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!