Tuesday August 26th, 2014: Fruits

Devotions

“A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad.” Matthew 12:33 NIV

So how does this apply to your life? Your life produces either good or bad fruit and people will identify you by it. As Christians we should try to be a good tree with good fruit.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a conversation with a non- Believer only to find out that the reason they don’t have a relationship with God is because of other Christian’s bad fruit. Now I’m not saying that this is truly the reason they don’t have a relationship with God but what if we didn’t give them a chance to say that. Too often than not we call ourselves Christians but have bad fruit… Because we are Christians our tree should be good creating good fruit!

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So today’s challenge is to look at your tree… Are you producing good or bad fruit because your life will be identified by it.

Monday August 25th, 2014

Fashion

I love dressing up a plain outfit with some fun necklaces! I also love a good jean shirt and this is one of my favorites! This high-low skirt is also so fun to dress up. Happy Monday!

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Photography by Abbey Burge Photography

Top: Cotton On / Skirt: Target / Purse: Rebecca Minkoff / Necklaces: J-Crew and J-Crew / Watch: Micheal Kors / Bracelets: my great Grandmothers / Shoes: Tory Burch ‘Miller’ Sandal in Black

Friday August 22nd, 2014: Psychosocial Brooke Fraser

Favorite Fridays

Brooke Fraser’s new song Psychosocial is a game changer, ya’ll. Brooke Fraser, who started singing at Hillsong, has undeniable talent. Her unique voice has the power to captivate every listener. Psychosocial is unlike anything Brooke’s ever produced. The poppy beat and brilliant message is destined to be a hit. When a song opens with, “I love your projection but I don’t love you” you know you’re about to dive into a deep topic. The song goes on to support the influence of social media on our lives. Go check this song out. You won’t be sorry!

The song was released this week on SoundCloud but hasn’t been released on iTunes yet so here’s the link for SoundCloud. 🙂 

Thursday August 21st, 2014: Who Ya Trustin’?

Devotional

“You don’t need to know everything when you’re with someone you trust.” – Bob Goff, Love Does

I’m a worrier. I worry about all sorts of stupid stuff. I stress out about the weirdest stuff too. I’m a planner. I like to have all the details mapped out at least two weeks before. I also love schedules. I love consistency. I’m a control freak. I like to know everything that’s going on… Basically I’m a weirdo. Even though some of those personality traits are good traits, it often gets in the way of my relationship with God.

Trusting the Lord with all your heart is no easy feat. See God doesn’t always give us all the info up front. He doesn’t always explain what He’s about to do… BUT He does promise that He’s never leaving or forsaking you (Deuteronomy 31:6).

 Leaning not on my own understanding is my biggest problem. I’m a smart girl. I can figure out just about anything. I could figure out life on my own. Would it ever turn out right? No, but I could attempt to. In fact a lot of times I find this happening. I start leaning on my own understanding and then I wonder why my life’s a mess!

 In all your ways submit to him because He know what He’s doing. He created the heavens and earth… He knows what He’s doing.

 He will make your paths straight because He loves you so much. He sent His only son for you (John 3:16). He cares so much about your future… He even knows your future and wants you to prosper (Jeremiah 29:11)!

So when you start to feel anxious about your future think about whom you trust. Are you trusting God, who will take care of you no matter what, or yourself. Go with the flow and just TRUST GOD!

Tuesday August 19th, 2014: Global Education Ministries

Devotions

Happy Tuesday! Today I’m sharing something very dear to my heart. Some of you may know my sister, Rachel. Rachel moved to Wilmington, North Carolina two years ago broken, away from God, and utterly hopeless. Shortly after arriving to Wilmington she fell in love with Jesus. Over the past two years it has been a joy to see her grow in the Lord.

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In July she graduated from The University of North Carolina Wilmington with a degree in Communication Studies with a focus in video production. When she started to think and pray about her future after college she felt God calling her to Puerto Escondido, Mexico. So August 1st, 2014 she left North Carolina for Puerto Escondido, Mexico. While she is there she will be teaching Kindergarten and producing videos for Global Education Ministries.

GEM Logo

Global Education Ministries (G.E.M) is an educational ministry organization located in Oaxaca, Mexico in the costal town of Puerto Escondido. G.E.M has started an English immersion private school called Centro Educativo el Manantial. Centro Educativo el Manantial has begun as a Pre K-5 school and will grow to become a PreK-12 school. The school provides quality education, but it is primarily an instrument used to share the gospel and Christ’s love with the children and their families.

So my purpose in sharing all of this with you today is to ask you to pray with me. Tomorrow is the first day for Centro Educativo el Manantial and I would love to begin praying for the sweet kids who will walk through those doors tomorrow. Please pray for my sister Rachel as well as the other teachers and missionaries. Pray that there would be no language barrier. Pray that the kids would be able to feel God’s love through this school. Pray that the Puerto Escondido community would feel God’s love through this school. Also pray for protection of the campus, teachers and missionaries, and the children and families.

Rachel sent me these specific things to pray about as well:

1. That God would give her wisdom to be a teacher- which is totally new to her.

2. That sharing the gospel would be first and teaching the children second. Their salvation is way more important than education.

3. That He would give Rachel joy in being a teacher. Writing lesson plans isn’t incredibly fun as of now, but pray that he gives her enjoyment in that.

4. That she would continue to love the culture and not miss home so much.

5. Praise: She has already found a church body, a woman’s Bible study, sweet sisters in Christ to live with, and great brothers and sisters that she gets to work with at school everyday.

God is good!

GEM group

Last Years Class

Thank you so much in advance for praying for my sister and Global Education Ministries.

To find out more info on Global Education Ministries like their Facebook page or check out their website!

Monday August 18th, 2014

Fashion

Back to school for this girl.. 😦 But today on the blog I’m wearing my favorite boyfriend jeans. I think that everyone should own a pair! They are so easy to style, look great with just about any shoes, and they’re so comfortable! I paired these jeans with a sleeveless shirt today but really the possibilities are endless when it comes to styling these jeans. I love this shirt because of the different textures it has. It has little ruffles and lace… A few of my favorites.

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 Shirt: Boutique in Downtown McKinney / Jeans: J-Crew / Shoes: Jack Rogers in gold / Necklace: Monogram necklace was a gift / Watch: Michael Kors / Bracelets: Kate Spade & Pandora / Earrings: Kendra Scott in pearl / Ring: Tiffany & Co. ‘I Love You’ / Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Aviators 58 mm

Friday August 15th, 2014: Power Of A Half Hour

Favorite Fridays

Some of us find ourselves really busy and at the end of the day trying to figure out where all our time went. That’s me… After reading The Power Of A Half Hour by Pastor Tommy Barnett I had to reevaluate where I was spending my time. I spend more time on my phone than with the Lord. So I had to learn to put my phone away. I had to learn that in order to have enough time during the day I had to get up at eight every morning. I’m busy with lots of things and honestly I had taken my God off my priority list. So even though this is the busiest season of my life I’ve spent more time with the Lord.

The Power Of A Half Hour has been one of the most practical books I’ve ever read and completely revolutionized how I spend my time. If you find yourself not having enough time during the day this is a GREAT book!

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Thursday August 14th, 2014: Treasure That Is What You Are

Devotions

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Today I’m going to touch on the subject of treasure and value through Christ. “Treasure that is what you are. Honey, you’re my golden star.” Although I do not support the rest of that song or Bruno Mars’ music I think those lines capture the heavenly Fathers thoughts about us. Deuteronomy 14:2 says, “You have been set apart as holy to The Lord your God, and he has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be his own special treasure.” You are so precious and valuable to Him that you have been set apart from all the nations as holy as His own special treasure. Yes, YOU!

So what does that mean? How does that affect your everyday life? It’s really simple… Recognize your value. Look in the mirror and repeat to yourself, “I am God’s special treasure.” Whenever you don’t feel pretty, worth anything, average, inadequate, remember Deuteronomy 14:2. Memorize it and quote it when you’re feeling down.

Stop comparing yourself to that girl you stalk on Instagram. Believe it or not she doesn’t have the perfect life. Stop worrying about how many favorites or retweets your tweet may get. It doesn’t matter. There’s no need to post a revealing picture simply to get attention from a guy. You are a beautiful piece of treasure and God called you to be different than that (Deuteronomy 14:2)! You were bought at a high price (1 Corinthians 6:20, John 3:16, 1 Peter 1:18-19). God sees you as a priceless jewel that cannot be destroyed or blemished. Even with your flaws, mistakes, issues, and shortcomings are still beautiful to God.

So the choice is yours. Are you going to believe the lies your spiritual enemy is feeding into your life or are you going to see yourself as treasure? If you’re choosing to believe what God says about you say, “In the name of Jesus, I rebuke the lies I believe about myself. I’m choosing to believe in your truth. You see me as a priceless jewel that cannot be blemished or destroyed and there’s absolutely nothing I can do that will separate me from your love.”

You are treasure!

Wednesday August 13th, 2014

Fashion

As much as I love to dress up, some days I just need to throw on a baseball tee and jean shorts. This shirt is so easy to style and comfy! I usually wear these shorts with a little roll at the bottom but I decided to wear them more as cutoffs with this shirt. Happy Wednesday. 🙂

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Shirt: Old Navy / Shorts: American Eagle / Shoes: Urban Outfitters / Purse: Rebecca Minkoff / Necklaces: Dogeared Pearls of Love & Monogram necklace was a gift / Watch: Michael Kors / Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Clubmaster 49 in tortoise