You Were Made to Make a Difference

Reading has always been a favorite hobby for me.  I melt in every single Nicolas Sparks novel.  I finished the Twilight saga in a matter of days.  I sometimes even take notes while reading books (no not textbooks) I never want to forget.

I have recently been reading one of these notables, Out Live Your Life, by Max Lucado.  I received this book as a Christmas gift, & while it is not the romantic love escapade I usually pick up, I decided to give it a chance.  Boy am I glad I did.

Lucado is a Christian author, and this book is separated into chapters which offer advice on how to better your life, and the lives of others by keeping the faith.  Today I want to share with you the themes of my 3 favorite chapters so far in the book.

1. Do Good, Quietly

In this chapter, Lucado opens with the story of a family who has inherited a large sum of money.  When deciding what to do with the cash, the idea crosses their mind to donate it to the church, HOWEVER they wanted to keep some of it for themselves.  So, the Sunday following the sudden inheritance the couple announces to the congregation that they are donating the entire sum of $10,000, even though they had actually acquired $15,000. 

Here's the problem: not only were they boasting their lavish contribution, but they deliberately lied to the church and to God about their true intentions for the money.  Lucado provides this description,

"They used the church for self-promotion.  They leveraged God's family for personal gain.  They attempted to turn a congregation into a personal stage across which they could strut."

It is very important in the Christian faith to do good things, and to help others.  However it is also very important to be humble about such acts, and not take personal gain from the deeds you do for others.

2. Remember Who Holds You

Here, Max Lucado emphasizes the importance of not taking full credit for things that have been given to you.  For instance, life.  He stresses that it is wrong to take credit for the gifts God has given us.  & it is also wrong to boast about accomplishing feats that would be impossible without Him.

"What do you have that God hasn't given you?  And f everything you have is from God, why boast as through it were not a gift?"

(1 Cor. 4:7 NLT)

So, while it is exciting to share our outrageous accomplishments with others, it is crucial to always keep in mind the big guy who made it all possible.  Make sure he gets a little credit too.

3. Stable the High Horse

I just finished this chapter last night, and I think it holds great resonance in our world today.  The attention getter at the start of this chapter tells the story of a man who stood up for and cared for exiled lepers in a time when leprosy ran rampant in Hawaii.  While helping the lepers by praying with them, dressing their wounds, and living among them, the man developed the disease himself and passed away. 

The point of this story was that people today often see or think of others as inferior.  Obviously in this case the clean, healthy folks looked down upon the dirty, diseased lepers & cast them off to an unchartered island.

One quote that stood out for me from this chapter is as follows, 

"Categorizing others creates distance and gives us a convenient exit strategy for avoiding involvement."

We see ourselves doing these things every single day.  Thinking we're better than others, casting out folks we see as unworthy.  But does God?  NO.

"God has shown me that he doesn't think anyone is unclean or unfit."

(Acts 10:28 CEV)

While I know this post is long and lengthy, I really feel that these are important lessons (along with the other 13 chapters) from Max Lucado's book, Out Live Your Life.  

So, take these forms of advice, and you just might see your outlook on life improving.  I know I have. If you are interested in learning more about Max's work check out his website.

The Verdict on Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day.

  Everyone's favorite day of the year right?  HA!  Valentine's Day has more haters than lovers, I'm afraid.  

Not me though!  There's nothing sweeter to me than a bouquet of flowers, a heartfelt Hallmark, and a cutie to cuddle with. 

There are however a few Valentine's Day cliches that I could definitely do without.  You know, little things that just set up the annoying stereotype so many V-day haters call their anthems.  These are just a few acts of love that I'd rather not see on Monday.

1. The Valentine's Day proposal.

Come on!?  It does not get more cliche than that.  My personal thought is that you want the day of your engagement to be special in itself, so why adhere it to a special day that already exists?  Isn't it better to have an EXTRA day of celebration, if nothing else?  Not only this, but isn't the ultimate proclamation of love on the coveted Hallmark holiday a little too commonplace?

2. The Valentine's Day box of chocolates.

Okay, I know every girl loves chocolates, and I'm no exception to this statement; but the classic Russell Stover's box of chocolates you picked up at Walgreens SCREAMS "I picked these up on my way home from work."  Opt for something more out of the ordinary.  My ideal Valentine's chocolate experience would be a fondue date or chocolate covered strawberries.  No girl can (or should) be able to devour an entire box of chocolates on her own anyway.  Unless she's spending Valentine's Day alone.

3. The Valentine's Day stuffed animal.

Sure they're cute, but does anyone really want a cheap stuffed animal?  NO.  Maybe as a joke, but the stuffed animal to me again screams, "I forgot about Valentine's Day, here's a $5 trinket to prove my love for you."  No thanks.  We know not all guys can swing diamonds or romantic dates but in my opinion I would rather skip the animal and have a fun, useable gift.  Like fuzzy Valentine's socks or a gag gift I could actually use.

Don't get me wrong, I really am a grateful gal.  These are just little quirks that give V-day the awkward, cliche moments we could do without.  

SO

Go out and share the love this Monday, but do it in your own way.  Think outside the box when you are treating your loved ones this Valentine's Day, I promise it will be worth it!

Welcome Friends

My name is Jessie Munn, and this is the start of something great.  

My first blog post EVER.  

Hopefully one of many to come.  Hopefully one to be followed by meaningful, uplifting, interesting blurbs of information.  Hopefully one which will start a never ending phenomenon of happiness and joy.

OKAY, needless to say I am very new to writing for fun (a.k.a. writing anything that is not going to be turned in for a grade)..... & likewise I am extremely nervous to do so, 

SO

 this first post will be just a little "Get To Know Me" session...along with a little description of the title of my blog.

Enjoy!!

I am a Freshman, Exploratory (meaning I STILL have yet to decide what to do with my life) student at Butler University.  

This is my mom: a.k.a. my best friend.  We have been through everything together.  She is my rock.

This is my obsession: baked goods.  Basically anything sweet, just call me a dessert connoisseur.  I usually don't leave dinner without ordering it.  I'm really good at making it.  & I am the Queen of finishing it.  These divine looking specimen are from the one and only Flying Cupcake.

This is my dream: New York City.  I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make the trip this past semester.  I won a ticket to the Butler Vs. Duke rematch game in New Jersey.  Long story short Butler lost, but our hotel was a mere 30 minute train ride from downtown Manhattan.  Going to NYC has been my lifetime dream my entire life and now that I've been I can't wait to go back!

These are my brothers: Johnny and Joseph (respectively).  They are the epitome of the annoying younger brothers, however I would die without their tractors all over the floor and raspy voices waking me up at 7 AM.  

SO.

Why Lover's Lane?  Sounds a little risque eh?  Trust me, I am the polar opposite of any definition you've got in your mind of risque. 

Basically I'm in love with love.

I love romance novels, I love romantic comedies, I love Valentine's Day.  

But it's more than that.  Have you ever heard that love can change the world?  Well it can.  As I am growing up and finding my place in the big ol' world I am discovering what it means to love one another.  Not only what it means, but it's importance.  We all know that life's not perfect. No one's is.  BUT when you spread a little love, show someone affection, or simply pay forward a kind deed you are joining the Love Revolution.

LET'S GO!

Pack your bags and head with me through the twists and turns of Lover's Lane.  Maybe you'll find some inspiration to add more love to your life.  Maybe you'll find the passion to spread a little love around.