Who are you...

Yesterday I sat at lunch with a few students who I would consider myself close with. The girls talked and talked about both of their lives, the good and the bad. Both had similar stories of the everyday high school life. They confessed that instead of feeling respected for making the right decisions and not going with the flow they have become the outsiders. The ones people avoid. They've become the social outsiders. They talked about the large groups everyone runs in, and their need to be accompanied in their bad decisions. Then they both confessed so many Friday nights when they've sat at home with their family while so many others were out "having a good time". The entire conversation was great, and I told the girls how very proud I am of them both for being strong in what they believe, and not being swayed by the majority. I love hearing those kinds of stories! But the part of the conversation that intrigued me the most was how the girls recognized that the majority of the students making bad decisions for themselves were all in some sort of group. The inability to be alone. Needing someone else to justify the decisions you're making for yourself. Sound familiar?

The more I've thought about it, the more I understand and see that insecurity is plaguing us today, heavily. Are you afraid to be alone? Does the silence in your life scream truth? Do you fear that? Great questions you should seriously explore in your own life...in my own life.

If there was any advice I would start off giving someone, it would be to be comfortable being you. Just you. No additives, no substitutions. Just the person that God created you to be. And be comfortable being alone! Refuse to allow another person or thing fill the parts of you that only God can fill. Could you make a hard decision without an army of "friends" behind you? Can you stand up for what you know is right, even when people don't agree? Don't get me wrong, I love company, but I truly believe the presence of others in our live can easily overshadow what God is trying to do. Sometimes it's just necessary to be alone. Having our own relationship with God means individuality at it's best. He wants to take us above and beyond what we can imagine, and He longs to fill that insecurity that might be plaguing us. It's our job to allow Him to do that!

The Silent Destroyer

Over the past 6 months or so I've really gotten into VH1 television. Specifically Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew. Usually when this comes up in conversation, there's a quick laugh and that "really?" look thrown my way. Yes, REALLY. Although it can be wildly entertaining to watch some of these people live day to day, my heart is completely broken for them. I carry an extreme hate for pornography or any sort of sexual abuse. I've been able to see first hand how these things can destroy a person from the inside out. When I was 5 until about age 9 I was sexually molested by a family member, and although it doesn't effect my day to day life now there was a time it effected me every single day in a huge way. It broke me. It ruined my view on what God intended for me to understand about sex. How many people have experienced this same hurt? More than you can possibly imagine.
I hate hearing people say that pornography isn't wrong, that it doesn't effect them. It angers me. Especially when I watch members of my own family struggle with reclaiming their life due to porn. It's poison. And the perfect opportunity for Satan to destroy you slowly, without you even realizing....before it's too late.
On a more personal note, just speaking as a girl, I'm incredibly offended by pornography. Incredibly pissed. Incredibly degraded. The day I start feeling like I'm nothing more than a piece of meat, I'll be sure to let you know.
Brian Mills posted a blog with a ton of facts about porn and its effects. In fact, I'll blame him for getting me all fired up about this all over again. Check it out.

Only missing one thing......

ME!!!!!

I love it!

eet...

Merry Christmas...

From the North Youth Staff!

Oh, I just love my team....

:)

Learning...

Enjoy it.

Little Parker!

You can't help but smile when you see this! So cute!

He's one already! Happy Birthday Little Man

No matter...

No matter where I am.

No matter who I'm with.

No matter my reputation.

No matter what you think.

No matter my circumstance.

No matter my frustration.

No matter my weakness.

No matter my down fall.

No matter my status.

There You are.

"The righteous will live by faith."

-Paul

QT, today.

If through the Spirit of God we have an unmeasurable power, why are our lives controlled by fear and insecurity?

This question caused me to stop, sit, and think. Which then led to the question, am I ineffective? Insecure? Scared? And the reality is, yes...I have the tendency to sometimes be all three. By nature I'm aggressive. I want to excel. Average isn't good enough. In the times I'm experiencing ineffectiveness, or insecurity it's very frustrating. And very discouraging.

The more I think about it and experience it, the more I understand that He truly is strong in my weakness. I understand what it means to live by the Spirit. I've taken the words of Paul today and found comfort. Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord. So, this is me boasting, recognizing I am nothing and I owe Him everything.

What a good day.

I have no words...

♥cute

Easy Entertainment!

Best $3 I've spent in a long time!

I love that girl....and her cheap entertainment.

(and btw Kev, get all your crap out of my living room! k thanks)

Aw.

Hear Me.

Change me.

Forgive me.

Grow me.

Mold me.

Take me.

Form me.

Love me.

Help me.

Challenge me.

Ground me.

Humble me.

Quiet me.

Build me.

Encourage me.

Fill me.

Use me.

Sustain me.

ALL for You.

Her Morning Elegance

Dinner with the girls!

They are fun! Thank you Lyndsay and Michelle for all your help!

leave me

Leave Me from Daros Films on Vimeo.

Michelle Gray

Soo...I have no idea how I've worked here for a year and a half and wasn't aware that Michelle was such an artist! I'm so impressed. I love her work.
Check it out here!

Focus

But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
2 Tim 4:5

"If His grace is an ocean, we are all sinking."

-David Crowder

Note Taken...

Sometimes as I go through my journal I'm shocked at some of my thoughts. Some make me laugh, some make me sad, some I have no clue what was going through my head that day. When I put them together, it's fun.

We are called to live in anticipation.

People change.

The smell of fall is comforting.

The fast lane isn't fast enough.

We're all in the process of dying.

God has given you dreams- chase them.

Wedding veils were cool in 1986.

Lack of belief is simply lack of understanding.

The least dependant you are on someone, the better!

I don't want all the answers.

Never be intimidated.

Humans have a knack for screwing things up. Welcome to existence.

London is beautiful.

Desperation and instability is NOT attractive, girls. Get a grip.

Hearts need a lot of time to heal.

Ministry is hard.

McDonald's fries are the best.

The most growth I do is by listening to others.

Boldness should be a goal.

Life is one big decision.

In love is either the best, or worst place to be.

Fail. And get back up. Every time.

If you have to ask if it makes you look fat, chances are the answer is yes.

EVERYONE desires authenticity.

A changed life should move you to tears.

Obama is not the Antichrist. Everyone chill.

Finding the love of your life is an achievement. Treat it like one.

If you order from an infomercial, you're an idiot.

Unconditional love is easy to say, but I'm finding one of the hardest things I'll ever attempt to do.

Buy me a bag of sunflower seeds and you're my hero.

Change brings growth.

I take the ones I love for granted. I hate this about myself. Must change.

Snuggies? Really?

Life is funny. We're too serious about it sometimes.

♥

The Britt's!

A day in the life. If you can't find them, check the baseball field. I love my family so much! Alec had a baseball game this afternoon, and it was BEAUTIFUL outside! Don't forget to take part in what matters most....the little things!

It's a new day.

my ♥ today

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Rom 8:18

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait patiently for it.

Rom 8:25

My God is good.

And faithful.

And all I need.

Fall Riot 2009

God showed up yo. Amazing.

Fav

I might listen to this song 10 times a day. Love it!

Happy Birthday Tara Layia!

One for good ol' days sake.

I love you!

Wish you were closer everyday!

Who sings that song?

Taylor Swift.
Let's let her sing it....

Fall Riot is CONTAGIOUS!

To Save a Life

To Save A Life is an indie movie about the real life challenges of teens and their choices, written by seasoned youth worker Jim Britts and inspired by a passion to reach teenagers with life-affirming entertainment.


CHECK IT OUT.

Great read from Driscoll

Leadership is Lonely

Fail. Big time.

Today I went to lunch with an old girlfriend that I haven't seen in probably 3 months. She was one of my running buddies back in my pre-Jesus days. It's been several years now. Occasionally we see one another, but as you can imagine the different lifestyles has taken it's toll on the relationship. A good toll in my opinion. We talk of old times occasionally, but always with the understanding and respect that they are indeed only old times. Although she completely understands my heart and the things I believe, I was a total failure today. Not once did I encourage her, not once did I speak in a way that would've made me any different from the next person. I left completely convicted and almost in tears. Especially after she insisted on paying for the meal. Someone without Jesus just offered me more than I offered her. Wow.

This is just me being real. Today, I failed God.

Not a cool feeling.

Girls' Ministry

Over the past few months God has really opened my heart and eyes up to understand the significance one life can play in another. Especially girls. I spend a lot of my time hanging out with high school girls and getting to experience what life looks like from their end. It's intense. Without even realizing it they are screaming to be led. There is an opportunity in front of each of us to be able to pour into another life. This isn't about us! It's about others. This week I've challenged my girls to go out of their way to show love for a person they wouldn't normally, and to understand the part they are playing is MUCH bigger than the status they hold or they school they attend. In turn, this challenged me as well. Ask yourself everyday how you've helped another. It wasn't a suggestion from Jesus. It was a command. The word "GO" echoes in my mind. We can learn all we want to learn and read all we want to read, but the action is what puts our faith to work. ACT.

Every week for the next few weeks a group of girls and myself will be taking trips to deliver this card to other women in ministry. We are so excited to see how God will use their experiences, heart breaks, advice and love to lead us. We've already had some excellent feedback. We come on our knees and expecting God to do great things.

To make your season beautiful, become a girl who lives for the glory of God. Become a girl who encourages others to rise up and be bold.

We will shine like stars in the universe,

Holding out Your truth in the darkest place.

We'll be living for Your glory!

-MATT REDMAN

Krochet Kids!

The Krochet Kids organization....neat deal!

Our Values
People: We desire holistic freedom for our people to grow and enrich their lives physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Our Product: We believe in quality, handmade products that not only bring comfort and style, but serve as a vehicle for social change.
Love: We believe actions rooted in love bring lasting and powerful change. Our model for love is that of the ultimate servant: Jesus.

My fav! Cute!