Nothing Will Ever Seem Enough

     
     "… This I know: you will regret nothing when you look back, except lack of faith or fortitude or love. You will never regret having thrown all to the winds in order to follow your Master and Lord. Nothing will seem too much to have done or suffered, when, in the end, we see Him and the marks of His wounds; nothing will ever seem enough.

- Amy Carmichael - 

"She is a joy and delight..."

Just wanted to share some pictures of this little woman =)  (p.s.  I didn't touch her eyes - yes, I did edit the pics, but I didn't specifically edit her eyes.  I think they're stunning! God is so amazing!) 

What Now, God?

    I'm in "that" season of life where I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing - I graduated, I went to my photography school and I don't have plans to go to college...so, what now?!

I want to be open to where God leads and what He might have for me.  And I only want to be in the center of His will for me - I'm experiencing living out a situation that didn't have His seal of peace stamped upon it, and I don't like the results.  I don't want to do that any more.

So, I'm not looking for anyone to tell me what to do, or give me suggestions...But, I'm curious:  when you've been in this situation, seeking God for the "next step" in your life," what helped you?  What did you do?  What were some verses you cling-ed to ? 

"Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,

your faithfulness to the clouds."  Psalm 36

Looking to Him who never fails,
Bailey

What He Chooses

“For consider your calling brothers: not many of you were wise according
to worldy standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 
BUT, God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is
weak in the world to shame the strong, God chose what is low and despised in the world, even the things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so
that no human being might boast in the presence of God.  And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus who became to us wisdom, sanctification and
redemption, so that as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’ “

-1 Corinthians 1:26-30-

God chooses:

the foolish
the weak
the low
the despised

    So that our boasting may be of HIM, not of ourselves, ‘cause we have nothing good to bring to Him.  It’s only because of His love and mercy.

    I don’t have to look smart in the world’s eyes.  I don’t have to prove that “I know some stuff.”  I only have to know Him.

    I don’t have to look strong or capable in the world’s eyes.  I don’t have to go to college, or get some great degree.  He will give me the strength and equipment that I need.

    I don’t have to have some high-standing or have achieved a lot.  The world isn’t my standard – Jesus is. 

    And I don’t have to be accepted.  I won’t be – plain and simple; if I’m following Jesus, that is.  He is the only audience that matters and the only approval I need. 

I’m not meant to fit in, but to glorify Him.

“I must decrease and He must increase.”

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

The Brave Friendship of God

He took the twelve aside . . . —Luke 18:31

Oh, the bravery of God in trusting us! Do you say, “But He has been unwise to choose me, because there is nothing good in me and I have no value”? That is exactly why He chose you. As long as you think that you are of value to Him He cannot choose you, because you have purposes of your own to serve. But if you will allow Him to take you to the end of your own self-sufficiency, then He can choose you to go with Him “to Jerusalem” (Luke 18:31). And that will mean the fulfillment of purposes which He does not discuss with you.

We tend to say that because a person has natural ability, he will make a good Christian. It is not a matter of our equipment, but a matter of our poverty; not of what we bring with us, but of what God puts into us; not a matter of natural virtues, of strength of character, of knowledge, or of experience— all of that is of no avail in this concern. The only thing of value is being taken into the compelling purpose of God and being made His friends (see 1 Corinthians 1:26-31). God’s friendship is with people who know their poverty. He can accomplish nothing with the person who thinks that he is of use to God. As Christians we are not here for our own purpose at all— we are here for the purpose of God, and the two are not the same. 

We do not know what God’s compelling purpose is, but whatever happens, we must maintain our relationship with Him. We must never allow anything to damage our relationship with God, but if something does damage it, we must take the time to make it right again. The most important aspect of Christianity is not the work we do, but the relationship we maintain and the surrounding influence and qualities produced by that relationship. That is all God asks us to give our attention to, and it is the one thing that is continually under attack.

(From ¨My Utmost for His Highest, August 4)

Sunset, Flowers and Whimsical Girls

The other evening I had a hankering to go take pictures of the sunset - I could tell it was gonna be a pretty one.  So, I grabbed my sister, and she grabbed her dog, and we went down to the lake...

Pretty soon it turned into taking picture of flowers, and Opie and each other.  Needless to say, I've been having fun with my 50 mm, and also enjoying messing with some more editing stuff...

And here are a couple pics from that night. =)

 

 

 

I'm really loving black and white these days.  This is my favorite.

New Lens

Hello All! So, I finally got my new camera lens! :D Here's one of the pics I took today while messing around with it.  That's all. =)

How to Fall and Stay in Love With Jesus

"He woos us. 
He wins our hearts. 
He makes Himself known to us. 
He gave His life for us. 
He lives for us. 
He intercedes for us. 
He defends us against our accuser. 
He guides us. 
He protects us. 
He nourishes us. 
He chastens us. 
He comforts us. 
He strengthens us. 
He sustains us. 
He sanctifies us. 
And a whole lot more, because of His love."

This is just a part of the short message I listened to today, from Nancy Leigh DeMoss, at Revive Our Hearts. 

I actually listened to it twice. :P Once, while doing stuff.  And then again, half-doing-stuff/half-pausing-it-to-take-notes.  

It is seriously so amazing...I adore Nancy.  She simply loves Jesus, and loves to make Him known.  His peace, and gentle truth, flows from her being.  

She spoke on what's been on my heart for a long time - to not just know about Jesus. But, instead, to know Him, intimately.  And love Him, passionately, and abandoning-ly.  To be fulfilled in Him, and be satisfied in His incredible, freeing love.  

Press into Jesus.  He is so worthy.  And I'm learning, over and over, He just loves us so much. 

Go take a half-hour out of your day to listen to this quick encouragement to go deeper with your Beloved.  

His

I needed to hear this tonight, Jesus.

lots more going on through this girly's head...but I'm not sure if it needs to be shared - not because I don't want you to know, but, because my Father has shared precious things with me...and, tonight, I just want to share these two videos with you.  

you are his. beloved. highly valued. chosen. redeemed. a precious treasure.  

keep yourself in His radical, out-of-this-world, redemptive, steadfast, never-failing love for you.

<3

Radical Christianity in North America

"...Only a life contemplating the love of Christ becomes a life acting the love of Christ..."

 {source}

This phrase stuck out to me tonight as I was reading Ann Voskamp's article on radical Christianity.  That's truly it - we can only really love, when we realize how much we have been loved.

So, go on over, and read her article about being love to the people God puts in your everyday life - it's so amazing!

P.S. If you haven't read her book One Thousand Gifts, please, do! It's challenging and inspiring, and a guide to living in joy and gratitude.

This is My Jesus

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the
throne of God."  Hebrews 12:2

Things have been kind of tough around here.  It's (continued to be) been a battle - for me, for my thought life....  It's hard getting back to normal, once you've been having fun for the past two months with the Holidays 'n such.  I'm a woman, therefore, I am emotional, which...is a battle all of it's own.  Anyways, sounds like Life, huh?!  Well, in all of this, Jesus has been gently teaching me to keep my eyes fixed on Him. 

I've been taught this lesson before.  However, I'm learning it again!

On January 8, it was just one of those nights. One of those nights where it had been a long day, I was tired, emotional, and all I wanted to do was list all the things that were making me mad, list all the people who've hurt me and my family, judge others' lives, and stay stuck in my self-pity.   I really wanted to.  {I thought that if I could just get it out, it would help me.}  Yet, Jesus gently whispered to my soul, "Bailey, why don't you fix your eyes upon Me?" 
I knew, from past experiences, that looking to Jesus is far more peace-giving, beautiful, and fulfilling, then staying focused on me.  So, by the grace of God, I did just that.  I choose to fix my eyes on Jesus.  I chose not to conform to the patterns of this world, (by dwelling on myself) and instead, renew my mind with the Truth. 
 

(From my journal) Open my eyes to see you in the pages of Scripture, and to be awed by all that You are.  May I decrease, and You increase in my heart, tonight, Lord!

This is my Jesus!
He:

• is majestic {Psalm 8} 
• cares for Me 
• is God Most High {Psalm 9}
• judges righteously
• is enthroned forever 
• is a stronghold
• doesn't forsake those who seek Him
• doesn't forget the cry of the afflicted
• helps the fatherless {Psalm 10}
• sees everything that happens 
• is King forever and ever
• hears the desire of the afflicted
• strengthens the afflict-ed's heart and inclines His ear to them
• is righteous {Psalm 11} 
• speaks pure words

By this time, my heart was rejoicing in my wonderful Savior!  After reading through four or five chapters of Psalms, my heart was turned off of myself, and focused on the unchanging character of my Jesus.  God answers prayer.  In minutes, the Word of God took my eyes off of me, and His Truth renewed my mind and soul, and then I could drift off to sleep pondering all that He was/is!

Friends, it is so fulfilling and peace-giving to look unto Jesus...

Even this morning, our family has been hit with another wave of "bad circumstances," as the world might see it.  Yet, I am not moved.  I know that my Jesus is "God Most High," that he "Sees everything that happens," that He "Cares for me...." 

I know that "The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  And those who know your name put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You...He does not forget the cry of the afflicted."  Psalm 9:9-10, 12b

I know that He does see {Psalm 10:14} all the injustices and bad things that happen. Yet, He remains in control and sovereign. 

and I know that, "Lord is King forever and ever....O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear." Psalm 10:14, 16-17

He is my Father. He will take care of me. He is not far off or distant. He is near.  He is in control.

And whatever the enemy throws at us, or whatever God places in our life, I can look at Jesus and say,
"The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice, the floods lift up their roaring.  Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the see, the Lord on high is mighty!"  Psalm 93:3-4

I can fix my eyes upon my Jesus, who is mighty, even though the winds and the waves blow around me! Peter, as he looked to Jesus, walked upon the water.  So, I too, through the strength of my Savior, as I look to Him, can walk on top of the water around me!

So, whatever you're going through, I encourage and challenge you, to steal away for some time, and look to Jesus.  Pour out your heart to Him; tell Him you're struggling with seeing who He really is; read aloud the living Word of God to catch a glimpse of His unchanging Person; keep seeking Him. 

He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love...and He rewards those who diligently seek Him!  {Psalm 103:8, and Hebrews 11:6}

Praying the He would give you the strength to "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace." And that you would be filled with peace and joy as you fix your gaze from the howling winds that blow, to our precious Savior who walks on top of the water!