Christian Archives - Page 3 of 5

Attending church in 2009

by tiffanyGod Shows Up April 28, 2020February 25, 2020No Comments

In 2009, as summer faded, I attended church for the first time since high school. My new interest in Christianity brought me to a large multi-building church with my friends. It was unlike the Catholic churches I had known as a child. This church had modern with chairs instead of pews and different rooms. It even had a bookstore.

The main sanctuary had a stage and screens. The walls were beige, not stone, and there weren’t any stain glass windows. Plus, they had a sound system and theatrical lighting that would change for the different worship songs, that I did not know, yet.

My friends, who I moved out to California with, were going to this church, so one Sunday after I chose to try out Christianity they brought me with them. I still remember the newness of walking into this odd, but normal looking building.

After the first service, I approached the information table and the lady there gave me a mug and information about the church as a welcome gift. She seemed to care that I was there.

A few weeks or months of us going to the morning service passed. We then learned about an evening ministry. It was about to become its own church. It was a smaller, more intimate church named Elevation.

We couldn’t get enough of God and learning about who He is and how to follow Him. We kept going to both churches for a while since the time didn’t conflict. Both churches then also begun Bible studies, so the group went to one from each church. Both Bible studies met during the week in the evenings.

We were on fire for God and supported each other to be more and more involved. Soon I was helping in different ministries for both churches and trying to get as involved as I could. The others were also serving and helping.

God flooded and saturated our lives that first year. We grew immensely in our relationship with Him and our understanding of Christianity. It was a lovely spring board that set up our future paths. It is part of my life that I am truly grateful that God gave me and the group. He was the one that grew us and gave us all the opportunities to grow.

Want More?

For more blog posts in this series, you can visit my God Shows Up page. I also have a YouTube series that goes hand in hand with this written series.

Love Nerd: Chronically Single

by tiffanyLove Nerd April 14, 2020June 4, 2020No Comments

What do I mean by chronically single and what is it like?

I define being chronically single as not going on a romantic date for over 5 years. This means you haven’t been in a romantic relationship or have had a romantic possibility for 5 years.

The short answer of what it is like is that it sucks and it is a blessing.

After you accept being single as the stage of life you’re in you can do a lot of things you didn’t realize you could do.

Going to dinner and a movie by yourself is a treat and becomes less awkward. Simply becoming more independent is a huge blessing that makes me feel free.

After awhile I realized I became happier and happier for my friends who find love. It turned from ‘why not me’ to ‘yay them.’ Happiness and love is not a competition it’s a celebration.

I am also able to see non-romantic love more and cheerish my friends and family more now that I stopped obsessing over my romantic life or lack there of.

Yes, I do still yearn for a romantic partner and someone to share my life with in a special way. However, it’s not the right timing yet.

I do pray for my future husband, whoever he may be. I am trying to keep my heart open to finding him. It’s not my whole life and I’m okay in the stage of life I’m in.

I’m learning a lot from being chronically single and loving what I’m learning, even if it is tough at times.

Want to read more?

This blog series stems from my book “To Love,” which has a whole YouTube Playlist devoted to it. I will also be posting more in this series on the Love Nerd page of this site.

Second-Hand Love (Excerpt from To Love)

by tiffanyPoetry, To Love Updates April 11, 2020April 17, 2020No Comments

To Know First

As part of promoting my book To Love, I will be sharing a few excerpts for the book. These will include both the main chapters, which I call ‘sub-letters’ and the creative pieces that I mixed in.

My heart desires to write a love song
so deep, so true;
one that brings tears
or makes you say, “oh my dear.”
Desire fills me to write words
that could move mountains
or the hardest soul.
Darling, please urge yourself to weep,
as my romantic heart breaks,
because the only love I've known
seems to have been a mistake.
It was far away,
long ago and healed with time. 

The heart that broke is no longer mine.
The love I knew is a faded dream,
a distant mystery; 
nearly hidden
in the darkened valley of the changed girl.
Yes, I loved once,
but it was not deep, not true,
so how can I tell you of love?
What romance can I give,
except second-hand?

Want To Know More?

You can keep up to date on general information on To Love by going to To Love’s update page and read more blog posts and excerpts by going to the blog category. I also created a video playlist of promotional information.

You can also now purchase the book on Amazon.

Sub-Letter #0 (To Love Excerpt)

by tiffanyTo Love Updates March 28, 2020April 17, 2020No Comments

To Know First

Sub-letter #0

To Love,

Who are you?

I have written you a multitude of times and thought about you even more.
My imagination wonders if you are a doctor who will save my life. Is my love the lead singer in a band or a construction worker? Could my ideal partner be someone already around me? Will we not meet for years? Maybe you’re a successful actor I have already watched. You may be the man that sometimes visits me in dreams. Also, you may be the man across the table in this coffee shop.

There are many thrilling possibilities that may lead me to you and who you are. My mind enjoys playing with the different options and situations that may bring the one I’ll fall in love with into my life. Some of these playful notions remain in my mind as silly fantasies. Others find their way onto a piece of paper or onto a computer screen.

The imaginative thoughts that leak out as creative shouts on a two-dimensional surface either end their journey locked in a notebook or fight their way to my blog. A select few even found their way into my poetry book.

No matter where their journey ends these writings are not among their own kind. These writings are among non-romantic poetry, comedic short-stories, and venting monologues. If they live on my blog, they also compete with life updates, descriptions of my paintings, and any video that I make.

My romantic writings deserve to frolic with their own kind. I want my romantic energy flow into one place. I desire all of my romantic and loving creative pieces to be in one project.

Plus, I have letters written to you, my unknown love, among my notebooks. These letters are worth being shared.

One option is to just keep everything the same. I can technically wait to share my writings and letters with you; when we meet.

Waiting is an option, but I am unaware of when we will meet and I am not that patient. I want to share my romantic side with you, even before I meet you. You’re out there and one day you will read everything in this long love letter, so I might as well get started. Who knows? This may be what brings us together.

This book’s purpose may be to make me see you in a different light. Perhaps one that I haven’t imagined yet. Perhaps I will publish this, and we’ll meet because of this book. I could also see God using it to show you I had faith that you were real.

I don’t know the exact purpose of this long love letter. As it stands I’m not even sure what it will turn into. The real reason and the real project will remain a mystery unless I write, so I need to write.

I will not sit here and pretend to foresee the future and the purpose of this book. I won’t lie and tell you I know answers I don’t know. I will be honest with you and share what I can with you. I will also tell you my thoughts and opinions to the best of my abilities. I promise you these things here in this letter and I will promise you these things when we meet.

Now, onto the writings themselves. I will try to share my works in chronological order. I am not promising that this order will be absolutely accurate.

I want to show you how my image of you has changed and developed. It would also be nice for you to see how my idea of what is romantic has changed. However, not all my writings have dates and I’m sure I’ll find a few hidden in my notebooks after I start.

I will always be honest about what I know and my writings. Also, I’ll try to relate the writings to who I was at the time of writing. I hope that this long love letter will show you all of me.

I think I have rambled enough for the opening. I hope you understand what is going on with this long journey. If not, I guess you won’t be continuing to read. I mean unless the confusion is at least intriguing. Are you intrigued?

Want More?

You can also now purchase the book on Amazon.

2020 Refocus Retreat

by tiffanyGod Shows Up March 24, 2020February 25, 2020No Comments

2019 had many rough patches, difficult changes, and surprises. That year knocked around. I’m grateful that God held on to me through the struggle. I am also thankful that he allowed me to go to the “2020 Refocus” retreat.

It seemed like every time I got on a healthy habit schedule in 2019 something would knock me off of it. With God’s help, I kept finding my way back to Him and the right path for me.

I went into 2020 with an attitude of being freer to explore what the right path for me is and simply be with God.

The first weekend of the new year I was able to do just that. I went on a 24-hour retreat called “2020 Refocus.” My friends had helped plan it and it was wonderful.

My expectations were low. Really I didn’t know what to expect, but it was amazing. God showed up multiple times for me.

The first session had a lot of good information in it. As I took notes I realized I needed to trust and obey God more and more. That had to be a major focus this year and every day within the year.

God can do such powerful things when we fully depend on Him and trust Him fully.

Another powerful fact that I learned was in my quiet time. I woke early and journaled by myself. Through journaling, I realized that I’ve been focused on earthly things.

Yes, I love God and I am following Him. However, my vision is only for this life and this world. I need to move my focus to eternity and God’s will.

Hearing From God

In the main prayer time, I also heard from God, which if you aren’t familiar with prayer I’m sure sounds weird. “To Love “will be done this year. It’ll be with God and God’s power that I succeed.

With that statement, I’ve changed my focus. When I got home from the retreat I started to work on getting a Kickstarter project up and going. I have also scheduled more time in order to work on “To Love.”

Iron On Iron Activity

The last time I saw God show up, during the retreat, was with an activity called, “Iron On Iron.” It is where 2 people encourage and strengthen the 3rd person, then the roles are rotated until all 3 people are strengthened.

I sat down with my preassigned group and judged them. From their appearances, I thought it was going to be a weird and awkward time. What could we have in common? I figured I’d go first and get it over with.

Well, all 3 of us are artists. True our lives are different, but that allowed us to see things differently and help. It was a great activity. By the end, I really felt connected to them.

I was vulnerable with them. In return, they accepted where I am and who I am. Through them, I felt God’s love and guidance.

It was a truly beautiful weekend and an apt names retreat. I did refocus on God at the beginning of 2020.

Want More?

For more blog posts in this series, you can visit my God Shows Up page. I also have a YouTube series that goes hand in hand with this written series

To Love: The Poem (An Excerpt)

by tiffanyPoetry, To Love Updates March 14, 2020April 17, 2020No Comments

As part of promoting my book To Love, I will be sharing a few excerpts for the book. These will include both the main chapters, which I call ‘sub-letters’ and the creative pieces that I mixed in. This first excerpt is the opening of the book. It is “To Love: The Poem”

 What does it mean to love?
 How does it look to love?
 Do you know the way to love?
 Could you point me down a path to love?
 

 
 I hope to love.
 I look at what it means to love.
 I dream of finding my way to love
 I search for answers to love.
 I do long to love,
 so I write to love.

Want More?

You can also now purchase the book on Amazon.

Love Nerd: Why Am I Single?

by tiffanyLife, Love Nerd March 10, 2020June 4, 2020No Comments

I’ve asked my self one question over and over. Sometimes I have the answer, other times I’m confused and don’t understand. The repeated question is, “Why am I single?”

I’ve answered this question many ways.

First the answer was I don’t see anyone I want to date. There was never the perfect guy that fell right in front of my face. No obvious suitor came calling and there was no fairy-tale meet cute in the movie of my life.

By the time I realized I was fooling myself by waiting for something romantic to fall into my lap, I was writing “To Love” and trying to build my art business. My excuse changed from, ‘it’s out of my control,’ to ‘I don’t have time.’ I thought I couldn’t do or have both my art career and a romantic partner. There just wasn’t enough time in the day or energy in my soul.

All the while I had a little voice of fear in the back of my mind that said I would only get hurt. Part of me didn’t want to find someone, because I didn’t want the pain of a break up. It took me writing “To Love” to realize that fear though.

I’m happy to say now my excuse is that it takes time. I’m once again trying online dating and praying my eyes are open to the different possibilities. It also helps to be able to see that I have love and support from my friends and family. With them I can overcome every pain or fear that life throws my way. Another thing that helps is that I’m working on being the best version of myself.

Want to learn or read more?

This blog series stems from my book “To Love.” For more information on “To Love” you can also watching my YouTube playlist. I will also be posting more in this series on the Love Nerd page of this site.

My First Trip To Africa

by tiffanyGod Shows Up February 23, 2020January 28, 2020No Comments

In 2016 I had a grand adventure with God. I went on my first over seas mission trip. It was to South Africa. It was a big and scary trip for me, but I was excited. I had dreamed about taking a trip to Africa for awhile. Now I was able to take my first trip to Africa.

I learned and grew a lot even before I left the country.

The first thing came months before the actual trip. Did you know it takes a lot to plan for a mission trip? We had meetings and homework in order to plan the lessons and activities. This was on top of planning and organizing the basics of travel. Yes, we had a wonderful leader who did a lot, but we were responsible to get the needed shots, our own packing, work related stuff, and fundraising for the trip’s expenses.

Automobile Issues with God’s help

Once everything was planned I thought things would be easy sailing for me. However, a week before the trip my car broke down in rush hour traffic on a curvy mountain highway. I had just enough momentum to get over a lane and pull over on the tiny shoulder.

God showed up by sending the highway partol tow truck out pretty quickly. He was able to tow it to a turn off, so that I would be safe.

The next issue was finding a tow truck who would bring me all the way back to my home area and to the mechanic I regularly saw. After a few calls and what felt like a long wait a truck finally came to tow my car to my mechanic.

I had to leave it outside their building over night on the street. God showed up that night, because there was no damage to my car. On another visit to my mechanic I did hear about a stranger’s car getting looted.

The car was fixed within a day or two. I had it before I left for my big trip. Yes, in the end everything worked out. However, the whole situation was stressful. It caused stress and anxiety. It was not a fun experience, but God was present in it.

My first trip to South Africa also had many God moments. Each time God showed up could fill up another blog post, which I do plan on writing.

Want More?

For more blog posts in this series you can visit my God Shows Up page. I also have a YouTube series that goes hand in hand with this written series.

Introduction: Love Nerd

by tiffanyLove Nerd February 4, 2020January 21, 2020No Comments

I am a Christian, a sister, and a friend. I’m an avid learner and artist. Also, I am a huge fan of love and a romantic. You can say I am a love nerd. Oh and another thing you should know is that I am single.

Being single is an identifier in my life’s current stage. It is also my blessing and my struggle. It is my freedom and my curse. Singleness has caused me to cry and caused me to dance with joy. Yeah, it’s a bit of an oxymoron, but both sides are true.

Being single has even taught me a lesson or two. It has showed me who I am and given me confidence in being the person I am made to be.

I am grateful that this is the struggle I’ve been given and the life issue that is closest to my life. My health, job situation, or family relations could be a lot worst. I could have actual real struggles, but I don’t.

Of course sometimes not having a partner feels like the end of the world and worst thing possible. During those dark moments I imagine bargaining away my health, a limb, or one of my senses, just to have a partner in life.

If you have been single for any major length of time you know the yearning for a partner comes in waves. Like any emotional thing in life relationships or lack there of are emotional roller coasters. As for right now I’m at the part of the roller coaster where I am at peace with the pain of being alone. It’s not that I’m numb to the loneliness. I’m just use to it.

My Singleness

I have been single for 10 years now. I have only kissed 1 guy in those 10 years and that was about 8 years ago. You can trust me when I say I know the single life.

I am truly chronically single. That does not mean I do not love or that I have not learned lessons about love. It is at the center of everything that is important to me. I just haven’t personally experienced romantic love in a very long time.

I also love learning about love and sharing my thoughts on love.

What are the different definitions of love? What comes first the action of love or the feelings of love? What does it truly mean to love?

I hope to answer these questions and more in this series. I also will share my journey to accepting my life stage with you and how I became a love nerd.

Want to learn or read more?

This blog series stems from my book “To Love” which I until February 13,2020 I have a kickstarter for. I will also be posting more in this series on the Love Nerd page of this site.

God Showed Up While I Was Moving

by tiffanyGod Shows Up January 26, 2020February 12, 2020No Comments

Sometimes it’s clear when God shows up. He does something huge that is undeniably Him. You hear these types of stories from time to time. Stories about miraculous healing or people being saved from certain death. Most of the time He whispers. The ordinary or simple encounters are easy to miss or dismiss as coincidence, luck, or chance. When you don’t, when you see God’s hand in the ordinary, you realize how extraordinary He is.

God has never helped me smuggle Bibles into Chine or given me superhuman strength to save a child who was crushed under a car. However, He has given me a part-time job almost as soon as I decided to follow Him.

More recently He took away my living situation in order to give me a cheaper one and help me realize the status quo of my life wasn’t working.

One way I know God Showed up in the moving transition was that within a week I found a cheaper room for rent.

I was about to leave a party and the only guests that were still there typically don’t hang out with my main friend group. They rent out a home and hold me that they may have an extra room. I set up a time with another tenant to look at the space and it was perfect for me.

The reasons I know it was God

There are 2 reasons I know this was God. The first is because it typically takes months to find a new place to rent where I live. Plus most of the time you have to be flexible with your budget and pay more than I actually could. It’s really unheard of to pay my rent.

The home I moved into is great and is in a wonderful neighborhood. In addition has beautiful waking paths around it that I can walk.

I could easily mistake this for luck or coincidence, but I know God’s hand when He shows up. This is Him taking care of me. I am confident that God showed up while I was moving.

Want to read more?

For more blog posts in this series you can visit my God Shows Up page. I also have a YouTube series that goes hand in hand with this written series.