small things

Today has been a busy day.
I attempted to wake up early. Six o'clock turned into seven. Which turned into eight. Which finally turned into 8:30 when I finally woke up and got out of bed.
My goal was to jump on my chores early, which I feel I did successfully.
Took some time to check my various feeds, enjoyed a breakfast/lunch and got back on some cleaning.

Today I took care of taking down the Christmas tree, packing away the ornaments.
And stealing the new purple lights to string up in my room behind my computer.
Which my mom wasn't happy about...she wanted them. Needless to say I barely avoided most of the smacks which came from the pair of socks she was holding. (Good natured smacks, but she really wants these purple lights.)

I reminisced over the ornaments, got intensely frustrated with the lights on the tree, as-per-usual.
Drew up some plans with my dad for a tree-alternative for next year. (Top secret stuff ;)
And once again returned my school desk to a clear and functioning state.

I start my college classes officially tomorrow.
Taking down the Christmas tree was part of my preparation, knowing I will be needing my desk.
I am planning to wake up early and shower so I can get down to our college branch to pick up, and pay for my books.

Last night I realized, and decided it's time for a new bible.
While my current bible is the only one to make it this long without falling apart from use, and is still in good condition, it's full of highlighting, notes, and the commentary. While these are all good, teaching, reminding things, it's time for a change for me.
I just know it, I'm not really sure how to put it better than that.
I want a fresh start with my bible. No commentary, no highlighting or notes, no extra bulk.
Just plain and simple. So that, in a way, I can start over. Find fresh insights, and study the way I'd like to; without past teachings, commentary, and highlighting distracting me.
I'm in the market for something simple. I want it sturdy, to last, but something in the slimline family so that I quit making the "it's so massively heavy" excuse about taking it with me places.

I finally got to see The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug on Friday night. It takes what seems like forever to get new releases at our movie theater, but it did indeed arrive and there was no way I could wait another day.
It almost goes without saying, thoroughly enjoyed it so incredibly much. Soundtrack, actors, photography, effects; what's there not to love.

And, of course, earlier this week a point of geeky excitement was the new season of Sherlock starting. It's been two years in the waiting, and I do believe the fans are very happy with the result. Fantastic opening episode, with a new one airing tonight. Only one more episode (they're about an hour and a half long) before the end of the season.
The first two seasons of course, can be found streaming on Netflix instant play!

Though school is starting, I have resolve to read more. To finish all the books I'm in the middle of reading and re-reading, to read the classics I haven't gotten to, and to read more than just fiction. Read to learn.

And, this is top secret now, I've been working on starting a YouTube channel.
It's coming.
Shhhhhhh

here's to life

carpe diem // patientia // memento mori // memento vivre

READING: fellowship of the ring by j.r.r. tolkien LISTENING: the silence by bastille

No religion, just relationship.

This is Spoken Word.

This is truth.

Please watch.

word for 2012: relentless

I see so many making resolutions.
Knowing a word or verse they are led to, that will define their year.
I've never really done that; made a resolution, had a word or verse.
But blazing relentless after God has been weighing heavily on my heart, thanks to God's inspiration through the Fine Arts theme for this year.
And I believe that is my word:
relentless.
After Him, no matter what.
Giving all I have to give.
Stepping out. Running to braver, instead of safer.
I keep asking myself, "what am I living for?"
And the fact is: myself.
I am selfish with the gifts He has given me.
Too caught up in being "individual" to share anything with anyone. Too scared of being taken advantage of. Scared of what I might lose.

I read Isaiah 55 the other day, and God really spoke.

 ¹Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
 ²Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
 ^3aIncline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live...
 ⁸For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
 ⁹For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
 ¹⁰For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
 ¹¹So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

You see, I counted the total of my college fund just recently. My "college fund" being the 'piggy' bank I put loose change into for a decade.

$61.50

Sixty one dollars and fifty cents.
I've always wanted to go to college. I never looked forward to highschool. College was always my aspiration. Not community college mind you. Oh no, that was never good enough in my mind. University. That was it.

But in truth, whether or not I have money, I have a calling. Whether or not I have a university degree, God is going to use me in ministry as I have been called. He is going to provide, in His time, by His will; not mine.

And the chapter provoked the thought in my head, why do we do I spend so much on things that don't really matter? "that which is not bread"
Why do I give so much, for the things of this world; that do not satisfy?

In 2012 I want to be live relentless.
That means giving all I have to give.
Not thinking of what's in it for me.
Not fearing.

That means not procrastinating.
Not being lazy.

That means not letting these gifts God has given me, go to waste.
Not being selfish.

 ¹²For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 

God,
Help me to live relentless. Free.
Father, I want to live for You, not me, not anyone else. Lord, light in me a fire that I may blaze relentless-ly after You.
Let's start some spirit - fires this year, Jesus.
Let's live relentless.
In Your name I pray,
Amen.

Branding

Its so ingrained in our culture.

That the value of things are decided by the name on them.

That if you wear "such and such" clothes, "such and such makeup", have "such and such" kind of whatever etc. etc. that you belong "to such and such group".

You are branded by "your" brand.

Labeled by "your" labels.

Defined by the name.

"We are what we wear" mentality.

And we all buy into it.

We let others, the names, the people, define us.

Even I do it.

I realized recently just how much I let it define who I am.

My worth.

I'm SO proud of my iPod. SO proud to be carrying around a little piece of the all known 'Apple' brand. Something that says "hey, look at me, I have this awesome over-advertised electronic, surely that makes me better than you somehow..."
Even though I did originally buy my iPod because it was time for a new portable music device and it was what I had decided was more bang for the buck.
I still have succumbed to the branding of it.

Sure I don't wear American Eagle, Hollister, Hurley, Volcom, Abercromie & Fitch, Roxy or any of those oh-so-popular brands...they've never been attractive to me...too...preppy.
But when I get my hands on something Chanel...Prada...D&G...BCBG...yeah, then y'all better watch out.

Its the world.

The world, our culture, is trying to sell us something.

Everyday.

And thats the truth.

Everyday is a promotion.

Giveaways.

Sales.

Brainwashing us into believing that we need what ever it may be.

The mentality is so toxic its seeped in and tainted even the good stuff...even in the world of Christian apparel, there are certain 'brands' that seem to be "better"...that are more awesome to wear the certain tag.

But here's the truth of the matter.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" -Matthew 6:25 NIV

Sure, our clothes can help express who we are and what we're all about, but a person is more than the clothes on their back.

And that's the truth.

Impact

While I listen to Justice & Mercy from Flyleaf's new Remember to Live EP, I flip to the back of my Bible and find one of my favorite quotes penned by my former writing mentor, Shannon Kubiak Primicerio in her book God Called a Girl:

"Some of us may reach the masses with our lives; others may only influence a handful of people. But it's not the numbers that matter--it's the fact that we are impacting people for the kingdom of God. Never underestimate the value of impacting just one person. Their whole eternity could be altered as a result of your impact--that's a huge thing!"

So often all of us, as bloggers, as writers, get caught up in the numbers, in the stats and the appearances.

So often we lose sight of what we're really living for.

Whether it's in our writing, our blogs or our everyday lives, there are times when each of us has gotten caught up in what this world says is important and impacting.

I know often, for me, I make it too much about "being better" about seeming smarter, faster and more fashionable than everyone else...and the thing is, I never much succeed at that.

It's just a pointless venture, and empty reason to base life on.

So often we lose sight of what we're really living for.

Our world, our culture, is living and moving at a fast, "fashionable", and frivolous pace that is not only unattainable, but depressingly hard to even attempt to keep up with.

It tells us what things are "worthwhile" and how we should be living our lives as the social and cultural norm.

But this, is a lie.

Our culture says that how far we make it in life is directly proportional to how we look.
The beauty we see portrayed by run way models and in make-up ads is fake. Sure, the mirror doesn't lie, but our culture does.

The purpose for life we are told, by our culture, is to be wealthy, and make oneself into someone everyone else wants to be.
But in reality, money (though not always) corrupts, and while it can make life easier, it is definitely not something to base life on.
Not something to live for.

Our culture says that how famous, how worthwhile we are is defined not only by its idea of "beauty", and expansive "wealth", but also by how many people are our "friends", how popular we are and all those numbers and statistics.

But that too, is a lie.

never doubt the impact your life has; here in the bloggie world, and the great big one outside your window

You and I may never become household or front page names.

We may never be known as one of the richest people on the planet.

And we may never be as "beautiful" as that photoshopped woman in that magazine.

But when we make the decision to say a kind word, to be there for a friend through thick and thin, to spend some time with our family or by making a statement that we're not going to conform, we are impacting someone and we are a part of Gods plan.

So you and I, though we may not have 1000, or even 10 followers on our blogs, (I am thankful and amazed by my wonderful 9) never doubt the impact your life has; here in the bloggie world, and the great big one outside your window.

Concerts & Capturing Creation Photo Contest Day 2

So, last Monday, I had an epically awesome time at the my local stop on RED's Nothing & Everything Tour with Disciple, Head and Silverline.

It was SO much fun!

Great music, great friends, awesome times.
Now, unfortunately, I didn't have the camera, so I didn't get any pictures :( I did however have my iPod Touch and did manage to get some video...but sadly no average camera is made to withstand that and have clear audio.

I had a lot of fun and ended up buying Disciple's new CD Horseshoes & Hand Grenades and yesterday my mum bought RED's album End of Silence.
So lots of new music I'm listening to.

It seems like winter has arrived where I live...I woke up the other day to find it had snowed 4"-6" and was still coming down!!! But its okay now because we're coming up on Thanksgiving and as long as it waits 'til after Halloween (which to me, is pretty much the end of fall) to snow, then I'm good with it.
Since then, for the past few days we've had some cccccooolllddddd weather! We're talking in the land of below freezing and zero. BRRRRRRRR
I'm hoping it'll warm up a bit and snow more so hopefully I can do some snowboarding this year!

Since its Wednesday (I almost forgot! oops!) I have another installment of my photography for the Capturing Creation Photo Challenge over at Yours Truly! Since its Day 2 the focus is...Let There Be Heavens



“The God said, “Let there be the firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.”

Hope you're all having a blessed (and warmer!) Thanksgiving week with family and friends!

A Message from Lacey Mosley

Getting To Know Me Thursday

 I ♥ TREES

Blessed

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

whose confidence is in Him.

He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;

its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought

and never fails to bear fruit.
-Jeremiah 17:7-8

(credit for 'Getting to Know Me Thursdays goes to Emily of Grace Like Rain)