I want to be beautiful… truly beautiful

There are songs about it. It’s what makes cosmetics a multi-million dollar a year business. It’s why we often glance in windows to see if we can catch our reflection.

We all want to be beautiful. And what’s more, we want people to see us as beautiful.

Now, I can really only speak to the ladies here. Guys, I haven’t the slightest idea what your hearts’ deep desires are, though I would assume they have something to do with being gruff, driving big trucks and loving beautiful women (or hopefully one woman). But for you ladies, I KNOW you. Even if you deny it, I believe deep down we all desire to be found beautiful. If not, go ahead and tell me you don’t pick the picture that captures you in the “best light” for your facebook profile pic. Tell me you don’t pick a shirt off the rack at Dillard’s with the hopes that it sets you apart and accentuates your beauty. Tell me you don’t suck your tummy in and stand a bit taller when the camera man says cheese.

Yeah, girl. We all do. We want to be beautiful.

But everyday I’m reminded that our beauty is not “skin deep.” Each time I see the girl staring back at me in the bathroom mirror and think she could sure do with just a little bit better skin and a little bit poofier hair, I recall what God says about me and how He made me.

He says I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). He says he planned out how I would be- inside and out- before my daddy ever even picked out my name (Psalm 139:15). He says I am made in His image (Genesis 1:27). He says He knows how many hairs are on my head (Matthew 10:30). ….(So, I guess he does a recount every morning after I yank the brush through my tangly shower hair!)

I find that so refreshing. The God of this whole universe– the One who flung the stars in the sky and the One who paints the sunset that I cannot turn my eyes from at 7 p.m.–HE, made me and HE thinks I’m beautiful.

And just like a cheesy infomercial, it just keeps getting better.

He says it’s not what’s on my outside that makes me beautiful.

He says that “Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart” (I Samuel 16:7). (I know I’m at least glad for that at 3 a.m. on Monday morning when I have to get up to go to work.)

But the best part is, even though He sees me as beautiful and created me just how He planned, He’s given us instructions on how to get even more beautiful. It’s like God’s rendition of a glamour magazine’s front cover tease to “Be more stunning in 3 easy steps.”

He says our beauty should not come from outward adornments (jewelry, hairstyles, expensive make-up…), but from “your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight” (I Peter 3:4).

So is it wrong to fix yourself up? No, I don’t believe it is. And girl, I am ALL about some hairspray and some long wear make-up. But is it wrong for us to think that’s what gives us beauty– and unfading beauty, at that? I think it is.

A truly beautiful woman is kind and loving and puts other people before herself. (Yep, even boyfriends, husbands and children who are driving her up the WALL. Actually, especially them.) She is graceful in what she says and respectful in what she does. She doesn’t complain all the time (even when her mascara ran and then her panty-hose did too). She isn’t the one putting-up-with and adding-to the gossip in the office. She isn’t cutting people off in traffic – on the interstate OR in the Wal-Mart check out line.

Girls, that is what God says true beauty is. The kind that will attract a man worth keeping. The kind that isn’t going to fade with age but grow and grow and grow. The only kind I want.

Don’t you want to be truly beautiful?

Intimate Encounter

My God is doing some crazy amazing things in my life. He is stretching me in ways that I could not ever imagine. He is humbling me daily--and to be honest--sometimes it really hurts. He is preparing my heart for the one He is sending to captivate it. He is beckoning me to the cross daily and I am hard core sprinting to get there. He is stirring up exciting things in my life that I didn't even know existed....and I love it.

The other night I was able to have the most amazing experience I've had in a long time. I was talking to a friend when the Lord completely showed up. It had been at least a year since I had felt Him so near and so evident. Word and Bible verses just starting coming out of now where. I knew completely that GOD was in control of our conversation and I was just the mediator.

I am definitely a music person and I relate to so many different genres and songs. That night, however, I was listening to my Christian music playlist and every single song was revealing something amazing to me. So here are some of the songs and the messages I got. I hope and pray that it will encourage and strengthen some of your walks as well...

The song that came up on my itunes was "Pure" by Kari Jobe. Kari is an amazing worship leader. Her songs take you directly to the feet of Jesus Christ and allow you to worship Him in an incredible way. This song says:

Your love is pure,

Your love is precious,

Your love is all I need.

Your love surrounds me,

Your love astounds me,

Your love is everything.

I run to You

when my heart is weak.

I cling to You- you’re all I seek.

It’s my heart’s desire, to be close to You.

Here in Your arms I find my strength.

Everything I want; everything I hope in.

Everything my heart cries out for.

This love she is talking about is true love. His love is pure. Not tainted by the world. Not abusive or jealous. Not controlling or inappropriate. It's good. It's biblical. It's the 1 Corinthians chapter 13 kind of love.. it IS patient and kind. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres. It rejoices in truth and is never failing. It ISN'T envious, boastful, proud, rude, self-seeking, easily angered, keeping a record of wrongs or delighting in evil. It is the desperation and realization that the Lord is the ONLY thing we need. He is the ONLY way of survival. The ONLY source of life. It is just a great reminder of the urgency and importance of having that intimate head over heels, 'I am my beloved's and He is mine', captivating type of relationship.

Lastly, I listened to "Mighty to Save" by Hillsong. This is, by far, one of my very favorite songs. It talks about how everyone needs compassion and forgiveness. I LOVE the chorus... it says:

"My Savior...He can move the mountains.

My God is mighty to save,

He is mighty to save.

Forever author of salvation,

He rose and conquered the grave.

Jesus conquered the grave!"

 

Our God is not just a made up deity. He is real and alive and He CONQUERED AND DEFEATED the grave!! How incredible is that? Death had no reign over Him. He overcame it. He can move mountains. That shows the great power He has. However, He is the author of salvation which shows the sovereignty and mercy He has as well. He loves us and rejoices in us. He is captivated by us. He thinks you are breath-taking. He is "enthralled by your beauty" (Psalm 45:11). He desires to pursue and love you.  He is real. He isn't trying to impress you and get your attention. He knows everything about you and in spite of your sins HE ..LOVES ... YOU!! Run to Him today and get to know your Beloved again. It is completely worth it--I promise!!

Today

So today was a good day. Can't say it was a productive day but a good day. We went to storage to take some things to clean out some room and we are going back one day this week to organize and make room to get some things we are buying from some really good friends of ours. We are getting a king size master suit, china hutch with a matching 6 person table, entertainment center and surround sound. We are very excited and can't wait to get our own house and decorate it : ) but we gotta get married first..

Pan Fried Tilapia

So tonight I made some INCREDIBLE Pan Fried Tilapia with a vegetable melody mix (broccoli, squash, cauliflower and carrots). It was absolutely amazing everyone enjoyed it! Below is the recipe:

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons seafood seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 pounds fresh tilapia fillets
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley leaves

Directions :

Heat oven to 300 degrees F.
In a shallow baking dish combine flour, seafood seasoning, salt and pepper. Add the tilapia and lightly coat each side.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Shake off any excess seasoned flour and place in the skillet. Brown on both sides, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Place tilapia on a baking sheet that is lined with a paper grocery bag or paper towels and keep warm in the oven while you prepare the sauce.
Turn down the heat to the pan the tilapia was cooked to low and add the butter. Once the butter is melted, add the garlic, lemon juice and parsley and saute for 2 minutes. Place the fillets on serving plates or a platter, top with the sauce and serve.

ENJOY : )

How to Fully Trust God

To be able to stand in the Presence of God and manifest His character, should be our daily goal. Christ revealed in us is holiness and righteousness,  and if we are to persevere to the end,  we need to recognize the importance of repentance, forgiveness, and the power of the Holy Spirit to make real lasting changes in our lives. As we cry out to Jesus asking us to make us more like Him, we are asking Him to make us righteous and pure and holy. We are asking Him to transform us. Please remember in all your comings and goings that God is a holy God  and He also allows us to come closer to Him so He can reveal His glory,  His secrets, His heart, and His love  by using us. What a privilege we have, don’t miss out! Make Him your first priority in the morning by spending time in His Presence. He will transform you into His likeness and your life will never be the same again -- nor will the lives of those around you.

P.S. I hope all of you enjoyed. My prayers are for all of you.

Just the Beginning!

Welcome to our blog. Things might seem crazy here at times but Jeromy and I wouldn't have it any other way. At this point in our relationship we are planning a lifetime together and trying to figure out how everything is going to work out when we are on our own. We will post adventures that we come across, updates on our family, as well as lessons of everyday life. We hope that you will join us in this crazy thing we call life..