the one where I have a theological moment with britney spears...

We'll get to the Britney reference in bit. Hold your horses.

So, as I've stated before, I'm kind of interning at my church with my youth group. It's cool and fun and I get to hang out with kids and all, so it's a blast, whatever. So, tonight we had a service (I mean, duh. It's WEDNESDAY!) We're talking about "Godview" this month- basically discussing what our view of God is, and possibly some things we need to change. It was a really good lesson tonight, and I definitely had some things that I'm thinking about. The two "myths" that we debunked tonight were:
1. God wants me to be good.
2. God wants me to be happy.

Not that these things aren't good and all, but they can really distort our view of God. Some people stop coming to church because they think they aren't "good enough" anymore or because God didn't answer a prayer. We focused on Philippians 3: 7-9 tonight, here it is in case you forgot (I mean, I know you biblical scholars have the whole book memorized, but some of us might need a little refresher)

I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

So. What does this mean? Verse 9 (I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.) tells us that the things we once thought were valuable (such as money, love, friends, things that make us happy) are considered GARBAGE when we compare it to what God has done. God's number one priority isn't making us happy. Faith is not just trusting God when he does things that we want, rather it is trusting God NO MATTER WHAT. That is powerful stuff. He's always there, even when the things he's doing don't match up.

Okay. So, don't laugh at me guys. But I have a confession. On my way home from church I listened to Britney Spears. I know, I know. But she was on an old CD with Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus that I had...and I kind of forgot she was on there until the song came on. I don't know if you're familiar with her song "Lucky" (from circa 2000), but it's one of the few songs of hers that I actually heard when it came out (the other was "Oops I Did it Again". I may have been a sheltered child, but I did go to a public school.) While I don't actually remember it coming out, since the rediscovery of this song (circa Freshman Year) it's become a song I...kind of like. Don't laugh! Promise I have a point. There's a line in the song that says "If there's nothing missing in my life, then why do these tears come at night?" The song is about a popstar that has everything, but still feels like something is missing. And, while I may be making quite a leap here--I think this is sometimes how we feel about God. And this just struck me on the way home. Like I'm sitting the car, and I have a theological moment with Britney Spears. Crazy, I know. But, sometimes we get everything we want (the garbage of the world) but still don't find fulfillment because we're missing God. God's chief goal isn't to make us happy, it's to fill that part of our soul. There's a crucial part that's missing without him.

Okay. Now that the Britney awkwardness is over (I'm thinking I'll refrain from mentioning that one in my Christian Theology class if we ever discuss this topic), let's move on to the 2nd part of the Philippians verse. God wants me to be good. This is a hard one for me. I mean, I'm a RULE FOLLOWER. Seriously. Ask anyone who knows me. If there's a rule, chances are I'm not going to break it. I'm really good at being good. But the verse in Philippians says, "I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ". Wow. It's not my righteousness that's getting me in to heaven. I mean, I know that, but sometimes I forget it. God put me here not to be a "good" person, but rather to lead others to him. While I don't think this gives us a free pass to live an immoral lifestyle (I mean, if we truly love Him, why would we want to hurt him?), but it's an interesting thought. God's main concern isn't my "goodness". I find righteousness in him alone. We might come back to this topic at a later date, but I think that's all for tonight.


And this is the blog post in which I have a theological moment while listening to Britney Spears.

true life: i’m pretty sure my dorm room has poisonous mold.

I feel like I should start by saying I LOVE my college. HC is amazing (with the exception of the loop it through me a week before school started, the lack of air conditioning during the first three days, and the amount of theology that I’m required to read on a daily basis- but that’s beside the point). BUT. I’m pretty sure there’s poisonous mold growing in my bathroom. Read on to learn more and be totally grossed out.

It all started in my super cute bathroom. See Exhibit A for example. My adorable roommate brought up bubble baths last night. And me, being the super awesome person I am really wanted to take on. Since she’s super sweet and all, she picked up some dye free, sensitive skin kind with Elmo on it while she was at the store today. (Along with colorful bath fizzies to make colorful bubble baths!- See Exhibit B for that one!)

 

But sadly, as she was pouring in the bubbles tonight, she discovered something awful. Here enters Exhibit C.

Mold. Black mold. That I’m pretty sure is poisonous, but my Chemistry major roomie won’t test it. Let’s visit Exhibit D. Science majors? Anyone want to identify this growing fungus among us? (Haha. I’m so funny. I know)

Oh- and when we put water on it (after Tilexing it!) , it grows back. Examine Exhibit E. Yep, it’s official. I need to wear a mask to bed. I don’t want this entering my nostrils and spreading through my body! (In addition to the fact that my room smells like Clorox.) Um. This is gross.

True Life. My dorm room has poisonous mold. (And I promise it was clean in May when we cleaned the bathroom!!)

Pintrest-ing Finds.

I love this movie.

Source: miscfinds4u.com via Lauren on Pinterest

I'm a new C.S. Lewis fan. Could be because I'm taking a class on that guy (or his writings) this semester.

Source: truelovereallywaits.tumblr.com via Lauren on Pinterest

I love NeedtoBreathe's song You are More. I think I cry every time that I hear this song. It is so sweet. And...I just want to tell you that YOU ARE MORE.

Source: tumblr.com via Lauren on Pinterest

I love Eeyore.

Source: ffffound.com via Lauren on Pinterest

And I love this.

Source: myfriendjules.blogspot.com via Lauren on Pinterest

link love.

Since I'm still working on my first day of school post, I decided to do a "link love" post to share with all of you the posts that have meant something to my heart this week. Let me tell you- this week were some good ones. (Which was probably good for this girl that's going through usual get-back-in-the-swing-of-things super stressed out first week of school.)

1. This post from Whitney on how we all fall short of God and sin. Luckily, there's this little thing called grace that is so amazing. Plus, Whitney mentions a tweet from Lecrae ("I'm not a Christian because I'm strong and have it all together. I'm a Christian because I'm weak and admit I need a Savior." Love. It.)
2. This post on fear by Caitlin. By the way- I love this girl. If you don't follow her blog- you need to. She blogs good stuff. Deep stuff. And...I really like it even when it hits me where it reeaally hurts. Like this one.
3. Annie did it again. What's a church supposed to look like? Does it really matter if your lobby looks like Pottery Barn? Or can you worship in a setting without all the extras?
4. You know I'm all about this single thing. Haha. I mean, really. My three year plan is quickly running out of time. And..this girl doesn't have a ring on her finger. But you know what? Maybe the focus should be on "dwelling in the Land" rather than "stressed beyond belief". Just saying. Dwelling sounds more fun.

reminiscing.

This morning, I began to reminisce a little. Okay, maybe more than a little. it all started when I used the wrong email address to log into Blogger and I discovered my blog from my Senior Year of high school. I mean, wow. That seems like it was so long ago. But, four years ago, I was starting my senior year of high school. Now, I’m starting my senior year in college. Crazy stuff.
Then, I found my Xanga (which was kind of sort of a blog) from my Freshman/Sophomore years in High School. I’m pretty sure I was crazy insane back then. I really don’t remember being that weird (I feel like I can call myself weird. I mean, I’m talking about me!). This was the girl that thought purple streaks were cute, orange hair was cool, and was completely obsessed with Harry Potter (I mean OBSESSED. You think I like him now, you didn’t know me back then).
Then, I found some old pictures. And I’m like “Wow. I’m really old.” I remember when twenty-one seemed so far away. But, now? That’s me.
So, I was thinking about doing a link up party. Since I like baby/kid pictures and reminiscing on the past, I thought you might, too. I just took pictures of the pictures that I had and uploaded them here. After all, I was born back in the Stone Age before digital cameras. So, grab your old pictures, snap them, upload them, and post them on Blogger. We all want to see your pictures- from that cute baby smile to the awkward middle school hair! Link up at the bottom of the post (after you see all my cute pictures, of course) and have fun laughing at the way we used to be! :)
This was me as a baby. I was pretty cute if I say so myself.

I was pretty precious-adorable.



Me and my grandmas. :)
  

Then, a baby joined our family. His name was Max.
   
Then, I grew a little older.  And things got awkward. And another baby joined our family!
 

And…then we get to high school- where I apparently look the same as I do now! So, now it’s your turn. Blog those pictures and LINK UP!

in my google reader lately...

The Sandwich Bag by Amy Beth
This post touched my soul this week. I love the emotion that Amy Beth puts forth in all of her posts related to mothering her oldest foster child, but this one is something special. It's something unique. It talks about something a lot of people would rather forget- the time before a child entered "the system".

Date a Girl Who Reads by Caitlin
This post is old. I admit it. But, when Nicole posted a link to Caitlin's blog, I just HAD to check it out. And I mean, I'm a book girl. I'm a "girl who reads". So, while Caitlin didn't write this little segment, I'm linking to her...because that's how I found it. 

I Love You, Too by Nicole
I love me some Beth Moore, just like this sweet girl. I like these lines the best, "There will never be a time where I say “I love you, Lord” when He didn’t just sing it over me.  I can say, “I love you” because He loved me first.  He always initiates the love. He is the love." But, I really think you should click on over and read Nicole's post for yourself. :)

life planner excitement.

We've already established I have a planning personality (hello, Excel spreadsheets). And a little less than a month ago, I placed my order for my Erin Condren Life Planner. It was supposed to ship on August 5th, but some problems led to the shipping being delayed, so it FINALLY got shipped out on Friday. Um. Yay. And this afternoon, after almost tackling the FedEx guy, it is finally in my hands.

I’m pretty happy. That would be why I handed over my camera to Max so that he could document this super exciting moment.

 

Um. This just makes my heart race with excitement. While it was kind of empty in the above pictures, I assure you that it is nice an full now. At least, I have my school schedule, and football schedules for Auburn, HC, and my old high school/ middle school. (Yes, I know that was a total “You know you’re from Alabama when…” moment. Don’t joke. I love me some football.)

I’m linking up with Meredith here for the Life Planner link up party. Um, so happy. These posts make me smile. :)

Now, to finish filling it out and putting birthdays in it. Soundtrack for this experience? Mat Kearney’s new CD. I’m pretty much in love. Young Love. Look it up. :)

blessings.

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperityWe pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering.

All the while, You hear each spoken need

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things.

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights 
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if trials of this life 
Are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

And all the while You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights 
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
And what if trials of this life Are Your mercies in disguise.

When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst
This world can’t satisfy?

And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise?

*"Blessings" by Laura Story. Listen to it here.

back to school goodies.

So. We all know that I harness a secret desire to be an elementary school teacher just so that I can make all the cute desk signs and first day of school goodies, right? Well, problem solved. I’m teaching 4th and 5th grade Sunday School this year at my church. I’m super excited to begin a third year with this special group of children. This year, we are having a “Back to School” breakfast, but I knew that I wanted to do something special for these kids. I mean, going back to school isn’t fun after a summer of lazy tv watching and beach trips. Thanks to Pinterest, I found my “Back to School” goody.

Source: bethproudfoot.blogspot.com via Lauren on Pinterest

I had to do some adjusting (I only have one circle punch, and it’s 2 1/2 inches, not three) and I changed it up a bit because I wanted more Smarties and some other changes (like different fonts since I was creating my own!). But, overall, I think these babies turned out pretty cute. We will see tomorrow when I hand them out to the kids if they like them or not (but Smarties are pure sugar. So I think they will!!)

 

*Please excuse the horrible lighting in the above pictures. It’s kind of dark outside, the lighting in my room is awful..and my desk is a mess, so I took a picture in a cubby. Weird, I know. I’m going to try and get better pictures with my kids tomorrow!