The Status of Lent

So this year for lent I gave up eating out (not going too well) and complaining about...the people (aka one person) in my life that drive me insane and I find myself complaining about him/her more than talking about worthwhile things (going better than the not eating out thing). This whole vow to give up complaining has really brought a lot of prayer time over the past couple weeks which is great...aka the point. But it's also forced me to confront the fact that my friendship with said person is essentially over. While I can confront that fact, I cannot confront the person for reasons I cannot say because they could possibly be construed as complaining. Basically...I'm a volcano of complaints about to explode in a mass of word vomit. And the worst part of all of this is that it doesn't matter one bit whether I explode or I just simmer because either way it will ruin my friendship and there is no option in between. So...I'll continue to pray and countdown the days till I can just BE AWAY from it. I realize this is a very passive aggressive post that insinuates a lot of complaints...but no one reads this anyways...so....it essentially doesn't matter.

i have the rearview mirror torn off cause i'm never looking back

Today is one of those days when I am legitimately excited just to be alive. It's not even like I have a good day ahead of me...my planner is actually PACKED with crap I DO NOT want to do today. But I woke up super early to study this morning, had a DELICIOUS pioneer woman cinnamon roll, turned on my favorite acoustic playlist and sat down to read and study and I have just had the best attitude this morning! Some of the songs that came up reminded me of past relationships - the good times, the bad times, and everything in between - and I just...smiled. There have been many a pot hole in my ride in life, but today is the day that I vow not to cuss and scream and have a bad attitude about how they've worn my tires, but instead I have a clear conscience to know that there are bumps in the road for a reason, and I wouldn't take A THING back. One of those boys - we'll call him Andy Davis - once told me that I have a positive outlook on life that is contagious. I envy that boy's outlook of me. But today, I vow to keep that in mind always and strive to make that boy proud and strive to actually keep my attitude the way he sees it. haha! It's just going to be a good day!!! =)....if anyone reads this...which I seriously doubt...if you're out there: I hope your day turns out as fabulous as mine has begun.

Song of the Day? John Mayer 3x5...enjoy the warm fuzzies and endless possibilities!

just keep holdin on...

So I have started going to The Walk every Tuesday/Wednesday this semester, and I'm absolutely loving it. Every night when I leave, I leave feeling so rejuvenated and blessed! I just am so high on Jesus it's fabulous! 

This week, we began a series on relationships, typical for February - I love it! =) - and the passage being discussed was 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 - - 

"14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? WHat does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?"

The talk continued and Tim spoke on the four things that are ensured in a Christ-based relationship that are absent in one with an unbeliever. 

1) It ensures a common treasure in life. We were given the gift (treasure) of the Holy Spirit as believers, and that gives us a common denominator with other believers - it's something we automatically have in common with the other person. You're both interested in the same thing - a relationship with the One True God. Can you imagine not praying with your spouse? Can you imagine investing your life in a relationship that ends on earth? Can you imagine even THINKING that your spouse would not be with you in heaven? Why would we choose that?!

2) It ensures a common blueprint for marriage. If you're a believer, God's word provides the perfect blueprint for marriage - it discusses love, romance, sex, finance, children, everything! 

3) It ensures a common power in times of crisis. As believers, we know that Christ provides comfort, encouragement, knowledge, and has a plan for us. Non-believers run to other aspects of life to find comfort in times of trouble. You NEED to be in a relationship with someone who seeks the same comfort you do!

4) It ensures that you share the common values for your family. Imagine not being able to pray at the dinner table with your children because mommy/daddy doesn't believe in Jesus. Try thinking about your children splitting time between church and time at home with nonbeliever mom/dad.

Tim finished with Galatians 6:7 - - "7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked: A man reaps what he sows."

If we're sowing relationships based on anything other than Christ, we are no doubt going to reap the consequences of that decision. We need to quit lowering our standards and remember that God has our best interests at heart! He is not being harsh, he is being gracious! 

I just left Tuesday night so excited for the man that God has planned for me! I can't wait to see what face will be waiting for me at the end of the aisle! 

Hope this gives you the same hope and smile it gave me =)

just as i am you rush in without a warning...

It never ceases to amaze me how absolutely incredible our Heavenly Father is. He is the one constant. And it equally amazes me how stupid and screwed up I continue to be, and subsequently it causes me to be amazed, once again, at how wonderful our Savior's grace truly is. 

"Just as I am, you rush in without a warning. I didn't think you would really want to come into this place, and make it feel like Sunday Morning"

All semester, I've been dealing with a lot of just crap in my life that I've been trying so desperately to just brush under the rug. My sin and my shame, a lot of forgotten pain - no rhyme intended - and new issues that have come up in college, I've just tried to avoid and put them on a shelf instead of dealing with them head on. 

This morning in church, I realized how much I've put off finding a church in Knoxville. I've been so thankful for how incredible my high school youth group experience was, for the most part, and I just refused to give that up subconsciously. So, all semester, I've been staying away from church because I've just feared not being able to "feel like Sunday Morning." This morning I felt like "Sunday Morning" and more. Our Savior is absolutely incredible. I just can't even describe it....