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!

"Whom Shall I Fear"

"I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies is always by my side
The One who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies is always by my side."

It Will Be Worth It

"God, break me," seemed to be the cry of my heart this past week.  When that whisper of conviction, or thought of rebellion would enter my brain, and I wanted to yield....yet, at the same moment I wanted to be obedient and obey Him.  When I was frozen in indecision, I would silently cry, "God, help me. 

He didn't fail me. Not once.

Always, He was there. Holding my hand. Waiting. Waiting for me to turn to Him. 

And when I did call out to Him, He was listening.  And he answered my prayers.  He helped me. He was holding my hand.  In fact, He was gently prying open my hand of the things I was holding too dear. When I would whisper, "God, help me let go," He did.

Yeah, I've been struggling with letting go.  Letting go of my dreams, and idols. It's been hard. But, then again, who said life would be easy? Isn't the road that I want take narrow? "Few there be that find it..."  Then....why do I want to take it?

Why do I want to sacrifice things that I love?  Because, I'm choosing to believe that at the end, it will be worth ^it.

 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,  who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it."  Matthew 13:45-46  That merchant had to first give up all that he had. Then, he gained that pearl of great price. 

Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them...."And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life."  Matthew 19:27, 29

My precious Mother reminded me of this passage last week. Encouraging me to forgo the things I was clinging to - for the thing I was holding could not compare to what Jesus had for me. 

So, little by little, prayer by prayer, finger by finger, God is helping me to release my pebbles to Him. And in return, I trust that He will give me His jewels.  I just have to remember that. 

That in the end, it will be worth it all. He will be worth it all. 

The disciples knew that - for they left the people they most love to follow the Savior.  The man who found the pearl knew it too.  He had found something that all he had could not compare with....Bummer for the man who previously owned the field.  He didn't know what he had in his possession.  He gave it up for what was trifle, meaningless.  But, that merchant....wow, he found so much more.

Obviously, for the disciples and for the merchant, the reward of finding Jesus was FAR greater than any sacrifices they made. 

God, help me to remember. 

Rembember: choose Jesus. 
.