Saber | Conocer

Hello Readers!  I'm back from my blogging-fast!  This was a much-needed rest, and I feel more energized to step back into the world of writing.  =)  January was a crazy, fast-paced month with school starting up again, editing/being an early reader for some author friends, living life, and striving to keep focus on Jesus during the busy times.  I don't know how I could have taken time to add blogging on top of all of that...this break was wonderful. =)  And while I don't know exactly what the future holds for Having a Heart Like His or if God has plans that I don't see yet, I am excited to be on here again with you all.  Thus, let's jump right into the new blogging series that has been on my heart for the past weeks!

Languages hold secrets. Mysteries that once discovered shed light on the truth. Meanings that are deeper than just the outward appearance.

But sometimes those deeper meanings are just confusing. I have been learning Spanish for at least eight years, and I still haven't mastered it. Some words seem to mean the exact same thing, but they have slight differences; you can't mix them up. It's frustrating. I stared at these two words wondering what in the world was the difference: Saber and Conocer. They are both verbs that mean "to know." So what's the difference? Why can't they be reversible? Can't I just use whichever one I want? But then my friend Lydia explained it to me. And underneath the Spanish words were a deeper meaning that made me think. They inspired me. 

The definition of the Spanish word saber is "to know." ) But that is only the surface. Saber means to know a fact. To know a skill. You could say that you saber how to swim. It's the basic word for knowledge.

The definition of conocer is also "to know." Yet it has a much deeper meaning. Conocer is to know something intimately. It means that you know someone personally. You don't just know their name, their favorite color, and their birthday. You know them. 

Here's an example. I saber (know of) Chris Tomlin. I know his name. I know that he is a music artist, and I could recognize his songs. I know what he looks like. But do I really know him? Of course not! However I conocer (know personally) my mom. I know not only her name but also what she looks like, her favorite color, her pet peeves, her struggles and worries, her love languages, etc. I know a lot about her. I have spent time with her, and I know her personally. Deeply.

Perhaps these are still just two words for you. Perhaps the meaning doesn't impact you like it did me. But it made me look at things differently. 

What would it be like if our relationship with God wasn't just a saber relationship? What if we truly knew God in a conocer way? Imagine if we didn't just know of God but we knew Him as a friend?

Knowing that there is a God isn't enough. (see James 2:19) Knowing the Bible isn't enough. Knowing how to be a Christian isn't enough.

I don't remember who said this, but it is so true. "Christianity is not a religion; it's a relationship."

It's a relationship between a person and God. It doesn't involve your parents, your friends, or anyone else. Christianity is YOU and GOD.

The Bible has a term that I have been studying for several weeks. We can't just call ourselves Christians. We need to be abiding in Christ. Our lives need to be revolving around Him. We should live each day with our eyes focused on our Savior. Our own desires, plans, and dreams should be dim and lifeless because we are so enamored with Jesus Christ.

I haven't mastered this. I struggle to abide in Christ continually. My eyes often loose focus; my feet often stumble. I live in my own strength and fall short so many times. This isn't about me. It's about Christ. It's about a relationship. 

Because this is something I want to dig deeper into (and I hope you do too!), I want to truly discover what abiding means. Over the next few weeks, months, or as long as it takes, I want my life to be changed. I want us together as sisters and brothers in Christ to press on together to become more than saber Christians. I want to conocer God. I want to know Him deeply and intimately. I want to understand what abiding is and live that out. 

I don't know what will happen on this blog as we explore this topic...but I want my life to change. I want my relationship with God to deepen. I hope you will join me.

Is your relationship with God deep or only on the surface? Do you saber or conocer God? How can we practice abiding in Christ as a lifestyle? Comment below! 

*note If you are a Spanish-speaker and see a flaw in my use of these Spanish terms, please let me know. I am a beginner and am open to learning more. =)

Left to Die Release!

After almost a month away from the blogging world, I have returned for one quick post that I am very excited about!!  Presenting...

After reading Ivy's first book, The Old River Road (see my review here), I was overjoyed when she asked me to be a Beta reader of this new masterpiece!  *clasps hands together*  And now it is about to be released!  I'm so excited for you all to finally hold Ivy's book in your own hands.  =)  Now, you're probably wondering what this is all about...?

Lindy Greene’s life is perfect. Too perfect. But living as a missionary nurse, serving in a small hospital in China, soon brings the disaster she fearfully anticipates. All of her well-thought-out plans for the future disintegrate after pulling a fatally ill, disfigured, abandoned child from a pile of trash. She doesn’t even like babies.

Nathan Thomas can’t find balance. College suited him just fine until his cash ran out, forcing him to the Chinese mission field with his parents. The chaotic atmosphere in China does little to relax his agitated mind, and the pretty blonde nurse at the hospital does nothing to help him focus.

The Chinese mission field isn’t for the faint of heart. Nathan wonders how he can survive his remaining time there, while Lindy struggles to help everyone she can. With different ideals pulling them in separate directions, there is one thing drawing them together: a tiny, sickly, crippled orphan who relies on them to stay alive.

Find on Goodreads ~ Find on Amazon

My Review:

Many years ago, my mom told me about the plight of orphans overseas.  Stories of babies who lay in their crib for years - never feeling loving arms around them.   Children who didn't cry anymore because they knew that no one cared.  It pulled a cord in my heart.  It made me want to reach out and help them in some way.  I wish I could hold just one of those precious children in my arms and tell him that he was loved.  That someone cared.

Ivy Rose has experienced those emotions first-hand.  She pours out her care for these children in Left to Die.  This story is about a little babe in China who touches two young people's lives, but it represents so much more.

Needless to say, I loved this book.  It re-opened my longing to help orphan children across the world.  I fell in love with the abandoned baby in Ivy's story.  ♥  (I might be envious that Lindy found the baby, not me...)  The writing style is simple and beautiful.  Through this novella you will be challenged to love the abandoned and reach out your own arms to someone who desperately longs for someone who cares.  I am so excited for this book to be released!  Even though the story-line was a little bit predictable, it is a lovely novella that I will remember for years to come.  And yes, please do read it when it comes out!!  =)

Aaand...I got to interview Ivy Rose!!  =)

Interview:

1.  Hello Ivy!  What was the hardest part of writing/editing/publishing Left to Die, and how did you overcome it?

This book has been one of the smoothest, easiest, non-hair-pulling books I’ve ever written! I don’t remember a particularly rough patch in the writing or editing part. Publishing has been different than with my first book because this time, I decided to do the formatting myself. It was a bit of a learning curve, but I’m glad I did it and learned a new skill!

2. Can you share some back-story about Left to Die and how this new story comes from your heart?

Left to Die is very special to me for many reasons, but mainly because my one and only sister is from China. When my family went there to get her almost ten years ago, I got to see firsthand the poverty and hopelessness of the country, but the memories that stick are the ones from when we visited the orphanage my sister had lived in her entire two years of life. I wanted to take all 50 babies and children home with me that day. Walking away from that institution was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done—the memories are some of the most difficult to recall. Though I still wish I could get all of those sick and hurting babies out of there, I can’t. I never can get all of them. But my hope with Left to Die is to raise awareness for the worldwide orphan crisis and help more orphans find their forever families.

3.  What is your favorite part of being an author?

My favorite part is all the wonderful people I get to meet! I love chatting, emailing, talking…I love people! Meeting new friends is always so much fun!!!

About the Author:

Ivy rose is an 18 year old history lover and literary enthusiast. Aside from writing, she enjoys being outdoors, eating chocolate, travelling, reading, and doing TaeKwonDo. She resides with her family of 9 on the banks of the Long Lake in eastern Washington.

She can also be found at various places on the internet:

Blog
Pinterest
Goodreads
Instagram

Left to Die Prize Pack

Hmm?  Thoughts?  Are you excited!?  =)

Resolutions for 2017

Happy New Year!  

 Here is a vlog to start out my 2017 posts. =)  I also have an important update to Having a Heart Like His, which I mention in the video.  Enjoy, and, if at all possible, please fill out my questionnaire!  =)  It is completely anonymous, and I am looking for constructive criticism.  =)