Making the Most of Every Opportunity

Another powerful lesson I learned in the beginnings of my relationship with Andy was through our physical relationship. I shared before that we waited to even kiss until we were married. I want to say we were pure throughout our lives and the wedding day was a huge first for us, but that's simply not true. We made different poor choices at varying degrees in past relationships. We came into our relationship wounded from our past sin, desiring to this time honor God fully, and a little unsure where to begin. It was here that I learned how very true it is that God makes all things new through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sin. As we had a conversation confessing to one another and offering each other forgiveness, God broke into my heart to see a glimpse of His grace. I felt a physical burden lifted as we forgave each other. I felt a confidence in God as Andy bowed his head and humbly prayed for God to show us what boundaries to place in our relationship and a joyful hope t...

I've been sharing lately about how God brought Andy and I together. There just isn't room in one post series to share all the incredible things I've learned about God's love through that experience, but I'd like to highlight a few here... God delights in my sincerity. I'm so thankful that God was my true refuge when Andy wounded me. God knew that my heart was fully for Andy and his "I think you like me more than I like you." was a painful blow. That summer, my dad lost his job, gained a new job, and moved my mom (and all my things) to Kentucky. It was a hard summer for me over all because I really felt so alone. I was confused by my feeling for Andy and embarrassed by the rejection. But God never tired of journal entries, hearing my cries on the beach, or my quick prayers each morning as I'd leave the house unsure whether I'd run into Andy or whether or not I wanted to run into him. When we come sincerely,we will see God.   “Blessed are th...

I shared in Post 1 how Andy and I met and in Post 2 how we began dating, so today I’ll share how God lead us to be married! We started our dating relationship by setting some pretty steep boundaries. We had both been in unhealthy relationships that had not honored God and we really wanted Him to be the Rock and foundation of our relationship. We decided to wait to kiss until our wedding day . We also decided to set one day a week when we were intentional to meet with accountability (separately) who would ask us how we were doing. We both applied to join staff with Campus Crusade. We went to a prayer group in our student union. We lead the mens and womens ministry on campus as well as individual bible studies. We had SO much fun going on adventures, hiking, cliff jumping, driving all over the country to visit family and friends, and even just hanging out and ordering Chinese food and watching Gilmore Girls. God was growing us in Him and knitting our hearts to each other in such a s...

I have never understood the book of Revelation well and have often been discouraged as I study it. The hardest part of using guides and sermons is that people often make it about numbers/signs/end time prophecy and not about Jesus. It's the revelation of Jesus Christ! I wanted a guide that showed the centrality of Christ throughout all of Scripture and here in the book of Revelation from a trustworthy teacher.  Check out  my favorite sermon series showing how this book is truly the revelation of JESUS Christ. It’s amazing!!!! Thank you Art Azurdia.  It's a lot of sermons, but if you want a quick overview, just listen to the first 4. You'll experience God's Word in incredible ways. 

In my last post I shared that Andy and I were friends throughout our college years, but the friendship grew pretty deep our junior year and the boundaries became fuzzy to me. As summer drew near, I was placed on the same summer missions project that Andy was going to attend. It was then that I realized I really liked him and that would be a major challenge. He also realized I liked him. So, our first week on the project, he sat me down and said, “I think you like me more than I like you.” Um…. Ouch! Our friends came to visit- notice Andy's mohawk!  I spent much of that summer grieving and trying not to manipulate and place myself in his path. I did an awkward-at-best job, but God really so sweetly gave me new friendships and both of us grew so much more in love with Jesus over the summer. Part way through the summer, I sensed a clear call from God to join staff with Campus Crusade and “give back” some of the amazing teaching, discipleship, and love God had been lavishing on me...

I've been planted in Psalm 130 as God reminds me again and again of His gracious love for me. Here are some particular gems I've gleaned in chunks: "Out of the depths I cry to you, O   Lord !  O Lord, hear my voice!  Let your ears be attentive  to the voice of my pleas for mercy! "- The Psalmist is SO aware of his own sin. That's how I've been feeling. I'm so aware and yet unable to pull out of it. "If you, O  Lord , should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. "- It's true. None of us is good enough. I know that. Yet, this week it's like I totally forgot I can't earn Him and felt guilt instead of freedom . Yet, reading this, I'm filled again with joy that He forgives me and is not tallying up my sin at all. I'm totally forgiven:) "I wait for the  Lord , my soul waits, and in his word I hope;" - I can't do it, but He is doing a work in me. My strug...

I thought I’d take a few posts and give you a little glimpse into me. So in the next few posts I’ll share one of my favorite God stories: how Andy and I met, fell in love, and were married. Enjoy! Andy and I met in 1998 as freshmen at West Virginia University. We were both in Campus Crusade for Christ. Andy likes to say that he thought I was a senior, so he never talked to me. I was once asked to drive Andy and his girlfriend to a fall retreat. I quickly went and found two friends to invite so that my car would be full. Ha! Over the years, we ran in the same circle of close-knit friends and we became good friends. We even double dated once (me with my college boyfriend and him with his college girlfriend). Once, when I was thinking of leaving the ministry because I was steeped in sin, Andy said, “Ginny. I’m not your Crusade friend. I’m your friend. If you leave, you’re still in my life.” It was so thoughtful and so timely. God used it to encourage me to come back to the ministry an...

"The people of Israel ate the manna forty years, till they came to a habitable land." - Exodus 16:35 God provided for 40 years... Why 40? BECAUSE THEY SINNED. They were wandering because of their sin and God was still providing their daily need the entire time. I have been battling areas of sin that are constant struggles in my life. The biggest is fear. I feel incredibly weak and vulnerable in pregnancy and find myself fearful for the baby, for my other children, myself, and even Andy. I'm so aware of my unworthiness in it, too. I know to eat in moderation, yet eat in excess daily (note- pregnancy has actually put an abrupt halt to that), I battle to set good time boundaries with internet, and still continue to desire comfort and stuff instead of giving generously and living simply... This list could go on a long time. As I've been struggling, I've been crying out and begging God to help me fight these sins. And He just keeps lavishing grace after grace. I...

I pray this series (click here to read posts 1 , 2 , 3 , and 4 ) has been a blessing and help to you as you prepare for suffering or endure through. I want to end by sharing wisdom from a blog that has encouraged me so deeply. I LOVE this sweet truth Ray Ortlund  (you should go scroll through more of his blog ) points out in the midst of suffering: He will restore us. “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:10-11 And after you have suffered a little while .... Your suffering is real. “A little while” does not trivialize it. But suffering is not the rest of your story. It will end, and soon – as measured by the actual, eternal grandeur of your life. the God of all grace. ... He has remedies, comforts and powers for every need, every occasion, every moment. who has called yo...