Slow Down This Season

Today has been the coldest day since the beginning of fall, at least to me. But I've loved it. It reminds me of my Ida-home! And it's just nostalgic in general. This - the holiday season - is my favorite time of the year, and it's a shame it seems to go by so fast each time it comes around.

I got out of class early today, and there was about 20 minutes to spare until the next one started. I started making my way towards the other building. Unbeknownst to me at the time, however, was the fact that I was the only one heading to class so early. When I walked outside, I was immediately hit with the cold air and the fresh smell of fall. I looked around at the gorgeous colors against the gray sky as I approached the door to the next building, when I suddenly noticed how quiet it was. I then realized that no one was in sight - not outside, and not in the buildings on either side of me or in the cars parked close by.

It was silent.

All I could hear was the light wind and dry leaves scratching the ground and each other. I thought about heading inside, but then I decided against it. It was too beautiful...it was too peaceful...it was all God.

He is so romantic, like that. He knows just what sounds and smells enamor and woo me. Autumn and winter scapes, the ocean, summer storms...my heart just melts, and He and I both know I am His and no one else's. No one else can speak this love language to me but Him, because it's one only He can speak.

I took a few pictures (which I'm glad I took because the colors are just amazing), but I wish I would have really taken in the nearly five minutes that I was completely by myself; just my Lover and me. I should have walked the path once or twice more, prayed, and sat silent in His presence.

I had just came from a preaching lab class, where we students get some practice in the pulpit. A fellow student had just spoken on how God is not disappointed in us. Before he began preaching, I already knew that God was not disappointed in me. But by the end of the sermon, I knew it and believed it. It was impactful. It was profound. It was beautiful. And it was God speaking to me.

Those few moments were for me, from Him. They were just what I needed, and I didn't even realize it until writing this. I may go back there today, to take in what I acknowledged but brisked right through earlier. I know He'll show up again. He's already there. He's already here.

I encourage you to not rush through this holiday season. Don't try to keep up with anyone, any trend, or any societal expectation. There are no Joneses to keep up with. There is only God. Love Him, know that He loves you, and love people.

Breathe...

Relax...

Be inspired...

He is here, and He loves you.

I can't tell where my shoes begin and the leaves end!

"Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path."
Psalm 119:105

I actually took this one the other day,
but I wanted to include it here.
It's just so beautiful!

I love those little God-created moments in between the busyness of everyday life, where God just reminds you how much He loves you...What are some of your favorite moments or circumstances, that you know God created just for you? 

Burning!

My heart's on fire, and I can't handle it anymore!

Gone are the days when I played it safe as a Christian.

Gone are the days when I would water down the TRUTH of God's Word and the gospel of Jesus Christ, because I didn't want to offend people, or because I wanted to build rapport with someone, or even because I wanted to preserve a relationship.

Gone are the days when I would compromise my deepest convictions because I thought it would make me a more relational, more relevant, or a more acceptable witness for the Truth.

And gone are the days when I shied away from presenting and proclaiming the TRUTH out of fear of persecution, of rejection, or because I cared what other people - even other Christians - thought of me.

What a lie. What an excuse. What a waste of time, and what a disservice to my King and to His lost, wandering and lonely sheep.

He's entrusted me with this message. He lives in me, and He wants me to live on-purpose...for His purpose! I've been so very, very selfish with this treasure.

But that's over now.

I can't. My spirit...and His Spirit...won't let me. If I try to hold this thing back, I'll only end up violating my own heart and searing my own conscience.

This life is not about me, and I'm tired of living it as though it were, even in the little things.

My life is not my own. I've been bought with a price. Purchased. I don't own me anymore. I don't get to do and say and think however I want to anymore. I belong to Him. My life isn't mine, and it's not for me. And so, I lay it down.

Christians like the first part of Revelation 12:11, that says, "And they overcame him (satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony," which is awesome and true. But no one seems to quote the rest of the sentence, which says, "and they did not love their lives to the death."

I count it all loss...I give my life to Him.

I'm dead. Dead to myself, but oh so ALIVE in Christ. It is no longer I who live, BUT CHRIST WHO LIVES IN ME.

If we're born again believers, we all have the same mandate: to go into all the world and preach the gospel; to be the light of the world, and the salt of the earth.

Oh, that I would just be a good and faithful servant to my King....

New Week, New Season!

Man, oh man, has it been a crazy past two weeks!

Mainly, it' just been because I've been finishing up my abnormal psych class, which I had gotten a bit behind in with trying to figure out what on earth my schedule was going to look like. But all of that's done and over with, and I managed to get a B in the class, so...praise the Lord!

Yesterday began a new term at Bible school, and later this week I start a new course in my bachelors program, so I had been waiting for this week to begin since...well, the beginning of last week, I suppose. I felt like a new week,with entirely new classes, was just what I needed to feel like I could start fresh in not only school, but in other areas of my life as well, particularly my time management and priorities. I was getting ready to plan for this week, however, when all of a sudden...BAM! The Holy Spirit hit me like a freight train...or a consuming fire. Whichever you think makes me sound more spiritual, I guess.

Anyway, this past weekend was the men's conference at church, and neither Brent nor I attended (Brent for work-related reasons, me as a result of having the incorrect genetic makeup for such an event). However, one of the guest speakers (Todd White...check out some of his preaching and street ministry on YouTube. The dude is LEGIT.) was a guest speaker in one of our classes...and then at young adults' service...and then at church Sunday night.

Long story short: revival happened. I know people can say nonchalantly that something "changed their life" and they'll "never be the same," but I can guarantee you...this was different. If you were there, you know what I'm talking about.

My husband and I were spiritually wired all weekend long, and we didn't even have words for what had just happened to us. Probably because there are no words on earth that can describe it...because it was from heaven. It was all Jesus.

Man...I love Jesus.

The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart in many areas over this weekend, but the main focus was loving people and how it's not about us, which seems so expected, but again...this was different.

This changed my life. And I can't really even explain. Not because I don't want to, but simply because I just don't have the words to do it with. I just pray that over the course of my life and on this blog for as long as it may exist, what was imparted to me shines through. Because it's not about me...it's about HIM.

So, this was just a little snippet leading up to my main focus of this post, which was that I feel as if I've entered into a new season of my life since Friday, and already I've seen the evidence of that in such simple things like cleaning and getting my homework done. Later this week, I'm going to officially "start" this blog; that is, I'm going to post on a regular basis. But for now, I'll leave you with a little taste of what I've been talking about...watch at your risk, and be blessed!