Words & Actions

I've been convicted lately to talk about words and actions. In the battle between which is more important I feel it is a tie. The two must work together to make it really count. If you always talk but don't follow through, it doesn't mean much. You've fluffed your potential but you haven't done the most important and hardest part yet... you haven't shown it. It's easy to just talk. In the same light, if you always act a certain way but don't communicate well, there is not much encouragement there either. You create inconsistency and confusion. The two must work together... communicating clearly with words that fit and carrying things out in actions. Without the consistency of both working together, things seem superficial and incomplete.

Words are powerful and can be dangerous because it can easily hinder or mislead others. But at the same time, words can be used to be uplifting. There is something deeply special about receiving encouragement from the ones God places close to your heart. When my days are not the brightest, God uses the close people in my life to remind me of their love and the love of God.

It is truly a sight to come across individuals that connect in their words and actions because it is rare. Although most people don't seem to be too concerned with being transparent and real... I hope choosing words and acting in a way that would really bring glory to God would be a challenge for us all.

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5

Today is my parent's 25th anniversary :) I am so blessed to have gotten the parents that I have. What a treasure it is to have ones that truly love you and ones that lead you to be the best you can be through the love they give. I really thank them for teaching me what commitment means as I've watched them stick together in some of the roughest situations but also seen their joys in being together for the better times. I love my parents for being such honorable individuals. They are polite and respectful, they are honest and sincere. My parents have listening ears and open hearts. I love how trustworthy they are and I honor how much they persevere. My parents stand and work for 12 hour days, 6 days a week and gain the bare minimum. They rarely do things for themselves and always place my brother and I before all else. They may not be the richest with money, but they have my deepest thanks and my deepest form of respect. I cannot do justice in describing how much I love them with words. I am so thankful to God for blessing me with such gems. My parents really are the best in the whole wide world. :)

To them... CHEERS ♥

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10

It is amazing what God can do. If you are struggling through something that seems like it'll never pass, press on. There really are times in my life where I honestly think there will be no end to the pain. Sometimes it really is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But be assured of one thing. God is faithful. He will take care of you and he truly does make all things work together for our good. The reward God places at the end of the suffering will honestly overpower any hurt. He'll reveal that hurt was necessary for growth and you truly will have discovered something to be a better servant.

Just always remember to rely on Christ through good times and bad. Fully trusting in him to make things right is worth the pain and the wait. His love never fails.

"And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

—Luke 18:7-8

There is always hope with God. 

Ten days till Christmas :)

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Tan

What would you have tomorrow if you only received what you gave God thanks for the day before?

It is easy to forget all the little things we are blessed with. We often forget to be thankful for the ability to speak, have healthy limbs, or even the people in our lives that make living even more of a blessing. It gets easier to complain rather than remember what Christ has done for us.

It is amazing what God created for us. The structure of family and even the thought of having such intricate relationships, all based off of the relationship we have with Christ. For such an intentional God, it only makes sense that he knew what he was doing when he gave us the moms we have, the specific father and even the siblings we complain about, fully knowing we love none like them. What I've realized with this is that I forget that as sinful as we are and as sinful this world is, how can our relationships not be affected by sin too?

I see that in the depths of my heart I have longed for perfect relationships. Not saying I desire perfect people but have you ever asked yourself, why is he like that? Why does she do this. Why can't they do this or how could they do that... the list goes on and on. At the end of the day, it's not about discovering people's imperfections because trust me, you'll find them. It's engaging in relationships that really acknowledge who you are and who you want to be. Understanding that, people who desire to love and care for you enough to help carry you from the sinful state and walk with you to the joys of being Christ-like are gifts from God.

When you've lost sight of the road through hurt or confusion, just turn to God because he will carry your burdens and light your way. He will make right what needs to be fixed. Just never stop asking & keep fighting.

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Philippians

Philippians is one of my favorite books in the bible. For such a short book I gain encouragement and knowledge that can honestly last me a lifetime. I think starting to read the bible was one of the toughest things because at times it can get boring. It can also be overwhelming because there is a lot of content to sift through. But when you do find the time to read a chapter or even a verse a day, the bible truly does provide fuel for the way. [Anyone enjoy that unplanned rhyme? :)] I just want to share a few excerpts from Philippians that really nourish my walk with God.

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe"

Philippians 2:14-15

"I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me."

Philippians 1:23-26

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Philippians 2:1-4

"Finally, brothers, 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

Philippians 4:8-9

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." 
Philippians 4:13

There will always be battles. But do not let the sins of this life & the struggles of this world outshine the beauty of God within all of us

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Armour

It gets burdensome facing all the problems life has to offer. It gets even harder to continuously be strong in a world of chaos and confusion. When there is a struggle in your life that relentlessly comes back day after day, a hopeless feeling arises that spreads like poison in your mind. But don't let yourself fall to sin. Look to god. There comes a surge of strength from something unseen and that is God's love for you. You are reminded why you fight all these struggles in life. That one purpose is to glorify God. Instead of giving up because you find no hope, remind yourself that God's love will rescue you from anything. Equip yourself from temptation and sin through constant prayer and remember that God's love will redeem all.

"What is impossible with men is possible with God" 
Luke 18:27

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Your Love Never Fails

"Your Love Never Fails"—Jesus Culture

By Your Side

Why are you striving these days

Why are you trying to earn grace

Why are you crying

Let me lift up your face

Just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love

Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough

To where will you go child

Tell me where will you run

To where will you run

And I'll be by your side

Wherever you fall

In the dead of night

Whenever you call

And please don't fight

These hands that are holding you 

My hands are holding you

-Tenth Avenue North; By your Side


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"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

 This passage never gets old to me. Every time I read it I learn something new. If I fail at all else in this world and in this life, but can succeed at one thing, I want to be able to love like this. To all strangers and friends, to my family and my significant other, and to the one and only God above, who already masters this special kind of love and shows us everyday.

Today is my daddy's birthday!
Happy birthday to my loving papa

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Perfection

Just a thought I was inspired to share :) When I want to remember what perfection is I look to God. The definition of perfection is something that satisfies all requirements, being completely accurate with nothing missing, no flaws or defects, it is beyond compare and has no equal. God is unchanging, loves unconditionally, he's just and always remains faithful in all and any circumstance. When we look to something greater, beyond our imperfectness, we see God who embodies what perfect is and what perfect should mean. It shouldn't be dictated by the outward appearances but of what is within. 

Perfection has no numbers. It is not about your height, the width of your waist, your bust line, the symmetry of your face or any other insignificant feature. Beauty honestly comes in all shapes and sizes. People even have different opinions on what a perfect appearance is. The list is endless. It makes me sad when men and women then go out to get these "perfect" bodies. If there is not one set of characteristics that define a "perfect body" it simply shows there is no such thing.


Of course it is hard not to be sucked into the standards the world constantly places on people. But there is a greater truth that remains. I've learned to look to God whenever the world becomes too much and even when it's not. There comes a point when the things people say and expect shouldn't matter. If we are perfect in the eyes of a perfect God, what else, or who else, should matter? We are all beautiful to God and created exactly how he desired. So smile and shine on you beautiful people.

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THE START

HOOLIGAN PEES [hoo-li-guh'n-pees]

I started this blog with the intention of sharing my love for Christ. It is a way to share my interests, thoughts and joys :)

Image Courtesy of Natalie Song

I've learned that I can't lose anything with Christ nor gain anything better.

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