Friday, December 30, 2011

God's mercy in my misery.

As I mentioned in the last post, I am reading Jesus+Nothing=Everything. It has already blessed me in so many ways. I am learning so much about myself and what I have been looking for in contentment and security. I will review Chapter One and things I highlighted from the chapter:

1. With God-fueled fire in his eyes, he reminded all of us that bearing fruit requires death. Jesus said we must die in order that we might live. Daily Christian living, in other words, is daily Christian dying: dying to our trivial comforts, col-shrinking conveniences, arrogant preferences, and self-centered entitlements, and living for something mush larger than what makes us comfortable and safe. God does everything through people who understand they're nothing, And God does nothing through those who think they're everything.

2. "I was learning the hard way that the gospel alone can free us from our addiction to being like-that Jesus measured up for us so that we wouldn't have to live under the enslaving pressure of measuring up for others."

3. By His liberating word...I am being transformed, freed, refreshed.

4. He stripped me down-wrecked me afresh! And when he does that to a person-when you actually feel like you have nothing but Him-Jesus becomes more to you than you could ever hope or imagined.

5. Because Jesus was strong for me, I was free to be weak.
Because Jesus won for me, I was free to lose.
Because Jesus was someone, I was free to be no one.
Because Jesus was extraordinary, I was free to be ordinary.
Because Jesus succeeded for me, I was free to fail.


If you have not heard, Casting Crowns has a new CD that is so amazing. It is called Come to the Well. The song come to the well is so so great! I added the video below, please watch and listen to the words. It definitely spoke to me!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Jesus + nothing = everything.

For Christmas, my parents gave me a wonderful book that my mentor, Lauren Bush, told me to read. It is called Jesus plus nothing equals everything by Tullian Tchividjian



It has really been a blessing and I am only a chapter into the book. I will be sharing more as I work my way through it! It is truly something that brings so much to life for a Christian. How true the title even to my life...Jesus plus nothing, equals everything. What a true statement. Every girl struggles for the perfect man, life, body, hair, clothes, car, grades, future, etc. We cannot hope for these things, although we can dream and pray for these things, we cannot put our value in these things. We must hope in our Lord Jesus, HE is everything we needed yesterday, today, and meets all of our needs tomorrow. He is before and after everything we do! How comforting.



When you are struggling with doubt or insecure about your future, trust in Jesus' constant love and peace. HE will bring everlasting joy no matter what the circumstance in your life. He has such a purpose and plan for my life and yours. Believe this.




because Jesus was strong for me, I am free to be weak.
because Jesus won for me, I am free to lose.
because Jesus was someone, I am free to be no one.
because Jesus is extraordinary, I am free to be ordinary.
because Jesus succeeds for me, I am free to fail.





Lord, I give you all the glory. Cleanse me in your righteousness!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

how to live like a lady.

For Christmas, my sweet sister Ashley graced me with a lovely book called, How to Live Like a Lady, lessons in Life, Manners, and Style. She purchased it at Anthropologie if you are interested! It is SO good and I am almost finished with it...literally.

Since reading this book, I do believe I am obsessed with etiquette and truly living and acting mannerly. It is so very important that we as southern women carry these traditions on so they are not forgotten for future generations. It is up to us to put these good practices into use.



I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart...where?



As I stroll through this Christmas break, I am so thankful for the time that I have been able to spend with the Lord. It has been so sweet and joyful. He is teaching me so much about myself and how much more I need to rely on Him.

On Christmas Eve, my family and I attended our church, Northpark Baptist, to celebrate and remind ourselves of what the true reason for the season is all about. It was such a great service. Not only did I get to see and catch up with many friends, young and old, who were there from college or those whom are there still but since I am at school I have lost touch. Seeing those people in my life who really influenced me as a person was a blessing.

Bro. Bill, our pastor, gave a wonderful message on my favorite word, JOY. The true meaning of joy has been so evident in my life this past year of 2011. The Lord has filled my heart with His joy and overwhelmed me with His presence and plan for my life. Bro. Bill used the word joy to remind me and the church body of how joyful are lives should be when we have the Lord in our lives and are walking with Him daily.



As Bro. Bill shared his sermon, he went on to an even further study of the word Joy...

*J...stands for Jesus
*O...stands for others
*Y...stands for you

When you are living your life in this order, you will be walking in true joy. I have learned lately that when I am serving others, I am most joyful. Joy is so much different from happiness. Joy is everlasting, happiness is emotional based, which, as a woman, can be pretty up and down depending on what day it is. When we have the Lord and we are walking in His ways, we do not have to worry about what day it is, if I can be happy or sad today, or even if someone has wronged us. We can still have joy no what what the day, circumstances, or person we have been hurt by.




Praying for you today and that you will find JOY no matter where you are in your life or how you are feeling. He is a constant source of joy for me and He can and wants to be the same for you :)





How can I pray for you today?

Monday, December 26, 2011

there is no greater peace.

Source: flickr.com via yuki on Pinterest




Jesus. All we need is Him! Thank you, Jesus, for giving us Your son.


Merry Christmas!

Monday, November 7, 2011

faithfulness.



As I look back over the last couple of months, I cannot express how faithful the Lord has been in my life. I cling to him and trust that he is in control of my life. Every detail of it.




I am so thankful for His live and provision in my life. Although it is hard to trust the future, he has been faithful to me in the past and he will continue to be in the future. I praise him with all that I am! I give HIM all the glory. For it is through him tha tIam taking my next breath, waking up tomorrow, taking another step, and able to enjoy his blessing. It is HIM.





I am hanging on every word of his promises. He is always right and full of truth.


For the word od the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in ALL he does. Psalm 33:4

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love; Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

As I grow in my relationship with the Lord, I have come to realize how weak I am, how human I am, how flawed I am, and how much I need His grace with every breath I take.

So when we sing, 'Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,' we are not thinking of the nearness of place, but of the nearness of relationship. It is for increasing degrees of awareness that we pray, for a more perfect consciousness of the divine Presence. We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts. --A.W. Tozer

I am so weak. Jesus is the only one who can come and heal me. He is the only one who can bring joy and fulfillment to my life. Why do I not recognize this on a daily basis. Lord, hear my prayer! For I am in need of Your everlasting grace. I am prone to wander, prone to leave, and cling to worldly things.

Francis Chan once asked what would happen if you thanked Jesus every time you take a breath. What a picture of His grace for our lives. He literally gives us every breath. Breathe and thank the Lord for every breath, it will give you a new prospective on how vast His love and grace, and forgiveness really is in our lives.

Monday, August 15, 2011

southern belle.

Southern Women:

"A new generation of women who are redefining the Southern Belle"

It is not posturing, or hyperbole, or marketing. (See: all those song lyrics about California girls and their undeniable cuteness.) Southern women, unlike women from Boston or Des Moines or Albuquerque, are leashed to history. For better or worse, we are forever entangled in and infused by a miasma of mercy and cruelty, order and chaos, cornpone and cornball, a potent mix that leaves us wise, morbid, good-humored, God-fearing, outspoken and immutable. Like the Irish, with better teeth.

To be born a Southern woman is to be made aware of your distinctiveness. And with it, the rules. The expectations. These vary some, but all follow the same basic template, which is, fundamentally, no matter what the circumstance, Southern women make the effort. Which is why even the girls in the trailer parks paint their nails. And why overstressed working moms still bake three dozen homemade cookies for the school fund-raiser. And why you will never see Reese Witherspoon wearing sweatpants. Or Oprah take a nap.

For my mother, being Southern means handwritten thank-you notes, using a rhino horn’s worth of salt in every recipe, and spending a minimum of twenty minutes a day in front of her makeup mirror so she can examine her beauty in “office,” “outdoor,” and “evening” illumination. It also means never leaving the house with wet hair. Not even in the case of fire. Because wet hair is low-rent. It shows you don’t care, and not caring is not something Southern women do, at least when it comes to our hair.

This is less about vanity than self-respect, a crucial distinction often lost on non-Southerners. When a Southern woman fusses over her appearance, it does not reflect insecurity, narcissism, or some arrested form of antifeminism that holds back the sisterhood. Southern women are postfeminism. The whole issue is a nonstarter, seeing as Southern women are smart enough to recognize what works—Spanx, Aqua Net—and wise to the allocation of effort. Why pretend the world is something it isn’t? Better to focus on what you can control (drying your hair) and make the best of what you have. Side note: Southern women do not capitalize on their looks to snag men, though that often results. The reason we Southern women take care of ourselves is because, simply, Southern women are caretakers.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

gift.

You are My beloved child! I chose you before the foundation of the world, to walk with me along paths designed uniquely for you. Concenstrate on keeping in step with me, instead of trying to anticipate My plans for you. If you trust My plans are to prosper you and not to harm you, you can relax and enjoy the present moment. Your hope and your future are rooted in heaven, where eternal ecstasy awaits you. Nothing can rob you of your glorious future, to encourage you and spur you on. But your main focus should be staynig close to Me. I set the pace in keeping with your needs and My purposes.

Read Ephesians 1:1-14

a gift.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

The Boulder of Pride.

Father, You are calling upon me to be completely humble and gentle; to be patient, bearing with others in love(Eph. 4:2). Please empower me with Your spirit to be obedient to this command.

You've warned me that when pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom(Prov. 11:2). You instruct Your people to listen carefully and heed Your instruction because prie can cause the Lord's flock to be taken captive (Jer. 13:17).

But You promise to guide the humble in what is right and teach them Your way(Ps. 25:9). Give me a humble heart so I will follow You in what is right and learn Your way.

Take me as you find me, all my fears and failures.

The Boulder of Pride.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Who is against us?

Who is against you?



God is not.

Jesus is not.

The Holy Spirit is not.

The angels are not.

Those who are for you are greater than any foe that is against you. Nothing and no one can prevail, defeat, conquer, or overcome those who are for you, and they who are for you have the final authority and the final say over everything that concerns you.

If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Romans 8:31

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

quote.

How completely satisfying to turn from our limitations to a God who has none. Eternal years lie in His heart. For Him time does not pass, it remains; God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which He must work. To know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves.

A. W. Tozer

For every...

There is…



For every hectic work day there is a quiet rest…

For every painful experience there is a healing touch…

For every negative feeling there is an abiding joy…

For every disappointment there is a certain hope…

For every turbulent storm there is a sure foundation…

For every doubting thought there is a calm assurance…

For every hurtful action there is a forgiving love.

In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

freedom.

My spiritual and life mentor, Lauren Bush, sent this prayer to me. It is so wonderful. I pray this to be evident in my life. Thanks Lauren! :)


A Prayer for Even More Freedom in Jesus

If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36
Dear Lord Jesus, it’s the morning of the 4th of July, and I’m very thankful to be living in the “land of the free.” But I’m still not as free as you intend, nor as joyful, for that matter. Though you’ve already freed me from trying to earn my salvation by anything I do or am; though you’ve already liberated me from the illusion that I can earn more of God’s love by doing more goodness and less foolishness; though the chains of condemnation have already been obliterated and the fears of death, judgment day, and the future have been sent packing by your perfect love—I’m still not as free as you intend.

As I read the Scriptures and reflect on my relationships, I feel very much like a babe—a neophyte, a raw rookie in so many gospel freedoms. Only the gospel helps us see and own our sin, brokenness and bondage. Only your grace keeps us from going to shame and self-contempt as we do so. Hear my prayers and bring more grace.
Jesus, please free me for loving others as you joyfully and relentlessly love us. There’s no freedom more central and powerful for revealing your glory. Help me return kindness for coldness, pursuit for avoidance; gospel for gossip. I want to be less irritated more often with fewer people. Help me to use fewer words and more listening when talking with others. Please unshackle me from the illusion of control in my relationships and annihilate my commitment to a pain-free heart. To love well is to hurt often.

Jesus, please liberate me from thinking about the next thing, so I can be present in the current moment. Help me make better eye contact and heart connection with others. Please help me to be more intrigued with people that I don’t know and less standoffish around strangers.

Jesus, break even more of the shackles of my insecurities. Empty my closets of all fig-leaf coverings and clothe me in the garments of grace. Liberate me from grave-clothes of shame and feelings of incompetence. Unfetter me from thinking too much about what I’m not by showing me more of you and who I am in you.

Lord Jesus, grant me greater spontaneity, louder laughter, saltier tears, and quicker repentances. Hallelujah… it is for freedom you have set us free. So very Amen I pray, in your most compassionate and powerful name. Amen.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

great devotional.

Todays posting is by Bonnie Jensen. She is a senior writer for DaySpring. I hope her devotional will be a blessing and an ecouragement to you.

God is in ordinary life. He meets us here with extraordinary grace.

I want to see God. I need to see Him. I’ve seen Him in pink and orange sunsets and foamy, crashing waves. But a long time ago, I asked Him for something more personal: a just-for-me glimpse of His omnipresence in my life. He, more than anyone else, understands what we love and appreciate as unique souls in this world. He wired us, put us together with specific passions, and designed us for divine purposes.

I love the Eastern Bluebird, so for me, this vibrantly colored feathered friend became my ‘glimpse’—

a smile, an assurance, a sweet reminder that our extraordinary God breathes life into the ordinary, sometimes difficult days. But they are an elusive, if not impossible sight in the urban setting I now call home. Circumstances have brought me to a place where bluebirds don’t settle, and rarely, if ever, visit.

In really tough times, many days can feel void of God’s presence. We can be ‘forgetful’ of the subtle yet very personal gifts and glimpses God has given us in the past. And it was a cold day, with winter on the ground, when I found myself guilty of forgetting…the bluebird flitting in front of my car, seemingly out of nowhere (God is thinking of me)…the bluebird on a fence post, his colors blurred through tear-filled eyes (God is here). But God decided in His beautiful and overwhelming grace to send a reminder. Outside my office window, on the branch of a barren tree, I saw blue. I stood up, still not believing. That’s when I spotted another bluebird in the brush behind the tree—and nearby, four more.

This is our God. Not a single bluebird, but six. In the middle of winter came an impossible gift from a personal God…and He multiplied it by the pain of the season I was in. Through tears mixed with humility and joy, I knew what God was saying—this is the measure of things to come. I am with you, close to your broken heart, in touch with your shattered soul.

You are never alone. You are never ignored. God is paying close attention to everything that concerns you…the sad, the happy, and every moment in between. Today there are glimpses of His love sent just for you—and I hope you see every one of them.

Bonnie Jensen

Friday, June 24, 2011

Joy. Joy. Joy. Joy.

What are the differences between worldly joys and spiritual joys? The gleanings of spiritual joys, are better than the vintage of the worldly joys.

(1.) Spiritual joys help to make us BETTER, worldly joys often make us worse. "I spoke unto you in your prosperity—but you said, I will not hear." Jer 22:21. Pride and luxury are the two worms which are bred from worldly pleasures. Wine is the inflamer of lust. As Satan entered in the sop, so often in the cup. But spiritual joy makes one better; it is like cordial medicine, which, as physicians say, not only cheers the heart—but purges out the noxious humours. Just so, divine joy is cordial medicine, which not only comforts but purifies; it makes a Christian more holy; it causes an antipathy against sin; it infuses strength to live and suffer for Christ. "The joy of the Lord is your strength." Some colors not only delight the eye—but strengthen the sight. Just so, the joys of God not only refresh the soul—but strengthen it.

(2.) Spiritual joys are INWARD, they are heart joys. "Your heart shall rejoice." John 16:22. True joy is hidden within, worldly joy lies on the outside, like the dew which wets the leaf. We read of those who "rejoice in appearance," in the Greek, in the face. 2 Cor 5:12. It goes no farther than the face, it is not within. "Laughter can conceal a heavy heart; when the laughter ends, the grief remains." Proverbs 14:13. Like a house which has a gilded frontispiece—but all the rooms within are hung in mourning. But spiritual joy lies most within. "Your heart shall rejoice." Divine joy is like a spring of water which runs underground! Others can see the sufferings of a Christian—but they see not his joy. "Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy." Prov 14:10. His joy is hidden manna—hidden from the eye of the world; he has joyful music which others cannot hear. The marrow lies within, the best joy is within the heart.

(3.) Spiritual joys are SWEETER than worldly joys. "Your love is sweeter than wine!" Song of Songs 1:2. Spiritual joys are a Christian's festival; they are the golden pot and the sweet manna, they are so sweet, that they make everything else sweet! Spiritual joys sweeten health and estate, as sweet water poured on flowers makes them more fragrant and aromatic. Divine joys are so delicious and ravishing, that they put our mouth out of taste for earthly delights; just as he who has been drinking cordials tastes little sweetness in water. Paul had so tasted these divine joys, that his mouth was out of taste for worldly things; the world was crucified to him, it was like a dead thing, he could find no sweetness in it. Gal 6:14.

(4.) Spiritual joys are more PURE, they are not tempered with any bitter ingredients. A sinner's joy is mixed with dregs, it is embittered with fear and guilt—he drinks wormwood wine. But spiritual joy is not muddied with guilt—but like a crystal stream, it runs pure. It is a rose without prickles; it is honey without wax.

(5.) Spiritual joys are SATISFYING joys. "Ask, that your joy may be full." Worldly joys can no more fill the heart than a drop can fill an ocean; they may please the palate or imagination—but cannot satisfy the soul. "No matter how much we see—we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear—we are not content." Ecclesiastes 1:8. But the joys of God satisfy. "Your comforts delight my soul." Psalm 94:19. There is as much difference between spiritual joys and earthly joys—as between a banquet which is eaten—and one which is painted on the wall!

(6.) Spiritual joys are STRONGER joys than worldly joys. "Strong consolation." Heb 6:18. They are strong joys indeed, which can bear up a Christian's heart in trials and afflictions. "Having received the word in much affliction, with joy." These joys are roses which grow in winter! These joys can sweeten the bitter waters of Marah! He who has these joys, can gather grapes from thorns, and fetch honey out of the carcass of a lion! "As sorrowing—yet always rejoicing." 2 Cor 6: 10. At the end of the rod—a Christian tastes honey!

(7.) Spiritual joys are UNWEARIED joys. Other joys, when in excess, often cause loathing; too much honey nauseates. One may be tired of pleasure, as well as labor. King Xerxes offered a reward to him who could find out a new pleasure! But the joys of God, though they satisfy—yet they never glut. A drop of joy is sweet—but the more of this wine the better! Such as drink of the joys of heaven—are never glutted. Their satiety is without loathing, because they still desire more of the joy with which they are satiated.

(8.) Spiritual joys are ABIDING joys. Worldly joys are soon gone. Such as crown themselves with rosebuds, and bathe in the perfumed waters of pleasure—may have joys which seem to be sweet—but they are swift. They are like meteors, which give a bright and sudden flash, and then disappear. But the joys which believers have are abiding; they are a blossom of eternity—a pledge of those rivers of pleasure which run at God's right hand! "In Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures!" Psalm 16:11

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

words.



I have just finished an awesome book! It is a must read and it has truely changed my life and I am praying that I will become transformed by the Fruit of the Holy Spirit.


Our words play an essential part in our everyday life.

"For out of the overflow of yor heart the mouth speaks." Colossians 3:12

We can't be kind and slanderous, kind and full of cursing, kind and gushing with gossip, kind and biting with our tongues. We must season our words with the hope of the gospel and the love of Jesus with a seasoning that can only come from the Holy Spirit.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Becoming the woman of his deams

Lately, as all girls do, I feel as if I am constantly searching for the perfect guy.

Is this him? He is cute? What's his name?

M sister and I constantly talk about mutual friends, how every story we read, they met through mutual friends. Which, I am in need of apparently! haha but hey, I've come to realize that I am not ready yet and he must not be ready to meet me either. We are being prepared for each other! How exciting. It is certainly a desire of my heart to be married and I know that the Lord will give me and fulfill that desire for me in His timing.

I have just finished a WONDERFUL book called Becoming the Woman of His Dreams by Sharon Jaynes. It talks mainly about the seven qualities that Christian men look for in a wife. At the end of the book, the author talks about prayer and the effect it can do for your future husband.

Praying Scriptual Prayers for Your Future Husband from Head to Toe:

1. His head- Help him to take the leadership role in our future home and seek Your wisdom in every decision he is making and will make in the future.

2. His mind- Lord, I pray for his mind, I know that You do not give a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind. I pray he willnot be conformed to this world but transformed by Your word. Every spiritual battle of temptation is won or lost at the theshold of the mind. Keep him in perfect peace, Lord.

3. His eyes- I pray that You will steer his eyes away from temptation today. From the internet to women he may meet. Open his eyes to see Your greatness in creation and to see Your mercies are new every morning. May he look to You for strength.

4. His ears- I pray for You to lead him from temptation by what he hears with his ears. May he hear Your still small voice today. I pray he will wal away from jesting, filthy talk, and off-color jokes.

5. His mouth- I pray for the words of his mouth to be pleasing to you. I pray that no unwholesome word would come from his mouth. Set a guard over his mouth and keep watch over the door of his lips.

5. His hands- Lord I pray for the work of his hands. I pray he will enjoy the good things of life. I pray that he will find purpose in his hands for You. Whatever he does with his hands, I pray that he is working to the best of his ability for You.

6. His heart- Lord, I pray for his heart. That he will love You more than he will love me. I pray that he will love You with all his heart. Bless him with a sincere heart full of faith.

7. His feet- Lord, I pray you will order my husband's steps today so that his eyes will look straight ahead and fix his gaze on You. I pray that he will walk in truth, in light, and in life. I pray he will walk in Your truth.


Thursday, June 16, 2011

He is my strength...trusting in God who understands my weaknesses

God does not give us overcoming life-He gives us life as we overcome. The strain of life is what builds our strength. -Oswald Chambers

What are some words that you use to describe God?

Refuge. Joy. Strength. Helper.

Lord,

I desire to notice You in all places of life, the big, and the small, the good, and the bad, the times I am energized as well as the times I am weary.

Amen.

HE knows all of my weaknesses.
HE cares about my weaknesses.
HE gives me strength and power in the areas where I am weak.
He is my shield.
HE is my strength.
HE is sovereign.
My strength is renewed with I look to the Lord.

Monday, June 13, 2011

He is my freedom part two

"Shut out every other thought and keep yourself befor eGod in this one thing only: my utmost for His highest. I am determined to be absolutely and entirely for Him and Him alone." Oswald Chambers

The beauty we hope for never quite meets reality.

He has set us free, called us to His daughters, and given us full rights to the things of the Spirit.

We all have selfishness, we were born with it, and we need to submit to God in order to be free from sin.

Jesus came to take you out of captivity. He came that you might have life in Him, movement in Him, peace in Him, faith in Him, and confidence in Him. Don;t refuse His free gift of grace. You will never be fee until you trust in God's power to unlock and deliver.

In Him, we have safety ans security.

If you are a believer, you can say the folllowing about yourself:

1. I have peace with God.
2. I am accepted by God.
3. I am a child of God.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

the heart.

The heart is the seat of...

joy.

desires.

Matthew 5:28

affections.

perceptions.

thoughts.

understanding.

reasoning.

imagination.

conscience.

intentions.

purpose.

will.

faith.

Monday, May 30, 2011

He is my freedom part one

I love the word freedom. And what a great day to remember what we are free in this country. So many men and women have lost their lives for our sake, and we are to be so thankful for them and their sacrifice.

A bible study I have been reading is called He is my Freedom by Debbie Alsdorf. It is such an incredible read and I encourage you to buy the book, it's life-changing. I have highlighted a couple of things and over the next few posts I am going to write some of them out so that I can have them for my records and reminders. They are all SO awesome and can be used for so many different things that happen in life.

"He knows our sin, yer He still extends relationship to us. He knows our small, puny faith yet still offers us to Himself to receive waters that never run dry. He extends His hand to us and offers us everything."

"When the deep waters if life threaten you, remember that God is with you. He will either deliver you on the spot or be your support and strength as you walk through a difficulty. In either case He will provide everything you need as you look to Him."

"He sustains you. He holds you. He counsels you. He is mighty. He protects you. He delivers you. He rescues you. He gives you peace. He brings you joy. He turns your mourning into dancing. He surrounds you with his love."

The bottom line is that we are are sinners. We need a Savior. We need Jesus.

God will be faithful to redeem YOU.

Many people today are held down and held back in life by insecurities, fears, hang-ups, negative patterns, isolation, and other types of bondage.


Truth will set me free and heal me.



AMEN :)

Saturday, May 28, 2011

These are a few MORE of my favortie things...

I have pondered some more on my favortie things...

Lilly Pulitzer
<

Big hats


:)

Have a great day!

Friday, May 27, 2011

Termites.

Once we understand that worry is the termite of the soul, that it is a form of selfishness, and that it cannot fix anything...we are free to accept the peace that transcends all understanding. When we SEEK FIRST the kingdom of God and have confidence in God's ability to brilliantly reveal his plan to us, we can harness peace and joy while walking in FAITH.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Favorite things.

Nothing is ordinary. Life is an endless series of little miracles. The difference between living and existing is noticing them. -Louie Giglio



rain drops on roses, whiskers on kittens...

I love The Sound of Music.

Here are some of my favorite things:

1. Peonies


I would rather have these over roses any day. Seriously.


2. Aveeno products


3. Instyle Magazine



To be continued...

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

We need Him.

In his book We Would See Jesus, Roy Hession reminds us, “We do not need to itemize the Christian life; it is enough to see Jesus. Each aspect of Christian experience is made real in us just by seeing Him. He is both the Blessing we all seek and the easily accessible Way to that blessing. The Lord Jesus has come to take from us every yoke of bondage and to set us free to serve Him in the freshness and spontaneity of the Spirit, and all that by the simple sight of Him which the Holy Spirit gives to the eye of faith. It is enough to see Jesus and to go on seeing Him.”

Today is in God’s hands and so are you.

His hands are strong and will uphold you;
His hands are great and will enfold you;
His hands are gentle and will embrace you;
His hands are protective and will cover you;
His hands are reassuring and will quiet you;
His hands are powerful and will defend you;
His hands are parental and will train you;
His hands are masterful and will conform you;
His hands are compassionate and will care for you;
His hands are healing and will renew you;
His hands are calming and will comfort you;
His hands are giving and will bless you.

The hands that hold you will never let you down.


As for God, His way is perfect! Psalm 18:30


I am fully sufficient in His sufficiency—in Him, I am not partially content, but completely satisfied; not somewhat pleased but totally delighted; not temporarily happy, but eternally overjoyed. I believe God knows what’s best, has what’s best, gives what’s best, and allows me, by His grace, to receive His best each day.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

He defines me.

Jesus came to take you out of captivity. He came that you might have life in Him, movement in Him, peace in Him, and confidence in Him. Don't refuse His free gift of grace. Don't refuse the One who wants to bring the key to the locked up parts of you and set you free. You will never be free until you trust in God's power to unlock and deliver.

The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up tohse who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. Ps. 146:7

*Jesus offers safety and security.
*Jesus is Truth
*Jesus is our Life.
*Jesus is the way to the Father.
*The Fruit of the Spirit brings every good thing.
*The Truth sets me free and heals me.


"God does not give us overcoming life-He gives us life as we overcome. The strain of life is what builds our strength." -Oswald Chambers

Monday, May 9, 2011

You only have one chance

Time. It really does go so much faster as you grow older; and although I would like to think I will be this age forever, I am slowly but surely coming to realize that I will not. Today, my sister graduated from the school of nursing at Auburn University. Even though I am EXTREMELY excited and proud for her, there is a bit of sadness that is apart of graduating, especially from college. It marks the end of young milestones, like kindergarden, elementary school, middle school, high school, etc. Which is so true.


It was a great time though! My immediate and extended family was able to come in so that was exciting. It was such a wonderful experience to see all of the families that came out to support their graduates. It is so awesome to see how much parents can really play a huge part in the success of future plans. They are so supporting and I am SO incredibly thankful for such a wonderful family. I am so grateful! I am so sorry I am such a terrible blogger, but since its summer, I will be posting more! :)

Monday, April 25, 2011

Forever, I am changed by Your love

Happy Easter weekend everyone! As we celebrated with family and friends, its hard to remember the reason we are celebrating. I pray that that we as Christians realize the sacrifice that Christ endured for us. Yesterday at church I was brought to tears during worship. For a medley of songs, there was a lady named Joy who paints in our church. She painted a whole picture while we sang, this is her talent! She is such a great painter. As we got done singing the painting was lifted up slowly on a pole the has curtains. It was SO cool to see that it was Christ's feet nailed to the cross and then there was a girl, Mary Magdalene bowing on her knees with light around her. The picture was breathtaking. It really showed how we have to give everything to the Lord because He is in complete control. She was at the feet of the cross and was bearing all of herself to Jesus. What a picture.

Here is a little about her:

New Testament references to a woman named Mary are few, although collectively they comprise the largest reference to a single female, if indeed there is only one Mary. However, scholars have divided these references into three groups: Mary the repentant sinner, Mary of Bethany, and Mary Magdalene.

In Luke 7:37 a woman appears at the home of Simon the Pharisee in Galilee where Jesus is dining; she washes his feet with her tears, dries them with her hair, and anoints them with oils she carries in an alabaster box. This unnamed woman is a sinner, a city-bred woman who is likely a prostitute. Jesus forgives her sins, telling her "Thy faith has saved thee; go in peace." In John 12:3 this woman is identified as Mary and the ointment described as "spikenard, very costly."


Thank you for the cross, Lord. Thank you for Your nail scared hands. Bearing all my sin ans shame, in love You came, and gave amazing grace.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Do they see Jesus in me?

this is such an awesome song by Joy Williams, so true.

Is the face that I see in the mirror
the one I want others to see
Do I show in the way that I walk in my life
The love that You've given to me
My heart's desire is to be like You
In all that I do, all I am

Do they see Jesus In Me
Do they recognize Your face
Do I communicate Your love, and Your grace
Do I reflect who You are
In the way I choose to be
Do they see Jesus In Me

It's amazing that you'd ever use me
But use me the way You will
Help me to hold out a heart of
compassionate grace
A heart that You're spirit fills
May I show forgiveness and mercy
The same way You've shown it to me

Now I want to show all the world who You are
The reason I live and breathe
So You'll be the One that they see
When they see me

Monday, April 18, 2011

Identity in Christ

Here is another awesome email I received from Lauren Bush, I wanted to share! :)

When most of us stop long enough to consider what establishes our identity, what really makes us who we are, many of us act as if the answer to this consideration is “our performance.” In Who Will Deliver Us, Paul Zahl expands on this:

If I can do enough of the right things, I will have established my worth. Identity is the sum of my achievements. Hence, if I can satisfy the boss, meet the needs of my spouse and children, and still do justice to my inner aspirations, then I will have proven my worth. There are infinite ways to prove our worth along these lines. The basic equation is this: I am what I do. It is a religious position in life because it tries to answer in practical terms the question, Who am I and what is my niche in the universe? On this reading, my niche is in proportion to my deeds. In Christian theology, such a position is called justification by works. It assumes that my worth is measured by my performance. Conversely, it conceals, thinly, a dark and ghastly fear: If I do not perform, I will be judged unworthy. To myself I will cease to exist.

The gospel frees us from this obsessive pressure to perform, this slavish demand to “become.” The gospel liberatingly declares that in Christ “we already are.” While the world constantly tempts us to locate our identity in something or someone smaller than Jesus, the gospel liberates us by revealing that our true identity is locked in Christ. Our connection in and with Christ is the truest definition of who we are. If you’re a Christian, here’s the good news: Who you really are has nothing to do with you—how much you can accomplish, who you can become, your behavior (good or bad), your strengths, your weaknesses, your sordid past, your family background, your education, your looks, and so on.
Your identity is firmly anchored in Christ’s accomplishment, not yours; his strength, not yours; his performance, not yours; his victory, not yours. Your identity is steadfastly established in his substitution, not your sin. As my friend Justin Buzzard recently wrote, “The gospel doesn’t just free you from what other people think about you, it frees you from what you think about yourself.”

You’re free!

Now you can spend your life giving up your place for others instead of guarding it from others—because your identity is in Christ, not your place.
Now you can spend your life going to the back instead of getting to the front—because your identity is in Christ, not your position.

Now you can spend your life giving, not taking—because your identity is in Christ, not your possessions.

Paul speaks of our “having been buried with him [with Christ] in baptism,” in which we “were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead” (2:12). Our old identity—the things that previously “made us”—has been put to death. Our new identity is “in Christ.” We’ve been raised with Christ to walk “in newness of life”—no longer needing to depend on the “old things” to make us who we are.
All this is our new identity—all because of Christ’s finished work declared to us in the gospel.

When we truly see and understand all these aspects of what we’ve become in Jesus Christ, what more could we possibly ever want or need when it comes to our self-identity? Here in Christ we have worth and purpose and security and significance that makes utterly laughable all the transient things of this world that we’re so frequently tempted to identify ourselves by.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Mercy and Grace

I am OBSESSED with this song :) "I want to leave a legacy , How will they remember me? Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough to make a mark on things? I want to leave an offering, a child of mercy and grace who blessed your name unapologetically and leave that kind of legacy" Nicole Nordeman

My devotional for the day was so good today I wanted to share it:

Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit and yet was tempted. The strongest force of temptation often comes upon a person when he or she is closest to God. Someone once asked, "The Devil aims high." In fact, he caused one disciple to say he did noe even know Christ.

Why is it that very few people have had as great a conflict with the Devil as Martin Luther had? It is because Martin Luther was shaking the very kingdom of hell itself.

When a person has the fullness of the Spirit of God, he will experience great conflicts with the Devil. god allows temptation because it does for us what storms do for oak trees, rooting us deeper, and it does for us what heat does for paint on porcelain, giving us long-lasting endurance.

You will never fully realize the level of strength of your grasp on Christ, or His grasp on you, until the Devil uses all his forces to attract you to himself. It is then you will feel the tug of Christ's right hand.

Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins but are sometimes are trials resulting from God's extraordinary gifts. God uses many sharp-cutting instruments, and polishes His jewels with flies that are rough. And those saints He loves and desires to make shine the most brilliantly, will often feel His tools upon them.

I willingly bear witness to the fact that I owe most to my Lord's fire, hammer, and file than to anything else in His workshop. Sometimes I wonder if I have ever learned anything except at the end of God's rod. When my classroom is darkest, I see best. -Charles Spurgeon

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Bringing our fears to Jesus

My mentor, Lauren Bush, sent this to me! She is so wonderful and keeps me encouraged everyday by sending me emails like this one! This is so amazing!

A Prayer for Bringing Our Fears to Jesus

He placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Revelation 1:17-18

Gracious Jesus, it’s profoundly encouraging to know the most repeated command in the Bible is “Do not be afraid”. The angels spoke these calming words to terrified shepherds on the night of your birth. You repeated the same command to a devastated Mary on the morning of your resurrection. And, right now, you speak these same liberating words to us, your beloved Bride, “Do not be afraid!”

Jesus, because you are the First and the Last, we don’t have to be afraid of anything in between. You’ll never say “Oops” about anything in world history or in our lives. There’s no such thing as trial and error with you. You never scratch your head in bewilderment or confusion. You are perfectly executing your sovereign will, from naming the stars to numbering our hairs. You are good, all the time…all the time, you are good, Lord Jesus.

Because you are the Living One, once dead but now alive forever, we don’t have to fear judgment Day or this day. For your death was our judgment Day and your resurrection is our assurance of being fully acceptable to God in this very moment. Not only is there no condemnation hanging over us, there is full delight towards us. Hallelujah, we cry, three times over!

Jesus, because you hold the keys of death and Hades, we don’t have to be fear the fact or means of our death. For you have robbed the grave of its victory; you have removed the sting of death; and you have defeated the devil and all the powers of darkness. You don’t just hold keys, you will hold us in the most threatening and final moment of our lives. We believe, help our unbelief.

On a way more practical and daily level, Jesus, because of your great love for us, we don’t have to be afraid of what people think about us. We don’t have to be afraid of failing or looking silly. We don’t have to be afraid of getting old or losing our memories. We don’t have to fear being left out or left alone. We don’t have to fear, fear. What a mighty and merciful Savior you are, Jesus.

The very hand you placed on John’s shoulder is the hand in which we now live—firmly and tenderly in the grasp of your grace. Jesus, please free us more fully from our fears and that we might live more fully to the praise of your glory. So very Amen, we pray, in your loving and powerful name.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Hearts are yearning for You



I have not written in SO long! There has been so much going on in my life. God has really been moving in my life. He has shown me so many different things about myself and those around me.

For SB 2011, I went to Nicaragua with 35 peers from Auburn. What a blessing of a trip that was! It was truly life-changing for me. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to go and serve for the Lord's name. I wish I was still there, the stillness and love of Nicaragua is indescribable. It is so simple. I had no cell phone or computer for a week, and although that was extremely difficult at first, it ended up being wonderful. There was nothing to worry about, no one to keep in touch with, just me and God. The Lord spoke to me in many ways that week, doing a quiet time with no distractions is key to walking with the Lord daily. I had no phone or computer to constantly check. It was a blessing.

One of the biggest things that changed for me while I was there was learning what the Lord wanted to do with my life. I have been struggling with direction for a whole semester. I love being in Fashion, for it is my passion. But sometimes studying your passion ends up being worse than studying something you hate. I cannot describe the feeling, it was just that I was not enjoying it. Fashion is something I LOVE, but I just feel as if I am not going to enjoy it as a living. I was praying before that the Lord would show me His plan and help me to seek Him. He definitely showed His power during the week. I am now in Human Development and Family Studies, with a concentration in Adolescence. I am excited to see what I am going to do in the future and have such a Godly peace about it. I would love to work in a high school as a counselor, for I love the high school age, it is a great time to start finding out about who you are, so I am wanting to be such an encouragement through that!

I will update again sooner than later :)

Blessings.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Brave

This is so good! :)

Monday, March 7, 2011

Psalm 119:9-16

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

I seek you with all my heart, do not let me stray from your commands.

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Praise be to you, O Lord; teach me your decrees.

With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.

I rejoice in following your statues as one rejoices in great riches.

I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.

I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

Psalm 199:9-16


This passage is amazing. I love it and the fact that it speaks especailly to young people.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Psalm 119:1-8

"Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.

Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.

They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways.

You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.

Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!

Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.

I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.

I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me."

Psalm 119:1-8


I have been reading through the book of Psalm and I love it. I do not want it to end, its one of my favorite books. David has so much insight on his failures and how God lifted him fro those. I have been trying to rad at least ten chapters of Psalm a day. I got to the book of Psalm 119 and really had to survey it. IT IS AMAZING. I wrote in my bible when I was in high school that "this is my life chapter" in the margin. How great is that? It really is such a great group of verses that can be applyed to mine and your life.

These first eight verses show us that if we are blameless through the Lord, we will walk in the law of the Lord forever. We are not born blameless though, we are made into His image when we ask to be forgiven and then saved. What a realization. We are His, the Lord's, we are blameless through Him.



Please be in prayer for my best friend Lauren's mom! She is on the left in this picture. We found out last week that she has breaast cancer. I hate to even type that, its so unreal. But we are ready to fight with her. She will have surgery on Wednesday, so please remember her and the whole Calvert family in your prayers. Mrs. Tammy is one of the strongest people I know, the Lord will use her through this.

"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word." Psalm 119:28

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

tumbling towards approval

For my small group, we are studying a book called The Perfect Mess by Lisa Harper. It has been such an amazing study thus far, she is writing about different chapters in the book of Psalm and applying it to our lives.

Psalm 139 is the about the chapter we just completed a week ago and it was something I learned so much from: approval from other people. I think I am such a people pleaser, I want to always make others happy before myself. I always long to just in general make people happy. I RUN from conflict.

Oh Lord, you have searched me and you know me. Psalm 139:1

The Creator of the universe is familiar with every single nook and cranny in my heart and soul, and He knows that we all sometimes starve for approval.

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from a far. You discern my going and my coming, you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word id on my tongue you know it completely, Oh Lord. Psalm 139:2-4

As humans, we will never be perfect. We can never measure up to any sort of perfect standard. Thankfully, the Lord doesn't merely deliever us but He wholeheartedly delights in us.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. Psalm 139:5-8

Lisa Harper quotes in the book, "On our worst days, when we're trying to hide our misery or conceal our failures, our perfect God doesn't look at us from a distance, waiting for us to pull together before we ask Him to help us. He crawls right in beside us, amid the dust bunnies and clutter of our lives, to show that we're never alone in our messes."

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because i am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm139:13-14

God fashioned every single cell, sculpted each bone, and painted the color of your eyes and skin. Then He stepped back and said, "Isn't she just lovely?". -Lisa Harper

How precious to me your thoughts, Oh God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I am awake, I am still with you. Psalm 139:17-18

Have you ever tried to count sand? I mean, really? That is crazy! The Lord thinks and cares for us so much.

Search me, Oh God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

That is one of my favorite passages ever! It is so comforting to ask the Lord to test my thoughts and actions, test my intentions. How freeing is it to know that you are asking such an awesome God for help on becoming more like Him. His perfect love has caused us to want to be selfless, but we must ask Him to test us and try our hearts.

God's love frees us from performing so we can relax and rejoice with the assurance that He knows us completely and adores us just as we are. -Lisa Harper

Monday, February 28, 2011

Day after day, Your love remains










"You are God with us and You are strong and mighty to save."

How powerful is this? As I look back on certain situations in my life, I know that the Lord has certainly been in control. I am amazed to look back and think about how He plans everything. It is sometimes scary to think about how He literally has EVERYTHING in His hands, how comforting!

When coming to college, it is really the only thing you can do is lean on the Lord for His guidance in making friends, picking the right major, and where I was going to live. I was thinking the other day how he literally had everything planned out for the betterment of myself. He knew what friends I needed, He knew where I needed to live, He knew what classes I would be in, who I would come in contact with, etc. I am so blessed to say that I can stand here today, almost TWO years later saying, God is so good. How can I praise Him? how can I see him with my life? How can I give back to what He has given me?

He has given me such wonderful friends who are seeking Him as well, He has given me a major that is my passion, He has placed so many opportunities in my life that I am so blessed to experience. I am so thankful, thankful to the Lord, for He will never fail us. I want to lift my hand and spin around, see the light that is shining, it truly is a marvelous light.

Thank you Lord!

Sunday, February 27, 2011

A.W. Pink quote

"“Nothing is too great and nothing is too small to commit into the hands of the Lord.”

— A. W. Pink"

What an awesome quote!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

To have and to hold...

Tonight, the Church of the Highlands had the last sermon series of a series called "DTR" or Define the Relationship. IT WAS SO GOOD!

Tonight was about marriage and it was such a insightful message. Pastor Wren and his wife Sherri and then Coach Grimes and his wife talked and answered questions about life and marriage.

Here are some of the things Wren talked about:

1. Divorce should never be an option.
2. Love is a choice.
3. Mess + Mess= Whole mess.
4. Do not look for the right person, but the right kind of person.
5. Communication is key.

Don't spend all your time trying to find the perfect mate, strive to be the perfect mate for your spouse.



This book is suppose to be really good, I am going to try to read it :)

Sunday, February 13, 2011

God's Goodness

"Gos's gifts are always better than Satan's bargains." Warren Wiersbe

1. The Unfailing COMPASSION of God.

A. His AWESOME love.
"The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all he has made." Psalm 145:8

B. His ABUNDANT mercy.
"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion therefore I will wait for him, to the one who seeks him.' Lam. 3:22-23

C. His AMAZING grace.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

D. His ABSOLUTE faithfulness.
The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
2. The Unchangeable CHARACTER of God.

"I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed." Malachi 3:6

"God is not a man, that he shold lie, not a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?" Numbers 23:19

"We have little control over the circumstances of life. We can't control the weather or the economy, and we can't control what other people say about or do to us. There is only one area where we have control--we can rule the kingdom inside. The heart of every problem is the problem in the heart." Warren Wiersbe

"When it seems as if God is far away, remind yourself that He is near. Nearness is not a matter of geography. God is everywhere. Nearness is likeness. The more we become like the Lord, the nearer He is to us." Warren Wiersbe

"Half of my heart has a grip on the situation"




Tomorrow is the national day of love. It is something that can be a favorite holiday for some, and a hated day for others. While I am kind of in the middle of those two opinions, I absolutely love Valentines Day. Although I do think that it is stupid that we have to have a certain day to celebrate the people we love. But I think I love it more because on Valentine's Day there is a special aroma around everyone. It just seems lovely and everyone is full of love. Although I have also have no boy to celebrate the day with tomorrow, I am so excited to see what the Lord has in store for the future. Even though I do not have a special valentine tomorrow, the Lord is preparing me and my future valentine for many valentines together.

On Wednesday night, Church of the highlands had a sermon about Dating. It was so good and so true to my life! It was all about dating and the boundries and future.


"For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless." Proverbs 2:6-7

Although I have no special valentine tomorrow, I am so excited and praying for him and the day when we can share a valentine's day together! :)

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

How to Have a Lovely Day

This was on another blog I look at everyday, here is some good advice about having a LOVELY day:

1. Drink tea.
2. Wear something that makes you feel good.
3. Say please and thank you.
4. Tell someone you love them.
5. Eat dessert first.
6. Watch the sunrise or the sunset, which you may be morning or evening person.
7. Wear perfume.
8. Smile, alot!
9. Read a book.
10. Cook or bake for someone else.
11. Wish others a lovely day.
12. Watch a good movie before going to bed.
13. Exercise.

"If one advances confidently in the direction of one's dreams, and endeavors to live the life one has imagined, one will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."
-Henry David Thoreau


"The simply luxurious life is something that I believe every one of us can attain if indeed we are seeking quality rather than quantity, decadence rather than frivolity, personal style instead of trendy fashions and a truly fulfilling life instead of being led around by the nose. Thereby creating a life of true contentment."
-Shannon Ables

"We ascribe beauty to that which is simple; which has no superfluous parts; which exactly answers its end; which stands related to all things."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Monday, January 31, 2011

How to be Lovely







So, if you don't already know, I am obsessed with Audrey Hepburn. She is someone whom I look up to and have so much respect for, not only in her style but in her life priniples. She is such a classy and greaceful woman, I strive to be half as a woman as she was to her family, friends, and anyone she came in contact with.

I was looking around on the internet and found a neat site that shared so much on being a true lady and having a lovely spirit. I loved the website! Its called elegantwoman.org....check it out!

Here are some tips from the website:

How To Be Lovely
She who is altogether lovely...

is generous with her smile
is kind
is on time, if not a little early.
believes others come first.
is disciplined in her mind and heart.
is impeccable in appearance.
has a good work ethic.
has a balanced life with her values intact
loves.
never lets herself believe that anybody is different from anybody.
is gracious.
is authentic and never puts on pretenses.
is a giver.


*How to be lovely as Audrey Hepburn?

She is one who...

is generous with her smile.

is kind.

is on time, if not a little early.

believes others come first.

is disciplined in mind and heart.

is impeccable in appearance.

has a good work ethic.

has a balanced life with her values intact.

loves.

treats everyone the same.

is gracious.

is authentic and never puts on pretenses.



"The greatest victory has been to be able to live with myself, to accept my shortcomings...I'm a long way from the human being I'd like to be. But I've decided I'm not so bad after all." AH

Thursday, January 13, 2011

"The song of the redeemed, the echoes of those made free."

For the new years, one of my goals for this year is to read every Beth Moore study. I am so excited for this because I literally have been known to read through her books in about three days. Her wisdom and power is something that is God given and it is only the Lord that speaks through her. There is so much freedom and grace in her words. And the Lord uses her to speak to men and women who have been through everything stemming from good to bad. In the second book of hers for the year, it was an eye opening study, but it was worth every word I read in her study. This study is called When Godly People Do Ungodly Things, Arming Yourself in the Age of Seduction. There is so many lessons to learn from this book. When I purchased the book, I was scared of the title, well, not the title, but one word. Ungodly. It is such an uncharacteristic word I would not want to be labeled as, but as I read through the book, it showed me so much about how the Devil can use anything and everything in our lives as schemes.



Here is an passage from the book that really touched me:

"God is huge. He is awesome, indeed terrifying. He is powerful. He holds all the keys to life and death, ecstacy and agony. Our futures are entirely in His hands. He is sovereign, and He answers to no one. He holds the oceans in the palm of His hands. The lightning checks in with Him. But for His mercym we would all be consumed. He is Holy and does not wink at wickedness. He lifts up and casts down. He makes the mind and can break the mind. When He rises from His throne, His enemies scatter. He has so equal. He is complete, pure, unadulterated otherness."

Monday, January 3, 2011

Fashion Quotes

"Fashion is not Frivolous. It is part of being alive today." Mary Zuant, Designer

"Fashion is a state of mind...a mirror of the time in which we live a translation of the future that should never be static." Oleg Cassini

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