2014: Build A Better Temple.

Hello readers! It is almost Christmas and I hope you're able to spend this time with your family, friends, and loved ones! That being said, this is something that has been on my heart for a while and I figured I would share it while I have a little spare time. 

Around this time of the year, we always hear of each other's New Year's Resolutions. I, myself, don't bother making any, because I know that I (like many of you) will not keep them. I honestly cannot remember a year in which I have actually followed through on a resolution, nor can I recall a success story of anyone following through with theirs. 

However, this week I stumbled across a passage (that I admittedly kept going back to) that challenged me for this upcoming year, and I encourage you readers to let it challenge you as well. 

“As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”-Luke 21:6 NIV

You see, the disciples were admiring the structural integrity of the temple. Which, I'm sure, was astoundingly beautiful. But Jesus responded to their remarks with the words in verse six. Basically, no matter how beautiful, how much time was put into it, or how strong it was built; it is still a temporary, destructible fixture. I love the way that the Message words it...you can almost hear the exasperation in Christ's voice: 

"All this you're admiring so much—the time is coming when every stone in that building will end up in a heap of rubble."

Of course, Jesus was talking about the end of times when nothing would be left. But it got me thinking about how much I do this in my own life. I spend so much time building and admiring things that have no everlasting worth, and at the end of the day, what time have I left to build anything with remaining worth? Every day that we spend building these temporary structures in our lives, is a waste. 

My prayer is that you and I would spend our time this year focused on the Kingdom. After all, that is what we're living for... the rest will end up in a heap of rubble. 

I hope all of you enjoy your parties, sparklers, kisses, and what not. Be safe, and have a very blessed holiday season and new year!

Dead or Alive.

Dead or alive. These are not simply the words that haunt the most notorious outlaws. For me, they are a question of a person's worth and in that sense, they haunt me daily as well. I say it is better to die at 30 as the one and only, on your terms, living your life...than to live forever trapped in an existence of no consequence. So...Often, I contemplate the weight of a life in which death has so much more impact on society than that which so many make with a life, that is, at least from a biological perspective, very much “alive”. This is a weight that cannot be gauged by a scale but can only be measured by the ripple effect of your actions on humanity. A heartbeat and warm breath are not the lone factors to consider in terms of life... My criteria are somewhat loftier. Do your words ring in the ears of those with which you communicate? Have you done something to improve the lives of those that surround you? Have you put yourself on the line for a fellow man? Do you speak your mind and follow your heart, even at the expense of your social status? Do you hold yourself to a certain standard, even when alone, when there is no one there to impress? Do you live for the conviction of your conscience or for the approval of others? You must question whether you are making the most of the gift that is this day, the here and now, or whether you are simply passing time waiting for the inevitable. Life isn't a beauty pageant; you haven't been put here to curry favor with the judges. Life is a test and the only teacher who determines whether you pass or fail is you. To exist is simple, to die a mere organic process, but to actually live is something quite remarkable. So I ask you again, who among us has truly lived?

One Sixty Eight

One sixty eight. This three digit number signifies a paradigm shift in how we must order ourselves. 168 represents the number of hours in the seven day-way of life, we know commonly as a “week”. With roots more than three millennia long, this succession series of seven sunrises and sunsets dictates so much of what we accomplish and how we see ourselves. So often, the hustlers and bustlers among us find ourselves slaves to the clock, bound and shackled to the spinning hands of time, waiting for each workday to end, for the dreadful alarm to go off in the morning, for the weekend to finally arrive. We may in fact spend as much time clock-watching—either waiting for time to pass or wishing it would march on more slowly, than we actually do filling those moments with production, profound action or passion. Hyper-aware of this fact, conscious of my own mortality and our fleeting time here, I’ve tried to change the way I think about things. I enter each week with 168 hours at my disposal. In that time, I must tend to my responsibilities and do what must be done. A full work week may require 60 hours of my time. What remains is still 108 hours for me to do with as I must, and as I please. From here I must balance everything else in my life, finding a place suitable to be among those I love, to learn and be stimulated, to pursue my goals, to train, and lastly, to sleep. When I hear someone say that they “don’t have time”, I shake my head and pray that I won’t ever let that be me. There are 168 hours in your week, and what you will make time for is that which is a true priority to you, in your heart. If you can’t carve a few of that 168 out in service to someone or something, then it honestly can’t be all that important to you. I want to produce and create, to fill those 168 hours with as much living as I can… To be on fire with the fury of unbridled enthusiasm and inspiration, always. Forever I’ll find time for my dream and for that which makes my soul sing. I’ve gotta make this one sixty eight count, as I just can’t live with a week that is so weak.

The Danger In Anger With God.

Hello readers. I hear it is National Forgiveness Day. How about that, huh? I have been given the perfect excuse to write this blog! What is the biggest reason we don't forgive, you ask? Anger. So let's talk about the danger in anger...shall we? I know, much like any other emotion, there are different levels of anger. Today's post, however, will focus mostly on anger with Christ. So bear with me. 

I overheard a conversation about an individual's anger with God for the passing of a loved one. I was curious to what she was saying, for I too had experienced anger with God for about a six month period in my life. While I was eavesdropping, the tone of her voice became more and more passionate and concluding her spiel she said, "I am just so angry with God, and that is okay."

I didn't think anything of it at first, because (as I said) I could relate. However, that statement lingered with me. I kept turning it over and over in my mind. Is it really okay to be angry with God? I mean, human nature brings out the best and the worst of our emotions. Natural circumstances aid in that; in fact, they beckon it. It's only natural that we, as humans, would respond a certain way to a certain stimulation. So, what is the danger of just being angry with God?

Anger provokes communication barriers. Just like when you're mad with a sibling or a friend, your talk with God is influenced. Your prayers become short and inhibited, and until these communication problems are solved, there cannot be any growth from the situation.

Anger places blame. Blame leads to resentment. Of course, God has the ultimate plan. Blame and resentment can only hinder you from seeing what that plan may be.

Anger festers. Like a drop of ink in a glass of water, anger can pollute your life and relationships. When angry with God, if it is not confronted, can become poison and build up. Paul beckons us to confront our anger the day that it occurs in Ephesians 4:26 where he pens, "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger..."

Anger is prey for Satan. Paul concludes that statement with, "...and give no opportunity to the devil," in verse 27. Satan thrives on our anger with God. It's an open door for him to sabotage our relationship with Him and potential relationships that surround us.

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice."-Ephesians 4:31

Don't let anger taint your relationship with Christ. Instead, view your circumstances as an opportunity to grow, find purpose, know God more, and find yourself. Don't waste six months of your life to anger. It will never be worth it.

That being said...Happy National Forgiveness Day! Let's strive to let go of all of the anger, bitterness, resentment, and blame; and give forgiveness a shot.

Let Our Love Meet The Cross.

It's a shame, I believe. That the man that we ought to model our lives after is the same man that we have, more often than not, misrepresented. We can all get caught up in the black, white, and gray; arguments and debates; who is right or wrong; ministry for the sake of doing rather for the sake of pure love; politics in the church; and many other factors that distract us from the face of Christ.

"Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.
Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”
Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good."-Romans 12:9-21 NLT


This really puts things in perspective for me. Really love them... If we could truly grasp that concept, and let love drive our ministry, let love take over our churches, and let our love meet the cross, we could truly see revolution.

Love That Surpasses All Others.

As many of you are aware, tomorrow is Father's Day. If I'm being entirely honest, I wish I could be happy about it. But, this year, I'm finding myself to be less than thrilled. Sure, it has been almost three years since my grandpa passed away...but that feeling of hopelessness and sadness still shows up every now and then. I sometimes think the feeling will never go away. That being said, today I have been a little depressed (since I'm being honest) because tomorrow is Father's Day. And I've been slightly envious of those of you who do have fathers to celebrate the day with, you know...someone to talk to, to laugh with, to share life with. It's definitely something I have struggled with today but throughout the day have realized that I can be happy about Father's Day. I just need to focus on a love that surpasses all others.

I am incredibly blessed to have been raised by such an amazing man, and tomorrow I can remember and appreciate his dedication to his family. But, I can also spend the day thanking God for being the heavenly Father that I absolutely do not deserve. And for showing me the meaning of unconditional love. With all of that being said...

Tonight I've been appreciating a love that surpasses all others. No earthly love can touch it. No earthly love can truly satisfy me. No earthly love can solve all of my problems. No earthly love can complete me. There is no earthly love that I can wake up to that makes me feel as secure as this love. There is no love on earth that can validate and affirm every need of mine as this love does. No earthly love is perfect. 

Although the love on this earth makes life more pleasant, wealthy, and fulfilling, there will be days when the love on this earth disappoints. There will be days when the love on this earth hurts. There will be days when the love on this earth burdens. But the love of my Father leaves me content and rich. The love of my Father leaves me nothing but pride. The love of my Father leaves me nothing but comfort. The love of my Father is freeing and perfect. 

When I bind my limbs with chains, His love breaks them. When I run towards destruction, His love rescues. His love is impossible to escape. His love redeems every mistake that I have made. With every mistake that makes me evil and undeserving, His love covers and whispers to me that I am more than deserving. When loneliness suffocates me and fear grips at my neck, it is Him who revives me. 

He calls me His daughter and has adopted me as His own. He is the lover of my soul, my dark, scheming, human soul. He calls me the apple of His eye and He calls me by my name. 

Today, make the most out of your love here on earth by understanding that nobody is perfect, and the only love that will complete you is God's. The love that God has blessed us with here on earth is to make this life better not perfect. 

Have a wonderful day with your father and/or family tomorrow!

Single Ladies...No Boys Allowed.

Yeah, yeah... "She doesn't know my life... easy for her to say... she doesn't know what she's talking about..." BUT, I'm going to say it anyways. 

Don't settle. Don't give in. Don't give up. Don't lose hope. Don't disregard your expectations.

Just because a few of the guys you meet don't meet your expectations doesn't mean they are too high. You just haven't met the right one yet. Chances are, when you actually do, he'll even exceed those expectations.

Just because "every other guy is doing it" doesn't mean you have to accept it. Your guy doesn't have to "do it" or whatever the new "it" is. Don't accept bull crap. You deserve better. 

Just because he's not what Cosmo defines as the "perfect man," doesn't mean that he isn't the perfect man for you. Quirks are a good thing. If you know that it's what God wants, don't even read that trash. It's irrelevant and will do nothing less than cause you to second guess yourself and your man. 

Finally, it's never a bad thing to expect respect. But first, you've got to respect yourself, AND accept yourself. 

I'm far from a Love Guru, but there is nothing worse than doing my "social networking rounds" and seeing negative comments about being single, there being no hope, and boys drool nonsense. It really is disheartening. I hate to know that there are many girls out there who have settled, and will never truly experience what they ought to be.

I just pray that each of you would stick it out, persevere, pray, until one day you're blessed beyond anything you could humanly fathom. God's plan for you will be worth it. 

Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

It has been far too long since I last blogged. I apologize for my lack of updates to you readers. But, if I'm being honest...given the nature of this blog, I didn't feel adequate enough to blog. It has been a crazy whirlwind since December and I came across this verse in Ecclesiastes this morning and decided it was time to pick up an old habit, again. So, without further adieu...

It's raw. It's real. It's unedited. 

"I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless..." - Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

I will be the first to admit my imperfections, in fact, I embrace them. However, over the last year or so I have been conducting myself in a manner that is absolutely unacceptable. And it got worse before it got better. This morning I came across this verse written by Solomon and it struck a chord. I did the whole "Christian" thing. It's all I strived for. I even transferred to a Nazarene University because I wanted to strengthen my relationship with Christ. Little did I know, that decision would be the best decision of my life. 

Before we get to that--I had spent my teenage years leading a Christ-centered life. I was THAT girl. Ask anyone I went to high school with and they will tell you. "She was the goody goody." Which is absolutely accurate. I loved Jesus and I hated anything and anyone that got in my way. But after a couple of years in college, and a lot of bad influences, my walk with Christ seemed to fade. I hadn't necessarily done anything wrong, but my walk wasn't the same.

Then, after my grandpa passed away, I got myself involved with the wrong people during a time in which I was seeking any cure for my pain. I began to choose partying over church. Empty relationships over real loving friendships. Pretty much pushed Christ to the back burner. I guess this was my "acting out" stage. And as a baptist, if there is one thing I know...it is that rules are made to be broken. But, I spent so long doing what I wanted and listening to the lies of this world that I completely set aside anything God had planned for my life.

But luckily, the friends I made at Trevecca and God's unfailing slap in the face helped greatly in getting me back on track. Seeing the example that my friends led on a basis made me want to be a better person. But their genuine kindness and love reminded me that regardless of my filthy, tainted soul; Christ is always waiting with open arms for me--His daughter--to come sprinting back to Him.

I am so thankful for my new school, new friends, and unconditionally loving Father...I can't even express it in words. I'm sure I will fail miserably again one day--probably sooner rather than later--but I know that despite my imperfections there is always the One and Only lover of my soul standing right by my side just waiting for me to make a move toward Him. 

My prayer today is that I am constantly reminded of the goodness and love that the Father brings. And that I will remember to focus on his desires for my life rather than my own meaningless desires.