Showing posts with label inspired by. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspired by. Show all posts

Thursday, February 28, 2013

How long does it take you to hear from God?

Sometimes I think we say we are "waiting to hear from God" as an excuse as we dig our feet in the ground... or maybe as we just don't do anything.

I was taught there are 5 sources of wisdom: experience, wise counselors, facts, the Word (the Bible) & prayer (talking to God)

Here is one wise counselor you should take notes from...


I {heart} Bailey Marks.

Lord, please let me have faith like Bailey.

P.S. fun fact: our sweet Bailey Ebsen is named after Bailey Marks + Ney Bailey.  I'll explain why sometime, but you can probably figure out why yourself.  They are both my heroes. 

(Ney is author of Faith is Not a Feeling -- if you haven't read it, you MUST today. I implore you.)

Sunday, January 27, 2013

"I would wear it everyday"

"If I gave you a sweater, and you loved it, I would know because you would wear it so much you'd be on the verge of wearing it out, because you loved it that much.  It would be the sweater you wear on Christmas and to get coffee and that you sleep in sometimes and that you drag around in the back of your car and tie around your waist.  It would start to smell like you, and it would get snags and get all stretched out, and just looking at it would make you tell a thousand stories of where it's been and who you've been in it.  

That's what I want my life to be, like a well-loved gift.  I think life, just life, just breathing in and out, is a great gift.  God gives us something amazing when he gives us life, and I want to live with gratitude.  I want to live in a way that shows how much I appreciate the gift.  If life were a sweater, I would wear it every day.  I wouldn't save it or keep it for a special occasion.  I would find every opportunity to wear that sweater, and I'd wear it proudly, shamelessly, for days on end.

...and I want my everyday to make God belly laugh, glad that he gave life to someone who loves the gift, who will use it up and wring it out and drag it around like a favorite sweater." 


I LOVE LOVE this book! If you haven't read it, it needs to be the next book you pick up! Seriously.  It literally played a big part in how I view my daily life.  And what I quoted above says it beautifully.

I want to celebrate today.  I want today to be the best day of my life.  Not yesterday.  Not that day 5 years ago.  Not waiting for tomorrow. Or the next.  But today.  

Today is the only day that I know I have.  Yesterday is gone.  Today is here, and I want to live it to it's fullest.  To enjoy every blessing.  To see this day the way God sees it. 

I have concluded that if today is going to be the best day of my life, I want to wear my favorite outfit. To wear it "proudly, shamelessly, for days on end." (Shauna Niequist)

So that leads me to my "sweater" -- right now for me, its my sweatshirt.

In my confusion of what my wardrobe actually is & what style I actually am... this is my favorite because it is the perfect combo of who I am.


Here's the how to:

 1. Buy a larger sweatshirt
(mine is an XL from Walmart -- fits boxy-- length is good in the arms + really wide, but not long- comes just bellow my belt-- which is what I wanted)

 2. Find + cut lace.
I had an old vintage tablecloth that I had found at a thrift store.

Here's what to do if you are cutting your own lace:
-find the 2 sections you want to use
-cut out your selection with fabric scissors -- mine are 10 in. length (5 in front, 5 in back) + 6 in. width
*I cut the inner edge by my neck straight, all other edges I cut around the pattern.
-run fabric glue around the edges with a q-tip (or your finger) to seal the edges from fraying

*If I were to do it again, I would find a thicker lace that is maybe even cut in the shape that I want -- I thought about using cloth doilies.

3.  Place the lace on the sweatshirt, pin it in place.  Then take a section at a time & glue it down with the fabric glue.  Make sure you do the edges well + places inside the middle of the pattern so that it stays flush on your sweatshirt (you don't want the center to be flopping around).  Press down as you go along. Let it dry & you are done!


*The fabric glue turned my lace a little yellowish, which is why I suggested to find a thicker lace -- I'm assuming it did that because it was old & thin.  So hopefully if you use a thick and/or newer one you will be fine! But I don't mind the yellowing anyways, it just makes it look even more vintage.

*PS I literally have worn it the past 3 days in a row since I made it.  


  

Monday, October 10, 2011

simplify.

So, as I mentioned the other day... { Everything must have a "home"!  If it doesn't fit, nicely, it needs to go }  Therefore, I have been on a "simplify the house cleaning extravaganza" Between my desire for our house to be clean & tidy AND my new found cleaning system, I feel like a new woman! And my house is looking awesome!  

Here are a few things I've done...

               Fridge: AFTER (don't have a before, sadly)            Laundry room: AFTER*    
 
*Our iron & ironing board used to be where the brooms are hanging -- but I moved them upstairs & hung them in our bedroom (in an out of the way place that you can't see from our bed!) I figured this way we will actually iron when we pull a shirt out vs needing to go downstairs to do it!
                                 Pantry: BEFORE                                          Pantry: AFTER
   Pantry: BEFORE                                          Pantry: AFTER
My weekly "3 times a week" extra chore list is actually getting crossed off! YEAH!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

How to talk to little girls.

{ my niece }

I just read this post & it is so lovely (based off this article).  After spending last few weeks with 3 little girls + some time with my niece + an evening at a wedding with 2 of Scott's little cousins, I was completely inspired!

The article is about how we tend to let the first words out of our mouths (if not our whole conversation) to little girls be addressing how beautiful they are-- their hair, eyes, smile, clothes, etc... And then we wonder why girls grow up obsessing over their looks & find it more valuable than anything else?! I know this is NOT what I want to communicate to these precious girls! 

I can't wait till the next time I get to see all of these lovely little ladies & have a real conversation with them about something other than their looks... even though they are beautiful!  I hope I can help each of them realize where their beauty really comes from!

"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised"

"Do not let your adorning be external -- the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear -- but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." 1 Peter 3:3-4

* If you know a little girl, or think you may ever talk to one... READ THIS! *

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

hair it is.

So I'm not one for doing my hair in creative ways.  It basically comes down to 3 looks with the ever occasional 4th... down & straight, in a side braid, in a side pony tail OR... down & curly (very rare cause it ends up all frizzy by the end of the day!)  But, despite my few looks, I've been inspired by my friend Lisa who is challenging herself with new hairstyles for 30 days!  I'm not ready to tackle that! (You go girl!) But I did a version of one of her looks today.

...We'll see how long this lasts rough-housing with Wes all day :)

Hair... I mean here it is...
  

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

the kind of woman I want to be.

I found this and thought it was so wonderful & just had to share it with you!  (I summarized it at the end)


{ The Proverbs 31 Woman }
10An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
rare, precious
11The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
trustworthy
12She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
kind
Her Character
as a Wife
13She looks for wool and flax
And works with her hands in delight.
works joyfully
14She is like merchant ships;
She brings her food from afar.
goes extra mile to get choicest goods
15She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And portions to her maidens.
disciplined
16She considers a field and buys it;
From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
enterprising, prudent with money
17She girds herself with strength
And makes her arms strong.
energetic
18She senses that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out at night.
good steward
19She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands grasp the spindle.
diligent
Her Devotion
as a Homemaker
20She extends her hand to the poor,
And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
compassionate, generous
Her Generosity
as a Neighbor
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
provident
22She makes coverings for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
elegant
23Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
influential
24She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
industrious
Her Devotion
as a Homemaker
25Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future.
poised
26She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
wise
Her Influence
as a Teacher
27She looks well to the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
manages her home
28Her children rise up and bless her;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
praiseworthy
29"Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all."
distinguished
Her Effectiveness
as a Mother
30Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
God-fearing
31Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates.
honored
Her Excellence
as a Person
~ Proverbs 31:10-31{ found it here }




{ Her character as a wife }
rare, precious, trustworthy, kind

{ Her devotion as a homemaker }
works joyfully, goes the extra mile to get choicest goods, disciplined, enterprising, prudent (wise) with money, energetic, good steward, diligent, provident (wise), elegant, influential, industrious

{ Her generosity as a neighbor }
compassionate, generous

{ Her influence as a teacher }
poised (balanced- easy composure of manner), wise

{ Her effectiveness as a mother }
manages her home, praiseworthy, distinguished (excellence)

{ Her excellence as a person }
God-fearing, honored


{ photo from my date night this evening with Jesus }

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Love, Jesus


I feel like Jesus is so sweet to speak to what my heart longs to hear... through chocolate :)

strength.

So I've been thinking a lot about strength lately.  I think because I feel so physically weak!  Carrying my big little boy up & down stairs & lugging our stroller & chairs & all we need to get through the day... I'm tired.


When I think of the opposite of strength, I obviously think of being weak.  And when I am weak, I am fearful.  I'm fearful... that I won't fit in, not having close friends, not being beautiful, not making a difference, missing out, not being pursued (by my hubs & by women friendships), that I'll be rushed through life, and well, just not being perfect!


What I desire... I desire to fit in, have close friends, be beautiful, make a difference, never miss out, be pursued, to slow down AND... to be perfect :) I know, I said it. But that's what I want. Perfection.


Why do I desire perfection?  Because God planted perfection in our hearts! Desire is a good thing! And to desire perfection is good.  But, only Jesus can fulfill that desire!  Only He is perfect.  (I need to remind myself of that every day!) 


So what do I do with all these desires that I have that lead me to being fearful?  


"The “desires” of the heart must be desires that are satisfied in more of God in more and more ways. If that were not the case, we would not truly be delighting in God as an end in itself but only using God to get what we enjoy more than what may be found in him alone." -John Piper via Sam Storms (emphasis mine)


OK, so I'm supposed to delight in God.  Check. Or... no check... do I really want to do it? Do I actually delight in Him more than these other things??


Delight is a command.
Delight (or  joy) is a feeling.


Few.  So I can obey & choose to delight.  But, it's also a feeling!!


I know how to delight in things.  Like I delight myself in chocolate by eating it. I delight myself in my husband by spending time with him. I delight myself in Westin by playing with him & making him laugh.  But how do we delight ourselves in God?  Sam Storms suggests 4 ways:



1. Intellectual fascination- Know Him!  I have this "thing" where honestly, I just don't really care that much about people I don't know.  But what's so sweet of the Lord is that within seconds of meeting someone... sometimes as quickly as hearing their name from their lips, my heart is filled with care & love for them. I desire to know them.  And to do that, I talk with them, spend time with them, get to know their personality & character- what makes them, them.  I think that's how it is with God.  To know Him, I need to engage my mind, & become intellectually fascinated with Him!

2. Aesthetic adoration- we are drawn to beauty & repelled by ugliness.  "God is ultimate Beauty.  To delight in Him is to behold His beauty in all its vast array." Look to Him for beauty.  Thank Him for His beautiful creation.  

3. Emotional exhilaration- our affections are also designed to find their focus & fulfillment in God- with the Spirit's help we must learn to cultivate & re-direct all affections so that they are rooted  in Him & riveted on Him- all of our zeal, love, devotion, delight, fear, passion, gratitude, hope, etc. I need an emotional makeover!!!

4. Volitional dedication- the engagement of our wills & the choices we make.  Obey His commandments & choose to avoid all He has prohibited. Obedience nourishes delight & joy.

So you might be thinking, "where is this really going? You're all over the place!"  Well, I might be, but I have a point.  

See, the root of my fears, the things I think I most desire.... they all tie into these 4 ways that we can delight ourselves in God!  The only One worthy of our desire!

Intellectual fascination- root: I desire to be known & to know others
Aesthetic adoration- root: I desire to be beautiful & to be surrounded by beautiful people
Emotional exhilaration- root: I desire to be loved & fulfilled
Volitional dedication- root: I desire my own way, to choose my own path

These fears that I have are because of my desires, desires that should be rooted & fulfilled in Christ.  

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control" 2 Timothy 1:7

Thank you, Jesus!  It is through Him, through His Spirit that I am able to be strong!  Strength comes from the Lord.  My desires can change.  They can change because of His Spirit inside me who gives me the ability to choose Him over all these other desires.  

Let me make this really clear...

I desire to... 
...fit in & have close friends ... The Lord is my strength to choose Him- to be so satisfied in Him that I am free to love & be loved by whomever He chooses.
...be beautiful ... The Lord is my strength to be so captivated by His beauty that I see myself as His beautiful creation that I am.
...make a difference ... The Lord is my strength to choose to live for Him & follow His ways so that my legacy lasts for eternity through the souls of man.
...never miss out ... The Lord is my strength to choose to follow the Spirit's leading in my heart so that I never miss out on what He wants me to do.
...be pursued ... The Lord is my strength to see Him as my ultimate pursuer & be satisfied in His passionate love for me.
...to slow down ... The Lord is my strength to stop & enjoy Him, His creation & His gifts.
...be perfect ... The Lord is my strength to look to Him & be satisfied in His perfection.

The Lord is who I desire.  The One I find my joy in.  The Lord is my strength.  I am strong because He has made me strong.

"The joy of the Lord is my strength" 
Nehemiah 8:10

Thursday, June 2, 2011

summer look.

So here's what I'm thinking... 
+
+

 +
 +
+


= perfect beach summer look 


*I'm obviously not going to get those exact shorts!!!! Just something LIKE them.  

Friday, February 25, 2011

fate or free will?

"Your life is made up of defining moments - random encounters, split-second decisions and unique
 connections that have led you to where you are today.  Are these events in your life
 predetermined by fate, or are they the result of you own free will?"  (found here)

This is the question asked by the upcoming film: The Adjustment Bureau (coming March 4)

You can submit your story & the world gets to vote if they believe it is fate or free will. Hmm...

Matt Damon & Emily Blunt (actors from the film) believe that it is both -- there are things in their life that they decided the fate of, and other things that they had no control over, but something or someone else did.

Who is in control?  That is the question.

In Christianity, we ask this same question - do I have a say?  Or is God the one that determines my every move?

What do you think?





1 “At this my heart pounds 
   and leaps from its place. 

2 Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice, 
 to the rumbling that comes from his mouth. 

3 He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven 
and sends it to the ends of the earth. 

4 After that comes the sound of his roar; 
he thunders with his majestic voice. 
When his voice resounds, 
   he holds nothing back. 

5 God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; 
he does great things beyond our understanding. 

6 He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ 
 and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ 

7 So that everyone he has made may know his work, 
he stops all people from their labor.

8 The animals take cover; 
 they remain in their dens. 

9 The tempest comes out from its chamber, 
the cold from the driving winds. 

10 The breath of God produces ice, 
and the broad waters become frozen. 

11 He loads the clouds with moisture; 
 he scatters his lightning through them. 

12 At his direction they swirl around 
 over the face of the whole earth 
   to do whatever he commands them. 

13 He brings the clouds to punish people, 
or to water his earth and show his love.
 14 “Listen to this, Job; 
   stop and consider God’s wonders. 

15 Do you know how God controls the clouds 
 and makes his lightning flash? 

16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised, 
 those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge? 

17 You who swelter in your clothes 
 when the land lies hushed under the south wind, 

18 can you join him in spreading out the skies, 
  hard as a mirror of cast bronze?
19 “Tell us what we should say to him; 
   we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness. 

20 Should he be told that I want to speak? 
Would anyone ask to be swallowed up? 

21 Now no one can look at the sun, 
 bright as it is in the skies 
   after the wind has swept them clean. 

22 Out of the north he comes in golden splendor; 
 God comes in awesome majesty. 

23 The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; 
in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress. 

24 Therefore, people revere him, 
for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?”
Job 37 }