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#truestory #wordstoliveby #thissideofgrace

I spent some time in 1 Timothy this morning and kept coming back around to the verse in 6:20. The words "guard the deposit" impressed upon me rather strongly. We live in a time, just like Paul, where gospel distortion is truly a "thing." But we are guardians to that truth. We are here to lay claim to it, create disciples with it and spread it like wildfire. It is not, however, meant to be modified to our liking. It's not up for grabs to be molded or shaped to fit our lifestyle. It leaves no room in it for anything else that might nudge it out of the way. It should remain. Remain set apart and true and even offensive to some. It will be a light and a staff and even a stumbling block at times as we learn to navigate our human flesh away from our own desires to fix them on His. It will test us and grow us and sometimes just plain stump us. But it can never be changed. It is the one true thing we have in this life...and the next. Paul meant for Timothy to guard it well. To keep it safe like sheep in a flock protected by their caring shepherds. I read a quote on ligonier.org that truly summed it up well for me: "None of us is seeking to live in conflict with the people around us, and so we are always tempted to make the gospel inoffensive in order that we might preserve the peace. But if what is called the gospel never offends, it is not the true gospel." Let us not be tempted to distort the message for any earthly purpose we can imagine. We are soldiers here to protect it. And to see it into the hands of those who come after us. Guard it well. Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. (Proverbs 4:13) #thissideofgrace #morningmeditations #gospel #truth #guardthedeposit #1timothy6 #proverbs4

When we practice free will, ignoring the understanding that dwells in us, given to us to bind wandering hearts to Truth, we find ourselves in shackles to the pretty things in life. Pretty empty things. We chase ideas of "goals" that give us joy and happiness, that satisfy weary spirits and make sure that we never have to suffer. Those pretty things can fool us into thinking we have the means to make life pop. To add the sparkle through our influence in society, our highfalutin desires to be the most content humans in the world through philosophies that ensnare our lives like a steel trap with heavy jaws. "Little children, keep yourselves from idols," he says. (1 John 5:21) Even those that don't look like things...but these crazy notions that we can worship status and overachievements - living high on our own ideals. It will take us captive. Leading us down a road so far from the Light that we will be blinded into darkness once again. Rely on the Truth that dwells within, for it is a gift. Rejoice in difficult circumstances and turn our heads from hollow and deceptive philosophies. It's yet another lie that waits to ensnare us. #thissideofgrace #morningmeditations #deceptive #philosophies

Not one day goes by that I don't wake up and think of Kenya. I can't explain why it's one of my first thoughts of the day, but it is. As much as I don't want to admit it, those thoughts are almost always accompanied by tears. Tears of sadness and happiness all rolled into one. Emotions that stir something up in me that just wasn't there before. More than one person told me it would take time to let it process, but I literally had no idea. It's been months. And my throat still tries to swallow down this unfamiliar ache that just won't subside. I ask myself on so many occasions "is there anything else I can do?" I ask God the same. A mother of four...thousands of miles and a 26 hour plane ride away... More than just writing a check? Raising awareness through a blog and social media? Surely there's more to it than this. Truthfully, I've had a case of the weary mamas since Christmas. And it always sends a wave of guilt through me that I'm not doing enough in addition to raising up the littles. But I remind myself that I'm telling stories to my offspring about a beautiful place with beautiful people who need love and Jesus and our arms to wrap around them...just like we need theirs. We need to know our neighbors in this world. To join hands in that word "fellowship" that was so foreign to me before Christ got ahold of me good. It's too often that we dismiss what we do as nothing. But loving our neighbors is not "nothing." Next to loving Him, it's absolutely everything. “May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.” Romans‬ ‭15:5-7‬ ‭NLT‬‬ #teammercyhouse #kenya #africa #love #actjustly #lovemercy #walkhumbly

I can be really confused by prayer. At times, I dismiss moments of reaching out to Him solely because I'm afraid of being disappointed with the answer. I think maybe I've waited too long or the request seems awfully tough to grant. Other times, it seems so little and insignificant that I think maybe I shouldn't waste another bit of His time on something seemingly insignificant. The latter is more out of laziness than anything else. This quote is a reminder to me that everything I've just said to you is nonsensical. Excuses we make because our minds can't wrap around the "how can this work outs" or the "but is this really all that importants." But it always can and it always is. The answer might not look like what we think it's going to look like, but we can be sure that He hears, He loves, He delivers. Abide in Him and keep His words...and ask. Never, ever be afraid to ask. He cannot be limited... #thissideofgrace #prayer #lessonsfromjohn #whatloveis

These two are a pair. I was looking through some pictures this morning wondering why on earth I don't scrapbook. (Don't get your hopes up - it's totally not my thing) But I'm a little obsessed with looking through pictures. Maybe that's why I love Instagram as much as I do. Because every picture tells a story. This picture tells the story of loving the outdoors. Loving the status of being siblings and spending time together. But it also tells the story of siblings before it. Siblings that also played and fought together. Who got dirty and spent too long in the creek together. And now these two are learning to walk the same steps as the brothers and one sister before them. Legacy is mighty. Even in the simplest form of just spending time in the same watering hole. To explore where Daddy did, all those many years ago. Our sphere of influence on our children reaches far past just teaching them how to follow Christ, be respectful, save money and get decent grades. It expands to the outer realms of how we stomp through the puddles of life in our galoshes. Figurative or not? You be the judge. #thissideofgrace #onebeautifulthing #puddles #reflection #siblings

#truestory #thissideofgrace #1john5

"I was empty. And I wasn’t the kind of kid who could share it with anyone to even think of being filled back up again. It was easier to shove it all down deep and use deflection to get through each day. Because that’s what people wanted, right? To find joy and laughter in everything? To never have to work through the hurt, digging down to the bottom of the haystack to find the needle that pokes us in our sleep." NEW blog post. #linkinprofile #beautifulstories #thissideofgrace #relinquish #redeemed #isaiah63

I used to think it was easy to turn my back on people that upset me. Easy to walk away and just remove myself from their lives as I went about my own business. And while I can honestly say that this lesson has been in the works for quite some time it's only been in the last few months that I've woken up from this sleep that I've been in. Kind of a cold sweat moment in the middle of the night where you hear the voice that says "draw closer to Me and you will be able to forgive." It's impossible to walk away and throw our love for others aside when we are right with God. So I told Him my dilemma and asked Him to help me let it go. I asked Him to draw me closer. And He did. It's been perfect timing that I continue to work my way through #whatloveis with Kelly Minter and can glean much needed words to reassure this wake up call. I have a huge takeaway that explains this realization for me. "If we're bitter toward someone, unforgiving, angry, constantly in a bad mood, biting people's heads off, gossiping about others, irritated at them, we need to look at what is broken in our relationship with God, because loving God and loving others are inextricably connected. God's love for us grants us the capacity to love others. We love because He first loved us." I'm still working to draw near, to relinquish that frustration and to make certain that I don't discard those people in my life. Because I can't truly love Him and turn my back and walk away. It goes against the design. So "dwell on the God that loved you first." Everything else will fall into place... #thissideofgrace #loveis #forgiveness #drawclosertohim #gamechanger

"Sometimes love means sticking it out with a person and other times it means taking a break. Some days it means hanging on for dear life and other days it means release. Love can take the form of an encouraging word or a fiery confrontation. It can mean unmerited mercy or tough lines in the sand. It can look like adopting a child or sending one out the door to fly with his own wings. It can mean staying in the most painful marriage and in some cases being forced to let one go. Love can mean giving up a career for your family and it can mean asking your family to sacrifice for the sake of your calling. But it will never go against God's laws. Love will never face off with His promises or His design. It won't go against His Word or the quality of who He is. Love will never mean knocking Jesus' ways around, because he IS love." --Kelly Minter, What Love Is #whatloveis #thissideofgrace

I've had a lot of people ask me what I eat for a snack on an #AIP diet. Well, here are a couple of options I take with me to a friend's house. #inka plantain chips and #crownprince oysters. Not pictured, I also have some daikon radish diced up and some blackberries. #paleo #whatieat

When you ask to be able to relinquish things that are holding you back, be prepared to feel overwhelmed. At least initially. I was certain there were a few things that I needed to let go of in the new year. Areas that, for awhile, I felt justified to hold onto and be "right." Places of bitterness that were exposed and doing a number on my heart. So you can imagine the surprise when I spent time in prayer and opened my eyes to the sight of a FedEx truck backing into my driveway to deliver the rest. Figuratively, of course. Piles upon piles of unopened junk to sift through. And one thing in particular fell at my feet. That little box I thought I'd sent far away from my core fell gently against the side of my shoe as I stood there staring at this pile. It hit me hard two Sundays ago and I walked through service partially unable to really speak and partially ready to just spill my guts so someone would give me comfort. And someone did. Someone reminded me that the attacks are swift and certain but I MUST remain strong in knowing that He who lives in me is so much greater than that. Such a loving soul to give me the reminder for the strength I needed to find. Strength that was already there but had been misplaced as I allowed myself to listen to lies. Allowed self-condemnation to whisper in my ear. The problem isn't resolved yet but I know what needs to be done. My resolution lies in the Light. It will be delivered with truth and love that walk hand and hand with it. And I have a new outlook on my mistakes. They are there to teach and remind me that I'm not alone and the lifeline to which I cling can conquer even the darkest of despair that the enemy wants to use against me. Thank you, precious lady, for your reminder. I am writing this to you. For that, I am stronger now. #thissideofgrace #thosewhoprayforyou

This might seem like a strange picture to you so let me explain. A few days ago I watched one of my favorite movies - Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. While that might not seem to fit the more obvious chic-flic side of me, it truly is a favorite of mine. During the movie there is a line spoken by a young naval man in training, Mr. Blakaney, who is admiring the discovery of a walking-stick type creature found on the Galápagos Islands. With his doctor friend, Stephen, coaxing him to tell the captain about their find, he proceeds to tell him that it is a phasmid. A creature that disguises itself to confuse its predators. It's not long before the captain catches on as we relish in this bit of foreshadowing and has the crew repaint the entire ship in order to lure their predator in for the kill. Nice! But I had to stop and give this some thought. How often do we try to blend into our own surroundings to attempt to disguise ourselves from the only One who can protect us from those surroundings? How often do we blend with the world around us in hopes of not being seen, yet ironically exposing ourselves to the very predators who are ready to devour us? Let us not conceal ourselves in lies and deceit but expose who we are to the One who can truly protect us from the predators of this world. For it is the one who conceals that is losing in the end. “People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.” (Proverbs‬ ‭28:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬) #thissideofgrace #conceal #reveal #proverbs28

So excited about this month's @fair_trade_friday items. A @joynindia bag from India and a yearly planner from @thebatikboutique in Malaysia. Fair Trade Friday is designed to bring sustainable income to women and to raise awareness for the organizations they support. Be sure to check out those listed above for other products carefully made by hands all over the world. Use the code GIVEHOPE to start your subscription to #fairtradefriday and receive $5 off. Choose from bracelet of the month, earring of the month, or the original box that can contain a variety of items. Go to fairtradefriday.club for more info. #sustainablegoods #ethicalfashion #changetheworldlookgooddoingit

I've been studying the letters of John for a few weeks now. Slowly. Trying to let it sink in and stick. And it's really easy to read it and point fingers outwardly at those who claim to know God and love Him but live a lifestyle contrary to His character. But when you stumble across your own sin it's a bit heart wrenching and certainly quite convicting. Kelly Minter sums it up well. While I might have more areas to get right with God, my willingness to relinquish them over to Him is the first step toward a deeper relationship. Our culture is quick to dismiss sin as non-existent because we don't know Him. Her words: "A life of righteousness, free of the dominant power of sin, is directly, inextricably connected to our relationship with God. We come to this text and try to figure out how much sin is too much sin. Then we try to fix things in our own flesh. But our sinning is not about how much harder we try. It's about our relationship with our Father and His Son." --Kelly Minter, What Love Is That willingness to give it up and continue this relationship is the key to a changed life. Try as I might, my own efforts will always be futile. #thissideofgrace #whatloveis #1john

Looking ahead to 2016 seemed a little daunting. With everything that 2015 held I had to ask myself if I was prepared for another year like this last one. It came with a lot of surprises and tremendous growth...which is typically never easy. But one thing was certain. My "one word" of 2015 set the stage for some big change for me. It wasn't just another resolution to get me through the first 3 or 4 weeks of a new year. It was a dedicated commitment. I was choosing to allow my character to be shaped in an entirely different way. I learn that it wasn't all about me no matter how I wanted to look at it. I was choosing to lay down pride and pick up humility. And I don't mind saying those first six months were really, really hard. The outcome was more than I expected. Among being able to more heavily embrace and invest in my family I was also given an opportunity to pursue a dream by traveling to Africa. All in part due to my obedience to that one word. So this year, when this word was laid upon my heart I was quick to pick it up and start journaling the ideas that surround it. It seems larger than life to me, yes. However most areas of growth are. Welcome to 2016. Do you have a "one word" to focus on this year? I'd love for you to share it with me in the comments. #thissideofgrace #oneword2016 #oneword #relinquish #linkinprofile

I love to be reminded as to the meaning of this verse every year. It's a reminder that my faith isn't an acceptance of Someone who is a novelty. A passing fad that sounds good at the time but does nothing for me, really. Instead, I get a glimpse into the many characteristics of the One who loves me enough to give of Himself over and over throughout my life. When I read this passage, I take a closer look at the names. These names are encompassing the true identity of Christ. Counselor: someone who listens intently to what is on my heart. Whether it is sincere gratitude - or something troubling or shameful - it matters not. He listens! Mighty: One who shows the utmost in superior power or strength. Nothing can fight battles better than One who posses these qualities. He is more than willing to fight those battles for me. Everlasting: This Father is eternal. Through this life and the next I will never be abandoned by His presence. He is constant. He is forever! Peace: In short, this stands for freedom, tranquility, harmony, stillness. In a fallen world that is full of chaos, temptation, hurt, suffering and rampant sin - the peace which transcends all understanding is only achieved through the One who bears the name "Prince of Peace." My prayer for you this upcoming year is to acquaint yourselves with each of His identities above, as well as so many more. Don't be afraid to discover the true identity of Christ. To do so is to unveil His face to all. Merry Christmas, friends. And may your 2016 be filled with all the love He has to offer. #thissideofgrace #merrychristmas #devotion #wonderfulcounselor #mightygod #princeofpeace #isaiah96