holiness

"we've become so intoxicated with 'God is Love' that we forget God is holy and, then, our sin becomes tame."

this was the topic of a sermon at church a few weeks ago. it has had me thinking everyday since i heard it. the preacher was talking about holiness... about pursuing it and the evidence of it.

other talking points i haven't forgotten:
-"to not pursue holiness is to receive hollowness"

-"we're not called to live impure lives, but to live holy lives."

-"holiness is an inclination of the heart towards God- a divorce from all that's impure."

-"a transformed life is the clearest evidence for Christianity."

why does this hit me so hard? i think i've got it down to the fact that this year is the year i've learned about sin... i've learned about the complete weight and heaviness of it- the devastation of it. so much of what i had been taught was of how much God loves me and how He works for good that the greatness and variety of His character was lost beyond His love. i was so blinded by His love that my sin became almost minor which is so, so off. i now grasp how significant each sinful act is because of how much it hurts God... how it makes just no sense to invite Satan into a place where God lives through my sinful acts. okay, i get it.

this has NOT been an easy lesson. and i know i haven't fully learned it. it has been a painful year to gain a grasp on my sin. i'm still figuring out some pieces. so where does it leave me?

it leaves me with a better grasp on the mercy and grace i've been handed. it leaves me with tears of grattitude because of the eternal goodness i've been promised. and it leaves me with something to strive for.

holiness.
i'm striving for a lifestyle that is not simply "good" because i've followed the set of rules for the day, but for a lifestyle that rejects my sinful nature by seeking His face. i know i will fail. i know i will have some better days than others. but it leaves me hopeful that my attempt is more effective than living a complacent life of sin.

anything's possible

it is definitely possible to write a 5 page paper in an hour and a half. its even more possible to write two different 5 page papers in three hours. i know this because i did it successfully yesterday morning. thank you senioritis. 73 days til graduation. praise the lord! 

i officially have 7 weddings to attend starting this very weekend and through september. i'm so excited! i love weddings! 

i think i have found the right path again. i can see the way back up and am so so thankful that the lord has revealed himself yet again. praise god for hope and the promise of restoration! its still a daily battle, but i know the good that is waiting for me.

senioritis at its finest

is it possible to write a 5 page paper in an hour and a half??

i'm about to find out.

spring break: t minus 56 hours and counting.

for megan marie

chipmunk cheeks. day 3. i think the right side is bigger than your baby bump megs :)


wisdom teeth surgery went well. still swollen, but it hasn't kept me from my favorite foods! i've already gone for grilled chicken and whataburger!

truth

⁹But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. ¹⁰That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 corinthians 12:9-10

this is the truth i'm praying i live in daily... the hope i have to keep climbing.

update

i think this is the biggest mountain i've ever seen.

in other news:
job search
i applied for three more jobs.
one told me that i didn't have enough "post-college experience." how am i supposed to have post-college experience if i'm still in college?!
**keep fingers crossed/say a prayer/whatever it is you do for the job at UT! i'ts working with high school kids making sure they know and understand UT's policies for bringing credits into college. my concern is that they want to fill it now and not wait for graduation. i submitted a resume and then was asked to provide references. we'll see!

life
i'm getting my wisdom teeth out on friday and am a little nervous from some bad anesthesia experiences. my surgery is supposed to be easier than most because i only have wisdom teeth on the top.

school
i highly appreciate those kids who complete the entire test review days before the test and then post it online to the class facebook group. i want to find them post-test and give them a hug.
graduation countdown: 82 days.


where the heck is spring break when you need it???