Faith - Full Circle

It has been a long year since I last posted. I almost was brought to tears as I read my last post and reflected on my devotion for today.... Today was on sustainable FAITH!

This past year has been a journey of trusting Him with each move.. Last year, for me, was especially a season of delivering faith. where the Lord was guiding me on step at a time; and I had to trust Him moment by moment. Now that that particular season is coming to a close, He has me moving into the sustainable faith. To trust Him with the trajectory of my future and what He has in store.

I know you can relate. When those quick delivering seasons pass, He still calls us to continue to move one step at a time. However, He also asks us to stand on His long term promises for our lives and trust patiently in Him.

Here's the snippet from my devotion this morning:

'But he knows the way I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.' Job 23:10

Two kinds of faith; delivering Faith and sustainable faith. Delivering faith is when God instantly turns your situation around. But it takes a greater faith and a deeper walk with God to have sustaining faith. Sustaining faith is what gets you through those dark nights of the soul when, like Job, you know where to go to what to do.. but because of your faith in God, you do. Faith tells us the best is yet to come!

Bring on the Best, Jesus!

Being Faithful

Faith, this is a word that I have always known and "understood". Being a Christian I have heard it so much.
definition: belief or trust: belief in, devotion to, or trust in somebody or something, especially without logical proof.

Anyway, I have always known this, but I'm realizing how much it calls us to rely on Gods wisdom and guidance. I often feel like He may be asking me to do or say something that is out of the ordinary. And out of my own fear of rejection or judgment, I have to confess, I do not obey every time.

A testimony for myself is that someone once spoke to me out of faith and it stayed with me for years, even though they did not get a great reaction from me in the moment. I knew in my heart where it came from. So, I have been reading a few books and testing myself in being obedient to when I feel like I may be doing something "weird" or against the social norm. I can say that it has not come back void. those are stories for another day. however, I wanted to share with you a video that inspired me to live more boldly in these moments. You never know what reflection of His character God is trying to reveal and WHO it may be for. In the video below being obedient to the doing was speaking to a different person than who she thought it was for.

http://youtu.be/Xtk5WgzZcYA

having trouble stepping out? You never know WHAT God is going to use.

Mark 11:22 Have faith in God, Jesus answered.

 

There's nothing...

There is nothing that you could do that would make Him love you any more. And there is nothing you could do that could make Him love you any less.

"and I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from god's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, niether our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow- not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below- indeed, nothing in ALL creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in christ Jesus our Lord. " Romans 8:38-39

ENJOY LIFE!

Girls Gone Boating! So much fun. :) a Day of hanging out, laughing, chatting, eating, tubing, swimming, and anchoring.

Thanks April! you're a GREAT driver and boat parker. :)

Sometimes we get caught up in the pace of life, its necessary to stop and ENJOY it...in stead of passing it by.

A nice little coffee time chat with Jenai before we boarded.

Salute to Lake Fun!!! hehe :)

When is the last time you just STOPPED and enjoyed life before it passes you by.

i'll pray for you

A few days ago, a friend of mine posted a trial that she was going through on facebook. As I was posting a comment "i'll pray for you" I found myself convicted. Why don't you pray right now. SO often, that seems to be my response when I don't know what else to offer to a friend in distress. When

A) It should be my FIRST go to & followed with any possible action otherwise after

B) I should be praying right then! So, I did.

Now, when I find my self responding with "i'll be pray for you" I mean it. I've always meant it, but not always followed through with action.

I wonder if any of you can relate? :)

Happy Thursday!

YOU'RE Beautiful!

As my day continued yesterday, I could not shake my chaos feeling of being scatter brained and not focused for anything. Although I had many great moments; I just was sort of discombobulated. Throughout the day, on three separate occasions God pursued me with the song "Beautiful" by Mercy Me. My internal dialogue resembled much like "yeah yeah, that's sweet God. Thanks" I even turned off the you tube video that I clicked on from a friends blog, walked into the other room, turned on my radio and sat on the couch. about 30 seconds later, it came on the radio. I mean, C'MON.

In the evening, I met with a woman that is going to be my mentor. I have been praying for a woman that has more years of life and wisdom to mentor me (the young married woman, that seems to not know just exactly how all of this life stuff is to be done). We met for the first time and in giving her my run down of my history and the rhyme to the reason I am who I am today, just opened up and peeled back just a bit more of that onion that we seem to forever be working through. Yet, I was still feeling a bit apathetic and distant.

I then went to a prayer night with some people from my church. we had an amazing prayers session of confession. When we entered for the evening, we entered in silence and connected with God. I have to admit, I usually LOVE times like this. And I just couldn't get there. I remember praying for a revelation, and just sort of saying it, not really knowing what I was asking for. ...FFWD to about an hour in to our prayer time and we open a book of songs that the leader has listed that he can play on the guitar for us. I open it and start looking and, of course the first one that catches my eye is "beautiful" by Mercy Me. And I think, I need to hear that. I'm not going to ask, that's just silly. I've already heard it three times today. And oh, say 30 seconds later, the leader says "I'm feeling song #39" REALLY?!. At this point I cry a little, but nothing earth shattering. We have some awesome moments of prayer and worship.

We went into a time of reflection and silence, and were to speak up with we felt led with whatever that looked like. I was hung up on the words to this song. Reading them over and over.

The days will come when you don't have the strength

When all you hear is you're not worth anything

Wondering if you ever could be loved

And if they truly saw your heart they'd see too much

You're beautiful ,You're beautiful

You are made so much more than all of this

You're beautiful ,You're beautiful

You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His

You're beautiful

I'm praying that you have the heart to find

Cause you are more than what is hurting you tonight

For all the lies you've held inside so long

And they are nothing in the shadow of the cross

You're beautiful ,You're beautiful

You are made so much more than all of this

You're beautiful ,You're beautiful

You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His

You're beautiful

Struggling with the lies of "who are you to be beautiful and worth dying for?" to "who are you to reject Gods love?" "it's not about you" "get over yourself" "this time is not for you"

And THEN it happened. I just started confessing all of this confusion and the flood gates opened. In that time, I was forced to receive His love, His safety, Unconditional Love & Peace from my Heavenly Father.

WOW. Just verbally breaking those lies that I have believed since a child. I left feeling graceful. precious. valued & loved by the most important one, God.

Knowing that the process continues; but each time we go a little deeper; that unconditional love plants itself a little deeper.

Friends, it doesn't end there. I woke up later than usual, got in my car to go swim with a friend this morning, and guess what song comes on the radio for my 7 minute drive... Flippin' "Beautiful" by Mercy Me.

Yes, God loves me and pursues my heart!

I always agreed with the words, but I couldn't BELIEVE them for me. I'm still working on it. ;) So, I leave you with the importance of confessing the lies that you have come into agreement with about yourself. Once brought into light, they loose power over you!

Be Blessed today,

~B

Beautiful - Listen to the song

The Ice Cream/Sorbet Saga Continues

Well Friends.  Perfect time to learn how to make some more sorbets. YES!

I began to look up recipes, and I found THIS BLOG!

WOAH, Heaven! no words. just check it out.

 

Train of Thought...

My Morning began with a FLOOD of thoughts. I had all of this stuff that I wanted to accomplish bouncing around in my head. At one point I began to feel like a little electron bouncing around the room.

I went for a swim with a friend. Hoping this would jump start my day, boy did it ever!

So I thought at one point. I need to blog... what does my brain even look like right now!? Blog? I can't formulate anything. So, here is my morning in all of its random Glory....

The first verse I have on my mind: 1 Peter 1:4-9 (perseverance)

.... God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all—life healed and whole.^6-7I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory. ^8-9You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don't see him, yet you trust him—with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you'll get what you're looking forward to: total salvation.

I need to get in my art room...

And then I sit down. And look for creative inspiration. which I find these AWESOME Austin artist designed T-shirts.

http://www.reflectionofatown.com/index.html

THEN! I think, I am going to make some non-dairy Ice cream with the coconut milk in our fridge and chocolate mint from our garden. YUMM-O! So, I get back on the Internet to find a recipe on using the coconut milk. I have only made sorbets this far. pretty yummy ones though. Last night was Lemon Balm Sorbet!

Upon my research I find a blog for living life simply, eating local, organic..etc. I am in love now.

http://gnowfglins.com/2011/06/30/simple-lives-thursday-50/

What wonderful finds on my whirldwind of a morning.

So, I conclude, even if you feel the madness of everything you have in mind to accomplish, God will still give you gems and joys if you keep your eyes open to them. So take a deep breath and enjoy the blessings around you in the midst of the chaos.

Love

~B

Me Too!!

A few weekends ago, I attended a retreat and just got to soak up God's love for us. I felt He shared with me, things that I am supposed to share with others. ....

Watch this 1st:

http://youtu.be/ggGwDrxrC2k

What did this stir up?

For me:

emotion

shock (how is it so hard for me to believe this for myself)

excited

I need to read 1 John

I want to know more of you God

Fustration

Joy

A letter from God to me (and you):

All you need is me. You only need my approval. You do not need to prove ou are of value, worthy, or good. It angers me when you take that on. You are FULLY FREE to be the woman I've created & called you to be. The only thing that holds you bak is your fear of others. NO MATTER WHAT. NO MATTER WHAT, I will not reject you, abandon you; or leave you behind. You have FULL FREEDOM in me. Be confident in how I Lead you. Follow me and only me. I want to take you on wild adventures. I want to dance with you. I want to show you ALL of my power in this world. I know your heard. Only I know the deepest parts of you. You are safe to trust me. I am working this for MY glory. I am here. I love you, my daughter.

~God

Now, watch this:

http://youtu.be/wmzuPLBot5Q

longings it stirs up:

for..

passion

adventure

victory

triumph

testimony

to be..

heard

desired

through beautiful

repected

valued

treasured

impactful

used

delighted in

Listen for God's response to your heart:

"me too" Let's do it! I placed my longings in you for this reason. That is what I want you to show the world about me! stop being timid and leap out on this journey that I already have you on. It is your choice to allow it to be that.

WELL! that was an awakening for me. I don't know about you, but it makes me want to MOVE IT!

Beauty....

Organized Pantry,

Garden growing like CRAZY!

GORGEOUS purple blooms on tree in my very own backyard.

I am thankful for all of these things around me.

it's the simple stuff; right? ;)

Your Character...

Your whole character changes as u reach for the things of the spirit; honesty, purity, unselfishness, & love.

This got me thinking. these are BIG things to call us to accomplish... are you up for it? I say

BRING. IT. ON!

Honesty obsolete : chastity

2

a : fairness and straightforwardness of conductb : adherence to the facts : sincerity

Examples of HONESTY

1. She is admired for her kindness and her honesty.
2. He demands honesty from everyone who works for him.
3. He didn't even have enough honesty to tell me he was leaving.

Synonyms: integrity, probity, truthfulness, veracity, verity

Definition of PURITY

1

: the quality or state of being pure

2

: saturation 4a

Examples of PURITY

1. purity while surrounded by wickedness>

Origin of PURITY

Middle English purete, from Anglo-French purité, from Late Latin puritat-, puritas, from Latin purus pure

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to PURITY

Synonyms: chasteness, immaculacy, innocence, modesty,chastity

Unselfishness: see generous

Definition of GENEROUS

1

archaic : highborn

2

a : characterized by a noble or forbearing spirit :magnanimous, kindlyb : liberal in giving : openhandedc : marked by abundance or ample proportions : copious generousnose — Richard Zabel>

— gen·er·ous·ly adverb

— gen·er·ous·ness noun

Examples of GENEROUS

1. The school raised the money through donations fromgenerous alumni.
2. He was generous with both his time and his money.
3. She has always been very generous toward the poor.
4. This restaurant is known for its generous portions.
5. a generous helping of mashed potatoes
6. She has a generous heart.
7. He has generous sympathy for unemployed workers.

Origin of GENEROUS

Middle French or Latin; Middle French genereus, from Latingenerosus, from gener-, genus

First Known Use: 1583

Related to GENEROUS

Synonyms: bighearted, bounteous, bountiful, charitable,free, freehanded, freehearted, fulsome, liberal, munificent,open, openhanded, unselfish, unsparing, unstinting

Definition of LOVE

1

a (1) : strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties love for a child> (2) : attraction based on sexual desire : affection and tenderness felt bylovers (3) : affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests <love for his old schoolmates>b : an assurance of affection love>

2

: warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion <love of the sea>

3

a : the object of attachment, devotion, or admirationlove>b (1) : a beloved person : darling —often used as a term of endearment (2) British —used as an informal term of address

4

a : unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: as (1) : the fatherly concern of God for humankind(2) : brotherly concern for othersb : a person's adoration of God

5

: a god or personification of love

6

: an amorous episode : love affair

7

: the sexual embrace : copulation

8

: a score of zero (as in tennis)

9

capitalized Christian Science : god

— at love

: holding one's opponent scoreless in tennis

— in love

: inspired by affection

Examples of LOVE

1. Children need unconditional love from their parents.
2. He was just a lonely man looking for love.
3. Mr. Brown seems to imply that when he retired he relinquished her love as casually as he dispensed with her secretarial services. —Ken Follett, New York Times Book Review, 27 Dec. 1987
4. [+]more

Origin of LOVE

Middle English, from Old English lufu; akin to Old High German luba love, Old English lēof dear, Latin lubēre, libēre to please

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to LOVE

Synonyms: affection, attachment, devotedness, devotion,fondness, passion