Love (Part 1)

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

 Right there, you see God tell us almost directly what love actually is. I feel like (depending where you grow up of course) the word love doesn't always quite mean that. We tend to over-use the word love. But not just that, we say we love our friends or family etc. but than you read this verse. I question, do I actually love them this way? The way God told us too? You can also take this in an encouraging way, because we know that God loves us, and that this is how He loves us.

 John 3:16 “For God so loved the world,that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Another amazing example of love! The greatest one of all in my opinion. I am young and I don't have any kids obviously, but if you do, try to imagine! Having your only child go and die so other's can live, knowing that so many people will not want the free gift. I don't know if I could love like that, God loves us so much.

Quick Look

Okay, so I will give some examples I have gotten from some people's reactions to when I told them about my faith, about God, the Bible, etc. Well I just was studying Castellano with a teacher from the school and I asked if I could read my Spanish Bible outloud for practice on pronunciation. I secretly wanted her to hear a few Bible verses. When I pulled out my Bible her first reaction was terror! She said something about hating religious stuff, but if it meant practice for me she would listen. Oh wait, let me tell you how much she was laughing, I don't think she was expecting me to pull out my Bible and read it to her. There were other people in the room and they stopped and listened. So I read all of Romans 8 in Spanish and after a few sentences she became very quiet and didn't correct me on anyting. She interrupted me and asked me if I believed in it and I answered yes. She just laughed and laughed at me and then compared the Bible to a little children's book I was reading about fairies. We then started talking about what happens after you die and she said you just die and nothing happens. I told how sad that was and she didn't understand. But the thing I have really learned, is that you need the Holy Spirit to ACTUALLY understand the Bible. I told her that I have it in me so I understand it. She said she had it too but then I said that she didn't understand. She said all of the Bible was made up and that all the help I recieve from "God" was just my mind. Again, she continued to laugh at me the whole time. There were some other things I told her, but that is close to a normal reaction from somewhere here. Sometime's I get yelled at, or a lecture on how it isn't true or insults. Even people I am generally closer to here told me - after I told them that I read my Bible every night - that I needed help, or that I was crazy or insane and there was something wrong with me. The whole time I just sit there and think "you have no idea!". Europe is definately a mission field, there is no such thing as God to them and most of the people my age have been raised being told that. No one seems to have a spiritual connection and no one cares that they don't. People just keep asking me, "you actually believe the Bible?" As far as I know God will never be a liar. The worst part is they insult the Bible and God and they don't know anything about God and haven't ever picked up a Bible. The teacher I talked with kept calling it all made up and a fairytale, but then I asked her if she has ever even read the Bible and she said no. Most people here seem to blame their disbelief on not being able to believe in things they can't see. But even I know there is something much deeper than that. Some atheists I have met would even ask me to pray for them if they were going through a problem. Deep inside everyone, there seems to be some form of a spiritual knowledge. You can keep denying God but there is a point where you are never sure, right? When I read the penalty of sin is death, her eyes just popped open. She was really distraught after and I know even though she denied God deep down there was something. Sorry this ended up being way longer, but there is so much more. Even my host family has told me that I can't be "this into it" and it "could lead to trouble" and I just don't understand! But, whenever I talk with an atheist, I always say at the end, well one day you and I will both see, but at least I don't have to worry about that day. Oh, they definately continue to laugh, but isn't that something Jesus said would happen? I am pretty content with laughter, it is much better than some of the things that could happen to me.

Courage

Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." What is your definition of courage? Living in Barcelona (Catalunya area of Spain) is difficult. I bring up the word prayer and I get a 15 minute lecture about how that person respects my "religion" and how they just "aren't prayers". The whole time I am just thinking "if you only knew!" I try my hardest but sometime's I really need the courage to bring up God. Especially here. I told someone that I read my Bible every night and they said that I need help, something was wrong with me, and that I had a problem. So now, it takes courage to bring up Jesus because how many strange looks, and sometimes mean comments I recieve. I would take this any day over some of the persecution in some countries where if you even own a Bible you can get thrown in jail or worse. But, in full perpesctive, you need the Holy Spirit to have the courage to talk to others about Jesus. If you ever feel a pull to do something or say something, a good pull, do it. That would be the Holy Spirit working in you!

Good Sermon

River Valley Church is a local church in Minnesota and they have a base over here in Spain too! They have some great sermons if you have time, you should check out! Here are a few more photos I have taken! They are a little random, but enjoy! 

Some Photos of Barcelona :)

I am currently living in Barcelona and here a few photos I have taken so far!

Romans 8 - More Than Conquerors

 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died - more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: 31-39. Here you find an amazing passage explaining how if you are a genuine believer and saved that NOTHING can take that away. Absolutely nothing. No sin, there is nothing you can say or do that will take away your salvation once you have accepted Christ into your heart and as the Messiah. I have a long history of worries about things that this verse has helped me with. There are so many things I would worry about, that somehow God wouldn't forgive me. But I realize from this verse that once you are saved, you are saved forever. When I first read this passage I didn't understand that it was only applying to genuine believers. I thought it was applying to everyone and I kept wondering "but the people who are in hell are separated from God?" But even Revelations makes sense once it is explained to you! Here is a good song you should listen to: Psalm 139 (You Are There) - MercyMe

Some Solid Sites

I am frequently searching the web and looking for great Christian websites to share and get involved with. My first one is Christian version of Amazon.com essentially. I love it. http://www.christianbook.com/. Here are a few ones on mission trips. It can be difficult to find an organization that you completely trust if there are no mission trips from your church. http://royalservants.org/, http://www.teenmissions.org/, and http://ywam.org/. With these three organizations I have had many friends go on their experience with and loved it! Each one is different but amazing in a different way! Here is a good website on some information about persecution of Christians in the world. http://www.persecution.org/. And a website I found that has some church sermons if you ever feel the need! http://gochristfellowship.com/about-us/sermon-archives/#series=107.

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understand. -Proverbs 3:5. Have you seen this before? I have read it many times and I just didn't understand what it meant. I know have came to actually understand what God wants us to do. Not lean on ourselves or other people during times of trouble. Lean only on the Lord. I realized this means, don't start googling your problems or think about how you can avoid something or deal with it by doing something. That would be leaning on your own understanding. Trying to figure out how to deal with something is also leaning on your own understanding. Truly stop looking up things or hoping your friends or family will be able to fix the problem...only God can. Another way you can use this verse is with doubts. You keep questioning something about God, just tell yourself that you can't even lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 can also apply to the future. Something that happened to me yesterday, I was pouring suger into my yogurt cup (I was in France and the yogurt is amazing!) and I thought I can do this and it won't spill. I knew that God didn't want us to lean on ourselves but right when I thought that I could do it a huge clump fell out and all the suger spilled everywhere! I just sat there and laughed. If you have any stories feel free to share them! God bless.

Anxiety

This is a huge one! If you have never had anxiety (I am referring to you if you only have ever had state anxiety) then you won't really understand what I am talking about. But those of you who know exactly what I will point out, then you understand. Anxiety. That horrible feeling. The panic attacks. The racing mind. Your heart pumping so fast. You feel hot and your face turns red. This is a part of life anxiety. I definitely have suffered from this. Everyone who suffers from life long anxiety has different symptoms. I get this feeling in the back of my cheeks and it hurts and makes me feel like I am going to throw up. But I would assume everyone is different. Anxiety is a secondary reaction. It has to be caused by something. You might even know what caused it, but there is always something. An irrational fear normally sparks it. Then, after you get over the fear, the anxiety is still there and you get anxious whenever you think about being anxious because you don't want to feel that way. It is just a process of getting over the fear, and praying that God calms you down. I remember a few years ago, I had horrible anxiety about throwing up in school. It was an irrational fear, but that fear sparked the anxiety. You can also associate anxiety with not trusting God. Place your fears in His hands and let Him handle it. He won't let you down. Anxiety can affect the way you act, talk, think, and essentially function. Do you get really quiet and just stare at what is front of you? That is another sign. A good thing to do, is to distract yourself. Hangout with some friends, or even just talk with someone. It will pass. Pray on! Some other sad news is that anxiety can lead to depression. I was there, I know. When you see that cycle happening, take a step back and look at it. Why do you think yo uare anxious? What is the worst thing that could happen? Most of the time, the worst thing that could happen really isn't that bad. Look at what is happening and tell yourself to let it go. Praying and asking God to help you let go always helps. I will post another section on anxiety later. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. And another verse: Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. God bless you and if you ever have a prayer request or anything, e-mail me!

Interested in Mission Trips?

If you feel God calling you to go on a mission trip, look no farther! You might not have the opportunity at your local church but there are plenty of organizations that will take you in! Some really good one's I have had personal friends go with are YWAM (Youth With A Mission) and TMI (Teen Missions International). They are both really good! Normally a little more on the long-term side, but they can be trusted! Look them up! TMI is more for teenagers and there are some missions for people over 18, but YWAM is for college students. Normally you can transfer you credits from your time with YWAM to a college you attend. That is what I want to do in 2 years, but I will see where God is calling me then! Here are the websites! http://ywam.org and http://www.teenmissions.org Sorry about not getting the links on, for some reason it just won't work. Here are a few photos from my mission trip to Ecuador!

Natural Beauty is the Best

Remember that time when you were obsessed with the way you looked? Yeah, I do too. It wasn't that much fun, you never felt like you were skinny enough, or having to always touch up your makeup in the bathroom? Always thinking about that bit of acne on your forehead? I can record being completely obsessed with looking nice and being tan, fit and wearing flattering clothes way back when. Before, I was never happy with the way I looked and I started hating myself because I was never good enough. After I accepted Christ, everything changed. The bad words stopped flowing out of my mouth, I stopped hating other people and gossiping. But the best relief, was I just stopped completely fretting about the way I looked. I stopped straightening my hair, and wearing so much makeup. All these things just started happening without my complete notice. But, I was much happier. You start wanting to be more beautiful on the inside rather than the outside. I also remember just wanting people to think I was pretty and I was very insecure the days I didn't think I looked pretty. Christ moves your heart and makes you open your eyes. One thing to realize, is that if you only care about the way you look - you will never be happy. NO ONE is physically perfect. Even if someone was, they would find something wrong with themselves. Time to realize that chasing physical perfection will get you no where and it is pointless. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. 1 Peter 3:3-4. Ladies! Remember that a joyful smile is more beautiful than that perfect looking girl with a serious frown. Smile, love, have joy in salvation and love yourself for the way God created you! Not what you can do with make-up or what you wear. Last thing, once you are following Christ, you see how insecure you were before and I realized how much time I wasted in a bathroom doing my make-up. Don't judge others that are in that boat right now, remember you were there once. Everyone who will be affected by the Holy Spirit will be at different times. Tell them God loves them and they are beautiful. (P.s. they probably won't want to hear it! But they need too.) God bless! Find beauty from the inside, not what is temporary on the outside.

Spiritual Gifts!

Every follower of Jesus is blessed with at least one or more spiritual gifts! Want to know what spiritual gift you have!? Here is a quick passage. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. Here is a website I like: http://www.kodachrome.org/spiritgift/ It is a little long, but I would say accurate. There are many more spiritual gifts than the one's listed in the Bible verse above!

Doubts

First of all, EVERY believer has doubts. It is normal, and it is actually just part of believing. Some people have even told me that is good to have doubts, because problems strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ. One thing I have noticed, is that the weirdest things make me doubt. But when the winds stur and a storm starts in your life, falling back on God is the best thing you can do. I definately had doubts about coming to Spain for a year. I kept questioning, is this what God's plan is for me? What if this affects my faith in a bad way? I know that all summer, the fear of losing my faith while I was here was like a dark cloud hanging over me. It is definately really difficult, but I know now that I will not lose my faith in Christ Jesus while I am here. Some good things to do when you are in doubt, is read your Bible. Psalms is always good, talk with a Christian friend or family member, watch a Jesus movie, PRAY! Many people say reading Psalms out loud really helps. Doubting tends to be very temporary. Also, remember that Satan wants you to doubt. Consider yourself, why do you think you are doubting? What are your doubts about? Doubting can lead to learning about yourself. Lack a fellowship can also lead to doubts also. When I have doubts about God creating the world (especially when Atheists bombard me with what they think they know about the big band theory), I just look at how every single person is different - has a different finger print, personality, voice, eyes! Did you know that humans are the only one's who can cry, and laugh? Also, reproduction. How complicated it is, but how simple and such a miracle babies are! I like languages very much also. It is so cool how we learn languages and how so many different one's exist! I will have more updates on doubts later...about different situations of doubts you could possibly have. But the best thing to do is rely on scripture - the Bible. Feel free to comment, or ask me any questions! For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. John 2:1

Introduction

Hello! You may already know a little about me from my description. But my name is Erin and right now I am a foreign exchange student in Barcelona, Spain. I'm from Minnesota in the United States of America. A town called Woodbury is my hometown - it is a cute city with around 65,000 people. So much has been happening in my life, and so many spiritual things along with it. About 6 or 7 months ago, I started reading my Bible. It changed me in unexplainable ways! I accepted Christ and I haven't been the same since. As I earlier stated, I am in Barcelona, Spain right now. This is very difficult, going from a very Christian environment, to a place where I am the weird one. Already, God has taught me so much! To trust Him, rely on Him, and have courage. If you want to read about my experience in Barcelona, check out my other blog! http://erinschaefer1.blogspot.com. I am writing this blog as a form of encouragement to those who are struggling! I want everyone to know that they aren't alone and will always have Jesus picking them up if they believe! God bless you all! I will write updates about certain topics and my opinion on certain emotions, feelings, situations, etc. Please feel free to comment on a post, message me if you want me to write about something, or if you need a prayer or just to chat! My e-mail is: elschaefer@comcast.net ; also, add me on skype if you need to chat! erin.schaefer1 Also, one last thing is that I speak Spanish. So for all those people who love their español :) For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13