::Faith is Believing::

Well, here I am again.....another uneventful day, just chillin', and I wanted to write.  So, here I am! =)  The next thing I will be writing on is something more serious - the reason why I live.

Step 12)  What do you believe?

I Believe....

~The only reason why I am living is to give God glory.  

~ Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God, the God who created the heavens and the earth.

~ Jesus, died a horrific, grueling death, for me and for you. But, He did not stay dead, He defeated death, so that you and I might live with Him forever.  However, He did not just come so that we might believe in Him and then continue living our sinful, selfish, "all about me" lives.  NO.
He came so that we might live our lives to God, for His renown, so that Christ might receive the glory due His name. 

"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that One has died for all, therefore all have died; and He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him, who for their sake died and was raised."   2 Corinthians 5:14-15

~ The commission for me, and all who confess Christ to be their Lord is this:

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His glorious light."  
1 Peter 2:9

~ That I am not called to live a mediocre, selfish Christian life, (no one is!).  God has called each one of us to be separate from the World - to have no love for the world, or the things in the world. 

~ That I am supposed to save myself, both physically and emotionally/spiritually, for my future husband.  It is wrong for me to give any of myself to any one except the man that God has chosen for me.  I want to protect my purity as much as I can, so that at my wedding day I can give my whole heart to my husband.  The kind of relationship that I desire, and that God desires for me is one where my husband and I each love God more than the other - that our love for God far surpasses our love for each other.
I want to get to the point where I am so fulfilled in Christ, that I would be totally fine if God didn't bring a man into my life - where God would be enough for me.

~ And lastly, but not least,  I believe that I am called to love the Lord with ALL that is within me. 

"You shall love the Lord, you God with ALL your heart and with ALL your soul and with ALL your mind.  This is the first commandment and the second is like it:  You shall love your neighbor as yourself."   Matthew 22:37-39

Now, although I have already written much about what I believe, that is barely scratching the surface.  There is way more!!  I hope I am not coming across as if I have accomplished all of this, because that would be a lie! I am not perfect, nor will I ever be perfect, (that's why Jesus came!) but I am writing all of this because this is what I read in Scripture, and I believe God's Word. However, these are my goals - this is they way I am aiming to live my life. And I want you all to know that I CANNOT do any of this on my own!  I can only do this because of CHRIST!  HE is the One who gives me the desire and strength to accomplish what He has called me to do.

Soli Deo Gloria - to God alone be the glory!

Charlieism of the Week (Month)

Charlie: 
Bailey, what do "thick" and "thinner" mean?

Me: 
Well, "thinner" means when something is smaller or skinnier, and "thick" means when something is bigger.

Charlie: 
Oh, so I'm thinner and you're thick!

  (gotta love it!)

On a Quite, Snowy Evening........

I'm working on my "30 Steps of Something."  

 Step 10) Share something you're afraid of

(The reason of this post is so that you, (readers) can get to know me a little better.  And I don't like sharing just one thing, so I'm going to share a couple, just because I can.)  =)

~ meeting new people

~ heights

~ the unknown

Step 11) Share a recent photo you took

 

The other day, Shane, a few friends and I went to town to take Shane's senior pics. 

'Twas fun, but REALLY cold! 

LOVE this one!

 

Holiday's coffee - gotta love it!

=)

Have a superbly-fantabulous, wonderful Sunday night! =)

Step 8) Share a Photo of Your Friends

can I share a few???

Ellerslie Friends doing the "Bailey Pose"

For those of you that don't know, I have a pose that I like doing in all goofy pics, which is now named, "the Bailey Pose."  (very original)  Well, I just want you to know that it is going all over the country and........international too!! :)  So, randomly you'll see Bailey Pose pics with various groups of friends.  :)

Ugly Sweater Contest (Left to right: Sarah, me, Larissa, Melinda and Charlie)

the O.K. Wingnutz (my bluegrass band!)

Two of my bluegrass heroes!! *sigh*

We have spent way too much time with these guys.....:P

All our poses!!

 

Bosom Buddies :)

 OK, I love pictures, and I love friends so I tried to pic a lot of my favorite "group" pics.  Sorry if I missed you, it's not personal!  I hope you got a better "picture" of me! :P

A Continuation of an Overdue Post (Step 8)
Happy Tuesday Everyone!! :)
Step 8.....let's see what it has to offer.........

8) Talk about a great place you've been too.

Wow. I have been to a lot of great places, how could I choose just one?!  Since I have to choose just one though, I will tell you about a place that is very dear to my heart - 

Ellerslie School of Honor. 
For those of you that don't know, I have been in Windsor, Colorado with my family the last three months.  My father was attending Eric and Leslie Ludy's school, Ellerslie.  The whole story of how we got there is incredible, and what happened there, even more so.  But to put it quickly, it was ten weeks of Jesus.  All about Jesus.  

Whenever you spend ten weeks in solid truth, totally fixed on Christ, you're live is going to change.  And mine did.  My family's time there was just the rest we were needing!  God met each one of us there in a personal and real way.  We were unified.  And we each went deeper with God. Who wouldn't want that?!  I cannot tell you all that happened - it would take hours, but believe me, it was incredible!! 

 

The little campus, in Windsor, CO, with the mountains in the background, and J
Jesus' presence very evident is where my heart is.  I long to go back.  However, if I don't, I know that my life will never be the same.  God is SO faithful!!

"Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken"
by Henry Francis Lyte, 1793-1847

1. Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow Thee;
Destitute, despised, forsaken,
Thou from hence my All shalt be.
Perish every fond ambition,
All I've sought or hoped or known;
Yet how rich is my condition!
God and heaven are still my own.

2. Let the world despise and leave me,
They have left my Savior, too.

Human hearts and looks deceive me;
Thou art not, like them, untrue.
And while Thou shalt smile upon me,
God of wisdom, love, and might,
Foes may hate and friends may shun me;
Show Thy face, and all is bright.

3. Go, then, earthly fame and treasure!
Come, disaster, scorn, and pain!
In Thy service, pain is pleasure;
With Thy favor, loss is gain.
I have called Thee Abba, Father!
I have stayed my heart on Thee.
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather,
All must work for good to me.

4. Man may trouble and distress me,
'Twill but drive me to Thy breast;
Life with trials hard may press me,
Heaven will bring me sweeter rest.
Oh, 'tis not in grief to harm me
While Thy love is left to me;
Oh, 'twere not in joy to charm me
Were that joy unmixed with Thee.

5. Take, my soul, thy full salvation;
Rise o'er sin and fear and care;
Joy to find in every station,
Something still to do or bear.
Think what Spirit dwells within thee,
What a Father's smile is thine,
What a Savior died to win thee;
Child of heaven, shouldst thou repine?

6. Haste, then, on from grace to glory,
Armed by faith and winged by prayer;
Heaven's eternal day's before thee,
God's own hand shall guide thee there.
Soon shall close the earthly mission,
Swift shall pass thy pilgrim days,
Hope soon change to glad fruition,
Faith to sight, and prayer to praise.

...Trying not to Procrastinate...

*Cough, cough*  Ya know that post I said I was going to do like three months ago, the "thirty steps of something,".........yeah...well........it's not really going that well.  I kind of keep forgetting. Sorry. :P  But, I am trying to do it! (I just keep forgetting) ....How about I try and get in done in like.......300 days?!!  Good idea, right, (you have to say yes, you have no choice.) :P  Since I have not done this in awhile, I will do two steps in one day! (Didn't see that coming, did ya?) ;)  Okay, okay, getting serious now.

Step 5)  Your favorite quote and why

"His sacred intent for me is nothing short of absolute abandonment to Jesus Christ, entire separation from the pollution of the world, and ardent worship of my King with every breath I take."    (Leslie Ludy, Set-Apart Femininity)

I l.o.v.e. that quote, and I really don't need to explain why I like it so much - it speaks for itself. 

That, is the reason why I am on the earth, it is my duty while I'm alive.  What a commission!!! 

Step 6)  20 of my favorite things

1. Curling up in a cozy blanket, next to a fireplace, with my coffee, reading an amazing book.  

2. Staying up late with my sister and watching "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." 

3. Babies.....they're just SO stinkin' cute!

4. My family - they are incredible, and I love each one of them so dearly!! <3

5.  Finding joy in Jesus' presence - it is is wonderful! 

6. crocheting hats

7. Coffee

8. Laughing with friends =) 

9. Spending time with Jesus (it just gets better and better) 

10. COLORADO!!!!

11. Ice skating

12. Photo ops (aka: taking pics!)

13.  Having encouraging, precious talks with dear, sisters in the Lord

14. The worship times at Ellerslie

15.  Being slap-happy

16. The mountains! (Oh, went there for the first time - I am SUCH a mountain girl!)

17.  That God is mightier than the waves of the sea, that He is bigger and in control of anything that comes my way

18. Encouraging/challenging quotes and song lyrics

19.  Playing bluegrass with friends (whether they're 11 of 70!)

20.  God's steadfast faithfulness.  When we are faithless, He remains faithful!!

Those are just a few of my favorite things, and those are only the ones that came to mind.  I'm sure there are things I love way more, than what's on that list.   I am so thankful God has given me each one of those gifts, and that I get to enjoy them! 
Have a superbly-fantabulous evening, praising God for ALL that He has given to us - it's incredible!

Love and hugs,
Bailey =)

Do Hard Things

My mom had me watch this interview for school, and I thought it was very inspiring and challenging!

I had the chance to attend Alex and Brett's conference a couple years ago, and then read their book "Do Hard Things."  Their message is so great, and just what we (teens) need to hear! 

After going to their conference I went on their website, and stumbled across this modesty survey.  It was a survey, where girls asked guys questions about modesty, and then guys responded!  It is really neat, and actually a good guideline as to what is modest or not.  And it's good to hear from guys'  perspective as to what they think is immodest.  I would highly encourage you girls to check it out!

It was very helpful for me!

Anyways......
 

My favorite part of this interview is when Alex says, "Doing hard things is doing ordinary things, extraordinarily well." 

I hope this helps you catch a vision for what hard thing God is calling you to do today! 

It did for me! 

bailey =)

Three Insights

I have been reading in 1 Chronicles and I finally got past the nine chapters of genealogy stuff (yay!!) and began to read some actual stories.  As I began reading, God gave me three really neat insights/challenges.  And I wanted to share them with you. 

1) "So Saul died for his breach of faith.  He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance.  He did not seek guidance from the LORD.  Therefore the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse."  1 Chron 10:13-14  

Whoa......that is some serious stuff.  Saul actually died because he didn't believe God!  What is that saying to you and me?  We had better believe God!!  But, praise Jesus, that it doesn't have to be hard to believe Jesus.  If He said it, He'll do it, and He can't lie, so we can put our confidence in those two facts. 

2)  "Of Zebulun, 50,000 season troops equipped for the battle with all the weapons of war, to help David with singleness of purpose."  12:33

What a picture of what the Church is supposed to be today!!  We are called to:  be equipped, with ALL the weapons of warfare, to help our King with singleness of purpose (no competing affections of distractions!).  Oh, if only we Christians could grab a hold of this!!

3) "All these men of war, arraying in battle order, came to Hebron with full intent to make David king over all Israel.  Likewise, all the rest of Israel were of single mind to make David king."  12:38
 

and the KJV:  "All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel [were] of one heart to make David king."

I know this is somewhat similar to the previous verse, but W.O.W.  Again, if the modern Church could grasp a hold of this Truth today, the world would be turned upside down!!  Our one thought of each day, our one reason why we live should be, "Our King needs to receive His due!"  Our only intent in life should be to see Jesus recognized as KING over all the earth!!  That, my friends, is our glory, pride and joy.  This is our privilege. 

O Lord, give me singleness of purpose! Grant to me a warrior's heart - the passion to see You receive all the glory and praise that is due your almighty Name!  

Amen.                                             

He Ever Remains....

my Portion

my Maker 

my Husband (Is 54:5)

my Well-beloved (Song of Solomon 1:15)

my Savior (2 Pet 3:18)

my Hope (1 Tim1:1)

my Brother (Mark 3:35)

my Helper (Heb 3:16)

my Refiner  (Mal 3:3)

my Purifier 

my Lord, Master  (Joh 13:13)

my Servant  (Luke 12:37)

my Example  (John 13:15)

my Teacher  (John 3:2)

my Shepherd  (Ps 23:1)

my Keeper  (John 17:12)

my Feeder  (Ezk 34:23)

my Leader  (Is 40:11)

my Restorer  (Ps 23:3)

my Resting-place  (Jer 50:6)

my Meat  (John 6:55)

my Drink

my Passover  (1 Cor 5:7)

my Wisdom  ( 1 Cor 1:30)

my Redemption  ( 1 Cor 1:30)

my Physician  (Jer 8:22)

my Healer  (Luke 9:11)

my All in All  (Col 3:11)

Snow Day!

I LOVE snow! (just saying) These kinds of days just warm my heart.

Charlie had been asking us for days if we could take him sledding.  So finally, yesterday, Mom, Anna, Charlie and I got our snow-gear on and marched over to the sledding hill.  It actually turned out to be a lot of fun! It was great this year though, because Charlie is now old enough to go down the hill by himself. And we got some good laughs because of him.  It was a wonderful afternoon, just playing with my family, laughing at my hilarious brother, and taking lots of pictures, and then hot cocoa at the end......a picture-perfect winter day. =)

"Hello!"

 

I love my mom!

my um.....hilapious sister. (I made up that word)

Charlie's snow angel

 

I know I already used this pic before, but I just love it so much!

 

Alas, that was the end to the snow day......it was quite fun! =)

A Little Bundle from Heaven

I am here to tell you about the newest addition to the Wilderness staff family -  

Naomi Dawn Hopkins.  She was born in the beginning of December (I'm sorry I don't know the date) , so I think she's like six weeks old.....?  Anyways, John and Jual came over with little Naomi, yesterday morning, and our family got to watch her for a little bit.  It was so much fun!  At first we all took turns holding her while she was sleeping.  Then once we held her Jual fed her, then left her with us for a bit.  We sat her on the table, in her little carrier, and rocked her back and forth while talking baby-gibberish to her. (so fun!)  Anna eventually got her to smile a couple times - oh! SO precious! Then we continued arguing (a good arguing) about who got to hold her next...and so on.....  We had such a sweet time with little Naomi.
And I am thoroughly convinced that my mom should either have another baby, or we adopt one, because I want one of those cute, buggars around!

So, without further ado:  Naomi =)

"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  You have set Your glory above the heavens.  Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger."  Psalm 8:1-2

Happy 2011!

WOW. 2010 flew by way too fast!  I have so many awesome memories of last year, and encouraging testimonies of how God proved Himself faithful and true! I cannot wait to see what happens this year, and how He will continue to work in 2011! 

 

HE is good.