Wednesday, April 25, 2012

A Love So Loud- The Pool.

     I've never had a blog post rant. This is a blog post rant. So fasten your seat belt folks, cause I'm going 0-100 in .2. 
     I need to know the answer to some of life's questions. I need someone to tell me. This isn't judgmental, this isn't me condemning you, this is an attempt at understanding you and and attempt at examining myself. I NEED to understand, it won't leave my mind, I have to get this out.
     I have mentioned so many times that in our lives we are searching for something. We are searching for the truth in a world full of lies. We are searching for love in a world full of lust. We are searching for comfort in a world that brings us down. We are searching for solutions in a world that gives us problems. I could go on and on, but I don't need to. I need to know why we do this. See, as humans we complain that we don't know what is going to happen. We complain that love hasn't found us. We complain that we're always down in the dumps. We complain about everything. So let's back up and figure this thing out together..ready for it?
     Why are we searching for truth instead of knowing The Truth? Why are we searching for love instead of getting lost in His love? Why are we searching for comfort, when His arms are outstretched holding us? Why are we searching for a solution when we have The Answer? I was just talking to my best friend about a part of this, and that's what sparked this post. We need to examine ourselves from the inside, out.. and we need to start now. See, we can complain about all of this- all of these things that aren't going right and all of the stuff that makes us unhappy but like I just said in the post before..our problems are typically self made
     This might come off a little hard, and I hope that no one stops reading because of some of the things that I've said so far..but someone needs to say it and I feel like it has been put on my heart. We hate change, but we should hate who we are without Christ, more. We should hate that so much that we are willing to accept the changes that need to be made in our life. We need to become a pack of Jesus Freaks. We need to be the change in our generation..because let's face it, things aren't getting any better. And we want to complain about it, but we don't want to fix it
     You know those days, because I know we've all had them..it's scolding hot, middle of the summer, and there is a huge pool awaiting your arrival somewhere. You finally get there, you see the pool, you get pumped about it- and then we do that thing..you know? Where you put your toe or your finger in the water and you think that it's way too cold to get in. It doesn't matter how beautiful it is outside or how inviting that pool looks, you choose to go in because of how uncomfortable that water will make you..air conditioning is just so much easier. 
     Don't you get it? WHO CARES if it is cold. WHO CARES if it's uncomfortable. It's life! And it's supposed to be cold, and it's supposed to be uncomfortable but it eventually feels normal, it feels like it's what you're supposed to be doing. The possibility of being uncomfortable shouldn't keep us from doing a cannon ball right into the deep end. Because like I said, we want to complain about all of these unknowns in the world, but do you realize all the signs we are given? We have a book FULL of answers and all you have to do is open it up? It's like seeing that big pool right in front of you, and going inside? Why? Dive in! Do a stinkin' cannon ball! Don't sit in the AC because it's easy..because the thing about AC, is that it comes at a pretty high cost. 
     The point is- unless you enjoy being lost and searching for something more..it's time to surrender to the One who makes it all make sense. It's time to be more than what this world wants you to be. It's time to stop letting things define you. It's time to define yourself through Him.
     
Come close to God and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. - James 4:8

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

A Love So Loud- Letting Go.

     I'm going to do my best not to take things from the heart break post and add them to this one, but I received a text from a friend a few days ago and she needed to read something to help her move on and help her let go. So I guess this is kind of a post for all of you who are stuck. You're close to moving on, but you can't quite get there yet. You feel it on the tip of your fingers, but you don't want to reach out and grab it.
     Just like I've said in so many other posts, we are all very much human..and sometimes it's hard to trade in memories. It's so hard to just forget and be okay. My question for you today though- is it worth losing your happiness? How many times are you going to have to have your heart broken? How many times is he or she going to have to leave you for you to get that this isn't the way things are supposed to be? That you deserve more? Because you do, and you'll find it..but part of letting go is believing that. It's believing that you're going to be okay even when you're at your lowest point. It's trusting that God is holding your heart, that He doesn't want to see you hurting anymore. That you're "safe in His arms".
     And even to those of you who aren't struggling with a relationship..those of you who are angry at your boss for making you stay late for work. Those of you that are in a fight with one of your closest friends and you don't know how you'll ever forgive them. Us college kids who can't seem to find the time to breathe and be happy between finals and last minute homework. We have to learn to let go of all of this negativity that consumes our life. I know it's hard to be happy all of the time, I'm not. I know it's hard to see the positive in every situation, I don't. But we have to try. Because what's the point in harvesting all of the bad. No one reading this can tell me that they LOVE the way it feels to be mad or discouraged, because we don't, yet we bring it upon ourselves and we let the emotions linger.
     I realize that this is a short post, but I don't think there's much else that needs to be said. Letting go is such a personal decision and I can't hammer anything into your head. But I think all that really needs to be said is what I tell myself every single day- when old memories come flooding back into my head, when I realize that I'm being negative and I can't find my happiness..and that is;


1. Trust that God has a bigger plan.
2. Trust that God is for you.
3. Trust that God won't give you any pain that you can't handle.
4. Learn to love what is good for you.
5. Get better, not bitter.
6. Is this really worth it?
7. Being negative won't help you make progress.
8. Most of our problems are self made problems.
9. When you hit rock bottom, you can only go up.
10. You. Will. Be. Okay.


So hey you, yes you. If you're having a bad day, let it go and turn it around. If you can't get over your ex, let them go and wait for the one who was meant for you. If your boss is on your very last nerve, let it go because you don't know what they're going through either. Life is better when you see the good in it. But you can't see the good until you let go of all of that that keeps you down.




"But forget all that-- it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new.." -Isaiah 43:18-19 (NLT)

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

A Love So Loud- Testimony.

My name is Kenton Murphy, and this is Part 1 of my two part testimony.

Invincible.

This is a word that all of us see and believe that we possess. However, we aren’t. In fact, I know first hand how vulnerable we are to this scary world. During my senior year of high school I was diagnosed with mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the submandibular gland (or for the non-medical professionals out there, a tumor in my spit gland). Finding out that I had cancer was nothing compared to what was down the road for me, as I experienced some of the most trying times that no teenager should ever have to deal with. Four different surgeries (two being on my neck), twelve weeks of chemotherapy (12 treatments), and six weeks of radiation (30 treatments). As I type those numbers they don’t even seem realistic, but unfortunately they are. Now, you may feel pity for me..please don’t. I say this in the nicest way possible. I am 100% better now, both medically and in my faith.

Before being diagnosed I had a great relationship with God and my faith, but there will always be room for improvement in this department in all of us. We all have flaws which God understands, but we have to strive to be the better person every time that we open our eyes for a new day. I did just this. During the six months that I was back in forth from Boston to Lexington to Maysville I truly learned what it meant to live in my faith and exemplify it in my actions. Not a single day went by that I ever felt like I was alone. I always had my family and friends by my side. There were times that I would be alone receiving a treatment with nobody by my side, but in reality I wasn’t. I had God right there with me every step of the way cheering me on. My radiation treatments presented me with the best time to pray, everyday at 3:00 pm. I looked forward to this time because it was some true alone time that I loved with God that I could thank him for allowing me to wake up that morning, be able to attend Prom, being able to attend my Graduation. These times really gave me the opportunity to live in His word rather than to just hear His word.


Every day we are presented with new challenges and obstacles that life has to offer. Don’t look at them as a punishment from God, look at them as an opportunity to grow in your faith and trust in Him that whatever He leads you to He will lead you through.

Monday, April 16, 2012

A Love So Loud- Stay Kind.

     Before I get started on this, I want everyone to know that I think human beings are amazing. Think about all of the things that we've invented with the materials around us. I'm typing on my MacBook Pro and my Apple iPhone because of Steve Jobs. I can see what I'm doing in a dark room thanks to Thomas Edison and his invention of the light bulb. We can talk on the telephone because of Alexander Graham Bell. And then there are people like Blake Mycoskie, the inventor of Toms shoes, who use their talents to give back to people in need. Like I said, people are truly amazing.
     I've been thinking about this a lot lately because every single day I'm around people- we all are. And every single day, like I mentioned before- someone is struggling with something..and odds are, you don't know anything about it.
     This world will do absolutely everything it can to take the good out of you- to drain the light right from your eyes that allows you to see the beauty of life and the beauty in people and it has the ability to leave you feeling washed up and whittled down to nothing. The world knows how to tempt you and how to try you- how to get you talk about the people around you.
     I want you to stop and think about the last time you said something about someone else. Someone you know or someone you don't..and i want you to think about why you did it. Is it because you are that unhappy? Does it really make you feel better? I'll be the first to admit that I used to do those things, and I did them often..and it took me realizing that as a population we underestimate the power that our words hold.
     There is a quote that says something like "people will forget what you did, people will forget what you said, but people will never forget the way you made them feel." We need to play a game of trading places. Take yourself out of your own perfect world that you live in and put yourself in someone else's shoes. That girl that you just called ugly, struggles with an eating disorder. The boy you called names, struggles with suicide contemplation every single day
     Open your eyes to the fact that people are hurting all around you and most of the time they are reaching for help. Stop judging, stop hating, love one another. And in the same way that you shouldn't underestimate harsh words- don't underestimate kind ones. Don't underestimate the power of a smile, a compliment to a stranger- and a hug to your best friend when they're having a bad day. We have to work to live more like Jesus, and he made close friends with tax collectors and the worst of sinners..he puts up with us daily and I know just as well as you do- that we don't deserve that kind of love and forgiveness. 
     So be a light to someone who is in the dark. And in a world that makes it so easy to be mean- stay kind.


"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:31-32

Friday, April 13, 2012

A Love So Loud- Heartbreak.

     Ya know, I've mentioned the word heartbreak in a few of my posts since i've started this blog. But I feel like heartbreak is such a real part of our lives that it might just deserve it's own post..especially lately. It seems like everyone close to me is breaking up, or struggling, or barely getting by with being alright. And I think that a lot of us can't get past that achey, lost, hopeless, feeling- the one that causes us to wonder if everything will be okay again
     I've realized, being the sister of three other siblings, that words don't always help when it comes to fixing a problem. Sometimes, words don't do anything but open up the wounds more and more. Sometimes, people don't want to talk about it. Because sometimes, it hurts too much. And like i said earlier, it seems to be more prevalent right now than it usually is. With that being said, if you want to stop reading this because you don't want to think about the pain that a heartbreak has caused you, I honestly don't blame you..because I'm about to get to the point of this post, and if you keep reading- it's important that you take it in.
     I think the reason that so many of us get so heart broken is because we are so caught up in what could have been in our relationships. We think about the future before it gets here, we think about the lives we will spend together forever before we focus on the life we are spending together right now. I know this because i've been guilty of it a few times. And then we dwell on that. We dwell on how bad it is hurting right now and how we don't think we will ever move on. But we will. And that hopeless feeling in the pit of your stomach, that ache in your heart- that is there to remind you that you're a human, that not everything is going to be sunshine and butterflies, but it's not supposed to be. Bad things happen so that we learn to appreciate things when they're good. Life hurts sometimes, but every once in a while we catch a glimpse of something that reminds us that everything is okay- because it is. In Genesis, after God flooded the world, He kept a promise with us that it wouldn't happen again by sending us a rainbow..wait for your rainbow, because it is coming..it's just coming on God's time.
     Ya see, one of the cool things about believing in God, and having faith like some of you reading do- is that you know deep down that no matter how bad things may seem or how bad things may get- they always get better. Because the God we worship is a God of love and compassion. A God that wouldn't give you anything that you couldn't handle. A God that is full of tests and challenges, a God that seeks to make our hearts strong through Him
     So for the one who is struggling today, or the one who is constantly battling with being okay, "let go and let God." Wait for your rainbow because it is coming, even in the midst of your storm. And I promise you that because God woke you up this morning, He isn't disappointed with you yet. And as always- you're here for a purpose, so don't let anything stop you from fulfilling it. Believe today that things will get better, and start seeing the good unfold around you in this beautiful world.


He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. -Psalm 147:3

Thursday, April 5, 2012

A Love So Loud- Dreams.

     It's 3 o'clock in the morning and I feel like I have too much on my mind to go to sleep..and when i can't sleep, I write. I've been this way for as long as I can remember..when I was young I would write in my journal, as I got older I started writing poems and songs and now, I'm writing this blog for you to read..whoever you are. One thing I've learned about writing though, is that it's easiest when it's not forced out of you. It's easiest when I lay in bed and my thoughts consume me and I have to get it out. Tonight, I'm thinking about you..yes, you. I'm thinking about people..and one thing I've learned about people, is that we aren't all so different after all.  
     This might be my first post that isn't just to pour out my heart to you all about God..it's to inspire you and encourage you, because lately I've realized that sometimes that's what we really need. We just need someone to listen, someone who cares. We need that friend that will answer the phone at 3 o'clock in the morning and we need the hand to hold when we can't find the courage to face another day of our life alone. We need the hope that we can beat the best, we need the strength to pursue our dreams when they seem as though they're unreachable.  
     But they aren't. They don't have to be. Half of the world is telling you to dream big, while the other half is telling you to stay realistic. But my thoughts? Why stay realistic when you have one chance to be physically present on this planet? If you want something, if you have dreamt of being someone important, or doing something special..what are you waiting for? Jump. Jump, and see where you land. You could end up with every single thing that you ever wished to have. Or you could end up living on a broken dream and a broken heart..but at least you tried. And in the end, God puts you where you are supposed to be.
     I'd like to think that there was a reason that I typed all of this on my phone tonight. That there was someone, somewhere who needed to hear these words. Maybe there is..but maybe there isn't. That doesn't mean that I'm going to stop believing whole heartedly that my words matter. Cause that dream? For me, it's to change the world one person at a time. Unrealistic? Most definitely. Will I stop trying? Not a chance. We all have that dream that seems like it is too far fetched. I want to stand in front of thousands of people one day and talk about all this stuff you all take the time to read. I want to be a difference maker. My problem is i'm a better writer than i am a speaker..I hide behind a pen or a keyboard. But I wouldn't make any difference at all if I chose to stay silent, so I chose to speak. I chose to be uncomfortable and I chose to accept failure if it came and if it comes
     So to the person who thinks it might be too late to reach that dream, let it be heard..and don't be afraid to fail. You're not alone in wishing for more. You're not alone in longing for something greater than yourself. And you're not alone in being scared. Because ya see, people? We really aren't all so different after all.  




 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to proper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

A Love So Loud- Just Think.

    Just forget the last series that I was going to do because these amazing things keep popping up into my life and I can't ignore them long enough to finish and I feel like if I don't force these words out of my fingers, these posts seem to hit home to a lot more people.
     Everyone knows, hopefully, that Sunday is Easter. We all know what Easter represents- the death and resurrection of Jesus. But as I've read the stories of Jesus more and seen the betrayal He had to go through, the agonizing pain and suffering He endured to save us..the people who wanted him crucified in the first place..the more I realize how much He had to have absolutely loved us and wanted to save this world from becoming a place full of horrible sins and suffering.
     That's not really what this post is about though, it's about WHY He decided to do all of those things for us. First, what many believe was a horrible premeditated murder, was actually predestined. It was Jesus' fate to come to this world and die for us. But through his unending grace and never ceasing love, He gave his life so that we would be forgiven for all of these awful things that we do everyday. And you know, I feel like we hear that, we hear that Jesus gave his life so that we could be free and that all of our sins would be forgiven, but I don't think we ever really take the time to think about the "amazing" in what He did.
     So let's put it this way, think of the person that dislikes you the most and imagine them standing right in front of you, a stranger holding a gun to their head. Would you have the nerve to tell that stranger to take your life instead? To spare theirs so that they could continue living the rest of it? I bet the first thoughts running through some of our minds would be something like, that will teach them to mess with me..and I'm sure a lot of people would let that person be shot because your own life is too precious to lose.
    Now, let's pause and reflect on that scene. We are just a bunch of human beings, with overbearing emotions, emotions that overtake us at any given point. So say we didn't take that bullet, and we saw a life collapse right in front of us..that would affect us for a lifetime, knowing it was our fault, that we could have taken the hit. And that thought- that will teach them to mess with me..actually ends up tearing you apart. 
     Don't you get it? Jesus was despised by the very people He came to save. He came to save US so we didn't have to be perfect, so that we could make mistakes and be forgiven. He was ridiculed, He was spat on, He was beat, and on the cross He was still thinking about you. He was still thinking about me. That thought "that will teach them to mess with me" NEVER crossed His mind. In fact- He cried out, Father FORGIVE them, they know not what they do (Luke 23:34). While He was suffering a death beyond anything we could ever fathom, He asks God for our forgiveness? Grasp in your mind that this is the Savior of the world, you really don't think He couldn't have come down from the cross and walked away..? He could have said that we weren't worth it and that "this will teach them to mess with me." But He didn'tHis death really did affect us for a lifetime, it affected us for our eternity.
     Just think about that the next time you have trouble forgiving one of your friends. Just think about that the next time you see someone who needs help. Just think about why you're here, why you can make mistakes, and how you can be forgiven. Now, why even think about living your life for someone else? Do you want to be the stranger standing with the gun?


"For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." Matthew 16:25

"For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever wants to lose their life for me and for the gospel will save it." Mark 8:35

"For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it." Luke 9:24

"Those who love their life will lose it, while those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life." John 12:25

Guess He didn't want us to miss that one..did He?

Challenge: Just Think.