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.