Unspeakable Joy

 In this world you will have trouble...

"When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to THE rock that is higher than I." -Psalm 61:2

Sometimes God calms the storm...sometimes He lets the storm rage and instead calms his child.

In Christ alone, my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song.

Joy and hope in life comes from trusting God.

"Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of ALL the details in my life; the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be okay; and the determined choice to praise God in ALL things." -Kay Warren

Today, I choose joy. God already knows what this day brings, and He's got my back. No need to worry.

Choose joy.

xoxo Beth

You ARE Enough

I'm an avid journal-er (if that's a word). I've been journaling since I was in the sixth grade, so I was around 11 years old. I have an entire shelf in my closet dedicated to my filled journals. It's like 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide. About every other month, I need a new notebook.

I try to go back through each journal periodically. It is so cool to see where I was two months ago, or even two years ago. They prove how I have grown in my relationship with Christ. My journals are a testament to God's faithfulness in my life.

I was flipping through March/April 2012 Journal and came across Bible study notes from my "Spring Break in Houston at the Grandparent's House" excursion. They really spoke to me. My soul just drank the words and verses up. Don't you love how God orchastrates just what you need to hear?

Gang, do you realize how much you mean to Christ?! We have gifts because we are God's children!

We attempt to be good enough, pretty enough, smart enough- we seek man's approval. That's wrong! We ought to be seeking God's approval. By telling yourself that you aren't enough, you are putting down one of God's chosen people. Realize that God doesn't make mistakes. If you are dwelling in Him, then you are right where he wants you. That may be in the middle of a storm, that may be on the edge of a storm, that may mean you're in a sweet spot right now, but where ever you are, you are EXACTLY where He wants you.

John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Being in the middle of God's will won't be easy, but if it is where God wants you, then you will be filled with His peace about it. It is easy to have faith when life is going well, but it is work to keep the faith in hard times.

The great thing about being a Christian is that we don not have to face any challenge alone. It is a known proven fact that I cannot do a single thing without God. You are also not the first person in your position, either! It is such a blessing that we have a Bible full of real life humans, with every day problems. Is that a coincidence? I think not. We are to learn from their example. We are to realize that we are not alone.

Satan has no power over you, unless you give him power. I encourage you to seek God's approval! Dwell in Him. Have faith at all times. You are not alone. You are enough IN CHRIST.

In Christ's love, Bethany

In My Head

This has been stuck in my head for days now...

"It's Your Life" ~Francesca Battistelli

This is the moment
It’s on the line
Which way you gonna fall?
In the middle between
Wrong and right
But you know after all

(Chorus)
It’s your life
What you gonna do?
The world is watching you
Every day the choices you make
Say what you are and who
Your heart beats for
It’s an open door
It’s your life

Are you who you always said you would be?
With a sinking feeling in your chest
Always waiting for someone else to fix you
Tell me when did you forget

(Chorus)
It’s your life
What you gonna do?
The world is watching you
Every day the choices you make
Say what you are and who
Your heart beats for
It’s an open door
It’s your life

To live the way that you believe
This is your opportunity
To let your life be one that lights the way

(Chorus)
It’s your life
What you gonna do?
The world is watching you
Every day the choices you make
Say what you are and who
Your heart beats for
It’s an open door
It’s your life
It's your life


And this song reminded me of THIS song.

"Dare You To Move" ~Switchfoot

Welcome to the planet
Welcome to existence
Everyone's here
Everyone's here
Everybody's watching you now
Everybody waits for you now
What happens next
What happens next

(Chorus)
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened before

Welcome to the fallout
Welcome to resistance
The tension is here
Tension is here
Between who you are and who you could be
Between how it is and how it should be

(Chorus)
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened before

Maybe redemption has stories to tell
Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell
Where can you run to escape from yourself?
Where you gonna go?
Where you gonna go?
Salvation is here

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened
Today never happened
Today never happened before

with love, Bethany

Check It Out

I'm sharing some of my favorite blogs with you today! Feel free to spend all day exploring these lovely places.


My sweet friend Kristen is a favorite friend of mine. This young woman is so wise and beautiful and radiates the joy of the Lord! Get her perspective on life, faith, and her recent adventures in Africa. http://kristeneddleman.blogspot.com/


My close friend Stef has a brother who recently moved to Jordan, with his wife, Katy. I met Katy at Stef's kids' birthday party. She is a sweetheart. And I say that having only met her once! Katy recently started a blog to update the world on their adventures in Jordan. http://joysofjordan.wordpress.com/


You've heard of Matt Chandler, right? This is his wife, Lauren. Although she doesn't update as often as I wish she would, she has some wonderful insights. Her faith in the Lord is awe-inspiring. http://www.themchandlers.blogspot.com/


I found Meg's blog through a mutual blog we like. She lives in Alabama, loves Jesus, and likes Kari Jobe. http://southernloveblog.blogspot.com/

And lastly, if you like pretty pictures, you'll enjoy Jamie Beck's blog, From Me To You. A native Texan. Talented. Makes me wish I was a photographer. http://fromme-toyou.tumblr.com/

There you are! Have a happy day!

Bethany

Cookie Cakes & Daddy's 48 Hours of Awesomeness

I just finished making my daddy's birthday cake. Well, actually, he doesn't like regular old cake, so we usually make him cheesecake or chocolate chip cookies. But this year, I had an epiphany. What if we make a COOKIE CAKE?! Voila. So Mama and I made a chocolate chip cookie cake. Can you say yummy?


Needless to say, we'll be stuffing our faces tonight. And Rae's at camp, so there's more for me! ;)


Obviously, yesterday was Father's Day. And today is my daddy's birthday! He gets 48 hours of "Wahoo! Go Steve! I'm Awesome!" time. Most people only get to celebrate for 24 hours, but every couple of years, Daddy gets to celebrate Father's Day AND his birthday. Win-Win.


My least favorite part about birthdays are the cards. I mean, each one says basically the same thing. I just don't like feeling that the card I'm giving someone I love is a card that a thousand other people have given to someone they love. I strive to be different with cards, letters, and thank you notes. Whether you recieve a something in the mail or open the card that goes along with the present, you ought to have a personalized, unique card  that makes you feel special. No one wants to read bland, boring, I've-seen-this-before cards. Spice up the cards, Hallmark!


There you have it. Today consists of cookie cakes, Daddy's Days, and a lecture to Hallmark. You're welcome, America.


With love, BLV


P.S. Forgive my run-on sentences.

Pintrest Favs

Hey gang.

Studying at the moment (gotta love doing schoolwork in the summer!) but I'm taking a break. I'm trying to keep life light and upbeat and keeping with that motto, here's some of my favorite Pinterest finds:

Psalm 73:25

Matthew 9:22

"There is more mercy in Christ than sin in us."

What a great idea!

 

A more grown-up version of Alfalfa and Darla from the Little Rascals...

God's color combinations are beautiful.

 

Do you get it? Hi. I think you're beautiful <3

My sister's room.

Why yes, Lorelai, we should.

With love, BLV

Crisis Mode Playlist

Forgive my absence. My mama was admitted to the hoispital last Monday, May 28th. She didn't get to come home until Saturday, June 2nd. The week after is what I affectionately call "Readjustment Week".


Last week consisted of driving to and from Dallas everyday, sometimes twice a day. We all have different methods of coping- my sister falls asleep, my grandma cleans, my dad plays virtual golf, and I listen to music. A good 45 minute drive is plenty of time to listen to a variety of songs. I find that music is soothing. There is something in a song that can so perfectly capture how you're feeling.


I put together a list of the songs I listened to the most last week. Unofficially, they make up my "Crisis Mode Playlist".


1. "By Your Side" - Tenth Avenue North
"Cause I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you"


2. "Soldier" - Gavin DeGraw
"I'll get you through it nice and slow,
When the world's spinning out of control."


3. "Our Hope Endures" - Natalie Grant (the version I listen to is a recording of two sweet, lovely ladies from my church, from like 3 years ago. It's that good, still.)
"But sometimes the sun stays hidden for years
Sometimes the sky rains night after night
When will it clear?
But our Hope endures the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
Let the earth quake
Our Hope is unchanged"


4. "Sweet Silver Lining" - Kate Voegele
"I may be weak but I'm not defeated
And I'll keep believing
In clouds with that sweet silver lining"


5. "All The Way" -  Carolyne Neuman
"I'll be right beside you all the way
And I'll be there to guide you all the way
And when there's nowhere left to hide
I'll come through and turn the tide all the way"


6. "Desert Song" - Hillsong United
"All of my life In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship"


7. "Steady My Heart" - Kari Jobe
"But You're here
You're real
I know I can trust You"

8. "Our God Is Greater" - Chris Tomlin
"And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?"


9.  "Light Up The Sky" - The Afters
"Oh I can’t deny that You are right here with me
You’ve opened my eyes so I can see You all around me
Light, light, light up the sky
Light up the sky to show me You are with me"


10. "The Lost Get Found" - Britt Nicole
"Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out
'cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don't you rise up now?
Don't be afraid to stand out
That's how the lost get found"
 
Maybe you'll go Youtube one of these songs and fall in love and it will become your new anthem. Maybe you'll just let the words resonate in you. Maybe you have your own way of dealing with life. Whatever you're going through, Jesus IS with you. All the way.


I'll go ahead and tell you that I especially love "The Lost Get Found". There is always someone who has it worse than I do. There is someone who doesn't have Christ. There are people hurting far more than I. Even in your own hard time, what if you are the only light to those around you? What if you are the only example of Jesus they see? So, if you get the chance, are you gonna take it?


Love, BLV