I am on vacation in Alabama and it is absolutely beautiful here. The view is 1000% breathtaking. However, internet is limited so expect a blog tomorrow.

Laugh So You Don't Cry

My dad forwards me a devotional each morning and I have really enjoyed reading them. They are different then most, as they are written in God's point-of-view. One of my favorites was from the other day and it was about laughing.

If you know me, you know I laugh. Often. You also know I basically never cry. Let's face it... laughing is SO much better! The devotional said that just as parents enjoy hearing their children laugh, God enjoys His children's laughter. He invented it. It is music to his ears.

Usually, I gravitate toward happy people. People who are full of joy and zest for life are so much more fun to be around than sulky, mopey people. This could be such an excellent opportunity to spread God's word. If you are laughing and happy and optimistic all of the time, people are going to wonder what you secret is. Every one wants to be happy. It could give you the perfect opportunity to express how giving your life away has not only given you a promise for eternal life, but also earthly happiness.

... try to laugh a little and see who notices. You never know who's day you might make.

Soul Survivor

Socrates asked if he could guest blog for me today. Since he is one of the world's greatest philosophers and all I obliged... so, enjoy!

"Don't be concerned with your bodies or money, but first and foremost care about the improvement of your soul. Not until you have pursued wisdom and truth ought you think of money or fame or prestige or the body. Virtue does not come from money, but from virtue comes money and every other good thing for mankind, public and private."—Socrates

Love Song

I once started to read the book Captivating that is all about a woman's heart. I never did get through it (it's on my summer to-do list) but I got the gist. It is ingrained in the heart of women to want to be loved. To want to feel needed and wanted. To want to be romanced. But I think it's not just women. I think, deep down, most men want it too.

How lucky are we, that we have a God who provides? He can love us when we feel as if no one else does. He can and he does.

To be loved, to be loved
What more could you ask for?
To be loved, to be loved
Everyone wants to be loved
To be loved
What more could you ask for?
To be loved, to be loved
Everyone…

... isn't that such a beautiful thing? To be loved.

Crazy People

I learned the most interesting thing at church, something that I sort of knew but definitely never implement in my own life. Hopefully that will change, starting immediately.

I know I, along with most people, care too much about what others think. I try to not let it get to me, and usually it doesn't, but nevertheless I care. And often times I base my actions off of what is most socially acceptable.

That, however, is not God acceptable. He wants you to be foolish in His name. Check out the following verses which, I'll be honest, I took straight from this weekends sermon. Thank you Tierce and The Woodlands Church.

"God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And He chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful." —1 Corinthians 1:27

"...I celebrate before the Lord. Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes!" —2 Samuel 6:21-22

Do it. Get a little crazy. Act a little spacey. Anything, as long as it glorifies God. Chances are people will envy your carefree nature more than they think you look dumb, and you'll be able to tell them you're freed by your awesome Father.

Bigger Than My Body

Today, I was people watching and I saw a little boy walk up to a mannequin and lift her dress. I won't lie, I giggled a little... okay, a lot. But then I got to thinking. Why is our society so preoccupied with sex? It is SO obnoxious.

I'm trying really, really hard not to get on a soap box right now. I'm just going to say that I think it is utterly wrong how movies and television and books make it appear that everyone is having sex with everyone. The worst part is that not only is it considered to be okay, it is, in some circles, completely fact. That is just not okay. That is not how God intended it.

"Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:18-20

... you are not your own; you were bought at a price. Chew on that for a while.

Time to Grow

I feel like I am standing on the threshold. I am between innocence and reality, childhood and adulthood, past and present. And I'm not sure how I feel about it. However, as always, God swooped in and soothed me with a song. Enjoy.

I'm two cups into my coffee break
I'm sitting alone in the cafe front way
Reading all by myself
I'm turning my cell off just to breathe
'Cause everyone I know just keeps calling me

And I just need a little time
'Cause I've over committed myself
I guess this is growing up
I'm sleeping so little these days
I guess this is growing up
I'm feeling things are about to change
I'm guessing this is growing up
Yeah, I'm guessing this is growing up...

I don't wanna change
I wanna stay
Lying were I lay
Eyes closed set down on the pillow
Better change, before it's too late
I'm guessing this is growing up

Now I'm done with my coffee break
I turn on my phone now that I've grown up