Guys, this is real talk. I.Love.Christmas. I love everything about it. The lights, the music, the food, the warmth, the decorations, the caroling, the holiday candy (except for candy canes...curse them), the gifts, the endless hours pondering what special things you're going to give to those you love dearly, red, green, anything sparkly, fireplaces waking up from long seasons of sleep, santa hats, flannel pj's,....
I could go on and on. But, this is what I just don't get. All of those things? They're awesome, right? I mean, I would be a fake and a freak if I were to tell you that those things are worthless, don't matter, and shouldn't be enjoyed during Christmas. They should be.
But they are only a shadow, not the substance.
What's blowing my mind today, dear reader, is that I have Jesus. HE is the substance. I'm not clinging to or hoping in a shadow of goodness, but to the source of all abundant hope, warmth, and joy. HE is the fire in my soul that enables me to truly enjoy those moments by a fire, the Christmas hymns sung with friends, a weirdly-delicious cup of egg-nog, or a warmly-lit Christmas tree.
And that's just...crazy. The people in the Old Testament waited hundreds of years for this Hope to come. They suffered, prayed, cried, rebelled, returned, and LONGED for the promised and foretold coming of the Messiah. And He came. Finally, He came. BOOM.
King didn't front.
He came. He lived. He healed. He loved. He tasted.
He tasted a fierce wrath that you, I, and every breathing body on this earth fully deserved.
Don't forget that.
So thankful that I have a precious Savior who conquered death, so that we could have intimacy with Him and enjoy every good and perfect gift from above; namely, Himself. Let us not forget the truth of the Gospel as we partake in the shadows, all the while clinging to and nestling up to the Substance.
I.Love.Christmas.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
"I Don't Wait Anymore"
"Fall in love with Jesus. Bottom Line." Beautiful article. Wanted to share.
http://gracefortheroad.com/2012/02/03/idontwait/
http://gracefortheroad.com/2012/02/03/idontwait/
Sunday, August 19, 2012
A lot can happen in a year, but so what if it doesn't?
I started this blog a little over a year ago. I was just finishing up a summer working with Student Life, doing ministry, and loving it. The summer had been one of the best I had ever had. Seeing kids come to know Jesus, seeing kids find freedom and healing in Jesus, seeing the body of Christ come together for worship and encouragement, spending time with a team who loved Jesus in ways I could only pray to...this was my summer. I was pumped up. I was so encouraged and humbled to be a part of something where the furthering of God's kingdom was visible. "This is what I want to do," I thought to myself. "I'm going to do ministry." My future was unknown, but it was exciting and hopeful.
The summer, like every summer before it, ended, however. I came home, and the "processing life after college" beast, who had been muffled by the hustle and bustle of summer, was finally able to burst from his cage. It was August at this point, and I found myself crying myself to sleep over everyone's favorite life question--"What am I going to do with my life?"
I researched grad schools, I looked for ministry jobs, I looked for non-profit jobs...I was searching for something meaningful. Something I could be proud to say I did.
I got nothin'.
It was almost September at this point, and everyone and their mother told me I should go to beauty school. Blech. I fought the notion as long as I could, but soon realized I couldn't sit around and wait for whatever it was I was hoping for. I had to take a step towards something, and beauty school was the only option it seemed. So I went with it.
I was confused and discouraged, but I was trying my best to trust in the faithfulness of God. I recently found prayers in my journal from around that time. "Lord, if this is where you have me, let me be fully here. You KNOW my heart, and you KNOW I desire to do ministry and not work in a salon. But if this is what you have, give me grace and strength to do it. Cause my heart to TRULY believe, not just profess, that ministry can happen anywhere. Where there's people, there's ministry."
Fast forward a year, and not much has changed. I'm about to graduate beauty school, and I'm waitressing at Applebee's. Circumstantially, life hasn't been exciting in the past year. It's been stressful, lonely, discouraging, heavy, confusing, and down-right ordinary. To top it off, I STILL have no idea what I'm going to do after I graduate. I'm just as clueless in August 2012 as I was in August 2011. But this is okay.
Seriously.
Let's talk about what I HAVE learned. I've learned that God is "intimately acquainted with all my ways," and faithful to walk with me in the mundane, ordinary days. I've learned that if you ask God for opportunities to share the light of His gospel with others, He WILL give them to you. I've learned how to face loneliness, and how to curl up at the feet of Jesus and let Him comfort the lonely heart. I've learned how to pray without ceasing, because some days praying is all you can do to keep from crying. I've learned how to be more honest with the Lord about my desires, hurts, fears, and confusions. I've learned that trust is a day-to-day choice, not a one-time surrender. I've learned that God is more loving and more merciful than I could ever imagine. I've learned more deeply that He truly is sovereign over our plans about the future. I've learned more and more how to enjoy and abide with God in the hard day-to-day struggles. I've tasted and seen how broken the world is, and learned that God is a relentless Redeemer. I've learned how to rest in Jesus amidst a restless schedule.
I could go on and on, but most importantly, I am more in love with Jesus now than I was a year ago. Not because life is peachy. It's not, believe me. But I love Him more because He has shown me more deeply over this past year how much He loves me, and HE IS ENOUGH.
And that, my friends, was worth the struggle.
The summer, like every summer before it, ended, however. I came home, and the "processing life after college" beast, who had been muffled by the hustle and bustle of summer, was finally able to burst from his cage. It was August at this point, and I found myself crying myself to sleep over everyone's favorite life question--"What am I going to do with my life?"
I researched grad schools, I looked for ministry jobs, I looked for non-profit jobs...I was searching for something meaningful. Something I could be proud to say I did.
I got nothin'.
It was almost September at this point, and everyone and their mother told me I should go to beauty school. Blech. I fought the notion as long as I could, but soon realized I couldn't sit around and wait for whatever it was I was hoping for. I had to take a step towards something, and beauty school was the only option it seemed. So I went with it.
I was confused and discouraged, but I was trying my best to trust in the faithfulness of God. I recently found prayers in my journal from around that time. "Lord, if this is where you have me, let me be fully here. You KNOW my heart, and you KNOW I desire to do ministry and not work in a salon. But if this is what you have, give me grace and strength to do it. Cause my heart to TRULY believe, not just profess, that ministry can happen anywhere. Where there's people, there's ministry."
Fast forward a year, and not much has changed. I'm about to graduate beauty school, and I'm waitressing at Applebee's. Circumstantially, life hasn't been exciting in the past year. It's been stressful, lonely, discouraging, heavy, confusing, and down-right ordinary. To top it off, I STILL have no idea what I'm going to do after I graduate. I'm just as clueless in August 2012 as I was in August 2011. But this is okay.
Seriously.
Let's talk about what I HAVE learned. I've learned that God is "intimately acquainted with all my ways," and faithful to walk with me in the mundane, ordinary days. I've learned that if you ask God for opportunities to share the light of His gospel with others, He WILL give them to you. I've learned how to face loneliness, and how to curl up at the feet of Jesus and let Him comfort the lonely heart. I've learned how to pray without ceasing, because some days praying is all you can do to keep from crying. I've learned how to be more honest with the Lord about my desires, hurts, fears, and confusions. I've learned that trust is a day-to-day choice, not a one-time surrender. I've learned that God is more loving and more merciful than I could ever imagine. I've learned more deeply that He truly is sovereign over our plans about the future. I've learned more and more how to enjoy and abide with God in the hard day-to-day struggles. I've tasted and seen how broken the world is, and learned that God is a relentless Redeemer. I've learned how to rest in Jesus amidst a restless schedule.
I could go on and on, but most importantly, I am more in love with Jesus now than I was a year ago. Not because life is peachy. It's not, believe me. But I love Him more because He has shown me more deeply over this past year how much He loves me, and HE IS ENOUGH.
And that, my friends, was worth the struggle.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Scissors and Jesus: A humbling moment in my seemingly mundane salon life
I woke up distracted today. Distracted, numb, and bleh. It's just been one of those weeks--the kind of week where you've neglected time in the Word and decided to take the self-sufficient trail. Needless to say, I didn't arrive at school kingdom minded and pumped up for Jesus today.
God is gracious.
I had trudged along all day. Cut cut cut. Sweep sweep sweep. Cut. Sweep. Repeat.
Then a fourteen year old girl sat down in my chair. Hair shop small talk proceeded. Her hair was greasy (I don't do greasy) so I asked if I could wash her hair. Insecurely, she said, "I'm in DCS. We have allowances and I only have $7 left. I can only pay for the cut." *dagger to the heart accepted* "It's on me. I'll wash and style it for you today no charge." I probed her with questions while washing her hair. Questions about her family and background. "Why are you in DCS?" "How long have you been there?" "Do you have foster parents?" "How has it been?"
The daggers kept coming. Her parents left her when she was 11 years old. She made it on her own for 2 months before going to the police station, and she's been with DCS ever since. She was put up for adoption 6 months ago, and she's a broken-hearted mess.
"When was the last time you cut your hair?" I asked.
"Well, it's been a while. The last time it was cut was when I did it. I cut it all off."
"Why did you do that?"
"For attention."
"Did it work?"
"No."
She draws my attention to the alarming number of scars that cover her arm.
"That's what these are for."
I had never seen so many scars on a person's body before. I didn't know what to say. I felt weak. I felt humbled. Despite how I've acted this past week, despite how I've not honored the Lord and not lived as though He's my all, I was reminded that I need Him. The world needs Him. Neglected and wounded 14 year old girls need Him.
"Ya' know, my dad was adopted. He never felt loved growing up. And then He found Jesus. He realized that although his earthly father had neglected him and mistreated him, God loved Him and cherished Him."
"I've never liked church." she said. "How can I be happy when all this has happened to me?"
BOOM. The Problem of Evil. The issue I had discussed and argued all my years at Bryan was now screaming at me in a salon chair. I don't know what I should have said to her, and there are many things I'm sure could have been said, but all I mustered was, "I understand, girl. My dad learned this the hard way, and I've learned it too, but just because God allows bad things to happen to you doesn't mean He doesn't love you."
And THIS is where I surrender everything to the Spirit of God. What I said doesn't make sense. "Ya' know all this painful stuff you've been through? You know this place in life you're in? Yeah. You're there cause God allowed it...And He loves you by the way." Eesh. Truth? I believe so. Hard? Absolutely.
She eventually left, and the only thing I had done was listen to her, sympathize with her, and tell her Jesus loves her and that she can find hope in Him. Would I have loved to see her come to know the Lord right then and there and witness her find freedom and rest in Jesus? YES. But I am NOT the Spirit of God. The phrase "Jesus loves you" can only be truly believed by someone when the Spirit, in His mercy and timing, causes their heart to. I could have said things better, better yet I could have said everything right, but it is the Spirit who brings the dead to life, not me.
I'm thankful for that precious girl I met today. And I am praying for her. Praying that she WOULD find her hope and worth in Jesus Christ, and that God would heal her wounded heart and save her. He is faithful. May we continue to live and share the truth of Jesus' love, all the while clinging to His Spirit and trusting Him to do in peoples' hearts what only He can do.
God is gracious.
I had trudged along all day. Cut cut cut. Sweep sweep sweep. Cut. Sweep. Repeat.
Then a fourteen year old girl sat down in my chair. Hair shop small talk proceeded. Her hair was greasy (I don't do greasy) so I asked if I could wash her hair. Insecurely, she said, "I'm in DCS. We have allowances and I only have $7 left. I can only pay for the cut." *dagger to the heart accepted* "It's on me. I'll wash and style it for you today no charge." I probed her with questions while washing her hair. Questions about her family and background. "Why are you in DCS?" "How long have you been there?" "Do you have foster parents?" "How has it been?"
The daggers kept coming. Her parents left her when she was 11 years old. She made it on her own for 2 months before going to the police station, and she's been with DCS ever since. She was put up for adoption 6 months ago, and she's a broken-hearted mess.
"When was the last time you cut your hair?" I asked.
"Well, it's been a while. The last time it was cut was when I did it. I cut it all off."
"Why did you do that?"
"For attention."
"Did it work?"
"No."
She draws my attention to the alarming number of scars that cover her arm.
"That's what these are for."
I had never seen so many scars on a person's body before. I didn't know what to say. I felt weak. I felt humbled. Despite how I've acted this past week, despite how I've not honored the Lord and not lived as though He's my all, I was reminded that I need Him. The world needs Him. Neglected and wounded 14 year old girls need Him.
"Ya' know, my dad was adopted. He never felt loved growing up. And then He found Jesus. He realized that although his earthly father had neglected him and mistreated him, God loved Him and cherished Him."
"I've never liked church." she said. "How can I be happy when all this has happened to me?"
BOOM. The Problem of Evil. The issue I had discussed and argued all my years at Bryan was now screaming at me in a salon chair. I don't know what I should have said to her, and there are many things I'm sure could have been said, but all I mustered was, "I understand, girl. My dad learned this the hard way, and I've learned it too, but just because God allows bad things to happen to you doesn't mean He doesn't love you."
And THIS is where I surrender everything to the Spirit of God. What I said doesn't make sense. "Ya' know all this painful stuff you've been through? You know this place in life you're in? Yeah. You're there cause God allowed it...And He loves you by the way." Eesh. Truth? I believe so. Hard? Absolutely.
She eventually left, and the only thing I had done was listen to her, sympathize with her, and tell her Jesus loves her and that she can find hope in Him. Would I have loved to see her come to know the Lord right then and there and witness her find freedom and rest in Jesus? YES. But I am NOT the Spirit of God. The phrase "Jesus loves you" can only be truly believed by someone when the Spirit, in His mercy and timing, causes their heart to. I could have said things better, better yet I could have said everything right, but it is the Spirit who brings the dead to life, not me.
I'm thankful for that precious girl I met today. And I am praying for her. Praying that she WOULD find her hope and worth in Jesus Christ, and that God would heal her wounded heart and save her. He is faithful. May we continue to live and share the truth of Jesus' love, all the while clinging to His Spirit and trusting Him to do in peoples' hearts what only He can do.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
50 Shades of Grey
And some of you think, “Pleasure could lead me to sin.”
You know what? Pleasure could lead you to worship, too. And I would encourage you, don’t go for shallow, lesser pleasures. Go for the deep pleasures, the desires of God. -Mark Driscoll
Sex. Funny how that one word can rip someone's attention. E.L. James' best-selling book 50 Shades of Grey is on the forefront of the reading America's mind, particularly womens' minds. This sexually charged book, dubbed as "mommy porn", is being completely absorbed by many women today, leaving them wanting. To read a summary of the book, go here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifty_Shades_of_Grey This subtly erotic book is dangerous in that it creates for women a twisted, fleshly craving that, in my opinion, does not align with what Christ intended for our sexuality.Approximately 90% of the women at my school have read or are reading this book. "It's just so interesting!" "Danielle, you have GOT to read it." "It's hot and intriguing." "I just wanna' know how it ends!" These are just a few of the comments I've heard about this book. Our culture is starving for satisfaction. To feel whole. To feel wanted. To feel excitement. To feel loved and desired.
I'm praying that God would use the popularity of this book as an opportunity for us as believers to share with those around us God's intentions for marriage and sex. This is a heavy and important issue. May we be faithful in proclaiming the truth of the Gospel and all it entails. May we be faithful in communicating and living out God's gracious design for us pertaining to sex and marriage. God's biblical design for marriage and sex for our GOOD, friends. Sex is a beautiful thing. May we not be silent while books and messages like 50 Shades of Grey are screaming.
http://thinkchristian.net/do-women-really-want-50-shades-of-grey
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
"O Man Is a Giddy Thing."
Hola folks. It's been quuuuite some time since I've produced a decent post. Lo siento. Life has been a lil' cray-cray! Let's start with the quick updates. 1) I am STILL in cosmetology school...and by "still" I mean I'm not scheduled to graduate until October, and that feels soooo far away for some reason. 2) I'm in the process of changing part-time jobs and becoming a waitress. Woot. 3) I'm still a part of the leadership team for the youth at my church, and yes, I'm LOVING it. So blessed. 4) I'm in the process of planning a road trip to the Grand Canyon! "I'm excited!"=Biggest understatement of the century.
While these past few months have not been what I expected they'd be, I have begun to cherish this season of life because, through it, the Lord has done so many good things in my heart. The Lord brought me into circumstances that I would not have chosen for my self, and has been revealing things to me in ways I don't think I would have seen had I been anywhere else in life. This is good! Huzzah!
And can we just talk about the wedding/baby epidemic right now? Holy cow. So.Many.Weddings...and babies! I'm a pile of mush at weddings. I cry at every single one, every single time. I have the privilege of being in two weddings (can I get an "Amen!" for waterproof mascara?), and I am doing hair for many more. Weddings are beautiful happenings, and I have been blessed to witness and be a part of so many. God knew what He was doing when He established that institution.
In other news, my sibling are home from college, and our house is significantly louder and significantly warmer/brighter by them being here. Yesterday, I witnessed my brother, T.J., chase Bethany out of the house into the street at least two times. I also walked outside yesterday to find my sister, Bethany, walking around with her eyes closed fumbling around to find T.J. and Breanna, who were "hiding" from her and silently laughing. Apparently, T.J. had invented a game (not uncommon around here.) He had made a square boundary inside our driveway. One person was "it" and had to close their eyes and try to tag the other people within this small boundary. Imagine Marco Polo without the Marco Polo. It.Was. Awesome. I quickly discovered that this was a game I just couldn't win, however. I laugh too much....which in turn makes them follow the noise and chase me, which in turn causes me to laugh more. I'm looking forward to spending the summer with these kiddos. They're just great.
And with that, I'm out. Lata' Gatas'.
While these past few months have not been what I expected they'd be, I have begun to cherish this season of life because, through it, the Lord has done so many good things in my heart. The Lord brought me into circumstances that I would not have chosen for my self, and has been revealing things to me in ways I don't think I would have seen had I been anywhere else in life. This is good! Huzzah!
And can we just talk about the wedding/baby epidemic right now? Holy cow. So.Many.Weddings...and babies! I'm a pile of mush at weddings. I cry at every single one, every single time. I have the privilege of being in two weddings (can I get an "Amen!" for waterproof mascara?), and I am doing hair for many more. Weddings are beautiful happenings, and I have been blessed to witness and be a part of so many. God knew what He was doing when He established that institution.
In other news, my sibling are home from college, and our house is significantly louder and significantly warmer/brighter by them being here. Yesterday, I witnessed my brother, T.J., chase Bethany out of the house into the street at least two times. I also walked outside yesterday to find my sister, Bethany, walking around with her eyes closed fumbling around to find T.J. and Breanna, who were "hiding" from her and silently laughing. Apparently, T.J. had invented a game (not uncommon around here.) He had made a square boundary inside our driveway. One person was "it" and had to close their eyes and try to tag the other people within this small boundary. Imagine Marco Polo without the Marco Polo. It.Was. Awesome. I quickly discovered that this was a game I just couldn't win, however. I laugh too much....which in turn makes them follow the noise and chase me, which in turn causes me to laugh more. I'm looking forward to spending the summer with these kiddos. They're just great.
And with that, I'm out. Lata' Gatas'.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Bucket List-30 things I'd like to experience before I die
While my greatest desire is to see Jesus Christ known, exalted, adored, and loved above ALL else , these are just some things I'd like to experience along life's adventure. These are not in any particular order. Here's to living it up.
1) Sky-diving!
2) Wake up to a bacon alarm clock
3) Experience fall in Maine
4) Run a half marathon
5) Get a tattoo... Greek word for "hope" from the passage Titus 3:3-8 maybe?
6)Lead someone to Christ. Christ does the work. I'd just like to be there for someone when that death to life experience happens.
7) See the Grand Canyon!
8) Go to Cedar Point theme park and get my face rocked off
9) Go back to Africa and stay for at least a month
10) Randomly leave my waitress or waiter a $100 tip.
11)Ride a motorcycle on Route 66
12)Read all of C.S. Lewis' works
13) Read the entire Lord of the Rings series
14)Learn how to play guitar
15) Travel. Travel. Travel
16) Do hair for the homeless.
17) Compose a song, and be proud of it
18) Watch the ENTIRE Star Wars series in one day
19) Learn how to play Pinochle
20) Play an EPIC prank on someone. One that will be remembered for all time! Mwahaha.
21) Ride a horse at full speed in an open field. I know that sounds incredibly cheesy. I'm not a horse person, I think it'd just be cool.
22) Go hiking in Colorado
23) See Coldplay, Thrice, or Iron and Wine in concert. Either of these would be luh-git!
24)Learn how to crochet
25) Meet someone random in a coffee shop and become friends
26) Finish learning the "Moonlight Sonata" by Beethoven
27) Grow my own strawberries, and learn how to make strawberry jam. It.Is.Delightful.
28) Eat caviar
29) Conquer my fear of white water rafting
30) Drive a ridiculously expensive car
1) Sky-diving!
2) Wake up to a bacon alarm clock
6)Lead someone to Christ. Christ does the work. I'd just like to be there for someone when that death to life experience happens.
7) See the Grand Canyon!
11)Ride a motorcycle on Route 66
13) Read the entire Lord of the Rings series
14)Learn how to play guitar
15) Travel. Travel. Travel
16) Do hair for the homeless.
18) Watch the ENTIRE Star Wars series in one day
19) Learn how to play Pinochle
20) Play an EPIC prank on someone. One that will be remembered for all time! Mwahaha.
21) Ride a horse at full speed in an open field. I know that sounds incredibly cheesy. I'm not a horse person, I think it'd just be cool.
22) Go hiking in Colorado
24)Learn how to crochet
25) Meet someone random in a coffee shop and become friends
26) Finish learning the "Moonlight Sonata" by Beethoven
27) Grow my own strawberries, and learn how to make strawberry jam. It.Is.Delightful.
28) Eat caviar
30) Drive a ridiculously expensive car
Friday, February 17, 2012
Short n' Sweet
Wow. I'll admit it. I am possibly the world's WORST blogger. These past couple of months have been busy, as well as trying, and I think it's time I delve back into writing-or feebly attempting to write, anyways. Ironically, I simply do not have enough time to create as eloquent a post as I would like. However, I will leave you a sermon that has blessed me, challenged me, and encouraged me to think about the Gospel and revel in it. So enjoy this for the meantime, friends, and stay tuned.
"Jesus Plus Nothing Equals Everything" http://www.thevillagechurch.net/sermon/jesus-plus-nothing-equals-everything/
"Jesus Plus Nothing Equals Everything" http://www.thevillagechurch.net/sermon/jesus-plus-nothing-equals-everything/
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