What It's All About

Let's talk about blogging. 

I haven't been on this little blogging space in the longest time. 

Why you might ask? Because I have been really annoyed with blogs here recently. 

The blogs I used to follow are very concerned with how many followers they have, who they know in the blogging world, how much money they are making, how many sponsors they have, how good their pictures are, etc. And I got caught up in that for a while. I would constantly check and see how many people read my blog, or if my followers count went up. but that is not what this is about. 

 I was getting sucked into caring about numbers and who I knew. But that's not why I started to blog. I began blogging with the hope that this could be a place where I could reach people for Christ. Where I could be transparent and show people that life is not easy and perfect. It is hard and messy and that's ok. I wanted it to be a place where I was real with people. I want to share what God has been teaching me.

Cause lets face it, social media isn't all bad. The devil might use social media to his advantage, but as servants of Christ we could flip it around and use it to proclaim his name! How awesome is that?! Blogging for me is not about making myself look good. Blogging to me is to make Jesus look good. 

I want to be as intentional as possible with the time I have on this earth, and I don't want to ever be caught up with things that don't matter. 

Every single day, literally the only thing that matters is Jesus.

Only Jesus.

Always Jesus.

Teaching people to follow Christ is infinitely more important than having people follow you. 

I D O L S

I D O L S.

That big, ugly, bad word that starts with an I. 

This is what God has laid on my heart for the past week. This is what he has been whispering in my ear, telling me to give up, to let it go, to realize what is actually important in life. 

When I was younger, I thought that an idol was something that was made out of gold or wood, like the Old Testament describes. Like when Aaron made the people a golden calf to worship. Then, my pastor taught on idolatry a while back and it all seemed to click. 

An idol is ANYTHING that takes God's place in our lives. It could be a physical object, a person, or even a habit. But I want to take it a step farther...an idol is anything we think of or devote more time to than God. I'm just going to be real here: school, netflix, Matthew, and wedding planning has become my idols here recently in this season of my life. A few of those seem to be decent things to devote time to (wedding planning, school, and the fiance) but the other is just ridiculous (Gilmore Girls on netflix...I mean really? get yourself together Lacey. I may or may not have gotten through four seasons in a month.............) 

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape that you might be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry."

1 Corinthians 10:13-14

-------I used to always think of this verse as an encouragement to flee from temptation, and never went on to verse 14. But as I was studying, and went on to the next verse, I realized that it was saying this verse on temptation in relation to idols. God will always provide a way of escape from the idols in your life. They have no hold on you. 

Idolatry is that big ugly cloud that hides us from shining our light.

Idolatry is sin, and sin separates us from God, so obviously replacing him is sin. 

"Their idols are silver and gold,

the work of human hands.

They have mouths, but do not speak;

eyes but do not see.

They have ears, but do not hear;

noses but do not smell.

They have hands but do not feel;

feet but do not walk;

and they do not make a sound in their throat.

Those who make them become like them;

so do all who trust in them."

Psalm 115:4-8

I don't know about you, but I do not want to be like that verse described. 

I want to experience LIFE. All of life. And the ONLY way to experience this life to the fullest is through passionate, radical, undivided devotion to God. I don't want to spend this brief life chasing things of this world. Chasing idols and things that will make me numb to the Holy Spirit. 

If I do ANYTHING at all on this earth. I want to be devoted to my Savior. not kinda devoted to Him and kinda devoted to schoolwork. I refuse to allow Satan to come in and distract me. This life is wayyyyyy too short for distractions. 

I believe idolatry is a sneaky way for satan to come in and wreck havoc in our day to day lives.

You know, the devil is a sneaky guy. he is actually really beautiful and captivating. he is also really good at portraying a bad thing good, OR making something good be bad. Ever heard the saying "too much of a good thing is bad" or "not all good things are God things"? 

Gilmore Girls is not necessarily a bad show, but watching it when I should be spending time with God before I go to bed is a bad thing. And planning a wedding is a good thing! but too much time with it and stressing out about it is NOT a God thing. satan just gets in our heads, you know? 

The only way to prevent idolatry is time with our Savior. I really feel like this is all I post about...time with our Savior. Because how in the world are we going to fight the schemes of the devil if we are not digging deep into God's word and praying without ceasing? We guard ourselves with God's truth. and just think about it. How scary must it be to the devil to see all of Christs followers getting up every morning and putting on the armor of God. Then the devil is powerless! We will be this huge army standing up for Christ. Deliberately dying to self on the daily and living for Christ. His schemes will fail and God will get the glory. But how are we to do that when our main focus is elsewhere? on idols? 

"We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but the one who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are from God and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true;and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols."

1 John 5:18-21

If we are not for Christ 100%, we are against Christ 100%

We MUST die to self. Die to idols. 

and live life for the Savior of our souls. 

Shortness of Breath

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

-James 4:14

Have I ever mentioned that my mom is the greatest?

Well, she is. 

She drives me to school on Tuesdays & Thursdays because I really hate to drive. I love spending that time with her because it reminds me of the days when I went to the school where she teaches. We would ride to school together every morning and just talk. 

And now, that's what we do on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Today, as we were driving along, I told her some things I have been thinking of lately. And now I am going to share it with y'all.

Life is so short.

so

so

short.

Just yesterday I was in fifth grade in Mrs. Correll's class.

Just yesterday I was on my high school's theater stage singing and dancing.

Just yesterday was my first day of college.

Just yesterday..I got engaged.

When I was younger, I imagined being so old and mature the day I would turn 16 and get a car. I also believed that when I turned 18 that I would be a sophisticated adult (HA!) Then I also believed that when it was time for me to get married, that I would have it all together (hahahahah.....no. not true at all.)

Right before my eyes, life happened. Real, messy, sometimes-scary life. 

And what had I to prove for it?

Just an empty stare and gaping mouth that all this time really did just fly by.

What I realized was simply this: none of the "stuff" matters.

Only my relationship with Christ matters.

And how is my relationship with Christ?

Just like an other relationship.

Messy. I would love to say that it is so perfect and we're totally in sync. 

But here's the real deal: I screw up on a constant basis. I desire things of the world, which totally throws me off sync and leaves me feeling useless, and unwanted.(cause that's how the world wants you to feel). then I have a reality check like I have here in the past few days and realize that literally nothing matters except my Savior, and the people all around me He has given me to love. 

Life is so short. We have a shortness of breath. We were put here to love. To love without limits and to set our gaze on heaven. Believe it or not, we were not put on earth to have the latest fashion or do the latest, coolest things. And we were not put on earth to ensure that we get the latest gadgets like the new iphone 6. 

Life is intended to glorify God.(1 Corinthians 6:20)

Sometimes we just have to ask ourselves: Am I glorifying God right now. this very instant...

I don't want to get to heaven and realize that my whole life I have had my hands full of things of this world...clenched so tightly in my hands that they became chains. We have FREEDOM in the One who loves us!(Galatians 5:1) Let it go! (hehe! Frozen song! Sorry I had to)

Sometimes it's hard for me to rest in that freedom or believe that He really does love me...a-really-super-messed-up-ugly-sinner. someone who repeats her mistakes over and over again. someone who gets wrapped up in things and then becomes "miss independent" and tries to fix it herself. 

But He is beckoning us daily to come to Him. To lay it all down(Psalm 55:22). To pick up our cross (Luke 9:23) Only He knows the time in which our days will be up. We don't. It could be today. I want to glorify my Savior with everything I have and know in the end that everyday I consciously walked with Him and acknowledged Him.  

He knows our sin. He knows where our weak spots are and there is grace for that. But it is time to live as if today was our last day. 

That test you're freaking out about..I guarantee you God knows all the answers, just ask Him to help you. No need to stress.

That fight you just had with someone you love...go make up. It really isn't worth it in the light of eternity.

That issue at work...go pray over everything in your workplace! I know it seems silly, but prayer changes everything.

That person you're jealous of.... I mean this nicely,, get over it. God made you perfect with your own special abilities! (I tell myself to "get over it" all the time. actually Matthew has started to tell me too..haha!)

I don't know what you're going through, but I do know this..everyone is struggling with something. I don't care how "put together" or "perfect" they seem. But life too short to be worried or scared about anything (Philippians 4:6). God has got you. Your name is written in the palm of His hand(Isaiah 49:16). No scheme of the devil can touch you(1 John 5:18). 

You've got today.

Go live it confidently! 

Wedding Wednesday// "pinspiration"

I LOVE Wedding Wednesday.

Actually I just love Wednesdays in general because I don't have to go to school & I can catch up on homework and studying. 

This Wedding Wednesday I am going to share with you some of my wedding "pinspiration"

I won't be doing all of this exactly, I always put my own flair to it...but it has shaped the direction of how I want my wedding to look. 

So take a look at the pictures! 

It gives me butterflies thinking about this special day, and I want to savor every moment!

P.S. That ring in the last collage is my ring :)

DREAMY.

P.P.S. If you're reading this, Matthew...I love you. And I can't wait to marry you.

xoxo, 

the future Mrs. Lacey Beth Martin

Defeating Laziness

This past year, I have had the hardest time with laziness.

How awful does that sound? 

It is pretty awful, but its just the truth.

I don't know if it is college...

or feeling overwhelmed...

I'm not quite sure, but whatever it is, it makes me want to put on my fat pants, crawl in bed and watch a movie....while eating something yummy. (Can I get an amen? Or is that just me?)

When I looked at what the bible said about laziness, this is what I found:

Proverbs 20:4

Verse Concepts

The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, So he begs during the harvest and has nothing.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Laziness#sthash.JFlgVUQH.dpuf

Proverbs 6:9-11

⁹ How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
    When will you get up from your sleep?
¹⁰ A little sleep, a little slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to rest—
¹¹ and poverty will come on you like a thief
    and scarcity like an armed man.

Proverbs 18:9

⁹ Whoever is slack in his work
    is a brother to him who destroys.

Ephesians 5:14-17

¹⁵ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

When I read all of this, I was super convicted. 

I have been given life. Breath in my lungs.

So why am I using this life as my own?

He has given me a soul-to hunger after God

He has given me ears-to listen to his voice

He has given me a mouth-to proclaim his name

So why am I sitting here on my tush?

Our lives are too short to please ourselves. As my brother Paul put it so plainly..." We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves."-Romans 15:1

It may be relaxing, but I pray that we never be found sleeping on the job.
I don't think we will get to heaven and say "Sister, I wish I had slept more on earth!"
It just won't happen. Cause we were not called to be comfortable.
SO, get comfortable with being uncomfortable!
[[Preaching to my own heart here]]

Here is what I have had to do to defeat laziness.

1. Wake up early// there is just something about waking up early before the sun comes up and having those precious quiet moments

2. Start your day with a quiet time// FIRST THING--before you scroll through instagram, before you check emails, before anything. God deserves our first moments of waking up. Devoting our first thoughts on Him. 

3. Exercise// wowzers. This. I am not a fan of running, BUT ...I am learning to like it. Plus it starts your metabolism for the day! 

4. Clean&Organize// When my living place is in order, I feel like my life is in order. I know this is totally unreasonable, but its how I feel!

5. SMILE// When I am not laughing and kind of just going through the motions, I just really feel down, these are the moments that I want to curl up in a ball and hide in my room. Life is great, there are so many reasons to smile, so lets just smile and have the greatest day ever everyday! 

These are just a few, what do you do to defeat laziness? 

xoxo,

Lacey Beth

Proverbs 20:4

Verse Concepts

The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, So he begs during the harvest and has nothing.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Laziness#sthash.JFlgVUQH.dpuf

Proverbs 20:4

Verse Concepts

The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, So he begs during the harvest and has nothing.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Laziness#sthash.JFlgVUQH.dpuf

Thrifty Thursday: Colors & Polka Dots

Its thrifty Thursday again! 

I love thrifty Thursday because I am passionate about being a good steward of the money God has entrusted me. I feel like a lot of women think that if they get their clothes from Goodwill or any other second-hand shop, that their clothes will look raggedy and ugly but that is simply not true! I like the clothes I find while thrifting more than any clothes I see at the mall. And now, I can never seem to get myself to buy anything at the mall because I know I could get something like it at Goodwill for four dollars.

Here are some of my most recent favorite finds. 

I love the colors of this top. 

$7

Polka Dots is one of my FAVORITES.

$7

I love the bright colors and design of this dress. It is sure to pop out in a crowd. I am loving it as a modest summer dress!

$4

Some of my new favorite shorts. POLKA DOTS! :)

$6

My absolute favorite skirt.   $6

Paired with some blue suede shoes.   $10

And of course, Matthew's shirt was thrifted as well.   $5

Hope you an amazing Thursday! :)

xoxo,

Lacey Beth

Weekend Recap

 

Happy Monday friends!

I love Mondays because it means a fresh start.

A tabula rosa - clean slate.

 

I wanted to share a little bit about my weekend on this beautiful day!

It was a very relaxing weekend. Saturday night, Matthew and I made bruschetta together, watched a movie, and sat on the balcony while I worked on some blog stuff. (He's so sweet to sit with me while I'm focused on codes and such..what a keeper.)

 

Sunday was my favorite part of the weekend. My sweet friends from church just came back from Nicaragua and shared their testimonies. They even sang "Oceans" in English/Spanish. They learned it to sing for the people of Nicaragua. Seriously gave me goosebumps.

 

I couldn't stay for all of it because I went to help in the nursery with my mom, but would you just look at that sweet baby who fell asleep in my arms?! So precious!

 

After church my mom and I had some girl time. We went to the flea market, the mall, and thrifting at Goodwill. I wish we had gotten a picture together! I need more pictures with her. I have more fun with my mama than anyone. She just "gets" me! I love the friendship we share.

 

When I came home Matthew and I went for a walk with Lucy. She loves her little walks! A few years ago she broke her leg, and the only she could get around was if we bought her a doggy stroller...so we did! a cute pink doggy stroller. (Matthew is pushing it in above right picture). People mistake the stroller for a baby stroller at times and are mighty surprised when a bark comes out! :)

I love these long walks where we talk, and dream. It's refreshing to be away from our phones and only focused on each other, and the beauty of God's creation surrounding us. There's nothing better!

 

My verse for this weekend was Proverbs 20:5. I'm going to write a post about it tomorrow.

 

"The purpose of a man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out."

 

xoxo,

Lacey Beth



Favorite Books As Of Late

 

 Lately I have been such a bookworm.

I have had my nose stuck in a book every time I have had a chance!

I love getting lost in what I'm reading, especially when it is an amazing author who writes fluently and effectively in a way that entices you into another world away from your own. For just a day, an hour, a few minutes, a moment...you are away from the to-do lists and schedules and in another world.

 

Today I have listed some of my recent reads. One classic, one newbie, one oldie-but-goodie, and one life changer.

 

 

 

 

1. Radical by David Platt: This book made me think long and hard about the life I am living for my Savior. It calls you to live a life radically devoted to making much of Christ. Giving literally everything to Him. This includes finances, personal goals, possibly even where you live or what you do. It is a high calling to be a disciple of the Lord! I will read this book over and over again. David Platt gives all the glory to God and doesn't water down the word of God. He puts it as it is. I don't think all Christians realize how big of a calling we actually have! He also writes a sequel "Radical Together" which is a must-read as well.

 

2. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks: I have seen The Notebook but have never read the book, and let me tell you, the book is SO much better! I fell in love with Sparks style of writing and the hopeless romantic feel in his novels. He knows how to make women all over America swoon! Safe to say I want to read anything he has ever written now.

 

3.My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers: This is actually a devotional, but I had to add it. Oswald has a way of getting right to the heart of scripture. He takes Gods word at what it says and encourages the readers to leap out in faith daily.

 

4. Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers: This was the second book I read by Rivers. It was so good that I was finished with it in a day. I couldn't put it down! It is such an amazing story about how God adopts us, and shows us grace and love even if we deliberately disobey and run from Him.

 

There were about four more books I was just dying to write about but I am going to save it for another day!

 

Are there any books that you have been reading lately that you can't seem to put down? Any suggestions for me to read?

I'd love to hear from you!

 

xoxo,

Lacey Beth

 

 

Verse of the day:

 

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

-ephesians 5:1-2

 

Good Reads:

1.Make it Monday on Amy's blog had a great guest post on how to make Rice and Black Bean Summer Salad

 

2. Loved Rachel's post on how to Spruce Up Your Space!

 

3. Check out this awesome giveaway!

 

 

 

M.I.A.

Hey Y'all!

I'm so sorry I have been MIA for the past TWO WEEKS!!

I have been on vacation in Florida with my family.

It was a great time full of ocean, salty hair, and sandy toes, but I'm glad to be back home in the daily routine and back with my Matthew :)

Two weeks is TOO LONG.

 

I can't wait to share later this week about all of our adventures! But for now, I have to focus on work and spending time with the people who matter most.

Have an amazing week!

xoxo,

Lacey Beth

Matthew in Ministry

For the people who know us, this is old news.

But I haven't told my blog friends yet!

 

Matthew has surrendered his life to the ministry!!

He has ben praying about this for months, and we prayed for it together for a couple of weeks before he sent in his application and told our pastor.

 

Men in the church praying over Matthew

 

Now before I get into the details, I want to explain how this totally rocked my world in more ways than one.

First of all, I have wrote letters to "My future husband" since I was a little girl. I was encouraged to do this by youth leaders, mentors, and my parents. I have also included my future husband in many of my prayers growing up. For those of you who have followed my blog for a while now, you would know that I love to journal. I love to journal my prayers so I can look back on them and read where the Lord has brought me. Remember all He has done for me.

Anyways, I made a list in my journal of everything I wanted in a husband. Some of which included:

1. loves hugs

2. will dance with me

3. has a nice smile

4. loves Jesus

5. a youth pastor

(You can tell I was young by the qualifications I had set in my head...as you can see there was nothing like "can hold a job" or "can help pay bills")

What is so strange to me is why did I care that my husband be a youth pastor? No one in my family is a pastor, why did I just all of a sudden decide that I wanted that? I believe that desire was set in me by God. All throughout middle school and high school that's what I wanted. Someone who was planning to go into ministry. During that time, I got really into girls ministry and I wanted to be like my mentors and youth pastors wives when I got older. Especially after how much I struggled to live a life of following Christ wholeheartedly on my own. I knew I needed a mentor and I wanted to be that for other girls.

 

However, when I met Matthew, I didn't look for that qualification.

I don't know if I had given up or what.

But honestly, Matthew was everything I had ever prayed for. It was like all my prayers jumped off the page and became a person. And he was my person. I knew it from the beginning!

He was made for me, and I was made for him. I'm so thankful for God's provision in giving me such an amazing man!

Now for Matthews side of the story. He has always had a passion for kids/youth. So much so that he decided to go to school to be a middle school teacher! His passion for the youth, his passion for teaching, and his passion for Christ all collided and he made his decision to start praying about going into the ministry to be a youth pastor. (How cool is our God?!)

 

Anyways, with all this being said, I didn't tell Matthew about my letters or my prayers for him from when I was younger. God placed it on his heart. When he told me, I cried. I was a baby. I was in shock at God's amazing way of working in our lives separately and bringing us together to work for him.

 

Matthew announced that he was surrendering his life to the ministry two Sunday's ago at our church. He will be attending Mid America Seminary in the fall and will also have a full time job as a middle school teacher! I am so excited for him and can't wait to see where the Lord calls us with this new season of life.

 

picture he sent into Mid America :)

 

Snapped a few pictures of my man while we were having a bible study last night :) He got new glasses!!! And there was a gorgeous sunset so naturally I had to snap a few pics and give him a mini photoshoot.

And now his silly side comes out.....[he may kill me for these :) ]

I hope everyone has a GREAT weekend! :)

xoxo,

Lace

 



Birthday Recap

This weekend was the absolute best. It was like a dream! I don't think the fun we had could ever be replicated. And let me just say, every single person in my family is my best friend. We have the best time whenever we're together, and I'm not just saying that to make us look good to everyone else. It's the truth! My only wish is that my sweet aunt Lisa could have been there! I have always looked up to her so much.

To start out the day, Matthew surprised me with breakfast. (When you're not married and still dating, just eating breakfast together at the table is almost as good breakfast in bed. ) it was strawberries in the shape of a heart with bananas inside. So good! He also showed up at my door with a big bouquet of roses! So gorgeous :) I'm so thankful for that thoughtful man. 

After breakfast we met my friend Emilee at the local farmers market and bought kale, yellow cauliflower, peaches, and homemade pickles! It was so good to start the day outside!

Afterwards we went and ate lunch at Red Robin, then headed over to Barnes & Noble. Matthew bought  "Radical Together" by David Platt and "Screwtape Letters" by C. S. Lewis. (We both love to read and free-write). He just kept asking if there was a book I wanted and I mentioned "The Nesting Place". We looked around for a bit but when we couldn't find it I just said that it really didn't matter, and that I could read one of his. Since I insisted that I didn't want a new book, he proceeded to checkout and I went to the ladies room. (I know that that is T. M. I. but it'll play into this in a second). We got in the car and were at a red light when Matthew said "hey look what I got..." And he pulled out "The Nesting Place"!! He had run to the information desk and asked them to help him find it and checked out all before I had come out of the bathroom. It makes me laugh to think about it because he must have been running through the store since it honestly doesn't take me that long to go to the bathroom!! (Haha) 

After the bookstore we headed to the cutest/best/most favorite coffee place in town called Otherlands. Seriously the bomb.com. Does anyone even say that anymore?! I do :) Matthew ordered an iced vanilla coffee, and I ordered an iced caramel latte. Best coffee in town. Hands down. We spent about 2 hours there reading books. Perfectly dreamy.

 

Next,my handsome man( who insisted we do all my favorite things on my birthday) took me thrifting. He's my dream guy. What can I say? I'm in love. 

When we finally arrived home, we got ready and headed out with my mama, daddy, granny, Charlie, and his girlfriend Stephanie. We went to Las Delicias (aka best guacamole in town).

When we returned home, my mama had the cutest little party room set up. A few things I love about having a kindergarten teacher as a mom, is that she knows how to throw a party, no one ever really grows up, and she always makes each person feel extra special. She really made me feel extra special on Saturday:)
She ordered a Muddy's cake which was strawberry with cream cheese rosette icing. mmmmm. I'm eating a leftover piece of birthday cake as I type this...

She bought some $5 Lilly Pulitzer napkins to tie in all the colors and it was a dream party. Seriously my mama should be featured in a magazine. Just look at the way she throws together a perfect party only using the resources she already has! All she bought was a cake and some napkins. The rest was around the house.

It's Lucy's day too! I got her 7 years ago on my twelfth birthday.

My Aunt Lisa did this card, Isn't she so cute? And this is just one of the cute ways she wraps presents. Every celebration she has a new super cute way of decorating gifts. 

I am so thankful for the people who made me feel loved on Saturday. I know some people may think that everyone in our family went over the top, but our family looks for reasons to celebrate. And I think that that is what life is, one big celebration :)

Thanks for stopping by!

xoxo,

Lace

P.s. If you're reading this daddy, we really need to take more pictures together. I'm sad I don't have one of us together from this day! Love you Daddio 

Nineteen

source

 

Tomorrow is the day!

Tomorrow I turn 19. My last year to be a teenager!

I plan on making this year count, so I have decided to make a list of goals for this year. I have found that I work best when I set goals for myself. I'm not aimlessly wandering, I will have a goal...and I will shoot for that goal.

 

1. Grow closer to my Savior

2. Read 10 new books (even if its a micro-biology book...still counts!)

3. Find the makeup that works best with my skin

4. Make straight A's

5. Get my life organized

6. Run more often-work on healthy eating

7. Actually declare my major

8. Spend more quality time with my family

 

This time last year!

 

 

Things I've learned while being 18:
1. Spending the first part of my day with the Lord is the absolute best thing in the world.
2. It's ok to fail one test. Don't freak out.
3. Encourage others as much as you can.
4. People are going to change, and that's ok. Find the ones who will always have your back and stick with them.
5. People are mostly good, don't look for the bad things. Look for the beautiful in people.
6. Continuously be looking for the gifts God has given daily.
7. Eating healthy makes a difference on my mood.
8. The love of my life is my absolute best friend.

I'm so excited about my nineteenth year of life! I want to make every minute count.

xoxo,
Lacey Beth

Discipleship

Lately I have been learning so much about discipleship.

It's like everything in my quiet time points to it. Everything in the books I am reading. Even in all the sermons my pastor has been preaching. Discipleship, Discipleship, Discipleship.

That is our calling as Christ followers.

 

The last command of Jesus was to "Go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And I am with you always, to the end of the age." -Matthew 28:19

 

Why have we as Christians reduced that command to calling- saying that not everyone is called to that, but only a select few?

 

Discipleship means pouring out your life into someone else's. It means loving, serving, getting messy. David Platt puts it perfectly in his book "Radical":

"God's design for taking the gospel to the world is a slow, intentional, simple process that involves every one of his people sacrificing every facet of their lives to multiply the life of Christ in others.....Disciple making takes place multiple times every week in multiple locations by an army of men and women sharing, showing, and teaching the Word of Christ and together serving a world in need of Christ."

I'm probably about to step on people's toes with this...but I don't believe that many people disciple as we are called to. Some people do-don't get me wrong. But the majority of people just shake that person's hand that they are supposed to be discipling at church when they see them, they may even shoot them a text during the week. But is that really discipling the way Christ has called us to disciple? I believe that He was calling us to do more than a simple text. His master plan for reaching the nations was to make disciples who make disciples according to Matthew 28:19.

 

If discipleship is so important, then why is it being neglected? This has been weighing heavy on my heart. In this world full of instant self-satisfaction, sin, and greed, people care more about themselves than the people around them. And I am not making myself exempt from this. Selfishness is something that I struggle with everyday. However, just because it is how everyone acts, doesn't excuse us from doing what we are supposed to do.

 

From my experience, discipleship brings you closer to the Lord. It really holds you accountable! When you know someone is looking up to you, even coming to you with questions, it will push you to dig deeper in the word. How are you to answer if you haven't been studying-immersing yourself daily in His word?

 

Like I said before, I feel that it's essential to be both a Timothy and a Paul. An analogy someone once gave me was to imagine that everyone who is a Christ follower is a cup of water. One cup starts pouring into another cup till it begins to overflow. So the cup that was being poured into begins to pour into another cup, and then that cup begins pouring into another cup, etc. None of the cups are ever going dry because they are constantly pouring into each other. This is how we as Christians should be: constantly pouring into someone else, and teaching them to pour into another. That is the cycle, and that is how followers are made and kept. Not just getting fired up for a season, but for a lifetime.

 

I am so grateful for the women and leaders who have poured into me during my life. There have been people who sent me words of encouragement daily, people who have invited me into their homes, people who have hugged me and would sit with me while I would just vent to them, they would pray with me and for me. These people have shown me a tangible demonstration of Christ's love. I want to be that way.

 

 "..preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." - 2 Timothy 4:1-5

 

 

I want to fulfill my ministry. I don't want to make my life about me. I want my life to point to Christ.

I want to pour into others and experience more of who He is together.

 

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

-Hebrews 10:23-25

 

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace"

- 1 Peter 4:10

 

"Greet the friends, each by name."

-3 John 15b

( I just love this one because John doesn't say 'tell everyone I said hey'. He says 'greet them each by name.' I think this is a perfect example of discipleship. Making every single person feel special and loved. Just as Christ loves and knows all - we are to make everyone feel known and loved....but that's just my personal opinion.)

 

xoxo,

Lace