Thursday, December 20, 2012
reunion trip to NYC
Monday, November 26, 2012
Sunday, November 25, 2012
shadow of potential
I was on a walk and the sun was setting behind me. It was so funny because the shadow in front of me looked about 9 ft tall. I started kind of laughing because myself as a 9 ft tall person is kind of funny and awkward looking. Then I started thinking... this is probably how the Lord sees us. He sees our potential as being so far greater than we see ourselves. I look at myself walking and all I can see as my feet but when I look at my shadow I see this 9 ft giant ahead of me that doesn't look what I think I should look like at all. He doesn't see limitation in me. He doesn't see where He has fallen or fallen short. He sees His Son. He sees greatness and far more abundantly than I could ever imagine or deserve. He sees the things coated with grace that He is going to do through me and the things He wants to develop in me. Then the thought arose in me, what if I saw people I met like that or the people I live life with? What if I saw the potential in them and what the Lord wanted to do in and through them rather than just what and where they were right then. I think this is a lot of how the Lord wants us to love people. To see where they are headed and what they are capable of and speak into that! To love them forward kind of. To encourage them to reach their potential. It would be an incredible picture of the Gospel if we saw the shadow of potential in everyone, the shadow of Christ - Christ in us, the hope of glory. I bet we'd love people a lot better.
"Now to Him who is able to do FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21
Monday, October 29, 2012
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
love, it's a powerful thing. it is.
This morning I had to leave super duper early, even before the sun to make it to Georgia for work. I secretly love these times because everything is so unbelievably quiet and still. So therefore, I had a full day by 10AM. I was so humbled and felt so blessed when I got out of the hospital to all the messages I had received from my sweet and treasured friends for my birthday. Just felt so overwhelmed in a sweet sweet way by their love. Thankfulness overflowed my heart.
Then, when I was driving back to Alabama I passed this man standing on the side of the road, trying to get a ride, with just a small bag, not much with him. I started thinking... I have this cellphone that people have called this morning to tell me they love me and I have a car to take me to those friends and am so blessed to be around them often -- but here this guy stood, with no one and not much of anything. Tears started rolling down my face. It truly broke my heart. As loved as I feel, so many people feel so alone.
We have no idea what the power of love does in someone. I know many times how it has completely changed me. Let us be on the look out for the ones that may feel unloved today - even a simple smile or wave. Love is an incredibly powerful thing.
Let people know us by our love.
Then, when I was driving back to Alabama I passed this man standing on the side of the road, trying to get a ride, with just a small bag, not much with him. I started thinking... I have this cellphone that people have called this morning to tell me they love me and I have a car to take me to those friends and am so blessed to be around them often -- but here this guy stood, with no one and not much of anything. Tears started rolling down my face. It truly broke my heart. As loved as I feel, so many people feel so alone.
We have no idea what the power of love does in someone. I know many times how it has completely changed me. Let us be on the look out for the ones that may feel unloved today - even a simple smile or wave. Love is an incredibly powerful thing.
Let people know us by our love.
Friday, October 5, 2012
reCreate: Women's Conference 2012
Last weekend was such an incredibly blessed time. We jotted off Friday afternoon to reCreate Women's Conference in Birmingham, AL. It is one of my most favorite weekends of the year. The teaching is always so rich and worship is splendid. Of course this weekend proved again to be just that! With Darlene Zschech leading unbelievable worship, teaching and Holly Wagner bringing the Word, it all just left my heart so so incredibly full. Even the last night was such honoring time being a part of the live recording of Darlene Zschech new album with Israel Houghton and Kari Jobe. I learned so much and just soaked up everything like a sponge. Here's a few snapshots from the weekend!!
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Miracle in the Mundane
Welcome to the most scattered of life 101, Taylor!
With my new job (which I absolutely love!) I have been working crazy different hours and traveling sometimes states within a day. This fits my little adventure hungry heart. No day is the same for me. It's definitely keeping things interesting. I'm being stretched and learning so much. Good laughs along the way. However, let me tell ya - at times it can wear a girl out. I have mastered twenty-minute power naps whenever the time presents itself. Four AM and and Six PM have become some of my most favorite of hours, the stillness, so peaceful. Four AM I'm propped up big coffee in hand praying, jotting, reading, in the quiet I hear so much. Six PM, you better believe I'm on a porch of some sort or outside somewhere welcoming this beautiful and long awaited fall into my arms (did I mention, we are about to enter my most favorite times of the year).
This morning, another early one, the sweet Father just blew me away with something, something small suddenly became huge, don't ya love it when that happens. I was praying about the day and my job and just asking Him to help me see the Kingdom even in the smallest of things, to see Him in my work. The people. The verse came to my mind from my devotion by Jon Courson (whom might I add, is legit), "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men." (Col 3:23) This verse hit me in a completely different way today. He knows we work everyday, it's something we have done from the beginning in the Garden and still are, whatever that may be. Then, a flood of things just started coming to my mind. In the Word, the Lord reveals Himself so often in the normal day. For instance, take Saul traveling on the road to Damascus on a normal "work" day, going there by orders from the high priest, Jesus appeared to him on the road and changed Saul's life as he knew it. I think it very interesting that Jesus appeared to him on a road -- in transit, moving, not sitting still, walking. Andrew and Peter, just fishing a way on a normal "mundane" day, when Jesus asked them to be fishers of men, and they dropped their nets, and life changed in an instance for them. Moses, tending sheep, then boom God appears to him in a burning bush. Elisa, was plowing -- I mean that is hot, hard, not fun, and monotonous -- and it was then Elijah revealed his call to ministry.
God meet this average people in an average day for them. On their own "road" per se, performing the tasks they were supposed to do. It was in the mundane, that He revealed himself. I so often think I am going to "miss it". What is that exactly? I don't know, just it. I feel like I am going to miss a certain road or way, or opportunity, or whatever it may be. But the Lord does not just appear to us in this glorious occasion that is like beaming with light and angels singing the hallelujah chorus. He does not need for us to make an environment for Him to enter in. Sometimes we think, "Oh I need to read and pray and go to this or that conference to meet with the Lord,' and I feel so often we can miss Him in the mundane. He can meet us and reveal Himself to us at any given time, in any given way. When we let Him completely have our mundane days, the day shifts to something sort of miraculous. Perspective changes and every little thing just seems to be weaving into this giant masterpiece that you have no idea what the finished product is or looks like, but you're just delighted to be a part that day. Its humbling and joyous all at the same time.
But we say sometimes - Oh, my life is too chaotic for me to really hear from/see the Lord right now, too messy, too busy, too monotonous, too boring, too chaotic. Well, how messy and chaotic was the manger? He was born into chaos. He transformed the chaos into a glorious moment. A moment that changed every single one of our lives.
{Look for Him in your road}
Thank you Lord, that you meet us every single day, and are available for us every moment.
With my new job (which I absolutely love!) I have been working crazy different hours and traveling sometimes states within a day. This fits my little adventure hungry heart. No day is the same for me. It's definitely keeping things interesting. I'm being stretched and learning so much. Good laughs along the way. However, let me tell ya - at times it can wear a girl out. I have mastered twenty-minute power naps whenever the time presents itself. Four AM and and Six PM have become some of my most favorite of hours, the stillness, so peaceful. Four AM I'm propped up big coffee in hand praying, jotting, reading, in the quiet I hear so much. Six PM, you better believe I'm on a porch of some sort or outside somewhere welcoming this beautiful and long awaited fall into my arms (did I mention, we are about to enter my most favorite times of the year).
This morning, another early one, the sweet Father just blew me away with something, something small suddenly became huge, don't ya love it when that happens. I was praying about the day and my job and just asking Him to help me see the Kingdom even in the smallest of things, to see Him in my work. The people. The verse came to my mind from my devotion by Jon Courson (whom might I add, is legit), "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men." (Col 3:23) This verse hit me in a completely different way today. He knows we work everyday, it's something we have done from the beginning in the Garden and still are, whatever that may be. Then, a flood of things just started coming to my mind. In the Word, the Lord reveals Himself so often in the normal day. For instance, take Saul traveling on the road to Damascus on a normal "work" day, going there by orders from the high priest, Jesus appeared to him on the road and changed Saul's life as he knew it. I think it very interesting that Jesus appeared to him on a road -- in transit, moving, not sitting still, walking. Andrew and Peter, just fishing a way on a normal "mundane" day, when Jesus asked them to be fishers of men, and they dropped their nets, and life changed in an instance for them. Moses, tending sheep, then boom God appears to him in a burning bush. Elisa, was plowing -- I mean that is hot, hard, not fun, and monotonous -- and it was then Elijah revealed his call to ministry.
God meet this average people in an average day for them. On their own "road" per se, performing the tasks they were supposed to do. It was in the mundane, that He revealed himself. I so often think I am going to "miss it". What is that exactly? I don't know, just it. I feel like I am going to miss a certain road or way, or opportunity, or whatever it may be. But the Lord does not just appear to us in this glorious occasion that is like beaming with light and angels singing the hallelujah chorus. He does not need for us to make an environment for Him to enter in. Sometimes we think, "Oh I need to read and pray and go to this or that conference to meet with the Lord,' and I feel so often we can miss Him in the mundane. He can meet us and reveal Himself to us at any given time, in any given way. When we let Him completely have our mundane days, the day shifts to something sort of miraculous. Perspective changes and every little thing just seems to be weaving into this giant masterpiece that you have no idea what the finished product is or looks like, but you're just delighted to be a part that day. Its humbling and joyous all at the same time.
But we say sometimes - Oh, my life is too chaotic for me to really hear from/see the Lord right now, too messy, too busy, too monotonous, too boring, too chaotic. Well, how messy and chaotic was the manger? He was born into chaos. He transformed the chaos into a glorious moment. A moment that changed every single one of our lives.
He makes messy things beautiful. He makes messy glorious.
He makes mundane miraculous.
{Look for Him in your road}
Thank you Lord, that you meet us every single day, and are available for us every moment.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Kristen + William: Engagement
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Hope in Haiti
As I travel from place to place, a certain little place for each is carved out in my heart, and it mainly is for the people. Without a doubt, this was the case for my travel to Port-Au-Prince, Haiti this summer with a Global Health Outreach. I could not have prepared myself for the time I was there if I tried. In the news and headlines you hear the ringing outs of "Haiti is hopeless" and if there is one thing I would come back begging to differ with, it is that Haiti is not hopeless because I looked into the faces of hope and I have seen it. I know the names of hope there. The people blessed me in ways that I cannot express. In the most humble of ways, taught me the richest lessons. To have a radiant lady with the biggest of eyes, with clothes that clearly do not fit and no shoes, sit in front of me that has quite literally lost everything from the earthquake and has had 6 miscarriages declare the Lord is GOOD and FAITHFUL, brings me to my knees. The joy that comes from the overflow of God and not circumstances in their lives is nothing short of challenging, yet encouraging and refreshing. I miss these faces today, and everyday rather, but especially today.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Life for me has been all over the place lately. Bee-bopping from place to place all the time, work, weddings, out of the country, this & that, here & there. Being in one place for more than five days would be a luxury. Traveling has not always been something I thought I would do a lot, but I have realized something so sweet about the Lord in all of the going. Growing up between two houses and going back and forth taught me a precious thing so early that I now treasure --- this is earth is not my home, not this house or that house, not Montgomery, not Auburn, not Atlanta -- and that FREES me up to be who I was created to be. That my roots are in Christ alone, not a specific place. Not to mention, this also creates an incredible freedom to truly invest in wherever I am and whoever I am around, truly knowing whose I am and where my heart is meant for. Frees me up to experience His fullness.
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
In Him is total freedom and fullness of JOY.
Now in Him alone, I live and move and have my being.
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
In Him is total freedom and fullness of JOY.
Now in Him alone, I live and move and have my being.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
battered & broken.
Battered.
A reoccurring word to me the past week.
This summer I am working in a low cost clinic as a part of my Masters Internship, that I absolutely adore. It has been so eye-opening to me, and I have already learned so much. Learned so much about the heart of God. The women over the clinic are prayer warriors and I am so incredibly thankful for them. It is an amazing opportunity to work in a place that I am free to pray with my patients, and speak openly about the Lord.
Well the past week the Lord has been really re-breaking my heart by brokenness. My heart is for girls to reach the potential the Lord has for them, to their "promised land" here, to understand their identity, their worth, and how much the Lord lavishes His love on them. It has been for some time. I had kind of lost sight of that in a season of hardship, refinement for me. Lost sight of the Lord's heart in me for theirs.
However, I have had a rare situation this week with a theme amongst my patients. Two things; most of them have been female, most of them are abused, and not only abused - but severely. It's hard for me even to articulate what I have seen this week so I won't really try. But these are beautiful, incredible women, whom you would look at & not for once second guess the horrendous acts that are happening to them and their beautiful children. As my last patient of the day, whose "husband" stabbed her 18 times in the arm - and to put it gently and as pieced together as I possibly can, looked like she has been attacked by a lion, walked out of the room, I ran upstairs and just sat there and cried. Yes, I had seen a concentrated amount of women that day who had had this happened to them, but HOW MANY TIMES do I turn a deaf ear to this because it happens every single day.
The Lord really begin speaking to me about His heart for His people like never before. What His heart breaks for everyday. The things that pull at His heart strings, that He cannot take His eyes off of... And the thing that was hard about it for me is that I had to watch them walk out of the clinic and not know if I was going to see them again or check on them, or see if they were okay. I felt helpless.
And that's when the Lord just so sweetly said, "Yes Taylor, break for them because that is what my heart breaks for, and right now be sad, it's okay - but you can't carry this around every day and let it steal your joy and make you sad, because then you will not be effective for me. You will not be a light. Use your brokenness to propel ministering to these girls, and other girls just like them. Let it be the lenses you look through and see hope, not their circumstances. Encourage them. Affirm them. Help them. Be me to them." And my perspective just changed in that little moment to what He sees everyday, yet in all of that is still in of Himself, HOPE. It's incredible, really.
A reoccurring word to me the past week.
This summer I am working in a low cost clinic as a part of my Masters Internship, that I absolutely adore. It has been so eye-opening to me, and I have already learned so much. Learned so much about the heart of God. The women over the clinic are prayer warriors and I am so incredibly thankful for them. It is an amazing opportunity to work in a place that I am free to pray with my patients, and speak openly about the Lord.
Well the past week the Lord has been really re-breaking my heart by brokenness. My heart is for girls to reach the potential the Lord has for them, to their "promised land" here, to understand their identity, their worth, and how much the Lord lavishes His love on them. It has been for some time. I had kind of lost sight of that in a season of hardship, refinement for me. Lost sight of the Lord's heart in me for theirs.
However, I have had a rare situation this week with a theme amongst my patients. Two things; most of them have been female, most of them are abused, and not only abused - but severely. It's hard for me even to articulate what I have seen this week so I won't really try. But these are beautiful, incredible women, whom you would look at & not for once second guess the horrendous acts that are happening to them and their beautiful children. As my last patient of the day, whose "husband" stabbed her 18 times in the arm - and to put it gently and as pieced together as I possibly can, looked like she has been attacked by a lion, walked out of the room, I ran upstairs and just sat there and cried. Yes, I had seen a concentrated amount of women that day who had had this happened to them, but HOW MANY TIMES do I turn a deaf ear to this because it happens every single day.
The Lord really begin speaking to me about His heart for His people like never before. What His heart breaks for everyday. The things that pull at His heart strings, that He cannot take His eyes off of... And the thing that was hard about it for me is that I had to watch them walk out of the clinic and not know if I was going to see them again or check on them, or see if they were okay. I felt helpless.
And that's when the Lord just so sweetly said, "Yes Taylor, break for them because that is what my heart breaks for, and right now be sad, it's okay - but you can't carry this around every day and let it steal your joy and make you sad, because then you will not be effective for me. You will not be a light. Use your brokenness to propel ministering to these girls, and other girls just like them. Let it be the lenses you look through and see hope, not their circumstances. Encourage them. Affirm them. Help them. Be me to them." And my perspective just changed in that little moment to what He sees everyday, yet in all of that is still in of Himself, HOPE. It's incredible, really.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Here we go!
The past week has been non-stop, but SO WONDERFUL! Thankful for the Lord's timing with everything and not mine. From getting to see some of my best friends in one of very favorite places on earth, being part of two of my very best friends wedding, and off to Haiti I go... I am so thankful!
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| Cannot wait to go LOVE on these people. |
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| Happy Wedding Jeff + Caroline, love you both so much. |
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| happy happy happy. |
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Welcome to the A-T-L!
With saying that and fully being in the pruning and stripping process the Lord has me in, I have LOVED it. There has been so much fruit as well. I have been incredibly blessed with the Lord placing some of the most wonderful of people around me. I have gotten super close to an AMAZING family who has completely taken me in, I have a job that I adore and that I look forward to going every day - my patients are such a blessing, and sweet friends who have become like family to me. I see the Lord's faithfulness so clearly and I am just trying to soak every ounce of it in. Keeping my eyes on Him, focusing, and trusting, even in the unknown.
Isn't it funny at the end of yourself, you find everything. I have become more in love with the person of Jesus more than ever. Paul got it right,
"Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing WORTH of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ." Philippians 3:8
The spring semester was a hard one. a growing one. painful one. And though I have not suffered to the extent of Paul, I get a glimpse of what he is saying in a new light. Counting them as rubbish, IN ORDER than I may gain Christ. Yes. I pray that always be the cry of my heart. Whatever may come, that I say yes to the Lord, and to more of Him. Sometimes it takes the storm, to see how deep your roots are. So expectant for the new road He is making, and the story He is weaving...
Sunday, April 22, 2012
a best friend's wedding
My sweet sweet roomie and one of my dearest friends, Lauren, got married to her best friend and love of her life this weekend. It was one of the most glorious occasions I've ever been to. The whole experience was such a blessing and honor to be a part of. This wedding was clearly and completely under the banner of the Gospel. It was such a message of how the Church pursues the church, and how the church responds - such an encouragement, and may we all lift the cross as this sweet couple did this weekend. (Not to mention, she was one of the most beautiful brides I have ever seen in my entire life, so happy for you Stege + Lew!)
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
Off to Savannah, GA I go with the girls. This is definitely how I feel in the spring with all the trips, weddings, and bridal parties going on! I wouldn't have it any other way. I love reuniting with my sweet friends every weekend. Is it bad that I leave my bag packed during the weeks and just add to it on the weekends? Whoopsies.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
All my deserts are rivers of JOY.
Chorus:
You revive me
You revive me Lord
And all my deserts are rivers of joy
You are the treasure I could not afford
So I'll spend myself till I'm empty and poor
All for You
You revive me Lord
Verse 1:
Lord I have seen Your goodness
And I know the way You are
Give me eyes to see You in the dark
And You race shines a glory
That i only know in part
And there is still a longing
A longing in my heart
Chorus
Verse 2:
My soul is thirsty
Only You can satisfy
You are the well that never will run dry
And i'll praise You for the blessing
For calling me Your friend
And in Your name I'm lifting
I'm lifting up my hands
Bridge:
I'm alive
I'm alive
You breathe on me
You revive me
If you have not heard this beautifully rich song by Christy Nockels on Passion's White Flag album, I highly suggest you do. It's absolutely incredible and just pulls at all the places within me. I literally have it on repeat filling my car and house constantly.
You revive me
You revive me Lord
And all my deserts are rivers of joy
You are the treasure I could not afford
So I'll spend myself till I'm empty and poor
All for You
You revive me Lord
Verse 1:
Lord I have seen Your goodness
And I know the way You are
Give me eyes to see You in the dark
And You race shines a glory
That i only know in part
And there is still a longing
A longing in my heart
Chorus
Verse 2:
My soul is thirsty
Only You can satisfy
You are the well that never will run dry
And i'll praise You for the blessing
For calling me Your friend
And in Your name I'm lifting
I'm lifting up my hands
Bridge:
I'm alive
I'm alive
You breathe on me
You revive me
If you have not heard this beautifully rich song by Christy Nockels on Passion's White Flag album, I highly suggest you do. It's absolutely incredible and just pulls at all the places within me. I literally have it on repeat filling my car and house constantly.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake. -Psalm 23: 1-3
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Friday, March 16, 2012
sink deep your feet.
This past week I had the fortunate opportunity of heading to the Bay for a little vacation. I was so thankful for the time of rest. Aside from the week of fun and relaxation, the last day we swung by the beach on the way out of town just to get our little dose of sand waves. We were all doing our thing walking around, and I just down - something about the ocean just captivates me.
I noticed this sweet, beautiful little girl with perfect blonde ringlets just standing there by the water. My first thought was goodness I miss that age. not a worry in the world. Carefree, depending on her parents for everything. Then I thought, where are her parents? Haha. But then I observed this little routine she had going on. She would run to her parents, then run as fast as she could, boldly to the shore right where the water would come up, and she would dig her feet deep into the sand, and just wait.... She would stand there waiting until a wave come a lightly rushed over her ankles. Then do it all over again.
This was so interesting to me. She wasn't splashing about, or building a sandcastle, she was standing strong, waiting. It really just sunk into me. Sometimes the Lord calls us to run boldly, and sometimes He asks us to just wait. Wait for the wave to hit our feet, then we will know it's time. The sweet little girl, could have stepped a few small steps forward and almost every single wave could have hit her feet, wouldn't that have been more fun, easier? But no, she always stopped where most of the waves never came but the one that did in the what seemed like long moments she stood there was the most joyous of things. I even felt myself rejoicing with her when that wave trickled up over her feet and she would scream with JOY and run back to her parents.
This was such an incredible encouragement to me, thank you Lord. The sweet, simple vision of this sweet little girl in so many ways resembled my life. For most of the past seven or so months I have been running boldly. Pursuing what the Lord has set forth for me, and I know He has been pushing me to make steps, calling me forward, dropping my net, my fear, and just going. BOLDLY to the shore.
Now, He asking me to wait until the wave reaches my feet. There, strength and faith is manifested. I asked the Lord at the beginning of this year to make me into a woman of faith, to be unmovable, unshakeable only for the sheer fact that my roots are deep in Him, that my feet are planted in Him. I don't know if I thought I was going to magically fairy dust to that place, but that's just not how the Lord works. He has taken me through some very unexpected trials, and deep faith lessons this past year, and is continuing to do so. But all I can do now is rejoice in them. Because I see what He is doing and His deep work in my faith I would never trade, because I can honestly from the deepest part of me can look at anyone and in the purest way say, "I KNOW the Lord is good. I KNOW He is faithful. He is FOR you." and KNOW it to be true, because I have seen it. He without a doubt is.
So, now in this phase of life, which can be incredibly uncomfortable with making big decisions and not really knowing what the next step is, I wait.... I wait for the wave. Strong, deeply rooted, rejoicing in what He has done and will do, courageously silent, expectant because I know He who promised is faithful, and HE WILL SURELY DO IT.
I noticed this sweet, beautiful little girl with perfect blonde ringlets just standing there by the water. My first thought was goodness I miss that age. not a worry in the world. Carefree, depending on her parents for everything. Then I thought, where are her parents? Haha. But then I observed this little routine she had going on. She would run to her parents, then run as fast as she could, boldly to the shore right where the water would come up, and she would dig her feet deep into the sand, and just wait.... She would stand there waiting until a wave come a lightly rushed over her ankles. Then do it all over again.
This was so interesting to me. She wasn't splashing about, or building a sandcastle, she was standing strong, waiting. It really just sunk into me. Sometimes the Lord calls us to run boldly, and sometimes He asks us to just wait. Wait for the wave to hit our feet, then we will know it's time. The sweet little girl, could have stepped a few small steps forward and almost every single wave could have hit her feet, wouldn't that have been more fun, easier? But no, she always stopped where most of the waves never came but the one that did in the what seemed like long moments she stood there was the most joyous of things. I even felt myself rejoicing with her when that wave trickled up over her feet and she would scream with JOY and run back to her parents.
This was such an incredible encouragement to me, thank you Lord. The sweet, simple vision of this sweet little girl in so many ways resembled my life. For most of the past seven or so months I have been running boldly. Pursuing what the Lord has set forth for me, and I know He has been pushing me to make steps, calling me forward, dropping my net, my fear, and just going. BOLDLY to the shore.
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| photo courtesy: tumblr.com |
Now, He asking me to wait until the wave reaches my feet. There, strength and faith is manifested. I asked the Lord at the beginning of this year to make me into a woman of faith, to be unmovable, unshakeable only for the sheer fact that my roots are deep in Him, that my feet are planted in Him. I don't know if I thought I was going to magically fairy dust to that place, but that's just not how the Lord works. He has taken me through some very unexpected trials, and deep faith lessons this past year, and is continuing to do so. But all I can do now is rejoice in them. Because I see what He is doing and His deep work in my faith I would never trade, because I can honestly from the deepest part of me can look at anyone and in the purest way say, "I KNOW the Lord is good. I KNOW He is faithful. He is FOR you." and KNOW it to be true, because I have seen it. He without a doubt is.
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| photo courtesy: flickr |
Friday, February 17, 2012
I could not be more excited to go home to the family and just chill this weekend. Rest & downtime away from the hustle and bustle is exactly what I need.
Psalm 61:1
“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.”
“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.”
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| photo courtesy of tumblr. |
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
she LAUGHS without fear of the future.
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
{Proverbs 31:25}
A commentary about this passage, I recently read says,
"Her heart is full of another world even when her hands are most busy about this one."
This passage has been etched on my heart for the past couple weeks. Over and over, seeing it come to life in different ways, and what does it really mean to walk in this mindset. To live it out. The future, this stage in life, can be daunting. I feel a lot like Peter, as described in Matthew 14: 28-32.
I asked the Lord to tell me to "Come" and He did. Stepping out of the boat on to water can be quite the little feat, struggling against everything in and of ourselves that is saying, "You. Cannot. Walk. On. Water. Helllooooo. Wake up." Yet something bigger and deeper within us is fighting that "reality", fighting "this world" - calling us forward - saying, COME TO ME. Look at my face. There is risk absolutely, but peace overwhelms the fear in risk because we are familiar with and confident in the One who is beckoning us forward. So we step, however long it may take us, over the edge of the boat and put our feet on the water. However, even we get there, a whole other battle could begin. We could have a little freak out for a few reasons:
a). We realize we are indeed standing on water. Fear sets in.
b). The wind and the waves are swirling, daunting, and bigger than we imagined. No control.
c). We forget who HE IS who called us there in the first place, and are focused on our inadequacies.
When this happens we, which I so often try to do, slowly start inching back towards the boat we left. Or we could be so paralyzed by fear that we neither go forward nor backwards, we just stand there. The thing is we have set out on the path of the impossible, a faith adventure. Not one thing where we are is of our own accord. Challenges and opposition from the enemy will undoubtedly come when we forgo our life in the boat. However, the safest place we can be is in the middle of the Lord's will even if that is on water.
I imagine that Proverbs 31 godly woman, confidently standing there looking at those waves and the wind- in strength, and dignity, and LAUGHING at them she knows who is before her. She knows who is calling her forward, and her hope is in Him. No sight of wind or wave could weaken what He has called unto her, and put so within her that caused her to step out in the first place. SHE KNOWS that He who promised is faithful and He will fulfill what He has spoken to her. Regardless of what is going on around her, her joy is not stolen, her peace is not stolen because her heart is FULL of another world, even though she is walking in this one.
I so desire to become more and more like this woman.
“And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became afraid, and begin- ning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when He got into the boat, the wind stopped.
I asked the Lord to tell me to "Come" and He did. Stepping out of the boat on to water can be quite the little feat, struggling against everything in and of ourselves that is saying, "You. Cannot. Walk. On. Water. Helllooooo. Wake up." Yet something bigger and deeper within us is fighting that "reality", fighting "this world" - calling us forward - saying, COME TO ME. Look at my face. There is risk absolutely, but peace overwhelms the fear in risk because we are familiar with and confident in the One who is beckoning us forward. So we step, however long it may take us, over the edge of the boat and put our feet on the water. However, even we get there, a whole other battle could begin. We could have a little freak out for a few reasons:
a). We realize we are indeed standing on water. Fear sets in.
b). The wind and the waves are swirling, daunting, and bigger than we imagined. No control.
c). We forget who HE IS who called us there in the first place, and are focused on our inadequacies.
When this happens we, which I so often try to do, slowly start inching back towards the boat we left. Or we could be so paralyzed by fear that we neither go forward nor backwards, we just stand there. The thing is we have set out on the path of the impossible, a faith adventure. Not one thing where we are is of our own accord. Challenges and opposition from the enemy will undoubtedly come when we forgo our life in the boat. However, the safest place we can be is in the middle of the Lord's will even if that is on water.
I imagine that Proverbs 31 godly woman, confidently standing there looking at those waves and the wind- in strength, and dignity, and LAUGHING at them she knows who is before her. She knows who is calling her forward, and her hope is in Him. No sight of wind or wave could weaken what He has called unto her, and put so within her that caused her to step out in the first place. SHE KNOWS that He who promised is faithful and He will fulfill what He has spoken to her. Regardless of what is going on around her, her joy is not stolen, her peace is not stolen because her heart is FULL of another world, even though she is walking in this one.
I so desire to become more and more like this woman.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Truth: I am a girl.
Sistas --
How many times before we start speaking what's on our heart that's slightly "girly" do we say make an entrance like so... "Okay, let me just be a girl for a second..." or when we want another girl to open up we say "Okay, be a girl for a second, tell me..." Over the weekend I had one of those "ah-ha" moments. Why do we feel it necessary to give ourselves permission to be who we are? It's like we need an excuse, warning or something that we're about to be real, and I don't know something crazy like... ourselves. It's really funny though because once you realize it, you see how MUCH we all do it.
I got to thinking about it and.... We are subconsciously being fed lie after lie, that we buy into all the time, that our woman-ness is weakness. Therefore, anytime we are about to be first honest with ourselves and therefore secondly honest with others, we need to introduce it with an explanation why.
After discussing this little revelation with my sweet dear friend Ashlyn, which is more like my daily soundboard, it's clear what is trying to be taken, or rather stolen. Lucifer... (stinks)... I mean... was known as LIGHT, beauty; he was after all cloaked in jewels... then he fell, was cast out. Shift... we, women, were made with representation of the Lord's beauty, mercy, and grace, and satan lost that. Why on earth would he not try to attack that, he doesn't want us to have it. He wants to think ourselves into a tail spin, or neglect our very nature and security in the Lord because the last thing he wants is for us to embody beauty, he wants to steal, kill, and destroy. He is out for us. But we are on the winning side. It's finished.
Of course he wants us to apologize or make excuses of what we were created to be. Instead we should embrace our nature with full assurance of whose we are, walking confidently in that we have a great capability for care and compassion, and that comes with being emotional creatures. Does that mean let our emotions drive us/ get the best of us? Absolutely not. When we deny them is when they come toppling over the edge in a not-so-wonderful kind of way, that we all may be way too familiar with. That is not what the Lord intends for us either. However, learning how to embrace and orchestrate them into good is fascinating and beautiful. Sisters, we can pierce the darkness with the Lord in us. We were made for kindness. compassion. genuine care (yes, even being sensitive, which is not necessarily a bad thing). to have the great ability to love and love many. DO NOT let the enemy steal that away from you! Welcome with open arms your nature, which is so beautiful before the Lord. You bring LIGHT to this dark world. Depend on Him to be your fortress where you will not be shaken, but let the sweet Lord be the fortress, FULLY rest in and accept who your Father so creatively, lovingly, carefully, and without any flaw, made you to be.
Shine. Radiate.
How many times before we start speaking what's on our heart that's slightly "girly" do we say make an entrance like so... "Okay, let me just be a girl for a second..." or when we want another girl to open up we say "Okay, be a girl for a second, tell me..." Over the weekend I had one of those "ah-ha" moments. Why do we feel it necessary to give ourselves permission to be who we are? It's like we need an excuse, warning or something that we're about to be real, and I don't know something crazy like... ourselves. It's really funny though because once you realize it, you see how MUCH we all do it.
I got to thinking about it and.... We are subconsciously being fed lie after lie, that we buy into all the time, that our woman-ness is weakness. Therefore, anytime we are about to be first honest with ourselves and therefore secondly honest with others, we need to introduce it with an explanation why.
After discussing this little revelation with my sweet dear friend Ashlyn, which is more like my daily soundboard, it's clear what is trying to be taken, or rather stolen. Lucifer... (stinks)... I mean... was known as LIGHT, beauty; he was after all cloaked in jewels... then he fell, was cast out. Shift... we, women, were made with representation of the Lord's beauty, mercy, and grace, and satan lost that. Why on earth would he not try to attack that, he doesn't want us to have it. He wants to think ourselves into a tail spin, or neglect our very nature and security in the Lord because the last thing he wants is for us to embody beauty, he wants to steal, kill, and destroy. He is out for us. But we are on the winning side. It's finished.
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| photo courtesy: Pintrest |
Shine. Radiate.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
But seek first...
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
{Matthew 6:33}
Because He ought to engross us entirely.
Our desires, cares, questions, doubts, plans they fall into place in the light of His glory. And the thing is they not only "fall" into place, they are ADDED to us out of the goodness and free extravagant love of the sweet Lord, and without our thought or care. Us girls, we're funny. We think we have to think thoughts towards something constantly for it to reach a solution. And that we do, we think it into the ground, or 'til it resembles the like of a bowl of spaghetti in our head, which then directly affects our heart. Then there we have, chaos and confusion - that started and ended with us, alone.
Goodness how beautiful it is when the Lord blesses us by telling us exactly what we need to hear through someone else. and right when we need it. My sweet sister friend told me this wonderful example of the Lord and His timing today. She described to me this illustration of a play and God as the director. She went on to say how we are sitting in the audience and thinking we know exactly how the play is going to and pan out, but the curtain is still closed. However, behind the curtain the Lord is carefully and meticulously putting things into place, working things out in our heart, and very deliberately planning His timing of scenes. And at just the right time... He will open the curtain.
If we seek first His kingdom, our heart will be aligned with Him, and what His is about. Everything else will give way to this.
Sometimes we need to just get alone with our Maker. Worship Him. Tell Him who He is. And Receive what He has for us. Trusting, Knowing, and Declaring He is good. He is holy. He is enough.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
tea time.
My roommates and I have taken it upon ourselves to incorporate tea time in the day. Why we have waited this long is beyond me, but it's wonderful. To sit down in the middle of the afternoon and just have a cup o coffee or tea and just chat with each other. It's pretty near perfect.
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