Bits and pieces of my weekend.

 It was Maggie's 21st birthday. I bought here Alexander Mcqueen: Savage Beauty. A gift that at which I can marvel as well. 

 Free People top, Rich and Skinny jeans, Jeffery Campbell Litas

It was a great night! 

Tonight in Church we talked about David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11. It was definitely a sermon I needed to hear. David, though described as a "man after God's own heart" was a sinner and needs a Savior just as much as the rest of us. Written by David after he had faced those struggles is Psalm 51. A personal favorite of mine. This psalm broke the hardness of my heart at Greek Summit last summer and it did the same for me tonight. 

Prepare for some Jesus-love. Because I have some things I would like to say. Enjoy!

Here are two of my favorite verses, though I am in love with the entire psalm. 

"Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones you have crushed rejoice."

v. 8

The visualization of bones being crushed is so relevant. God allows us to pursue other "gods" for worldly satisfaction for a time, but after we have grown exhausted from seeking our safety elsewhere He comes down from heaven and shakes us! He says, "Beloved, what are you doing? All you could ever need is here with Me!" This confrontation feels like bones breaking, and it makes sense. These false pillars we make cannot hold the weight of salvation. Life doesn't work that way. But once these bones of ours are no more, then can we realize that He is truly what we have been looking for. In Him we have FREEDOM, LOVE, and PERFECTION. And, my friends, you can find that no where else. How wonderful is that? He is EVERYTHING WE NEED. 

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, 

O God, you will not despise."

v. 17

I know I have mentioned this verse before, but it reaches me in new ways every time I read it. God wants our brokenness. Jesus came to take it, and with Him it was nailed to a cross. If we believe Jesus is who He says He is, we no longer have to obey our brokenness. Our cracked, cold hearts do not have to control us. With Jesus, we are free to love and serve Him. We were designed for it. So why waste any more time chasing after these worldly desires, eventually the pillars will fall. But He NEVER will. He is always perfect and He loves you unconditionally. A love like this is only possible with Him. 

Please, read Psalm 51 all the way through, if you have the time. You won't regret it. Hey, you can even read it right here.

Have a great Monday!

Much Needed Inspiration.

all photos found on tumblr

The other night I was feeling overwhelmed. Not necessarily with bad circumstances, just with everything in general. There has been a lot going on, and I have felt like life is racing past me. I have had no time to enjoy the wonders of this world. I read Psalm 142 that night and it truly brought light to my situation. I am going to post the whole psalm here, I hope you like it! 

I cry aloud to the LORD; 

   I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy. 

I pour out before him my complaint; 

   before him I tell my trouble.

 When my spirit grows faint within me, 

   it is you who watch over my way. 

In the path where I walk 

   people have hidden a snare for me. 

Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; 

   no one is concerned for me. 

I have no refuge; 

   no one cares for my life.

 I cry to you, LORD; 

   I say, “You are my refuge, 

   my portion in the land of the living.”

 Listen to my cry, 

   for I am in desperate need; 

rescue me from those who pursue me, 

   for they are too strong for me. 

Set me free from my prison, 

   that I may praise your name. 

Then the righteous will gather about me 

   because of your goodness to me.

Psalm 142

Have a great Saturday! Go Gamecocks!! 

See ya!

I'm off to Macon, GA with this cutie. It sounds like she's got some pretty cool activities planned for us. I am bringing my camera, of course, so expect some fun posts when I return! And I have a much needed inspiration post scheduled for tomorrow. I feel like such a good blogger! Though you may not feel the same. 

Anyways, have a great Labor Day Weekend!! 

"Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."

         Psalm 126:2

       

Songs of Joy.

I have some big news. Last night was our first Kappa Bible Study. Ashley and I had been preparing for this night for a long time. It was like Bid Day for the Chaplains. All day I had been looking forward to it, and preparing as best as I could. A meeting with the leader of Greek Impact, Kitty, got me even more excited. God provided more than I ever thought He would. I truly had been underestimating His magnificent power. I had this excited feeling, like He was going to surprise me somehow, but I did not fully give into His love. I was still concerned and doubting the turn-out. 

We are studying one of Marian Jordan's books, Sex and the City Uncovered: Exposing the Emptiness and Healing the Hurt. Kitty provided us with ten books, that we could give to the girls for a lesser price. I thought ten was being optimistic. But as 7:15 inched closer and closer, the excitement grew. God was giving me such joy, a joy that seemed to push away the depressing fact that my beloved Golden Retriever has yet to be found. He seemed to whisper, you just wait. Looking back, I feel like I was experiencing a real-life Jesus Calling devotional, except even more magnified. 

And boy, did He come through. We had 19 girls at our first meeting! Possibly a Kappa record? Praise the Lord. He is GOOD! All good. And he has no other idea in mind than your good! He has shown me this week how to trust. How to look only to Him. I had been only putting half my trust in Him, not fully giving in, not relinquishing my desire to control. But when your dog has run away, with no collar, and is eleven years old, there is no control. I have no idea where she is, whom she is with, or even if she is alive. *sob* But I know God is good. I know that He will get me through this and, better still, He will show me His love and mercy through it all. 

So, some many words of encouragement about my life. And one particular verse speaking to me through it all...

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

Psalm 125:5

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLIVIA.

My beautiful sister is 14 years old today. Here is a tribute. My favorite pictures of Olivia. 

"Whom have I in heaven but you?

And earth has nothing I desire besides you."

Psalm 73:25

I wish I had this mentality all the time. It makes life so much more joyful! I want to live with an eternal perspective. 

Enjoy your day!