Happy Royal Wedding Day

Image from People.com

When it comes to hunting or fishing, my sweet husband Bernie can jump out of bed at an ungodly hour.  What gets me out of bed at 4:45 am?  You guessed it, a Royal Wedding!

So, in no particular order here are a few thoughts and observations from this morning's festivities:

1.  I had no problem donning a tiara for the occasion, but next time, I'm wearing my wedding dress.

2.  I so agree with Helen Mirren who recently said, "I think it's sad that Americans don't wear hats."  I'm thinking about making it a personal mission in life to bring fabulous hats to America.  Here was one of my favorites:

Image from People.com

 
3.  A major highlight was texting with my mom at 6:00 am who was quick to point out that she, too, had lace arms on her dress.  Little Lisa is quite the trendsetter!

4.  I loved it when William saw her and mouthed, "You look beautiful."



5.  After today, I'm considering moving to London so our unborn sons can join the choir.  Were those boys not the cutest?  

6.  Speaking of singing, if you attend a wedding televised to an estimated 2 billion people, be sure to give the appearance you're singing.  If the camera lands on you, look alive!  

7.  I've never heard Romans 12 read at a wedding, but I just LOVED it!  Here's an excerpt:

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 

8.  Who needs a car, when you can ride in a carriage?  Totally seems like the way to go!  


9.  At times, I felt as though I was watching a live Disney movie.  It really was like watching a real live fairytale.

See below for Princess Catherine's Arrival.  Email subscribers, click here.





What about you?  Did you watch the wedding of the century?  Sound off below!

Go For It!

Sometimes, as we saw yesterday, we're called to a season of waiting until we see God's promises and plans come into fruition.  We wait and we watch. 

Then there are other times, when we feel that nudge...you know the nudge.  The little nudge on your heart that encourages you to go for it--step out, take the risk, follow the dream.  I don't know about you, but for me, that nudge is usually associated with things I'm too scared, insecure, or selfish to speak to my own heart, so it can only mean one thing: God. 

That nudge can be spoken and confirmed through all kinds of ways--other people, scriptures, sermons, books, and all kinds of other signs.  Sweet Friends, if God is calling you to something, He will make it clear.

But for me, the hard part is actually doing it.  Be it fear, laziness, or blatant disobedience,  I typically have a hard time mobilizing myself to act. 

Has God given you a dream or a calling?  What has He placed on your heart lately?  Writing a book, creating a blog, starting a business, getting a graduate degree, starting a ministry, going overseas to serve, volunteering, adopting, looking into new job opportunities, relocating, joining a church, going to a Bible study...it can even be as simple as starting a new hobby or revisiting an old favorite.

In college, I was sitting in the parking lot of Target and felt like God tell me I needed to start dancing again...strange, I know, but like I said above, not something I would have told myself.  So I did some research and found an adult ballet class in Charlottesville.  It wasn't profoundly spiritual, but God used this time each week to give me a break from the stresses of college and give me the opportunity do something that I've loved since I was old enough to walk.  Dancing made me feel alive.  Whatever was weighing me down, for those 90 minutes each week, I had a break and went back to the college life refreshed. 

If God is placing something on your heart, go for it!  His callings may take some work, risks, and sacrifices, but God will not leave us. (Josh 1:9) 

God will also equip us.  I love when Joyce Meyer says, "you do what you can do and God will do what you cannot do."  Another great word is, "God doesn't call the equipped, but He equips the called."  If God is calling you to something, trust Him to provide exactly what you need.          

The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

1 Thessalonians 5:25

Whatever it may be, don't miss out on the opportunity to say yes to God. 

Wait For It

Recently, Bernie and I became the proud owners of two swivel rocker chairs.  Well, recently is a bit of an understatement...we became the owners in early November, but it wasn't until April that we actually had them in our home and were able to swivel and rock the night away.

Yes, they are just chairs, but theses particular chairs are something I had dreamed about for five years.  But even after waiting four and a half years, picking them out, and paying in full, I had no idea we'd have to wait even longer.  (You see, Bernie and I have SUCH fabulous taste that the fabric we selected was back ordered.  Something we didn't find out until January.  We like to think it's because our taste is just so sophisticated that interior decorators were knocking down doors to get the fabric we picked, but apparently that happens a lot...)

Sometimes, even when something is technically ours, it can still be a process until we have it in our hands.  A baby is yours the day it's conceived, but it takes another nine months before you can meet her.  You can have a story in your heart to tell, but taking the time to write it into a book can be a tedious process leading up to when the published book is yours.  And then there's God; we can have God given promises and dreams He puts in our hearts, but sometimes it takes a while until we see how He will fulfill them.  And so we wait and we watch.  

If you're like me, any kind of process, be it something trivial like a pair of chairs, or much more substantial like God's plan for your life, is tough.  Who likes to wait?  For me it's in the waiting where I start to wonder and doubt...with the chairs I worried that they were never coming, we picked the wrong fabric, or we really didn't have room for them. 

With God, depending on the situation, I tend to wonder if I'm totally wrong.  I start to question and doubt if the scriptures I felt were written specifically for me, the people who encouraged me with words I desperately needed, the sermons or talks that suddenly came alive to my situation, the passages in books that popped out to me, and all kinds of other signs were wrong.  Did I make it all up?

When we're in a season of waiting and wondering, it's easy to take our eyes off of God.  It's easy to doubt and question wondering, "Maybe God forgot about it.  Maybe He changed His mind..."  But if God has given you a promise, a dream, or a special word just for you, don't lose hope.  Don't lose sight of the promise.  It might take longer than you anticipated, or it may take on a different shape than you envisioned, but remember that God is in control, He knows what He's doing, and He will always, always keep His promises.       

Still the waiting continues...

But even in the waiting we can know and encounter God in deeper ways.  In this frustrating, exhausting, vulnerable time, pray that God will use this process to deepen your knowledge of Him. 

Lord, thank you that you know the plans.  Thank you that you are a God who keeps your promises.  While I wait, I pray that I will grow in my knowledge and understanding of you.  Lord, teach me to hold fast to your promises.  Give me the faith and perseverance to hold tightly to you.  Lead me in Your path and give me the courage and strength to trust and believe that You have a plan.   

If God has given you a promise or a dream, hold on tightly and wait for it. 

"Though it linger, wait for it;
   it will certainly come and will not delay."

Habakkuk 2:3 (NIV)  

 The LORD is faithful to all his promises
   and loving toward all he has made.

Psalm 145:13 (NIV)

Dance, Dance, Revolution!

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
      You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
  that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.
      O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!

Psalm 30:11-12

Beth Moore did it.  Lincee did it.  How can I not follow in the steps of two of my favorite bloggers?  Yes, I'm a bit late to the party, but have you seen the latest YouTube sensation sweeping the Christian community?

You all know I love a good flashmob.  But a praise dancing flashmob?  Even better!  Check out the video from Second Baptist Church in Houston.  It brings such joy to my heart to think that one day we will be able to join with people all over the world--every age, race, and color and come together to worship our God.  He. Is. So. Worthy.  


 

We Have Him

Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.  

Matthew 28:5-6 (NLT)

Happy Easter Everyone!  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  It was beyond beautiful here at the beach.  One of those weekends that makes you remember why it is you love Virginia Beach so much.  Sunny, low 80s, cool breeze...it doesn't get more perfect than that. 

It was my first time in a while being with my family for Easter and I just loved being in our church together.  There's something so special about going to the same church your entire life and seeing the traditions continue year after year.

Now Lent is over and Holy Week has come to an end; but the beautiful thing about Easter is that it's message of hope, resurrection, and new life is one we can hold onto throughout the year. 

In our pastor's sermon yesterday he mentioned how often when a child leaves for college, or a loved one passes away, the family won't want to touch or move any of their things.  Their bedroom, closet, and belongings become a shrine of remembrance.  They want to keep things exactly in their place so they can remember how things were before they left. 

However, when Jesus died and was resurrected, His family and disciples didn't have to go through the effort to memorialize the tomb, because they still had Him.  They saw Him.  Jesus conquered death and rather than mourn and lament the fact that He died, they rejoiced that their Jesus, the One they loved, followed, served, listened to, and believed was alive once again.

The takeaway for us?  We have Him too.  He is ours today, tomorrow, throughout the year and forever.

"And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Matthew 28:20  (NLT)

 "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 8:39 (NLT)

Alleluia, Christ is Risen!

The Lord is Risen Indeed, Alleluia! 

We Are Healed

Today on Good Friday, I was planning to write on Isaiah 53, but I just looked through some old blog posts and realized I pretty much already wrote it last year, so here it is again...


Below is arguably the most recognized prophecy concerning the Crucifixion of Christ found in Isaiah and I think it's especially timely this week.  It's also especially beautiful.  A helpful insight I found from the notes is my Bible (LOVE the notes in my Bible) says:

"In Christ's suffering and death, He bore more than our sins.  The penalty for sin is death, but Christ did not need to suffer as He did to provide atonement.  This chapter tells us why he suffered.  He suffered to bear our griefs and sorrows (v. 4) and He suffered for our peace and healing (v. 5).  


Surely atonement for sin is our greatest need; yet God, sending his Son to suffer and die, provided more than an escape from judgment; He provided abundant life beginning today. (John 10:10)"

"My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground.  There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.  He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.  We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.  He was despised, and we did not care.

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down.  And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!  But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.  He was beaten so we could be whole.  He was whipped so we could be healed.

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.  We have left God’s paths to follow our own.  Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.

He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word.  He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.  And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.  Unjustly condemned, he was led away.  No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream.  But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people.  He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone.  But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.

But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief.  Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants.  He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.  When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied.  And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible, for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.  I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death.  He was counted among the rebels.  He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels."

Isaiah 53 (New Living Translation)

Thank you Lord for the undeserving gift of your Son!

Every time I read this, the song "By His Wounds," comes in my head, so I included Glory Revealed's version below:

If you don't have either of the Glory Revealed CDs, I STRONGLY recommend them.  It's a worship compilation from various Christian artists.  And yes, that is former Backstreet Boy, Brian Littrell, who has since crossed over into the Contemporary Christian realm . I always knew he was my favorite!

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Black is out

Tuesday night, we went to a service at our church called Tenebrae, meaning shadows or darkness.  It's a service I wasn't familiar with; no music, or sermon, just a collection of psalms and readings.  I was one of the lucky ones who read a selection from Lamentations...who doesn't love reading through that book??   Here's an excerpt:

"The roads to Zion mourn, because non come to the solemn feasts; all her gates are desolate, her priests groan and sigh; her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness."

The readings all took on a heavier tone, but as our pastor wrote in the program, "The psalms and readings tell of the darkness that presses upon us all--darkness that comes from living in a broken world, and the blackness of our own sin." 

As the service moved on, fifteen candles burning slowly dwindled down to only one.  The final candle represented Jesus.  Towards the end, the remaining candle is hidden to represent Jesus going into the tomb. 

"At that moment in history, when Jesus died", our pastor wrote, "all seemed lost--it seemed that our broken world, our sin and misfortune had won."
 
But we all know how the story ends...

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it."  

John 1:5   

"In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, 

To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,

and to guide our feet into the way of peace."

Luke 1:78-79

...darkness and death do NOT have the final word.   Thank you Jesus! 

Sacrificial Love

Image from MarthaStewart.com

Confession: as shallow as this may sound, for a majority of my life, Easter weekend was more about finding the perfect Easter dress than rejoicing in the truth that Jesus died for me and conquered death.

Even now, clearly being SO much older and wiser, it's hard not to let the excitement of a beautiful spring weekend with sister bonding, new sundresses, brunches, and the greatest Easter egg hunt you could ever imagine get in the way of taking time to reflect and rejoice in the powerful message found within the Easter week.

If you've been reading my blog for a while, I probably sound like a broken record...every time a holiday rolls around I say something to the effect of, "Don't let all the hustle and bustle distract you from what's truly important..."

I think I say it so many times, because it's so easy for me to get carried away in all of the festivities and neglect to take the time to seek out and experience God.  Not because I have to, but because I desperately want to—sometimes it's just hard for me to get my mind and my actions to connect with my heart's desires. 

I don't mean to sound like a Debbie Downer.  In my mind, it is a privilege and a gift to celebrate Easter weekend with dear family and friends and rejoice in the new life we now have because of Christ's death and resurrection.  I fully intend to embrace that this weekend; I just need to be reminded to also celebrate it with Jesus.

So my hope and prayer is that I take some time to reflect on Jesus' incredible sacrifice and thank Him for His unbelievable love.  There is nothing about the grace, freedom, and eternal life that Jesus came to offer us that we deserve.  We did absolutely nothing to earn it, but He did absolutely everything by sacrificing His life for ours to bring us to God.     

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 

Romans 5:6-8 (NIV) 

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin.

Romans 3:23-25 (NLT)

Thank you Lord, for the cross.

Perfect Peace

God guards me, keeps me in perfect and constant peace because my mind (both its inclinations and its character) is stayed on Him, because I commit myself to Him, lean on Him, and hope confidently in Him.  

Isaiah 26:3 (Amplified)

I've always loved the promise in Isaiah 26:3 I shared yesterday.  I don't know about you, but it's so easy for me to let my mind wonder in a million different directions.  Last week, I had a lot of trouble sleeping because whenever I woke up, I felt like my mind was running on a treadmill and didn't know how to get off.  Running around from work, to family, to friends, to upcoming transitions, and unknowns...it was exhausting.  

I deeply long to take hold of the perfect peace and protection Isaiah 26 references.  I love the steps the Amplified version offers as a practical way to start believing in and relying on God's perfect peace:

Fix your mind on Him

Set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.

Colossians 3:2 (Amplified)

Commit to Him

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. 

Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)

Lean on Him

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

Proverbs 3:5 (Amplified)

Hope confidently in Him

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 

Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)

The promise we can cling to and rely on?  God's protection and perfect, constant peace.  

HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust! 

Psalm 91:1-2 (Amplified)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27 (NIV)

*Note: Isaiah 26:3 was re-worded in the first person*

Random Post

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a great weekend.  Email subscribers, sorry you haven't been getting your updates.  I was trying to multitask by talking on the phone to Eliza Joy and updating the email stuff, and think I accidentally messed something up.  BUT I'm hoping it's resolved now and you're reading this from your inbox.  So since you didn't get it last week, be sure to check out Thursday's post, Always and Forever.   

Also, for you parents with young children out there, I'm excited to announce that Smart Beginnings South Hampton Roads  just released the Faithful Beginnings Readiness Guide; a faith-based guide that combines readiness milestones, simple faith truths, and activities you can do at home with your children.  It's a product of our faith-based alliance and supported and endorsed by 15 area congregations and schools.  Check it out here.   We're very excited about it!  If you look closely, you might be able to see this precious face. 

And speaking of that precious face, our little Lulu just turned two!  Happy Birthday sweet girl!  I love and adore you more and more every day!

Is she ready to party, or what?

Okay, so are you ready for some scripture?  Lately, I have just fallen in love with the Amplified version of the Bible.  Probably because I'm a superfluous talker and writer, and I love how it always gives you a little extra.  Check out this verse I've been reading this morning courtesy of Joyce Meyer's The Secret Power of Speaking God's Word:

God guards me, keeps me in perfect and constant peace because my mind (both its inclinations and its character) is stayed on Him, because I commit myself to Him, lean on Him, and hope confidently in Him.  

Isaiah 26:3

Don't you love it?  Have a great day friends! 

Always and Forever

Dancing with Eliza Joy at Josie's wedding.

One of my favorite dance party friends, Mary Stafford at our girls' weekend, KC 2K10

Yesterday, we looked at some nevers, today, let's look at some always!  

I shared some of my nevers with you yesterday, as for my always?  I will always believe a good dance party can be powerful therapy, I will always be a girls' girl, I will always err on the side of being overdressed rather than underdressed, I will always be a carnivore, and I will always maintain that Anne of Green Gables is one of the greatest movies ever made; even the trailer brings me to tears:

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As for the much more powerful and profound always' of our God?   

God is ALWAYS our helper.  

You have always been my helper.

Psalm 27:9 (NLT)

God ALWAYS keeps His promises.  

The Lord always keeps his promises;he is gracious in all he does.

Psalm 145:13 (NLT)

“O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands.

Daniel 9:4 (NLT)

God's Word ALWAYS produces fruit.

"It is the same with my word.  I send it out, and it always produces fruit.  It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." 

Isaiah 55:13 (NLT)

Another great "always" resource is from Beth Moore's study Believing God.  (An INCREDIBLE study if you haven't already done it).  In it, she references over and over again the Five Statement Pledge of Faith:  

• God is who He says He is.
• God can do what He says He can do.
• I am who God says I am.  
• I can do all things through Christ.
• God's Word is living and active in me. 

As I went through her study, I meditated on this pledge over and over again.  Now, it has become a key lifeline for me when I'm wavering, doubting, or need to some solid truth to cling to.  It's also a great thing to pray out loud and use it to strengthen your faith and dependence on God.  

Lord, thank you that You are who You say You are.  
Thank you that You can do what You say You will do.
Thank you that I am who You say I am.
Thank you that I can do all things through You.
And how I praise you that Your Word is living and active in me.
In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!   

Never Say Never?

So I've already admitted to my love for the Spice Girls, but today I'll share another little secret: I have been known, upon occasion, to enjoy a good Justin Bieber song.  How can you not?  He's got some catchy tunes.  It's impossible to listen to this one without bouncing along.  Simply impossible.   

But there is one song, that my teeny bopper friend and I disagree.  The Biebs says, "Never Say Never," but I say, "Sorry, Justin, you're incorrect, there are some things I will never ever do..."

Eat at Golden Corral, enjoy water chestnuts, pay my own taxes,  pay full price for towels, shower curtains, or sponges (hello TJ Maxx!), and allow the nutritional facts to drive a wedge between me and my Bloomin' Onion from Outback. 

Similarly, but SO much, much more profound and life giving, God has made us some "never" promises that are worth holding on to tightly and embracing--particularly when faced with uphill battles, crippled by fear, surrounded by uncertainty, or simply trying to make sense of life.

God will NEVER fail us.

"So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)

 

God will NEVER leave us.

"I will not leave you."

Joshua 1:5 (NKJV) 

 

God will NEVER stop loving us.

"The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
      His mercies never cease.
 Great is his faithfulness;
      his mercies begin afresh each morning."

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)

 

 

Expired

Yesterday, I went online to pay our health insurance and I read the following: "Your grace period has expired, please call customer service to update your account."

Your grace period has expired. 

Those words had a bitter, sour taste in my mouth.  What do you mean expired?  I understand how in a situation like this, the grace can't go on forever, we need to be responsible with our actions, but oh, how grateful I am that when it comes to Jesus, our grace period never, ever expires!  Not ever.

"And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace."

John 1:16 (ESV)

"Hope in the Lord;
      for with the Lord there is unfailing love.
      His redemption overflows."

Psalm 130:7 (NLT)

PS:  I learned this morning that "your grace period has expired" does not mean your health insurance has expired...thank goodness!  

Over Par

Photo from The Associated Press

Yesterday, I actually watched golf on television.  I used to think golf was the most boring thing in the world, who could ever spend an afternoon watching it?  Yet, somewhere in the midst of the lush scenery and the rainbow of pastel polos from the crowd, I was hooked.  A close golf match is actually pretty entertaining.  Every shot counts.

I will say, however, for someone like me who tends to get easily anxious, I had pits in my stomach watching these players go for their putts.  What if they mess up?  The day was filled with make it or break it shots.  Some of them made it, some of them didn't.

I never realized how nerve-wracking the PGA is.  I mean, you have crowds, cameras, and a leaders' board to constantly remind you of where you rank.  There's no teamwork, no timeouts, it's just you, your clubs, the ball, and the fairway (is that what it's called?) trying to get as far below par as you can.

As the scoreboard listed each person's score with how far below or over par they were, I paused for a minute to think how incredibly grateful I am that when it comes to God, there is no scoreboard.  He's not following us around with a little pencil writing down how many strokes it takes us to go through life.  He's not One to judge when we're over par and feel like an utter failure.

And even when we do miss the shot, He doesn't dwell on our missteps and failures.  When it comes to God, our mistakes do not define us, nor does He use them to judge and condemn us.   How powerful and reassuring are the verses below.  Today, may we rest in the incredible promise that we are powerfully loved and embraced by our Jesus. 

"THEREFORE, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Romans 8:1 (Amplified)

"Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture...I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us."

Romans 8: 35, 39 (MSG) 

Linking Up

Happy Friday, Friends!  I'm pumped for this weekend because in just a few short hours, I'm headed to Richmond for a girls' weekend with my mom and sisters to celebrate our little bride, Cally.  We decided before another one joins the ranks of the lame, boring, married girls, we need to have a little fun.

After my post yesterday, my favorite cousin/aunt Barbara sent me two great verses.  I don't know about you, but I just love the Amplified version of the Bible...

"I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency.] 

Philippians 4:13

 "But You, O LORD, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high."  
Psalm 3:3 (NLT)

My blog reading has been minimal this week, but I really loved this post by Farrell @ Loving Radically on Trusting God's Goodness. 

Also, Charlottesville friends and UVA grads might enjoy Libby's blog Three Notched.  It's a beautiful blog about fun things to do around Charlottesville.  If you were to think of a blog as a home, Libby has done a great job making it an inviting, fun, and refreshing space.  When I see Three Notched pop up in my reader, I get excited.  Check it out!  

 

What are your favorite blogs lately?

Hiding Place

You are a hiding place for me...

I (the Lord) will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.  

Psalm 32:7-8 (Amplified)

I know I posted this verse a few weeks ago, but I just can't seem to get enough of it as I try to exhale all that consumes me and inhale the faithful promises of God.  Anyone else have a verse that's been a lifeline to them lately?

Believe It

Today we get to hear from my fabulous sister Cally!  

Recently, I've been thinking about what and who I allow to define me.  It is so easy for us to use labels given by other people to define who we are.  We are defined as sister, daughter, mother, fiance/girlfriend/wife/single, a member of a club, by our job, by our education, and by about a million other things.  We allow ourselves to be defined as not smart enough, not thin enough, not organized enough, not put together enough, just not enough (or maybe that's just me...).  We even let our circumstances define us—situations, burdens, expectation, and falling short.  How sad is that?  We cannot allow ourselves to be defined by titles, roles, feelings, or situations.   We need to be REFINED by my circumstances, and DEFINED only by Christ's truth.  Below are two great verses that have helped to shift my focus:

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  

Psalm 139:14

Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;
   honor him, for he is your lord. 

Psalm 45:11

How much more will we think of ourselves if instead of dwelling on being a broken failures we realize that we are beautiful, perfectly made children of God?!?  I know it sounds so cheesy, but it really is amazing to realize God's truth, hear it, learn it, and BELIEVE it. 

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Fighting The Giant

There is so much I love about David.  He's such a great person to read about in the Bible because he is one who did a lot of things right, but he also made a lot of mistakes (hello Bathsheba).  Today, I want to look at a classic story, that many of us have heard since we were young.  David and Goliath. 

We've all know the story...young shepherd boy, comes across the angry, mean giant Goliath.  If I were a betting man back then, I'd say the odds were in Goliath's favor about 1000:1.  But David wasn't afraid, because God had prepared him, equipped him, and was with him.  On a practical level, there are some great truths found within 1 Samuel 17 to the help us face our own Goliaths:  

God strengthened David through his past experiences to prepare him for the present.  When David comes to tell Saul he's ready and willing to fight, Saul thinks he's way too young.  But David says, as a shepherd he's killed both a lion and a bear.  (Maybe it's just me, but I always think shepherd boys get a bad wrap, as being small, simple, and young; who knew they killed lions and bears?)      

David stayed true to who he was.  When he approached Saul about wanting to fight Goliath, Saul tried to load him up with all of his fancy armor, but David pretty much said, thanks but no thanks, saying, "I cannot go in these...I'm not used to them."  (1 Samuel 17:39)

David used what was in his hand.  He didn't need a fancy sword, or expensive armor, David relied on what God had given him in the past: a slingshot and a few smooth stones.  I've referenced this before, but at a recent women's conference the speaker said, "Never despise the nothing in your hand.  It's amazing what God can do with nothing."  David made it work.        

David measured the size of his obstacle against the size of his God.  This is taken straight from Beth Moore's David: 90 Days With A Heart Like His.  In it, she says,

"We tend to measure our obstacles against the size of our own strength.  We often feel overwhelmed and defeated before the battle begins.  I am not suggesting that if we measure our obstacles against God our battles will be effortless.  David still had to face his giant obstacle and use the strength he possessed, but his confidence in God caused a simple pebble to hit like a boulder...We're often intimidated in battle because we are uncertain of our faith.  But we must remember we don't stand in victory because of our faith.  We stand in victory because of our God.  Faith in faith is pointless, but faith in a living, active God moves mountains."  

It's so easy to look at the obstacles we face in life and feel completely helpless, but don't forget who is on your side.  One who is living, active, and victorious.  One who says to us, "I will fight for you"  (Exodus 14:14).

The Heart

 

"The Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."

1 Samuel 16:7 (Amplified)

Make-up artists of the world, I'll let you in on a little secret: if you ever have the privilege of having me sit in your chair, I am a sucker.  If you can sell it, I will buy it.  Anything that makes my blemishes disappear, my skin glow, and my eyes pop, I'm in.   

It's amazing how many different products there are out there guaranteed to giving you flawless, younger looking skin.  Or perfumes that promise to "make him yours forever."  But here's the thing, no matter how much money we spend or how much time we spend obsessing over trying to perfect our  look, there will always be someone younger, thinner, more beautiful, and more put together.  As women, we can't help but compare ourselves to every other woman to see how we measure up.  It's a battle we can spend the rest of out lives trying to fight, but in my opinion, it's one we're never going to ever feel like we win.   

Yesterday in church we read 1 Samuel 16 when Samuel visits Jesse to try to find who the Lord has chosen to be the next king.  When he sees Jesse's older son, a tall, dark, and handsome, strapping young lad, Samuel says, "Surely the Lord's anointing is on you!"  (Try that for your next pick-up line!)

But the Lord quickly tells Samuel he's not the one, and cautions "The Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."

Outwardly, Jesse's oldest son Eliab had all the outer makings of what we may think of as "kingly," but God wasn't as concerned with the outward appearance, He can work with any canvas.   What matters to Him is the heart and the heart of his next king was in David, the youngest, most unlikely of candidates.  The shepherd boy who, in his father's eyes, wasn't even worth being considered.  

Each time I read this story, I'm so grateful that though I may spend my life trying to perfect my look, the One who matters most, isn't concerned.  In His eyes, I'm already beautiful. 

This story also sparks me to think through my daily routines.  Each time, I'm made aware of how much much more emotional energy I exhaust thinking and working on how others see me, rather than concentrating on the thing God is most concerned with: my heart.   

There is nothing wrong with taking care of yourself, but we just can't lose sight of taking care of our heart in the process.  When it comes to a heart makeover, of which I feel I am in desperate need of this morning, the greatest verse and prayer can be found at the end of Psalm 139:

Search me, God, and know my heart;

   test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
   and lead me in the way everlasting. 

Reader Poll and Some Links

On this cold and icky Friday, here at the beach, we're going to do a little something new on Long to Love.  A reader poll!  That's right, it's time to let your voice be heard!  This poll is completely irrelevant, but it's a question that's been plaguing me for the past few months.  When it comes to Christmas cards, when is it time to cut them loose?  I've stayed strong into April, but is it time to say goodbye until December?  Sound off below!   

And now here are some links:

• Hope's New Story @ Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet 

• Braden Marshall Luck is here!  Check out some pics @ The Lucks

• Great post on keeping your house clean—Order From Chaos @ The Inspired Room