also, the curls also, the curls
her joy is the best her joy is the best
Happily blaming @laurenpapa3 for telling me about Happily blaming @laurenpapa3 for telling me about this series. Rabbits. Royalty. Battles. Family. Hope. SO GOOD, @sdsmithereens.

I apologize in advance if your kids stay up until midnight like I did to finish a book. 😬
We’re at the park, and she’s happily bouncing, We’re at the park, and she’s happily bouncing, amazed by the big trucks driving by, never wanting to stop going down the slide, smiling constantly — and I’m laughing with her, amazed at her joy and think — Is this what God feels like with me as His child? 

Delight. Lightness. Wonder. Love.

I was filled to the brim with it, covering every crack and reaching every corner. And then I realized — this. is. it. 

This is how I operate in the world. 

I felt so... whole... not because of my efforts at wholeness but because I have God and He has me. (Psalm 23 rings loud: with Him as my Shepherd, I lack nothing.) 

The best I can do for myself is accept and live in His love, especially when mistakes and lack and circumstances scream reasons I can’t. And the best I can do for others, those under my roof and those on this platform, is to extend invitations of His love through my own and through His Word. 

If your life has told you He doesn’t want to love you or know you, I’m here to tell that He does. It’s waiting for you, probably even pursuing you... it just takes a Yes of faith. 

Message me if you want to talk about it; I would LOVE to hear your story, no matter how different we are. 

You're not forsaken,
You're not alone
His love is unending
So know it well
Remind your soul,
remind your spirit,
remind your heart
The love of the Father
Know it well
—Kari Jobe
Bless you and thank you for your heart and work, @ Bless you and thank you for your heart and work, @morganharpernichols.
“I told you about my life, and you answered me; “I told you about my life, and you answered me; teach me your statutes. Help me understand the meaning of your precepts so that I can meditate on your wonders. I am weary from grief; strengthen me through your word. Keep me from the way of deceit and graciously give me your instruction. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set your ordinances before me. I cling to your decrees; Lord, do not put me to shame. I pursue the way of your commands, for you broaden my understanding.” Psalms‬ ‭119:26-32 CSB‬‬
18 months old and she’s joined the ‘lover of t 18 months old and she’s joined the ‘lover of the slide’ club
“We must reflect that, when we reach the end of “We must reflect that, when we reach the end of our days, our life experience will equal what we have paid attention to, whether by choice or default. We are at risk, without quite fully realizing it, of living lives that are less our own than we imagine.” William James

With the help of God, may we strive to become abiding and attentive people instead of distracted and defeated people.
The entire thing is He loved me first. And even wh The entire thing is He loved me first. And even when our surroundings are burning or when all we see is rubble, there is an unseen Kingdom to serve, a Family to be part of, and a powerful Love to give and receive. 

Every week it seems I’m inspired by a comment a friend and pastor made years ago — “Don’t be afraid to talk to someone about the truth of Jesus. Think of it as joining a conversation God might already be having with that person.” 

May we be conduits of that strong, courageous, welcoming, comforting, healing, transforming, sustaining, peacemaking, eternal Love. Or as Bernice King said, “Love puts in work.”
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faith · 01/28/2016

A Different View Of Mountains And Valleys

God can be experienced powerfully and deeply in the valley as well as on the mountaintop. | heartnatured

If you’ve been in church for awhile, you’ve probably heard the term “mountaintop experience” or mountaintop “high.” Am I wrong? It was a buzzword while I was coming up through my youth group. It might have been a weekend retreat or summer camp, or simply great day… a mountaintop high with Jesus. A feeling that I’d always challenge myself to hold on to even in my regular life. And sometimes, mountaintop experiences were/are the sweetest of sweet, full of joy and gratitude and refreshment. But growing up, I’ve learned something invaluable:

God can be experienced powerfully and deeply in the valley as well as on the mountaintop.

Life is so unpredictable; I could be on the mountaintop and in the valley in the same week! Sometimes the mountaintops aren’t all that they are cracked up to be, and sometimes the valleys can be transforming.

To take a different step, I’ve noticed that oftentimes when I desperately want to stay on the mountaintop, it results in fear of honesty, of humility, and I’m paralyzed by perfectionism. On the mountaintop, I’m isolated, and there isn’t a lot of breathing room. I feel like a freezer forever attempting to keep myself at constant, controlled, appealing temperature. If I aim to live on the mountaintop, there’s no room to slip so I exhaust myself trying to stay there. It is usually lonely, because the unrealistic standard hardly leaves room for others to join me. The mountaintop is sometimes where we daily try our best to do godly things, produce spiritual fruit, and put on a mask of ‘put-together-ness.’ Am I making any sense?

Then there’s the valley. Normally looked down upon, often judged or feared, and sometimes a battle. But the valley is where the rivers run, it’s where the soil is. The valley is where I have all kinds of space to spread out, to connect with others who are there (which is probably everyone, if they are honest), to practice letting people see my raw insides. It’s where shields can come down, where I look up to see God more clearly, where I can slow down enough to listen.

To be honest, with all of this neck trouble I’m having, it puts me in a valley of sorts. I’m uncomfortable 80% of the time, I’m slightly discouraged, I’m even a little indifferent, unmotivated some areas. My normal routine of activity and exercise has been thrown off, and I’m trying to re-acclimate. But, in His grace, I feel God saying,

“Girl, here is where you are. Get the Valley Chair out of the closet and have a seat. My eye is on you. I am with you. Sit with Me in this time. Rest and trust the good purposes I have for this.”

Valleys vary from person to person, from season to season, and can be a rich time.

  • Here is where I can confront how I place my identity/worth in worldly endeavors.
  • Here is where I can experience a dependence on God that is unmatched.
  • Here is where I can be vulnerable with my husband and close friends, confessing my weakness.
  • Here is where I remember that my body is only a jar of clay, and that it can manifest Jesus no matter what state it is in, if I choose.
  • Here is where I slow down, recognize Jesus as my indomitable joy, and treasure my reality as a child of God’s.

In a valley, I practice honesty. I practice asking for help (of people and of His Spirit). I practice confession. I practice a spirit of presence + intimacy, in contrast to working + fixing. I practice gratitude. I practice ‘Gospeling myself,’ haha.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield;  the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you! Psalm 84:11-12

Here are my imperfect, human thoughts. Are you currently in a valley or on a mountaintop? Do you have your own valley chair in the closet?

In: faith · Tagged: biblical truth

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Comments

  1. Daisy @ Simplicity Relished says

    01/29/2016 at 7:37 pm

    I love this metaphor, Chelsea– and the authenticity of your thoughts. I honestly feel that I’ve been on mountains and in valleys all within this one month, but God has promised to be Lord over it all. Love the space where we can simply be his children, no more and no less.

  2. Chelsea B.E. says

    01/29/2016 at 8:23 pm

    Daisy, I love how you put that, “God has promised to be Lord over it all.” It’s so true, and often forgotten. I feel like valleys are also places where my doubting spirit is forced to trust His character, His heart. Even if I’m confused or disappointed, I have to trust that He is good, and that He cares ultimately for me.

  3. Martha Lutier says

    01/29/2016 at 10:09 pm

    I will come sit with you in the valley seat and hold your hand!

  4. Chelsea B.E. says

    01/29/2016 at 10:10 pm

    You do by praying for me!

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also, the curls also, the curls
her joy is the best her joy is the best
Happily blaming @laurenpapa3 for telling me about Happily blaming @laurenpapa3 for telling me about this series. Rabbits. Royalty. Battles. Family. Hope. SO GOOD, @sdsmithereens.

I apologize in advance if your kids stay up until midnight like I did to finish a book. 😬
We’re at the park, and she’s happily bouncing, We’re at the park, and she’s happily bouncing, amazed by the big trucks driving by, never wanting to stop going down the slide, smiling constantly — and I’m laughing with her, amazed at her joy and think — Is this what God feels like with me as His child? 

Delight. Lightness. Wonder. Love.

I was filled to the brim with it, covering every crack and reaching every corner. And then I realized — this. is. it. 

This is how I operate in the world. 

I felt so... whole... not because of my efforts at wholeness but because I have God and He has me. (Psalm 23 rings loud: with Him as my Shepherd, I lack nothing.) 

The best I can do for myself is accept and live in His love, especially when mistakes and lack and circumstances scream reasons I can’t. And the best I can do for others, those under my roof and those on this platform, is to extend invitations of His love through my own and through His Word. 

If your life has told you He doesn’t want to love you or know you, I’m here to tell that He does. It’s waiting for you, probably even pursuing you... it just takes a Yes of faith. 

Message me if you want to talk about it; I would LOVE to hear your story, no matter how different we are. 

You're not forsaken,
You're not alone
His love is unending
So know it well
Remind your soul,
remind your spirit,
remind your heart
The love of the Father
Know it well
—Kari Jobe
Bless you and thank you for your heart and work, @ Bless you and thank you for your heart and work, @morganharpernichols.
“I told you about my life, and you answered me; “I told you about my life, and you answered me; teach me your statutes. Help me understand the meaning of your precepts so that I can meditate on your wonders. I am weary from grief; strengthen me through your word. Keep me from the way of deceit and graciously give me your instruction. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set your ordinances before me. I cling to your decrees; Lord, do not put me to shame. I pursue the way of your commands, for you broaden my understanding.” Psalms‬ ‭119:26-32 CSB‬‬
18 months old and she’s joined the ‘lover of t 18 months old and she’s joined the ‘lover of the slide’ club
“We must reflect that, when we reach the end of “We must reflect that, when we reach the end of our days, our life experience will equal what we have paid attention to, whether by choice or default. We are at risk, without quite fully realizing it, of living lives that are less our own than we imagine.” William James

With the help of God, may we strive to become abiding and attentive people instead of distracted and defeated people.
The entire thing is He loved me first. And even wh The entire thing is He loved me first. And even when our surroundings are burning or when all we see is rubble, there is an unseen Kingdom to serve, a Family to be part of, and a powerful Love to give and receive. 

Every week it seems I’m inspired by a comment a friend and pastor made years ago — “Don’t be afraid to talk to someone about the truth of Jesus. Think of it as joining a conversation God might already be having with that person.” 

May we be conduits of that strong, courageous, welcoming, comforting, healing, transforming, sustaining, peacemaking, eternal Love. Or as Bernice King said, “Love puts in work.”
Call it ‘a Sunday stroll in Appling.’ Call it ‘a Sunday stroll in Appling.’

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