Idolitry

Last night at my church, The Austin Stone, the Pastor gave a really eye-opening message about idolitry. When I think of that word, I'm reminded of the story in the bible about Moses worshiping the golden cow. And like I'm sure some of y'all have thought, I think, "there is no way I'd ever worship some dumb golden cow.." But what the Pastor showed us last night is that idols are way more then statu...es we could worship. An idol is anything we put above God. Girls, this includes personal worth. The need to be accepted. Something we obsess over is something we put ABOVE God. Image isn't usually thought of as an idol, but it actually is!! Everyday we want to feel accepted by our family, our friends, teachers, even strangers. We seek acceptance that we're beautiful, that we're successful, that we're smart, etc. We, as girls, just want to feel love. And we are constantly looking to the World to fill this spot in our heart with love. Some of us especially focus on how we, and other people, see our bodies. We have a constant struggle with being happy and feeling value. And God wants us to be happy, but when we put other things above Him we can't feel that happiness. We can search our whole lives to feel accepted and loved, but God is the only one who can show us what that really feels like.

Look at Hollywood, for example. Movie stars are beautiful, successful, have good bodies, and are loved by many many people. If they really have 'it all,' then why are they constantly showing up in magazines for depression, drugs, divorces, and just in general not seaming to be happy?! It's because they have a false sense of love. And the journey to find the World's love and approval has left them even more empty then before. Now I just want to clarify: I'm not against working out, eating healthy, dressing cute, and wearing make up or anything like that! Use what God's given you!! And take care of your body, working out is beneficial to your health and eating well is just as important. However, when we focus on these things more then we do God we will never be happy or feel the true love God designed us to feel.

So, put God first and you will be happier then you ever though you could be. Never put another idol before Him and you will find the true meaning of love. 

XOXO

STRONG, inside and out

As I'm sure somebody has noticed, I didn't post that much this summer. I was away for a lot of the summer, growing and getting stronger in my beliefs and strengths.

First, I want to talk about spiritual strength. As I've mentioned before, beauty starts on the inside. So does spiritual beauty. I attended a camp this summer called Summit Ministries, best two weeks of my life! (I highly suggest it, http://www.summit.org/conferences/student/) The Summit's goal is to equip young adults to live a life of faith and give them the information they need to defend what they believe. Not only do you aquire a bunch of information but they also challenge you beyond belief, which is a very important aspect in growing stronger. I feel so much more prepared to face the world now that I'm STRONG and equiped in what I believe and know.

Secondly, I think it's very important for girls to be strong phsyically as well.. Growing up, I spent many years in Martial Arts classes, I am now a black belt, and I feel that it's crucial for girls to experience growing in strength in a physical way. Who says being able to defend yourself is just for guys? Cause to me, it's just as important, probably even more, for girls to be able to defend themselves cause as I'm sure you've found out, the world is not filled with only good guys. And being able to defend yourself also brings an extreme amount of confidence. Maybe you won't find confidence through martial arts, like I did, but whatever sport or physical activity it is. I encourage you to get up and get active! Build up more then just your spiritual strengths, build up the body you've been blessed with. Don't sit around feeling depressed about the jeans you can't button anymore or even regretting that one more cookie you ate. Life is about so much more than trying to be what hollywood views as 'perfect.'  Life is about fufilling the plan God has for your life, and staying healthy and fit is just as important as growing in wisdom from His word. So I encourage every one of you to join a sport, make a goal to run some everyday or maybe go swim some laps. As well as growing in God's word. Watch as you grow STRONGER in many aspects of your life and be the light that shines a bit different than all the rest! :)



XOXO!

Fear. Do YOU let it define you?

Fear.. it can define us. It can make us or break us.

We fear the world, we fear our peers, we fear our parents, our teachers, and even our friends. Most of all we fear what people think of us. Yet, do we fear God?

After being at a conference this week called Desperation (amazing conference, check it out: http://desperationonline.com/conference.jsp?ID=3) I realized just how much fear I have in my heart. And that fear is keeping me from realizing my true potential.

Last week I heard this Bible verse and it really showed me that we do not need to have fear, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"- Romans 8:31

It's easy to fear what the world thinks of us, but imagine how freeing it would feel to not have to fear the world?! Well.. here is a shocker.. It.Is.Possible.

That's right, when we give our insecurities to God we don't have to fear what the world thinks about us anymore. Is it easy? No. But, once you give it all to God you don't have to worry what the world is thinking about you because God knows you are beautiful and He made you just the way He wanted. 

Love God, love yourself, and love everything God has given you!

XOXO

P.S. Confidence is hot ;)

"Get Gorgeous"

I was just chilling at home, getting ready to watch a movie and relax with some tea. As I was brewing my tea I noticed the name of the tea was, "Get Gorgeous." I started reading the description and it spoke to me. It said, "Let's get one thing clear. True beauty comes from within. But when it comes to clear skin, some of us can use a little help." This tea's purpose was to help with clear skin but they'd gotten something really right, true beauty comes from within. Sometimes we do need a little help though keeping beautiful. That's why it is important to take care of your body from the inside out!

I recently learned that green tea helps you sweat less, stay younger, lowers cancer risks, boosts your immune system, helps with weight loss, reduces tooth decay, fights allergens in your body and helps fight infections. Who knew just a cup of green tea every morning could help with all that?

I also learned that apple cider vinegar has lots of gorgeous benefits.. such as: reducing sinus infections and sore throats, curing skin conditions like acne, protecting against food poisoning, preventing muscle fatigue after working out, increasing stamina, increasing metabolism and promoting weight loss, and fighting allergies. It's a lot less appetizing, but just one spoon full in the morning can help enhance your natural beauty. I'm taking advantage of that!

When being beautiful comes to mind, remember that you don't need to spend hours in front of the mirror perfecting your self when pure natural beauty is what the main focus should be. Because looks will fade, I promise!

Stay beautiful, through both health and personality. Let your light shine bright <3

Xoxo

~Inspiration~

The definition of inspiration is: The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative: "flashes of inspiration".


What inspires you? Is it family or friends? Image or statis quo? Emotions or feelings? What about what the World? 


Honestly, I'm all for looking to the World for inspiration. Let it show you just how NOT to be. Do you see those bratty girls on TV worried about nothing but partying and getting boys? Let that be inspiration to be a better person than that. Do you see those anorexic sick girls on the runway or those obese people laying on their couch? Let that be inspiration to become neither, but instead healthy and fit. Find something that can inspire you.


What inspires you? 


Xoxo

One Minute and 14 Seconds to Change Your Mind..

Watch this video and you'll be amazed at all the editing and work that goes into one girls cover shoot. This one minute and 14 seconds of your life could change the way you feel about everything from now on out. This what 'true' beauty has come to; all editing and barely any real beauty.

Still believe everything you see in magazines and adds?

XOXO

What Does Beauty Mean to YOU?

What is beauty? Is it being brave and not wearing make up for a day? Is it telling someone they are beautiful, just to be nice? Is it getting that cute boy to notice you? Is it winning the Most Popular award? The World tells us how to be beautiful... on the outside..

So this question arises... what does beauty mean to you? Does it matter if your eyes are too small, your nose too big, your lips to small? It shouldn't, but most of America would answer YES it does. Truth is, it doesn't and it shouldn't. TRUE beauty comes from the inside. Are you being kind and thoughtful of others? Following God's plan for your life instead of your own? Are you confident of who you are? Not worrying about what others think and achieving your personal goals for God? Beauty comes when you love God and you love your life!

I promise you, people will notice when you change from worrying about what the World thinks of your beauty to knowing you are beautiful because YOU are God's creation and he makes no mistakes. Does this mean never wear make up again? No way, use what God gave you! Everything is good in moderation though, and ask yourself why you wake up 20 minutes early every day just to make sure your makeup reaches perfection. Is it to impress that hottie in your math class? Or even make your girlfriends jealous because you are more 'beautiful'? Has being 'beautiful' by the World's standards consumed you so that's all you think about anymore?

Think about why you do what you do to become more 'beautiful'.. ask yourself if the people you're trying to impress will still like you when beauty fades away and personality is all that's left?

Follow God and take care of what he has given you. Try to focus on staying healthy and making sure you're beautiful on the inside and confident before you slather 2 pounds of make up on your face to impress the people that won't love you for who you are if they never see the TRUE you.

XOXO