Am I Lovable? Storyline Video Reveals My Answer

Ever wondered if you are lovable? Or, maybe like me, you’ve questioned what it takes for others to consider you lovable.

Because we use the term love for everything from possessions and food to our favorite sports teams and celebrities.

We love ice-cream, brands, songs, books, and our favorite movies.

How to Define Love

Honestly, I use it to describe my affections for cinnamon rolls, pasta, Chai tea lattes, boots, the Hallmark Channel, and sunsets. And that’s only a few of my loves.

Still, we struggle to define love—a feeling, an emotion? In hard moments, we lose the loving feeling.

And abandonment extinguishes the emotion. Like when my dad vanished from my life for a few years.

Yet, culture woos us with a love that fades when hearts break. My heart broke after friendships dissolved and family members died including a baby in utero. I lost hope in love.

Shiny Things and People

So, for a portion of my life, I wondered, Am I lovable?

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The Basics of Christianity: 26 Truths A-Z

Sometimes we lose sight of the basics to our faith. Those elements of Christianity setting us apart from the world and other religions.

And the basics helping us live out our Christianity.

So, here’s the ABC’s of the Christian Life.

A-F Basics of Our Faith

Abide in Christ. “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” John 15:5, ESV.

Believe God. What He says and who He is. When the journey turns bumpy, our Christian beliefs carry us over life’s potholes. “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” Romans 4:3b, NIV.

Confess. Confession of sin and when we go in the wrong direction. Because sometimes we fall into sin or we fail to walk in the direction God instructed (Proverbs 28:13 and James 4:17).

Declare God’s ways. We declare it to others and ourselves. In other words, preach it. Then preach it to the choir. “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!” Psalm 96:3, ESV.

Encourage other believers. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up” 1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV.

Forget what’s behind. Looking back on our life helps us move forward. But Jesus never intends for the past to paralyze us (Philippians 3:13-14).

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Mother’s Day: The Mom of a Savior

The moment He took His first breath, I became His mother. And I celebrated my first mother’s day.

Overjoyed with my child. My baby boy.

A newborn placed in my arms. My life forever altered.

Swaddled by cloths, though adorned with royal titles.

Wonderful. Counselor. Prince of Peace. Holy King. Immanuel (God now with me). The Ancient of Days.

Barely minutes old and seemingly fragile. But this baby embodied the fullness of the Godhead.

Power demonstrated years later when He cast out evil spirits and raised the dead.

As I gazed intently at Him, the goodness and greatness of God spilled out.

Mother’s Day for a New Mom

I studied every feature.

His eyes. They gazed into the hearts of men. I watched His mouth as He yawned and cried. Life-giving words were later spoken by Him. Words commanding even the winds and waves to obey.

I laid my hand on His chest. The rise and fall of breaths ladened with grace. A strong heartbeat surfaced. But the day arrived when His heart—broken and betrayed—offered forgiveness.

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Front Row Seats for Heaven on Earth

Heaven on earth? Really, Karen?

Is there even such a thing?

Why, yes. Yes, there is! And we have access to front-row-seat tickets.

Yet, I’m not talking about things or situations we attribute to the phrase, “It was heaven on earth.” Such as food, trips, or any experience we feel was heaven-like.

We are so limited in what we imagine for heaven. It’s much bigger and carries more awe than we realize.

A New Heaven and Earth

But the new heaven and earth will one day replace this fallen world we live in.

Look at how it’s all described in Revelation 21:

“Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes.

There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true’” (Verses 1-5, NIV).

How wonderful this is what we have to look forward to. Still, in the present, there’s moments of heaven touching earth and touching our lives.

Moments of Heaven Touching Earth

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Take a Stand for Christ or Take a Seat in the Stands

“Once you start listening to people in the stands, you will soon be sitting with them.” ~ Joe Kuharich, head football coach, college/national leagues.

The same is true in life.

We choose to either sit in the stands or take a stand for something.

Something that matters. Like Christ, heaven, eternal life, and spiritual beliefs that line up with God’s truth.

The Free Dictionary describes take a stand. “Adopt a firm position about an issue.”

Whether school, work, home, social events, government, or online. We stand up for what we believe in.

Four ways to take a stand for Christ.

1) Listen to the Lord to continue in His playbook.  

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Why I Never Want to Get Over Jesus Christ

Maybe there are things in life you hope to get over. Me too. But, Jesus Christ?

First, let’s take a look at other things and people.

We tell others to “Get over it!” And we say it about someone or our circumstances, “I’m over it!”

Get Over It

Like in these get-over-it scenarios:

* We upset our spouse.

* A co-worker desired to complete a task in a different way than us.

* A parent puts unreachable expectations on us.

And in these I-am-over-it examples:

* Someone in our life is a repeat offender.

* We try for a promotion at work multiple times.

* A family member creates drama time and time again.

Sure, we eventually get over people injuring us and drama and not getting a promotion. But humans are not saviors.

You see, during my husband’s sermon on Easter, he made a statement that really stuck with me.

Sometimes we just get over being saved. 

But how? How is it possible to get over being rescued by Jesus Christ?

Getting Over Jesus Christ

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Believing in Karma or Jesus: A Man Upstairs or God

Is believing in karma and sending a letter to twelve people, the way to unlock a secret code of blessings from the man upstairs?

Much to my dismay, I receive chain letters by email or on social media and Messenger. Each written from a promise of believing. If I believe in karma, then something good will happen today to make me happy. Angels watch over me. Or, the man upstairs blesses me.

But, to seal the deal, I must forward the message to a specified number of friends including the sender. And posting as my status on social media? Even better.

Still further, for the declaration to really happen, I need to act fast, within minutes. And this, Thou shalt not break the chain.

I mean, who knows what “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day” might take place if I break the chain. Y’all, call 911 because I break the chain!

Believing in Chain Letters or God’s Letter

Merriam-Webster explains karma, “The force created by a person’s actions that some people believe causes good or bad things to happen to that person.” Yet, I’m not some people or that person.

I enjoyed the Star Wars theme, “the force be with you.” Yet the force is fictional. Herein lies the deception of karma. It’s purely philosophical and not founded on fact.

I don’t believe in good and bad karma. But I do believe in a good and Holy God.

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The Shocking Amount of Blessings from a Good God

“Blessings!”

Lately, I’ve formed a word-habit in my online replies. I throw out the word over and over again.

Blessings! Thanks and blessings! I pray blessings over your ministry. Blessings to you and your family! Happy Birthday and blessings! 

See what I mean? I quite overuse the word.

But do I realize what’s behind the well wishes? And do I give thanksgiving for my blessings?

Count Your Blessings

We’ve heard it said to count our blessings. But if we look at the shocking amount of blessings God extends to us, they are hard to number.

Of course, we all count ourselves blessed with family and friends. Also, blessed in how God provides for our daily needs of food, shelter, the jobs we hold, etc.

As a pastor’s wife and believer, I’m blessed by the local church in how God uses both ministers and members to build us up in the faith. Perhaps we ought to name this our spiritual M&M’s.

And who’s not giving thanks these days for health? I pray to never take a healthy body for granted. Or, the physical well-being of my spouse, children, and grandson.

But there are times we forget, even as Christ-followers, and we need reminding of the vast blessings from a gracious God. Too numerous to even count. How do I know?

Blessings from a Generous God

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Go Big or Go Home This Easter

Going big to celebrate holidays and special occasions brings me joy. Whether reindeer, flags, turkeys, balloons, party hats, fireworks, paper hearts, pumpkins, or costumes; I say go big.

So why not for Easter? Bunnies, bright-colored eggs, baskets, and assorted candies make me smile.

Every year, we go big in my family. Here’s how.

Go Big with Lunch

Two entrées highlight the meal; roast beef and chicken casserole. Also, the Friday’s Easter menu lists these side-items at no additional charge: gravy, mashed potatoes, rolls, macaroni and cheese, peas, and the cream corn my daughter makes along with our featured dessert of the day.

We take our seats at the table. And a feast fit for a king lays before us. But we never disappoint. Second helpings become the sport of the day.

Go Big With Baskets

I keep one tradition in place. Kids, little or grown, human or pet, receive an Easter basket. Our adult son and daughter, son-in-law, two-year-old grandson, and our four-legged fury kids.

Baskets spill over with sweet delights and fun toys or gadgets. A competition of paddle ball, parachute men, or magnetic yo-yo emerges with the grown kids.

You see, each “kid” gets a basket. There’s no boundaries or limitations; not age or gender or bloodline. Both my son and son-in-law meet the same eligibility requirements.

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I Wrote the Blog Post About Us Forgetting God

Oh, I forgot. 

Please tell me I’m not the only person struck with the disease of forgetting.

Do you ever forget…

…to call a friend?

…an important meeting?

…to pay a bill?

…where you put the car keys?

…details that happened yesterday, last week, or last year?

I hope you answered yes to at least one.

People Forgetting Us

Or, like me, have you ever wondered if a friend forgot about you? She seems to talk with other friends and they go to dinner together. But she hasn’t called you in ages. You never talk unless you reach out to her.

And here’s a big one. Have you ever felt like God has forgotten you? If you’re nodding, me too. Thoughts such as…

God has forgotten me. He seems to work on behalf of others. Me? I continue waiting for Him to move in my life. 

No matter how we feel, thinking God forgets us is a lie from the enemy. A false belief a few people in the Bible also succumbed to (see Psalm 42:9; 77:9).

God Forgetting One Thing 

God never forgets us. When it comes to His children, God only forgets one thing. We find it in Isaiah 43:25:

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