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.
ā€œI told you about my life, and you answered me; ā€œI 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.ā€ Psalms‬ ‭119:26-32 CSB‬‬
18 months old and she’s joined the ā€˜lover of t 18 months old and she’s joined the ā€˜lover of the slide’ club
ā€œWe must reflect that, when we reach the end of ā€œWe 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.ā€ 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 — ā€œDon’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.ā€ 

May we be conduits of that strong, courageous, welcoming, comforting, healing, transforming, sustaining, peacemaking, eternal Love. Or as Bernice King said, ā€œLove puts in work.ā€
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faith · 07/20/2017

the heart behind my words

I can be an overtalker. An anxious rambler. I sometimes fear awkward silences, and I can hardly let an uncomfortable situation sit.

There’s a frantic urgency to overreach with my words, to extent an apology or clarifying statement or burst of emotion.

I’ve known this to be true throughout my life, but lately it’s been flashing bright like Vegas Neon. And truthfully, I’m bothered by it.

ā€œDeath and life are in the power of the tongue.ā€ Proverbs 18:21

I’m disturbed by my fear of discomfort in a conversation. I’m weary from my need to explain myself completely and entirely, to cover all my bases, to fix a situation immediately.

I wonder about pride, and how it could be a root issue here: the need to be sure I’m understood, the desire to make sure I’m not seen as wrong or confused or behind the curve.

Once I get going, words like a garden hose rush from my lips. Usually resulting in regret or self-doubt or disappointment, sometimes condemnation before Holy Spirit catches me.

Maybe words have become to me a way I am well thought of, or a rambling blanket of self-preservation, protection or pleasing.

Conversely, enslavement to talking causes us to habitually say what pops into our head without considering whether our words serve others… We forget that our intention—what we really want—is to bless the ones we love. Jan Johnson

If my heart is repeatedly bonding with Jesus’ heart, I believe the pressure to fix and correct and clarify would disappear.

Even when I appear wrongly to someone, or there’s a misunderstanding, or I say something careless or hurtful, because of Jesus and the cross, forgiveness covers my sin. If I live from that Truth, by grace I am saved, I can use my speech to focus not on myself, but on those around me. I can speak to impart grace to the hearers.

To stop worrying about what’s next and toĀ be amazed by what’s right in front of me.Ā Because His goodness, His grace and His glory – they’re all around.Ā I just need to keep my eyes open. Ann Voskamp

Confidence in myself instead of God surfaces in other areas of my life, and the words that come out of my mouth are a perfect example.

Nervous ramblings, fearful run-on sentences, unintentional comments… they spill out because they reside somewhere in my heart.

Our hearts are reservoirs. They hold our emotions, our desires, our dreams, our passions, our fears, and more. What fills yours up will eventually make it’s way out of your mouth.Ā It determines the borders of your words.Ā Soak your heart in His Word.

“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks,” Jesus said (Matthew 12:34). And the way God means to change the mouth is by becoming that abundance. He means to be a fountain of life for us and in us so that out of that abundance our mouths can be a fountain of life for others. John Piper

Father, I need this discipline of fewness yet abundance in my speech. I’m sure I’ll continue to fail, but I am desperate for it. And I learn it from You. Keep watch over the doors of my lips. I want to be more Spirit-controlled, less self-doubting, anxious, and hurried. You are my source of wisdom, make me sensitive to when I should listen, be quiet, or speak. Forgive me for grieving You by not trusting You with other people’s opinions or impressions of me. I don’t want my words to distract me from imparting Your grace, and love, to the person in front of me. You delight in me, I want to live from that Truth, and overflow that joy and mercy and life to others. Give me eyes to see the hearts of others like You do. Me and you, Holy Spirit. Amen.Ā 

What are your thoughts? I’d like to hear them.Ā 

In: faith · Tagged: abiding, biblical truth, learned, words

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Comments

  1. Leslie says

    07/21/2017 at 12:38 am

    I absolutely love this “Our hearts are reservoirs. They hold our emotions, our desires, our dreams, our passions, our fears, and more”! I myself am usually anxious, i apologize all the time, most of the time for no reason at all. I over analyze everything then i over think it to death.

  2. chelsea jacobs says

    07/21/2017 at 12:55 pm

    This is so true! A great reminder to keep an eye on our hearts!

  3. Chelsea B.E. says

    07/23/2017 at 5:10 pm

    Leslie, I am similar. Glad you stopped by to read!

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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.
ā€œI told you about my life, and you answered me; ā€œI 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.ā€ Psalms‬ ‭119:26-32 CSB‬‬
18 months old and she’s joined the ā€˜lover of t 18 months old and she’s joined the ā€˜lover of the slide’ club
ā€œWe must reflect that, when we reach the end of ā€œWe 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.ā€ 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 — ā€œDon’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.ā€ 

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

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