Surprised

I've lived in sunny San Diego now for 1 year, 8 months and 20ish days...and it wasn't until just a few weeks ago, when my dear friend Meg came to visit, that I finally rode the old roller coaster down at mission beach. This is hard to believe due to my love of the beach, roller coasters and screaming/laughing hysterically on said roller coasters! Perhaps I waited because the roller coaster looked old and rickety or because I thought it would cost too much money or because I didn't have anyone to ride with me...all lame excuses that kept me from experiencing the thrill of the Giant Dipper. Let me tell you, this roller coaster caught me extremely off guard. I mean I was expecting a nice laid back ride. I even planned on having my hands in the air the entire time...yeah right. By the end I was gripping onto my phone and lap bar for dear life, screaming my brains out! (If you live in Seattle and are reading this...it is definitely worth the $8 ticket price and we will be riding it when you come and visit!)

My favorite part has to be the pics you see below. At the top of the roller coaster there is a magnificent view of the beach and of course I risked my life to try and capture the moment...unfortunately, I was rushed and the sun was preventing me from seeing the phone clearly, so I ended up with pics of meg and I, rather than the scenery below! Too funny...I guess I'll just have to ride it again :)

love meg's expression...sheer joy!

we survived!

I love surprises. I love when you have an idea in your head of what you think something will be like...or how it will go...or maybe no thought about it at all and then "bam!" suddenly you're taken by surprise, knocked off your feet, blindsided. Of course, it's always nice when its a "good" surprise...something that brings you more joy than you though possible in that moment in time. 

Life has been filled with good surprises recently...blessings that I know are gifts from God. 

"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him." Matt 7:10 

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

When we pray, we are aligning ourselves with God's purposes, we are asking for his provision...for our basic needs to be met. We pray for the desires of our heart to align with God's plan...for him to use us in his unfolding redemptive story...to make us fit for service in his kingdom. God knows exactly what we need to accomplish his purposes and he will not withhold good gifts from his children who seek him and his will. What a comfort and peace to know that the God of the universe knows me intimately and that he is shaping the desires of my heart to conform with his and that he is continuously blessing me beyond my imagination with a job I love, Christian community, encouraging friendships, a warm and inviting house and nearby beach...along with the continual transformation of my own character as he molds and shapes me in his image to bring him glory.

With gratitude I offer my life back to him as an act of worship; an attempt to bring him glory, proclaiming his good name and works...pointing others to him. I am to live generously...giving good gifts to those around me: my students, roommates, friends, family, and church body. 

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." Romans 12:9-13

Lord, help me to seek you and your purposes first; to ask for great things to be done in your name. Continue to surprise me with your love, joy and hope that comes from knowing and following your will. May my faith increase because of your generosity and faithfulness and may I continue to share your love to bless those you place in my life. 

saturdays

I love saturday mornings...

waking up to the sun shining through my window

sipping coffee and reading in my cozy bed

breakfast outside on the patio

and sometimes going back to bed for a mid-morning nap

It's the one day of the week that I don't feel guilty for being lazy with no set agenda, 

just resting after a long week of work and craziness.

beauty

Something worth sharing....

"Women are their own worst beauty critics," Dove says. "Only 4% of women around the world consider themselves beautiful...we decided to conduct a compelling social experiment that explores how women view their own beauty in contrast to what others see."

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. - Confucius

How do we define beauty...

: the quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing 

that gives pleasure to the senses or 

pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit : loveliness

: a particularly graceful, ornamental or excellent quality

Beauty is such a difficult word to define. We all have different perceptions of what is beautiful. Sure, the pop culture version of physical beauty is splashed all over TV, magazines, and the internet, but then most people would refer to another beauty that stems from a person's character and spirit, rather than physical appearance. Unfortunately, women feel tremendous pressure to present themselves as physically attractive and focus so much time, energy and money on their outward appearance. I am just as guilty of this as the next woman. 

Natural beauty takes at least two hours in front of a mirror - Pamela Anderson

While I disagree with Pamela Anderson's thoughts on natural beauty, I can't help but feel convicted by the amount of time that I spend thinking about the way I look and how others perceive me based on my appearance. When I stop and reflect on why I am concerned with my appearance it usually comes back to desiring the approval of others. What's ironic is that I feel ugly just confessing that sinful motivation. Focusing on outward appearance and "put-togetherness" as I like to call it, can be a huge distraction from true beauty that comes from knowing God and reflecting his character. My first and foremost concern should be God's approval...not something I have to earn, but something I can rest in knowing that he loves and accepts me as I am, and is constantly calling and enabling me to a higher standard of living and character that ultimately reflects his love and beauty...a beauty of the spirit that is much more attractive than any dress, hairstyle or body. 

"Do not let your adorning be external-the braiding of hair 

and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear- 

but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart 

with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, 

which in God's sight is very precious." - 1 Peter 3:3-4

The "hidden person of the heart" is imperishable and worth focusing my time and energy on. When I think of the reasons I want someone to be attracted to me, it isn't my outward beauty, but my character and desire to love and serve God and others. These past few months I've been intentionally meditating on scripture to help align my attention and desires regarding beauty and character with God's Word. 

"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, 

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

-Proverbs 31:30

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away,

our inner self is being renewed day by day.

-2 Cor 4:16

Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.

-Ps 34:5

"Strength and dignity are her clothing,

and she laughs at the time to come."

-Proverbs 31:25

"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, the but the Lord looks on the heart.'"

-1 Sam 16:7

Lord, help me to see myself and others as you see us...you look on the heart, not on our outward appearance. I don't want to be distracted by the idol of performance and approval of others, help me to focus on you and the inward transformation that comes from knowing and obeying your word. Cultivate within me an inner beauty that radiates your character...your generosity, peace, patience, love and humility.