal feelings aside and look at things from a Biblical stance. If I do state a personal feeling, I try to explain why I personally feel that way. Because I have never been to heaven or have spoken to anyone personally who has been and came back, I am not sure I have all the accurate answers to questions but we can try.

Will we have bodies and live human lives? When I envision heaven, I appear (in my head) as my physical appearance. I envision seeing my loved ones and even my previous pets there. I have always thought that we might look different (maybe we are our younger selves) but we know who each other are. I think heaven is a place of pure beauty with lush green fields, waterfalls and produce galore (I don’t know if we will need to eat but maybe…?). We will laugh with joy and be merry all the time. And I believe this will involve all of those in heaven we love. Why? We were/are created in God’s image. God is creative (I mean, look out your window) and intelligent. I would imagine heaven is a place that fulfills God’s original plan.

Will we still be ourselves with our memories of this life? When Jesus died on the cross and he arose from the dead, Luke 24:36-40 says, “As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, ‘Peace to you!’ But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.” Jesus didn’t turn into anyone else. He was Jesus. And Jesus remembered what happened to him because he showed his hands and feet. To be fair, when he arose and spoke, he wasn’t in heaven. Isaiah 65:17 says, “‘For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.’”

I genuinely hope I am me when I get heaven and I hope I remember the good in this life. I am sure I will be the best version of me which is sinless. Based on the above scriptures, I am inclined to believe we will be ourselves with possibly some memory.

Will there be animals and will past pets be there? Okay friends, if you know ANYTHING about me at all, it’s that I am a HUGE animal lover. I love all animals. I am sure that one day when I die, I will be trying to pet something that will eat me. I pray for animals almost as much as I pray for humans. So before answering this question, I felt the need to be 100%transparent.

As you know from reading scripture, the Bible is full of references of animals. The Bible is clear about how important animals are to us. God didn’t put them on earth because they are cute (but they are cute!) Animals are the second most important inhabitants on the planet. So what about heaven? Isaiah 65:25 says, “‘The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox,and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,’says the Lord.” When the Lord said this he was referring to the new heavens and a new earth. I think this shows that we will cohabitate with animals. Maybe in heaven, I can pet all the animals without fear of being eaten!

So for our past pets to be there…I don’t know. There is nothing I can point to in the Bible to say, “This! This is it right here!” What I can say (personal feeling here), is God knew all my animals would be my pet. He knows the great joy they bring me and because he is mighty and loving God, it would be just like him to have our animals waiting on us. At least, that is my hope. But again, I am biased when it comes to animals.

As stated earlier, I don’t have all the answers about heaven. But I can’t imagine a heaven where love isn’t first and foremost. I mean the Lord is there for us to love. He will be right.there. So, if we love things here on earth that were created by him and were “good”, I can’t imagine it not being a part of heaven. That’s our love for each other, our love to help one another, our love for beautiful natural things, and our love (and/or appreciation) of animals. I don’t want to leave this earth until my service here is done. But, BUT! I can’t wait to see heaven! I can’t wait to see what is in store for me. And I can’t wait to see all of you there where we can worship the Lord together, eternally.

Love you all,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On December 23, 2024

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! A few more days until Christmas is here!! By now, HOPEFULLY your stress level is down and you are pumped to celebrate the birth of Jesus. I know I am. I can’t wait to sit back, drink my coffee and watch the fam open their gifts.

Yesterday, we spent Christmas with Jon’s side of the family for the first time since COVID. There are a lot of reasons why we haven’t seen each other, but at the end of the day, it was easier to not get together at this time of year (we all have to drive to a central location to see each other). This year, Jon said, “Nope. We are getting together!” So we did. And it was so nice! It was low key, easy, full of laughter and love. Jon, Logan and I realized how much we missed them and just how much we love them! We always loved them but you know the saying…absence makes the heart grow fonder.

This got me thinking about the season. For most of us, this season is about love. But what about those who are hurting? I can see where some find this time of year as the most loveless time of year. Where do you find love in the middle of this season where everyone is happy? Let’s talk about it.

No matter how you feel about the Christmas season, God’s Word gives us reason to rejoice when we consider the meaning behind this holiday. Scripture tells us that God loved ALL of us (yes, He loves those who don’t love Him) so much that he sent His only Son to save us. Clearly this was the plan all throughout history because it was prophesied MANY times throughout the Old Testament. When Jesus was born, the path was always to the cross where He would die to save us. If that doesn’t define love, let me give you a few other reasons. 🙂

God is love. If you are not familiar with God defining love, this statement might be confusing. The Bible tells us that God is perfect. He is patient, good and righteous. He is not loving…he is love. The miracle of Christmas is from the great love He has for us. “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” 1 John 4:16.

To show us, Jesus came to show us God’s love. We all are separated from God by sin because only He is perfect. We couldn’t fix our relationship with Him because it wasn’t possible and He knew it. He knew He had to intervene by sending Jesus. This was the only way we could receive salvation. Christmas is the time of year we remember Jesus’s arrival. “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Because of Jesus, we can show God’s love to others. As we have talked in previous weeks, it’s easy to get caught up in the gift giving aspect. But what this time of year should tell us is to love others as God has loved us. We need to be ready to love those who feel alone or discouraged. It’s the time of year where we encourage others to experience the gift we all received from God. “We love because he first loved us.”1 John 4:19

Lastly, God’s love is eternal. This season, if you are hurting, it is most likely over rejection, bitterness or heartbreak. God will never let you down. He will never break a promise, lessen His love or let you go. God gave us Jesus which is HUGE. Do you think if someone gave you their only Son would revoke their love from you? Nope. THIS is something we can all rejoice in this Christmas and all throughout the year! “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

So friends, this holiday season, remember those who need extra love. I know some say they don’t want or need love, but you know they are hurting. If you feel like you can’t show them love by inviting them over or giving them a meal, then just pray for them. You don’t have to tell them OR maybe you do want to tell them. If you are someone who is hurting this season and you need/want to feel God’s love, please come to our service tomorrow night at 6pm. It’s always short and we don’t care what you wear! What I can promise you is people will be smiling and happy. We will introduce ourselves but we won’t be annoying, I promise! If you want to sit next to me, I always sit on the right side as you walk in. I am a little more than halfway up and I sit on the vent. 🙂 It’s my unofficial assigned seat. No matter what, please come and feel His love this season.

Merry Christmas,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On December 16, 2024

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Well friends, we only have one more Monday before Christmas. Are you ready? I’m ready to see my family and watch everyone open presents. That is my favorite part of Christmas. Sitting back, sipping coffee, watching those I love and smiling. Seriously. It brings me an abundant amount of joy. Which just so happens to be TODAY’s topic! Shocker, I know. So, let’s talk about it.

In the beginning, the God of joy made a world full of joys. I like to call these normal joys. Now, let me be clear for a second, none of these joys are exactly “normal”. I mean, I can’t create animals or vegetation. But, that is what I call a normal joy and not a “great joy”. I know most of you here are thinking, “Umm Jennifer…if creation is just a normal joy what is a great joy?” I am so glad you asked! But hold that thought a second.

The word “joy” appears in the Bible over 200 times. Just like your parents when they repeat something over and over, it’s important. Apparently God wanted us to know and experience joy which is why it’s repeated. But did you know there is great joy? Seriously! And great joy is only referenced in the Bible single digit times. I feel like if God could have circled certain things in the Bible as important, I feel like “great joy” would be circled because those things are pretty important. Let me give you some examples of great joy: the anointing of David’s own son as his successor, at the height of Israel’s kingdom — “great joy” (1 Kings 1:40). At the restoration of the Passover after generations of neglect — “great joy” (2 Chronicles 30:26). At the dedication of Nehemiah’s rebuilt walls after the return from exile — “great joy” (Nehemiah 12:43). Matthew and Luke celebrate “great joy” at his resurrection and ascension (Matthew 28:8; Luke 24:52). There’s a few more but I think you get the point on the importance level. Except I left one out…

Christmas is a great joy.

God created the world to just remake it again. God gave us our first covenant to just give us a second. God gave us a garden so we could have a garden city later. God gave us all these normal joys because He knew it would be surpassed with Jesus. He gave us these “normal” joys just so we know deep, great joy. Just like everything else, you have to know good before you can know better.

From Jesus’s birth in Bethlehem to his crucifixion death, this Joy aka Jesus was born of insignificance. Meaning, He was born in a stable and laid on a manager where animals ate. He was rejected by His own people, betrayed by His friend and killed. And it was a “normal” death. He was beaten and made to carry the cross He was to die on through the streets while wearing a crown of thorns shoved on His head. He was spat on, cursed and hated. He was NAILED to that cross where He hung there in the heat. Yet he was still witnessing to the thief next to him. Then, THEN He died. But guess what? Even in death, He could not be extinguished. It was too deep..it was great.

Every Christmas, we talk about Christmas joy. I think most of us get caught up in the season. We know it’s Jesus’s birth. But like everything else, we treat it as just a “normal” joy. Friends, it is so much more than that. We can’t love Him and appreciate Him enough for what He has done for us because we aren’t perfect. And He knows that!! Yet, He still takes care of us.

So this week, as things get pretty hectic, remember Christmas Joy. And a lack of presents, decorations, food, or family can never take that joy from you. Ever.

Love you all,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On August 26, 2024

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

The 5 “L’s” of Life Series

Hey friends! So let’s continue our series this week on love. This topic is pretty broad so we have plenty to discuss. So, let’s talk about it.

I did a quick google search to find some physical benefits of love. Love and your health go hand in hand. Did you know when you love and show love your life expectancy is increased? It also helps you maintain a healthy heart, reduces depression, boosts your immune system, lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, eases acute/chronic pain, helps your tummy, and improves your sleep? That’s…a lot! Seeing all the physical health benefits, how can anyone believe we were not here to love one another, right?

Love is defined as a strong or deep affection for; to like or enjoy very much; to hold dear or cherish; concern for the good of another. But what is the biblical definition of love? 1 John 4:7-10 defines it pretty well, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” This passage tells us that God is love; love comes from God; love was demonstrated by sending His only son to die for our sins; and, love is NOT that we love Him but that God loves us.

God.is.love.

Perfect…that’s great Jennifer. But, how and who does God want us to love? Because, I have a hard time loving everyone. Listen, I understand but imagine being God. He loves everyone and I’m sure there are some He wants to roll his eyes over.

Love everyone. Yep. You need to. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) Jesus made it clear that loving your neighbor means more than loving those you know, like or most like you. It extends to those that are different. This includes people whose political affiliations are different from you (which is a pretty hot topic at the moment!). But different races, religions, social circles, and even those who make fun of you. Why? Because we all sin. Their sin is just different from yours and you want to be loved right? In fact, Jesus loved the most unlovable people. WE are to do the same.

Second, you need to exhibit biblical characteristics of love. One of my favorite passages in the Bible is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” We live in a world where we are told we have to accept anything and everything or we are hateful. Well, in a biblical sense, love is caring about a person’s soul. So we are expected to share the truth and gospel message in love. Romans 12:9, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”

Third, pairs really nicely with the second point and that’s love one another in action and truth. 1 John 3:16-18, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” We can’t die on a cross for someone’s sins like Jesus but we can act in love. You balance this with God’s Word and prayer.

Listen, loving everyone is not an easy thing to do. Trust me, I feel this everyday. And because this can be a struggle for me, I have to pray about it. In fact, I pray the most for people I DON’T get along with because I know I need to do better. I know the entire Bible is based on God’s love through Jesus. Faith and hope have a fulfillment date but love is never ending.

Love you all,

Jennifer