I didn't realize how much I'd missed the sun until today.
I stepped outside to put some letters in the mail when...BAM!
A wave of warmth and brightness washed over me like a tidal wave.
Praise the Lord for the sun!
I can't believe that it's 60 degrees outside at the end of January.
Jan.U.Ary.
Foreal. That's insane!
So I ran my errands with my windows down.
I also forgot how much I love driving.
Thanks God for giving me a hug via the sun today.
The sun genuinely makes my heart sing.
It also brings on spastic giggle attacks while i'm driving.
Thanks God for the Joy that can be found only in your beautiful creation.
#breathetaking
Sunshine Makes My Heart Smile
Sunshine Makes My Heart Smile
The Journey
The Journey
I used to hate car rides.
We'd get all packed up, and the anticipation would build as the long stretches of road seemed to go on forever.
I'd do anything to pass the time.
I'd watch movies, draw, attempt to sleep, listen to music, or whatever else I could do to try to stave off the excitement.
Somewhere in between high school and college, my frame of mind switched.
No longer do I dread the 4 hour drive between Minnesota and home.
Now, instead, I welcome it.
I long to stare out the window at the beautiful fields whizzing by.
To take a couple hours to just breathe in the beauty of God's creation.
I revel in those moments of closeness with the Lord as I gasp at the wonders to behold.
Who knew the glories that could be found in a corn field?
Or the magnificence of the sun hitting the hills covered in snow just right?
Or the way the sun shines down through the clouds in visible rays?
I scarce can take it in - my heart pounding in my chest in delight.
You see, somewhere in between high school and college it clicked.
I shouldn't be wasting those beautiful hours.
I shouldn't be counting down time.
Because, by counting down until I graduated, or the next break, or to the weekend -
I lost the precious time in between.
That time is what makes up life.
Without the week days, what would weekends be?
Without the school year, we wouldn't enjoy summer.
They would lose their golden hue and shine if they were everyday.
Life isn't just the highlights.
Life is the journey.
The trip that you take to get to the destination.
So many times I wish I could just fast forward.
To skip the boring parts of life and move on to the future.
But, in reality, it's the every day that makes life so special.
It's the long stretches of road in between.
It's those quiet and serene moments when the world stands still.
Life is the messy bits.
Life is the highlights.
Life is everything in between.
Life is the journey.
We'd get all packed up, and the anticipation would build as the long stretches of road seemed to go on forever.
I'd do anything to pass the time.
I'd watch movies, draw, attempt to sleep, listen to music, or whatever else I could do to try to stave off the excitement.
Somewhere in between high school and college, my frame of mind switched.
No longer do I dread the 4 hour drive between Minnesota and home.
Now, instead, I welcome it.
I long to stare out the window at the beautiful fields whizzing by.
To take a couple hours to just breathe in the beauty of God's creation.
I revel in those moments of closeness with the Lord as I gasp at the wonders to behold.
Who knew the glories that could be found in a corn field?
Or the magnificence of the sun hitting the hills covered in snow just right?
Or the way the sun shines down through the clouds in visible rays?
I scarce can take it in - my heart pounding in my chest in delight.
You see, somewhere in between high school and college it clicked.
I shouldn't be wasting those beautiful hours.
I shouldn't be counting down time.
Because, by counting down until I graduated, or the next break, or to the weekend -
I lost the precious time in between.
That time is what makes up life.
Without the week days, what would weekends be?
Without the school year, we wouldn't enjoy summer.
They would lose their golden hue and shine if they were everyday.
Life isn't just the highlights.
Life is the journey.
The trip that you take to get to the destination.
So many times I wish I could just fast forward.
To skip the boring parts of life and move on to the future.
But, in reality, it's the every day that makes life so special.
It's the long stretches of road in between.
It's those quiet and serene moments when the world stands still.
Life is the messy bits.
Life is the highlights.
Life is everything in between.
Life is the journey.
Random Thoughts of the Morning
Random Thoughts of the Morning
The world is right and agreeable in my eyes today.
Sure, it could be kicked up a notch if the sun was shining and the snow was gone,
but snow just makes me appreciate the beauty of life even more when it comes back.
11 hours of sleep, and I feel like I'm walking on a cloud.
Who knew that sleep could change your outlook on life so drastically?
Talking to God just restores my heart.
He pours into me, even when other people aren't.
He gives me love to then in turn give to others.
Like His promise to Abraham.
He didn't just bless him so he felt blessed,
He blessed Abraham so he could bless other people.
In the same way, God pours into me.
Saturating me in His love and affection,
so that i can turn around and share that love with other people.
Smiling, caring, pouring into them, and praying.
Mmm. I love God's love.
He is oh so patient.
He truly restores my soul.
I am eternally grateful.
Sure, it could be kicked up a notch if the sun was shining and the snow was gone,
but snow just makes me appreciate the beauty of life even more when it comes back.
11 hours of sleep, and I feel like I'm walking on a cloud.
Who knew that sleep could change your outlook on life so drastically?
Talking to God just restores my heart.
He pours into me, even when other people aren't.
He gives me love to then in turn give to others.
Like His promise to Abraham.
He didn't just bless him so he felt blessed,
He blessed Abraham so he could bless other people.
In the same way, God pours into me.
Saturating me in His love and affection,
so that i can turn around and share that love with other people.
Smiling, caring, pouring into them, and praying.
Mmm. I love God's love.
He is oh so patient.
He truly restores my soul.
I am eternally grateful.
Coming back to the heart of Worship
Coming back to the heart of Worship
Worship.
So often I think about worship as Sunday morning.
The band on stage, the congregation raising their hands, eyes closed.
Worship - just for Sunday mornings.
But, in reality, worship doesn't end there.
Worship can be many things, not just singing.
Worship can be the way we encourage someone.
Worship can be our quiet times with the Lord.
Worship can be thanking God for His creation on our way to class.
Worship can be making God priority throughout your day - constantly looking for ways to honor Him in actions or words.
Worship can be so many things.
Our attitudes can worship God.
We can worship God through the most mundane tasks.
At the end of the day, worshiping God is our reason to live.
It is through worshiping God that people are saved.
It is through worship that we have compassion on others and show them God's love.
Worship should be the focus of our day, and ultimately our life.
So where is my heart?
Is it centered around worship?
at the end of the day, was my chief goal to bring glory to God?
{It's all about You, it's all about You Jesus. I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it. It's all about You, it's all about You Jesus.}
So often I think about worship as Sunday morning.
The band on stage, the congregation raising their hands, eyes closed.
Worship - just for Sunday mornings.
But, in reality, worship doesn't end there.
Worship can be many things, not just singing.
Worship can be the way we encourage someone.
Worship can be our quiet times with the Lord.
Worship can be thanking God for His creation on our way to class.
Worship can be making God priority throughout your day - constantly looking for ways to honor Him in actions or words.
Worship can be so many things.
Our attitudes can worship God.
We can worship God through the most mundane tasks.
At the end of the day, worshiping God is our reason to live.
It is through worshiping God that people are saved.
It is through worship that we have compassion on others and show them God's love.
Worship should be the focus of our day, and ultimately our life.
So where is my heart?
Is it centered around worship?
at the end of the day, was my chief goal to bring glory to God?
{It's all about You, it's all about You Jesus. I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it. It's all about You, it's all about You Jesus.}
Porcupines & Cars without Hoods
Porcupines & Cars without Hoods
Vulnerability.
It makes me feel like a porcupine flipped on its back. No more protective needles to keep its soft underbelly from the harsh world.
It makes me feel like a knight without armor.
It makes me feel like a car without a hood.
It makes me feel like a house without siding - leaving my soul bared to those I share it with.
But more so, it makes me feel like a woman. Emotional, broken, and soft.
Vulnerability.
it's something I've run from for so long.
But God can use my weaknesses. My openness. My vulnerability.
May He be glorified.
It makes me feel like a porcupine flipped on its back. No more protective needles to keep its soft underbelly from the harsh world.
It makes me feel like a knight without armor.
It makes me feel like a car without a hood.
It makes me feel like a house without siding - leaving my soul bared to those I share it with.
But more so, it makes me feel like a woman. Emotional, broken, and soft.
Vulnerability.
it's something I've run from for so long.
But God can use my weaknesses. My openness. My vulnerability.
May He be glorified.
Lesson
Lesson
The end.
Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) -- Above all else guard your heart, for it determines your course in life.
You Unravel My Heart
You Unravel My Heart
 |
| "You Unravel My Heart" |
It's been crazy. It's been good. It's been crazy good.
It hurts, because unraveling your heart is painful sometimes.
It means being vulnerable.
It means going through scar tissue that you'd rather ignore than remove.
But in the long run - it's so, so worth it.
God is patient, that's for sure. It hasn't been a quick process - and I've backslid a couple times.
But each time I turned to run from the pain, He was right there.
Opening His arms, ready to catch me when I fell, and console me when I cried.
And for that, among all other things, I am eternally grateful.
I can't even begin to explain the journey I've been on.
Through my past, through the present, through the future.
Thinking through things that I've pushed back for so long.
And finally, reaching a place where I feel like my heart is whole again.
Where, even if there are traces of scars where it's been stitched up, it at least resembles a heart.
Restoration. Redemption. Healing.
God has unraveled my heart.
Life
Life
God is good.
I am not worthy.
He loves me anyways.
That pretty much sums up life right there.
I am not worthy.
He loves me anyways.
That pretty much sums up life right there.
A Long List of Things I Enjoy
A Long List of Things I Enjoy
Things I've learned that I like:
- Green
- The outdoors
- Creation
- Trees
- Grass
- Shiny Silver things
- Healthy food
- Exercising
- Walking
- Driving
- Praying
- Spending time with God
- Sunrises
- Sunsets
- Coffee
- Water
- Whole wheat things
- Grilled Chicken
- Animals
- Zoos
- Conservatories
- Reading
- Drawing
- Any sort of historical art/ buildings
- Writing
- Sleeping
- Volleyball/ Basketball
- Chalk
- Riding bicycles
- Hearing the birds chirping
- Singing
- Listening to music
- Dancing
- Spring
- Fall
- Being warm
- Beaches
-Building sand castles
- Laughing
- Sunglasses
- Warm weather with wind
- Flowers
- Natural lighting
- Being busy
- Cooking
- Baking
- Cleaning
- Having a clean room
- Letters
- Scarves
- Cardigans
- Jeans that are long enough
- Freshly painted nails
- Rings
- Laying in the grass
- Making shapes out of clouds
- Sticky Notes
- Scissors
- Construction paper
- Sharpies
- Projects
- Writing papers
- Sugary Candy {Sour patch kids, sprees, mike & ikes - you know, the ones you can TELL are bad for you?}
- Fruit
- Thinly sliced lunch meat
- Homemade bread
- Cookies
- Lakes
- Not having a schedule
- Having a schedule
- Either having a packed schedule or no schedule at all
- Organizing things
- Being organized
- Bright colors
- Dull colors
- Colors in general
- French Vanilla Lattes
- On occasion, chocolate
- Watching movies
- Old buildings (I really like old buildings)
- Beautiful architecture
- Talking with friends
- Listening
- Giving advice
- Boots
- Clean socks
- Brushing my teeth
- Flossing
- Cocoa Butter Lotion
- Being spontaneous
- Planning things
- Decorating
- Green
- The outdoors
- Creation
- Trees
- Grass
- Shiny Silver things
- Healthy food
- Exercising
- Walking
- Driving
- Praying
- Spending time with God
- Sunrises
- Sunsets
- Coffee
- Water
- Whole wheat things
- Grilled Chicken
- Animals
- Zoos
- Conservatories
- Reading
- Drawing
- Any sort of historical art/ buildings
- Writing
- Sleeping
- Volleyball/ Basketball
- Chalk
- Riding bicycles
- Hearing the birds chirping
- Singing
- Listening to music
- Dancing
- Spring
- Fall
- Being warm
- Beaches
-Building sand castles
- Laughing
- Sunglasses
- Warm weather with wind
- Flowers
- Natural lighting
- Being busy
- Cooking
- Baking
- Cleaning
- Having a clean room
- Letters
- Scarves
- Cardigans
- Jeans that are long enough
- Freshly painted nails
- Rings
- Laying in the grass
- Making shapes out of clouds
- Sticky Notes
- Scissors
- Construction paper
- Sharpies
- Projects
- Writing papers
- Sugary Candy {Sour patch kids, sprees, mike & ikes - you know, the ones you can TELL are bad for you?}
- Fruit
- Thinly sliced lunch meat
- Homemade bread
- Cookies
- Lakes
- Not having a schedule
- Having a schedule
- Either having a packed schedule or no schedule at all
- Organizing things
- Being organized
- Bright colors
- Dull colors
- Colors in general
- French Vanilla Lattes
- On occasion, chocolate
- Watching movies
- Old buildings (I really like old buildings)
- Beautiful architecture
- Talking with friends
- Listening
- Giving advice
- Boots
- Clean socks
- Brushing my teeth
- Flossing
- Cocoa Butter Lotion
- Being spontaneous
- Planning things
- Decorating
Random Thoughts & Future Plans
Random Thoughts & Future Plans
Decision making.
Not. A. Fan.
As I've been delving into the depths of my soul these past couple weeks, I think I know where this particular phobia comes from. Growing up I was told I was manipulative, so as a kid I believed that was true. Thus, I've always thought that if I cared either way, I'd somehow subconsciously manipulate people into doing what i wanted. So I've reached the point in my life where I actually don't know what I like to do, who I am, and I can never make decisions.
So great, right?
So if anyone knows of a life-decider that could follow me around, give me the statistics as far as the outcome of situations go, and tell me what to do in every possible situation, I'd be much obliged.
The current decision crisis is this:
What do I do with my life?
Do I want to be a house wife because that's what the US has told me?
Do I want to live in the US?
Do I want to major in intercultural studies or design?
What do I even like to do?
After a month out of an art class I've realized that I actually really miss it.
I love walking around the MIA, and i really just like art in general.
I think it was something I had to realize on my own, though. Not because people have told me I'm good at it, but because I actually want to do it.
So at this moment I'll be a design student at NWC in the fall.
Transferring there is non-negotiable. I really like it there, a lot.
So I'm excited!
Who knows what I'll do with design - illustrate? Design? Who knows?
But something I realized yesterday was that just because I'm a design major doesn't mean I have to stay in the office. I can do design anywhere I please. I could sit at a park and work. That'd be great! Or at a coffee shop!
And a few things God has definitely layed on my heart are: Lukewarm Christians (easier found in the USA than abroad), girls who are going through similar things that I've gone through (mentoring - also easier in the USA), and the crisis that is our middle age complacency (if I live in the US, instead of running away from my fear, God can use it).
In the long run, I don't have to major in missions to do that if I decide to do it later on. So I think I'll do design. And possibly stay in the US. And find a job that in the early years lets me travel a lot.
Then, I could also lead a bible study or be reaching out to other women. A new generation of house wives - those who love the Lord and desire to grow our children with the same desire to serve Him.
Perfect.
So there we have it.
Aunica has made a decision.
Not. A. Fan.
As I've been delving into the depths of my soul these past couple weeks, I think I know where this particular phobia comes from. Growing up I was told I was manipulative, so as a kid I believed that was true. Thus, I've always thought that if I cared either way, I'd somehow subconsciously manipulate people into doing what i wanted. So I've reached the point in my life where I actually don't know what I like to do, who I am, and I can never make decisions.
So great, right?
So if anyone knows of a life-decider that could follow me around, give me the statistics as far as the outcome of situations go, and tell me what to do in every possible situation, I'd be much obliged.
The current decision crisis is this:
What do I do with my life?
Do I want to be a house wife because that's what the US has told me?
Do I want to live in the US?
Do I want to major in intercultural studies or design?
What do I even like to do?
After a month out of an art class I've realized that I actually really miss it.
I love walking around the MIA, and i really just like art in general.
I think it was something I had to realize on my own, though. Not because people have told me I'm good at it, but because I actually want to do it.
So at this moment I'll be a design student at NWC in the fall.
Transferring there is non-negotiable. I really like it there, a lot.
So I'm excited!
Who knows what I'll do with design - illustrate? Design? Who knows?
But something I realized yesterday was that just because I'm a design major doesn't mean I have to stay in the office. I can do design anywhere I please. I could sit at a park and work. That'd be great! Or at a coffee shop!
And a few things God has definitely layed on my heart are: Lukewarm Christians (easier found in the USA than abroad), girls who are going through similar things that I've gone through (mentoring - also easier in the USA), and the crisis that is our middle age complacency (if I live in the US, instead of running away from my fear, God can use it).
In the long run, I don't have to major in missions to do that if I decide to do it later on. So I think I'll do design. And possibly stay in the US. And find a job that in the early years lets me travel a lot.
Then, I could also lead a bible study or be reaching out to other women. A new generation of house wives - those who love the Lord and desire to grow our children with the same desire to serve Him.
Perfect.
So there we have it.
Aunica has made a decision.
Restoration & Redemption
Restoration & Redemption
My heart is a house.
People have smoked in it until the wallpaper starts to peel.
Dogs have relieved themselves on its carpet.
It's been broken into,
stolen from,
abandoned,
and set on fire
until it hardly resembles a house at all.
It's been rented, but never bought,
and now it's been foreclosed on.
It's been rampaged,
pictures from childhood torn down the middle
and dolls torn apart.
Then one day, a buyer comes along.
He looks at the house and says "I'll take it"
the relator opens his mouth, but no words come out.
You see, this buyer? He's the King.
And my heart is just a run-down shack in the middle of nowhere.
"But-but sir! It's not liveable! I mean, the place can hardly stand! It's support is weak and it could fall in on itself with just one gust of wind!"
The King repeats his earlier words "I said, I'll take it."
The salesman names the price.
The King scoffs. "That's much too low."
He offers 4 times the price.
The relator once again just open and closes his mouth,
closely resembling a fish.
He gulps, then nods. This time knowing not to question the King's decision.
The King smiles.
Instead of peeling wallpaper and broken glass, He sees the house the way the architect intended it to be.
In place of the dim light bulbs and creaking stairs, He sees chandeliers and spiral staircases.
You see - He loves that house.
Restoration is a process, and sometimes it hurts.
It's not an easy or painless process - there will be hardships and set backs.
But the King wants to restore your heart - He wants to make it how the architect intended it to be.
He finds beauty in our brokenness.
People have smoked in it until the wallpaper starts to peel.
Dogs have relieved themselves on its carpet.
It's been broken into,
stolen from,
abandoned,
and set on fire
until it hardly resembles a house at all.
It's been rented, but never bought,
and now it's been foreclosed on.
It's been rampaged,
pictures from childhood torn down the middle
and dolls torn apart.
Then one day, a buyer comes along.
He looks at the house and says "I'll take it"
the relator opens his mouth, but no words come out.
You see, this buyer? He's the King.
And my heart is just a run-down shack in the middle of nowhere.
"But-but sir! It's not liveable! I mean, the place can hardly stand! It's support is weak and it could fall in on itself with just one gust of wind!"
The King repeats his earlier words "I said, I'll take it."
The salesman names the price.
The King scoffs. "That's much too low."
He offers 4 times the price.
The relator once again just open and closes his mouth,
closely resembling a fish.
He gulps, then nods. This time knowing not to question the King's decision.
The King smiles.
Instead of peeling wallpaper and broken glass, He sees the house the way the architect intended it to be.
In place of the dim light bulbs and creaking stairs, He sees chandeliers and spiral staircases.
You see - He loves that house.
Restoration is a process, and sometimes it hurts.
It's not an easy or painless process - there will be hardships and set backs.
But the King wants to restore your heart - He wants to make it how the architect intended it to be.
He finds beauty in our brokenness.
Psalm 103
Psalm 103
1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children—
18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
{What a beautiful reminder of God's love!}
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children—
18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
{What a beautiful reminder of God's love!}
Fairy Tales, Castles, and Happily Ever After
Fairy Tales, Castles, and Happily Ever After
I feel like a newly wed.
Basking in the comfort and reliability of true love.
I can't stop smiling.
When I think about Him, I get butterflies.
I want to sing and dance with Him.
I want to talk to Him late into the night.
I want to sit and drink coffee and just pour out my heart to Him.
I want to watch sunrises.
I want to go on walks.
I want to watch movies.
I want to tell everyone about Him,
and the depth of His love for me.
Oh, Jesus, the depth of my love for you is great.
I want to be in this honeymoon stage for the rest of my life.
No complacent love for this girl,
just experiencing life together.
Wrestling with life's hardships together.
And finding Joy in the trials.
Knowing that someday,
He'll whisk me away to His castle,
and we'll have happily ever after.
Basking in the comfort and reliability of true love.
I can't stop smiling.
When I think about Him, I get butterflies.
I want to sing and dance with Him.
I want to talk to Him late into the night.
I want to sit and drink coffee and just pour out my heart to Him.
I want to watch sunrises.
I want to go on walks.
I want to watch movies.
I want to tell everyone about Him,
and the depth of His love for me.
Oh, Jesus, the depth of my love for you is great.
I want to be in this honeymoon stage for the rest of my life.
No complacent love for this girl,
just experiencing life together.
Wrestling with life's hardships together.
And finding Joy in the trials.
Knowing that someday,
He'll whisk me away to His castle,
and we'll have happily ever after.
True Love
True Love
All little girls dream of their true love.
When one day, in whatever circumstance -
her prince will come and whisk her away.
To a castle,
to riches,
to beautiful dresses,
and to true love.
He'll hold her in his arms,
and they'll live happily ever after.
Something I've come to realize is that no human boy can ever fulfill this fantasy.
Because the true love space in my heart is already taken.
Jesus will whisk me away.
Someday, when my life on earth is over,
and I've endured the hardships of this world -
He will take me to Heaven -
THE most beautiful castle.
I'll find riches in the presence of the Lord.
Because in heaven, all of our earthly things won't matter.
There won't be any more pain.
No more sin.
And best of all, we get to worship for the rest of eternity.
We'll get to kneel in the presence of our Savior,
and worship Him - in His presence.
If that isn't happily ever after, I don't know what is.
When one day, in whatever circumstance -
her prince will come and whisk her away.
To a castle,
to riches,
to beautiful dresses,
and to true love.
He'll hold her in his arms,
and they'll live happily ever after.
Something I've come to realize is that no human boy can ever fulfill this fantasy.
Because the true love space in my heart is already taken.
Jesus will whisk me away.
Someday, when my life on earth is over,
and I've endured the hardships of this world -
He will take me to Heaven -
THE most beautiful castle.
I'll find riches in the presence of the Lord.
Because in heaven, all of our earthly things won't matter.
There won't be any more pain.
No more sin.
And best of all, we get to worship for the rest of eternity.
We'll get to kneel in the presence of our Savior,
and worship Him - in His presence.
If that isn't happily ever after, I don't know what is.
My Fortress
My Fortress
As I've been delving into the painful depths of my life,
I've come to realize that I've grown up believing a lot of lies.
Lies that satan whispered in my ear as a little girl.
"You're not pretty. You're father doesn't love you. You'll never add up to anything. You'll always be a failure. You see how your friend left you? Everyone will always abandon you. You're not worth their time. No one cares what you have to say. If you talk about yourself, people will run away."
And so many more.
And as a little girl, I believed these lies.
Until, as an older girl, they became truths.
As I dived into the Word, I began to realize that some of these just didn't add up.
I'm not pretty? But I was made in God's image.
My dad doesn't love me? But God is my father, and His love is perfect and never failing.
I'll never add up to anything? But God made me with a purpose.
I'll always be abandoned? But God will never leave me nor forsake me.
But as much as I wanted to believe these truths, the lies still had deep roots in my heart.
"You have to be strong. Crying is a sign of weakness. You can't give him the power he'll get if he sees you cry."
So I stopped crying, and honestly haven't really cried since I was a little girl.
But that's not okay, because instead of shielding myself and being strong - I should have run to God.
The Lord is my strength and my fortress, He's a strong rock.
But instead, parts of my little girl heart hardened.
And bitterness took root and I was forced to grow up too fast.
Pain lodged it's way deeper and deeper into my heart with every blow.
Every word that was screamed at me was reinforced with those lying whispers from the deceiver.
It's a process.
You can't just pluck the bud off of the weed and pretend it's gone.
Because truthfully, the roots are still in the ground - and unless you mow every day, they're going to come back.
You have to pull out all the roots, which takes time - and strength.
Strength that I don't have, this strength can only come from God.
When I am weak, He is strong.
And little by little, the roots are coming out.
And new roots, the roots of truth, are encircling my heart.
These whispers come with a different voice, while not always in the way I would expect.
Sometimes they come in the fire, sometimes in the wind.
But they come, and they curl around me.
Enveloping me in love, instead of pain.
Joy, instead of sorrow.
Hope, instead of despair.
These words come from the Truth Himself, and the deceiver has no place in my heart anymore.
As his roots are removed, I can almost hear him screaming in rage.
But instead of having to defend myself and be strong,
I can smile and run back into my Father's protective arms.
He is my protector.
I've come to realize that I've grown up believing a lot of lies.
Lies that satan whispered in my ear as a little girl.
"You're not pretty. You're father doesn't love you. You'll never add up to anything. You'll always be a failure. You see how your friend left you? Everyone will always abandon you. You're not worth their time. No one cares what you have to say. If you talk about yourself, people will run away."
And so many more.
And as a little girl, I believed these lies.
Until, as an older girl, they became truths.
As I dived into the Word, I began to realize that some of these just didn't add up.
I'm not pretty? But I was made in God's image.
My dad doesn't love me? But God is my father, and His love is perfect and never failing.
I'll never add up to anything? But God made me with a purpose.
I'll always be abandoned? But God will never leave me nor forsake me.
But as much as I wanted to believe these truths, the lies still had deep roots in my heart.
"You have to be strong. Crying is a sign of weakness. You can't give him the power he'll get if he sees you cry."
So I stopped crying, and honestly haven't really cried since I was a little girl.
But that's not okay, because instead of shielding myself and being strong - I should have run to God.
The Lord is my strength and my fortress, He's a strong rock.
But instead, parts of my little girl heart hardened.
And bitterness took root and I was forced to grow up too fast.
Pain lodged it's way deeper and deeper into my heart with every blow.
Every word that was screamed at me was reinforced with those lying whispers from the deceiver.
It's a process.
You can't just pluck the bud off of the weed and pretend it's gone.
Because truthfully, the roots are still in the ground - and unless you mow every day, they're going to come back.
You have to pull out all the roots, which takes time - and strength.
Strength that I don't have, this strength can only come from God.
When I am weak, He is strong.
And little by little, the roots are coming out.
And new roots, the roots of truth, are encircling my heart.
These whispers come with a different voice, while not always in the way I would expect.
Sometimes they come in the fire, sometimes in the wind.
But they come, and they curl around me.
Enveloping me in love, instead of pain.
Joy, instead of sorrow.
Hope, instead of despair.
These words come from the Truth Himself, and the deceiver has no place in my heart anymore.
As his roots are removed, I can almost hear him screaming in rage.
But instead of having to defend myself and be strong,
I can smile and run back into my Father's protective arms.
He is my protector.
Warm Memories
Warm Memories
Today was just crazy.
Not only did I have an insanely amazing morning,
but God continued to show me His hand of blessing throughout the day.
The words in my mind everytime I started to worry were "I'm the beloved of the King"
and those worries and cares of the world just passed by.
Oh, what Joy I found in the peace of knowing that all that mattered today was Jesus.
Shouldn't every day be that way?
Instead of worrying about getting my homework done,
I just smiled - and looked at it as an opportunity instead of a task.
Instead of stressing about getting to night class on time -
I just smiled, and knew that as long as I didn't stall,
I'd be just fine.
God held me in His arms today, and I could feel the warmth of His embrace with every step I took.
I'm pretty sure if you saw me today, I looked ridiculous.
I was glowing. Smiling. Spinning.
Mmm. To love the Creator of the world is a beautiful thing!
What's even better is that His love is different than the broken love we see here on earth.
So, so different.
I've been going through my past this last week,
and dealing with pain that I've pushed away for years -
bringing it back up has been no parade -
but they're emotions and things I need to deal with before I can move on and live each day for that day.
So I've been thinking a lot. Dwelling. Wrestling.
Talking to God. Crying out to Him, why did this happen, Lord?
But today He gave me peace.
After a week of torment and pain - to the point where I couldn't sleep because my heart hurt so much,
God pulled me out of the depths and into His embrace.
He took my wounded and bleeding heart, and stitched it up.
Then He poured His love into it, warming it to the core.
Oh, the scar tissue I've had to work through to try to get to the core this last week -
but I knew that if I didn't work through my deep brokenness, I'd never have a chance to be repaired. To be made whole.
So I pushed through it, with God's help, and I'm learning to forgive and move on.
A book I'm reading (Captivating by John and Stasi Eldridge) says that forgiving isn't saying it didn't matter or that I deserved it anyways, but it's a way to acknowledge that it hurt me deeply, it was wrong, but that I've released them and given it to God.
So that's where I'm at.
With my new stitched up heart,
filled to the brim with the perfect love that only comes from my True Love.
I pray that each day I can keep my focus on God,
that every day I can wake up and know that I am God's beloved.
I am a daughter of the King.
And that I have the peace that passes all understanding.
Not only did I have an insanely amazing morning,
but God continued to show me His hand of blessing throughout the day.
The words in my mind everytime I started to worry were "I'm the beloved of the King"
and those worries and cares of the world just passed by.
Oh, what Joy I found in the peace of knowing that all that mattered today was Jesus.
Shouldn't every day be that way?
Instead of worrying about getting my homework done,
I just smiled - and looked at it as an opportunity instead of a task.
Instead of stressing about getting to night class on time -
I just smiled, and knew that as long as I didn't stall,
I'd be just fine.
God held me in His arms today, and I could feel the warmth of His embrace with every step I took.
I'm pretty sure if you saw me today, I looked ridiculous.
I was glowing. Smiling. Spinning.
Mmm. To love the Creator of the world is a beautiful thing!
What's even better is that His love is different than the broken love we see here on earth.
So, so different.
I've been going through my past this last week,
and dealing with pain that I've pushed away for years -
bringing it back up has been no parade -
but they're emotions and things I need to deal with before I can move on and live each day for that day.
So I've been thinking a lot. Dwelling. Wrestling.
Talking to God. Crying out to Him, why did this happen, Lord?
But today He gave me peace.
After a week of torment and pain - to the point where I couldn't sleep because my heart hurt so much,
God pulled me out of the depths and into His embrace.
He took my wounded and bleeding heart, and stitched it up.
Then He poured His love into it, warming it to the core.
Oh, the scar tissue I've had to work through to try to get to the core this last week -
but I knew that if I didn't work through my deep brokenness, I'd never have a chance to be repaired. To be made whole.
So I pushed through it, with God's help, and I'm learning to forgive and move on.
A book I'm reading (Captivating by John and Stasi Eldridge) says that forgiving isn't saying it didn't matter or that I deserved it anyways, but it's a way to acknowledge that it hurt me deeply, it was wrong, but that I've released them and given it to God.
So that's where I'm at.
With my new stitched up heart,
filled to the brim with the perfect love that only comes from my True Love.
I pray that each day I can keep my focus on God,
that every day I can wake up and know that I am God's beloved.
I am a daughter of the King.
And that I have the peace that passes all understanding.
Restoration. Rejuvenation. Redemption.
Restoration. Rejuvenation. Redemption.
I don't even know where to start.
I literally just had the best morning of my life,
if not at least in the top 10
Last night I was talking to God - pouring out my heart,
telling Him all my struggles.
He told me to get up early and watch the sunrise with Him.
"But God, it's SO early! I don't have class until 1?
Can't I just talk to you at 11?"
Finally I sighed and agreed to get up at (gulp) 7:25 to watch the sun rise.
My goodness. It was breathe taking.
To sit in silence with the Creator of the world,
listening to the birds sing,
watching this glowing orb rise from behind the trees,
lighting up everything in existence.
Oh, the beauty of Creation!
God whispered to my heart,
"isn't it beautiful? Isn't it breathe taking? Isn't it splendid?"
And I nodded, no words could describe this moment.
My heart stopped beating. I stopped breathing. All was silent and peaceful in the world.
Then God told me.
"Look at it. I created it all. For you to delight in. But the best thing of all - is you. You are beautiful because I created you, you are beautiful because I made you in my image - look at the birds, you are even more lovely than them. I delight in you, my beautiful daughter, I delight in your happiness and your splendor. Because you are my adopted child, and I created you to represent my beauty on earth. You, my child, are breath taking as well."
My heart stopped for the second time. I took a deep breath. Wow.
God is good. The things I've been trying to teach myself, to find my worth in Christ, He spoke to me in that quiet moment. When all the world was still, and it was truly just Me and God.
Seriously. Best. Morning. Ever. Coffee, God, a blanket, 30+ degree weather with no snow in January, a field all of my own to watch the sun rise, my bible, and a smile.
I felt God's smile this morning. Through the sun, the trees, the birds, and the gentle breeze.
I felt His power in His gentleness.
I felt His love in the warmth He gave me through the sun.
I'm smitten. I'm head over heels in love with the Lord.
I can't wipe this stupid grin off of my face.
I can't stop shaking.
My heart is beating a thousand miles an hour.
God loves me.
I am a child of God.
And I am beautiful in His sight.
WOW.
The song that popped into my head this morning was an old hymn.
So I sat in my field and sang to the Lord.
"Then sings my soul, my savior God to thee - how Great Thou art, how Great thou art!"
Wow. What an opportunity. To Praise the Lord with all Creation! To watch the world wake up, to watch everything come to life.
He truly restored my heart this morning.
I'd been struggling all week with past pain and trying to forgive and move past things that I'd pushed down for so long - the Lord restores.
He stitched up my broken and aching heart this morning, and filled it to the brim with His warm love and truth.
I feel like a newly wed. I'm glowing.
I can't stop smiling.
I want to laugh, cry, or anything to somehow express the depth of my love for my Savior.
I talked to God in my field this morning.
Expressing my gratitude.
The depth of my sorrow for my sin,
and my unworthiness at my chance to spend the morning in His presence.
Wow. What a morning.
Sometimes I sat in silence, sometimes I read His word, sometimes I just threw my head back and laughed - filled with the Joy that only God's love can provide. Oh my, I was so blessed by the Lord this morning.
I want to just run around campus and hug everyone. To shake those that are hurting and tell them the troubles of this world don't matter because Jesus loves us! To dance with those who are joyful because the joy of the Lord is just that wonderful.
Oh Lord, how I love thee.
I read 2 Samuel and Romans.
So, so good.
"The Joy of the Lord, is my strength."
Just a few passages that stuck out this morning:
Romans 8:15-17
Romans 8:32-39 -- NOTHING can seperate me from His love. Nothing can take this away from me. "No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand."
Romans 11:33-36 --To Him be the glory forever!
Romans 12:10-17
Romans 12:21
Romans 13:11-14
Romans 14:4
Romans 14:7-8
Romans 14:21-23
"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound."
I literally just had the best morning of my life,
if not at least in the top 10
Last night I was talking to God - pouring out my heart,
telling Him all my struggles.
He told me to get up early and watch the sunrise with Him.
"But God, it's SO early! I don't have class until 1?
Can't I just talk to you at 11?"
Finally I sighed and agreed to get up at (gulp) 7:25 to watch the sun rise.
My goodness. It was breathe taking.
To sit in silence with the Creator of the world,
listening to the birds sing,
watching this glowing orb rise from behind the trees,
lighting up everything in existence.
Oh, the beauty of Creation!
God whispered to my heart,
"isn't it beautiful? Isn't it breathe taking? Isn't it splendid?"
And I nodded, no words could describe this moment.
My heart stopped beating. I stopped breathing. All was silent and peaceful in the world.
Then God told me.
"Look at it. I created it all. For you to delight in. But the best thing of all - is you. You are beautiful because I created you, you are beautiful because I made you in my image - look at the birds, you are even more lovely than them. I delight in you, my beautiful daughter, I delight in your happiness and your splendor. Because you are my adopted child, and I created you to represent my beauty on earth. You, my child, are breath taking as well."
My heart stopped for the second time. I took a deep breath. Wow.
God is good. The things I've been trying to teach myself, to find my worth in Christ, He spoke to me in that quiet moment. When all the world was still, and it was truly just Me and God.
Seriously. Best. Morning. Ever. Coffee, God, a blanket, 30+ degree weather with no snow in January, a field all of my own to watch the sun rise, my bible, and a smile.
I felt God's smile this morning. Through the sun, the trees, the birds, and the gentle breeze.
I felt His power in His gentleness.
I felt His love in the warmth He gave me through the sun.
I can't wipe this stupid grin off of my face.
I can't stop shaking.
My heart is beating a thousand miles an hour.
God loves me.
I am a child of God.
And I am beautiful in His sight.
WOW.
The song that popped into my head this morning was an old hymn.
So I sat in my field and sang to the Lord.
"Then sings my soul, my savior God to thee - how Great Thou art, how Great thou art!"
Wow. What an opportunity. To Praise the Lord with all Creation! To watch the world wake up, to watch everything come to life.
He truly restored my heart this morning.
I'd been struggling all week with past pain and trying to forgive and move past things that I'd pushed down for so long - the Lord restores.
He stitched up my broken and aching heart this morning, and filled it to the brim with His warm love and truth.
I feel like a newly wed. I'm glowing.
I can't stop smiling.
I want to laugh, cry, or anything to somehow express the depth of my love for my Savior.
I talked to God in my field this morning.
Expressing my gratitude.
The depth of my sorrow for my sin,
and my unworthiness at my chance to spend the morning in His presence.
Wow. What a morning.
Sometimes I sat in silence, sometimes I read His word, sometimes I just threw my head back and laughed - filled with the Joy that only God's love can provide. Oh my, I was so blessed by the Lord this morning.
I want to just run around campus and hug everyone. To shake those that are hurting and tell them the troubles of this world don't matter because Jesus loves us! To dance with those who are joyful because the joy of the Lord is just that wonderful.
Oh Lord, how I love thee.
I read 2 Samuel and Romans.
So, so good.
"The Joy of the Lord, is my strength."
Just a few passages that stuck out this morning:
Romans 8:15-17
Romans 8:32-39 -- NOTHING can seperate me from His love. Nothing can take this away from me. "No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand."
Romans 11:33-36 --To Him be the glory forever!
Romans 12:10-17
Romans 12:21
Romans 13:11-14
Romans 14:4
Romans 14:7-8
Romans 14:21-23
"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound."
Purple Elephants and Pink Forks
Purple Elephants and Pink Forks
Random thoughts of the day:
A) God uses broken people.
I'm broken.
I'm a person.
And I don't have to be perfect for God to use me.
In fact, He uses my brokenness to better relate and reach out to others.
B) Jesus loves me.
Mmm.
Some days it just clicks, you know?
The sun is shining, the day is new and bright, I got 8 hours of sleep -
And Jesus loves me.
I'm am SO blessed!
C) I am cherished.
God loves me,
He always has.
He always will.
D) The struggles of this world dull in comparison to God's glory.
When you look out the window and the sun is shining,
and it's warm and you think -
God is in control.
And He made a beauuuutiful world.
SO good!
A) God uses broken people.
I'm broken.
I'm a person.
And I don't have to be perfect for God to use me.
In fact, He uses my brokenness to better relate and reach out to others.
B) Jesus loves me.
Mmm.
Some days it just clicks, you know?
The sun is shining, the day is new and bright, I got 8 hours of sleep -
And Jesus loves me.
I'm am SO blessed!
C) I am cherished.
God loves me,
He always has.
He always will.
D) The struggles of this world dull in comparison to God's glory.
When you look out the window and the sun is shining,
and it's warm and you think -
God is in control.
And He made a beauuuutiful world.
SO good!
A Woman's Deepest Desire
A Woman's Deepest Desire
Even as a little girl,
in our princess gowns
and tiaras
we want our daddy to say those magic words:
You're lovely!
You're beautiful!
You're cherished!
But for many of us,
those words don't come.
We wonder what we did wrong
We wonder what we can do right
and we spend the rest of our lives
trying to gain that love from our fathers
As the years wear on,
and our daddys grow even more distant
we realize that this dream may not be achieveable
so we search in the world for the love that we lacked in our childhood
we try being beautiful
having the perfect body
living up to the media's expectations
we try finding love in boys
but the boys that we go to for love,
aren't the kind that give it out
we search all over
through our jobs
through our friends
until we give up
and hide
beneath baggy clothes
lots of makeup
frizzy hair
and a bag of chocolate
we hide our true selves
the being that God created
we hide her, because she's been hurt so many times by the world
the world doesn't deserve to know her
and you don't want to be hurt again
so you hide her away
locking your heart behind steel bars
and throwing away the key
if you're distant, no one can get to you -
so you don't get hurt
if you don't get too personal at work -
no one can hurt you
if you don't grow and put work into relationships -
no one can leave you, so you don't get hurt
it begins a cycle of hiding
and fear
that spirals downwards,
until the girl we initially locked away -
we don't even recognize.
That was who I was?
I was lovely?
I was beautiful?
I was cherished?
Until we break down.
The good news is - this story doesn't have to end badly.
As women we have a choice.
To turn to God, our Heavenly Father with the perfect love,
and He tells us:
You are beautiful!
You are cherished!
You are lovely!
At this broken point in our lives, we often look to him and wonder:
Why?
He smiles and tells us:
You're created in my image.
You are my daughter.
And I love you - I will never leave you, nor forsake you.
He picks up our broken being,
and craddles us close -
as the little girl inside of us always dreamed.
Being cherished by our Father.
At last, our heart's deepest desire has been fulfilled.
We are loved.
We are lovely.
We are cherished.
And we are beautiful - because God created us in His image.
in our princess gowns
and tiaras
we want our daddy to say those magic words:
You're lovely!
You're beautiful!
You're cherished!
But for many of us,
those words don't come.
We wonder what we did wrong
We wonder what we can do right
and we spend the rest of our lives
trying to gain that love from our fathers
As the years wear on,
and our daddys grow even more distant
we realize that this dream may not be achieveable
so we search in the world for the love that we lacked in our childhood
we try being beautiful
having the perfect body
living up to the media's expectations
we try finding love in boys
but the boys that we go to for love,
aren't the kind that give it out
we search all over
through our jobs
through our friends
until we give up
and hide
beneath baggy clothes
lots of makeup
frizzy hair
and a bag of chocolate
we hide our true selves
the being that God created
we hide her, because she's been hurt so many times by the world
the world doesn't deserve to know her
and you don't want to be hurt again
so you hide her away
locking your heart behind steel bars
and throwing away the key
if you're distant, no one can get to you -
so you don't get hurt
if you don't get too personal at work -
no one can hurt you
if you don't grow and put work into relationships -
no one can leave you, so you don't get hurt
it begins a cycle of hiding
and fear
that spirals downwards,
until the girl we initially locked away -
we don't even recognize.
That was who I was?
I was lovely?
I was beautiful?
I was cherished?
Until we break down.
The good news is - this story doesn't have to end badly.
As women we have a choice.
To turn to God, our Heavenly Father with the perfect love,
and He tells us:
You are beautiful!
You are cherished!
You are lovely!
At this broken point in our lives, we often look to him and wonder:
Why?
He smiles and tells us:
You're created in my image.
You are my daughter.
And I love you - I will never leave you, nor forsake you.
He picks up our broken being,
and craddles us close -
as the little girl inside of us always dreamed.
Being cherished by our Father.
At last, our heart's deepest desire has been fulfilled.
We are loved.
We are lovely.
We are cherished.
And we are beautiful - because God created us in His image.
Freedom!
Freedom!
{I'm called to be free.}
Setting the Captives Free -- Bondage
Ivan Veldhuizen
-bondage keeps us from ever becoming who God has planned us to become
-bondage keeps us from impacting our world, influencing others, and giving God the glory that He deserves.
-the very nature of bondage is that we get gripped, bound up more and more - we can't win over bondage in our own strength
-Jesus CAN set me free
-Do you think Jesus came and died on a cross and is ineffective in setting you free?
{Don't doubt the power of God}
-Jesus waits to set you free - he waits until you want him to set you free
-He will not force you to be set free - He works according to your wishes and heart's desire
-We often settle for a defined bondage over an undefined freedom
--- we so often, especially in bondage, would rather keep an awful life that we know than step into something that will be better that we don't know
-"He set me free because I came to the end of myself"
-To stay free: be engaged in Kingdom purposes
-We can't just be set free and continue living for ourself, we are set free so we can live for His purpose
<----| Scripture: Romans 6, Galatians 5 |---->
Setting the Captives Free -- Bondage
Ivan Veldhuizen
-bondage keeps us from ever becoming who God has planned us to become
-bondage keeps us from impacting our world, influencing others, and giving God the glory that He deserves.
-the very nature of bondage is that we get gripped, bound up more and more - we can't win over bondage in our own strength
-Jesus CAN set me free
-Do you think Jesus came and died on a cross and is ineffective in setting you free?
{Don't doubt the power of God}
-Jesus waits to set you free - he waits until you want him to set you free
-He will not force you to be set free - He works according to your wishes and heart's desire
-We often settle for a defined bondage over an undefined freedom
--- we so often, especially in bondage, would rather keep an awful life that we know than step into something that will be better that we don't know
-"He set me free because I came to the end of myself"
-To stay free: be engaged in Kingdom purposes
-We can't just be set free and continue living for ourself, we are set free so we can live for His purpose
<----| Scripture: Romans 6, Galatians 5 |---->
Freedom through Christ!
Freedom through Christ!
Romans 6
Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
Slaves to Righteousness
15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. 19 I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. 20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[b] Christ Jesus our Lord.
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