I cannot contain this Love I feel inside. I just can't hide it or fight it. I'm beside myself about this Man, King Jesus. I cannot contain this Joy. Celebrate with me.
I made this video this weekend. It was an absolute honor to hear these three stories and then weave them together.
Although this is only a glimpse into the LIFE these people carry, I hope it brings restoration for those of you who are having trouble getting out of bed in the morning.
Remember, "Even though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death fear no evil for He is WITH YOU." --Psalm 23
p.s. when I compressed the file, the video quality got a little fuzzzzzy. Geek squad?
I'm making a video. I am interviewing four people and weaving their lives together with the hopes of finding a common thread that ties everyone together (and let's hope this thread holds my video together BY TUESDAY...) I'm usually behind the camera, or at least for the most part. This time I decided to interview myself...if that is even possible.
It is funny being on the other end of the lens.
The main question this video is themed around is, "What was that moment like when you first encountered Jesus. And what has changed since then?"
For me, it was a series of hours, days, months...that brought me to this place of dependency. I am finally beginning to realize that I was created in the GLORY for the GLORY. and that is the sweetest place to be. It is there that you find your belonging.
So the question I have for you is: what is the heartbeat of your life?
what does it look like to be beckoned by Daddy God? And if you don't think you have been, are you listening?
I've always loved christmas. Half the time for good reason, the other half not so much.
This Christmas I'm choosing to play it a little different.
Coldplay's new Christmas song is brilliant. There is this line that says, "When you're still waiting for the snow to fall, it doesn't really feel like Christmas at all."
Yeah, I get that.
I've never been more excited for Christmas than this year. Why? because I have never seen Jesus the way I do now.
He came so near. So close. He took on human frame and in that, Jesus became the connecting point between Heaven and Earth. Jesus, the air you breathe.
I pray that for you this season. That you draw near to Emmanuel, God with us.
I was listening to K-Love in the car today...(well, everyday for that matter...) They are doing this Christmas surprise exchange event. Wait, it is called Home for the Holidays. But what they are doing is giving the opportunity for people to connect with their loved ones over Christmas.
OK. So I was listening today and this teenage girl called. She was adopted many years ago. She loves her family, but now she wants to be connected to her biological mom. So home for the holidays sweepstakes finds her mom.
So for the first time, this teenage girl is talking to her mom ON AIR. I can hear it. And not only can I hear it, I can cry about it. I was crying. The mom was crying. The daughter was half crying, half explaining who she was.
_____________
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father!" Romans 8:14-15
As I was driving around listening to the melodic joining of this sweet mother and daughter, the Father began to share a piece of His heart with me during this Christmas season.
There is this poem by Brennan Manning that starts with "Abba, I Belong to You."
Abba is this intimate word for Father.
You see, the Lord is renewing identity. He is beginning to breathe new revelation over our hearts. He is showing us that we are sons and daughters.
My identity is not that I am:
-Student
-Story teller
-Friend
-Sister
-Terrible cook
-Librarian to my own special stash of books
-people person
-hopeful romantic
-you get the point.
My identity is the I belong to Papa God. My identity is the I belong to Jesus. All the days of my life I am a daughter of the Most High. Do you have ANY idea what that does? What it changes?
IT DOES EVERYTHING. IT CHANGES EVERYTHING.
When I was listening to the K-love home for the holidays deal, the Father spoke very clearly. He is calling us back to sonship. He wants to be your daddy...your Papa...your Abba. And get this: He wanted that relationship so bad that He sent His own Son to take your place. Why? so intimacy could be re-established and that we could utter the words "Abba." Distance from your heart breaks His. Papa doesn't want an employee, a church worker, a list maker. He desires what He created. OHH that is YOU! that is so good. so rich. so safe.
This Christmas season, receive the gift of Salvation. For what you will find is a place of belonging. A relationship so intimate that He becomes the very air you breathe.
One of my favorite things to talk about and encourage people on is the Secret Place. It is in this place that my life has been transformed. Literally. My Secret Place is either in my car or in my room. It is here that I encounter the Father in an intimate way. I lock the door. And there I wait for the living Presence of God to walk in the room. Every encounter looks different. And every time, the intimacy with the Father is unique.
The desire of my heart is to see transformed lives transform cities. I believe that the KEY to seeing that happen is the Secret Place. It is the heartbeat of revival.
Matthew 6:5-6
"Also, when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward in full already.
But when you pray, go into your [most] private room, and, closing the door, pray to your Father, Who is in secret; and your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you in the open."
yeah, yeah, yeah!
It is time for men and women to set aside time and just wait on Holy Spirit. As I started doing this consistently over a year ago, my life has never been the same. I still go back and remember encounters I have had in the Presence of God that have ruined me for the rest of my life...in the best way possible. I have started making memories with Jesus. And I plan on doing that all the days of my life.
You see time with the Lord is crucial. That is where you find your strength. That is where you go deep into the insights of the Father. There is something about the secret place that is so unique; it is something you cannot get at a conference, church service, prayer meeting, etc.
Luke 5:16
"But He [Jesus] Himself withdrew [in retirement] to the wildnerness (desert) and prayed."
Develop your personal history with God. You will never be the same. My favorite part of the day is just meeting with Jesus. I live to be in the Secret Place. Why? Because it fuels my response to LOVE.
I encourage you to just get away. Spend time with Jesus. Invite the Holy Spirit. Wait in silence until He speaks. Train your senses to recognize when Jesus walks into the room. Most of all, just love on the Father. Your life is radically changed because He loves you so.
I feel like I have so much to share. God is so rich and good.
I have felt this for a while now. But the body of Christ, the Church, has been in a transitional season. I have seen it everywhere. People I walk closely with, pray for, people that pray for me, just really everywhere...transition is the season. Seasons of transition are hard, but also so beneficial not only personally but corporately as well. I believe that the Lord is catapulting His people into their divine destiny. YEAH YEAH YEAH. But when you go through a season of transition, there is so much room for lies. Why? because there is the unknown factor. The direction/objective/purpose/reason etc. may not be clear. So in that place, the enemy tries to come in and speak death. That dark voice speaks false identity. he takes what the Lord has for you in this NEW season and twists it. For example, the Lord is teaching me about what it means to BE a daughter of the King and to not see myself as anything less. But in that time, even while I have been giving this warning word to others, lies about who I am have crept in. Co-heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven do not passively watch as deception and confusion creep in.
In this time of transition, really seek the Lord on what He says about YOU. it is so important you lock yourself away in the secret place (where you meet with the Father) and allow His love to saturate you. Seek the Presence.
I am walking this right along with you. I have been in a season of transition. And it has been beyond fun and amazing. Truly. But in that, I have allowed false identity to creep in and rob me of my Joy. Today, I got to the point where enough was enough. Seriously. I needed a breakthrough. So I laid on the couch and waited. But then I got restless. So I went into my room and tried to worship Jesus. Still restless. I decided to go for a run. I hate to run. I would rather cut down trees with a butter knife all day then run. no really, it's true. But that's what I needed. and wanted. so I took off onto this trail and told the Lord that I wasn't going to STOP until something broke on the inside of me. I start running...and I get about 25 feet when I realize I am running up someones driveway. DRIVEWAY. not only was it embarrassing enough that the I thought a DRIVEWAY was a trail, but the family was sitting there. Starring at me...probably thinking. Wow, this girl just ran up our driveway. unreal. I pretended to be stretching and awkwardly walked away.
Finally I find the trail. I get about ehhhhhh 4.5 minutes in and I find this incredible spot. I'm not training for the ironwoman...ok? I just wait. and then the Lord starts talking. There were a couple stones laying to the left of me and the Lord said...
"Do you think I can turn those into bread?"
Me: "Well yeah."
Jesus: "Really, do you?"
Me: "Gosh, I don't know. YES. Yes I do. I really do."
Jesus: "Just because I don't do it this moment, doesn't mean I can't or won't. Manna from Heaven comes in all shapes, sizes and times."
Me: Staring at the rock waiting for it to turn to bread
Jesus: "Your breakthrough is no different. Just because it doesn't come in the package you want it to, doesn't me I don't deliver."
Me: still staring at the rock
Jesus: "you have your breakthrough."
Me: "what do you mean?"
Jesus:"you have it. just fight for it. find it. See it. See me. I'm here. I'm your breakthrough. I'm your joy. find me. Rest in me. move to me. I am your manna from heaven. I will turn that stone into bread."
Me: Smiling
Jesus: "also, don't be surprised if you find manna from heaven sometime in the near future."
COME ON!
I ran home tonight, not totally feeling like a new person. But breakthrough is here. I choose Jesus.
Choose Him today. Don't wait. Your time is now. Trust your Jesus. He delights in you. Whatever you need, you can find in the name of Jesus. Everything you need is in the name of Jesus.
I follow this eclectic, UK hipster wedding blog.It is called Pocketful of Dreams. check it out...http://www.pocketfulofdreams.co.uk/
Now, I love weddings. More so, I like the idea of the perfect day. And above that, I just love the pictures and decorating ideas that come from the Pocketful of Dreams blog. So much goes into a wedding. So much money, energy, resources, stress, love, friendship, thought. just a lot of work goes into this PERFECT day. the day that you get to publicly declare and unify this crazy, wild love for someone.
I had this thought.
Holy Spirit is like the best wedding planner ever. Everyday when you wake up, the Holy Spirit is there planning your day. Your best day. your perfect day. You see it says, "We are assured and know that all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose." Romans 8:28.
So here it is: Everyday God is working for YOUR good. To love on you. to empower you. to set you free. to open doors. to make your day PERFECT. and that happens everyday. He plans your best day. your wedding day. all for this end goal. So that everyday you get to put on a wedding dress. You know, clothed in purity, grace and righteousness. Then the Holy Spirit plans your triumphant walk down the aisle to meet your groom, Jesus. OHH, come on.
Live in that reality. Know that the God of the Universe is working on your behalf. He is your defender. Why? cause He is mad about you. I just encourage you to wake up and put on your
sunday best...your perfect wedding day attire. Cry out to the Father and ask him to awaken you to His mercies that are new EVERY morning. oh, how he loves you.
I've already bragged about this guy once, but let me tell you about him once more.
mat kearney's new cd is most excellent. He's such a poet with a guitar. I've had a crush on him since junior high.
There is something different about his third and latest album. It is infused with this vibrant energy and just ooooozes love. I did some digging and low and behold I found out that he just got married. love that. His songs reflect this new life with His love.
One of his song's is called Young, Dumb and In Love. I listened to it, and then listened to it again. and as I kept on pressing repeat I thought...this is the song of our generation. And when I say generation, I'm not just talking about the teens and 20s. I'm talking about the young and the old returning to Jesus.
To be Young is to live like a child. It is to be poor in spirit. "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." What does that even mean?
You see when you live a life not only aware, but actively responding to this idea that EVEN on my best day it is only by the grace of God. I can pray for the sick and see them recover. I can have outrageous moments in the glory...I can get a raise, make a friend, etc. But when you realize that it is all by the grace of God, you living knowing that you have NOTHING to lose AND everything to gain.
When you live young and poor, you live with a declaration of DEPENDENCE. I can do nothing apart from the power, authority and love of the Holy Spirit.
I hope this next one doesn't offend anyone, but when you are literally IN the Love of Jesus you just act dumb sometimes. And I mean that in the best possible way. Those of you who have been in love know that sometimes you do really dumb things. all to be with that person. You just have to be with them. You almost become consumed. You talk, eat, breathe, think, everything about this person..which results in some crazy and wild things. Being in love with Jesus is no different. I don't go up to someone and share the love of Jesus because I feel obligated. I do so as a response to His all consuming love wrecking my life. And when I say wreck, I mean that as in the best thing that ever happened to me. I was on the bus and I heard the Lord give me a word for someone I was sitting next to. And for a quick second, i thought nooo way I'm not talking to her. She'll think I'm crazy...And then I realized, how can I not pour out the contagious love that has filled my life. Who am I to not share some lovin. You know, when you get prompted to respond to God's love...in whatever way that looks like. It is important to remember that if not you, then who?
In Love:
I don't dance around, shout, cry, laugh, jump, sit, lay, etc. in worship for God's love. I do it as a response to His love. I've shared this before, but I can honestly say that for the first time in my life, I'm in love with Love. The very nature of God is love. I live for those encounters where you walk in one way and you leave another. It is the kindness of the Lord that leads people to repentance.
There were these old, lifeless habits that I used to have that left me lonely and even more desperate. But ss I began to experience the Love of God daily, that old wine so to speak (literally and figuratively) just was old news to me. As you enter into the presence of God you are changed. renewed. restored.
I think we as body have misrepresented the love of God. There are lists of what to do and what not to do. Some legitimate. But eventually a list of rules gets dusty and loses it pristine, shimmering appearance. And then all you are left with is a moldy list. But when you live everyday to encounter and experience Jesus, you're never the same. You realize how ALIVE everything is. you become awakened to the rhythms of GRACE and freedom!
you shout and dance around because you can't contain this love. you have to do something.
if you're still working out this whole Jesus thing, or maybe you're dried up and left feeling like this whole Christianity thing is for the birds. I just encourage you to ask the Father to show you His love. Get alone with him, and just ask. And His very word says He will come to you. His love never fails. It won't fail you. All you have to do is ask. You'll be awakened to His sweet mercies.
My favorite secret places with the Lord are my car and my room. I can sing, dance, shout, cry, dance some more...and just be with the Father. I have had just the neatest encounters with God alone in my car and in my room. This one particular time, I locked myself in my room and started worshipping. And one of the most exciting things about spending time with the Lord is you NEVER know what is going to happen. Seriously.
Ok so this one time I just got stirred up and started a little dance party for myself...2 hours worth of a dance party.
Here's a quick side note. If you don't think there is freedom in the Kingdom, then you gotta shake yoooo self a little bit. I used to hate to dance...After the Lord broke the chains though, I have become a dancing fool...most of the time that is.
Anyways. I'm dancing around. and I walk outside my room to hydrate myself and Emily, that roommate of mine says to me, "Oh my gosh Alex, you are glowing. Like seriously, you are glowing."
Now I wash my face daily, but she sure wasn't talking about some sort of pretty skin color.
Let me show you something.
When Jesus died on the cross he tore the veil. This veil was the worst. I'm not kidding. It separated the Jewish people from the Holy of Holies WHICH is where the presence of God rested. ok, so what? Well this represents the distance between man and God. In Isaiah 59 it talks about how the sin of man separated them from the Father. LOOK IT UP.
Talk about a bad day.
Matthew 27:50: "But Jesus, again crying out loudly, breathed his last. AT THAT MOMENT, the Temple curtain was ripped in two, top to bottom. There was an earthquake, and rocks were split in pieces."
Talk about a good day.
By Jesus giving up His life, sin which the veil is symbolic for, was torn and nothing can EVER separate us from the Love of God. Nothing. It is done. Paid for. We live in perfect freedom.
In 2 Corinthians it says:
"Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are, --face to face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We're free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of His face!"
There is no longer an excuse to live without a God face-lift. Sorry. That might've worked 2000 years ago. But this is the 21st century, folks. Jesus is alive. He is waiting to meet with you and transform you into His likeness. Tuck yourself away to your favorite place. Even if you don't have a secret place to hide away in, or you don't have a prayer to lift up. That is ok. For He will meet you.
Let me ask you this real fast. If you knew you could have all your credit card debt, bills, mortgage, car payment, etc. paid off...free of charge. No mail in rebate, or secret sign your life away contract. Just the opportunity to live debt free and STAY debt free. Would you do it?
DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
You can live a life in that same freedom TIMES a million. It was paid for. Don't go another day with chains around your feet and handcuffs around your wrist. You were created for something so much more...and your face will SHINE with the brightness of His face! yeah, yeah, yeah.
I love being awakened to the Presence everyday. It is always new. Always refreshing.
Talking about the 'presence' is just another word for the Love of God. When Jesus walks in the room, love rests. The very nature of God is love.
If all you have is 5 minutes throughout the day, take it and just soak up the very nature of God. Even those 5 minutes spent in His goodness will sustain you, recalibrate your heart, ignite and send you off in joy and restoration. His banner over you is love. Just ask beloved to feel Him today. ohhhh, you'll never be the same. LIVE for those encounters. You know the ones where you walk in one way and you leave another. Yeah, yeah, yeah. everyday. live for that.
also, i was just recently introduced to this husband and wife team. their worship is so good. so real. go bless someone!
will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.
Are you the talk of the nations? Are you the talk of the town? Do the people at your work buzz around in awe of the Goodness in your life? Can people just not hold their tongue because of how gracious God is to you? Are we one happy people?
God has set you free. That is a reason to throw a party. To come home laughing. To never stop giving thanks. You are living a dream that is actually to good to be true. But you are serving a God who makes it come true.
When I read this Psalm, I see ribbons, festivities, people in the street. I see a community basking in the Love of their Creator. I see a simplistic joy in the Holy Spirit. Can you really believe your life? ohh how God is so good.
Let's talk blessing. God does not bless his children because of anything they do or do not do. That is a conditional God, which is so not the Father. It is almost as if we are playing the childhood love game with God. "He loves me, He loves me not. He loves me, He loves me not." So with flower in hand, we hopelessly wait to pick the next petal because THEN he will love us. FALSE folks. God loves you the same yesterday, today and forever. His love never changes. NO matter what you do. what freedom!
But as we live this best life, we have the ability to CHOOSE to grow in the favor of God. Even Jesus had to grow in favor.
I was driving home many months ago. I had been trying to figure out where to work this summer and just couldn't quite seem to get any direction. So I am driving home one day and the Lord says to go apply at a restaurant. I thought, well my gosh, I have no restaurant experience. They won't hire me. Blah, Blah, Blah. So after negotiating with the Father for a while, I gave in. Although I was unable to see clearly at this moment, remember that the Lord will NEVER set you up to fail...only for you to step out and trust His faithfulness. Ok, so I go in. Apply. And get the job right away.
My job consists of polishing a lot of silver and running a lot of food. Which is great. The job is a blessing of God. And I could not have been more thankful. One night, after polishing what seemed to be mine of silver I started getting a little lazy. I heard the Lord ask why I wasn't polishing the right way. And then He said that everything I do is unto the glory.
You see, when you live IN LOVE with the King of the Universe everything you do is in response to that LOVE. That changes everything. Moving from religion to relationship will literally change everything. It is not that polishing silver is my favorite past time. But when you move to the rhythms of mercy with an understanding that EVERYTHING is because of the grace of God, what/why/how/when/how many is all a by-product of that love. EVEN on my best day it is only by the grace of God. Living poor in spirit is wealth in the Kingdom.
After the Lord re-calibrated my work ethic, I polished like the Queen was coming to town. Two days later I got a very significant raise. When you live in LOVE, favor follows. Blessing follows favor. Challenge is the next step. It is easy to assume that because of God's blessing you dont' have to work for it anymore. that is an incorrect way of thinking. Abuse of blessing only leads to error. And response to error only creates another error. We then assume that God takes away those things in our life. And I do not think that is the case.
Let me illustrate.
1 Kings 11:9 The Lord was very angry with Solomon, for his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.
Why does it matter? The more obvious God's will is to you...or the more He reveals His heart, the greater the requirement. His still small voice is not punishment, it is His mercy. When you clearly see and hear the blessing of God on your life, there is great weight in that. God appeared to Solomon twice and gave him the desires of his heart. And yet Solomon CHOSE to turn from the Lord. A lot of times people cannot handle blessing and crumble. Solomon did.
"Sometimes He actually speaks so quietly that you actually have to be leaning in to Him to hear his voice." Why? it is his mercy.
This is the end of the series on BeautyTIPS. But it will certainly not be the last! I mean how could it be? We didn't even touch on hair, clothes and SHOES. So fun.
For this last part, I asked the Beauties in my life to share what makes each of them so exquisite. ENJOY!
This first beauty just happens to be one of my BEST friends. No one quite melts
my heart like this girl. Emily was the first I asked for beauty advice. She's got it goin' on. Take her advice and look glorious!
EYES: There are 6 billion people on this earth right? Something like that. That means 6 billion sets of eyes. Every eye being different than the next. That is so cool. Emphasize those babies! Use the right makeup to make your eyes pop! Alex does the BEST at this. When talking to her, I can't help but stare at 'em. I also really enjoy choosing eye shadows that make my eyes pop.
A GREAT SMILE: To me, it brightens everything up. I was very blessed to have a good set of chompers, and parents that always made me brush and floss. Here's the thing; You don't have to have a perfect set of pearly whites to have a great smile. Enjoy life, smile a lot, and definitely still remember to brush.
CLOTHES: By no means, am I fashion expert, but I'm workin on it. A unique sense of personal style just about tops any beauty tip. Once again, I look to Alex on this one. I think it's safe to say her sense of style has changed a lot in the last two years. She puts together pieces that I would have never thought to combine, and yet they work so perfectly. Don't be afraid to wear what others won't wear, and don't be afraid to try new things. If you like it, buy it.
CONFIDENCE: This is hands down, the hardest beauty secret to upkeep. In society today, there are so many factors that can shatter our confidence. Naturally, we compare ourselves to others, and always want what we don't have. If we're short, we want to be taller. Straight haired girls want curly hair, but the ones with curly hair would kill for it to be short. Once we can get past all of this however, we can become confident in the person we have become over years of fine tuning. Ask anybody and they will tell you, a woman with confidence in herself shines in a room. You can see it when she walks down the street, when you have a conversation with her, or when she is with no makeup and in her pajamas still feeling like a million bucks.
Wise woman, yea?
Our next guest editor is truly the most beautiful, gorgeous, unique, natural, confident and humble person I know. I could truly go on for years telling you about my sister. YEARS. she is most certainly my better half.
She does her thannnng and does it well. I can honestly say that any beauty wave that I have ridden over the years is because of her. She is a beauty pioneer.
She loves well. What I mean is that she calls out the beauty in others. You will never leave a conversation with my sister not feeling better about yourself. Her very nature draws out the magnificent in those around her. The depth of this trait is so great because you cannot recognize a quality in someone else that you yourself do not also have. Also, she is so confident in who she is, and so grounded in the value the Lord has in her that she is not shaken or jealous by anyone else's beauty. Rebecca celebrates those around her!
She has these big, deep, hazel eyes that are captivating.
She eats really healthy and works out a lot. Becca's got a rockin' bod. Seriously. But she works hard for it. Take care of your body. She certainly is on my case about it. But in the end, it is so worth it.
Rebecca is a fighter. She'll fight for those close to her until it is finished. She knows truth and lives by it. When I look at her, I see the love
of Jesus. So sweet is my sis.
My dearest Kait Rohfling is such a natural beauty.------------------------->
She is the only friend I know that swears by lipstick and man does she wear it well. I started wearing lipstick because of her. Lipstick gives your just that added color that really can make or break and outfit. LIPSTICK!
My glorious friend Hannah can make anyone, anywhere feel
valuable and know their worth. She asks questions. She really, truly cares about the converstaion. It is genuine. To be interested is to be interesting.
Finally to my favorite!
I asked our sweet Jesus what His beautyTIPS were. This is what your Creator has to say about YOU:
"I made you just right. Every hair on your heard. Every freckle on your neck. When I look at you My fair one, I just see perfection. I think it is funny how you all color your hair and try and change how you look. I colored your hair just right. But I love watching you curl and put bows in your hair. You could never do or undo anything that would make me look at you any different. I am captivated by your beauty. I can't stop thinking about the way you move. The color of your eyes. To me, you are My beautiful one. My beloved. Just be you. Don't be a version of yourself. But be the REAL you. The you I created is quite magnificent. Don't change anything about you for someone else. I just love you. I really, really love you. You make my heart dance. There are these times where I gather all of heaven just to watch you...just because you take my breath away so. Let me love you more. Let me be the lover of your soul. Let me in. Let me love you more. Ohhh, if you only you knew how beautiful and remarkable you are to me. Will you let me tell you?"
OHHHH thank you sweet Jesus! We were created for the glory. Let Him in you beautiful one!
Couple things you just have to do to get that GLOW...no matter the season.
1. Wash your face day and night. As my mother always tell us, "TAKE OFF YOUR MAKEUP." If you don't,
your pores close and can't breathe. LET your skin BREATHE! I have sensitive skin so I had to search around for the best cleanser. I tried the expensive stuff like Chanel's cleanser, and it just made my skin go CRAZY. I use Cetaphil now and love it.
2. Moisturize. We are in Colorado, folks. Most of our skin is dry, dry, dry. That is not good. Your skin flakes and your makeup just totally sucks into your face because it needs moister. There are some great moisturizers out there. I use Kate Somerville's Gentle Skin Moisturizer. L'Octaine also has some excellent products.
3. Ok next. EXFOLIATE. You need to do this twice a week. When you exfoliate, it gets all the
dead skin off so new skin can grow. Don't exfoliate too much though. You're skin will get irritated. This step is KEY to getting that perfect glow. I use Kate Somerville'sExfolikate for
Gentle Skin. I love it.
4. I already went over the stuff to eat in a previous blog. That will drastically improve your skin. A couple things to try and stay away from or at least moderate is:
salt
processed foods
fake sugar...splenda, etc.
fried anything
smoking
alcohol...sorry, don't shoot the messenger. I don't make the rules. A glass of red wine is healthy for you. But like most anything, alcohol and the above mentioned have to be in moderation.
*great rule of thumb. If it is not good for your health, it is not good for your skin. This was an AH-HA moment for me. Your skin is an organ. Don't forget that. What you put in your body comes out. And your skin is the most obvious form.
Ok now for the fun part! MAKE-UP
Find a good Face Primer. I use Bare Minerals face primer just because it came with a set I purchased. NARS sells a great primer. This just helps your make up set and stay longer.
Second, when finding foundation try and try and try and keep on trying until you find the one that gives you the best glow. I started with Bare Minerals, moved to MAC and am now happily resting with Bobbi Brown.
**Here's an important tip about foundation. Spend more on your concealer, foundation and powder. Spend less on
the eyeshadows, eye-liners, blushs etc. You can SO tell a difference in quality between a cheap foundation and a more expensive one. You get what you pay for. I buy $2 eye shadow that lasts me years. Seriously. But I will pay more for foundation. I switched from MAC to Bobbi Brown. Even though there was about a $10 price increase, I could totally tell a difference in quality.
When picking the right foundation, you have the option of liquid or powder. I prefer liquid...especially because now a days most liquid foundations come with an SPF 15 and moisturizers in them. A lot of
people prefer powder. just use your preference.
Make an appointment with different make up counters like: MAC, Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, Estee Lauder. Have them match you. DON'T BUY right away. Leave. Check yourself out in the sunlight. Ask around. Then if you like, buy it.
Its important to have good brushes. You could have gold dusted foundation, but a 4 year old brush. And let me tell ya, it will be a disaster. Change out your brushes about every 2 years if possible. You'll probably need a foundation brush, powder brush for bronzer and blush, a concealer brush, eyeliner and eye shadow brushes. You don't have to buy super expensive ones either.
Target has some great brands for some great prices. I really like Sonia Kashuk.
Also, to the left is stick foundation. I just got this product for a wedding I was in. Stick foundation works wonders when you are going to be photographed. You would think that the foundation would be cakey. BUT it is not! I LOVE IT. You can also wear it everyday. The down side is that there is not an SPF or moisturizer in it.
Concealer: Bobbi Brown says that you should never leave the house without concealer. EVEN if it is the only make up you have time for. Concealer 'conceals' bags or puffiness under your eyes. Gives you an instant lift. And draws attention to the focal pointof your face. THE EYES!
BLUSH and Bronzer:Nars has a great duo out right now with a bronzer and blush. the
combination of the two gives you that glow you are looking for. Don't over do it though. The key with bronzer is to go all the way down the neck and chest do get the most natural look.
Also, I'm going to be your mother again and remind you to wear sunscreen. Help your face out (except if you are going to take pictures. Put it on after. Sunscreen will make your face oddly glow in pictures).
Finally, I love a good eyeliner. My sister introduced me to liquid liner and I have never gone back. I dabbled in different liners, both cheap and expensive. I have happily landed right in the middle.
MAC's fluid liner is IT. like seriously, this stuff is awesome. It is $8 and the brush you need is $15. I know, I know. The brush was painful to buy. But will last you years...well about 2. Then you should replace it. BUT, it is a necessity when using the eyeliner. They come in extravagant colors and they last at least 6 months to a year! GET EMMMM!
EVERYTHING I have learned about beauty comes from my mother.
she truly is THE beauty queen. I am excited to share some of her beauty secrets with you.
She is the most extraordinary I person I know.
Ok 5 best beauty secrets my mother has ever given me! (and then I kinda put my own little twist on some of them)
1. WHEATGRASS! this green juice is so incredible. It clears up any infection, acne, pimple...or if you just want your face to glow, I recommend putting the wheatgrass juice directly on your face. It will look like a mask. Keep it on for 15-25 minutes. Wash it off. Be amazed. Places like Jamba Juice sell 1-2 ounce shots of it. I usually ask for half an ounce which is plenty! Drink the rest to give your body a kick start. Seriously guys. This stuff is awesome.
2. My mom only uses Hot Tools hair appliances. I have had my Hot Tools curling iron since 8th grade and it still works like a charm. GET EMMM.
3. Accessories, Accessories, Accessories. I don't like to wear earrings. But class it up a little with a necklace or bracelet. Even both. Here's my rule of thumb...Where do you want to make a statement? the clothes, hair, makeup or jewelry. Don't get out of control with big hair, outrageous
4. Have a signature piece of jewelry. My mom has these incredible diamond studs my dad bought her years ago. She never takes them off. I wear a heart necklace my dad got me. I never take it off. Don't go looking for a 'you' piece because that just takes the 'you' out of it. When you see it or receive, you'll know. SO classy!
5. Wash your face everyday. night and morning. Don't forget to take your make-up off! Your skin is thanking you now, and the mirror will thank you 20 years from now.
Here's the thing. My mom has raised my sister and I with such Godly confidence. The many prayers, the long nights, the countless lunches made...and most of all--the way she poured everything she knew into us is bearing such incredible fruit. I can honestly say that I am who I am because of my mother. Plus, she is just stunning. I mean look at those pictures.
Everywhere she goes, God's glory follows.
I think that is the ABSOLUTE top beautytip. As she would say, fall in love with the Lord and the rest will not just take care of itself, but exceed and shatter any expectation you could possibly have.
In honor of beauty month being June and July....ehh I made tht up. June and July aren't officially beauty month, but they are around here! Plus, there's a very important wedding coming up in July, and summmer screams beauty!
So I have decided to put together my BestBeautyTIPS. and I have asked the beauty experts in my life to share some as well. FUN!
There are SO many rules when it comes to beauty. Or at least it seems that way. I only have two.
#1--If you hear something over and over and over and over and over and over and over from
various beauty experts, friends, family, magazines, etc. LISTEN UP. The best example I can give is sunscreen. EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE is saying to put on that sunscreen and stay out of the sun. Protect your face. I used to hate this tip BUT it is so essential for beautiful, shimmering skin. Suncreen is sexy. Especially at age 50 when you got yourself NOOOO wrinkles. Think about it this way. Where is the softest skin on your body? Your bum, under your arms, and [generally] your stomach. Why? they are the most protected place on your body. They are covered by clothes. Protect your skin. Wear sunscreen. Seriously.
#2--Don't listen to anything you hear. Make your own beauty rules. I love Bobbi Brown make up. I was reading up in her book about eye liner. She said to not put eye liner on the inside of the lash line. I do that. I read another book about make up that said the complete opposite. Just do what you love.
Top 10 foods (or drinks for your skin):
1. First thing in the morning drink a big glass of water with lemon in it.
I am so jazzed about our Father God. There are these moments during the day where I literally just can't even believe God is real. I mean I can, but I can't. The only way to describe it is this sorta, kinda fearful, majestic awe love feeling. Where all thoughts run together in this serenade of perfect peace.
I was just sitting down getting ready to read a book and this wave of unreal joy and freedom and LOVE. Oh, the love. It just hits you and its like nothing ever mattered. "He loves like a hurricane." yeah, yeah, yeah.
I was watching Master Chef the other day. It is the awesome foodie competition with Gordon Ramsey. All these contestants prepare food for the judges and they either give them an apron or send them packin. Great, right? Well, this woman was the next contestant and before she even spoke a word I started crying. And listen here, I don't cry easily. So I'm thinking what the heck is going on. And i just can't stop crying. Like it is this endless flow. She began to say that the dream of her life has always been to be a chef, but yet settled as an accountant. Later that night someone at work told me about how disappointed he is in life. I had to go to the back room so no one would see me crying. LIKE WHAT??
I got wrecked at church this past Sunday. And again started crying. I heard the Lord just speak some very tender, but clear words.
I really believe that the Lord is beginning to restore broken dreams. I can see it in so many lives around me. The places that have been pronounced lifeless, where the time of death has been called out. Those broken pieces are being resurrected to life. I just spoke with a friend tonight where the Lord has just supernaturally put her on a new path. COME ON. Don't you for one second think that you are too old or too young for God to bring restoration to old hopes of being in a band or having a family. Or meeting your dad. Or finding a wife. Or traveling around the world ministering. Don't for one second discount who God has called you to be.
Not only is he restoring broken dreams, but He is saying that you have no idea what I have in store for you. The Lord is saying that if you will just absolutely trust Him, ohhhh the dreams of your heart will spring forth...and I'll do you one better. I'll take you higher, deeper, farther than your thoughts can even run says the Lord. Be obedient now and the Lord will pour His gratitude over your life.
Above all though, He just wants to love on you. Really. like all over. Just love all over your life.
ohhhh wow. what a Mighty King. How can we not live in awe of our Father God when he declares promises like that over our life. Let's move from Glory to Glory together in love with The Most High. only way to go right?
Also, this song is the best dance party music EVER. DANCE AROUND!
I am just quite the daddy's girl. I don't think my dad has ever missed a basketball game, thanksgiving play, dance recital, graduation, birthday. Nothing. It is so easy to forget what a gift I have in my Dad. He is my superman.
I always tell people that my dad was absolutely meant to have girls. He just wraps my sister and I in love.
He is just the absolute most fun person ever. I wish I could tell you how extraordinary he is.
I am who I am most assuredly because of who my dad is.
What a blessing to get to do life with a Father so full of wisdom and discernment.
This is the end of the series on BeautyTIPS. But it will certainly not be the last! I mean how could it be? We didn't even touch on hair, clothes and SHOES. So fun.
your pores close and can't breathe. LET your skin BREATHE! I have sensitive skin so I had to search around for the best cleanser. I tried the expensive stuff like Chanel's cleanser, and it just made my skin go CRAZY. I use Cetaphil now and love it.
dead skin off so new skin can grow. Don't exfoliate too much though. You're skin will get irritated. This step is KEY to getting that perfect glow. I use Kate Somerville's Exfolikate for
foundation, but a 4 year old brush. And let me tell ya, it will be a disaster. Change out your brushes about every 2 years if possible. You'll probably need a foundation brush, powder brush for bronzer and blush, a concealer brush, eyeliner and eye shadow brushes. You don't have to buy super expensive ones either. 
Target has some great brands for some great prices. I really like Sonia Kashuk.
jewelry and metallic clothing. That is SO BAD. A big necklace is best suited with a more simple attire (generally). ALSO, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT mix gold and silver jewelry. NO WAY. just can't. sorry. Gold with gold. Silver with silver. Watches and earrings included. Girlfriend over here on the right has got it going on. Simple outfit, BANG necklace, perfect purse. 
