i'm making myself write today, because i haven't in a while and writing has always been my favorite.
my favorite outlet for everything that's affecting me, be it happy or sad.
midmorning i had a quiet time with the Lord. i had my favorite worship music on and my Bible with me; all is right with my soul.
i oftentimes feel heavy with the weight of this world. i realize i'm not part of this world and that my citizenship is heaven (Phil. 3:20), but still, i live here and frankly, sometimes it sucks.
i don't know that there's every been another time in my life where i've felt the negativity of people more than recently.
but, we talk about love and tolerance and compassion. and i honestly wonder if we even know what those words mean.
i can't define them for every person. but i can for myself.
for me, love is Christ. everything else is just a shadow of that and nothing will ever compare.
tolerance for me has always meant, respecting other's opinions even when they're not my own. when i respect i don't judge, bully, gossip or tarnish that person...just saying.
compassion is a pretty word. i like that it has the word passion in it...if i were to define it, i guess i'd have to say that having compassion is having passion for loving others, fiercely.
here's to loving fiercely, like Christ does.
chapter 11
2 Timothy 4:3-4
" For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."
chapter 10
relationships.
this is the word i'm currently thinking about. families, friends, spouses, colleagues...you name it.
relationships are a huge part of our lives.
Jesus was big on relationships. the whole foundation of christianity is based on it. specifically, our relationship with Him. then, our relationships with others. if loving God above all else is a goal i'm striving towards, loving others should be equal to that. because, when you love others, essentially you are more like God than any other time. more than when you tithe, sing praise or read the Bible. these three are important, to be sure. but, if the greatest of all things is love (1 Cor. 13:13), we should take a closer look at what loving others looks like.
i started writing this post about three weeks ago. just rereading it makes me remember just how hard loving others can seem at times. especially, when they do things that might make them, by our terms, unloveable.
but, Jesus called us to love everyone.
he called us to love our enemies, those who persecute us (Mat. 5:44).
that's hard. but, didn't He loves us when we were His enemy? when we persecuted Him? if it wasn't for that love, we might still be in that same condition.
but, here we are.
and, there they are...the ones who persecute us...our enemies. the hate. the division. the gossip.
let's love.
Ephesians 2:14
this is the word i'm currently thinking about. families, friends, spouses, colleagues...you name it.
relationships are a huge part of our lives.
Jesus was big on relationships. the whole foundation of christianity is based on it. specifically, our relationship with Him. then, our relationships with others. if loving God above all else is a goal i'm striving towards, loving others should be equal to that. because, when you love others, essentially you are more like God than any other time. more than when you tithe, sing praise or read the Bible. these three are important, to be sure. but, if the greatest of all things is love (1 Cor. 13:13), we should take a closer look at what loving others looks like.
i started writing this post about three weeks ago. just rereading it makes me remember just how hard loving others can seem at times. especially, when they do things that might make them, by our terms, unloveable.
but, Jesus called us to love everyone.
he called us to love our enemies, those who persecute us (Mat. 5:44).
that's hard. but, didn't He loves us when we were His enemy? when we persecuted Him? if it wasn't for that love, we might still be in that same condition.
but, here we are.
and, there they are...the ones who persecute us...our enemies. the hate. the division. the gossip.
let's love.
Ephesians 2:14
Christ himself is our peace. He has made Jews and Gentiles into one group of people.
He has destroyed the hatred that was like a wall between us.
chapter 9
i cooked today.
it's one of my favorite things.
i also listened to music while cooking.
definitely one of my favorite things.
one gives me a sense of purpose; the other, peace.
i've been listening to this song a lot lately. mostly because it keeps popping up on social media & most recently my playlist.
there's a lot i have to let go of & trust God with. i thought i had surrendered it all to Him last sunday, but lo' and behold, i grabbed hold of it again. and isn't that just like me to do that. to not trust.
tonight i'm surrendering it all to Him...again. however many times it takes, i will surrender my life, thoughts, dreams, desires to Him. because, being in the center of His will is what i want the most. and the first step will always be surrender; the surrender of my own will for His.
it's harder done than said (or something like that).
it's intentional. it's being purposeful and bold, confident & humble before God. being transparent with our hearts. being joyful in the middle of the mess.
He's not ashamed of our mess. He loves us in the middle of it.
i believe that.
so, whatever mess we're carrying, we can take a load off & just give it to Him..
He can take the hits.
He loves us.
period.
it's one of my favorite things.
i also listened to music while cooking.
definitely one of my favorite things.
one gives me a sense of purpose; the other, peace.
"so, let go my soul and trust in Him.
the waves and wind still know His
name."
i've been listening to this song a lot lately. mostly because it keeps popping up on social media & most recently my playlist.
there's a lot i have to let go of & trust God with. i thought i had surrendered it all to Him last sunday, but lo' and behold, i grabbed hold of it again. and isn't that just like me to do that. to not trust.
tonight i'm surrendering it all to Him...again. however many times it takes, i will surrender my life, thoughts, dreams, desires to Him. because, being in the center of His will is what i want the most. and the first step will always be surrender; the surrender of my own will for His.
it's harder done than said (or something like that).
it's intentional. it's being purposeful and bold, confident & humble before God. being transparent with our hearts. being joyful in the middle of the mess.
He's not ashamed of our mess. He loves us in the middle of it.
i believe that.
so, whatever mess we're carrying, we can take a load off & just give it to Him..
He can take the hits.
He loves us.
period.
chapter 8
exercising.
that dreaded word.
the most used beginning of the year resolution cliché.
i've been working out for three weeks now with my dad.
it's not as bad as i thought. and as far as clichés go, it might actually be a good one to stick to.
there's a whole science behind why it's important to exercise our bodies. it boosts our metabolism, strengthens muscles, including the heart. sounds great.
but, what about our SPIRIT? what about that muscle? the one that connects us to God.
if you're not a christian, you probably either already closed the window or you're frowning.
it's ok. i understand. how can you love someone you haven't seen?
but i love God. because He saw (and sees) all that i am and loves me back, to overflow. i know this, because i look at my life and it's beautiful. beautiful because it's been broken, imperfect, dry; a wasteland. and He made a way for me in my wilderness and my life into a stream (Is. 43:19). He can do that for anyone that wants Him to. He doesn't promise a life void of deserts or valleys, but He does promise that He will never leave us.
why doesn't He anyway?
i think it's because broken people are the most beautiful. the better equipped to show His love to others. i believe that.
the message in church this morning was simple: "being in God's will is better. but, it may not be easier; look at Jesus, look at Paul."
but, it's better.
and i want better.
Isaiah 43:19
that dreaded word.
the most used beginning of the year resolution cliché.
i've been working out for three weeks now with my dad.
it's not as bad as i thought. and as far as clichés go, it might actually be a good one to stick to.
there's a whole science behind why it's important to exercise our bodies. it boosts our metabolism, strengthens muscles, including the heart. sounds great.
but, what about our SPIRIT? what about that muscle? the one that connects us to God.
if you're not a christian, you probably either already closed the window or you're frowning.
it's ok. i understand. how can you love someone you haven't seen?
but i love God. because He saw (and sees) all that i am and loves me back, to overflow. i know this, because i look at my life and it's beautiful. beautiful because it's been broken, imperfect, dry; a wasteland. and He made a way for me in my wilderness and my life into a stream (Is. 43:19). He can do that for anyone that wants Him to. He doesn't promise a life void of deserts or valleys, but He does promise that He will never leave us.
why doesn't He anyway?
i think it's because broken people are the most beautiful. the better equipped to show His love to others. i believe that.
the message in church this morning was simple: "being in God's will is better. but, it may not be easier; look at Jesus, look at Paul."
but, it's better.
and i want better.
Isaiah 43:19
"See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland."
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland."
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| *public library finds* *support your local library* |
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| * Post-workout smoothie: -2 scoops protein powder - 1 tbsp. raw cacao powder (for metabolism and hormone balance) - 1 tbsp. chia seed (great detoxifier) - 1 cup almond milk - ice - blend |
chapter 7
today i visited my city's REI outdoor school. i first heard about them through grace luna's instagram page. i've been following her account for over a year now and i am inspired by her willingness to try something new & become part of the outdoors community: a group of people that are intentional about living a full life that appreciates and protects the earth we've been given.
i like that.
today i went to my first outdoors class where we talked about the basics of hiking. the, "where are you going? what are you going to do once you get there? who are you going with?" questions that you have to reflect on as you're planning a hike. our leader taught us about proper gear (i.e clothing, backpack, etc.), places to visit and of course, the ten essentials. if you want to go anywhere, you have to follow them; they're basic, practical and potentially life saving.
some cool people were met, stickers passed out and a kindling into the outdoors took life.
one thing i've noticed is that Jesus liked to be outdoors; He was always sharing the message outside, gathering by rivers, under the shade of a tree and on a hill. so many Psalms use the outdoors to describe Him and the christian life.
i like that too.
i remember when i was younger believing that when the wind blew and rustled the leaves, God was speaking to me. i don't remember what set that thought beating, but i remember being sure of it.
i want Him to speak to me. i want this year to be about abiding in Him, trusting His love for me & listening to His voice.
i hope the wind blows a lot this year. i hope the leaves rustle. i hope i'll be listening.
i don't know where this 'outdoors' venture will bring, where it will take me & how far. but, i'm not ignoring the things that excite me anymore. i'm listening to the leaves this time.
Psalm 65
i like that.
today i went to my first outdoors class where we talked about the basics of hiking. the, "where are you going? what are you going to do once you get there? who are you going with?" questions that you have to reflect on as you're planning a hike. our leader taught us about proper gear (i.e clothing, backpack, etc.), places to visit and of course, the ten essentials. if you want to go anywhere, you have to follow them; they're basic, practical and potentially life saving.
some cool people were met, stickers passed out and a kindling into the outdoors took life.
one thing i've noticed is that Jesus liked to be outdoors; He was always sharing the message outside, gathering by rivers, under the shade of a tree and on a hill. so many Psalms use the outdoors to describe Him and the christian life.
 |
| *seen at REI's community room* |
i like that too.
i remember when i was younger believing that when the wind blew and rustled the leaves, God was speaking to me. i don't remember what set that thought beating, but i remember being sure of it.
i want Him to speak to me. i want this year to be about abiding in Him, trusting His love for me & listening to His voice.
i hope the wind blows a lot this year. i hope the leaves rustle. i hope i'll be listening.
i don't know where this 'outdoors' venture will bring, where it will take me & how far. but, i'm not ignoring the things that excite me anymore. i'm listening to the leaves this time.
Psalm 65
Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion;
to you our vows will be fulfilled.
You who answer prayer,
to you all people will come.
When we were overwhelmed by sins,
you forgave our transgressions.
Blessed are those you choose
and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house,
of your holy temple.
You
answer us with awesome and righteous deeds,
God our
Savior,
the hope
of all the ends of the earth
and of
the farthest seas,
who
formed the mountains by your power,
having
armed yourself with strength,
who
stilled the roaring of the seas,
the
roaring of their waves,
and the
turmoil of the nations.
The whole
earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
where
morning dawns, where evening fades,
you call
forth songs of joy.
You care
for the land and water it;
you
enrich it abundantly.
The
streams of God are filled with water
to
provide the people with grain,
for so
you have ordained it.
You
drench its furrows and level its ridges;
you
soften it with showers and bless its crops.
You crown
the year with your bounty,
and your
carts overflow with abundance.
The
grasslands of the wilderness overflow;
the hills
are clothed with gladness.
The
meadows are covered with flocks
and the
valleys are mantled with grain;
they shout for joy and sing.
 |
| *seen at REI's community room* |
chapter 6
i can't help but reflect on what Jesus thought of a life well lived.
i recently saw a documentary on netflix called: minimalism: a documentary about the important things. it confirmed a lot of the thoughts i'd been wrestling with for a few months.
the thing that struck me the most afterwards was how not novel this whole idea was. Jesus spoke of it; in every teaching, parable and command, Jesus was always about living a life that was empty of the world but full of the bread of life (John 6:35). i'm not talking carbs here; i'm talking real bread, that fulfills and leaves you satisfied. see, the world will try to shape you to fit into it. but Jesus created us to fit into Him (Ro. 12:2).
i think about this a lot. why did He want for us to express Him, glorify Him, be salt and light...i think it's because He knows we're dust; we're bound to become dust every day. i think His life is much like rain...when that living water and our dust meet, that's when the clay forms. that's when real life begins. He molds us, shapes us to be who we're called to be: a royal nation, a holy people set aside for His good works.
i always thought that by good works it meant that i had to do something. but, the more i pray about it, i realize that it's just not true. the truth is this: He wants us to have a happy life and to do well to others (Eccl. 3:12). i believe that, truly.
i don't have all the answers and i certainly won't find them all this side of life. but, i will always have hope that the one whom i love without having seen (I Peter 1:8) will fulfill the promises He has for our life as a church (Joshua 21:45). because He cares.
so, for all those living a minimalist life and for all those of us who are starting to get into it...
let's take a cue from the real minimalist, Jesus:
Luke 12:15
Then He said to them, Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.
i recently saw a documentary on netflix called: minimalism: a documentary about the important things. it confirmed a lot of the thoughts i'd been wrestling with for a few months.
the thing that struck me the most afterwards was how not novel this whole idea was. Jesus spoke of it; in every teaching, parable and command, Jesus was always about living a life that was empty of the world but full of the bread of life (John 6:35). i'm not talking carbs here; i'm talking real bread, that fulfills and leaves you satisfied. see, the world will try to shape you to fit into it. but Jesus created us to fit into Him (Ro. 12:2).
i think about this a lot. why did He want for us to express Him, glorify Him, be salt and light...i think it's because He knows we're dust; we're bound to become dust every day. i think His life is much like rain...when that living water and our dust meet, that's when the clay forms. that's when real life begins. He molds us, shapes us to be who we're called to be: a royal nation, a holy people set aside for His good works.
i always thought that by good works it meant that i had to do something. but, the more i pray about it, i realize that it's just not true. the truth is this: He wants us to have a happy life and to do well to others (Eccl. 3:12). i believe that, truly.
i don't have all the answers and i certainly won't find them all this side of life. but, i will always have hope that the one whom i love without having seen (I Peter 1:8) will fulfill the promises He has for our life as a church (Joshua 21:45). because He cares.
so, for all those living a minimalist life and for all those of us who are starting to get into it...
let's take a cue from the real minimalist, Jesus:
Luke 12:15
Then He said to them, Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.
 |
| * i will be posting the recipe for this beauty soon...for now, let's enjoy the beauty that is this plate. * * cilantro is an amazing plant that works as a natural detoxifier for the body; i love to eat it fresh on top of er' thing. * |
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