He is enough.

 Good morning fellow dear friends. This morning I am contemplative. Which, well, I always am. Yet this time it's different. Hard to explain really but I guess the best way to put it is that exactly....I am contemplative. Do you ever have those nights or early mornings where you just say to The Lord "Lord, what's in for today? What do you want to teach me?" That's what is on my heart this morning as I write this with a full cup of jo next to me and Beethoven playing in the background. I decided to spend some time catching up on my blogs; I mean if I am going to be contemplative I also mine as well be productive, right? There is a LOVELY blog that I follow called French Press Mornings. This is an incredible spot for finding encouragement and just a very fun blog. I encourage you to go check it out.

 In that, she does Wednesday Encouragements which make me really happy. Not just happy, but really happy. The one for today spoke to me. Really it was simple but yet so important.

The encouragement said this:

  Seriously. Straight to the heart, thanks for that one Lord. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

 Why did I literally type that five times? I typed it five times because we so easily forget. We forget that he grace is ENOUGH. Sufficient also means plenty, abundance and as much as needed. Speaking to my own life I know for a fact I do not live every day knowing and fully believing that his grace is enough. There are days where I doubt, days where the flesh can try to sneak in if only for a moment where I doubt that very promise shown to me. It is days like today, I am reminded and grateful for this huge, crazy but beautiful promise from The Lord.

 We were chosen by such an understanding, caring, concerned God. He tells us straight up no questions asked that his power is made perfect in our weaknesses. What? Wait, that's backwards, right? Since when is someone's power made perfect in our weakness? Obviously, God, The Holy Spirit is different. That statement blows my mind. Does it yours? Does it stir your heart? It should.

 In all of my judgmental, prideful, disgusting, ugly sin filled weaknesses his power is made absolutely and incredibly perfect. Perfect. Literally as white as fresh fallen snow. Does that not blow your mind?! His love is all consuming and powerful that is can overcome the darkest, deepest part of your life.

 This is so important to remember in a world that says different. A world that tells us there isn't a God, or if there is that he was just a "good guy". He was, is and will be forevermore SO MUCH MORE than just a "good guy". "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." <--------That is the God who in HIS sovereignty chose to come down and love us. This is the God that gives us breath every day to make it to our next "thing" on our list.

He. Is. Enough.

Praying you find this encouraging this morning and that your heart is filled with the Holy Spirit.



Learning how to live my mist.

For those of you who may remember, I did a post a little while back called, The Mist. The Funk. check it here. It talked a lot about me not being sure of how I was living my life. Asking the hard questions of myself and remembering that Jesus is more then my "mist". Literally right now I am sitting in Starbucks reading Colossians 3. Kind of silly and random right? Colossians 3. Well, it's were The Lord led me. This is what spoke to me the most (ESV):

Colossians 3:1-3//
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Of course, if we are looking for more verses to go along with this we can look at so many gems. Such as John 15:4-5, 2 Corithians 5:1, 1 John 4:13 and so on and so forth. I believe God directed me to Colossians 3: 1-3 because in this verse it reminds me what my mist needs to be about. The gospel is 100% God centered, God driven and will forever stay that way. Therefore, if the gospel is that way, our lives need to reflect that. Does your life reflect that? Are you seeking the things of Christ and setting your minds on him? Are you stable in The Lord?

When I literally asked myself those questions the automatic answer was, "of course I do." Then I had to take a step back. Really dig into what that looks like and see if I was REALLY doing that. Honestly dear friends, I have not been. My mist is very short and I have come to find that I have filled my mist with things. Not materialistic items or relationships but literally things. I am a do-er. If I am not busy, running here, there, everywhere I feel like I am not accomplishing what I need to. Which then makes me feel own about myself and my "self worth" hits the ground. Yet what Gods holy word tells us is very different. 

Going back to a verse I mentioned earlier, this tells us we cannot do "things" well, without God being our rest, peace and the thing we make time for. This is the truth that it states (ESV):

John 15:4-9//
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.

Lets just take a moment. Breathe in and breath out. 
That was a lot to take in right? That's how I felt at first too. 
Really take time, read this through and let it soak in. I have read this verse about 15 times now, and trust me, its worth it. Coming right out of the gates it says "Abide in me". Did you know other words for abide are stay, stand, reside, dwell and remain? This along with Colossians 3 spoke volumes. I was not abiding, residing, dwelling or even remaining in the Lords presence. I have just allowed my mist to be a list.A list of my plans, wants, needs, desires and to-dos. I allow for the Sheppard to be my strength, but I have not allowed my soul to abide in my Sheppard. 

I pray and hope this jumbled, crazy, deep, mixed-up, confusing post finds you at a place of growing. I am praying for each person who reads this to really find truth in this and to continue their studies farther. I couldn't type all my hand written thoughts because you would be at the computer forever. Anyways, remember that your life is a mist, but your mist doesn't have to be wasted. Start your mist well by spending quality time with the Lord and your mist will be nothing short of amazing. Have a blessed week dear friends. 

All my love, 

My wonderful life in 250 words....

My wonderful life in 250 words....

       My life is beautiful. My life isn't over and is still being written by the one and only Jesus Christ. Technically speaking my life starts in white center but my life really began when we moved to the small town of Orting. It is a lovely and wonderful little town that has and will always be close to my heart. In this place I grew up, went through trials, lost many close friends and family members including my father, but gained such a beautiful thing. I gained a savior. He chose me but I had to be ready to accept him, and while living here I did. I have many memories that will stay close to my heart, no matter how quickly Orting changes. I am pursing what the Lord has for me, loving the little things, coffee, and cats. I spend too much time journalism and day dreaming. Many times I find my self trying on 5 outfits before deciding. The ocean is my favorite place to think and get away. My favorite ice cream hands down is Cherry Garcia, or if we are speaking generally then obviously cookie dough. Sometimes I talk to much, and over analyze until I want to scream. I may or may not have had 33 cats in my life.  I am ambitious and will not let my trials stop me from getting where The Lord has led my heart. Most of all I am living and learning with an adventurous heart to boot.

Into his hands, we commit our spirit.

"Into his hands, we commit our spirit." 

    I know, sounds "churchy" or like "christian lingo". Even though we may say this a lot, it doesn't mean we are truly living that way. Such as with dieting "tomorrow will be the day" or with family "ill just shoot them a text and hope everything's alright" and especially in our dependency of The Lord. It always seems to be said but not always followed through with.  

    Really, think about it. How many times when around Christian friends or in a church setting do you say "yup, giving it all to The Lord, leaving it at the foot of the cross" when knowing that isn't the case? Well, for many of us in this culture it is the norm. I find it important to take time and really express my hearts desire for others, who are also in a desiring affair with The Lord to grasp this. 

Why is this important anyways? (Isaiah 40:6-8)
    Being a Christian and understanding this is vital. Life is full of uncertainty. Things and people leave before we can even blink. We day in and day out have to make decision, for every decision leads to an outcome. Which the outcome and be a great thing or a horrible thing, completely up to how you decide. So, why is it important? Well I just gave you my answer, things fade and change. Sometimes because of one decision or action, our life changes and we need consistency  Our bodies are literally crying out for something that is true and constant. In Isiah 40:6-8 it proves to us this exact thing. 

(6) A voice says, "Cry!" And I said, "What shall I cry?"

All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like a flower of the field. 

(7) The grass withers and the flower fades when the breath of The Lord blows on it; Surely the people are grass. 

(8)The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. 

How do I do that in my everyday life? (Psalm 112:7, Psalm 37:3-6, Psalm 141:8)

    To do this in your everyday life will look different for everyone. Yet scripture gives us an amazing way to do it and with that We need to first not be afraid of evil tidings and set our hearts upon The Lord. Keeping your heart pure, really allows for your vision to be clear and for you to keep your eyes set on The Lord. Which Psalm 112:7 tells us to do.

(7) He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is firmly fixed, trusting in the Lord. 

    Also, in committing our heart to be pure, we need to commit our way to The Lord. Besides our heart being committed we can commit how we live, how we spread the gospel and why we live our lives. We are the only people who decided how our lives go and what we do. Therefore if we do what Psalm 37:3-6 tells us to do, we will be on the right track. 
 

(3-6) Commit your way to the Lord; 
trust in him, and he will act. 
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, 
and your justice as the noonday. 
 

   Last but definitely not least, what is important is to not only keep your heart pure, your ways pure but also keeping your eyes on The Lord. When you stay focused on The Lord and The Lord alone, everything else should change and move into place. It tells us to keep our eyes focused in Psalm 141:8
 

(8) But my eyes are toward You, O God the Lord; in You do I trust and take refuge; pour not out my life nor leave it destitute and bare.

In all of these things I conclude with these words:

    "Into his hands, we commit our spirit." seems to be something that is branded on my heart. It is obvious that there is so much I really do not understand. I know The Lord has prepared me with his word and he is all I need in every decision and all ways of life. 

     How are you doing in committing your spirit to his hands? Are you furthering the gospel on your own strength and forgetting that The Lord is our refuge  Are you saying one thing but really doing another? As this week continues I pray you seek the Lord out of Psalm 31. There are so many verses I could do a blog post on, take a nugget and stick it in your pocket for later.....

Thrifting is Winning.

I went thrifting on April 6th and thought I would share some of my finds! There were definitely some winning ones. Try not to drool and enjoy!

 I love these cameras, one actually still has film in it. I cannot wait to see whats on it. 

 Even though this doesn't fit the cameras I got, its so rad I couldn't not get it.

 Hello vintage glass milk glasses. 

I can not get enough of these. 

 Stunningly Simple. 

She is by far my favorite designer. 

 I am in LOVE. I want them all....

 I mean, look at the beautiful craftsmanship.

 I might a screamed a little, common. Who wouldn't??

 Scarfs, Scarfs, Scarfs. 

Um. Yes, please and thank you. 

I hope this happy Friday post leaves you with a joyful feeling. Praying for safety for all of my readers! Have a safe and fun weekend!! Remember to lean upon the LORD and to remember the little things. 

SWEET Baby Shower.

Hello Friends, 
    Last post was incredibly important to me and something I really needed to do. I hope it really allowed some of you to think about your life and what YOUR doing with it for the gospel. Even so, get ready for picture overload!! I was able to bless and support one of my best friends, mentor, and sister in Christ. She is due soon so we did a Shabby Chic baby shower for her. I always say i'm going to take a million pictures, but of course time gets away and that doesn't happen often. Here are some of the ones I did catch on the fly!

 

 

 

 

I am so blessed to be best friends with this woman and I hope you had all the fun I did looking at at these pictures and seeing that great big smile!! How your weekend is as SWEET as this party!! 

The funk. The mist.

Hello Fellow Friends.

It's April, can you believe it? I know, it's weird to think about how fast March went by. I literally dont remember much of it. All I remember is working and school. There was fun St. Patricks day parties and things that made me smile but none that come before the memories of school or work, lame, right?

Anyways, I write all that to say this. I'm in a funk. Not so much a "I'm depressed funk" or "My life is horrible funk" just a....funk? Is that weird that I cant describe it? Yeah well, try being in it! I think the funk all started when I heard something i've heard a million times. Are you ready?

"Your life is a vapor, a mist. Literally that fast and short."

Silly right? Silly that I would be in such a funk from that one sentence. Yet its SO true. My life literally is a mist or a vapor. Im here for one minute and gone the next. In the grand scheme of things my life is a tiny grain of sand on the beach.

--> James 4:14

"Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."

 

Even the bible, holy truth that is God breathed tells us what our life is. The Message, even though im not a fan of it, says we are like fog. New English Translation says we are a puff of smoke.

 

I looked up the average time vapor, smoke, fog and or mist lasts and depending on which one we are specifically talking about they last literally an average of 10 seconds. Im NOT kidding. The put me in an even deeper funk. Thinking more and more about my life and what I am doing/want to do with it. With "10 seconds"? 

 

This years goals from back in January are still the same...

 

To strive toward the gospel constantly-
In everything I do, everything I say my goal is to have a heart that is striving towards what God has done for me. I refuse to be stagnant and I never want to feel like I have been lazy.
"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel."
Philippians 1:26-28
To fear God constantly-
Everyday I want to wake up fearing the Lord. I of course need to be in equal thought that the Lord is loving and truly cares for me. I firmly believe that we as a generation do not fear God in such a way to where we realize his power. God is such a mighty, huge creator we need to remember that he has made the plans for us and knows all of the everything.
"For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods."
1 Chronicles 16:24-26
To give constantly-
This coming year I want to give in more ways than previously. Not only in the financial sense, but in deed for the gospel, in giving thanks for more things and giving God everything, not just metaphorically.
"Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, givingthanks to God the Father through him."
Colossians 3:16-18
 

Spring is normally the time "New Years Resolutions" start fading, well I dont want that for me. I want my @013 goals to keep happening. Especially if my life is a vapor, mist, fog or a puff of smoke. I am reminded today how precious my time to share the gospel is with those around me and I am Thankful for this funk. In this funk I am spending time praying and seeking.

 

What are you doing with...

 

Your Life?

Your Mist?

Your Vapor?

Your Fog?

YOUR Puff of Smoke?

 

 

 

Praying you are chinging the world for the Gospel, you are keeping Christ as the foundation of your everyday and to love those around you for his glory.

 

Until next time,