Short & Sweet

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Putting myself to bed is much easier than putting my mind to sleep.  But there's nothing I can change by worrying.  There's no problem that will go away by lying awake at night.  The best thing is to just go to sleep and trust God to take care of the rest.

I haven't mastered this and maybe I never will, but I'm working on it.

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where ya goin'?

Over this next week I'm going to be in Columbus, Ohio, a few students from CrossPoint.  They are working on projects to help them discover their talents, to develop them for more effective ministry, and to deploy them into service for God.

God has given all of us gifts and talents and it's our responsibility to steward those talents.  You do have a gift and there is a purpose for your gift.  Find your gift and use it for good.

Over this week, you can follow our adventures on Instagram and Twitter.  It's going to be a blast.

First stop?  St. Louis, Missouri.

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Short & Sweet

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I was just combing through Pinterest.  Just enjoying my morning.  And then, BAM!  Instant tears.  Instant regret.  Instant action.

Life doesn't have to be boring.  In fact, that's the last thing God wants for us.  He want's us to live a dramatic, full of life, adventure in Him.  It's not easy.  It's not supposed to be.  It might even kill you, but it's an adventure.

For now, all I can say is that I'm working on it.

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clean heart ~ a look at Psalm 51

Probably my favorite psalm is Psalm 51.  It’s my favorite for a lot of reasons, but mostly because it is a song of repentance.  If you grew up in church, or even if you didn’t, I’m sure you know the story of King David’s fall into sin with Bathsheba.  The Bible describes in 2 Samuel 11 a time when David lusted after a woman, Bathsheba, impregnated her, lied to cover it up, killed her husband, and then broke Jewish tradition and married Bathsheba.  I’m sure the day he married Bathsheba he breathed a sigh of relief.  The secret of his sin was safe.  That is until Nathan, the prophet, openly rebuked David for his sin. 

As a result, David was broken, embarrassed, ashamed.  But he was also repentant.  During this time of brokenness he wrote, “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from Your presence, and don’t take Your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and make me willing to obey.  Then I will teach (or sing, or declare, or play) Your ways to rebels, and they will return to You…You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.  You do not want a burnt offering.  The sacrifice You desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” (Psalm 51:10-17, NLT)

I can’t even imagine how humbling this experience would have been.  I can’t imagine the depth of David’s brokenness.  I can’t imagine the pain.  But David’s brokenness came as a result of his own personal exultation.  David got a little bit too big for his britches.

After all, he was David the giant slayer.  He was David the conqueror.  He was David the King of the greatest nation of that time.  He could do whatever he wanted.  He was the chosen one.  God chose him.  God deposed the first king, Saul, and established him as king.

But now, David, nothing more than a broken man, crawls in humility to the throne.  He asked for forgiveness.  He asked for mercy.  He asked for grace.  He repented.  He changed.  And he found God again.

I see myself so much in this story.  I’m not talking about the adultery, but the haughty, puffy attitude that David showed.  God forgive me for having that attitude.  

Every position we have...every gift God has given us...every talent He’s placed in our hands...is a responsibility.  It’s an obligation.  It’s a calling.  It’s a mission.  That gift is not for our own glory.  Even if we use our talents outside of a church building—which we should by the way—it’s still not for our glory.  Everything He has given for our hands to do is to point people back to God…to His love…to His truth.  It is our primary objective to lead people into the presence of God.

David had a calling on his life.  God chose him to be king because He trusted David with His people.  God has a calling on your life.  And you know what, just like David you're going to mess up.  If you're called to be a mom, you're going to yell at your kids.  You're going to have arguments with your spouse.  Of course you are.

Our ability to fail is not really an option.  It will happen.  Our response to our failures will define the outcome of our lives.

Let God use the brokenness in your life to reform you.  Run to Him and you will find Him.

"...when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.  I will be found by you...I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes..."

Jeremiah 29:12-14

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Short & Sweet

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Playing nice can be really difficult when you're working hard.  Let's just be honest.  Fatigue doesn't just weigh on our physical bodies.  It limits our emotional and mental strength.  (And to be more honest, sometimes my mental and emotional strength is not that strong.)

2 Corinthians 12:9 says, "'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me."

I'm so thankful that even in my weak moments Christ is strong.  He's strong in me and He's strong through me.

Special thanks to shopruche.com for the use of their image.  They are having a sale through tonight.  Get an extra 25% off your entire order with the code BIRTHDAY25.

May we become ever more weak in ourselves and ever stronger in His grace.

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Party Inspiration

Next Monday I will be helping with a party.  I love making spaces and events beautiful and special, but sometimes it's helpful to have a spring board to start your planning process.

The menu will be simple--just a steak salad and strawberry soup--and the venue is beautiful.  If you follow my instagram feed you would have seen a couple of views a few weeks ago. (Check them out here, here, and here.)  Imagine the entire space lit up with strings of lights.  It's going to be so relaxing...just the perfect way to spend time with friends or meet new ones.

Images Moving Clockwise 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9

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Introducing Baby James

On May 27th, 2014, a little man entered into this world.  Along with my family, I anxiously awaited his arrival, but I could never have been prepared the for love that would overtake me the moment I held him in my arms.

My nephew, James KalEl Dillon (yes, Superman), became the first nephew, the first grandson, the first everything.

I haven't been able to see him for a few weeks, but I can't wait to hold him again.

Linking Up With

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Left Overs Magic

It's summer (Captain Obvious, I know) and that means there's a good chance your grill has been fired up quite a bit.  I know mine has.

And then there is the garden, of course.

Fresh vegetables and fruit overflow off of the kitchen counter and onto baskets on the floor of the kitchen.

I love grilled vegetables.  You know the zucchini, squash, onion, tomatoes.  All of it.  Straight off the grill.  Which often leads to lots and lots of left overs.

Here's a meatless option to enjoying those veggies the night or the next day or the day after they were roasted on the grill.

Here's what you'll need...

Assortment of mixed veggies
Hummus (here)
Pita
Olive Oil

Toast up those pitas on the skillet with just a touch of olive oil.  Coat the pita with hummus and and pile with those grilled vegetables straight off the grill or from the refrigerator.

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Short & Sweet

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#workingonit

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Beauty Wear ~ the Make Up I Wear Every Day + Giveaway

Last week, one of the ladies in my community stopped and asked me about my make up.  I was a little surprised because I think I wear way too much make up.  I think my complexion is terrible and I like heavy coverage in my foundation because of some scarring on my face from an allergic reaction.

Yes, I think I have terrible skin.  And chances are you think you have terrible skin too.  We all have room for improvement.

I was listening to Martha radio a couple of weeks ago and they were talking about foundation.  Foundation formulas are always changing.  Even the classics are changing.  Experiment.  Find something new.  And in your experimentation you might find something better.

Here are the products I use, not every day, but most days, to cover those imperfections that I hate.

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Refreshing Berry Salad with Mint + a Giveaway

One of my dear friends shared a variation of this recipe with me earlier this summer.  This is quite possibly the easiest and coolest (literally) fruit salad ever.  The mint mixed with cold berries is so refreshing.  This time I just used strawberries and blueberries, but really any fruit will taste wonderful.  If you do choose to use banana make sure to stir that in right before serving the dish.  The bananas will be brown and mushy.

I know you will enjoy this simple, healthy recipe.

Here's what you'll need...

1 Pint Strawberries

1 Half Pint Blueberries

1 Lime

2 Tablespoons Fresh Mint

2 Tablespoons Honey

It's really simple from here.  Cut up all the fruit and add to a bowl.  Combine the juice of 1 lime, honey, and mint together.  Let those flavors combine and then pour over your berries or fruit.  Cool for at least an hour just to let it all come together. 

There you have it.  A refreshing berry salad with mint.


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Short & Sweet

This quote has it's roots in a famous quote by Anna Gould.  She said, "Be beautiful if you can, wise if you want to, but be respected-that is essential."  While I don't completely disagree with Ms. Gould she did get some things wrong.  You can only earn respect and respect is earned through being gracious.

Take time today to defend the defenseless...to stand against injustice.  Use every gift in your arsenal, wisdom, wit, and beauty, but always remember--never, ever forget--that respect is earned.  It's earned when you are full of grace.

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Citrus Spa Water

The days are not quite hot here in Oklahoma, but the humidity has been miserable the last couple of days.  Having lived in Oklahoma the majority of my life I'm rather used to this, but there's still something to be said for a nice, cold, refreshing drink.

Here's what you'll need:
1 Grapefruit
1 Lemon
1 Lime
Mint Leaves
Spritzer Water

Cut your fruit into slices and add them to a pitcher.  Top the fruit with mint leaves and then poor over the spritzer water.  Stick in the fridge for an hour.  Make sure to not let it sit overnight.  The rinds will make the water a little bitter.

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