Big Vision = Extreme Discipline

I read this blog post, this morning, by Pastor Perry Noble and I was inspired & challenged to become more disciplined in my pursuit of the vision that God has placed in my heart.

Click Here to read the full post.

I Corinthians 9.25-28 (Msg)
You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.

I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.

Summer Shoes, Summer Fun

Looking for some cute shoes for fab prices... Check out Lulu's!! I just purchased these, and they are even cuter than I thought (Just a tip: They seem to run a half size to big).

Treasure + Hunt

A few finds from my latest treasure hunt

Making Peace with Yourself

I am learning that there are just some things in my life and about myself that I need to make peace with.

John 14:27 (NLT)
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

God wants to give us peace of mind & heart.

It amazes me that when I take the time to get God's perspective on a situation or something about myself, that I so easily compare with others, I begin to find peace. When I begin to experience that peace, I have learned, that I now need to choose to intentionally walk in it everyday, even if don't feel like it. When I discipline myself to do that, I begin to experience freedom in Christ at whole new level. There is nothing like having freedom where you once where bound.

Galatians 5:1 (The Message)
Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.

Decisions

Last week at Girl’s Bible Study, We started a three-week series on Becoming Women of Faith. This week, we continued by discussing Making Decisions based on Faith.

Fear is the opposite of Faith and it will always try to come and sabotage the dreams & desires that are in your heart. I think, as women, it is so easy to allow fear to settle in our hearts and before you know it our fears can be driving our decisions instead of the promises of God.

God wants to prepare us for MORE... MORE than we have already experienced but in order for that to happen we are going to have to prepare, take steps of courage and intentionally ENLARGE our lives.

Isaiah 54.2-4
"Enlarge the place of your tent,
stretch your tent curtains wide,
do not hold back;
lengthen your cords,
strengthen your stakes.
For you will spread out to the right and to the left;
your descendants will dispossess nations
and settle in their desolate cities.
"Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame.
Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.
You will forget the shame of your youth
and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood."

If we want to be Women of FAITH it is going to take COURAGE.

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather moving ahead despite the fear, difficulty & pain. Many times our past experiences have come quite short of the promises of God. We are left discouraged & disappointed. I believe that when we find ourselves in these seasons, God is wanting to speak His word to us for the purpose of redefining our future. It takes courage to believe what God is saying over our feelings & personal experiences. Your past does not have to overshadow your future unless you choose for it too. God’s best is available to you today, no matter what you have gone through, you just have to believe it!

Take some time and ask yourself…

• What drives your decisions?
• Are your past disappointments overshadowing your future?
• What has God promised you? Are you making your plans based upon His promises or are you just playing it safe?

Let’s be Women of Faith, that make decisions based upon the promises of God for our lives.

Joshua 1:9
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Vintage Glam Lawn Party

What girl doesn't want to go to a lawn party as cute as this? I do! I do!
(Picture via Sunset Magazine)

Love God. Love People. Love Life.

Every Tuesday evening a group of us girls meet together for a Bible Study that we call, Everything Beautiful. We share our lives, hearts and most of all grow closer to the Lord together. This time has become very special to me, I have made so many wonderful friends and just love seeing God at work in our lives.

I think all of us girls would agree, that their is nothing like getting together with our girlfriends, shopping, dining, laughing, crafting etc. just doing what us girls do. But one thing that I like even more is, having a group of women that we can do all that, but we have a mission together. We realize that together we are more powerful than apart. That we are all different for a unique purpose and when we join hands we can truly change our families, our churches, our city and the world. We can reach out and bring hope, healing, laughter and joy to where it has been desperately lacking.

Last night we discussed what we are all about as a group & individuals and basically it's very simple... Love God with our whole heart. Love People. Love Life.

Luke 10:27 (NASB)
And he answered, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."

John 10:10 (NLT)
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

God has a rich & satisfying life for you. You might feel like you are so far from it, but I would like to encourage you that as you love God with all that you are and begin to love people you will truly begin to discover and walk in that amazing LIFE that He has planned for you. Whatever you have been allowing to hold your back, why you don't you find the courage today to let it go, move on, receive a fresh start, be assured by His promises to you.

God's Grace is Bigger, His Mercy is Newer:), His peace is available, His joy uncircumstantial, His Life uncomparable.

Lots of Love.

~Liz

Live Carefree

I Peter 5.5-7 (Message)
God has had it with the proud. But takes delight in just plain people. So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you, He'll promote you at the right time. Live Carefree before God; he is most careful with you.

Girls + Glasses

I Am A Girl - The Girls With Glasses Theme Song from The Girls With Glasses on Vimeo.

I discovered these girls a few months ago & love, love, love this video. It is so clever & cute. Hope you enjoy, as much as I did.

Have a great holiday weekend!

A few of my obsessions

Voluspa Candles (currently Japanese Plum Bloom) + Vintage chairs (I have a collection of over 50 at the moment, my husband definitely calls it an obsession) + Pretty fabrics (I love a vintage modern mix) + Pillows (I can't get enough of them)

PS... I am working on a refinishing a few occasional chairs, at the moment. I'll post pics when I'm finished.

Crafting for a Cause

Last night all of us girls got together to do a little crafting. We made our own stationary, fabric flowers & Brandi Bloom shared with us some tips about saving money while shopping! All to say, it was a fun time. I am so thankful for the wonderful ladies in my life.

Transform... The Power of a Changed Life

This past Sunday I had the privilege of speaking at The Cause Community Church (have I mentioned how much I LOVE my church, greatest people around!) My message was called: Transform... The Power of a Transformed Life. Thought I would share a few of my thoughts...

"You can argue an argument, but you can't argue a transformed life"

Transform:
• to change in form, appearance, or structure;
• to undergo a change in condition, nature, or character; convert.
• to change into another substance

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

James 4:6 (NIV)
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Humility is the difference between the person that continues to allow God to transform them and the person that gets stuck and in their old ways. You have to learn to HUMBLE OUT so that you continue to grow & change!

Transformation is not a one-time experience, but an ongoing process

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NLT)
For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are transformed into his glorious image.

I Samuel 10.6
“The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.”

You continue the ongoing process of Transformation, by allowing God to change the way you think

Romans 12:1-2
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good, pleasing and perfect.

God changes the way you think through:

1) Spending time in the Word of God
2) Being in Community w/ other believers (Discipleship)
3) Spending time In God’s Presence

God’s promise of transformation is for you, but it is not suppose to STOP with you

That’s where the GREAT COMMISSION comes in...

God wants to transform us so that we can experience His freedom and then help bring HOPE & HEALING to others!!

An Old Favorite...

I have some of the best memories antique shopping with my Mom, we always find the best things! A few years ago we were strolling through a few antique stores on Cherry Street in Tulsa and found this fabulous find... a vintage framed chalkboard. We loved it. We bought it. And I still use it today. I use it to post Kyle & I's weekly schedule (what we have going on in the evenings and meals). It's a fun way to plan and it looks fab.

PS... It would be an easy DIY project:)

Endure

At Girl's Bible Study this week we wrapped up the final chapters of Christine Caines book, "Can I Have and Do it All Please?" It has been such a wonderful study (you should grab a copy) and all of us girls have gleaned so much for the individual journeys that we are on.

I wanted to share a few scriptures & notes from this week, where we discussed how endurance is vital in our lives if we want to embrace all that God has for us!

Hebrews 12.1
And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

James 1.2-4
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

It's in the times of waiting, pain & tests where the Holy Spirit wants to work in our lives and develop His fruit in us.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Galatians 6:9 (NLT)
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

I really believe that so many people just give up to soon. They get discouraged, disillusioned, bitter, hurt or just tired and they give up before they realize the promises of God in their life.

If we would take a close look at the lives of most of the great men & women of faith in the Bible (Joseph, David, Sarah, Abraham, Moses...) they all had to endure, believe God’s promise even when it looked like their lives where going backwards.

What do you do when you want to quit? When you find yourself in a really hard season? When you wonder where God is at?

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (New Living Translation)

17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

Make a decision that not matter what, you are always going to serve the Lord & have & do everything that God has planned for your life!!

1) Rejoice No Matter What
2) Always Forgive/Refuse to Bitterness
3) Be quick to repent
4) Never stop believing God’s Word
5) Never quit

DIY Stationary

I have to admit that I'm a little traditional when it comes to correspondence... I love to write & receive a note or card. Of course, I thank God for email, facebook & twitter but when I really want to let someone know that I care, there is nothing better than dropping a note in the mail just to say hello.

I absolutely LOVE fun stationary and really enjoy making homemade cards. So instead of blowing my monthly budget by taking one to many trips to Papersource. I put together some fun note cards (could also be used for recipe cards) from a notecard set that I already had from Target & some journaling labels that I picked up from Hobby Lobby.

Total Cost for each card with envelope: $.46 cents (Who said thrifty couldn't be cute!)

Everything Beautiful: Bible Study

Hey Ladies,

Just wanted to take a minute and invite you to Everything Beautiful's Bible Study every Tuesday Night from 7 to 8.30pm... Great Gals + Delish Desserts + God's Word. We host it at my home and would LOVE to see ya there. I promise that you'll be glad you came!!

Location: 210 Emmanuel Cleaver (Right off The Plaza)
Need better directions? Call: 816.898.8401

Hope to see you soon!

Liz

Stumbled Upon

Stumbled upon this quote today and it spoke so loud to me. I am easily inspired, so I have to often evaluate what I am pursuing and remind myself to remain consistent. Inspiration important, but consistency vital to bring anything to life.

"Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together"~ Van Gogh

My ultra-fab christmas gift

I absolutely LOVE fun art and as many of you may know one of my fav stores is Anthropologie!! Somehow, in her own brilliant way, my little sis Ruthi combined these two loves of mine for a wonderful handmade Christmas present for Kyle and I’s new place. I am going to be framing them in black lacquered vintage frames. I think they will look lovely in them. She is so talented. This is just a taste of what she can do. Please excuse my photo quality, I have temporarily misplaced my nice camera during the move. Ugh! I will be showcasing some of her other pieces from time to time. I think you will enjoy.

Grace + Faith

Ever since I was a little girl, I always had the sense that God wanted to use my life for a special purpose. I was raised in a family where faith was not just something that we talked about but the way we lived our lives. When I was young, I remember my Mom gathering my sisters and I together to pray; she would encourage and teach us how to hear God’s voice. We would pray for the president, our nation, local pastors, our family and then whatever our needs were. It was always in that order. As a young girl, it was the most amazing thing to see God answer my prayers even for things that only a little girl would ask for!

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about faith, what it is and what it is not. I really think that faith is much simpler than most people make it out to be. Faith is really just simply trusting in God; Who He is, what He says and living our lives in a way that reflects hope to the world around us.

If you don’t know Him it might be hard to trust Him. But the more you spend time with him, learn who He is, I think it is just natural to begin to rely on Him. Religion seems to make things so complicated, there’s always something more that you should be doing, it’s like you walk around with the feeling that you are always be critiqued. As I grew up, and began to make a stronger commitment to the Lord, there were times that I was trying so hard to please God. My faith did not bring peace, joy or fulfillment but it was something that was always just a little out of reach. Can I say frustrating! I was working so hard trying to accomplish what Jesus had already done for me. As I continued down my journey with the Lord I began to experience his grace, and out of that I began to walk God’s peace on a daily basis. I woke up this morning with this thought, “Peace is not overrated”. I am learning that real faith always leads to peace. In a world where most everything we need is at our disposal, one thing that most people want but can’t seem to obtain is peace.

I pray that this year will be a year of great faith for your and your family. Not faith in what you can do, but faith in what Jesus has already finished for you. And out of that faith, a greater peace than you have ever none will fill your heart, your family and your home.

Lots of Love.

Liz