Do Something Beautiful

              

"I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God." ~1 Timothy 2:9-10 (NIV)

What does the word "Beautiful"
mean? wonderful; fantastic: extraordinary; incredible: used ironically.
Now I'm not trying to talk bad about anyone, but I want to talk about Kylie Jenner for a minute. I think she is a beautiful young woman who can't find peace. I'm not judging her, but by her actions (the fruit she bears) she's struggling in her identity in Christ. 

From the research that I have done, she did nothing to start the trend on twitter #KylieJennerChallenge. Now for those of you who don't know what this is, Teens around the world are sucking on a glass to make their lips more full, like Kylie Jenner's are. Sucking on this glass does NOT work. This hurts you instead! Please do NOT try this! If you are wondering about it, just look up "The Kylie Jenner Challenge" on Google and you'll see pictures.
So why did I bring up Kylie Jenner when this post is titled "Do Something Beautiful?" It's simple. Let me repeat myself, Kylie Jenner is a beautiful young women. She is a young woman who many girls look up to. Now let's look at Sadie Robertson.
NO, I do NOT want to compare the two young women. They are different young women form different walks of lie and going in different directions. So, I am NOT going to compare the two. What I want to say about Sadie Robertson is that she is a beautiful young woman too. Judging by her actions (the fruit she bears) she's secure in her identity in Christ and is working hard to be a good role model.

Kylie Jenner at the 2015 Grammy Awards

Sadie Robertson at the 2015 premiere of the Duck Commander Family Musical

Now to tell you what all of this has to do with the Bible verses at the top. These verses talk about what true, Biblical, beauty looks like. It's ultamitly about looking to Jesus as your role model and trying to be like Him. It's okay to look up to people like Sadie Robertson and Kylie Jenner, but don't try to be just like them. That's not true Biblical beauty. Trying to be lik Jesus is true Biblical beauty. It's not about standing in front of a mirror for hours making sure you look perfect for the world. It's about getting your hands dirty, sweating with no makeup on just to help finish building that project the church (or community) has been working on to help that person that needs it. It's about serving and being a light for God. It's about people seeing God through you and not seeing you because you spent all that time in front of the mirror.
So go out and do something beautiful. You just might start something that changes the world.

God is Everywhere

            

I write this while I am at the 2015 Rod Runs in Pigeon Forge, TN on a Daddy-Daughter day. So, as the week was coming to a close I started worrying about what I was going to write about today. So I prayed to God and He answered in amazing ways Friday evening. He showed me that He is everywhere!

Moma and I went out to eat and our waiter was a very nice guy. He had a pen like one Moma use to have. Moma just mentioned that she had lost her's, just making conversation with him, and before we left he came back and gave her his pen! That was one of the sweetest things I've seen in a long time and a great Random Act of Kindness!

God wasn't done there though. We went to Best Buy to look at a new computer and the man helping us was very nice and truly helpful. We spent about two hours in there asking him question after question before we decided on a computer. As we were checking out he shared with us the fact that he is a walking miracle. When he was 19 he got in the car with a drunk driver and got into a bad wreck. He wasn't suppose to be able to walk or use his arms ever again, but one week later his dad brought his guitar in the hospital room and he started playing it like nothing ever happened to him! He showed us the scar on his throat and talked about how God is amazing.

Moma and I came home overly blessed and with the reminder that God is everywhere. Even in a restaurant and an electronic store. WOW!

Those Crazy Weeks

             

Okay, it seems like I always miss a post during this month. I think it's because the school year is coming to an end and I have so much to do for teachers I just don't have time. But every once in a while a crazy week, or two, comes into your life.

I've had two of these crazy weeks. Starting Sunday, after my post Psalm 86 Prayer of Protection I went to Tennessee with my best friend for just some fun. Monday through Thursday were normal days for me. On Friday I went with Court and some of our friends and we watched the new Fast & Furious movie. I thought I was going to cry at the end, but they made a beautiful tribute to Paul Walker in the end! Saturday I helped my dad put together a full length mirror and went and stayed the night with Court. Easter Sunday Court and I sang in church and we were enjoying a great Sunday lunch when we got a call and had to go to the hospital. One of her family members was in critical care. This family member is doing better now but still in the hospital.

Monday I had one paper due and another assigned. Tuesday I took my dad out for his birthday and we saw Fast & Furious 7. Wednesday and Thursday I worked on my paper and just had a normal day. Last night, Friday, my mom and I went and saw the movie Do You Believe? This movie was amazing! I suggest that everyone go and see it if they can, it'll change your life! Finally, today I learned to weed-eat and change the water filter. I'm sore from this, but I feel accomplished. I love that right in the middle of our everyday lives God will give us those crazy weeks as mini adventures we'll never forget!

Bring Back Our Girls!

"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all the people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them." ~1 Timothy 2:1 (NLT)
Let me tell you a story. Today I took the advice of someone and wrote down every Bible verse from my Bible apps. You know, the ones that send you random verses everyday. I was going to look back on them tonight and write about what God did in my life today in my journal.
Well, I went to math class and then went to my volunteer job. While at my job, I got an email for the daily Air1 Radio Bible verse. The verse is the one quoted in bold. I didn't think anything to special was going to come out of this verse, but I wrote it down anyways. I came home and my mom told me the latest family drama. I thought of other verses I had wrote down this morning but not 1 Timothy 2:1. Next I got on Facebook and I saw that TobyMac had shared the picture that says "Nigeria, Let's lift them up." I shared this picture thinking that maybe a natural disaster had hit or something.
Scrolling on down through my newsfeed I came to a picture from the End It Movement page. It talked about girls being taken and had the hashtag "Bring Back Our Girls." Naturally I was curious so I did a little research. I found out that on April 14th, 234 young girls were kidnapped by terrorist from a Nigerian school and that they are being held hostage! I wanted to help! So, I shared the info on my Facebook. But I didn't feel like that was enough!
While I was thinking of what else I could do, I realized something. I'm a writer and a blogger! I truly believe God has given me a gift of writing, and it may be for this purpose right here. We use social media everyday! So the perfect way to get people's attention about this issue is to share it on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, anything! But bloggers can take it a step farther. We can WRITE about it and get it out  there to the people who read our blogs!
So that is what I am doing. I'm also going to bring the issue to my church tonight and ask everyone to pray. I have made a week long prayer schedule that can be repeated every week. I am a believer in prayer and all the Prayer Warriors need to get in our fighting positions (on our knees) and pray. I believe that alone can bring these girls home!
So, I know this is my second post in a week and I haven't even done my Saturday post yet. But this is close to my heart and we need to help anyway we can.
Info on the Nigerian kidnapping and how social media IS helping

Let My Life Be The Proof, The Proof Of Your Love

 

"Something altogether great and amazing must be waiting on the other side of this mountain... otherwise, the journey wouldn't be so hard." (From Redemption) by Karen Kingsbury

 Today I wanted my blog post to be about the book and movie Heaven Is for Real, but God had other plans. As I sat outside with blue stained fingers listening to worship music is when I was finally quite enough to listen to Him.

Today started out as a huge mountain that I had to climb. I had a family problem right when I woke up. Thankfully it wasn't as serious as everyone thought and everyone is okay! Next it was buying a new lawnmower and getting things to make a high school graduation gift (hence the blue stained fingers.) While getting things that were needed my mom and I ran into an old friend.

Now at this moment is where climbing this mountain got extremely difficult. I had so many emotions running through me that I went numb. The one thought that continuously running through my head was "show the light of Jesus. He is here with me." So after talking for awhile Moma and I left and when I got in the car the emotions finally started hitting me like bullets. Needless to say I cried and I was angry. When we got home I threw myself into working on the graduation gift.

So, as I was waiting for the paint to dry I sat outside and listened to worship music. I had it on shuffle and as I started crying again "Press On" by Mandisa came on followed by "Listen to the Sound" by Building 429. I closed my eyes and just worshiped. As I was doing this the sun broke through the clouds to shine on my face and a small and gentle wind picked up. It felt like God Himself was beside me gently wiping away my tears.

I happened to look down and laying at my feet was the picture above. Two sticks in the shape of a heart! I knew this was God telling me "My Child I know you are hurting, but I AM right here holding you and I have this planned out." Then, as if that wasn't strong enough, "My Desire" by Jeremy Camp came on and my tears turned to happy ones!

As I sat down to write about God comforting me tonight; I noticed my Karen Kingsbury quote book and today's quote fit perfectly! Just another way God was telling me He is here with me! I turned on Spotify and "Proof of Your Love" by For King & Country was playing and then "Busted Heart" by them came on and I know God has this planned and soon the pain will heal for something so much better!!

Proverbs 31 women of the Bible-Part 3

Okay, so Easter is just right around the corner! I'm so thankful that God loved us so much that Jesus came and died for us! Then, if that wasn't enough, He rose three days later and visited people instead of just going back to Heaven, Another blogger said something that really stuck with me, if we didn't have the resurrection we wouldn't have had our salvation. We needed both the cross and the raising from the grave to save our life! WOW!

 

Okay, so I decided to continue my Proverbs 31 women of the Bible series for this week. So here is part three.

There were no mention of Proverbs 31 women in the book Deuteronomy.

Rahab: Her story can be found in Joshua chapter 2. She hid the spies, tricked her people, risked her life for them, knew the Lord was the true God by the things that had been going on. She had to have been well educated about the Israelites and their journey. She did all that she could to protect her family and then did what the spies told her to right away instead of waiting until they came back! Rahab is a great example of not giving into peer pressure. She was the mother of Boaz and was in the family line of Jesus! Talk about a complete turn around of a life! I think she fits verses 17, 18, 20, 27, and 30 of the Proverbs 31 woman.

Aksah: Her story can be found in Joshua chapter 15. She was smart about what her land and family needed to survive. She talked to her husband and they came to an agreement. Then she went to her father and respectfully asked him for a favor. I think she fits verses 16, 18, and 27 of the Proverbs 31 woman.

Deborah: Her story can be found in Judges chapter 4. She was a homemaker and had no aristocratic lineage. She was the only woman in Scripture elevated to high political power by the common consent of her peers. She was described as "a mother in Israel" before she became a Judge! She was also a Prophetess and she listened to God, had a servant's heart, delegated tasks, offered praise to God, she lead with authority from God, motivated the people, and was a respected leader. Wow! Talk about a full plate of responsibility! I think she fits verses 10, 11, 12, 20, 25, 26, 30, and 31 of the Proverbs 31 woman.

Jephthah's Daughter: Her story can be found in Judges 11. A young girl who didn't grieve over the tragedy of her upcoming death, but accepted it. I think Jephthah would've broken his promise to God if she had not told him that he had to do what he promised. So she showed wisdom and strength. She was obedient to her father and committed to God! I think she fits verse 30 of the Proverbs 31 woman.

I'm so thankful the Bible is filled with examples of Godly women to help others to be that way in their daily walk!

Proverbs 31 women in the Bible-part 2

Okay, so this week I am going back to the Proverbs 31 women of the Bible! So lets get started.

Shipharh and Puah: Hebrew midwives that disobeyed Pharaoh in Exodus chapter one. They followed God instead and would not kill the baby boys.  These women could have been killed for disobeying, but God blessed them. I believe they fit verses 15 (just the part about being up at night), 17, 18 (trusting God), part of 25, and 31 of Proverbs chapter 31.

Moses' Mother: Her name was Jochebed and she was from the tribe of Levi. She was a fearless and focused woman of faith. When she put Moses in the Nile River, she actually OBEYED the Pharaoh! "Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: 'Every Hebrew boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live.'" What she did, that Pharaoh did not demand, was give her baby boy protection by placing him in a basket and his sister watching over him! God blessed her by one of her sons (Moses) being the deliverer of the nation, another son (Aaron) being the High Priest, her daughter (Miriam) being a leader of Hebrew women, finally, Her tribe was hand picked by God to lead the rituals of worship! Wow! I believe this woman fulfilled verses 11, 18, and 27 of Proverbs chapter 31.

There are no women mentioned in Leviticus. So now on to the book of Numbers.

Zelophehad's Daughters: these are five women who trusted the Lord, took a bold stand, and changed the course of history in land ownership. God was pleased with their request to Moses (to inherit land in their father's name). These events took place in Numbers chapter 27. Then in Numbers chapter 36 these girls obey God again by marrying who God told them to marry! Their names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirzah. I believe they fulfilled verses 16, 18, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, and 31 of Proverbs chapter 31.

To Thaw A Frozen Heart

So I just watched Frozen for the first time on Friday night! Needless to say, I loved it! While I was watching the movie I saw some lessons in it that I really wanted to talk about. So on Saturday night, I watched it again and wrote down my thoughts on the Biblical lessons that the movie could teach someone.

The first thing that caught my attention was Anna's love for Elsa. Anna never gave up on Elsa, she was always knocking on Elsa's door and letting Elsa know she was there for her. I thought of this verse during that part: "'Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.'" (ESV) Also, everything Anna goes through to find Elsa, I thought of all that Jesus went through for us. Finally, the part that really stuck out to me was when Anna was singing to Elsa trying to clam her down and Elsa was consumed with her worry. Jesus stands there during the hard times in our lives and waits for us to take His hand for help.
Second, Anna's personality reminded me of a person who has a relationship with Christ and tries to get to know Him more and more everyday. Elsa's personality reminded me of a person who tries to do everything on their own and doesn't necessarily trust God.
The third thing was, even though Elsa was trying to protect Anna, how Elsa kept shutting Anna out. The thing to remember is don't shut the people out that God places in your life. They are there to help you and are a part of God's great plan for your life.
Now lets talk boys and relationships! Hans represents the guy who is only interested in you because he can get something. Hans wanted the palace and really didn't care about Anna. Also on that note, don't go looking for love. Love normally finds you when you aren't looking for it. Anna and Kristoff are examples of that. Kristoff respected her, cared about her, was truly concerned about her health, and wanted to protect her. The trolls also made a good point that everyone is a "bit of a fixer uper." Also, the first guy isn't always the right guy.
Finally, don't judge someone by their looks. Elsa had a good heart and was trying to protect everyone, but when people found out they thought she was a monster. Knowing that people would judge her made her shut people out and if people hadn't judged what good could Elsa have already done? It's the same way in life. Don't judge a book by it's cover and as the body of Christ we all have gifts that are going to help everyone.
So there are Biblical life lessons from Frozen.