Hey everyone!
I wanted to take this time to let you know that today I have decided that it is the end of my postings on this blog. It has been good for me to start this journey with you here, but it is time for me to move on and put my full efforts toward www.thequietplaceblog.org. I encourage you to follow me and the other faithful women who so generously share their hearts over at the quiet place. It is a ministry that I started with my best friend Britney a little over a year ago and I am very excited to share with you that God is taking us places with The Quiet Place. As for now, I will continue to leave this blog up for you to peruse.
Thank you for being such great readers!
All my love,
Hillary.
Showing posts with label Real Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Real Life. Show all posts
In Retrospect
Today I spent a little bit of time browsing through some of the posts that I've written in the past. Looking back, I can't believe the amazing things that God has done. How he moved my heart and changed it. How he used my struggles and my strengths to touch your hearts. Its unfathomable to me how a God so great would call me His own. Unfathomable that he would love on me, and use the very last threads of his patience to wait for me to be receptive to him. Yet, as unfathomable as it seems to me, God does. He has an everlasting love, a love that embraces hearts, and a kindness that calls our hearts to him. Tonight don't forget that you have a God who LOVES you, who went to the depths for you, who while you were yet a sinner, died for you! Because he loves you. Because he WANTED to give you the opportunity to share in His love, and in every blessing he ever created. YES! We have a God like that.
It's Our Birthday Linkup: After One Year...
Stop On By
Make sure you stop by www.thequietplaceblog.org today to check out my post on forgiveness. God has been teaching me a lot lately.
November
There is something special about November, the way the fall trees turn bear and wake up clothed in white snow. That first morning when the seem to be dying foliage is dressed in splendorous white covering everything as far as your eye can see. That is a special joyous moment for me. This year that moment is even more special because of where I am this morning. Here in Michigan with my best friend. I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to come up here and spend time with her face to face. That is a rare opportunity these days and I am cherishing every moment of it. These are the times made of memories. The times that will always be remembered as special.
I am at a great time in my life. Once things change, they will change for good, and I don't want to ever forget what it was like to be at this stage in life. It's a precious time that adults always refer back to, "when I was young...". I want to have something good to say, and I know now that I do.
When I was young I didn't take my friendships for granted.
When I was young I took hold of the unique opportunities, and I never regretted it.
What special time are you in right now? I encourage you to make the most of it.
Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
pay attention and gain understanding.
I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching.
For I too was a son to my father,
still tender, and cherished by my mother.
Then he taught me, and he said to me,
“Take hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands, and you will live.
Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or turn away from them.
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.
She will give you a garland to grace your head
and present you with a glorious crown.”
Listen, my son, accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.
I instruct you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.
When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.
Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.
Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
or walk in the way of evildoers.
Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and go on your way.
For they cannot rest until they do evil;
they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
They eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.
The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what makes them stumble.
My son, pay attention to what I say;
turn your ear to my words.
Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
for they are life to those who find them
and health to one’s whole body.
Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
Keep your mouth free of perversity;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.
Do not turn to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.
Blessed By Beatrice
Today my roommate and I had the honor of having lunch with Beatrice. Beatrice is a wonderful four-foot eight-inch 94 year old church lady. Last Sunday she invited my roommates and I to Sunday dinner after church. Today we had the pleasure of following her to her home for lunch. It was quite comical to follow her in my car as she sped almost recklessly through the curvy small town streets. I almost lost her trail as I was restrained by the stop sign. Thankfully we were able to catch up to her and thankfully we didn't have much farther to go.
When we arrived we stepped into her little kitchen and began helping her prepare for lunch. As we got up to walk outside and see the yard, I caught the dining room table in the corner of my eye. I was surprised and delighted to see the table set fully with china and crystal glasses. I felt honored that she would invite me to be apart of her special dinner. I was completely unaware of the glorious lunch we were about to have together.
When we came back inside we helped Beatrice set the table. She pulled a glazed ham roast out of the oven and a few other dinner salads from the kitchen and dish by dish we placed them on the decorated table linen.
As we sat down at the table Beatrice proceeded to say grace, thanking God for our meal and praying over us in the sweetest most loving way. Her words and presence blessed my heart.
Lunch was delicious and was the most unexpected occasion I never imagined. I had no idea that we would end up spending four hours getting to know one another over fine china and apple pie.
Today I am thankful for new friends and for wise women like Beatrice.
All Things Autumn
As reluctant as I am about the end of summer, I really do LOVE fall. Once I get past a few mourning days where I miss warm summer nights and clear starry skys, I embrace Autumn full on. This weekend has definitely been spent embracing the season. My roommates and I started the weekend out by having a pinterest and movie night. We had a lot of fun searching for fall crafts that we could make to decorate our humble graduate housing. Saturday morning was spent reading homework while sipping hot drinks in the coffee shop and watching the rain leave droplets on the floor-lengthed windows. We filled the afternoon by shopping for crafting materials at Michael's and grabbing a late lunch at Applebee's. When we finally returned home, we began dressing the house with our fall creations. The colors of Orange and Red quickly made our humble house feel much more like home. This morning we had a nice time at Church and it is definitely a good day for a bowl of chili and Sunday football. I am so grateful for this opportunity to rest and I will be sad for it to end at my 6:20am Monday morning wake-up call.
All Dried Up
Have you ever felt all dried up? Like you've given what you can give but there is just nothing left that you can really do.
Sometimes I feel like that with my spiritual life. While there may be something that I can do about what God is convicting in me, I don't do it, and sometimes I don't even want to do it. It saddens my heart to admit it, but I know it's really true.
That's when I need to consult God and just say hey, I'm feeling all dried up, help me because I need it.
Grace. There is enough to cover me.
Nevertheless, I believe the lie that there isn't. I believe the lie that if I'm not good enough God will condemn me.
That's when I need to remember scripture.
Romans 8:1-3
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh,
It really hits home for me when I read "For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering".
Christ covers all.
Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Though we have been redeemed we are not without purpose. We have a job to do. Here Christ tells the disciples to be alert and aware of temptation praying to God for assistance to resist it.
We still live in a broken and sinful world, therefore we must watch and pray to avoid temptation. When we stop watching and praying that is when we fall into sin.
2 Peter 1:3-4
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
This passage in second Peter is a good reminder that though we live in a broken world God has given us everything we need to succeed in living a life pleasing to Him.
An excerpt from Matthew Henry's Commentary explains verses 3 & 4 in more depth...
Those who receive the promises of the gospel partake of the divine nature. They are renewed in the spirit of their mind, after the image of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness; their hearts are set for God and his service; they have a divine temper and disposition of soul; though the law is the ministration of death, and the letter killeth, yet the gospel is the ministration of life, and the Spirit quickeneth those who are naturally dead in trespasses and sins. [4.] Those in whom the Spirit works the divine nature are freed from the bondage of corruption. Those who are, by the Spirit of grace,renewed in the spirit of their mind, are translated into the liberty of the children of God; for it is the world in which corruption reigns. Those who are not of the Father, but of the world, are under the power of sin; the world lies in wickedness, 1 John 5:19. And the dominion that sin has in the men of the world is through lust; their desires are to it, and therefore it rules over them. The dominion that sin has over us is according to the delight we have in it.
The last sentence here is easy to overlook, but it is what stood out to me most. It says, "The dominion that sin has over us is according to the delight we have in it". Hearing myself read those words both encourages and saddens me. I am saddened by this because it means that I am holding a dominion of sin over myself and therefore keeping myself from what God has for me. On the other hand, I am encouraged because it means that the only sin which has power over Christians is the sin that I myself take pleasure in. This means that through the Holy Spirit, I have the power I need to get rid of any sin that is held over me.
The only question that remains then is how. How do we get rid of the dominion of sin we are willingly holding over ourselves. Well I guess that the easy answer is to let go of it. The more helpful answer is perhaps to watch and pray. In order to get rid of it we need to ask God for help. We also need to be mindful or in other words pay attention to what thoughts lead us into sin. Then, instead of entertaining those thoughts, we need to capture them and toss them out. We can be set free by the power of the Holy Spirit if we watch and pray.
Sometimes I feel like that with my spiritual life. While there may be something that I can do about what God is convicting in me, I don't do it, and sometimes I don't even want to do it. It saddens my heart to admit it, but I know it's really true.
That's when I need to consult God and just say hey, I'm feeling all dried up, help me because I need it.
Grace. There is enough to cover me.
Nevertheless, I believe the lie that there isn't. I believe the lie that if I'm not good enough God will condemn me.
That's when I need to remember scripture.
Romans 8:1-3
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh,
It really hits home for me when I read "For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering".
Christ covers all.
Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Though we have been redeemed we are not without purpose. We have a job to do. Here Christ tells the disciples to be alert and aware of temptation praying to God for assistance to resist it.
We still live in a broken and sinful world, therefore we must watch and pray to avoid temptation. When we stop watching and praying that is when we fall into sin.
2 Peter 1:3-4
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
This passage in second Peter is a good reminder that though we live in a broken world God has given us everything we need to succeed in living a life pleasing to Him.
An excerpt from Matthew Henry's Commentary explains verses 3 & 4 in more depth...
Those who receive the promises of the gospel partake of the divine nature. They are renewed in the spirit of their mind, after the image of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness; their hearts are set for God and his service; they have a divine temper and disposition of soul; though the law is the ministration of death, and the letter killeth, yet the gospel is the ministration of life, and the Spirit quickeneth those who are naturally dead in trespasses and sins. [4.] Those in whom the Spirit works the divine nature are freed from the bondage of corruption. Those who are, by the Spirit of grace,renewed in the spirit of their mind, are translated into the liberty of the children of God; for it is the world in which corruption reigns. Those who are not of the Father, but of the world, are under the power of sin; the world lies in wickedness, 1 John 5:19. And the dominion that sin has in the men of the world is through lust; their desires are to it, and therefore it rules over them. The dominion that sin has over us is according to the delight we have in it.
The last sentence here is easy to overlook, but it is what stood out to me most. It says, "The dominion that sin has over us is according to the delight we have in it". Hearing myself read those words both encourages and saddens me. I am saddened by this because it means that I am holding a dominion of sin over myself and therefore keeping myself from what God has for me. On the other hand, I am encouraged because it means that the only sin which has power over Christians is the sin that I myself take pleasure in. This means that through the Holy Spirit, I have the power I need to get rid of any sin that is held over me.
The only question that remains then is how. How do we get rid of the dominion of sin we are willingly holding over ourselves. Well I guess that the easy answer is to let go of it. The more helpful answer is perhaps to watch and pray. In order to get rid of it we need to ask God for help. We also need to be mindful or in other words pay attention to what thoughts lead us into sin. Then, instead of entertaining those thoughts, we need to capture them and toss them out. We can be set free by the power of the Holy Spirit if we watch and pray.
Like That Tree
Tonight I came across this verse and it encouraged me so I wanted to share it here with all of you.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
But blessed is the one who trusts in Me alone;
the Eternal will be his confidence.
He is like a tree planted by water,
sending out its roots beside the stream.
It does not fear the heat or even drought.
Its leaves stay green and its fruit is dependable, no matter what it faces.
My prayer is to be like that tree. No matter what I face may I not fear any circumstance because I trust in God.
Lord,
Mold my heart that I may be more like you.
Beach Day
I am proud to announce that I have FINALLY made it to the beach! This checks off the toughest goal on my summer bucket list. Yes it's sad that I thought I wouldn't reach this goal, but I am so very glad that I did.
Today my roommates and I ventured out on our mission to soak up some sun. We finally arrived at the beach after a couple wrong turns and an accidental drive down the wrong side of the highway. Oops. But it really wasn't as dramatic as it sounds because there weren't very many cars in this area and it wasn't too hard to turn back around thankfully. Today we enjoyed some quality time together laying on our beach towels catching up on some reading and of course watching the sights and sounds of the people around us. As I took in the scenery and the activity of those on the beach I observed a few funny things. I watched a young boy chase two girls around with algae that he grabbed out of the lake. I watched as a three year old boy with a cute little camouflaged hat filled his hat up with sand and then proceeded to put it back on his head which of course worked well with the sand in it. I also made a little friend today with an almost toddler boy who kept wandering over to my beach towel to say hello. I can't lie, he was super cute and I loved it.
After the beach we decided to make a stop at Walmart to pick up some hamburgers for dinner. Then, when we got home the three of us proceeded to discover the mysteries of grilling. lol Thankfully it worked out well and we really enjoyed our time cooking and eating together.
Then what better to wrap up a night than some quality time playing wii sports and watching an intense netflix series.
Beach Day = Success :)
Thank you Lord for the blessings that you have shared with us today. May I not take them for granted.
Today my roommates and I ventured out on our mission to soak up some sun. We finally arrived at the beach after a couple wrong turns and an accidental drive down the wrong side of the highway. Oops. But it really wasn't as dramatic as it sounds because there weren't very many cars in this area and it wasn't too hard to turn back around thankfully. Today we enjoyed some quality time together laying on our beach towels catching up on some reading and of course watching the sights and sounds of the people around us. As I took in the scenery and the activity of those on the beach I observed a few funny things. I watched a young boy chase two girls around with algae that he grabbed out of the lake. I watched as a three year old boy with a cute little camouflaged hat filled his hat up with sand and then proceeded to put it back on his head which of course worked well with the sand in it. I also made a little friend today with an almost toddler boy who kept wandering over to my beach towel to say hello. I can't lie, he was super cute and I loved it.
Today was a good day.
After the beach we decided to make a stop at Walmart to pick up some hamburgers for dinner. Then, when we got home the three of us proceeded to discover the mysteries of grilling. lol Thankfully it worked out well and we really enjoyed our time cooking and eating together.
Then what better to wrap up a night than some quality time playing wii sports and watching an intense netflix series.
Beach Day = Success :)
Thank you Lord for the blessings that you have shared with us today. May I not take them for granted.
I Am Grateful Linkup
Linkup with us! - http://www.agirlsmitten.com/
A Grateful heart. Tonight I am definitely feeling grateful.
I am grateful for a God who sees me.
I am grateful for a mother who loves and cares about me, who wants the best for me.
I am grateful for an amazing father who has always seen the best in me, who has believed that I can do anything I work hard towards.
I am grateful for a sister who is also my friend, who encourages me, and has demonstrated what a woman of God looks like.
I am grateful for a brother with a thoughtful heart, who is generous, and who cares about others.
I am grateful for an extended family who is kind and caring.
I am grateful for friends who encourage and support me, and are always willing to pray for me.
 |
| Picture Credit Katrina |
I am grateful for the opportunity of education and to someday work in a profession that is in the business of helping people.
Thank you Lord for all the blessings in my life
Though I don't always show it, I am grateful.
A Virtual Book Tour
Bloggers Note: Today we have a guest post! I would like to introduce you to Livy Jarmusch, an accomplished 19 year old who has made it her mission to inspire young Christian women. You can check out her new e-book When Life Feels Like a Taylor Swift Song: A Girl's Guide To Boys, available as a free download HERE.
Boys, Beauty and Disney Princesses
“Sometimes I think God sprayed me with a huge bottle of boy repellent, just for the fun of it.” Ally's quirky comment reminded me of her single status.
My reply was just as single, yet not quite so humorous. “God must think really highly of my future husband, because He hasn't let any boy come near me with a ten-foot pole!” I sighed wistfully,
“I hope he appreciates it.”
Conversations like this happen every few weeks when I ask Alyssa if she has any secret admirers hiding love notes in her cubby at work, or hunky guys on the block writing her love songs.
Her response is always the same, then it's her turn to ask me about my lack of love life. We joke about becoming old, senile cat ladies who will wear polyester pants and date imaginary boyfriends who don't exist.
Choosing not to date was exciting at first. It was rebellious and gutsy. Proudly sporting our Barlow Girl T-shirts in middle school was almost the cool thing to do. In high school, we joined forces in support of our No Dating Campaign.
But now, as many of our friends are inviting us to watch them slow dance with Prince Charming at their weddings, we can't help but glance at one another, and wonder if there's something wrong with us.
Hidden Treasure
Do you ever feel invisible to the guys in your life? Maybe you feel like you're the only girl without a prom date. Sometimes I feel like a weary Rapunzel, locked up in an intimidating tower of stone, which keeps my Flynn Rider far, far away.
Sneaky lies pounce on every opportunity of doubt to whisper things like, “You're unattractive. You're a major dork. All your friends have someone special to hold hands with on the Fourth of July. You dream of fireworks, sparks and romance, but you've never even been asked on a date before! You don't get special attention from guys, because you're not worthy of it.”
Do these words sound familiar? Lies attempt to disguise themselves in sneaky shades of truth. If we're not careful, we can easily slip into a place of discouragement. Magazines, music, Hollywood, and movie screens tell me that without a guy on my arm, I'm painfully pathetic. What good am I if I don't have what it takes to capture his heart? Isn't that what it's all about...beauty?
Sweet sister, don't believe these shadowy words to be true. If we strike a match on the stone of Jesus, and light the candle of God's Word, these darkened lies will suddenly be illuminated with a dazzling truth.
In Job Chapter 28, Job talks about a deep, dark place. He speaks of hidden treasure buried underground. A mine of glorious, priceless jewels are hidden, but the sparkling diamonds resting there are not for the eyes of man. Only God sees “the place where gold is refined.” (vs 1).
Verse 10 says,
“He tunnels through the rock; His eyes see all its treasures, He searches sources of the rivers, and brings hidden things to light.” (vs 10)
My favorite verse in this passage is verse 6,
“Sapphires come from its rocks, and its dust contains nuggets of gold.”
One might look at these verses and say, “What kind of injustice is this? Why are those lovely pieces of gold, silver, and sapphires forced to live in the dirt where no one can see them? They should be honored and adored, noticed and cherished! Why would God hide them away like that?”
These treasures would only be found by those who would seek them out. God didn't make these treasures obvious and place them on a display table. He knew that lazy men would never dive into the depths of the earth. He knew that only those men who truly desired and valued the treasure would seek it. The men who would humble themselves and be willing to get a little dirty...those are the guys who are forever rewarded with the prize.
The same is true with you. You are beautiful. You're a dazzling diamond. The Bible says that you were woven together in the depths of the earth. Because you are so valuable and lovely, the Lord has hidden you in the shade of His right hand. You're under his covering, and you may feel as though you're locked in a tower. You are tucked away, but not to rot. You've been hidden so that your beautification process can continue, without being tainted by the fingerprints of man. You shine like stars in the universe. You have an expensive price tag on your soul, that could only be matched by Someone so priceless as the King of Kings, the Majesty of Heaven, God's only son, Jesus. Be encouraged sister. God does have a man for you! He won't be a selfish, shallow jerk who only takes what is free and easy. If you stay hidden in God's presence, this man will set out on the greatest adventure of his life, as he humbles himself and travels through the deepest places of life...just to find you, his eternal treasure.
Cinderella was hidden for a purpose. A parade of guys didn't pound on her door. Gentlemen callers didn't fill up the parlor. We all know that Cinderella wasn't ugly, socially awkward, or unattractive in any way...she was glorious! She was a Princess, hidden until the perfect time for love to awaken.
Do you remember that magical scene when Cinderella entered the ball room for the first time? Every jaw dropped and Prince Charming stared at this mysterious girl. Who was she? Where had she come from? Charming was suddenly hit with an astonishing realization... he didn't know anything about this girl, but he wanted to know everything. She was like nothing he had ever seen.
Some say Charming fell head over heels because of her sparkly blue dress or luxurious blonde hair, but I believe Charming saw something beyond sparkles and glitter....
Do you ever feel invisible to the guys in your life? Maybe you feel like you're the only girl without a prom date. Sometimes I feel like a weary Rapunzel, locked up in an intimidating tower of stone, which keeps my Flynn Rider far, far away.
Sneaky lies pounce on every opportunity of doubt to whisper things like, “You're unattractive. You're a major dork. All your friends have someone special to hold hands with on the Fourth of July. You dream of fireworks, sparks and romance, but you've never even been asked on a date before! You don't get special attention from guys, because you're not worthy of it.”
Sweet sister, don't believe these shadowy words to be true. If we strike a match on the stone of Jesus, and light the candle of God's Word, these darkened lies will suddenly be illuminated with a dazzling truth.
In Job Chapter 28, Job talks about a deep, dark place. He speaks of hidden treasure buried underground. A mine of glorious, priceless jewels are hidden, but the sparkling diamonds resting there are not for the eyes of man. Only God sees “the place where gold is refined.” (vs 1).
Verse 10 says,
“He tunnels through the rock; His eyes see all its treasures, He searches sources of the rivers, and brings hidden things to light.” (vs 10)
My favorite verse in this passage is verse 6,
“Sapphires come from its rocks, and its dust contains nuggets of gold.”
One might look at these verses and say, “What kind of injustice is this? Why are those lovely pieces of gold, silver, and sapphires forced to live in the dirt where no one can see them? They should be honored and adored, noticed and cherished! Why would God hide them away like that?”
These treasures would only be found by those who would seek them out. God didn't make these treasures obvious and place them on a display table. He knew that lazy men would never dive into the depths of the earth. He knew that only those men who truly desired and valued the treasure would seek it. The men who would humble themselves and be willing to get a little dirty...those are the guys who are forever rewarded with the prize.
The same is true with you. You are beautiful. You're a dazzling diamond. The Bible says that you were woven together in the depths of the earth. Because you are so valuable and lovely, the Lord has hidden you in the shade of His right hand. You're under his covering, and you may feel as though you're locked in a tower. You are tucked away, but not to rot. You've been hidden so that your beautification process can continue, without being tainted by the fingerprints of man. You shine like stars in the universe. You have an expensive price tag on your soul, that could only be matched by Someone so priceless as the King of Kings, the Majesty of Heaven, God's only son, Jesus. Be encouraged sister. God does have a man for you! He won't be a selfish, shallow jerk who only takes what is free and easy. If you stay hidden in God's presence, this man will set out on the greatest adventure of his life, as he humbles himself and travels through the deepest places of life...just to find you, his eternal treasure.
Do you remember that magical scene when Cinderella entered the ball room for the first time? Every jaw dropped and Prince Charming stared at this mysterious girl. Who was she? Where had she come from? Charming was suddenly hit with an astonishing realization... he didn't know anything about this girl, but he wanted to know everything. She was like nothing he had ever seen.
Some say Charming fell head over heels because of her sparkly blue dress or luxurious blonde hair, but I believe Charming saw something beyond sparkles and glitter....
He saw the defining element, the one thing that set her apart from every other pretty face in the room.
He saw a beautiful heart. Patience and kindness were glowing from her eyes.
She didn't flaunt and strut into the room...instead she gracefully walked in thankfulness. Her humble heart posture enabled her to be exalted to the high place of Princess. Charming knew that this was his future Queen.
In order to walk in the heavenly splendor of a Princess like Cinderella, we must first allow ourselves to be humbled and changed in the hidden, secret place. Dirt is the place where diamonds are discovered.
She didn't flaunt and strut into the room...instead she gracefully walked in thankfulness. Her humble heart posture enabled her to be exalted to the high place of Princess. Charming knew that this was his future Queen.
In order to walk in the heavenly splendor of a Princess like Cinderella, we must first allow ourselves to be humbled and changed in the hidden, secret place. Dirt is the place where diamonds are discovered.
Let God use your season of hidden singleness to create something breathtakingly beautiful.
Livy's Website: http://www.
Livy Jarmusch is a nineteen-year-old author, singer, songwriter, and creator of an online magazine for girls, Crown of Beauty Magazine. She loves golden retriever puppies, ice-cream cones, and changing the world. Check out her new e-book When Life Feels Like a Taylor Swift Song: A Girl's Guide To Boys, available as a free download for girls of all ages! :)
http://www.Livy's Website: http://www.
Liebster Award!
I have
awesome news friends! I have been nominated for a Liebster Award!!! :D Thank
you Ellie for the nomination! For those of you who don't know, Ellie is a
blogger at Choosing
Peace. She is also our facebook page helper for The Quiet Place and I
have appreciated her assistance SO much. She is wonderful.
The Rules of the Liebster Award
1. Link
back to the person who nominated you.
2. List 11
facts about yourself.
3. Answer
the 11 questions posted by the person who nominated you.
4.
Nominate up to 11 other blogs with 200 followers or less.
5. Ask 11
new questions for the nominees to respond to.
11 Facts
I LOVE Country MusicI am an MSW student
I want to be a school social worker
I love my friends
Italy is one of my favorite places
I can flare my nostrils
I laugh at my own jokes (even when no one else thinks they are funny)
I live in a small town and LOVE it!
I sing all the time
I have a Godson who is the cutest :)
People are my passion
11 Answers
1. How
long have you been blogging?
I have
been blogging since Sunday, January 31, 2010
2. What
inspired you to begin blogging?
Jesus
inspired me to begin blogging :)
3. What TV
show from your childhood would you love to see come back on the air?
Boy Meets
World, Hands Down, THE best show of my childhood.
4. Name 3
things you can’t live without.
Jesus,
Oxygen, People
5. What
was the last vacation you went on?
My last
vacation was many years ago. It was a family trip to Florida to visit my
Grandparents.
6. What’s
your favorite beauty product?
I don't
really have one.
7. What
are your top 3 favorite websites?
Pinterest
:)
Bloglovin'
Facebook
8. What’s
your favorite holiday and why?
Christmas
because that is when my whole family is able to be together.
9. What’s
something cool you did last weekend?
Went to an
excellent Italian restaurant on the river.
10. Would
you rather be stuck on a broken elevator or a broken ski-lift?
Ski-lift,
Much more to look at. Plus you can always jump right? lol
11. What’s
one thing you would tell your younger self?
Get out of
the house and try new things, even if you fail or dislike them.
Nominations
Brooke
from Living
as a Single Gal
Katrina
from More Than
Just An Art Teacher & Musings of a Chocolate
Lover
Kiki from In
It's Time
11 New Questions
1. WERE
YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
2. DO YOU
UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
3. IF YOU
WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE AND WHY?
4. WHAT
BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
5. DO
YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
6. HOW
LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BLOGGING?
7. WHAT
INSPIRED YOU TO BEGIN BLOGGING?
8. IF YOU
COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD YOU GO?
9. WHAT IS
YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER?
10. WHAT
IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF
11. WHAT
ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT?
Burning the Midnight Light
Tonight the Lord has spoken into my heart and here is what He shared with me...
Psalm 119:130
New International Version (NIV)
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple.
it gives understanding to the simple.
Matthew Henry's Commentary
Verse 130
Here is, 1. The great use for which the word of God was intended, to give light, that is, to give understanding, to give us to understand that which will be of use to us in our travels through this world; and it is the outward and ordinary means by which the Spirit of God enlightens the understanding of all that are sanctified. God’s testimonies are not only wonderful for the greatness of them, but useful, as a light in a dark place. 2. Its efficacy for this purpose. It admirably answers the end; for, (1.) Even the entrance of God’s word gives light. If we begin at the beginning, and take it before us, we shall find that the very first verses of the Bible give us surprising and yet satisfying discoveries of the origin of the universe, about which, without that, the world is utterly in the dark. As soon as the word of God enters into us, and has a place in us, it enlightens us; we find we begin to see when we begin to study the word of God. The very first principles of the oracles of God, the plainest truths, the milk appointed for the babes, bring a great light into the soul, much more will the soul be illuminated by the sublime mysteries that are found there. “The exposition or explication of thy word gives light;” then it is most profitable when ministers do their part in giving the sense, Neh. 8:8. Some understand it of the New Testament, which is the opening or unfolding of the Old, which would give light concerning life and immortality. (2.) It would give understanding even to the simple, to the weakest capacities; for it shows us a way to heaven so plain that the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
Matthew 6:32-34
New International Version (NIV)
32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:18-20
New International Version (NIV)
20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
Romans 8:27-29
New International Version (NIV)
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Read This Too :) - Make You Feel His Love - Sweetness Itself
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)