Live Like You're Dying

I know it's been a while again...  My life has been amazing but also a whirlwind and I just haven't set aside the time to write.  But today, today I am inspired! If you've read my previous posts, you've heard me talk about this mythical creature that seems to rarely exist in our society nowadays.  It's called a gentleman.  Wow, what is that you say?  Believe it or not, they actually exist!  In honor of this post, I saw this picture on pinterest and had to include it. Debonair used to be sexy and now idiots are paid for reality shows But ladies, guess what?  They do exist!!  I've seen other friends with them and just thought all the good ones were taken, but no.  At 28, I can finally say I've found him!  You know that saying? "Every woman deserves a man who calls her baby, kisses her like he means it, holds her like he never wants to let her go, doesn't cheat or lie.  Wipes her tears when she cries, doesn't make her jealous of other women,

Happy New Year!!  For those of you who think I am crazy, Rosh Hasannah begins today at sun down.  Rosh Hashanah marks the start of a new year in the Hebrew calendar.   I've written in a past post that 2011 has not been a good year for me, but today, in the name of the Lord, I am declaring this the start of a New Beginning!  I recently bought myself a new bible and put in there "A New Begins", Today I moved into my new place (praise the Lord), I have a new boyfriend (and for the first time in a long time, a healthy relationship), and I got a raise at work! So here's to a New Beginning.. May I continue to run the race and lean on God for guidance in this crazy thing called life!  Amen. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things -Philippians 4:8

Being Christian doesn’t automatically make you sinless or without flaws. Being a Christian means you choose to follow in the steps and teachings of Jesus Christ, who is God’s son and who is perfect. But just because you choose to follow Jesus, doesn’t make  you  perfect. Human perfection is impossible. By claiming to be a Christian you are acknowledging the fact that you  are  imperfect—that you are a  sinner . In this acknowledgement you are also implying that you are turning away from sin. Christianity is not a characteristic of an individual; it is a lifestyle choice. It is the decision to turn away from the sinful desires of this world and to willfully pursue righteousness and a godly life.

Do you know as Christians that we are supposed to share our faith with others?  I'm sure many of you do, but do you know what that looks like?  Part of our purpose as a Christian is to expand the Kingdom of God.  That doesn't just mean witnessing to other people.  That means living a life like Christ and showing His love to those around us.  Matthew 5:16 tells us to let our light shine before men so that they may see our moral excellence and out praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify our Father Who is in Heaven.  They should see Christ in us. God is not interested in saving people just to mark it off His checklist.  As you read through Luke 10 , you will see that we are called first to bless other people and to live along side them so that they can see we are different.  Evangelism is about more than witnessing, it's about being a witness. I'm a wreck.. I'm not perfect and I make a ton of mistakes all the time!  And you

WHAT a WHIRLWIND the last 8 months has been: - Moved to Houston - Started a new job - Grandma passed away - Moved into a new house - 9 weddings in 4 months - Broke up with my boyfriend - My aunt passed away - Death of a high school friend (and my best friend's boy friend)               [I think that's about it.. not a whole lot though right? JK] In that time, one of THE most important lessons I've learned is God is in control.  I've never considered my self to be prideful, but this past week the sermon was about humility.  And I can truly say the year of 2011 has been a year of humility.  God has consistently and conscientiously reminded me that I can't do it on my own.  In the past, I feel like I've gotten by being "happy" through friends, life, and external things of this world.  It's almost like until we are broken, our life will be self-centered, self-reliant; and our strength will be our own.  It's in that time of brokenness we remember w

 Joyce Meyer had a good sermon the other day about “why”.  WHY -  is there child sexual abuse? a young woman at 25 who passes away unexpectedly? a child is born disabled?  What Joyce says is we are not able to answer those questions – only God knows.  But Joyce says what she does know is that God gives us grace and strength to go through these situations.    Well here's another one.  Why does a 27 year old man die one week after taking his bar exam; 3 months after graduating law school and why did his girl friend, one of my best friends, have to be the one that found him?  I don't know the answer to any of those questions and I won't know on this side of heaven- I'm sure of it.  But I know God has a purpose and a plan and I know that He is going to heal my girl friend through this difficult time.  And I'm writing this to ask you to join me faithfully in prayer for healing and comfort for my friend, Michelle, and for Ryan's family.  Thank you! “For men

One of my guy friends asked me the other day, "Lynne, why is it that you're friends with all the good guys but you never date them?"  To which I responded, "I guess it's because the good guys never pursue me."  The next day, one of the people I follow on twitter wrote: "To all the single women wondering where all the decent guys are:  they are in the friend zone- right where you left them." So it really got me thinking about the guys that I am friends with versus the guys I date. Why am I attracted to the guys I date versus these amazing guys I call my friends?  I mean, clearly whatever I've been doing hasn't been working out..  It's not like I'm dating these horrible guys-  I'm not.  I've definitely had my fair share of bad apples but not all of my exes are like that. I guess my purpose in writing this is just to tell other women to really evaluate what you want in a relationship and don't budge.  If you are ABSO

Thanks to a friend, I read this fabulous article about trimming people out of your life that aren't really "friends".  I told her how much I absolutely loved it because there comes a time in life when you have to let go of all the pointless drama and the people who create it and surround yourself with people who make you laugh so hard that you forget the bad and focus solely on the good.  After all, life is too short to be anything but happy. Recently, I did a lot of what this article calls "trimming the friend fat" and I can say I have never been happier (in Houston at least) then what I am right now.  I still have a ways to go, but I'm beginning to find 'me'.  Let me share part of a letter my best friend, Chelsea, sent to me: "I just wanted to let you know that you are an amazing person. I am so happy to have found a friend like you. You have one of the most generous, non-judgmental hearts of anyone I have ever met and that truly endears

A girl in my Bible study painted an incredible picture of faith last night during study.  She said faith is like standing at the top of a 10 meter diving board and looking down at a waterless pool.  God says "jump and trust that I will fill the pool with water before you get there." Would you jump? To be honest, I don't think I would.  I get scared jumping from the 10 meter when there is water below me!  And asking me to jump with no water?!?!  I just don't think I could do it. That fact, that feeling is hard for me to deal with/swallow, because I know I've trusted God in the past and He has been faithful.  But have I really said, "ok God I trust you COMPLETELY.  Where you lead I will follow"? No, I haven't.  You know why?  Because I'm afraid of where He'll send me.  What if He says "Go to Haiti and be a missionary", "quit your job and go work with the homeless"?  The truth is I trust God just enough to follow His path

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.    1 Peter 5:8  My parents' pastor shared a story about back in the late 80s, when he was in Dallas, Texas a group of about 50 ministers met to talk about the war on drugs. One minister’s wife stood up and spoke to all of us about her own story. She told them about her addiction to Valium and prescription drugs and how it almost destroyed her marriage and her husband’s ministry.    Addiction can happen to anyone. And as I look around today, I see so many people with so many addictions. There are drugs, yes. But there’s also addiction to work; there’s addiction to social media; there’s addiction to pornography; there’s addiction to sports, to name just a few. Addiction can be to anything that owns you and owns your affections. And today’s passage tells us that addictions that steal away our rational thoughts are evil and cripple us in spiritual battle

They say two things in life are certain: death and taxes.  And yet, when some one dies, even when we know it's coming because of something like cancer, it doesn't make it easier.  My good friend reminded me that "Death will be a celebration for those who believe."  I have no doubt my Aunt Pat is celebrating with our maker in Heaven right now, but I'm still upset that she is gone.  I'm still in mourning. This has been a tough year, and it's hard to see people hurting like my family.  Praise the Lord I'm in such a better place right now than I was two months ago when I first heard about my aunt's diagnosis because I know that this too shall pass... WHAT CANCER CANNOT DO Cancer is so limited... It cannot cripple love  It cannot shatter hope It cannot corrode faith It cannot destroy peace It cannot destroy confidence It cannot kill friendship It cannot suppress memories It cannot silence courage It cannot invade the soul It cannot steal eternal lif

Live life to the fullest, whatever it brings you.

I've said this before, and I'm saying it again, "Love is not enough to make a relationship last". I never watch the Bachelor or Bachelorette, but last night some of my girlfriends got together to watch it, so I joined.  They were sweet enough to fill me in on everything that has happened this season since I don't watch.  And then I saw that Emily was coming back to speak... My room mate also loves the Bachelor/Bachelorette so last year I heard Emily's story.  I was interested having lost my boyfriend my freshman year of college in a car accident so I wanted to watch her interview last night.  In her interview, you could tell she genuinely cared for Brad saying that she still loved him but that it just wasn't enough to make it work.  It takes respect, honesty, and time combined with that love.  What she said is true, no matter how much two people WANT to make something work, sometimes, that is not enough. Spend time appreciating your partner for the uniq

Ok, I have to say this past weekend was the first time I had a REAL glimpse at what it means to be a parent.  I had the chance to see my sweet baby niece, Brynleigh and I just can't describe HOW much I LOVE that little girl.  It's scary to think that if/when I have become a mom myself that I am going to love my child more than I love her.  It also helps that she is an ABSOLUTELY AMAZING baby!  She didn't cry once!!! In fact, I loved her so much I'm switching part of my schedule around to go back there and see her again soon! Enjoy pics below!  Car ride to the baseball game!  Definitely my sister's baby!  Just chillin'  Not a baseball fan (:  at least not yet  Laughing at Aunt Linnie Love her more than I could have ever imagined! It takes a special person to be a parent.  I have so much more respect for them after this weekend!  What an honor and special gift from God.  "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart fro

 A friend of mine forwards inspirational emails to me from her AA group.  If you know me, you know I love reading daily affirmations, Godly inspirations, things of that sort to start my day.  This is the one she sent me today and I LOVE it! I don't make assumptions. Assumptions are nothing more than lies that I'm telling myself. Not making assumptions gives me immunity in the interaction that I have with myself, with my own voice of knowledge.

"It is not scientific doubt, not atheism, not pantheism, not agnosticism, that in our day and in this land is likely to quench the light of the gospel. It is a proud, sensuous, selfish, luxurious, church-going, hollow-hearted prosperity." Frederic D. Huntington Forum magazine, 1890    This past weekend was A) ABSOLUTELY AMAZING !!!  God could not have blessed me more at a more perfect time.  He knew exactly what I needed and the people that I needed around me. B) it was also very convicting of where I fall short as a Christian.   First off, my girl friends Lara and Lauren are two women that God brought into my life for a reason.  I am better for knowing them.  And the two of them truly blessed my life and gave me so much joy!  We had intellectual talks about God and the way he uses people and circumstances in our life to show His love.. We prayed together.. Cried together.. and had tons of laughs.  I can not wait to see these two women again in the near future and kn

In my bible study we have girls reminding the other girls of God's love for them.  These girls are REALLY blessing my life and surrounding me with encouragement!!  Thank you for all you do! " In the multitude of his anxieties within me, His comforts delight my soul. "  Psalm 94:19 Not only can God comfort us to neutral but He can delight us with His comforts.  May your day be filled with His Delight!! Don't strive "to be happy".  Strive to be JOYFUL .  No one can steal that from you!  "The Joy of the Lord is my strength!"

“Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress ….” Hebrews 12:1b No matter how hard we try we cannot win every race we enter, but it’s a certainty that if we don’t enter the race, we will absolutely never win.   It is just as much a certainty that if we enter the race and give it our utmost effort, then we may not win, but we will never be defeated.  If you want to finish the race of life, if you want to make it to the finish line, you’re going to have to let go of some things that may be holding you back in the race. Call it de-cluttering; call it simplifying; there are some things that need to be laid aside in order to finish well. What kind of things am I talking about? Any thing that holds you back from ABUNDANT JOY.  The things that cause you to get discouraged. Think of it this way. If you attach one light bulb to a battery, the battery will

Blaming God for evil is like blaming the sun for darkness. -Pastor Rick Warren Just like one of my previous post when I talk about how God doesn't put obstacles in out path, the evil one does, God also brings you out if you are faithful.  I have been doing so good lately.  God has truly drawn me in closer to Him and comforted me.  Monday my counselor told me she can even see an huge improvement in my feelings towards Houston and this light from with in me!!  [side bar:  I think everyone should try counseling, even if it's once a month.  It is SO SO healing!!]  Since then it's been a little bit of a speed bump, but like my friend Brian said, can't let it steal my joy. God loves you SO much!!!  He is there for you!  He loves you SO much he died for you!!  I'm reading Crazy Love in my Bible Study right now and it is amazing .  Francis Chan in the coordinating DVDs talks about the first time he really got the Gospel.  Picture this, Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane cry

This past weekend, I got to be a part of one of my best friend's wedding!  It was beautiful!!  Amber has never really had a serious boyfriend, so when Shawn came around, I knew he was something special, and I was right.  The two of them make each other better people.  They are loving, great spirited, kind-hearted people, that have different personalities that compliment each other.  And as Shawn describes her, she just understands him (: I was blessed to get to see the card he wrote to Amber for their wedding day and how he felt about her.  He's been holding out and waiting for the right girl and when God introduced the two of them, he knew he'd found her.  He is just so sweet. I have to say THE BEST part of the wedding was the reunion of my friends!!!  Some of my best friends from college and Dallas were in town and it was perfect timing for me to be around my girl friends!  I will post pics soon but just have to say how much I love Mr. and Mrs. Cox and I'm so exci

"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me."  We all heard that growing up and we all know it's not true.  Words can pierce your heart like a dagger and bring you down.  And Ladies, we especially have a hard time with this.  So let me just encourage you and say, you are more. I have had people say things that preyed on my own insecurities and brought me down because I re-evaluated my self-worth.  Then there are times some mean things are said that I know absolutely aren't true and those don't hurt.  It's because I know that's not who I am.  I know I am daughter to a Holy King who loves me and sees everything about me before it ever happens. I know when people judge off a perceived image it's usually based on other factors. So I say to you, do not lets words dictate how you see yourself or worse yet, how you feel about yourself.  Worry about what God thinks.  The opinions of other people have no eternal consequences.  The time

You know that saying, when one door closes, God opens another.   Or sometimes things have to fall apart so something better can fall together?   What about, It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it.  But it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives? I've seen all of those in my past and the past of others.  And I cling to them often when things don't go just as 'I had planned'.  Each holds true to relationships, work, life, even where we live and in the tragedies of life.  And what it the thing you lost ends up being what you're brought back to?  I have a girlfriend that was laid off from Katy ISD with all of Texas' big education cuts at the end of last year.  A few weeks ago they asked her to come back!  Praise the Lord the same door that was closed was opened again! What about relationships?  Can it work there too?  Absolutely!!  My mom and her husband were broken up for at least a m

Tuning in to God by Rick Warren “God does speak—sometimes one way and sometimes another—even though people may not understand it.” Job 33:14 (NCV) God designed you to hear his voice. In a sense, there is a “receiver” in you that allows you to get guidance from God. What channels does God use? The primary way that God speaks is through the Bible. This is why we need to read the Bible every day

Ever since I moved to Houston I knew that I was going to LOVE First Baptist Church!  And I have!  I love the pastor, the music, the people!  However, the young single life is lacking and I find myself in a similar position as I was in Dallas. In Dallas, I LOVED the Village Church, and still do!  Matt Chandler was literally hand-picked by God to do what he does and touch thousands of people's lives.  But the single life at the Village Church was lacking- amazing marriage ministry- but hard to get plugged in as a young single..  Meantime, I was attending the Porch at Watermark Church on Tuesday nights, making tons of friends with young singles, and my Bible study was predominately girls from Watermark church. Like I said, I'm in the same predicament.  My bible study are girls from Second Baptist, and this past weekend I was with a group of amazing girls and guys from Second Baptist..  I just feel like those are the people I can really do "life" with.  So I may try out

"You can spend too much.  You can save too much.  But you can never give too much." Gregg Matte, Senior Pastor at Houston's First Baptist (it might not have been those exact words, but it was close) Yesterday's sermon talked about Mary POURING perfume on the feet of Jesus before he was to be killed out of John 12.  And the picture of how much she was GIVING . "Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." - Luke 6:38 You know when you get a bag of chips, and open them up, and all of the chips are down at the bottom and there's nothing but air in the top half of the bag? I always feel like I'm getting ripped off! Why don't they just make those bags smaller?  When it comes to giving, there are so many Christians who give just like that. On the outside, they make it look like they're giving a lot. But in r

Peter swore, "A curse on me if I'm lying—I don't know the man!" And immediately the rooster crowed. – Matthew 26:74 Peter's denial of Jesus did not happen over a period of seconds or minutes, but over a period of hours. An hour had passed from the time the first person said, "You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean," to the time Peter made his second denial. He had ample opportunity to hightail it out of there, but he remained in this situation. It just reminds us of the fact that no person is safe from temptation except the one who flees from it. Peter, having been warned by Jesus himself, of all people, should have avoided any place where he could be weakened. He definitely should have steered clear of all roosters. I would have said, "Are there any roosters here? Because I'm leaving if there are. The Lord mentioned a rooster." Greater men and women of God than most of us certainly have been compromised by lowering

One of my grandfather's best friend's sent this to me.  It's simply amazing: Tour boats ferry people out to the USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii every thirty minutes.  We just missed a ferry and had to wait thirty minutes. I went into a small gift shop to kill time.  In the gift shop, I purchased a small book entitled, "Reflections on Pearl Harbor"  by Admiral Chester Nimitz.    Sunday, December 7th, 1941--Admiral Chester Nimitz was attending a concert in Washington D.C. He was paged and told there was a phone call for him. When he answered the phone, it was President Franklin Delano Roosevelt on the phone.  He told Admiral Nimitz that he (Nimitz) would now be the Commander of the Pacific Fleet.    Ad