Hello everyone!
I hope you all are having a great summer so far, I know I am. It's funny because in March I had a totally different plan for my summer. I was dead set on going to Nashville for an internship. It was for an awesome ministry called Mission 615. They started a worship ministry internship with all these opportunities to serve in that field. As soon as I heard about it, I assumed it must be God telling me to go since it was such an incredible opportunity. I never took a step back and actually asked Him, which was a big mistake. Always go to God for every decision, always. As the deadline for the first payment neared, my friend and I talked about it. We both didn't really feel a peace about it. There were so many opportunities we would miss serving here at home if we went. From VBS to our devotion/worship nights with our friends to just leading worship at church. Plus money was an issue and we didn't have too much time to actually fundraise. Soon afterwards my friend, who had been looking for a job for a while, got a job. It just fell into her lap after she stepped back and asked God what He wanted for her.
So after I turned down that option, I heard about church camp. So I asked my youth pastor about it and he said they were needing someone to record and make a video at the end of each of the weeks, there was 4 camp sessions. So since my brother and I made some videos for some talent competitions with the IPHC, they knew we could handle it. Well my brother was actually known to be the video guy and I was the musical one. I accepted the offer, but unfortunately my brother could not come so I was on my own. I only had limited experience in this field, like I edited part of one video before. But here I am, at camp the last day waiting on the videos to finish importing. I honestly don't know how I ended up here. It's like He just guided me and gave me peace about the whole thing. If you know me personally, you'd know that this whole thing was totally out of comfort zone. Being where I don't really know anyone and working on something that i've never really done before is definitely not my favorite thing to do but yet here I am loving and enjoying every minute of it.
Not only have I been making videos but I've been attending amazing services and making great friendships with the people here. I have been so blessed to be apart of this. In one of the services the pastor said something that stuck. He mentioned the lady with the alabaster box, which was her dowry to get married one day and poured it out on the feet of Jesus. She took all her hopes and dreams and gave it Jesus. I went to the altar that night pouring all my hopes and dreams onto Jesus. I've held back that way too long. Like I said I would go where He wanted me to but I always had sort of my own plan. Anyways the next week, I was asked to be on a social media team for a big event for the IPHC called Accelerant. You should come by the way ;) Never in a million years would I have ever imagined being on that team. It is truly a God thing. I wondered why out of all the loud, outgoing people, they chose shy, quiet me. All I can say that when you truly lay down your plans for your life to God, then He does open up doors and great opportunities open up. He can use you greatly in ways you could never imagine or ever see yourself doing. I would have never though in a million years I'd be making videos or be on that social media team. I can't help but think what if I didn't come here, where would I be? But I am so excited to continue on this journey God is taking me on.
Monday, July 27, 2015
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Beautifully Pure.
Hello Everyone!
So I know that I originally created this blog to be a fashion blog. I love fashion and all that fun stuff, but I feel lead to write this blog about the everyday struggles and joys we all face today, to write down the wisdom that God has given me, and to encourage you all in your walk with Christ. If you wonder why I chose the name Lily Belle, I wanted it to have a powerful meaning. Lily means pure and Belle means beauty, so Pure Beauty. So on the topic of that, I wanted to talk about purity.
As I was younger I always thought that being pure simply meant that I was going to wait till marriage to have sex, but it is so much more than just that. So lets start out at looking at the definition of the word pure.This was the definition that came up: free from anything of a different, inferior, or contaminating kind; free from extraneous matter. As God's children we are set apart. We are to not be of this world and not acting in their ways. As 1 John 2:15-17 says:
So being pure means we are different from the world. We are called to a higher standard. God tells us He wants us to be holy just as He is. Think it's impossible? It's not, but only through His grace and the strength He gives us can we be holy and set apart. We will fail and burn ourselves out trying to do it all on our own. I've been there, I know.
So back to the subject of purity, I said that being pure meant so much more than just waiting to have sex till you were married, and while that is major, it ties into what God has commanded us. We are to keep all His commandments not just the wait till marriage rule. When God said to love your neighbor, He meant it. By loving the person who gets on your nerves the most, you are giving God glory and being pure. By telling the truth instead of lying you are being pure, and it goes down the line. When we obey God, we are ultimately giving Him glory. It shows the world His grace and love in our lives. Jesus said in Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God". I don't know about you, but I want to see God and to experience His presence.
In conclusion, being pure is to be set apart by not only by our actions but also by our thinking. To be pure also means to keep God's commandments. We can only do this by His grace and strength. If we mess up, we shouldn't let that stop us. Ask for forgiveness and most of all forgive yourself. I struggled with that tremendously. But God does not condemn us. He is our Father with His arms open wide ready to accept us. All we must do it run to Him. So if you have past regrets, then lay them aside and become new in Christ. It is never too late to chose purity. It is such a beautiful thing.
So I know that I originally created this blog to be a fashion blog. I love fashion and all that fun stuff, but I feel lead to write this blog about the everyday struggles and joys we all face today, to write down the wisdom that God has given me, and to encourage you all in your walk with Christ. If you wonder why I chose the name Lily Belle, I wanted it to have a powerful meaning. Lily means pure and Belle means beauty, so Pure Beauty. So on the topic of that, I wanted to talk about purity.
As I was younger I always thought that being pure simply meant that I was going to wait till marriage to have sex, but it is so much more than just that. So lets start out at looking at the definition of the word pure.This was the definition that came up: free from anything of a different, inferior, or contaminating kind; free from extraneous matter. As God's children we are set apart. We are to not be of this world and not acting in their ways. As 1 John 2:15-17 says:
"Do not love this world nor the things it offers you. For when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. They are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever."
So back to the subject of purity, I said that being pure meant so much more than just waiting to have sex till you were married, and while that is major, it ties into what God has commanded us. We are to keep all His commandments not just the wait till marriage rule. When God said to love your neighbor, He meant it. By loving the person who gets on your nerves the most, you are giving God glory and being pure. By telling the truth instead of lying you are being pure, and it goes down the line. When we obey God, we are ultimately giving Him glory. It shows the world His grace and love in our lives. Jesus said in Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God". I don't know about you, but I want to see God and to experience His presence.
In conclusion, being pure is to be set apart by not only by our actions but also by our thinking. To be pure also means to keep God's commandments. We can only do this by His grace and strength. If we mess up, we shouldn't let that stop us. Ask for forgiveness and most of all forgive yourself. I struggled with that tremendously. But God does not condemn us. He is our Father with His arms open wide ready to accept us. All we must do it run to Him. So if you have past regrets, then lay them aside and become new in Christ. It is never too late to chose purity. It is such a beautiful thing.
Thursday, March 19, 2015
The Disappointing World of Dating
Hey girls!
I don't know about you, but I struggle in this area of my life. Every time it seems like it is going to work out with a guy, something happens or in this case doesn't happen. It does get frustrating sometimes. About a month ago, I was talking to a guy and everything seemed to be going great. We had plans to hangout and actually meet each other and then he seemed to just drop off the face of the earth. He said he wanted to come, but he didn't know if he could. Then I've never heard a word since. So I guess he isn't the one God has for me. The whole time that guy and I were talking, I asked God if it wasn't supposed to be then don't let the relationship happen and that is exactly what He did. I am so grateful that I didn't have to experience heartbreak over some guy that I found out later talks to a bunch of girls. It is nice to have attention but it definitely won't satisfy you at the end of the day.
Another instance was actually a few weeks ago. So I met this guy on Instagram. Okay, actually Facebook and then added him on Instagram to get to know him without looking like a creeper. Anyways, I prayed that God would let this guy and I meet (By the way, this guy was not a total stranger. He goes to school with some of my friends). So God answered my prayers and he invited me to his Bible study. This guy seemed so perfect. He really loved Jesus, loved Star Wars, and has a passion for music (his voice is heavenly). The only problem was that his beliefs about the Bible was very much different than mine. Again, I was disappointed since I do like him, but I know it won't work out in the end. I have to pray that God will give me strength and patience to wait on Him and His will for my life.
Psalms 62:1-2 "I will wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken."
At the end of the day, God alone can save us and give us our deepest desires. He satisfies every corner of our hearts. Nothing can fill the place where He is designed to be. So as we go on waiting for our prince charming to ride along and sweep us off our feet, let's put our focus on Jesus. Lets choose to not sit around and wait but to work in the Lord. We should be going all in for God. Diving in so deep that when the right guy comes along he'll have to be so far into God so he'll see you.
This wait can sometimes be very tedious. It is nice to have someone to hold hands with, to spend time with, and someone to laugh with, but all those things are temporary. They will soon fade away just like everything else in this world. Let's put our focus on eternal things. You don't need a guy to tell you that you're beautiful, because you already are. You don't need to have a guy tell you how much he wants you, because you are loved and wanted by God. Sure these things are nice, but
I'd rather wait for someone who is right for me than to date a ton of guys to have that. Heartbreak stinks and I want to avoid it as much as I can. As I am patiently waiting, I will choose to focus my mind on Jesus and to hold on to what is true.
I don't know about you, but I struggle in this area of my life. Every time it seems like it is going to work out with a guy, something happens or in this case doesn't happen. It does get frustrating sometimes. About a month ago, I was talking to a guy and everything seemed to be going great. We had plans to hangout and actually meet each other and then he seemed to just drop off the face of the earth. He said he wanted to come, but he didn't know if he could. Then I've never heard a word since. So I guess he isn't the one God has for me. The whole time that guy and I were talking, I asked God if it wasn't supposed to be then don't let the relationship happen and that is exactly what He did. I am so grateful that I didn't have to experience heartbreak over some guy that I found out later talks to a bunch of girls. It is nice to have attention but it definitely won't satisfy you at the end of the day.
Another instance was actually a few weeks ago. So I met this guy on Instagram. Okay, actually Facebook and then added him on Instagram to get to know him without looking like a creeper. Anyways, I prayed that God would let this guy and I meet (By the way, this guy was not a total stranger. He goes to school with some of my friends). So God answered my prayers and he invited me to his Bible study. This guy seemed so perfect. He really loved Jesus, loved Star Wars, and has a passion for music (his voice is heavenly). The only problem was that his beliefs about the Bible was very much different than mine. Again, I was disappointed since I do like him, but I know it won't work out in the end. I have to pray that God will give me strength and patience to wait on Him and His will for my life.
Psalms 62:1-2 "I will wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken."
At the end of the day, God alone can save us and give us our deepest desires. He satisfies every corner of our hearts. Nothing can fill the place where He is designed to be. So as we go on waiting for our prince charming to ride along and sweep us off our feet, let's put our focus on Jesus. Lets choose to not sit around and wait but to work in the Lord. We should be going all in for God. Diving in so deep that when the right guy comes along he'll have to be so far into God so he'll see you.
This wait can sometimes be very tedious. It is nice to have someone to hold hands with, to spend time with, and someone to laugh with, but all those things are temporary. They will soon fade away just like everything else in this world. Let's put our focus on eternal things. You don't need a guy to tell you that you're beautiful, because you already are. You don't need to have a guy tell you how much he wants you, because you are loved and wanted by God. Sure these things are nice, but
I'd rather wait for someone who is right for me than to date a ton of guys to have that. Heartbreak stinks and I want to avoid it as much as I can. As I am patiently waiting, I will choose to focus my mind on Jesus and to hold on to what is true.
Friday, January 23, 2015
Hope For the Salon Victim
Hey there!
Have you ever had a bad haircut, like one that seems impossible to fix? Well I'm here to tell you it is all going to be alright! Yesterday I went to go get a trim but lets just say I left that place looking like a twelve-year-old boy. My stylist got a little scissor happy and cut short layers to get more volume that I didn't want. He also thinned out my heavy bang I had, that I really loved. So right now I am sitting in my car wearing a hat to hid my now boyish cut. But I have realized that I am not the only one who has had a bad cut (Actually most of mine were bad cuts...) There are several ways to make the most out of the disaster on our heads.
1. Wear a cute hat.
A hat is a great way to cover up those locks that you'd like to be locked up. Although if you are like me and have a job, you can't always wear a hat to cover up with. So here's another solution.
2. Wear a cute headband or cute clips.
If you have short hair like me, you can't just pull back your hair into a ponytail. So the only other option is to add accessories. I bought this one at Forever 21 and love it. Oh, and please ignore the dorky face I am making :)
3. Last but not least, just rock those locks!
After a bad haircut, having the right mindset will make it easier to get through. So just work it, girl! It's only hair and when it feels like the end of the world... it isn't. Hair does grow back and mine grows quite fast, so it'll be back to normal soon. I just thought of the song Beautiful by Christina Aguilera. "I am beautiful, no mater what they say. Words can't bring me down". Yes, I did get comments about my hair such as my brother saying I look like a boy and a customer at work called me sir. But through all that, I know that I am deeply loved by my Heavenly Father and it doesn't matter what anyone says about me. It is all going to be okay. So just be yourself and don't pay attention to those rude comments... cause haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate. So just shake it off! ;)
Monday, January 19, 2015
True Beauty
Hello everyone! This is my first blog and I am so excited about it. I am just a teenage girl who loves fashion and Jesus. I have a passion that people, especially young women, know how valuable they are. Jesus has bought you with His blood and God made you in His image, so His thumb print is on your back. God loves you more than you can ever know and has an amazing plan for your life!
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,"says the Lord "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
As we get into fashion, let us remember what true beauty is. It is easy to get caught up in all the glamour, but we are not defined by the clothes we wear or the amount of makeup we have on.
We are cherished and loved by the Almighty Creator.
I hope as I go on this blogging journey, God will use me to speak into your lives. Let us remember that true beauty comes from the inside. You are BEAUTIFUL <3
We are cherished and loved by the Almighty Creator.
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