Mystical

                

               Mystical. Magical. Mysterious? What is enchanting? Is it the sun as it sets across the ocean? Or the moon that shines upon the sea? For some reason, I've always loved moonlit nights, misty mornings, sunsets, city lights, clear blue skies and well, anything else you'd put in that category. It just seems sometimes that God's showing off. Giving us a taste of what's to come. I don't know why, but have you ever had that feeling where you look up at the moon and you just know somewhere far away your future husband could be looking at it too and somehow in that moment... you're connected. It's probably just me, yet its warming knowing God has someone out there for me. And that too is mystical and mysterious. The idea that God knows who you'll be with in 10 years and what you'll be doing. What a mystery! He's writing the story of your life. He's turning each pages and twirling the pen through his fingertips as your life goes along. The author of all. 

             Sometimes I feel like a hopeless romantic. I just fall in love with beautiful scenery. I love seeing pictures of places that seem like they're right out a fairy-tale. It just makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. So yes, I guess you could say I'm in love with anything magical in this earth. 
            Have you ever seen the last part of the movie pride and prejudice? It reminds me of this kind of magic. There it is, a beautiful morning. The sun just rising through the hills. Both Elizabeth and Mr. Darby walking through a field and meeting each other in the center. Mist swirls beneath their feet, the sun shines between them. And in one moment, they enclose for a kiss. A pure and beautiful sign of affection. (the first kiss they've shared throughout the entire movie). What makes it so beautiful is the fact that it's the kiss that seals their engagement. They have saved it for the one they'll marry. The one they love. I used to hope my first kiss would be that beautiful. So Pure and mystical. Sadly it wasn't in fact nether was the one after that. But noting is stopping the next one from being like that. Yes, I know this world is not like a story-book fairy-tale and things don't happen quite like that. Yes, I must engage in reality, but still one can always dare to dream.

Glimpse beneath the surface of others

                Okay, what I'm about to say is very important so perk up your blog reading ears and listen closely. Many people in this world (including me) are much different beneath the surface if you just take the time to look. Wouldn't we love to be searched out? For someone to take interest in us? To see who the real person is behind it all? There are times that I wish people would dig deep and see who I truly was. Who took notice of little things I liked and took interest in finding out my passions. We all would love others to glimpse at us beneath the surface of our life. So let's go deep with others.
               So. It might seem a bit strange at first doing this, but looking beyond what's given is so important. However, it also means giving up all pre-conceived ideas of the people around you. It means not believing the nasty rumors you hear about others until you get to know them enough for yourself. It means not following the "status quo". It means changing your culture. Our generation has stopped the deep and beautiful relationships that once existed and instead replaced them with "skin deep" superficial and fake friendships. (Fortunately I have been blessed with some amazing friends!) And I guess that's why my friends and I get along so well. We see each other for who we truly are. Our friendships are not merely based on outward appearances and shallow conversations, but rather something more deep founded in Christ.

"Do not hover always on the surface of things, nor take up suddenly with mere appearances; but penetrate into the depth of matters, as far as your time and circumstances allow..." ~Isaac Watts

                How did Jesus view those He met? He surely searched beneath the surface of the tax-collectors and the "unwanted" by his society. He called the widows, orphans, and little children unto himself. He didn't care what others had said, he searched the heart and knew the soul of everyone He came in contact with. That's our job. 

Do not be so shallow to miss the beauty hidden beneath the surface of a person's soul.

Beneath Your Surface.

               So many times, we see someone for what they are on the outside and how they generally act. Our relationships with others are just "skin deep". Do we look beneath the surface? Do we search out the real person beneath all the fronts and masks? Sometimes I believe that we tend to stray away from doing this because we're afraid of what we might find. We also know that the idea of someone possibly knowing the depths of our being is far too much to risk, so why would we want to search for that in others? Here's the thing. Its important to know others for who they truly are inside and beneath the surface, yet this can only happen when you take the time to look beneath yours.
             Now, I can't fully explain to you how to examine yourself and find out who you truly are, all I know is you are who God created you to be. Some of us (not all) have masked the qualities and personality that God has given us and tried to be someone else in order to fit in with "the crowd." The world has wounded us, shoving us to the floor telling us it is worthless to try and be ourselves all the while having the approval of others. But here's the truth,

"You are the glorious image-bearer of the Lord Jesus Christ - the crown of His creation. You have been assaulted. You have fallen to your own resources. Your enemy has seized upon your wounds and your sins to pin your heart down. Now  the son of God has come to ransom you, and heal your broken, wounded, bleeding heart, and  set you free from bondage. He came for the broken-hearted captives. That's me. That's you. He came to restore the glorious creation that you are. And then set you free... to be yourself."
~From Captivating (John and Stasi Elderedge)

               That's what God put beneath our surface.. God wants to see us free from hiding. So before we move on to searching beneath the surface of others, let's get it right with ourselves first. God will heal your wounds, He'll renew you heart. So let the restoration begin.

Fall Fashion 2011!

It getting to that time of the year again. FALL!!!! One of my fav seasons. The crisp air sweaters, scarfs and cider! 

Here are a few of the fall 2011 trends to help with your fall shopping! 

Tunics/Off the shoulder Tops 
I personally think these are adorable!! And you don't have to worry about shirts being to tight! Just make sure that if they're the off the shoulder shirt, that you don't show bra straps and wear a thick-strapped tank underneath!
Boyfriend Cardigans 
I love these! They're super cute with frilly tops and skinny jeans! 

Flare Jeans I'm not sure how I feel about these haha flare jeans aren't really my favorite (they are to much like parachute pants!) But they'll probably grow on me ;) I'm glad jeans are always in style! What do YOU think about the flare jean trend? 
Leather Purses 
I've seen long strapped leather purses everywhere! They seem to be the choice for the stylish girl! 

Canvas Sneakers 
Flat and comfy, these are a cute and casual fall shoe! 


Once of my favorite accessories that always spices up a simple outfit is a pretty scarf! 
The shoes are from Aeropostale and all the other items are from Forever21. 

I hope you have a great day!:) 

"Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” 
Luke 1:45 

What I Leaned This Week – How To Be A (Future) Wife of Noble Character

As you may already know, I have been praying for my future husband for years. I have even made up a list of characteristics he must have – or should have. Some of the things on that list are going to be hard for the poor guy to live up to. That got me thinking: what am I doing to prepare myself for this amazing man of my future? Shouldn’t I be practicing character that’s hard to live up to as well?

I read Proverbs 31:10-31 this week and it talks about being a “wife of noble character”. Now this is a difficult list to live up to. We don’t necessarily have to get up before dawn every morning to make breakfast and search near and far to find wool and flax, busily spinning and twisting the fibers. Unless you really want to, it’s a little outdated. Now we buy our clothes and blankets from a store and have pastries you can pop in the toaster oven for 5 minutes and voila! they’re done.

But we can learn a lesson from this Proverbs 31 woman. The lesson is hard work and discipline. Those are virtues that I admit I sometimes lack. If I disciplined myself better, I could get more writing done and read my bible more. This woman is also a servant. She works hard to serve her husband and children and they respect her for that.

Here’s a list of other characteristics this wife has:

• She is trustworthy – her husband knows she won’t cheat.
• She honors and respects him.
• She works honestly without complaining.
• She never hesitates to help others in need.
• She is confident in herself.
• She can laugh and not worry about the future.
• She is wise but corrects in kindness.

So along with the hard work and discipline I mentioned above the list, this is what I’ll be working on now to prepare myself for my man in the future. What will you do? Or what did you do? Or what are you doing? Comment and let me know!

Perspectives

I stood in front of a wall with a million tiny pictures spread across my eyesight, each telling a different story. I studied each one confused to the point of a headache how these could relate to each other. A glowing mother nurses her baby in one, a filthy child in a third-world country cries in another. Each picture so different. Some made my heart break and some made my heart flutter with joy. I tried to puzzle them together in my head taking each in a methodical order, only to frustrate myself. What is this supposed to be? I screamed. I don’t understand!

With my nose pressed against the wall I looked back and forth, up and down. Some of the pictures were even too high up for me to see. I’m not the tallest person, you see.  So I stepped back. Even more pictures appeared. What is this? I stamped my foot and balled my fists. I’m tired of trying to figure this out myself!

Then why are you? A voice said. I looked around but saw nothing.

Who said that? Who are you? I demanded.

I’m the Master Painter. I designed this Masterpiece which I call “Life”.

Why did you make it like this? I hate it…a lot! I could make a better painting than you could. Watch me! I whipped out my paintbrush and paint from my pocket and dipped the brush. As I lifted my brush to touch the painting, his invisible hand clutched my wrist. Hey! Let go of me! I fought to break free but his hand was strong so I gave up. What do you want from me?

I want you to take a step back, He said.

I frowned but took a step back. It was getting hard to see the pictures now.

Now another step, He coaxed.

I did. I can’t see the pictures anymore. What are you trying to do?

Stop trying to look at all the small pictures. I want you to focus on the big picture.

I adverted my perspective tried to look at it again. I took a few more steps back. I understood a little more with each step. This is how the pictures fit together! The more steps back I took a man’s face formed. Who is it?

It is my face, Said the Master Painter. By looking at the big picture, you may figured some things out, but other things are still perplexing to you. If you wait and trust in me, I will show you in my time. When you don’t understand, take the time to step back and change your perspective.

How do you need to change your perspective today?

Lies.

          What lies have you been told? It seems to be that these days all continually feel the devil telling me lies about myself and who I am in Christ to me. Continually, over and over again, he pours out these lies until I feel worthless. He tells me I'm "never enough", but also at the same time "too much". Why do we believe these kinds of lies? Inside we know they aren't true, but yet we still wallow in the shame he pours over us. Even when we know what he tells us is a lie, we still wonder, what is the real truth then? These real truths are found in God's word!

            When the devil says "You'll never be good enough for them!" God says, "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness I have drawn you!"(Jeremiah 31:3) When the devil tell us, "you'll never amount to anything beautiful" God says "Listen, O daughter, consider and incline your ear; forget your own people also, and your father’s house; so the King will greatly desire your beauty..."(Psalm 45:11) When we are told, "you're not strong enough" His word says, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Throughout God's word there are so many beautiful truth about who we are. We are not worthless. We are loved and adored by the creator of the universe! Below are just a few verse that exclaim His love for us:

·      "How precious is Your loving-kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings." (Psalm 36:7)

"The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

·        " For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)

"In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John4:9-10)

God loves us Oh so much, He truly does! When will stop believing the lies of the world and believe His truths? We can ALWAYS count on Him. I pray that today we will finally tell the devil “NO!” and start to believe be are cherished by the God over every living thing!

Voice of Truth - Casting Crowns <-----listen to this! :)