Tuesday September 23rd, 2014: It Is Not Enough To Be Busy

“It is not enough to be busy. So are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?” –Henry David Thoreau

I tweeted this quote a last week and I just can’t stop thinking about it. It is not enough to be busy. We must ask ourselves what we are busy about. Are we busy with sports or social media or our boyfriend or school? Has God taken the sideline in your busy schedule?

“Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT

This verse gets me every time… WHATEVER you do, do it for the glory of God. So this includes time management. Sometimes I lay in bed at night thinking about all the opportunities I missed because I was “too busy” to reach people. I mean if you are a Christian every moment of your day should be spent intentional, right? Did you even have time to think about God today?

I am by no means saying I’ve got this all down either. I don’t. I just feel convicted personally because I am so busy but I don’t know where my time goes! How intentional am I being with my time? So today think about how you can be intentional with your time.

Monday September 22nd, 2014

Fashion

Happy Monday! This weekend was crazy and this week is going to be even crazier.. It’s Homecoming week so there’s no rest for me. 🙂 Anyways! This outfit is my go to casual outfit. I love throwing on some shorts and a v-neck and adding a little color with a plaid shirt tied around my waist. I added these sunglasses to add a little more color. Thanks for reading!

Photography: Abbey Burge Photography

Shirt: Target / Shorts: American Eagle / Plaid Shirt: Hollister / Purse: Louis Vuitton Speedy 35 / Shoes: Toms / Watch: Michael Kors / Necklace: Dogeared ‘Pearls of Love’ / Earrings: Nordstorm / Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Mirrored Aviators 55mm

Friday September 19th, 2014: Vrsly

Favorite Fridays

Happy Friday! Today I wanted to share with you an awesome app called Vrsly. This app add words to pictures. Each day they offer a new design, as well as designs that are offered for an extended period of time. I used the Vrsly app to edit this picture!

Although the app costs .99 cents I think it’s worth it! You can check it out in the app store. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Thursday September 18th, 2014: SHERO Kara Gore

Shero

Today I’m starting a new category on the blog called Sheros, which I got from Taylor! A Shero is a she hero (duh 🙂 ). Sheros are woman I find who exemplify the Proverbs 31 woman. These are women who put others before themselves and personify Jesus.

Today’s Shero is Kara Gore. Kara Gore is your modern day superwoman! I have the privilege of personally knowing her. Kara and her husband Shane have three adorable kids, Hayze (11), and twin girls Morgan and Makenna (9). Kara works with the youth at my church and as I’ve gotten to know her, she has become a role model to me.

Kara is the real deal. She is the most organized person I know. She can do literally anything. She handles herself with so much grace and humility. She has taught me what it looks like to balance church, a marriage, and raising kids. If you know Kara you know that she is truly Jesus with skin. Kara is willing to do anything for others. She would give you the shirt off her back. She is an amazing woman and a true SHERO!

-What do you like to do in your free time?

I love to spend time with my kids and husband. I know I only have a certain time with my kids so I try to spend as much time with them as I can. I also like having people over at our house. When I have time for myself I like to go shopping… Every momma who gets alone time needs some retail therapy! 🙂

-Would you have imagined your life looking like this when you were a teenager?

No, not at all. When I graduated high school I thought I wanted to be a paralegal. I grew up in church, but I never would’ve thought I would end up working in the church. I wouldn’t have imagined marrying a pastor either. Not that I wouldn’t have, but I just wasn’t living my life the right way. I wouldn’t have thought that God would’ve used me.

-If you could go back and change anything in your past would you, if so what?

Yes, just choices I made about boys that I liked and the way that I lived my life. I would’ve been a stronger Christian.

-What are some encouraging words to teenagers/ young women?

Pray about decisions and consult the Lord in every decision you make. In your dating life, friendships, etc. Make good choices. I learned the hard the way and I wish that I would’ve learned that the first time around. It’s better to make good decisions early in life than to look back with regrets. I also wish I would’ve been a better example at school and been a better Christ like example in my classmates lives.

-Favorite Scripture

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

Get connected with Kara:

Twitter: @karagore

Instagram: @kgore

Wednesday September 17th, 2014

Fashion

This outfit… Makes me so happy. This skort (yes I said skort) cost $7.99………. I LOVE a good deal! This shirt is one of my favorites. These sunglasses are so fun! These shoes are near perfect. As you can tell I really like this outfit. LOL. Happy happy Wednesday, ya’ll!

Photography: Abbey Burge Photography

Skirt: Forever 21 / Skort: Boscovs / Shoes: Sam Edelman / Purse: Rebecca Minkoff / Rings: Pandora / Bracelets: Vintage / Sunglasses: Boutique in Wilmington, NC

Tuesday September 16th, 2014: Not Enough

Devotions

“Everything is so weary and tiresome! No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are never content.” Ecclesiastes 1:8

This verse has been super convicting lately. Everything I do is so tiresome. I feel like I’m always tired. I feel like I can never get my head above water. No matter what I have, I’m never satisfied. Nothing is ever enough.

I get so annoyed with myself! I have the greatest hope… Jesus.

No wonder I’m tired… I’m trying to do it on my own. I’m trying to find happiness in places other than God. No wonder I’m never satisfied. Anything apart from God will not bring me complete happiness and satisfaction. I will never be content if I trust anyone other than God.

So this week when you’re weary, unsatisfied, and restless remember that God can solve ALL your problems… You just have to let Him.

Happy Tuesday!

Monday September 15th, 2014

Fashion

Happy Monday! I’m loving this cooler weather! Today I’m wearing this fun scarf. I love the pattern and colors. Hope everyone has a great rest of the week. 🙂

Photography: Abbey Burge Photography

Shirt: The Gap / Jeans: Joe’s Jeans / Scarf: Forever 21 / Belt: Tj Maxx / Purse: Rebecca Minkoff / Earrings: Kendra Scott in black / Watch: Fossil borrowed from my friend Lydia / Bracelets: Tiffany & Co, Pandora, Sonyas / Ring: Forever 21 / Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Aviators 58mm

Friday September 12th, 2014: Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce K-Cups

Favorite Fridays

Happy Friday! Earlier this week I came down with some sort of cold (sore throat, stuffy nose, uncontrollably sneezing, horrible headaches). So this week I’ve been drinking lots of green tea (my favorite is Tazo Zen Green Tea) and coffee. A few weeks ago I was at Target and saw these new Keurig cups. During fall and winter I love Starbucks’ Cinnamon Dolce Latte so naturally I had to pick these up! Oh my word these are SO good! This coffee with a little French vanilla creamer… MMM! I would highly recommend these K-cups!

http://www.target.com/p/starbucks-cinnamon-dolce-k-cup-16-ct/-/A-15255008#prodSlot=medium_3_10

Thursday September 11th, 2014: Romans 8: 31-39 Nothing Can Separate Us From God’s Love

Devotions

Today is the fourth and final post of the Romans 8 series :(. If you missed the first three they are here, here, and here! I hope you guys have enjoyed this series as much as I have! Happy Thursday.

“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.” Romans 8:31-34

If God is for us, who can be against us? Some days I feel like everyone is against me, my parents, my teachers, strangers, even my friends. Then I’m reminded of this verse… God is for me! Those other people don’t matter because the highest king is for me! He spared His one and only Son for me! His son became my advocate with the Father. Jesus made me blameless. My debt has been paid!

“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?(As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” Romans 8:35-37

His love has no exceptions. It doesn’t leave us when we’re in trouble. It doesn’t leave is when we’re in tribulations. It doesn’t leave is when we’re in danger. It never leaves us. His love is our victory.

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

What can separate us from Christ’s love? Nothing. Not life or death, not angels or demons, not fears or worries. Not even the powers of hell or powers of the sky above or in the earth below. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.

As always, thanks for reading!

Wednesday September 10th, 2014

Fashion

Happy Wednesday! Even though the weather is getting a little (very little) cooler, it’s still hot. Trying to find the silver lining is this Texas heat is difficult BUT possible. So I’ll continue to use these warmer days to wear some summer tops…Also I love love love these pants! I love Zara denim. They fit me so well and are priced well. Win win! Thanks for reading 🙂

Photography: Abbey Burge Photography

Shirt: TJ Maxx / Pants: Zara / Purse: Rebecca Minkoff / Shoes: Steven Madden ‘Nonstp’ / Watch: Fossil Watch borrowed from my friend Lydia / Ring: Forever 21 / Earrings: Sam Moon