Receive

Several weeks ago I was talking with some friends about the word receive. What does this word make you think? How do you respond? Generally it seems to have a positive connotation. We love to receive gifts, flowers, compliments, letters, etc. I threw in the mix a questioning on whether or not receiving could be a difficult experience. Now if your mind begins to reel in a resounding yes just slow down for a moment. Obviously we receive things we don't want. I don't need to make a list. I'm sure you can make your own. Is there a possibility though that we can mesh the first two concepts though. Receiving something that is positive yet difficult. What's this you say??? We can tend to blow through life when things are simple and easy going. When everyone's health is at its peak, when everyone is having a good time, when finances are breathing easy, and when relationships are smooth. What happens though when this isn't the case? What about when things are difficult and seemingly not going your way? What if that relationship that you thought was going great started to struggle? If someone had some difficult things to say would you receive them well? Would you think it positive? There are times when we have to receive some of the most difficult things that we were not ready for. It can often times blindside us without warning. Can it be a good thing? I say yes. Difficult? Absolutely. But how much are we grown and stretched to something we didn't think we could be in the easy times? Not much. Its when you are faced with the events in life that you never thought you could push through that make you the person you never knew you could be. I challenge you, though it may be hard, to welcome those defining moments. To take those difficult gifts that life throws your way and receive them well.

God bless!

Inspiration to GO

Failing to Love

So at church today we talked about love. What it looks like to love people. How God loves us and how others witness God's love by the way Christ followers display their love for one another. I was pumped. I loved the message. I love the idea of looking at how God's word calls us to love one another. I said my Amens, I nodded, I agreed. And before I left the doors of the church....I failed. Someone did something that wasn't that big of a deal and I took it personally. I felt as though I had a right to be angry. I felt like I was hurt and it was that person's fault and that they were wrong and should feel sorry about it. The fact is that I reacted poorly and in the end I was in the wrong. When it comes down to it I agreed with the sermon because my spirit in which God dwells wants what He wants and wants to be who He calls me to be. My flesh however is intensely weak and inherently wicked. No matter how much I may want to love like Christ, if my flesh rises up to take control then I will fall on my face in an embarrassing mess.

If I may, I would like to ask for your prayers. Pray that I am daily on my face before a God that loves, in every aspect of the word, to perfection. Pray that God would draw me so close that I would passionately desire a life that looks like Christ rather than human imperfection. For those of you whom I have hurt or wronged, I'm sorry. Please forgive my weakness in my desire to satisfy my desires rather than a life sacrificed.

I promise you that I will continue to fall. The only good that I can think that comes from that is that it forces me to once again be on my face which is where I should be from the start.

God your grace allows me to keep moving forward despite failure. Your love leaves me speechless.

My daddy is showing off!

So I had a conversation several weeks ago with a friend about a sunset we had both seen that kind of amazed us. So if you see a post that looks similar to this don't think that I am copying it. With my new job I have been able to see my father's handy work in action. I've been able to see a lot of sunsets and sunrises lately. Here are but a few that I would like to share with you.

Be Thankful

So everywhere I seem to turn lately people seem so unhappy. When I am at work people are cursing their computers, talking about each other behind their backs, constantly griping about doing their jobs. When did people become so unhappy? I went to bread co for lunch the other day and the lady said hurriedly "Have a nice day." I cordially replied "You too." When I said that she muttered under her breath "Not until I get out of this place." What has happened? Life has seemed to so burden people that they've forgotten how to be happy. They've forgotten what it means to love what they do. Sure life is stressful. Sure the economy is bad. Take a moment though and look around. It has been so beautiful lately. Go outside and just look up. Be thankful for something....anything. It's time people. Life is passing you by too quickly to just tolerate it. Enjoy it!

Scriptures that have been weighing heavily on my heart.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed. Perplexed, but not in despair. Persecuted, but not abandoned. Struck down, but not destroyed. ~2 Corinthians 4:8-9

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. ~John 16:33

A blog on Christians trying to be Relevant

http://www.worshipmatters.com/2005/12/worship-service-idolatry-on-sunday-mornings-part-8/

Aware

As Christians we should be aware of the people of this world. We are called to preach to the nations. I often have used the excuse myself that I don't know how to be knowledgeable about this. As it was brought to my attention today in this day and age, with the resources that we have we should not be excused to be ignorant people. Here is a site to help you become aware.

http://www.joshuaproject.net/

The Power of Words

Predicting God

I find it interesting the obsession that humans have to predict what is going to happen. The other day I was watching the five day forcast which doesn't seem too out of the ordinary, but for some reason it struck me as odd how we so desperately need to plan out our lives and want to know exactly how things are going to unfold. I thought it was really funny when I was out today mowing the lawn under a blue sky in beautiful weather on what was supposed to be the midst of monsoon like week of weather. I had this thought of wonder if my God was thinking they thought they could predict what I was going to do, but I will do what I please.

A picture of what God can do even when we predict otherwise.

An Eternal Cry of Praise

Labor Day Fun

Seasons change

Today it feels like fall. To me that's a beautiful thing.

Hot soup and sandwich perhaps.

Don't think. Just Feel.

I'm often told that I think too much. There are very few things that can cause me to just feel without thinking about something, but this, for whatever reason does.

Music in the most unexpected ways.

People are Dying to Live

The cry of my heart.

The cry of my heart is to bring you praise
From the inside out
My soul cries out to You

~Hillsong

I bought a new toy

Content not to compare

Heart, why is it that you will not be content
Content in God's creation
His creation of you
You compare and measure yourself continually to what is imperfect
You compare yourself to other creations of God
Something created cannot surpass the perfection of its creator
Therefore unite your voice with creation around you and praise in unison the creator who alone is worthy of praise
For He stands alone in perfection
With this in mind you have only one response
Worship

Seperation conformity

I found this quote on someone else's page. I've had this similar subject on my heart recently. Choose to consider it or ignore it.

"Let me tell you why the suburbs are so toxic. Everything in the suburbs communicates to you that everything is about you. And there is nothing more toxic to the soul than being self-absorbed. Why would we spend millions of dollars to create an environment that reinforces to you everything that everything else out there is teaching you?"

Rediculous

Laughter

So I was feeling a little down today. Circumstances of life taking their toll. As I was sitting here somewhat discouraged and feeling sorry for myself I heard a couple talking. I couldn't understand at all what they were saying for, you see, they were speaking another language. Despite this lack of understanding my spirits began to lift. As the couple was talking they kept laughing. It's like they had forgotten about everything else and were just enjoying the company of one another. I thought about it. Laughter. What a way to melt away discouragement. No matter what life throws at you it seems that laughter can help you forget. Forget in a positive way. Forget that life is hard and broken. It allows you to see the light of life. So here's to laughter. Think about a time in your life that caused you to laugh out loud. A time when you smiled so much it made your face hurt. It's ok. Go ahead. Take a break from it all and just let it out.

Pray for Jake Gregory

I don't know this young woman, but she has obviously had a tremendous effect on the lives around her. Please take a moment to pray for the family of this child of God and that He would restore her fully to the life she had before this tragic accident.



http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=152449

Man's Best Friend

So for those of you who don't know, for most of my life I've not been a huge fan of birds. I've been pooped on and attacked several times. I'll spare you the details for now, but nonetheless not a big fan. Sure it's nice on a peaceful morning when you can hear them and not see them. Otherwise, keep them away from me. Well today, for the second time I might add, a bird got trapped in my screened in porch. When I went to let the dog out the bird tried to flee....unsuccessfully. Before it could escape, my wonderful dog, Keylee, sought it out immediately and attacked it. It now lies dead in my back yard. It couldn't have been a prouder moment. I cheered in victory. So this post is to man's best friend and my only current roommate. My dog. CHEERS!

Update

So I feel like I haven't posted in a while. Life has been kind of crazy. Looking for a job, grandma's in the hospital, trying to start my own little business. Craziness. Well so far to update you, I don't have a job yet (still searching), grandma is still in the hospital still feeling terrible, and I actually have been getting some business with the photography thing. That's the most exciting thing going on right now. In a few short weeks I will be photographing my first wedding. That was unexpected and completely exciting. I've also had several other opportunities to shoot for people. It feels like it's actually kind of taking off. I can't wait to see what God has planned in that area of my life. I've tried to make a small change in life recently by removing the antenna from my television. That's right, no more tv. Well ok I still watch movies, but no tv. It's funny (well maybe not that funny) how much tv I realize I was actually watching. Every time I sit on the couch I think, well what am I going to do now? I've become painfully aware of how much time I was wasting. So I decided that I should be reading more to replace this new found voided blocks of time. I work at a book store and so I have acquired quite the collection yet have had no time to read them. Well, have not made time to read them. I just bought another book called Crazy love. It is written by Francis Chan. I can't wait to continue reading it. I've only gotten two chapters in so far, but it's been great so far. Try it. Slow down. Take a breath and read. More to come.

Business Card

Hey everyone! I feel like it's been a while since I've posted. Well I'm trying to get this photography thing off the ground. It's been really great having different opportunities to photograph. I figured since I've actually started to get into this I should make a business card. I mean that's what professionals do, right? Well I went ahead and designed a business card for myself. *see below* Well I carry them around with me now, so if you see me then make sure you ask me for one. Maybe I can really get something started. Who knows? Looking forward toward the future.

Botanical Gardens

I'm taking a photography class right now. This week we went to the Botanical Gardens. Here are a few photos that I shot. Some random. Some not. Enjoy.

Megan and Gary

So I met Megan about 13 years ago when my family moved back to St. Louis after moving around for some time. As I grew up in the youth group of my parent's church Megan and I along with a couple of other close friends grew very close to each other and spent most of our time with one another. Well as we've grown up life has taken us all on some interesting journies. Unfortunatly Megan is far away now which is sad, but we do get to see her when she comes to visit. While she was away from us she met Gary and wouldn't you know it they fell in love. While we miss our friend from time to time it's exciting to see how God is directing her paths and blessing her along the way. Good luck Megan and Gary in everything that you do and may God richly bless you on your journey.

Recent Photoshoot

Baby Crazy

Well spring is here and so are babies. They seem to be all around us. Well I just had the pleasure to do a photo shoot for a couple who just had baby twins. They are so cute and for only being 2 1/2 weeks old they were so patient. It had been a long time since I've been around babies that little. The whole day was a blast. Between the joy of new life, great loving parents, and helpful friends we couldn't help but to have a blast. Thank you Jen and Jason for the opportunity to do this. May God bless you on this new and exciting journey.

Good friends get to hold the little ones.

Dichotomy

Peace, where is your presence? I cant see your face.
Have I turned my back, have I walked away.
Your source has withdrawn, but I did not accept.
I'm feeling empty, from my very depths.
I traded cheap comfort to replace your great gift
through my emotions I must now sift

Photoshop creations.

So I mentioned just a moment ago that I had purchased photoshop. Well here are just a few little creations that I came up with. Hope you enjoy!

Update on Life.

So I haven't posted in a while. I wish that I could. One set back is that I don't have access unless I'm at bread co. Seriously, I think these people are sick of seeing me here....all the time. Anyhow, I guess a quick update on my life is....well...there isn't much going on. That seems sad. Well I'm still on the job search ladies and gents. I had a job interview on Teusday at TALX and I'm supposed to hear back from them by the end of the week. We'll see what happens. Man, this "real world" is an intimidating place. Here are a few fun updates. 1) I bought photoshop. It's not the huge all inclusive program, but it works for what I can afford right now. So that is pretty exciting. 2) Speaking of photos I've been having a lot of opportunities to take photos for people. That has been super exciting. One person is wanting maternity photos and the other is wanting photos of her twins that should be here any day now. I've never taken pictures in either department really so it will be a new learning experience. 3) I just recieved my grades in the mail this week and got probably the best grades I've ever had. All A's and B's with a 3.556 gpa. You better believe I'm gonna add that extra 5 & 6 in there. Well that's all I can think of as of now. Hopefully more good news to come soon as well as some photos. Good day to all!

Frustration.

So today I wanted to really focus on God and what He might want to show me or tell me. When I say that it sounds almost like I don't want that any other time. Not the case. There are certain days that you spend extra time in prayer, fasting, ect. When I woke up this morning I had an overwhelming sense of frustration and anger. I don't know where it came from. Well....I guess I do. It became kind of this downward spiral. I was frustrated, then I was angry that I was frustrated, then that just frustrated me more. You get the picture. I think I just realized it. I've been spending more time telling God what's going on with me than listening to what He's trying to say to me. I haven't been spending much time in God's word. I'm ashamed of that. I guess since the times I'm in group studies it is so intense that I'm less likely to study. I'm not sure. I have a lot of excuses, but no good reasons. I just so desire to have a deeply intentional relationship with God and I fail miserably. As I've been learning of the depravity of man, it makes sense why I choose to stray towards my selfish ways. As a Christian, however, I should be clinging to my Savior so tightly. I guess its good to be aware of my helpless state. I just need prayer to look toward a Holy God and be less focused on my situational frustrations. If I'm consumed with my Savior and His people, how could I remain in such a frustrated state. Stumbling, but reaching.

Graduate

Signs it's time to graduate.



...and I did it!