Hear Him Pt. 1

I think the most important exchange that can happen between us and the Father is when we HEAR what He is saying. When you hear God, you get vision for your life. You feel understood. You have Hope, Freedom, Joy and many other blessings that come from hearing the Word of the Lord. And really, above all you are engaging your Daddy. That is enough in itself. But because of the fruit that comes from hearing God, it is the most attacked aspect of our intimate walk with Jesus.

There have been many, many times where I have struggled with hearing God. I go back and forth..."Is this me talking or is it God talking?" or "God couldn't have really said that...asked me do to that...said that about me..."etc.

In talking to people about hearing God these are the most common lies I see people believing (and lies that I have believed myself).

1. I don't hear God.

2. I can't tell if it is me or Him.

3. I think part of it is true and part of it isn't.

4. That Word can't be from God. It is too good to be true.

Those are all lies from the pit of hell and they have got to GOOOOOOO. There is no room for fear in hearing God. Just faith.

"He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (Matt. 13:9)

Everyone is created to hear God. It is in our very nature to be in relationship with Him. It would be a really lame relationship if you heard all about him from the mouths of others but never heard it directly from Heaven.

Just as unnatural as it would be to not have ears, it is even more unnatural to not hear God on a daily basis.

Everything changes when you hear from God. Everything. When you are carrying the Word of the Lord around with you, everything changes. Hopeless situations become the new site for a miracle. Places in your life that have been broken become restored. Daily decisions don't have to be made alone.

I mean think about it. At anytime you can get access to Heavenly revelation. COMMME ON! All you have to do is connect with the Father.

Here are some practicals that have not only worked in my life, but have been really life giving to people around me.

• You have to get away and start talking to Him.
• Find a place...for me it is my room. I just wait. Every time I spend time with Jesus, I invite Him to speak to me. And then I just wait. It is like He is driving the car. I'm just a passenger. I go where He says.
• God speaks quickly. Usually the first thing you hear when you ask God a question is God.
• Ask God questions often. All the time. Just start practicing. My friend kait and I went on a walk and we decided to ask God at every turn which way we should go (left, right, straight). After we asked him to ourselves, we both shared what we heard from Him. Up until the very last two turns we both got the exact same answer. every time. it was so cool.
• Don't over spiritualize it. Just talk to your Daddy. Engage with Him.
• Above ALL, remember that YOU HEAR GOD.
• one last one, surround yourself with people in your life that hear God on a consistent basis and spend time with them. Ask them questions. Hear God together. Go on walks with your best friend and talk to God together!

There is nothing sweeter in the whole world then when the Father comes down and speaks to your heart. That is worth a million minutes just sitting and waiting.

So GOOOOO. and Hear God. He is waiting, beloved!

Decorate!

I LOVE decorating. I mean really it is just the best.

I like it when you find little things here and there when you're out and about and think...Oh my, I can create an entire room all around this one little object. For me, I found this tree (pictured below) and I just couldn't resist not putting it in my room.

I think the BEST thing about decorating though is that I get to do it with Jesus. He's got some good style. seriously.

The majority of pieces in my room were old and are now new. So be inspired and go make art!

The pictures below are decorations in my house.

ENJOY!

Farther Along

I know it is TuesdayShoesday. And I'm sad to say that I don't have a new shoe. BUT, you better believe that I certainly celebrated with a pair of leather flats that have an oversized sequin bow on front.

Instead though, I have other news to share with you.

Tonight, my dearest friend Kaitlin said to me..."hey have you heard this song." and when Kaitlin says this to you, your ears better perk up and listen here....Cause she's about to bring you some lyrical revelation. The song she shared with me was just too fresh and deep to not share with you all.

So enjoy. Also, please pay special attention to the latter part of the song. It'll take to you to a whole new place. SO RICH!

Farther Along--Josh Garrels

Farther along we’ll know all about it

Farther along we’ll understand why

Cheer up my brothers, live in the sunshine

We’ll understand this, all by and by

Tempted and tried, I wondered why

The good man died, the bad man thrives

And Jesus cries because he loves em’ both

We’re all cast-aways in need of ropes

Hangin’ on by the last threads of our hope

In a house of mirrors full of smoke

Confusing illusions I’ve seen

Where did I go wrong, I sang along

To every chorus of the song

That the devil wrote like a piper at the gates

Leading mice and men down to their fates

But some will courageously escape

The seductive voice with a heart of faith

While walkin’ that line back home

So much more to life than we’ve been told

It’s full of beauty that will unfold

And shine like you struck gold my wayward son

That deadweight burden weighs a ton

Go down into the river and let it run

And wash away all the things you’ve done

Forgiveness alright

Still I get hard pressed on every side

Between the rock and a compromise

Like the truth and pack of lies fightin’ for my soul

And I’ve got no place left go

Cause I got changed by what I’ve been shown

More glory than the world has known

Keeps me ramblin’ on

Skipping like a calf loosed from its stall

I’m free to love once and for all

And even when I fall I’ll get back up

For the joy that overflows my cup

Heaven filled me with more than enough

Broke down my levee and my bluff

Let the flood wash me

And one day when the sky rolls back on us

Some rejoice and the others fuss

Cause every knee must bow and tongue confess

That the son of God is forever blessed

His is the kingdom, we’re the guests

So put your voice up to the test

Sing Lord, come soon

TUESDAYSHOESDAY!! #3 The Steve!

HIIIII!!

I love deadlines BECAUSE they set boundaries. But, the tuesdayshoesday deadline always creeps up on me. And for you all you dedicated tuesdayshoesday viewers, I'm sure you noticed that I missed last week. In my defense, it was Valentine's day! I was way tooo busy loving on people...in a good pair of shoes of course.

This week I'm going to tell you about one of my favorite shoe designers.

Steve Madden is a great shoe friend of mine. Figuratively, not literally. I have many pairs of Steve Madden shoes. The quality is incredible for the price.

Boots, flats and heels. Steve does them all!

Take a look! and then go get some!

TUESDAYSHOESDAY!! #2 The Ballet

OH, it is such a good day. LEMMME tell ya why. 1) Jesus is ALIVE! 2) my class got cancelled 3)it is snowing! 4) it is TUESDDAYYYSHOESDAYY!

This shoe that I'm going to tell you about is my favorite shoe of all time.

The Ballet Flat (again, all capitals because this shoe is very important).

I do not wear heels that often, but when you're looking to class up an outfit it is best that you look no further than the Ballet.

Let me show you some of my favorites. Also, all of these shoes are from J.Crew. I know I am bias, but I think they absolutely make the BEST ballet flat. AND now they are even comfortable. AND a quick tip. if you tend to wear more neutral or solid colors, you can definitely spice up your warddrobe with a funky pair of flats.

TuesdayShoesday #1

I just decided to make every Tuesday from now on TuesdayShoesday....this will last now...until I no longer want to do this anymore, or I run out of shoes (which is highly unlikely).

TUESDAYSHOESDAY has officially begun!

I'm just going to share 1 or 2 or 5 or 10 shoes that I just have a really big crush on. Some I've worn, own or dream of....

The first TUESDAYSHOESDAY shoe is...............your new best friend. The Nude Heel. All capitals meaning this shoe is very important. You can wear it during any season with really any outfit. Below you will find a variety of nude styles. BUT, please take note: they are all nude. Also, no bows, ribbons, crystals, sapphires, bejeweled magic, etc. will be found on this classic heel. why? cause it is a classic! bows were in last year, but this year studs are in. (also, i just made that up...about bows and studs. don't throw out all your bowed shoes cause I just said that).

BUT, what you should do is get a nude heel. This beauty will always be in style. why you ask. Because it is STYLE. All of the heels below are Michael Kors. But Steve Madden makes a really great heel with a smaller price tag. Nine west, J.Crew (most of the time), Guess, certainly any department store like Nordstrom's also are good places to find your new best friend.

So run free in your new pair of nude heels all you tuesdayshoesday lovers!

Also, check out mood boards. They give great inspiration for putting together outfits. The one below is based around the nude colors, but also shows great colors to mix and match. Even though the collage is not clothes, you can still find inspiration and creativity.

Who's your daddy?

I am taking an introduction to literature class this semester...my last semester to be exact. :)

I am really only taking it because I think books are the best thing on the planet, besides maybe a few other things...But it really just gives me an excuse to drink more coffee and collect more books for my library.

In class the other day we read the parable of the prodigal son which is found in Luke 15. Here's a quick thought: Why in the world do we find it so amazing when our classes either reference the Bible or use it in literature? My goodness, this book is God-breathed full of LIFE, WISDOM and the Holy Spirit. The Bible is so unbelievably packed with inspiration. Don't be surprised when the Bible is used. Ask why is it NOT being used.

Ok moving on.

As we started talking about the prodigal son, I just fell more and more in love with this story. It is so RICH.

My professor asked a question. He said, "Class, do you think this story could actually be about a prodigal father not a prodigal son."

And I'm thinking, professor sir I think you have a few things misunderstood here. Let me help clarify.

The prodigal son really is not a depiction about the son. I do not think Jesus was trying to say that in families you usually have a good son and a bad son. (which if that really were the case, we all know who the favorite is in the Ruiz household....) kidding.

When the prodigal son returns from his trip to the Israel version of Vegas, he says, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son [I know longer deserve to be recognized as a son of yours]."

I LOVE the Father's response. He completely ignores his son and says, NO NO. you see you've been partying with the wrong crowd. Let me show you what a real party is like. Because you were walking around dead and now you are alive. you were lost and now you are found. Let me show you how we celebrate.

Why does the Father consider him found and alive?

"So he got up and came to his [own] Father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity and tenderness for him; and he ran and embraced him and kissed him [fervently]." That's it. There is no penance. no award ceremony. no induction back into the hall of fame of the best kid ever after serving years as a slave.

The prodigal merely received his father's embrace and he was automatically restored back to his rightful place as a son.

You see, it really has nothing to do with WHO you are. But it has to do with who your daddy is.

In the eyes of the Father, the eldest son and the prodigal were the exact same. They are his sons. Period. The reflection of you always points back to who your daddy is.

Have you received the Father's embrace? I wonder if more people relate to the prodigal son because you are still wandering around trying to just be a slave of God rather than a son.

Oh, the day when the sons and daughters of the Most High actually walk AS SONS AND DAUGHTERS. Heaven will shout and earth will rejoice. For you once were dead and now you are alive.

It is your inheritance as a son/daughter to release the fragrance and culture of Heaven. You are first a citizen of Heaven!

also, this band is great. why?

1. their album cover matches my blog

2. best band name ever.

3. they just sing such wonderful worship!