"Nothin' You Won't Do"

It's refreshing to hear new music- especially some with the creative style of Dara Maclean. She's new to the Christian music scene and a breath-of-fresh-air addition. This is only one of twelve great songs on her album:

23..

In a week I will be 23 and as my birthday approaches, I've been asked what gifts I want. I named one thing that my heart has been set on for a while and a few trivial things. As I thought about it some more, I realized there is nothing I really need and hardly anything that I really want. So for my 23rd birthday I came up with the idea that this year of my life would be about giving to others. Charity: Water was brought to my attention and I decided that it would be a perfect way to start out year 23! So instead of gifts for me and you wasting all that time trying to figure out what to get me, I'm asking for a donation to my Charity: Water fundraiser- to give those without clean water, a well to drink from.

Matthew 25:40

Sweet, sweet music...

If you haven't heard of The Civil Wars, allow me to introduce you (you can thank me later)...

They're brand new album "Barton Hollow" quickly climbed up the iTunes album list to rest, well deserved, in the Top 10. Here's a short little documentary on their west coast tour- featuring their song "Forget Me Not"

Pure artistry and talent!

Feast:

In With The New

New year. New city. New school. New ideas. New blog!

I'm walking in a new season and there are a few things I think should come with me... like this blog, but it needed a makeover- something a little more fun. Something that speaks to my soul; where my creativity can spill over the pages. So here it is: "La Douceur De Vie" or "The Sweetness Of Life" This blog will now be used to document the sweetness in life- complete with photos, videos, recipes, words, etc.- not just confined to the box of writing.

Created in His Image

My church home group is discussing the topic of "self image" tonight. I've spent the day in the Word and in prayer- seeking wisdom to discuss this in a God-glorifying, not-of-this-world kind of way. I've been taught, even reminded, in this time that I feel the most secure, the most content, in who I am when I remember WHO He is and who I am in Him. I pray these girls leave not focused on being eye-pleasing to the world's standards, but aware of who they are in Him and reminded of Who uniquely created them; I hope they leave knowing THAT is of more worth and importance than waring yourself out over trying to be the world's idea of beautiful.

Yes, there are days, and will continue to be days, when I wake up, get ready, and don't feel that pretty, but it's remembering who I belong to that matters- that HE is enthralled by my beauty, with or without make up, in my most flattering outfit or in my yoga pants... He knows who I am and He loves me. He is of greater worth than any of it. He is what lasts when this youthful beauty fades. The question is: will my love for Him still be there?

God created women to uniquely reflect His divine beauty, and Satan has had a field day attacking this attribute. Sisters, cling to the One who fearfully and wonderfully made you in secret, who knows every part of you, and every hair on your head. Don't let the lies of this world keep you from that.

He is

A CONSUMING FIRE.

LIGHT.

TRUTH.

INFINITE.

ALPHA AND OMEGA.

BEGINNING AND END.

ETERNAL HOPE.

CREATOR.

SUSTAINER.

GRACE.

DELIVERER.

HEALER.

REDEEMER.

LIFE.

SAVIOR.

FATHER.

FRIEND.

HEALER OF MY WOUNDS.

FAITHFUL.

LIGHT THAT PIERCES THE DARKNESS.

CREATOR OF ALL THINGS LARGE AND SMALL.

IN EVERY SUNRISE.

IN EVERY SUNSET.

FORGIVER.

LOVE.

WAS.

IS.

ALWAYS WILL BE.

UNCHANGING.

THE ARCHITECT OF THE UNIVERSE.

UNMOVED.

UNCHANGED.

UNDEFEATED.

NEVER UNDONE.

THE LORD.

GOODNESS.

KINDNESS.

FAITHFULNESS.

REST.

HOLY.

RIGHTEOUS.

POWERFUL.

PURE.

GUIDE.

PEACE.

JOY.

COMFORT.

WISDOM OF THE WISE.

THE ANCIENT OF DAYS.

STRENGTH.

PROVIDER.

THE WAY.

THE TRUTH.

THE LIFE.

THE TRUE VINE.

LIVING WATER.

He will never leave you. Never forsake you. Never mislead you. Never forget you. Never overlook you. He cares for you. HE DELIGHTS IN YOU.

You are HIS.

THAT is Who you belong to.

"Never will I leave you..."

Up until this point, I have been afraid; so much so that the fear was paralyzing my obedience to the Lord. I knew exactly what He wanted me to do, but ran away from it because I was afraid I was incompetent, too small, and far too weak... and would ultimately fail and disappoint. Bottom line: I wasn't trusting His strength, His faithfulness, His love, or Him. I ran away to comfort and familiarity- I was "safe" there. It's funny how you can run to safety and comfort because it seems easier and still not be at peace. Let me tell you something, Satan wants you to stay in your comfort zone- it keeps you from witnessing the richness of God's power.

When I think about being afraid to respond to a personal call the Lord has put on my life, I am reminded of Moses' self-doubt. He questioned and pleaded with the Lord to choose someone more qualified (Exodus 3-4). The Lord said to Moses, "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt." But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" And God said, "I will be with you..." Moses continues to question and plead with the Lord. Moses answered, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The Lord did not appear to you'?" The Lord answers Moses by showing Him His power.

There's also Jeremiah... I can continue to list stories upon stories of the Lord calling someone who was afraid or felt that they didn't have what it took, but they ended up being obedient and the Lord did incredible things through them.

"God wants to help you to grow by allowing you to see what He can do when you admit you can't. While a sense of your own weakness will help keep you humble before God, you shouldn't use it as an excuse for not doing what God calls you to do."- Priscilla Shirer, Discerning the Voice of God.

That's exactly what I did.

Thankfully we serve a loving, gracious, and merciful God.

He has whispered truth into my heart and continued to call me. This time, knowing His power, I am responding. Putting my trust in Him to do what He has promised and take care of me always. He says, "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you."- Hebrews 13:5 The very thing I was afraid of He promises NOT TO DO. Why is it that I am just now really understanding this?

"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and I will bring you back from captivity."- Jeremiah 29:11-14a

I say all this not only to share what the Lord has done, but that you would be encouraged.

He loves you with an EVERLASTING love and cares for you deeply.