[change & trust]

spaghetti squash.

Bloody Marys.

change.

If you haven't guessed it yet.. these are all things I do not like. Rather than talk to you about spaghetti squash or Bloody Marys (as tantalizing as these subject matters may be..), we're goin with number 3. In all seriousness, this 'change' situation has been a real thriller for me these past few months.

New city, new friends, new job, new house. Where does it end? Honestly, I feel like I've been in culture shock since graduation last year.

It should end in t-r-u-s-t. Or at least that's what my devotional keeps telling me.
"This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.'"
-Isaiah 30:15

I feel like a good chunk of my time has been focused on the last segment of that sentence: '..but you would have none of it.' Instead of trusting the Creator of the world, the ultimate Truth, I have found myself attempting to go against this change.. testing the waters out for myself rather than giving into God's plan for my life through this molding. Only after testing the waters out for myself do I realize that I can't do it alone. I need his guidance. I need to trust in his faithfulness even when it's hard.

Then I am reminded of a somewhat similar situation:

1Now the LORD said to Abram,
  “Go forth from your country,
  And from your relatives
  And from your father’s house,
  To the land which I will show you;
2And I will make you a great nation,
  And I will bless you,
  And make your name great;
  And so you shall be a blessing;
3And I will bless those who bless you,
  And the one who curses you I will curse.
  And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

-Genesis 12:1-3

No, I didn't leave my country.. I merely moved 2 hours north. However, the message still applies. God chose Abram to go through changes just as God uses change in our lives - He had plans to prosper Abram through this time. He didn't promise it would be easy or painless, BUT He does promise that the result will be fruitful.

Only one thing can be better than this. A companion.

"..And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
-Matthew 28:20

Check.
 
Why not choose to view this change for what it really is? A time to lean on the Lord. A time to learn. A transformation with an end result of becoming more like Christ. A time to prosper. A time to trust.

[bloom where you are planted]

Sometimes I get to thinking..

So I have this one shot, one opportunity (..you only wish I was about to bust out Eminem style on you) to live "well." We have an average life expectancy of 80 or something years, and I'm not even promised that. In these 80 years, I desire to live with meaning, with purpose. I hope to live up to the expectations of that awful James Dean quote: "Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today." I want to be remembered for the way that I loved the Lord, that I served Him, that I gave Him glory.

Pause.

Remember how I'm working that 8:00 to 5:00 job Monday through Friday? Remember how I get so wrapped up in my daily routine that I forget about this whole 'one opportunity to live' concept? Remember that February month that seemed to fly by without me even recognizing it for what it could be? Am I glorying the Lord through my corporate lifestyle? Is he satisfied in my daily routine? Am I really making the most of my life?
 
Yes.

From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the set times for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being.
-Acts 17:26-28
 
Isn't it comforting to know that we are for a reason? God predetermined the set times and exact places where we should live in order that we may reach out and find Him, the Creator of the entire universe. That job you are working.. I believe God strategically placed you in it to get to know Him more. That daily routine that has you frazzled.. God's going to use it for His greater purposes.

What I'm trying to say is that it doesn't matter that we may not feel like we are living to the best of our abilities.. if we are 'living as if we will die today.' Whether we can see it or not, God is constantly directing our footsteps.. leading us to his wide open arms.. the ultimate satisfaction. All we're asked to do in return is to abide.

abide: continue without fading or being lost.

Not feelin' it?

God is exalted in his power.

Who is a teacher like him?

Who has prescribed his ways for him,

or said to him, ‘You have done wrong’?

Remember to extol his work,

which men have praised in song.

All mankind has seen it;

men gaze on it from afar.

How great is God—beyond our understanding!

The number of his years is past finding out.

“He draws up the drops of water,

which distill as rain to the streams;

the clouds pour down their moisture

and abundant showers fall on mankind.

Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds,

how he thunders from his pavilion?

See how he scatters his lightning about him,

bathing the depths of the sea.

This is the way he governs the nations

and provides food in abundance.

He fills his hands with lightning

and commands it to strike its mark.

His thunder announces the coming storm;

even the cattle make known its approach.

 -Job 36:22-33

You can trust Him.

[little reminders of l-o-v-e]

Dedicated to everyone who wonders if I am writing about them. I am.

Let's face it.. life is tough. There are times when we question ourselves, question our faith, question our dreams.. lots of questioning. This is for those times. They suck, but I guarantee that they're worth it under one condition: you must join me in choosing to believe and trust that God is using this questioning, this soul searching, these trials to mold you into someone who resembles Jesus Christ, THE king of the universe. Can a girl get an amen?

Following, you will find a culmination of Pinterest quotes, song lyrics, Bible verses, and my own insight. It's comforting to hear truth from multiple sources, dontchya think?

You are exactly where you should be.

Your mercies, they are new every morning. GREAT is your faithfulness.
-Lamentations 3:23

He heard you, when your eyes were closed and your head held low.

All beautiful you are, My Darling. There is no flaw in you.
-Song of Solomon 4:7

He appeared, and the soul felt its worth.

Look for My hand
Look for My hand, and I will lead you across the floor in a dance.
Look for My feet, and I will chase the sun for you.
I wish that I could reach you.
Don't leave your joy behind.
No matter what you find.
I know you're scared.
I know you're scared and you can hardly breathe.
I know you feel alone and empty and empty as can be.
Look for my hand.
-Chloe Leavers

There is no saint without a past, sinner without a future.

Arise my darling, my beautiful one, come with me.
-Song of Solomon 2:10

Buckle up, Buttercup.

You CAN do it.

[in quietness & trust]

Your 'strum' iPhone alarm tone goes off at 6:30 AM to wake you up for work.. (or maybe it's the 'bark' tone, like mine - either way).. after pressing the snooze button once (okay, twice.. three times) you rush to get ready for work.. brush your teeth.. throw on something 'respectably professional' even though you're still 17 at heart.. de-ice your car (what the HECK.. who knew it was supposed to get to 32 last night?!).. high tail it to work while listening to radio talk shows about murders and celebrities.

Okay, so maybe that's a little exaggerated, BUT don't lie - you know that you agreed with at least a few of those. That's just the time from 6:30 - 8, and I'm already stressed. Then there's the whole 8 to 5 thing where you work for a good 8 hours in said cubicle.. OH, and then you have that life thing from 5:30 (after your commute & traffic) until your bedtime. Don't forget dinner, working out, relationships (family, friends, significant others), TV shows, Jesus time, and chores.

SLOW THE FREAK DOWN.

We, in fact, live in a world starved for solitude, silence, and private, and therefore starved for mediation and true friendship.
-C.S. Lewis

Maybe it's the 'American' way of life that is so rapid and hurried, maybe it's our sinful nature.. maybe it's a combination. Is life not a gift? Should we not embrace it with open arms? Should we not savor it, blessing by blessing?

Let's see how Jesus would start the day. No, they did not have iPhones to feed you your best friend's (or that random girl you met one night at that friend's house) every move on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, etc., but that doesn't mean he didn't have the opportunity to get overwhelmed. Large crowds were constantly following Jesus (Luke 14:25, John 6:2) in hopes of either receiving healing or condemning him for being a 'false prophet.' Stressful.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
-Mark 1:35

Love that.

I love that it goes against our culture. Tell me that we don't live in a world deprived of alone time, peace, rest, and joy, for that matter.

Settle down.

Take time to do things that matter.

Ger rid of the rest.

Get some alone time.

Do less.

Pray.

Be grateful.

Go on walks.

Take time to notice the little things.. from the color change in the leaves to the friendliness of your Starbuck's server.

and most (and sometimes hardest) of all..

rest in the truth that He is in control.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
-Psalm 46:10

looooove ya.

[better late than never]

Belated presents.

If you know me.. you know that these are one of my fortes. Better late than never? I think so. SO, if you too are a belated gift giver.. fear no more, for I have the perfect gift idea for you.

Homemade Strawberry Jam

 

Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
• Personally, I'm going with store bought lemon juice. Oops.
• 3 tbs lemon juice = 1 medium sized lemon
• Kerr Mason Jars.. whatever size you so desire
• 1 1/2 pints fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
• If you are an inexperienced 'huller' as I am, the picture below is for you. (You're just cutting out the top middle part of the strawberry.)

 

 

Ingredients

 

Special Instructions Before You Begin:

You're in need of some jams while you make your jam, I can tell. By the way, the pun was intended. I strongly recommend the following video

 

 

Directions

1. Combine the sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a small saucepan and cook over very low heat for 10 minutes, until the sugar is dissolved.
 

 
 
2. Add the strawberries and continue to cook over very low heat for 20 minutes, until the strawberries release some of their juices and the mixture boils slowly.
 



Before

 



After

 
3. Pour carefully into your mason jars and either seal or keep refrigerated. Use immediately, or follow proper canning guidelines below.

 

Sterilizing Directions:

• Jars should be made from glass and free of any chips or cracks. Preserving or canning jars are topped with a glass, plastic or metal lid, which has a rubber seal. Two-piece lids are best for canning, as they vacuum-seal when processed. I got mine from Wal-mart - they're Kerr's.
• Boil the jars and lids in a large saucepan of water for 15 minutes.

Happy cooking!

[homesick]

Do you ever go through funks where you feel inadequate, pointless, and/or insignificant?

No..? Just me? That's awkward.

If your answer is yes, I feel your pain. I'm totally not saying that this world is overflowing with hardships and negativity, BUT on the other hand, you can't deny that it's not always blue skies and butterflies. Why is living in this world so hard to do at times? Why does it feel like I am away from home when I'm sitting right here in my queen sized bed in the heart of Tulsa, Oklahoma?

Oh, that's right - I wasn't made for this world. And neither are you.

Once we realize this, two things come to mind. The first being the fact that it sucks to live in a world I wasn't quite created for - take me home! The second: it doesn't altogether suck because..

 

a.      Jesus promised to be with me through it all (Note: Jesus does not break promises)

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." -Matthew 28:20

No longer are you inadequate. Jesus is with you.

 

b.      He's already been through life here on Earth and overcome it all, so why can't we?

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33

No longer are you insignificant. Jesus resides in you.

 

c.      Life is GOOD. Yes - we go through hardships. Yes - we experience pain. But in the end.. it's worth it. Our time here on earth molds us into a person who is hopefully becoming increasingly more like Christ with each day, and that my friends, is what counts in the end.

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. -2 Corinthians 3:18

 

d. In HIM we live on purpose. Beats haphazardly floating through the day with the only purpose of pleasing oneself.

Therefore, we are the Messiah's representatives, as though God were pleading through us. -2 Corinthians 5:20

No longer are you pointless. You have meaning through Christ.

So.. I'm totally reading right off of my Pinterest; nevertheless, these quotes are straight BALLIN.. not to mention the fact that they fit this post perfectly:

The older I get, the surer I am that I'm not running the show.

-anonymous

Faith is the art of holding on to things despite changing moods and circumstances.

-C.S. Lewis

 

If I find in myself desires in which nothing in this world can satisfy, I can only conclude that I was made for another world.

-C.S. Lewis

[in the spirit of Thanksgiving]

Brighten your day with a couple of headlines on CNN.com as of November 16, 2012..

- "Israel mobilizing troops for 'possible invasion of Gaza' "

- "The Patraeus scandal: What we know"

..or not.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I know what you're thinking: how is one supposed to be throwing their hands up in praise over THIS? Let me take you on a little journey known as perspective..

per·spec·tive  (pr-spktv)

n.

3.

• The relationship of aspects of a subject to each other and to a whole: a perspective of history; a need to view the problem in the proper perspective.
• Subjective evaluation of relative significance; a point of view: the perspective of the displaced homemaker.
• The ability to perceive things in their actual interrelations or comparative importance: tried to keep my perspective throughout the crisis.

And now - in the spirit of Thanksgiving - I am going to list a few things I am thankful for:

1. The traffic I encounter on the way to work that turns out making me late because it means that I am employed.
2. Hurtful yet honest words from a friend because it means that they care about me enough to speak truth into my life.
3. All the complaining I hear about our government because it means we as a nation are blessed with freedom of speech.
4. The inadequacy I find myself getting caught up in as a 'Post Grad' because it forces me to look to the confidence I have in Christ.
5. The long lines we had to wait in to vote earlier this month because it means we live in a country that prides itself on democracy.
6. Natural disasters, such as Hurricane Sandy, because they force us to come together as a country.
7. The After-Thanksgiving-Dinner Food Coma I go into every year because it means that I have enough to eat.
8. The pain I feel in my knees after a long jog because it means I have the ability to run.
9. A sink full of dirty dishes because it means that loved ones are nearby.
10. The alarm that goes off in the early morning because it means that I am alive.

Keep reading.. now I'm going to ask you, "What if?"

• We viewed setbacks as opportunities.
• We realized that some of our complaints are completely and utterly worthless when taken into perspective. Take, for example, the complaint I voice when the restaurant I visit does not offer Diet Dr. Pepper; there are millions of inhabitants of this world who do not have clean drinking water.
• We noticed that only when we experience problems do we fully appreciate the good things in life.
• We took time out of our day to truly focus on all of our blessings and thank God for them; He didn't HAVE to give us anything.

I can assure you we would be more joyful; I can assure you we would be more prayerful - in turn, leading us to be more thankful.

Talking about our problems is our greatest addiction. Break the habit. Talk about your joys.
-Rita Schiano

The glass really is half full..