Quiet Time is a Good Thing

I read a lot of articles on popular Christian websites. They appeal to the trendy, young, twenty-somethings group of Christians. Maybe what you'd call "hipster". ;) Fun stuff a lot of the time! I sometimes find myself reading those articles and wanting to post in response, though. Challenge the thoughts. It worries me where young adult Christians are getting advice from sometimes. But at the same time I don't want to become a cynical critic, ya know?
For instance, tonight I found someone writing about how the popular "quiet time" notion just didn't work in his schedule. The first red flag that went up was that he only used one tiny portion of a verse in Psalms to support his entire article. However he gave some excellent ideas about other ways to serve God, seek God, and grow closer to God throughout our days. For example, he suggested making exercise time a prayer time as well.
But all that got me to thinking of all the places in the Bible it mentions devoting special time for prayer with the Lord. Several of the Psalms talk about rising early to talk with God. Even in the Gospels, we see Jesus Himself rising early and withdrawing to a quiet place for prayer. I think that is such a precious example He set for us.
Granted, I am NOT one whose example you should follow. I am still working on establishing a time for devotion. Usually, like to try to read in the morning before I get going with the day. And I've found that this funny, awesome thing happens when I give God the firstfruits of my day- He multiplies my time.
Don't think that I am saying following a quiet time regimen makes you a good Christian. For we are told in Romans that our lives- the day to day interactions, everything- are to be worship to God. But quiet time is a good practice toward that. It shows God that we seek Him, and that we ask Him to guide our day. It gives you something to have in your mind to think on as you journey through life. I sincerely believe it is a very good thing.

NOT Having an "Ex" is NOT That Shocking: What Should We Think of Dating These Days?

"You're 17 years old and you don't have an ex-boyfriend?! That is shocking."
(this line is from a movie that is about to be released this year, called The Spectacular Now.)

I find that line a little bit offensive and also confusing. Hey folks! Its Emmy.

The teenage boy that said that line in the movie automatically assumed this girl he just met has dated one or more guys previously. Why must that be the mindset and obligation of teens these days? That they NEED to date multiple people throughout their high school career and that every cute person they meet or flirt with has an "ex"?

I am 17 yrs. old and a senior in high school and I have not dated AT ALL throughout my HS career; I have never had a boyfriend during high school or previous to it. This must be "shocking" to most teens out there because today's world is telling them: "You have to date as many people as possible, especially while you are a teen so you can figure out the kind of person you want to spend the rest of your life with." So those teens are usually shocked and surprised when they find out that some people have never dated anyone at all, because they have become so used to doing that-- dating many people throughout their HS careers, and they assume everyone does it these days.
Many teens have fallen into this mindset that they become ensnared in the priority of always being on the look-out for someone to date.

You really don't have to date someone in high school, or while you're very young, just because everyone does it and just because the world is telling you to. Steer away from the trends and patterns of this world. What does God want you to do? Pray to Him, that he will guide you down the path he has already set for your life-- especially down the path of dating/relationships. He is very concerned and interested in our love stories, more than we are. We just have to trust that he will bring the right guy along when the time comes.

What we've been up to! How about you?

Hello on a hot, sunny, humid Oklahoma afternoon!

I'm moved in to my apartment and classes haven't started yet so I have oodles of time on my hands. Last night I ironed and listened to some Nancy Leigh DeMoss programs. This afternoon I am going to share some pictures from the summer.

What a summer it has been! A week after I got home from school, my mother came down to Oklahoma to care for my ailing grandparents. That left Em and I with more housekeeping responsibilities. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but we missed our Mommy!

We had a time of back-and-forth from CO to OK because of my grandmothers failing health during July. On July 18 she received her eternal reward and began the ultimate reality of life in Heaven. But boy, do we miss her. She was our only grandmother, and we couldn't have picked a better one from a garden! Her life of godliness and servanthood inspires me to make her proud in the way I live mine.

Since we had some pretty slow days of just waiting around at the g'parents, Em and I did some exploring. We visited the OKC bombing memorial and the historic town of Guthrie.

Oh and amidst all of that, I got to spend some lovely time with our newest addition, Molly Brown, when I was in Colorado! She is the most docile, sweet, and fun 10-year-old bay roan mare you will ever meet.

Now to the fun part.......PICTURES! There's a lot so get comfy :)

Z groups are z best!

Happy fourth!

This was one of my favorite monuments. It reads "Our deeply rooted faith sustains us." Faith, indeed, is the victory that overcomes the world!

We enjoyed fun time with our little cousin! He's a hoot!

Playing the game "what is this?" while going through Grammy's closet!

Who says playing dress up is just for little girls?

Cute little Heidi!

Monsoon season in Colorado

Miss Molly Brown!

Isn't she a beaut? (both of them are!)

Precious baby bunny!!!

Greetings pals and gals! I have the sweetest little tidbit to share.

This afternoon we got back home from running errands and I went downstairs and was looking in all the window-wells to see if there were any critters hanging around in them. I am so glad I did, because when I opened the blinds in my dad's office, I saw a teeny-tiny baby bunny! It had its eyes closed and looked so scared. It must have hopped away from Momma and fallen in.

Here's some pictures:

****UPDATE**** We tried to care for Nutmeg as best as we could but because of some unseen illness or injury, Nutmeg went to bunny heaven the next morning. :(

Coming Soon to a Dutch Umbrella Near You...

 Once I get my pictures uploaded to the computer, I am eager to update you on our summer. It has been a roller coaster, hither and yon, which is why we have let this go by the wayside.

For the meantime, let's make some silly faces and smile because life is blessed!

The Wrong Way to Do Right

As I may have mentioned, last week I was a counselor at church camp on the campus of my college. I went there growing up, so it was really neat to be able to give back and be on the "other side".

Every day we went to two Bible classes in the mornings. They were on all sorts of topics, but all related to the theme of the weak which was "Lead Me". So we had classes about "Lead Me" to serve, to forgiveness, to humility, to partake, and to obey. One class in particular held my interest though. It was about doing right.

I think the main point the teacher wanted to make was that there is a wrong way to do right, and that is when we try to attain righteousness on our own. This was a class in which God revealed an area I ought to have more grace in my life.

To illustrate his point, he talked about the Pharisees' attempt to protect the Sabbath laws. Here's what went down:

God gave His people laws regarding Sabbath. The Pharisees wanted to protect those laws, and ultimately God's word. So they implemented "suggestions" for themselves and their people. These suggestions were crazy things including: you can't spit on the ground, because that makes mortar which is used for brick making which is work; or, my personal favorite, wearing jewelry is not a good idea because the earrings weigh down your earlobes and thus cause them to "work". Anyway, they Pharisees were imposing their suggestions onto the people and treating them as law.

That reminded me of certain things some Christians do nowadays in the name of being Biblical
.**Let me first interject by saying it is certainly noble to do all you can to protect God's word, but it takes special discernment. It is fine to implement practices for yourself but we must be careful about what is truly essential for others to practice as well. Is it a command of Christ or a personal safeguard?**
For instance, Christians who do not homeschool or attend a private Christian school are looked down upon sometimes by the ones who are. Or women are told that in order to be modest you must wear skirts only. Or even sometimes women are told that working outside the home is being feminist and rebellious to God's plan.
That is where the issue gets sticky. Are they the way to righteousness? By no means! We must tread extremely gracefully because even though these are excellent lifestyle choices, some Christians may not be convicted toward them as other Christians might be.

So the wrong way to do right in this instance would be to frown upon those Christian families who do not, for whatever reason, live the way we do. That does not make them wrong, nor does it make us right.

That is the beauty of grace through Christ. His love unites all sorts of different people, with diverse backgrounds and walks of life. This issue had been on my heart for a while so I was really thankful for that class which helped me tie all these thoughts together!

I hope this could be thought-provoking and encouraging!

True Woman | Single-Focused: Nine Tips for Singles

True Woman | Single-Focused: Nine Tips for Singles


This is an excellent list! Helps me remember that singleness does not lessen your value and purpose in God's kingdom!