10 Things I Want to Do

I've heard a lot of times that writing down your goals makes you more likely to accomplish them. But writing down my goals isn't something I'm good at. I can write down easy, material goals, like "Math-Lesson 30". And check it off with my pencil and go on. But the surface level goals don't do much for me. So I'm digging deep. What do I really want? What does God want in this season of my life? Here's my little list that I came with. I'm not posting it to be cool or look Christian, I'm posting it so I can help keep myself accountable and maybe encourage others. These goals are important to me-every single one.

1. Spend More Time With Jesus

I know that nothing will refresh me more than time in His presence. Well...I say I know that, but I don't know if I live that belief. I want it to become something I live, not just something I say.

2. Pray More, Worry Less

When something crazy happens (and life throws a lot of crazy stuff at us), my first impulse is to talk to my friends. Obsess over it. Stress. But God says Come to Me and I will give you rest. And I've found that if I actually hand it to God, all the anxiety begins to melt away.

3. Love People More

Smiles make my day. So do words of encouragement. Maybe a little note, or something similar? We all have great and less great days. I want to brighten others' days.

4. Be On Social Media Less

Books. Outside. Exercise. Face-to-Face conversation. Music. Art. Museums. Whatever. There's a lot of things more beneficial than Facebook.

5. Do Things

Learn to bake cakes. Learn a song on the guitar. Read a new book. Learn a dance move. There's a lot of things that I want to do that I haven't done yet. I have to do them sometime.

6. Read Good Books

Classics or contemporary...stuff that doesn't just give me knowledge, but also helps me grow in wisdom. So...Spurgeon? Ludy? Crazy Love? Yes. Teen novels? No.

7. Worship Authentically

When I don't worship at home, I feel stale at church. Maybe just listening to a song when I have five minutes. Taking a long walk. Dancing. Whatever. Just more.

8. Spend My Time Well

Because it slips away so fast. You only get each second once, and then it's gone. I don't want to waste those precious seconds. 

9. Spend Time with My Family

I'll only live with my parents and adorable little siblings for so long. <3 

10. Do My Best in Everything

As I said before, I only get one shot to do this day. I want to live every day all the way. I only get to live it once. I want to do my best when I have the chance to do it.

#shesharestruth-Jonah 3&4

Wow. It's been a very long time since I've touched this blog, but recently I've been itching to get back at it again. I'm so ready!

If you haven't heard of the website She Reads Truth (www.shereadstruth.com) I would encourage you to check it out. It's a website for women to get more of Jesus through Bible reading plans for daily study (#shereadstruth). I love it! For the season of Lent, they are doing something they call #shesharestruth. So I've decided to participate. Here we go!

I think we've all heard the story of Jonah. It's a story that even most non-Christians know something about. I love this story. But the story of Jonah goes on past the big fish. My favorite part is the repentance of Nineveh and God's grace. Jonah obeys God's call and travels to Nineveh where he calls the people to repentance. And you know what? They respond. That's right, they repent and believe, and God doesn't destroy their city! Of course Jonah is excited, right? Wrong. Jonah throws a childish temper tantrum and expects God to still destroy the city. He is blind to the irony that God saved his life when he was in the sea and the fish-and yet he expects that the grace he relieved freely should be withheld from Nineveh.

The repentance of Nineveh is beautiful...but it's not the point. Neither is Jonah's childish fit. The point is God and His grace. He doesn't just give second chances-He gives fiftieth, five hundredth, and five millionth chances-and many more. The hero isn't Jonah-it's God! 💗 If we leave the book of Jonah and fixate on the fish, the plant, Nineveh, or even Jonah, we miss the point. All Scripture-the Old and New Testaments-point to Christ, and Jonah is no exception! The point is to fixate on Jesus, our Savior and True Love! He has given us grace even when we ran away, even when we lived in disobedience, even when we threw spiritual temper tantrums. He is constant when we are not!

If we are faithless, He remains faithful-for He cannot deny Himself. (2 Timothy 2:13)

Cause I don't wanna tell some arrogant story

Or let myself believe I'm You,

I don't wanna be a thief who's stealing your glory

Would you help remind me of what is true-

The only hope I've got is You!

-Only Hope I've Got, Ellie Holcomb

http://shereadstruth.com/2014/03/28/shesharestruth-jonah-34/

7 Ways to Keep Femininity On When It's Cold

   People usually view summer as the biggest enemy for femininity in how we girls dress, due to the warmer temperature and the temptation to show more skin (and living in Texas, I know what they mean!). But winter poses a threat that is just as dangerous, although very different: sloppiness. The temptation in winter is to dress in "comfortable clothes"; otherwise known as wearing sweatpants and sweatshirts everywhere, with messy hair and looking as though you didn't get dressed this morning. Or maybe there's the temptation to bundle up in sweaters that are anything but attractive, just because they're warm. But I'm going to tell you about 7 items that can help you keep the femininity in your clothing this winter.

1. Hats

   Hats are one of the most useful accessories for cold weather. No, I don't mean the baseball caps, fedoras, or bulky snow hats. I mean the feminine, attractive hats (they were the fashion last year). They can make an outfit both warm and incredibly feminine.

   Beanies, like these, and other hats are cheap and you can even make some yourself (then you can pick the color, style, and size you want, as well as personalize your own outfit!). Hats really do make your body warmer, removing some of the need for extra layers.









2. Scarves 

















   Scarves are not only adorable but also fashionable. They come in every color, texture, and pattern you could ever want. They really do keep you warm, and they can be that one accent that makes the outfit. Also, they're one of the most feminine things you can do to an outfit! Why, you might ask? Well, I'm no fashion expert, but I'll guess that it has something to do with the grace that comes with it. You don't wear scarves with ripped up shorts and tank tops. Also, girls wear scarves much more often than guys do. But I would definitely encourage you to go get some scarves (you can find them anywhere too. Seriously, almost anywhere) because they're incredibly useful!

3. Long Tank Tops/Camis

   No, I don't mean to go with only a tank top on. But long tank tops add an extra layer of insulation and protect you from shirts that show skin when you raise your arms or bend over (HPA people...these were my saviors during my years there!). They come in different materials and colors, but it mainly matters that they are long. They add a cute spunk to an outfit, and you don't have to worry about what happens when you pick something up off the ground or reach for something on a high shelf. Some have wide straps and some have spaghetti straps, but it doesn't really matter as long as they're not visible. Plus, they come in every color of the rainbow.






4. Long Sleeve Undershirts

   I couldn't really find a picture for what I mean, but simple, long-sleeve undershirts are even better than tank tops for the cold weather. All you basically need is a tank top with long sleeves-and they shouldn't be too hard to find. (I realize the picture looks really awful. I was trying to find something at least similar to what I was describing.) They can also keep you from having to buy more clothes-you can put them under a short sleeve shirt if you have to. They come in any color you can imagine as well.


5. Sweaters

 





"Wait! I thought you said not to dress like this! You said no sweatshirts, no sweatpants...how are these different?" Well actually, they're very different. Sweaters are very feminine, and they're really warm. They come in every style and color, every fabric and thickness. Dressing warmly and bulkily isn't wrong, but dressing down because it's cold is ridiculous. Sweaters are amazing. Take my word for it.
   Cardigans are great too, if it's not too cold.

6. Leggings


   Anyone who's lived near any college campus has seen the recent trend in "leggings only." I don't find the ability to see every line of a person's legs attractive. But leggings are beautiful with skirts, and even some pants. Leggings can help if a skirt is just a little too short, but only to a point. If the skirt goes an inch or two above your knee, leggings should fix it. But leggings with a skirt that ends at mid-thigh just make a bad outfit worse. I wouldn't recommend "Jeggings" either, the jeans that are just as tight as leggings. Sorry people, but it's not attractive.

7. Leg Warmers

   Perhaps even better than leggings, because there's no temptation to wearing them alone-leg warmers. They can go over tights or leggings, or by themselves. They can go with a skirt, or pants. They come in every color, and some come in patterns.
   I realize that most people only have seen leggings on dancers and people from the 80s music videos, but they really are adorable and feminine! But the same thing with leggings; don't be tempted to use them to cover up an already inappropriate outfit. It won't work.
   But you can wear them with leggings, tights, a skirt, and with pants-over the pant legs or just under them to stay warm.


   I hope that these are helpful in getting your closets set for winter! Adios! <3

Faith, Hope, Love, and...Doubt?

   I follow the blog of one of my favorite Christian singers, because I find her perspectives interesting-usually because I don't agree with them. As much as her songs are inspiring, uplifting, and true, when it comes down to her blog posts we just don't unify in our opinions. But one of her posts inspired me to actually speak out. (Actually, more than one: upcoming posts on this blog are geared off some of her other posts.) 

   In her article, she explained her view that faith naturally contains doubt; that the unknowability of God and His mystery and how He is unknowable in our teeny-tiny minds, that doubt is a natural overflow of our spiritual lives because we just can't handle it. I do agree with the fact that God is unknowable; we can't understand His ways. His thoughts are so much higher than ours! But what bothered me the most was the quote supplied at the bottom: "Faith which does not doubt, is dead faith." -Miguel de Unamuno.

   Unfortunately, the Bible seems to defy this concept. Do you remember the story when the disciples encounter Jesus walking on water, and Peter joins Jesus on the water? The reason that Peter sank is that he lost faith in Jesus' power to save him from the storms around him. "Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” "(Matthew 14:30-33). It's recorded that faith (without doubt) is the key to prayer: "And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen." (Matthew 21:21), and, "Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him." (Mark 11:23). One of my favorite verses just about sums it all up: "If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.’” (Isaiah 7:9). 

   Faith which does not take itself seriously is dead faith. Faith that never asks questions about itself is dead faith. Faith that does not show is dead faith. Faith that does not love is dead faith. Faith that is not put into action is dead faith.

   Faith that doubts is not faith at all.

   Because faith and doubt are not opposite sides of the same coin; they're opposite spectrums, they're opposite sides of a deep chasm and you can never be on both sides at once.

   Faith is a gift; it is a gift of God that we can even come to faith-it's not be works. It's also a spiritual gift-included in Paul's list of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 14. Faith doesn't come naturally. Everything God says contradicts what we see-but that is where faith steps in.

   If you doubt, pray. Study His word. Read faith-building stories. And pray. One of the best ways to build faith is to pray in faith, and pray specifically. It won't crush your faith; rather, it'll build it up. This is one of the most important things you'll ever do; fight for it! Talk to those who are strong in faith, ask God in faith, live in faith.

   Faith.

Thoughts:)

After I sent a random poem I spontaneously wrote to a friend. he suggested I share it on my blog. Since I have barely touched my blog recently, I decided that I'd do it. So here is my extremely informal, just-get-my-thoughts-out poem.

Get up.
Wake up.
Stop.

What are you doing?
Life's not long.
It's short.

And every moment
You only get to live
One time.

Once.

If your life is to
Be for His glory
Isn't it?

When we surrender,
We can't take it back.
It's not ours.
And yet we do.

We only get one chance.
We can't live tomorrow for God.

We never get tomorrow.
We only get today.
Just one day.

You can do that, right?

Jesus never said,
Follow me after Facebook.
After this movie.

He said take up your cross.
And follow me.
NOW.

This world is not eternal.
You are not eternal.
Nothing is.

Except God.

You only get one life.
One day at a time to sow.
And you reap it in eternity.

So get UP!
Break the average barrier.
The world has enough of average Christians.

Follow Him wholeheartedly.

Don't follow other Christians.
Don't follow Christian songs.
Or books.

They're tools to help you.
Follow God.
And His word.

Leave the half-baked Christian life.
Become a prayer warrior.
A conqueror or sin.

Be.Different.

Matthew 16:24.

To My Dear and Faithful Subscribers...

To those of you who bother to read my little blog, thank you! I realize its been awhile since I've posted anything, due to the fact that I've started many and finished none. But for the next two days its packing, packing, packing for my move to TX next week. The three days after are also full, and on the third day I depart for the Student Statesmanship Institute, where I will spend a week before leaving for vacation in Wisconsin, and we will go directly from there to Waco, Texas. I am planning to blog this summer, but I won't be in our new house until July 13th, and it might still be awhile before I blog! Thank you all so much for your patience. God bless!

Where Do You Run?

I stepped outside, my chest heaving. It was a sunny, but windy day, and constantly being passed by various people...some whom I did know and others I did not, I struggled to keep back tears. "Lord," I whispered into the air. I could feel His presence closely. "Lord...I need your help." I turned and saw my friend looking at me deeply. She knew what was wrong, and she was there to encourage me. Two other friends were close behind. But despite their amazing friendship and help, what I needed at that moment was God. I was happy because I knew that He was upholding and uplifting me...even though I felt so shocked that I could barely breathe. But He knew that His plan was perfect. *(This is recent, and that plan has not yet been shown to me. But I know that He does, for certain, have a plan.)*
While I'm not going to go into the details of that story, I'm going to take the moral out of it. That afternoon, sitting on the grass with friends, I received an unexpected shock when something was revealed to me that I hadn't noticed...and this wasn't the first time this had happened. Surprised and upset, and with no where to go to be alone at the time, I turned to the only place I could go-God.
It hasn't always been that way. Sure, when I was in trouble I might pray about it, but I wouldn't delve into His presence to find comfort and fulfillment. I would just let the waves of trouble wash over me until I nearly drowned, and then when I finally took a breath it would be a cry. But now, I fall into His arms.
Before, the solution would have been to stay with my friends for awhile. And ask their opinions. And I did do that-after I had stood up, gotten a drink, and walked back into the sunshine with my knees shaking and my head spinning. After my broken prayers, I felt so much comfort. When I asked my friends opinions, I got different answers than I wanted. If I had gone to my friends first, my confusion would have just grown and I would have been unable to handle it. But God's comforting voice saying "I'm here, I know the entire situation, and I have a plan for this," was so much more than anyone ever could.
Friends are amazing, and such a blessing from the Lord. But if we run to them first, then we lose much. Even parents can be at fault. It is a mistake to seek your parents opinion, and act on it, without first seeking God's viewpoint. Now, asking your parents, siblings, or friends first isn't unwise, but it is when you take their advice without looking for God's. He knows best. He knows the entire situation in and out, forwards and backwards, and everything from the farthest edges to the centerpieces of the hardest times. One of the ways to cultivate a close relationship with Christ is to run to Him when you need help. Isaiah 51:12 says "I, I am he who comforts you." God is there with open arms, and if you go to Him you will have the assurance that He knows and He desires to help you. It will help you gain faith, trust, and dependence on the Lord. He knows the way out, and unless you ask Him it's almost impossible to get out of the maze you're in. He is ready to help you.
So after my shock wore off and I finally returned home, I walked around for the rest of the day with questions in my head. The particular questions weren't answered by a voice in my head, but they were all put to rest by one thought. That He knows what He is doing, and that it is working for my good. Praise Him.