Friendships

This morning I have been thinking quite a bit about relationships, specifically friendships. Friends can enjoy times of laughter, encourage when we are sad, inspire growth in us spiritually, and so much more. A good friendship is more valuable than any game, book, movie, or song.

The thing about friendships though, is that it has to be both ways. You can't be someone's friend if they don't want to be your friend. So, maybe they do "want" to be your friend but still the effort is very one-sided. Maybe you work at it and invite them to do things and try to engage them in deeper conversation, but if they do not reciprocate the same effort you will get no where. You will be left feeling tired and maybe even hurt.

A real friendship goes both ways. Real friends seek each other out, look for and cherish opportunities for deeper more intimate conversations. Real friends sacrifice their time and effort to make sure that somehow, one way or another, they get to spend some time together and invest in each other. The friendship becomes strong and one does not become weary because both are equally investing in the other. Real friends truly love each other.

God wants to have a real friendship with us. He seeks us out and works at the relationship. He invites us to spend time with Him. He offers encouragement and strength and support. He is always there. Never failing, never wavering, with an unending ever constant love for us. His side of the friendship never stops at a shallow level, but runs deeper and more intimate than any other relationship you will ever have.

Unlike us, when we don't seek God back, when we don't show effort to build on our friendship with God like he does with us, he never gives up. He will always welcome us into his arms and will never fail to be that same encouraging, strengthening, supportive, loving friend that we need. That doesn't mean that he isn't hurt by our neglect of effort on our half of the friendship. He longs for us to love him.

Today, I challenge you. If you have not already embraced the friendship that you can have have with God, start now. Don't let it be a one-sided friendship any longer. Put effort into spending time with God daily. Talk with him constantly. Seek Him, love Him, trust Him, and never forget that He is there for you. Embrace the most intimate and deep friendship that you will ever have.

I made my decision to embrace my friendship with God in January 2012. It has changed my life. I have never felt so close to God, so peaceful, so carefree. I know that He is always there.

A Letter from Zambia

Back at the very beginning of June, Ben and I began sponsoring a little boy from Zambia through World Vision. It was one of those things where I knew without a doubt that God was asking us to do this. I had been at the Beautiful Life conference in Greensboro on June 1, and was supposed to be going back on the morning of June 2nd to finish up the conference. On Friday they had been talking about World Vision and sharing some stories and I felt a little tug at my heart for the thousands and thousands of children out there that still need sponsors. A few hours later, 1:00 am Saturday morning to be specific, I was waking Ben up telling him that we had to sponsor a child. I'm not sure he fully understood what I was saying, but I finally got a sleepily mumbled, "talk to me about it in the morning," and I was satisfied to go back to sleep. So, on Saturday I shared with him what I was feeling and he agreed that I should choose a child for us to sponsor that day.

When I went to the table, I was a little overwhelmed by the number of children whose forms were lying there waiting for sponsors. I didn't know where to begin, how could I choose just one? As I looked through the forms and photos, I came across a little boy from Zambia that was six years old. He was so cute, and his birthday just happened to be our anniversary. Immediately I knew, this was the one, Egnitious.

I was so excited to begin writing letters, sending e-mails, and praying for this little boy. As soon as I got my packet with contact information I wrote my first letter and began to anxiously await an annual report and a reply to my letter.

This weekend, I received his first annual report. It contained a little more information about Egnitious, his hobbies, chores, etc. There was even a little picture that he drew us of, best I can tell, a barrel. But, the thing that excited me most out of the whole report, was a new picture! In this new picture my little boy actually looks happy, and I was thrilled to have it!

Now, I will continue to pray, continue to write, and continue to love this little Zambian boy. God has truly blessed me with the privilege of supporting him and sharing His love with Egnitious. If it crosses your mind, please join me in praying for protection, provision, and a growing knowledge of the love of Christ for this little boy.

Hope Lauren Photography

I have stayed quite busy the first summer months, and I have really enjoyed it! I have a newly designed website which I would love for you to visit! Take a look around and let me know what you think.

Click here to visit, or type http://www.wix.com/hminter514/hlp in your browser.

It is My Mission...

To live my life in full surrender to my Lord, denying myself and being obedient to His commands. To spend time daily in intimate prayer with God, and to read and meditate on His word. To be always joyful, thankful and worshipful in all circumstances, humble, and Spirit-filled.

To be the kind of wife that makes Ben feel ten feet tall through love, respect, encouragement, submission, and faithfulness. To be attentive to his needs, and to persistently pray for him.

To lead a life that encourages others to passionately pursue a deeper relationship with God through being a trustworthy and loving sister in Christ. To always be available for my sisters in Christ, studying God’s word alongside them, and lifting them up both with encouragement and in prayer. To be transparent with them: always honest with gentleness.

Need a good Laugh?

Check out this video that the Youth Pastor and Worship Pastor at my church put together for N.O.W (night of worship).

CLICK HERE

Why Tomorrow?

A thought that has been going through my mind the last few days has been why we as Christians are always waiting on tomorrow. We say we want to do things for the Lord, and that we want to have a deeper relationship with Christ, but we constantly put it off.

God is presently, in this very moment, seeking a deeper relationship with us. He is reaching out his hand and asking us to come to Him with all of our worries, struggles, and requests. He wants to be there to help us through these situations and wants us to fully rely on him. He is ready to show Himself in our daily lives and give us a deeper understanding of Him through experiencing who He is. So why, why are we waiting for tomorrow?

I love the lyrics to Mandisa's song "Waiting for Tomorrow" that go right along with this thought.

Can't spend my whole life wastin'
Everything I know I've been given
'Cause you've made me for so much more than
Sittin' on the side lines
I don't wanna look back and wonder
If good enough could've been better 

Oh, I'm makin this my moment now

I'm gonna grab the hand that's reachin down
And I'm not gonna wait until tomorrow

Let's make this very moment, right now, the moment where we jump in full force and give our lives to God. Let's take hold of His hand and enjoy the relationship that He wants to have with us. Let's show his love to others and not just go about our daily mundane lives... because when God is leading your life there is nothing mundane about it!

I will not let my life continue as mundane, but instead I will spend time with God daily and seek to share His love with others that may cross my path.

Will you wait for tomorrow, or will you make this very moment your moment?

I'm Married!

Well, it has been quite a while since I have posted on here. Things got so crazy around exams and all of the final wedding planning. The day has come and gone, and I am now Hope Lauren Minter. It sounds so nice doesn't it! I am so thankful that God has blessed me with such a wonderful husband who loves me more than anyone but God. I look forward to a life spend serving Christ with Ben.