COZY CHRISTMAS

Best present I received this year...CAT SLIPPERS! The best gifts are the most comfortable ones ;-)

It's Time to Grow-Up

When I think about Jesus on a daily basis, I think of him as a grown man, someone who was extremely dynamic, strong, graceful, honest, and undoubtedly the most amazing person to ever live.  On the other hand, on Christmas when I think about Jesus as a baby, it feels like I'm reflecting on a completely different person. When you think about babies, they aren't really a threat to anyone, they're just cute and sweet and tiny.  It's super difficult for me to make the connection that the little baby that no one is really intimidated by or afraid to talk about at Christmas is the same person that challenges change in our lives and calls us to drop EVERYTHING to follow him.  It's interesting to me that the world loves and accepts baby Jesus, but seems to be hesitant to get to know 'grown up' Jesus.  Anyway, this was just kind of a random thought for the day, I don't know that I really even have a direct point or challenge to follow it, but it seems like today is a good day to reflect on why this is. Merry Christmas:]]

⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

-Luke 2:6-7

²³ Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. ²⁴ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.

-Luke 9:23-24

DIVINE ROMANCE

Last night, I walked into the house to find one of my roommates sitting on the floor with a blanket, an open bible, lit candles, and soft music playing in the background.  When I asked her what she was doing, her nonchalant reply was, "Having a date with God."  This is something I feel like I do occasionally, but my "God Dates" usually consist of a prayer walk and a few pages in my journal filled up with thoughts that just randomly pop into my head.  I felt super convicted and inspired by the thought and planning Suzie put into her time with God.  It got me thinking a lot about how seriously I take the romantic, loving aspect of my relationship with God.  I started reflecting on different attributes of God, the ways I have seen his love and pursuit of my heart, and how he really feels about me.  I came up with the following:


See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 
-1 John 3:1a


You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you. 
- Song of Songs 4:7


[God] is patient, [God] is kind. [He] does not envy, [He] does not boast, [He] is not proud. ⁵ [He] does not dishonor others, [He] is not self-seeking, [He] is not easily angered, [He] keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ [God] does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ [He] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
-1 Corinthians 13:4-7


Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. 
-Exodus 19:5a

It's so cool to me that God is so big, yet his relationship with us is still so precious and important to him.  These are just a few of the million reasons why personal time with God is so special and important;-)

TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

Lately I feel like every time I turn around I see someone wearing some kind of animal-inspired clothes, accessories, etc.  My take on this trend at first? YUCK.  However, after much thought and research on how to not look like a walking jungle cat when wearing animal print, this wild fad has received my seal of approval.

I AM NOT GOD

So, I recently just started reading what is already seeming to be the most convicting book(aside from the bible itself) I have ever read, The Prideful Soul's Guide to Humility.  I was reading yesterday about all the things we take pride in as people: material possessions, talents, character traits, etc.  We're so quick to take credit for the positive, but so quick to blame others for the negative.  Every good thing I have comes from God himself, but in my pride I try to take all the glory.  Next time you want to take credit for anything great in your life, whether big or small...consider this:

¹⁶ Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." -James 1:16-17[NIV]


^"13-16 Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
      you formed me in my mother's womb.
   I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking!
      Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
      I worship in adoration—what a creation!
   You know me inside and out,
      you know every bone in my body;
   You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
      how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
   Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
      all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
   The days of my life all prepared
      before I'd even lived one day. "
-Psalm 139:13-16 [The Message]

Merry & Bright

Merry & Bright by bmatz724 
Bright Jeans + Neutral top and accessories= Perfect for any casual outting. OBSESSED with this look right now!