Exhanging 'self-confidence' for 'Christ-confidence'

 If you have been following my blog you know or I hope at least you got the vibe that I am passionate about living out a set apart life devoted to Christ! The struggle is doing life in the world, enjoying life while keeping Christ at the core. Satan attacks every which way making some of daily choices a struggle.
 So many Christians today I feel are to comfortable,living in a rut and happy with the comfort it gives.

When we become followers of Christ,believing in Him surrendering our lives to Him, we are putting faith and trust in Our Creator. We have peace in know He is in control,that He already predestined us,His plan for our lives as we learn to walk in blind obedience is the most fulfilling thing ever!

 In these truths is a hidden basic,but important aspect, a Christ Confidence.

   Why is this over looked? What exactly are you talking about? Why does it matter?

Its overlooked because we have an earthly mindset. The more and more you are in the word and are spending time with Him the more you develop a heavenly mindset. You don't look at challenges with bleakness,hopelessness and see it impossibilities. You begin to see possibilities. Ways for His light to shine. The only impossibilities are the ones the world says exist. 

When we spend more time in the world and less in the word we see more from the earthly mindset as we let our mind drift. Our human nature is to follow,to go on what we know, when the world is your main source of information from day to day telling you how to think you will lean towards that. 

The world is obsessed with self, who also happens to be your worse enemy.
 You know that one tool satan just loves to use?! You are your worse enemy. 

Self is the focus of the world also being in control or who,what,how,you are you.

Key to appearing so solid and controlled is confidence!
Being confident in what You can do,in who You are, of what You have,of what You are capable of, to not let Yourself appear weak or helpless. 

You see how damaging that is?! 

Not that confidence in itself is wrong. Its where it lies that causes problems.

In this case not only is the focus on you,but also no credit or no apparent need for a Savior its all in your strength,power and being in the right place at the right time while making the 'right' decisions.

We need to be changing out of this self focus,self confidence attitude for a Christ focused, Christ confidence attitude. 

A Christ Confidence is knowing your purpose in and through Him. I am a very purpose and task driven person. 

When I know what to aim and work for,know the tools to equip myself with I can get to it! 

Knowing what your focus is on is pretty helpful. Its on the cross, the prize at the end of the race,preparing away for His 2nd coming.
Your faith, and our trust in the one who created you. 

 Your confidence and productivity in life excels when this becomes your lifestyle and attitude!

 You become glow drawing in those who linger in the dark.
You are hitting the target because you know where to point and your trusting the own who is teaching you!

The Purpose. Having a purpose (as I stated above) gives us as humans so much more motivation in life as we strive to live it at its fullest. 

A Christ confidence is the arrow in that purpose.
Let us simply switch out where our confidence lies (or lack there of), your fear and worry is now minimized because you know are not alone and you know the one within you is greater than that of what is in the world.
And the word "know" is the greek word ginosko, type of "know".
Its not just head knowledge,but heart knowledge.
Have you ever read a passage several times and "know" it,but that time you begin to study it or experience something that you applied it to your life and now  all the sudden you Ginosko know it?!
Hopefully your getting the idea.

We are commanded several times throughout the Bible to not fear. 

We can walk confidently and boldly in the simple truth that He who has promised is Faithful to fulfill. 
God cannot lie.  

Life is such a beautiful gift that is made even more beautiful when we live out what we were created to do with a humbled confident joy! 

Nothing is more beautiful then seeing someone struggling through the challenges of life filled with joy and peace. That joy,peace and confidence in knowing that it will all be okay, its the overflow of what happens when you begin trusting and focusing on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

 Living in complete and utter surrender to Him.
I cannot put to words they way I want or how it ought to be put other then saying 'the truth will set you free.'  

Will it be easy? No. Will it be an amazing crazy wildest adventure? Yes!! 

We are called to something greater than even we can fathom! 

We are Saints, we are Chosen, we have been equipped and given a task, we are loved and trusted in, we're not alone. 

the petticoat tomboy

                    

     

I was a tomboy growing up. I had 5 brothers. I strived to be tough like them,eat like they did (that is when I made myself like Doritos and enjoy mountain dew when ever it was available), I tried to be into the same things as much as a girl could or as much as I was allowed, much to my mother and 2 older sisters dismay. 

My older sisters were the proper ladies while I was the only curly haired, wild girl in the bunch.

          We girls rarely wore pants,though I owned my sacred $5 walmart overalls and wore them ragged.

My poor mother didn't know quite what to do with me.

My 2 older sisters were into homemaking,sewing,cooking.

Me?! No way,that didn't exactly scream fun to me,but more so as tedious.

Couldn't understand the appeal.

In a big family whatever you make is going to be gone just as soon as its out of the oven.

Then you had to do your dishes.

Somehow my mom managed to teach me to sew and cook.

When it came grace and elegance though I was the ugly duckling that fell on its face.

I remember my sister and I in between the ages of 5-8 my mom signed us up for ballet.

Oh,boy! Those leotards!!! 0_o I complained so much that after a few classes we stopped.

I am totally kicking myself now,cause I am absolutely fascinated by dance of every form and enjoy messing around learning basics steps of different ones (ballroom,swing,irish dance ...agh...*melts*).

All left to say I have beautiful classy sisters growing up while there was me, who if I had to sew and cook I would make a non pink john deere apron to make it interesting. (true story,don't laugh)

I am telling you all of this to kind of catch a vision of where I am coming from.

 Way back to the time of long dresses and petticoats, a tomboy wasn't in existence.

You were to be a lady of grace and elegance.

A woman of dignity and propriety.

Imagine if you mixed the two.

the petticoat tomboy - A woman who is classy and graceful,but enjoys the little things, will dig in the dirt, and will change the tire on the car if there is no gentleman to do it.

There has to be a healthy balance of being a tomboy and a feminine young lady,a balance that I never caught as I entered into womanhood.

You don't need to wear pink and have bows,but there is something so beautiful about a woman dressing in beautiful modest attire and has that certain thing about her.

To be a woman who draws attention to her countenance not her body.

Who puts that little extra time into her appearance. 

Looking into Gods word I found some great scriptures to catch a vision of what God intended a woman of God when it comes to her appearance.

 1Cor.3:18 "But we all, with unveiled faces, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord ,are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."

1Tim. 2:9-10 " in like manner also,that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel,with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or costly pearls or costly clothing,but which is proper for women professing godliness,with good works.

As a young woman of God and the bride of Christ how are you presenting yourself?

God created us to be true, pure, modest.

 He knows our hearts.

 We are to compliment that beauty given, not masking it by trying to add to it or change it entirely.

Don't try to draw attention to yourself, not with gaudy jewelery, nor fancy schmancy expensive clothes to impress others.

 Modesty,humility, and true beauty.

When we are as a woman of God adorning our outward appearance that doesn't me you are limited.
But that you have a lot to work towards.

Proverbs 31, describes a woman, whom many would call the ideal woman.

But some of my favorite things about this chapter are the verses below when it describes this woman.

Prov.31:17 "She girds herself with strength and strengthens her arms."

I think this verse talks about two different types of strength the one that stands out is strength in terms of physical strength. 

She took care of her body.

Our body is the temple of God in which we should take care of it with healthy eating habits and keeping in shape. I'm not saying become a fitness freak,but eat healthy meals, take walks don't let the body God has given you completely fall apart.

I know things happen as you get older and you can't control everything,but do your best to take care of yourself.

Prov.31:22 "She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple."

Not rags, not dirty t-shirts and sweatpants though those have a time and place ,but in public usually isn't the place, not pj's.

 (why do people shop in their pj's?)

This woman puts an effort to make her self presentable not appearing lazy or a slob.

Prov.31:25 " Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come."

You cannot address outward appearance without touching on the inner workings. 

1Peter 3:4 "rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.

   

Part of my biggest struggle of turning from tomboy appearances and dressing in more of a feminine manner, is how it made me appear. 

I was trying to remain giving the appearance in a tough beautiful country girl vibe,

 I hated the idea of appearing as a homemaking woman who seems weak, lacking in boldness and courage.

But when I picture the proverbs 31 woman I don't picture just a beautiful woman of God who is sweet,gracious, kind, wearing a flowy white dress,but also a woman who is strong and able.

You cannot keep her down, she will be rise up once again in strength.

She is smart and has discernment.

She knows when to speak boldly and when to hold her tongue.

She is a petticoat tomboy.

Adorning herself with dignity,respect,grace strength and boldness.

She is a woman of God.

She is the woman I strive to be and she is the woman I encourage all to aspire to be.

Here are some great links for beauty and fashion that's not overly girly,but enhance your God given beauty.

MAKEUP // HAIR // FASHION

adventure is out there

        

                          Ah,life is a crazy whirl wind with adventures mixed in. I love it! You never know whats around the corner you can plan for the next road,but there may be something unexpected that changes everything.

I took a 12 hour road trip with two of my closest siblings (Jess and Aaron) for the weekend to visit friends and family in Ohio.

            It was a great time to just enjoy and treasure the relationships God has put in my life. 

About 3 weeks prior God put Colorado in my path way once again...this time for 5 months.

    Feeling excited and stressed (because 5 months is along time) about this new season,

           then my sister and I were involved in a car accident (so I have no car when I return.).

It just seemed like one thing after another was popping up,but yet God would remind me of His faithfulness.

                     Agh, I could cry just thinking about how caring and ever present our God is.

                                          Okay, enough on that detour,but one last thing;

                            A post on Colorado is coming up next week,so stay tuned for that.

                             Hint: photography,videography,and full time ministry is involved.

                                                                  -Road trip Favorites-

1. the scenery. If I could I would spanned out this 12 hour trip into 2 days to stop on the side of the road to take pic.

 F o g, s u n r i s e, f a r m l a n d, l o n g   s w i r l y  h i g h w a y! Be still my heart, I loved it all.

2. the people. I got to visit my long time friends and got to meet new ones (especially a certain smiley baby that made my heart smile),then of course seeing family again!!

                                          A few of my siblings   (Josh, Aaron, Jess, yours truly, Kyle)

                       Josh's wife took this photo, loved seeing them, my nephew and niece again.

3. Sugar. I tried to eat healthy over the weekend,but that didn't really happen. My favorites would include a stop at Menchies (iced mocha..yum..) and Mitchells Ice Cream - Coffee Double Chocolate Chunk! <3

4. the hike. My siblings,sister in law, the kids and my sisters boyfriend with his brother took a delightful hike through a ravine filled with water and BIG rocks, which was a little challenging with two kiddos,but so fun.

                                 5. the drive. Though long, I love a good road trip, you have moments of discussion,music, serious driving, then just silence to think and moments of enjoying the beauty of creation that is surrounding me.

                                          

                                                  Have you gone any road trips this summer?

                                                 Whats your favorite road trip you've taken?

moving on

                          The first week of March wasn't only the only first that week it was also my first time I moved. Just to make the move more intense we made the move to a completely new state to boot!
 I spent the first part of the week packing and preparing to say goodbye to the home I grew up in since I was 4. I am one of those people that I know I will miss something, but I am totally up for an adventure and it hits me later that I am missing that pat of my life that is now gone, then the sad bitter sweet remembrance hits! So many amazing memories and moments happened in our home.  Many ' we are expecting' announcements, marriage + engagement announcements and even a proposal happened in our home. I remember running and blazing through the brush with my siblings, late summer nights on the trampoline, long walks, listening to the peepers, yearly all day applesauce making, the thrill of the first snow fall every year and waking up early Christmas morning.

The years of my childhood and teens years in this home were filled with tears and moments of joy and tears of pain. But those were/are moments that create and shape us into who we are along with being what life is about. What you do with the joy, pain, excitement, fear is what makes us who we are and I am so blessed to have done them where and with who I did.

The fact that I left my childhood home and childhood friends makes my appreciation for photography and the reason why I love photography heighten. Photographs tell stories it captures moments, it freezes time to look back on.

       Before we left I realize as the date was really close I grabbed a few shots of randomness as I wandered about my home filled with memories. I had been working on capturing a lot of video footage (which Lord willing I will be posting once finished) and realized I hadn't taken

This bell holds so many memories its been there for over 16 yrs and was my great grandmother. I was so happy to have been able to take it with us.

 Despite the freezing temperatures,our house with an amazing team of workers got everything packed up and moved out in 4 days!  I naturally miss my small town, my country roads and of course family and friends, but God has placed me here, with new surroundings, new people and new opportunity to be a blessing to my siblings and parents as we make a rough transition and a new start.

 

                                                            Have any of you moved before?

 What's one thing you thing you would probably miss the most if you had to move your current home?

                                            

 

my life's mission field

                       I have recently been considering going on a 1-2 month mission trip overseas with some dear friends from school we all agreed to take a month to pray about it. I came to a few different conclusions, but they were all for me I disguised them with Jesus is calling me to serve stamped all over.

  Remember my new years posts? The word I choose for my year was G O, but I never imagined that word being formed into the sentence, Go serve your family at home. I very much so wanted to serve God over in some third world country and while I was praying about it I had this deep down feeling that God wasn't calling me over seas just yet. That hurt and wasn't a pleasant reality to face. 2015 was my year to do something big! haha, God must have fun laughing at our personal ideas.
                    For all I know God may surprise me at the end of the year with the finances and a location and scream SURPRISE and I will stand in awe, but for now God isn't leading that way He is leading me to learn contentment and humility.

Serving my family isn't as glamorous to the Christian view as loving and teaching children in Africa or fighting human trafficking in Asia, but God was and is testing me.
               He leans to whisper in my ear, "You said you wanted to serve me for my kingdom and this is where I am placing you."

                             

 

                                      My family. Whom I have lived with for 20 years.

                Can't I be a light and encouragement even if I live in a different country for a while?

                                           Me: Okay, I will bloom where I am planted God.

                       God: Oh, by the way you think you can do it in the heart of Dixie? I know its not ideal, but I promise to water you a lot so you will grow.

                                      Ahhh.....Count it all joy *many leaps for joy*.

                                                     

Something I have realized y'all (practicing;) ) my life is a mission field. My words, my actions, even the way I spend my time is talking, the where doesn't matter. Everyone needs the gospel, everyone needs encouragement, everyone needs a smile, everyone needs someone to show and be Jesus to them!

                                                                      Why Me?

                                                                   Why not me?!

                                                    In sweet home Alabama? Yep!

                            

                                  Our life is a mission and where ever God places us is the field.

                                  We are to plant, water and sometimes reap the harvest for Him.

                                   It's what we are doing with our time in that field that matters.

                                 God has placed me in the midst of family to water and plant seeds that is the field of my mission God happens to already be preparing the ground with  a new home, in a new state where we won't know anyone, so quality family time will increase, our friendships will strengthen as siblings.

                                                           Where is your mission field?

 

that day again?

                           

             Ah, Valentines day is upon us once again.

            As a single young lady this 'holiday' has always been a 'blogging' struggle. Why?!

I hate seeing my feed filled with the single Christian young ladies blog posts that usually do the whole, Jesus is my boyfriend vibe!

                                           

        Uh,huh! I find that slightly ridiculous to say!

  Because its something single girls say to try to fill an emptiness they feel around this holiday or a away to comfort single girls around this holiday. Now not all of them post that sort of thing, but a lot of them or the I follow do.

You are the bride of Christ not something as cheesy and cliché as His 'girlfriend' and that He happens to be this 'boyfriend' of yours in times like these. To the ladies who are in a relationship you may gush about your boyfriend on this special day, but I know for a fact that you do it on other days of the year too!

                         Are you gushing about your Savior and His love for you year round?

 This day celebrates a man named Valentine who saw the significance of marriage and risked his life to bring it all about by preforming the ceremony in a time of war when marriage was forbidden.
       In reality businesses used that as their reason to seize an opportunity to sell, cards , flowers, and chocolate making it all hearts and cupids!
                 Now I am not against Valentines day at all! I actually love this holiday.
I think love, marriage, relationships are something so beautiful, sacred that needs to have at the core of it the love of Jesus Christ for He is love and marriage was His idea!




        I want to share my 3 thoughts on love!



1.A selfless love of my Savior. Love is to be selfless and Jesus demonstrated this on the cross and in every way He continues to pour into my life.
His love is unfathomable. Pure, without hypocrisy and sincere.
(John15:9, 13, Eph.5:2, 1Tim 1:5)



2. Love is vulnerable. When your in love and are opening up to someone it makes you vulnerable. Vulnerability should follow trust. A special someone in your life gains your trust and then they soon win your heart and your love. Marriage is giving 100%, not 50-50.
You put the selfless love of Christ at the core of that relationship and it will blossom as you walk through your life with Jesus Christ at the center.
You build your foundation of a relationship on a solid rock, a cornerstone.
Romance is something so beautiful and nothing makes me get butterflies in my stomach then a husband loving his wife as Christ loved the church and his wife respecting and honoring her husband in all she does. It speaks volumes. Candlelight dinners, blood red roses and chocolates.
A soft kiss on the forehead and the "I love you's" may come in a relationship, but when its built on Jesus Christ that is definitely something worth shooting for, for He is faithful.
(John.13:1, Eph. 5:25, Deut.7:9)



3. The greatest of these is love. One of Gods greatest commandments (1Cor.13:13) is to love.
Whether that would be a special someone, family or friends and even strangers we are commanded by our Lord and Savior to love with the same selfless love that Jesus showed. From washing the feet of His disciples to His death on the cross for our sins He loved well.
I want people to see the selfless love of Christ in  my life.
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John15:13

I don't view this holiday as 100%  about romance, but taking a day to express to the one or ones closest to your heart your love for them.

This holiday is day that we can take to remind that person how dear we are to them even if they already know it.

                         As Christians we are commanded to love well, 1 Corinthians 13 a popular chapter on love makes the point that everything we do in Christ name if done without love then it amounts to nothing, the love of Jesus given unto us and Jesus within us (when you are born again)  enables us to love others.

 

         I challenge you to do acts of kindness out of love through Christ for someone else, a stranger.

                                     Buy them a coffee, leave them a note at the gas pump or a gas giftcard and also through out your week look for opportunities to love well, to go out of your way to express your love and appreciation for someone else.