30 Day Challenge: Day 13

Day 13: A letter to someone who has blessed you recently

The sweet thing about this is that I feel like there is absolutely no way I could pick just one person. There have been so many people who have blessed me recently. People who have taught me different things; people who have listened to me process my thoughts; people who have encouraged me. I have been blessed by people’s patience, grace, wisdom, and understanding. I feel so humbled that God would choose to bless me with such amazing people in my life. Every single person has taught me something new about myself or about life, helped me see the world differently, or opened my eyes to something new about the Lord.

To everyone who has offered me a listening ear and wisdom, a lot of laughter and good memories, or helped me become a more godly woman,

you are a blessing.

just some things.

These are quotes from today's "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers. They were just sooo good, I HAD to share them.

"Love is the loftiest preference of one person for another, and spiritually Jesus demands that this sovereign preference be for Himself."

"And the Holy Spirit reveals to me that God loved me not because I was lovable, but because it was His nature to do so."

"The knowledge that God has loved me beyond all limits will compel me to go into the world to love others in the same way. I may get irritated because I have to live with an unusually difficult person. But just think how disagreeable I have been with God! Am I prepared to be identified so closely with the Lord Jesus that His life and His sweetness will be continually poured out through Me? Neither natural love nor God's divine love will remain and grow in me unless it is nurtured."

And this is a new song that I currently LOVE.

30 Day Challenge: Day 12

Day 12: How you found out about Blogger and why you made one

I found out about blogging through some friends who had them. I always loved reading their updates and seeing what was on their hearts...I suppose that's why I made one. I had a couple people tell me I should, and it just sounded fun. That's pretty much it. Haha. In the beginning, there was not a deeper purpose other than enjoyment. Which I think is okay :)

It's become something really sweet though. I feel like it has given me more confidence in being vulnerable. Somehow, it seems easier to be honest on the world wide web--when you don't actually know who's reading it--than to have a personal conversation and be vulnerable. This blog has helped though. People love vulnerability. There's something so powerful in it. We are taught to have everything together, but that is so off-putting. It's intimidating to everyone else. Vulnerability is the best way to bring people together. To acknowledge that we're all completely messed up and need a Savior. It's freeing. I think one of Satan's most devastating lies is telling us that you are the only one going through something, or you're the only one struggling with that sin. It creates isolation and embarrassment. But being honest about our flaws...that is the most freeing thing for the person confessing and those around them. It brings unity.

Woah. Haha. I don't know how I got to this point. But I think that is what blogging has taught me. It's taught me the beauty of vulnerability.

Wisdom for today

The upside down kingdom of God:

"Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,

And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles"

-Provers 24:17

Worthy to be Sought

A few months ago, I was at church and the pastor said something I’ll never forget. He was talking about suffering and trials, and how often we pray for God to give a clear answer. To somehow release us from this bondage of uncertainty and have “yes” or “no” answer written in the sky.

I do this all the time. And not to say that in itself is inherently wrong. I think it is so sweet to pursue the Lord for wisdom and really seek His plan for your life. But the pastor said something that just changed my perspective on everything.

He said this: “Sometimes, Jesus doesn’t come with an answer; He comes with Himself. And the help He brings is the help I need.”

Woah. I was tripping out on that for a long time afterwards. I still am.

I’ve been thinking a lot about Jesus lately, and feeling convicted about how often I pursue Him for selfish gain. To get an answer to a question I have or to feel peace about a situation. To feel fulfillment or love or acceptance. And again, those things aren’t bad to desire. The Lord is so good to us that He offers those things freely and so passionately wants us to have those things.

But I’ve been convicted that that’s not what it is about. It’s not about me gaining something or feeling better about myself. It’s about Jesus. Everything is always about Jesus.

This has radically shaped the way I pray and the way I love the Lord. Instead of praying for selfish gain, I am praying for more of Him. Instead of praying for Him to come with an answer, I’m simply asking for more of His Spirit, as I’m beginning to understand that more of Jesus will shape me more into His likeness, therefore giving me more wisdom to make that decision. This whole radical form of prayer has been so fulfilling. Which is interesting, because it seems like it would be the opposite. But isn’t that just like Jesus? To have everything be upside-down to what we’d expect? By surrendering my own desires, and just praising God for who He is, I have found so much joy and peace.

What if we pursued the Lord simply because He was worthy to be sought? Not out of selfish ambition, but because He deserves to praised. What if we pursued Him because He is so faithful to come with Himself?

The Lord is so sweet. He longs to give us peace and wants us to feel His love. But I think, far too often, we are so egotistical in that. Jesus is reminding me that it is all about Him. That my pursuit of Him should not be for my own life to run a little bit smoother, but to know Him better. To know Him in a deeper way, because He is worthy of that.

He comes with Himself. He doesn’t always give us a clear answer, but He gives us His Spirit. And the degree to which this sounds like a lame promise is the degree to which we prefer the stones of this world to the true bread from heaven (Matthew 7:9-11). Jesus is worthy to be sought, simply because of who He is. Let us seek after Him with all we have, and be transformed in the process.

30 Day Challenge: Day 11

Day 11: Another picture of you and your friends

I figured I would go old school for this one. Prom 07!! Haha

30 Day Challenge: Day 10

Day 10: Songs that you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, mad

I've been thinking a lot about this one (much more than I should for a silly blog challenge) but I can't pick just one song for all those emotions. So instead, I'll just share the music that I've been loving recently.

Ryan Adams "Come Pick Me Up"

Florence and the Machine "Dog Days are Over"

Ingrid Michaelson "You and I"

Wakey Wakey "Dance So Good"

Hillsong United "Soon"

Phil Wickham "Heaven Song"